Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO
Local Obituaries for the Week of December 17, 2008



William Paul Barr

William Paul Barr of Viburnum, Missouri was born September 3, 1934 in Viburnum,
Missouri to Hobart and Frona (Midgett) Barr and passed away Monday,
December 8, 2008 at the University of Missouri Medical Center in Columbia,
Missouri at the age of 74 years.
On April 8, 1989 he was united in marriage to Dorothy Maloney who survives of
the home.
Paul served in the U.S. Army. He worked out of Union #42 in St. Louis as a Hod
Carrier and his last job was working on building the Edward Jones Dome before
retiring in 1996.
He enjoyed the outdoors and hunting was a favorite pastime. On one of his
hunting days a few years ago, he came across a very hungry and unhealthy German
Shepherd dog. Not finding the dog’s owner, Paul took him to the veterinarian
and was able to get him on a healthy path again. “Baby” became his companion
and was always with him.
He was a member of the Freewill Baptist Church in Viburnum, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Lawrence Barr; four
sisters, Thena Setzer, Edna Sickford, Nelly Eaton and Thelma Barr; three
brothers-in-law, Floyd Maloney, Pat Maloney and J.L. Maloney; one
sister-in-law, Virginia Maloney.
In addition to his wife of 19 years, he will be sadly missed by one son,
William Paul Barr, Jr. and wife Carie of Savannah, Georgia; one daughter,
Paula Dallas and husband Michael of Viburnum, Missouri; three step-sons,
Charles Coonfield of Viburnum, Missouri, Steve Coonfield and wife Darleen of
St. Louis, Missouri and Gary Coonfield and wife Lynn of Milwaukee, Wisconsin;
one step-daughter, Vicky Coonfield of Laquey, Missouri; one brother, Ray Barr
and wife Pam of High Ridge, Missouri; one sister, Betty Chumley and husband
Calvin of St. Louis, Missouri; five brothers-in-law, William Maloney of
Cassville, Missouri, John Maloney and wife Betty of Weippe, Idaho, Mike
Maloney of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, Lawrence Maloney of Rogers, Arkansas, Cisco
Maloney and wife Roberta of Seligman, Missouri; two sisters, Mildred Hicks of
Pea Ridge, Arkansas and Mary Jane Adkins and husband, Mitchell of Mt. Home,
Arkansas; four grandchildren, David Allan Reich, Breanna Skye Barr, William
Paul Barr III and Vincent Cole Barr; four step-granddaughters, Carlie Haven
Godbee, Ashley Coonfield, Stephanie Lynn Coonfield and April Coonfield; four
great grandchildren, Austin Grace, Adam Reich, Avynn Reich and Alexis Reich;
other relatives and friends.
Visitation was from 2-8 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, 2008 and 11 a.m. until
time of service on Friday, December 12, 2008 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral
Home in Steelville, Missouri.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Friday, December 12, 2008 at the
Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri with Pastor Cletis
Nichols officiating. Music of “Amazing Grace” and “Winner Either Way” were
sung by Kevin and Kim Abney.
Committal prayer and burial were in the Czar Cemetery at Viburnum, Missouri.
Military honors were given by the U.S. Army.
Casket bearers were Michael Dallas, Gail Stickferd, Wayne Stickferd, Darrell
Stickferd, Steve Coonfield and Kevin Barr. David Reich was an honorary casket
bearer.
All arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of
Steelville, Missouri.


Myrtle E. Durand

Myrtle E. Durand, nee Farrar, of Sullivan, Missouri was born on Thursday,
February 2, 1922 in Steelville, Missouri, to Albert Farrar and Lena Brown
Farrar. She passed away Sunday, December 7, 2008 at Missouri Baptist Hospital
in Sullivan, Missouri at the age of 86 years, 10 months, and 5 days.
Myrtle married Charles Durand and moved to California. She spent most of her
life working as a beautician. She moved to Sullivan about seven years ago to
be near her family. She was an accomplished bowler with several perfect games
of 300, and had won numerous patches and trophies. She bowled in St. Louis,
Missouri with several of the professional bowlers of her day. She was a
St. Louis Cardinal fan. She loved the horse races and even owned her own
racehorse at one time. She was full of life and enjoyed spending time with her
family. Myrtle accepted the Lord early in life and attended Baptist Churches.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; several children by
miscarriages; eight brothers, Troy (Lizzie), Raymond (Estella) Robin (Verna),
Bert (Zelma and Leona), Harry, Clark (Jane), Jim, and Claude Farrar; two
sisters, Phoebe (Calvin) Cutisforth and Mabel (Claude) Davis, and brothers-in-
law, John Wiedeman and Benny Brimer.
She is survived by her nephew, Michael Wiedeman and wife Evelyn of Sullivan,
Missouri; three sisters, Mary Wiedeman of Sullivan, Missouri, Thelma Vick and
husband John of Galesburg, MI, and Zelma Brimer of Kent, Washington, sister-in-
law, Virginia Farrar of Washington, Missouri; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, December 10, 2008 and funeral service
was 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 11, 2008 at the Hutson Funeral Home in
Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Delmar B. Hutson officiating.
Burial was in the Brown Cemetery, Steelville, Missouri.
All arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville,
Missouri.


George Howard Keppler

George Howard Keppler was born on Friday, April 21, 1939 in Buffalo, New York
to Henry Keppler and Monica Feldman Keppler. He passed away on Wednesday,
December 3, 2008 at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis, Missouri
at the age of 69 years, 7 months, and 12 days.
George served in the United States Marine Corp from October 1958 to November
1965. He was one of President J.F. Kennedy’s Personal Honor Guards; and also
guarded the unknown soldiers grave at Arlington National Cemetery in
Washington, DC.
He lived with his wife and three children in St. Louis, Missouri before moving
to Steelville, Missouri. George worked on the Dave Keeter farm in Berryman for
several years, and later moved to Cherryville where he has lived since 1993.
George was raised Catholic as a child.
George enjoyed fishing, gardening growing flowers, and feeding and watching
birds.
George was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Paul, Frederick,
James, Lawrence, and David Keppler.
He is survived by his companion, Jenny Helms of Cherryville, Missouri; three
children, Ray Keppler of St. James, Missouri, Jason Keppler of Montgomery
City, Missouri, and Cheryl King of New Florence, Missouri; three brothers,
Henry Keppler of New York, John Keppler of South Carolina, and Peter Keppler
of New York; five sisters, Ethel Darmstedter, Anna Wisz, Edna Kastrzak, Monica
Courteau, and Marie Savage, all of New York; special friends, Bill Smith,
Jeanette Massey and companion Roy Carrick, Johnny Thomas, Jackie and Eugene
Helms, Darla and Frank Vance, Chris Helms, Sharlann and David Gaddy; and
Jenny’s 12 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren; other relatives and
friends.
Memorial service was held Thursday December 11, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. with
Rev. Delmar B. Hutson officiating.
Burial on the Jenny Helms Farm 640 Valleyside Rd. Cherryville, Missouri with
full military honors.
All arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home in
Steelville,Missouri.


Eva Marie Soper

Eva Marie Soper of Cuba, Missouri, formerly of St. James, Missouri was born
March 7, 1952 in St. James, Missouri, to Oren and Essie (Hanes) Reed and
passed away Friday, December 12, 2008 in Columbia, Missouri at the age of
56 years, 9 months and 5 days.
Eva Marie Soper was united to Alfred Soper.
Eva was known for her quiet loving disposition. She was always willing to do
anything for anyone.
She is preceded in death by her mother; husband; and son, John Reed.
She is survived by her father of St. James, Missouri; many step children;
brothers, Lawrence Reed and wife Ruby of Cuba, Missouri, Timothy Reed of
St. James, Missouri and Jay Hanes and wife Beverly of Cuba, Missouri;
sister-in-law, Dian Reed of St. James, Missouri; other relatives and
friends.
Visitation was Sunday December 14, 2008 from noon to 2 p.m.
Funeral Service was held at 2 p.m. on Sunday December 14, 2008 at the Jones
Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri with Paul Lathum, Cuba United Methodist
Church, officiating.
Burial in the family plot at the High Gate Baptist Church Cemetery.
All arrangements are under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in
St. James, Missouri.


Pauline “Polly” Walden

Pauline “Polly” Walden of Arnold, Missouri was born on February 28, 1937 to
Wayne and Luettie Turnbough. She passed away December 5, 2008 at her home
in Arnold after a battle with cancer.
Polly was united in marriage to Walter Walden who preceded her in death on
September 9, 1995.
She retired from White Rogers Corporation and spent several years traveling
and attending events with her husband in their motor home. She had fond
memories of the summer they traveled to Alaska and back.
She was baptized and joined First Baptist Church in Steelville. She had been
attending First Baptist Church in Arnold and Starling Road Baptist Church
when health permitted.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one brother, Glen
Turnbough;two sisters-in-law, Juanita Turnbough and Opal Turnbough; and
one brother-in-law, Frank Guess.
She is survived by her son, Michael and grandson, Michael Jr. of Arnold,
Missouri; sister-in-law, Evelyn Brownlee of Bloomington, Illinois; brothers,
Clarence Turnbough of Cuba, Missouri and Gilbert and wife Louise Turnbough;
sisters, Frances Guess and Verniece and husband Hack Lea of Steelville,
Missouri; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held Sunday, December 7, 2008 from 4-8 p.m. at Kutis Funeral
Home, St. Louis, Missouri.
Funeral services were held on Monday, December 8, 2008 with Rev. Kevin Farr
and Rev. Bud Sanders officiating. Music was provided by Hal and Connie Rhea.
Interment was in the Steelville Cemetery.
All arrangements under the direction of the Kutis Funeral Home of St. Louis,
Missouri.


Ira Jeremiah Wilson

Ira Jeremiah Wilson, former mayor and community leader in St. James, Missouri
was born in the small community of Norman Creek in southern Phelps County,
the son of Edward and Mae (Green) Wilson and passed away at his home on
December 10, 2008, at the age of 88 years, 11 months, 18 days.
He was a graduate of the John F. Hodge High School Class of 1940.
Ira and Margaret (Verkamp) Wilson were united in marriage on September 19, 1942,
in Abilene, Texas. He was in the service of his country from March 1942 to
October 1945. Following discharge from the Army in 1945 he returned to
St. James and entered the lumber business with his wife and father-in-law,
Frank Verkamp. He was co-owner of Verkamp Lumber Company, later Wilson Lumber
Company doing business for over 55 years.
His civic duties included stints on the St. James City Council, St. James
Utility Board, Missouri Veterans Home Assistance League, James Foundation
Advisory Committee, St. James Chamber of Commerce Board and he was a charter
member of the St. James Golf Course Board of Directors. He also served as Mayor
of St. James from 1965-1967 and worked closely with The James Foundation during
the revitalization of the downtown business district and the re-forestation of
St. James.
Ira was also a member of numerous community organizations including the Knights
of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and the 90th Infantry
Division Association. He was an organizer and volunteer at such annual events
as the Maramec Spring Trout Opening, Old Iron Works Days, Grape & Fall Festival.
He chaired the Old City Hall Board of Curators.
He was preceded in death his wife; his parents; brothers, Lawrence and Jim Ed;
infant daughter, Francis Kaye; son, Michael Richard (Dick) and grandson, Tyler.
He is survived by his sons, Dennis and wife Lynn and Bob and wife Sharon;
daughter, Judy Carney and husband Gene, all of St. James, Missouri;
grandchildren, Corey and Lucas Wilson, Tim Wilson and wife Barbara, Josh Wilson
and wife Stacia, Jeremy, Matt and Katie Bruno, Matt Caputo, and Emele Orris and
husband Keith; five great grandchildren, Cody, T.J., Jake, Max Ira and Grant;
other relatives and friends.
A prayer service and visitation was held at James & Gahr Funeral Home in
St. James Friday, December 12, 2008 from 5-8 p.m. A funeral Mass was conducted
at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. James, Missouri, Saturday,
December 13, 2008 at 11 a.m., with burial in the Immaculate Conception Catholic
Cemetery. Father David Viet and close family friend Father James Finder
officiated at the funeral service.
Pallbearers were his grandchildren.
All arrangements are under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary in
St. James, Missouri.



Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the 
Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site.
<http://www.threeriverspublishing.com/>

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