Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of December 1, 2011 Joseph F. Alexander Joseph F. Alexander of Steelville, Missouri was born on Friday, January 4, 1918 to Ferd and Orpha Mae Cummins Alexander on Dry Creek, Missouri and passed away at Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla, Missouri, on Thursday, November 24, 2011 at the age of 93 years, 10 months and 20 days. He married Lenora Geraldine Crabtree on December 22, 1945 and they were married almost 66 years. Joe served his country honorably in the Army Air Corp during WWII from 1942-1945. He was a radio operator and waist gunner on a B25 in the 490th Bomb Squadron, 13th Air Force in the South Pacific theatre. Their crew flew 78 missions with 450 combat hours. He recently went on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. to visit the WWII Memorial. It was a trip he thoroughly enjoyed and encouraged all veterans to take. Prior to and after the service he worked in St. Louis at Herman Body as a welder. In 1957, he and Geraldine bought a farm East of Steelville where they raised livestock and hay. He also, worked for Doc Counts in his Veterinary practice for many years and at the Cuba livestock sale barn. He was a master at using, reusing, making do and recycling long before that word was invented. He was a life member of the Ozark Trail Blazers Saddle Club and served as secretary/treasurer for over 20 years. He also served as an election Judge in Crawford County for over 50 years. Joe enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid deer and turkey hunter. He loved visiting with friends and making new friends throughout his life. He was always willing to help someone in need and will be deeply missed. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ferd and Orpha Alexander; two brothers, Ray (Koradine) Alexander and Noel (Dollie) Alexander; sister, Delma (Kenneth) Martin; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Orville (Lucille) Crabtree, Harry (Eunice) Wood, Jake Adams and Harold Turnbough. He is survived by his wife, Geraldine of Steelville, Missouri; daughters, Shirley Crabtree and Bud Caringer and Connie and Bill Cape, all of Steelville, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Bernice Adams of Viburnum, Missouri and Minnie M. Turnbough of St. Louis, Missouri; grandson, Travis A. Cape of St. Louis, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was Sunday, November 27, 2011 from 2-6 p.m. and funeral service on Monday, November 28, 2011 at 1 p.m. at the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri with Pastor Jerry Beers officiating. Burial at the Alexander-Kreamalmeyer Cemetery, Cherryville, Missouri with full military honors. Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. James “Jim” Eldon Bartlow James “Jim” Eldon Bartlow, of Steelville, Missouri was born in St. Louis, Missouri on December 18, 1923 to Granville J. and Essie Maude (Eye) Bartlow and passed away Sunday, November 20, 2011 at Gibbs Care Center in Steelville, Missouri at the age of 87 years. He moved to Leadwood, Missouri as a boy. Jim graduated from high school in 1943 and joined the U.S. Navy serving aboard the U.S.S. Chenango, an escort aircraft carrier during WWII. On December 7, 1944 in Leadwood, Missouri he married Virginia Lee Breyer. Jim was baptized in November 1936 at the First Baptist Church in Leadwood. He continued to live his faith, ordained as a Deacon in 1950 at Cantwell Baptist Church. He served as a Deacon Emeritus at the Steelville First Baptist Church. Mr. Jim was known to pray with and for residents on a regular basis during his years at Gibbs Care Center. He worked as a baker and oil delivery truck driver and as a miner for the St. Joe/Doe Run Lead Company. His last job was as a school bus aide for the Steelville School District where he also was a volunteer, encouraging students to “do your homework’ and “stay in school.” Jim loved to travel, garden, watch auto racing, ice hockey and St. Louis Cardinals. He was preceded in death by his parents, Granville and Essie Bartlow; his wife, Virginia; two brothers, Lloyd Bartlow and wife Louise and Lynn Bartlow and wife Edith. He is survived by his son, James “Jim” Bartlow and wife Diane of Clinton, Maryland; daughter, Sharon England and husband Terry of Steelville, Missouri; five grandchildren, Denise Bartlow and Christina Bartlow of Clinton, Maryland, Brad England and wife Amy of Steelville, Missouri, Ben England and wife Becky of Inchelium, Washington and Jared England of Wentzville, Missouri; six great grandchildren, Katy and Meghan Sheehan, Elijah, Abby, Conner and Emma England; two special nieces, Sue McFarland of Newburg, Missouri and Carolyn Adams of Graceville, Florida; other relatives and friends. Visitation was from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at the Britton- Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at the First Baptist Church in Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Kevin Farr officiating. Special music of “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” and “Old Rugged Cross” was sung by Hal Rhea and accompanied on piano by Connie Rhea. At the conclusion of the service, “Amazing Grace” was played on bagpipes by Rob Bowness. Committal prayer and interment with full military honors were conducted by the U.S. Navy, VFW Post 6966 of Potosi and American Legion Riders in the St. Francois Memorial Park in Bonne Terre, Missouri. Casket bearers were Terry England, Brad England, Ben England, Jared England, Jack England and Arthur Cook. Honorary casket bearers were Gary Skaggs, Art Zigler, Paul Hogan and the Deacons of the First Baptist Church. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. Ray “Gene” Eugene Ellis Ray “Gene” Eugene Ellis of Owensville, Missouri was born in Jake’s Prairie, Missouri on May 26, 1930, to Mattie (Nowack)  and Gilbert M.  Ellis and passed away Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at Truman V.A. Hospital in Columbia, Missouri at the age of 81 years. On June 23, 1951 in Pocahontas, Arkansas he was united in marriage to Dorothy Enke. He served his country with the United States Marine Corps from 1952-1954 receiving the Korean Service Medal with two stars, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Medal and the Purple Heart Medal.  He was a member of the Rosebud American Legion. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Castin Ellis. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; sons, Scott Ellis and wife Liz of Olathe, Kansas, Todd Ellis of Owensville, Missouri and Trent Ellis and wife Lana of Owensville, Missouri; six grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 26, 2011 at the Gottenstroeter Funeral Home in Owensville with Rev. Richard Brueseke officiating. Burial was in the St. John’s United Church of Christ Cemetery in Bem, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Gottenstroeter Funeral Home in Owensville, Missouri. Frances Claudine Engelmeyer Frances Claudine Engelmeyer of St. James, Missouri was born on April 19, 1929 in Coulterville, Illinois to Keneth and Pauline (Wisley) McGough and passed away at her home on Monday, November 21, 2011. Frances was a widow with six children when she married Martin Engelmeyer on October 5, 1972. They shared nine children and 36 years before he passed away on January 21, 2009. They also shared a lifelong joy of giving. They were very active in the community with the Meals On Wheels, St. James Golden Living Center, the Fall Festival and in the church. They were both long time members of the St. Anthony Catholic Church in Rosati. In 1993 Frances and her late husband Martin were awarded the St. James Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award, making it the first time it was awarded to a couple. She was preceded in death by her parents, Keneth and Pauline McGough and sister, Joyce. She is survived by her children, Vincent Ciaravino of Georgia, Linda Taylor and husband Dennis of St. Louis, Missouri, Mary Gallup of Chaffee, Missouri, Brenda Hatridge and husband Pacer of Salem, Missouri, Angela Gibbs of Salem, Missouri, Joseph Ciaravino of Salem, Missouri; step-children, Martin Engelmeyer and wife Judy of Moore, Oklahoma, John Engelmeyer and wife Cathy of Florissant, Missouri, David Engelmeyer and wife Carla of Las Vegas, Nevada; 18 grandchildren, a host of great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held Tuesday, November 22, 2011 from 5-8 p.m. at the James & Gahr Mortuary. Funeral service was held Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at 11 a.m. in the St. James Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary with Father James Finder officiating. Interment was in the St. James Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary. Lola Faye Gamble Lola Faye Gamble, nee Lawson, of Cherryville, Missouri was born May 1, 1927 in Potosi, Missouri to Elmer and Mamie (Lamkey) Lawson and passed away Friday, November 25, 2011 at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 84 years. On September 11, 1945 in St. Louis, she was united in marriage to Floyd A. Gamble. Lola was of the Baptist faith. She always enjoyed vegetable gardening, tending to her flower gardens, sewing and quilting. With all of the family, she and her husband Floyd spent many weekends attending horse shows. Most of all, she loved being with her family, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Mamie Lawson; her husband, Floyd in December of 2007; one daughter, Debbie Day; one brother, Roy Lawson; four sisters, Juanita (Bud) Schultz, Frieda (Jim) Brown, Evelyn (Bill) Axley and one infant sister; sisters-in-law, Claudine Gamble, Alice Gamble, Violet Greenwood, Ellen Brown, Ava Algiere and Florence Gamble. She is survived by her four sons, Ronald Aaron Gamble of Hermitage, Missouri, Mike Gamble of Cherryville, Missouri, Wayne Edward Gamble and wife Judy of Flemington, Missouri and Mark Anthony Gamble and wife Teresa of Bourbon, Missouri; one daughter Rhonda Day and husband Tom of Cherryville, Missouri; one son-in-law, Greg Day of Hillsboro, Missouri; two brothers, Lawrence Lawson and wife Jo Ann of Fenton, Missouri and Dennis Lawson and wife Laura of Doe Run, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Margie Lawson of Fenton, Missouri, Fay Metcalf and husband Bob of Potosi, Missouri; brothers-in-law, Ed Gamble and Webb Gamble both of Potosi, Missouri; four grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. There will be a private burial in the Gamble Family Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. Sarah Jeanne Gatrell Sarah Jeanne Gatrell, nee Gray, of Steelville, Missouri was born October 10, 1942 in Rolla, Missouri to Glen and Minnie McMillen Gray and passed away Thursday, November 24, 2011 at her home at the age of 69 years. On January 29, 1966 in Steelville, Missouri at the Presbyterian Church, she was united in marriage to Robert L. Gatrell. Sarah Jeanne was a member of the Steelville Presbyterian Church. For a few years she had a sewing and fabric shop and later worked in the law office of Howald and Kenagy, the Steelville Courthouse and the Steelville Star. In her spare time, she enjoyed crocheting, quilting and sewing. She was preceded in death by her parents, Glen and Minnie Gray; one son, Robert Glen Gatrell and one daughter, Lori Anne Viehman. She is survived by her husband, Bob, of 45 years; one daughter, Bobbi Young and husband Les of Steelville, Missouri; four grandchildren Endi Anna, Justess and Shay Viehman and Marlee Johnson; one step-grandson, James Young; son-in-law, Rob Viehman of Steelville, Missouri; brothers-in-law, Jim Gatrell and wife Linda of Indiana, Edison Gatrell and wife Amy, Tom Gatrell and wife Sally, all of West Virginia and Richard Gatrell and wife Violet of Ohio; other relatives and friends. Visitation was from 4-8 p.m. on Sunday, November 27, 2011 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 28, 2011 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating. Special music of “In the Garden” and “Go Rest High” was sung and played by Rev. Jerry Beers. Committal prayer and interment were in the Keysville Cemetery. Casket bearers were Rob Viehman, Ron McMillen, Tony Gatrell, John Bunch, Gary Stift and Marvin Bartle. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. Mary Hannah Karberg Mary Hannah Karberg, nee Mullen, was born in Cuba, Missouri on January 13, 1919 and passed away on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at the age of 92 years. Mary was retired from Deacones Hospital where she served as a Nurses Aid for more than 20 years. Most important to Mary in her long life, were her family and her love of her Lord Jesus Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Karberg. She is survived by four children, Ron (Debbie) Karberg, Alan (Carol) Karberg, Linda Karberg and Cheryl (Joe) Seifried; eight grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; a brother, Paul Mullen; other relatives and friends. Arrangements under the direction of the Kutis Affton Chapel. Rickey (Tucker) Mowery Rickey Mowery was born June 23, 1970 in Sullivan, Missouri to Vester and Paulann (Farrar) Mowery and passed away November 16, 2011 at the age of 41 years, 4 months and 23 days. Rich served in the U.S. Army, both in Iraq and Somalia.  He was employed by the Eastern Reception Diagnostic Correctional Center, Bonne Terre, Missouri. He loved music and movies and working with wood, but conversations and spending time with his family brought him great pleasure. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vester and Paulann Mowery and his paternal, grandfather-in-heart, Dean Tucker. He is survived by his children, Cody Mowery and Kyle Mowery of Viburnum, Missouri and Tyler Mowery of Ironton, Missouri; parents-in-heart, Bill and Debbie Tucker of Doe Run, Missouri and his grandmother-in-heart, Suzie Tucker of Farmington, Missouri; significant other, Kristi Eaves and her children, Kyle Freedom and Koltynn Eaves, all of Ironton, Missouri; brothers, Kelly Tucker and Matthew Tucker of Doe Run, Missouri, Jon Tucker of Farmington, Missouri and Sam Tucker of Hillsboro, Missouri; sisters, Megan Cassady and husband Chris of Doe Run, Missouri, Mary Ann Lubbers and husband Scott of Rolla, Missouri, Tammy Dildine and husband Jimmy of Cuba, Missouri, Tina Kitchen and husband Floyd of Leasburg, Missouri, Tonya Coats and husband Bobby of Warren, Arkansas, Jenna Jannings of St. Louis, Missouri, Marti Mowery of Springfield, Missouri and Heather Brickey and husband Robert of Salem, Missouri; special aunt, Janet Pitts and special cousin, Terri Wisdom and husband Chad, all of Bunker, Missouri; friends and his fellow workers at the Correctional Center; other relatives and friends. Visitation was from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, November 20, 2011 at the Chapel. Funeral service was at 1 p.m. on Monday, November 21, 2011 at the Salem Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary with Rev. Bill Mathes officiating. Interment was in the Boss Cemetery, Boss, Missouri with full military honors by the Salem American Legion Post #99 and the Color Guard from the Eastern Reception Diagnostic Correctional Center. Arrangements under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary. Robert C. Schroeder Robert “Bob” C. Schroeder of Sullivan, Missouri was born on June 13, 1958 at Sullivan, Missouri to Orval and Mary Louise (Barreth) Schroeder and passed away on Monday, November 21, 2011 at the age of 53 years. He later graduated from Sullivan High School and had lived the majority of his life in the Sullivan area.  Bob was self-employed in the metal recycling industry and operated the Reynolds Salvage Company.  He had a diversified set of friends and was loved by all.  He had a big heart and didn’t know a stranger.  Bob enjoyed playing golf and fishing and had a passion for the outdoors and always seemed his happiest and joyful when outdoors.  Bob was also known to have a strong will and was a fighter who did not give up even in the last days of his illness. On April 24, 1993 he was united in marriage to Donna Marie Wiethar at Krakow, Missouri.  Later they became members of Temple Baptist Church in Sullivan. Bob dearly loved his family and particularly adored his cat Chester. He was preceded in death by his mother, Louise and mother-in-law, Agnes Wiethar. He is survived by his wife, Donna of the family home; one son, Robert Schroeder, Jr. and fiancée Faith of Sullivan, Missouri; two grandchildren, Robert III and Brayden Schroeder; father, Orval Schroeder of Sullivan, Missouri; two sisters, Brenda Greenwalt of Bourbon, Missouri and Julie Montgomery of Bourbon, Missouri; one brother, Wayne Schroeder of St. Clair, Missouri; father-in-law, Gene Wiethar of Union, Missouri; brother-in-law, Alan Wiethar of Union, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held on Saturday, from 4-8 p.m., November 26, 2011 at Temple Baptist Church in Sullivan, Missouri. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 27, 2011 from Temple Baptist Church in Sullivan with Pastor Scott Perry officiating. Interment was in the Odd Fellows Memorial Cemetery, Sullivan, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, Missouri. Lance Eugene Tyree Lance Eugene Tyree of Bourbon, Missouri was born on February 14, 1961 in Washington, Missouri to Billy Ray Tyree, Sr. and Dorann Catherine Sibole Tyree, and passed away Thursday, November 17, 2011 at the age of 50 years. After high school, he operated heavy equipment for various companies and recently was an operator at the water plant for the City of Sullivan. Lance enjoyed hunting and NASCAR, Harleys and his pet deer, but more than anything, he enjoyed watching his children play sports. He was preceded in death by his parents, Billy Sr. and Dorann Tyree; a brother Billy Ray Tyree, Jr.; and his wife Kim (nee Brendle). He is survived by three children, Tiffany Emmons, her husband Mitchell and grand-daughter, Elinn Emmons of Washington, Missouri, Callee and Blane Tyree of Lonedell, Missouri; step-mother, Mary Tyree of Sullivan, Missouri; one brother, Audie Tyree of Bourbon, Missouri; a special aunt, Violet Hawkins and family of St. Clair, Missouri; other relatives and friends. A memorial service was held at 7 p.m. on Monday, November 21, 2011 at the Chapel of the Eaton Funeral Home with a gathering of friends and family beginning at 4 p.m. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, Missouri. Michael Eugene “Bear” Weems Michael Eugene “Bear” Weems of Cuba, Missouri was born to Ernest and Karen (Duncan) Weems on December 24, 1971 in Sullivan, Missouri and passed away Friday, November 18, 2011 at his home at the age of 39 years. Michael worked for the Salvation Army at Camp Mihaska in Bourbon. At the age of 16 he went to Job Corps to obtain his GED and learn the construction trade. In 1992 he joined the U.S. Navy and served his country on the U.S.S. Ingersall and was stationed at Pearl Harbor. He loved video games, Star Wars, movies, fishing, swimming at Indian Creek, collecting knives, bears and Indian artifacts. The love for his family was strong and he enjoyed doing anything for his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, James Benjamin and Anna Duncan, Ernest and Mildred Weems; one uncle, Buddy Stroup and one aunt, Shelia Sharp. He is survived by his mother, Karen Weems; father, Ernest Weems; sister, Karina and husband Joe Rice; nieces and nephews, Drew Weems, Hannah Rice, Aaron Weems, Ben Britton, Tristan, Aiden and Clayton Rice, all of Cuba, Missouri; aunts and uncles, Neil and Mary Duncan of Sullivan, Missouri, Fern Stroup of Bourbon, Missouri, Neva and Dave Cassidy of Steelville, Missouri, Joyce and David Corbett of Cuba, Missouri, Rhonda and Tom Hibbitts of Fair Play, Missouri, Kathy and Daniel Dotson of Cuba, Missouri, Ruth and Al Brannum of Muncie, Indiana, Raye Lynn and Jim Poley of Paducah, Kentucky, Richard and Kelly Weems of Muncie, Indiana, Darrell and Katie Weems of Sikeston, Missouri, Denise and Chuck Little of East Prairie, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 11 a.m. until time of service at 1 p.m. at the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri with Pastor Mark Smith officiating. Interment followed at the Kinder Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.org/mo/mofiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWebArchives by: Winnie Brooks