Mirror, Steelville Star-Crawford Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of December 26, 2018 Wanda Faye Asher Wanda Faye Asher (nee Dunlap) of Cherryville, Missouri was born on Monday, November 7, 1938 in Salem, Missouri to Herman and Frona Day Dunlap and passed away on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at the age of 80 years, 1 month and 11 days. Wanda attended Steelville High School and was a member of the class of 1956. She married Robert "Bob" Lee Asher on December 15, 1956 in Steelville, Missouri at the Assembly of God Church (which is now the current day Hutson Funeral Home). Wanda and Bob just celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary. After they married, they moved to St. Louis, Missouri since it was closer to Bob's work. In 1982 they returned to Crawford County where they made their home in Cherryville, Missouri. Wanda worked for a while at the Daycare Center at the Steelville Presbyterian Church and later worked 20 years at Gibbs Care Center as a Med Tech until she retired. Wanda and Bob were previous members at the 1st Baptist Church of Cherryville and she had accepted the Lord early in life. While attending, she taught Sunday School and even cleaned the church. She was a former member of the Country Gals Club. Wanda enjoyed gardening and bird watching. She enjoyed attending reunions twice a year for her neighborhood she lived in in St. Louis, Missouri and going to her daughter's Christmas Eve Party and having Christmas at their house. Wanda spent much of her summer months on the river with the Asher's. She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman (Frona) Dunlap; parents-in-law, Bill (Hazel) Asher; daughter, Pamela Sue Asher; son-in-law, Jeff Mitchell; grandson-in-law, Chris Deason; step granddaughter, Jeanie Swartz; sister, Berneal (Stanley) Martin; brothers-in-law, Randy Asher, Billy Asher, Johnny Asher, Ronald Asher, Louis Dicus and Jerry McMillen; and sisters-in-law, Louise Solis and Ann Asher. She is survived by her husband, Bob Asher of Cherryville, Missouri; children, Tammy (Jim) Smith of Hillsboro, Missouri, Yvonne (Rick) Leuthauser of St. James, Missouri and Wade (fiancˇe Tami) Asher of Cherryville, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Lindsey Ehrmann, Lacey (Zach) McCutcheon, Lesley Deason, Luke (Shelby) Smith, Destiny (Scott) Wisdom, Jacob Mitchell, Gabrielle (boyfriend Anthony) Asher and Taylor (Brendarh) Asher; two step grandchildren, Jamie (Dennis) Leuthauser and Jessica Leuthauser; eight great grandchildren, Asher, Zephyr, Lilah, Ian, Adelaide, Athena, Ellie and Rosalee; five step grandchildren, Madison, MaKayla, Aden, Ian S. and Dominic; brother-in-law, Fritz Asher of Steelville, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Bonnie Jones, Judy Dicus and Karen (Rob) Sikes of Steelville, Missouri, Wanda McMillen of Texas, Tina Asher of Ozark, Missouri, Linda (Bill) Dodd of Cuba, Missouri and Cathy (Brian) Tucker of Salem, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was from 2-3 p.m. on Saturday, December 22, 2018 at the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Celebration of Life was immediately following at 3 p.m. with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating. The family has chosen cremation as her final disposition. Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Louise Lillian Besemer Louise Lillian Besemer of Warrenton, Missouri was born Tuesday, January 1, 1946 at Cuba, Missouri to Jacob A. and Elizabeth (nee Dettling) Besemer and passed away on Friday, December 21, 2018 at the age of 72 years. Louise was a member of Friedens United Church of Christ in Warrenton, Missouri. As a young child, she loved being on the farm and helping with the cows and chickens. She spent hours coloring, scrapbooking and making things out of beads. Louise was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and Mickey Mouse. What she treasured most was spending time with all her friends at the Warren County Handicap Shelter. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob A. and Elizabeth) Besemer; one sister, Katherine McGaughey; three brothers-in-law, Melvin McGaughey, Fred Martin, Joe Acuff; and one nephew, Sammy Martin. She is survived by two sisters, Elizabeth Dean of St. Louis Park, Minnesota and Helen Acuff of Sarasota, Florida; two brothers, Carl and wife Chris Besemer of Cuba, Missouri and David and wife Denese Besemer of Cuba, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 27, 2018 from 10-11 a.m. at the Friedens United Church of Christ of Warrenton, Missouri. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, December 27, 2018 at the Friedens United Church of Christ with Pastor Andrew Lovins officiating. Graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, December 27, 2018 at the Kinder Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri with Pastor Joe Ed Pederson officiating. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Lawrence "Nic Nic" Lee Dodson Lawrence "Nic Nic" Lee Dodson of Cuba, Missouri was born June 15, 1956 in Rolla, Missouri to Harold and Virginia Callahan Dodson and passed away Monday, December 17, 2018 at the age of 62 years, 6 months and 2 days. "Nic Nic" enjoyed hanging out with his family friends whenever possible, fishing and enjoying the outdoors. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Virginia Dodson; and two sisters, Karen Newbauer and Pam Dodson Lucas. He is survived by his three sons, Joshua (April) Dodson of South Carolina, Jeremiah Dodson of Cuba, Missouri and Jared Dodson of Steelville, Missouri; mother of his sons, Tina Blanton of Steelville, Missouri; one brother, Harold "Butch" Dodson of Park Hills, Missouri; two step-sisters, Patti Callahan and Mary Gibson of Park Hills, Missouri; eight granddaughters; one grandson; one great grandson; other relatives and friends. A Celebration of "Nic Nic's" Life was held on Saturday, December 22, 2018 at Loose Ends in Cuba, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. Nancy Louise Arthur Gill Nancy Louise Arthur Gill (nee Currey) of Steelville, Missouri was born August 17, 1921 in Evanston, Illinois to Samuel George and Agnes Engdahl Currey and passed away Friday, December 14, 2018 at the age of 97 years. Nancy was an avid reader and pianist. She graduated from Evanston Township High School. She later attended Principia College in Elsah, Illinois. It is here that she met her first husband, Thomas G. Arthur, whom she married on December 19, 1942. War Bride Nancy waited while Tom, a Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps, flew B-24's during World War II. Based in North Africa and Italy, he flew 50 combat missions as a navigator with the 781st Bomb Squadron. After the war, Tom and Nancy settled down to raise a family of four. Tom was a cartoonist and artist but to support the family, his career was in food service. He created the famous Dodger Dog, a hot dog that was grilled to perfection and sold to thousands on game days at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Nancy made homemaking her career. She was a member of the Mother's Clubs of Berkeley Hall School in Los Angeles and of The Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri. She also became a member of P.E.O. Tom and Nancy were married for 26 years. Later in life, she married Eldon E Gill on November 21, 1970, another WWII aviator and a real estate developer from Southern California. Eldon and Nancy spent 28 years living in various parts of California. Nancy was fondly known as Mama Duck as she would cluck about her family giving attention to her brood. After Eldon's passing and 54 years of living in California, Nancy drove Rt. 66 back to St. Louis to join her daughter's family to help raise the Arthur/Semnacher grandchildren. Several years later, her former husband, Thomas G. Arthur, also left California and moved to the St. Louis area to be close to his grandson, Jess Semnacher, who was his caregiver. Nancy and Tom ended up enjoying a year and a half of being good friends and supporting their grandkids together before Tom passed away. When a young girl, Nancy was a member of the Christian Science Sunday School in Evanston, Illinois. After she was married, she was a member of various California Christian Science Branch churches located in Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Woodland Hills, Palm Desert and Solvang. When an opportunity came for Nancy to work as an assistant kindergarten teacher at Nishimachi International School in Tokyo, Japan, Nancy became a member of the Christian Science branch church in Tokyo. When Nancy returned to the Midwest to join her daughter's family, she joined the Town and Country Christian Science branch church in St. Louis, Missouri. Presently, she was a member of the Christian Science Society of Crawford County in Cuba, Missouri. Throughout her years of church service, Nancy loved studying the Bible and served in the capacity as a Second Reader and Sunday School teacher. Nancy's loved ones who have passed away before are her parents, Sam and Agnes Currey; in-laws, Harry C. Arthur Jr. and Marie McGuire Arthur; husbands, Thomas G. Arthur and Eldon E. Gill; brother, Samuel George Currey, Jr; younger sister, Elizabeth Ann Currey; sister-in-law, Laura Lou Hesser Arthur; brother-in-law, Harry C. Arthur III; brother-in-law, Richard Charles Arthur; and two best friends, Phyllis Opie Brooks and Mabel Corbett Moore. She is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Barbara E. Arthur of Steelville, Missouri; her three sons, Greg Arthur and his family of Sebastopol, California, Terry D. Arthur and his family of Beverly Hills, California, and Steven C. Arthur and his family of Newport Beach, California; sister, Barbara Factor of Santa Barbara, California; sister-in-law, Janice Littel Currey and her family of Malibu, California and Rosemary St. John Arthur Carl and her family of Calfornia; son-in-law, David G. Semnacher of Alton, Illinois; her grandson's father, Jeffrey J. Barnoski of Steelville, MO; stepson, Gregory R. Gill and his family of Long Beach, California; 17 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. A Celebration of Life will be held in Malibu, California. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. Gladys May Kimker Gla GladysMay Kimker of Sullivan, Missouri, was born on June 19, 1932 in Bell, Missouri, to R.O. and Irene Hensley and passed away on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at the age of 86 years. She grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and began working at an early age. Gladys married Alvin Kimker, in 1955. They were married for 63 years. Baptized at the age of 18 as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Gladys had strong faith in the prophecy found at John 5:28, 29. Gladys and Alvin mostly raised their family in St. Clair, Missouri, however, they spent many good years in Cedar Hill, Missouri before moving to Sullivan, Missouri in December of 2000. Gladys enjoyed fishing and playing cards. For the past 13 years, Gladys could usually be found dealing out Rummy cards to her husband and friends in the activity room at Life Care Center. She was preceded in death by two infant daughters, Linda and Cathy; her parents, R.O. and Irene Hensley; two brothers, Leslie and Homer Hensley; and one sister, Alice Wilson. She is survived by her husband, Alvin Kimker of Sullivan, Missouri; two sons, Ronald Kimker of Sullivan, Missouri and Ryan West of St. Louis, Missouri; one daughter, Elaine Cross of Sullivan, Missouri; 10 grandchildren, Tiffany Kimker of Sullivan, Missouri, Cherie Irwin and husband, David, of O'Fallon, Missouri, LeeAnn Albrecht and husband Eric of Leasburg, Missouri, Heather Hooven and husband Jason of Wood River, Illinois, Mindy Anderson and husband Nate of Spring Bluff, Missouri, Lee Parks of St. Louis, Missouri, Ashley McBride and husband Michael of Bourbon, Missouri, Allen Kimker and wife Holly of New Haven, Missouri, RaeAnn Neal of Sullivan, Missouri and Tommy Cross of Catawissa, Missouri; 16 great grandchildren; three sisters, Ruth Womack of Overland, Missouri, Jean Hensley of Overland, Missouri and Joan Brown of St. Charles, Missouri; other relatives and friends. It was Gladys' wish to be cremated. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Sullivan, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home of Sullivan and Bourbon, Missouri. Janet Lynne Kincaid Janet Lynne Kincaid of Sullivan, Missouri was born on August 25, 1956 in Salina, Kansas to Robert Lane and Nancy Ann (Anderson) Hassebroek and passed away Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at the age of 62 years. She grew up and attended school in Sullivan, Missouri and was in the graduating class of 1974. Janet married Jeff Kincaid on June 13, 1981, in Bourbon, Missouri. Janet was employed at Meramec State Bank for 18 years and Fidelity Communications for 26 years. She enjoyed antiquing and loved spending time with her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Nancy Hassebroek; parents-in-law, Jack and Viola Kincaid; brother-in-law, Larry Kincaid; and one niece, Laney Doder. She is survived by her husband, Jeff Kincaid of Sullivan, Missouri; one son, Derick Kincaid and wife Ashley of Sullivan, Missouri; two daughters, Shandy Byrd and husband John of Sullivan, Missouri and Shalon Williams and husband Nick of Sullivan, Missouri; two sisters, Judi Jones and husband O.H. of St. Charles, Missouri and Cindy Doder of Crestwood, Missouri; special sister-in-law, Linda Kincaid of Sullivan, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Johnni and Kolten Byrd, Lukas and Macy Williams, Carter, Jax and Audrey Kincaid; nieces and nephews, Melissa Duncan and husband Larry of Nashville, Indiana, Annie Lancaster and husband Jon of St. Ann, Missouri and Jared Jones and wife Shelly of St. Charles, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, December 20, 2018 at the Eaton Funeral Home Southside Chapel on Sappington Bridge Road and from 10-11 a.m. on Friday, December 21, 2018 at the Grace City Church in Bourbon, Missouri. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 21, 2018 at the Grace City Church in Bourbon, Missouri with Pastor Kenny Todd officiating. Burial followed in the Bourbon Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home of Sullivan and Bourbon, Missouri. Eugenia Florence Maurer Eugenia Florence Maurer of Owensville, Missouri was born on March 17, 1920 in Buffalo, New York to Florence May Leonard and Marvin E. Leary and passed away on December 15, 2018 at the age of 98 years. Because of the early deaths of her parents, Eugenia was raised by her foster mother, Mary E. Hoskins in Macomb, Illinois. Eugenia graduated from high school in Adair, Illinois, then received her Bachelors of Education from Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois, with additional studies at Lincoln University. She also earned a Masters in Speech Therapy from Illinois State University in Bloomington, Illinois. Eugenia married Marshall W. Maurer in 1942 in Cicero, Illinois. In 1947 Eugenia and Marshall moved to Anderson, Indiana, and in 1957 to Drake, Missouri, where they both taught in the Owensville and Union school systems. For two years, starting in 1965, the Maurers moved to Muncie, Indiana to teach in the Muncie school system, but in 1967 Marshall received a position at Wesley United Methodist Church and the Campus Church of Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois, so the couple moved again. During a two year assignment with VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) starting in 1972 in western Missouri, Eugenia and Marshall helped establish senior centers in a nine-county region. They received a special award from the Optimist Club in recognition of significant work done on behalf of senior citizens. Eugenia and Marshall then moved to New Haven to teach until their retirements in 1983. They moved to Owensville, Missouri where Eugenia volunteered as a teaching assistant for grade school classes. In 2014 she received special recognition and appreciation from Lincoln University Golden Sons and Daughters, as a distinguished graduate, and for 50 years of association and loyalty. Eugenia loved writing poetry and in her 80s, she submitted, and had published, three of her favorite poems. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marshall; one sister; two foster sisters; and two brothers. She is survived by four children, Marsha Maurer of Portland, Oregon, Michael Maurer of Jefferson City, Missouri, Niles Maurer of Steelville, Missouri and Rachel Maurer Kempen of Drake, Missouri; grandson, Christopher Stygar and wife Lisa Carvajal and their daughters, Audrey and Julia of Pittsburgh, Penn. A private family service was held at the Drake Zoar United Methodist Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Gottenstroeter Funeral Home in Owensville, Missouri. Mary E. Spurgeon Mary E. Spurgeon of California, Missouri, formerly of St. James, Missouri, was born April 4, 1927 in Leeton, Missouri to Frank G. and Edith E. Williams Cooper and passed away Thursday, December 13, 2018 at the age of 91 years. On June 27, 1948 in Kansas City, Missouri she married James M. Spurgeon. Mary graduated from Leeton High School and then attended Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Missouri, where she studied Library Science. She also enjoyed teaching and taught at Star, High Gate and Miles Country Schools. She worked at the Missouri Veterans Home and for many years at the Rolla Regional Diagnostic Center. After retirement she worked part time as a librarian for both the St. James Schools and the James Memorial Library. She loved to grow roses and work in her yard and would often have block parties. She was preceded in death by her husband, James M. Spurgeon on May 31, 1990. She is survived by one son, Norman F. Spurgeon and wife Linda of St. James, Missouri; one daughter, Rita Cheryl Keith and husband Tom of Henley, Missouri; six grandchildren, Laura, Jon, Nathan, Christina, Ashley and Erin; 13 great grandchildren, Aubrey, Brynlee, Cooper, Jeremy, Megan, Lainey, Savanah, Madison, Paige, Caydee, Emma, Anna and Landon; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 9-11 a.m. on Monday, December 17, 2018 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Monday December 17, 2018 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri with Don Carson officiating. Stephen Brubaker was the vocalist with Jason Jungemeyer as organist. Burial was in the St. James Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site. http://www.threeriverspublishing.com/ ************************************************ Copyright. 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