Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of December 29, 2010 Lavada Irene Abrams Lavada Irene Abrams nee Thompson of Steelville, Missouri was born on April 5, 1938 in Shannon County, Missouri to Jess Thompson and Minnie May Hassell and passed away on Thursday, December 23, 2010 at the age of 72 years, 8 months and 18 days. She married Charles Clint Abrams on May 17, 1954 in Salem, Missouri. She worked many years and retired from Brown Shoe Company, Steelville, Missouri where she was nicknamed “Speedy.” She then worked a few years for San-Val Company in Steelville, Missouri. Her hobbies were sewing, needlepoint, reading, gardening, and canning. She especially enjoyed picnicking and swimming at the creek with her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jess and Minnie Thompson; brothers and sisters, Pearl (Pless) Smith, Virginia “Nell” (Vern) Piatt, infant Berneice Thompson, James Thompson, Denver (Maude) Thompson, Wenford (Virginia) Thompson, Jessie (Trevel) Thompson, Harley Thompson, Harold Thompson and Kenneth Thompson in infancy. She is survived by her husband, Charles “Clint” Abrams of Steelville, Missouri; son, Michael (Susan) Abrams of Washington, Missouri; sisters, Ada (Roy) O’Dell of Salem, Missouri, Yuvawn “Jody” (Elmer) Love of Bowling Green, Kentucky, Ellar “Emaline” (Frank) Magnan of Cottonwood, Arizona; sister-in-law, Mary Thompson of Salem, Missouri; dear friends Bill & Joyce DeClue and Helen Eilert; four grandchildren; four great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was Monday, December 27, 2010 from 6-8 p.m. and funeral service Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at 11 a.m. at Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Delmar Hutson officiating. Burial was at the Cherryville Baptist Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Ruth R. Curtis Ruth R. Curtis was born August 31, 1923 in Newburg, Missouri to James and Lelia (Rinck) Lane and passed away December 18, 2010 in Rolla, Missouri at the age of 87 years. Ruth was a member of the First Assembly of God in Rolla. She loved her church and Gospel Music.  She worked as a nurse for 20 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Lelia Lane; brothers, Edwin, James, Clyde, Leslie and Robert Lane and a sister, Sue Williams. She is survived by her husband, Carl Curtis of Rolla, Missouri; daughters, Carolyn Rosenburg and husband Cecil of Rolla, Missouri, Penny Richardson and husband Roy of St. James, Missouri, Peggy Loos and husband Bob of Fort Collins, Colorado and Carla Schwartz and husband Danny of Fort Collins, Colorado; brother, Paul Lane and wife Dorothy of Rolla, Missouri; grandchildren, Shawn, Russell, Polly, Shelly, Brandon and Kyle; eight great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at James & Gahr Mortuary in Rolla, Missouri. Services were held on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 beginning at 2 p.m. at James & Gahr Mortuary in Rolla, Missouri with Rev. Chuck Whitmire and Rev. Ray Cook officiating. Arrangements under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary. Fred A. Gregory Fred A. Gregory of Cuba, Missouri was born to Fred H. and Velma V. (Willox) Gregory on May 10, 1934 in Florissant, Missouri and passed away Tuesday, December 21, 2010 in Rolla, Missouri at the age of 76 years. Fred married Nadine Collins and spent 57 years together. To this union four children were born. Fred was a self-employed auto mechanic for many years. He attended Delhi Baptist Church where he made a profession of faith. He was known as a great storyteller, had a good sense of humor and enjoyed tinkering with small engines. His greatest joy was his family especially his wife, children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Velma Gregory; three brothers, Wilbur, Charles and Oran Gregory; one sister, Margaret Hawkins; one great grandchild, Davin Brown. He is survived by his wife, Nadine Gregory of the home; four children, Marie and husband Jim Brown of Stoutland, Missouri, Edward and wife Pamela Gregory of Brandenburg, Kentucky, Raymond and wife Chesley Gregory of Stoutland, Missouri, Stella Louise and husband Steve Baker of Milton, Florida; 12 grandchildren, Clif, Eric, Chase, Heather, Taylor, Ryan, Brandon, Paul, Daniel, Hannah, Austin and Hillary; three great grandchildren, Kelsey, Jaessa and Lauren; one brother, Elmer H. and wife Anna Gregory of Cuba, Missouri, six sisters, Mary Best of Warrenton, Missouri, Louella Hunt of Osage Beach, Missouri, Helen and husband Gene Forester of Cuba, Missouri, June Tongay of Sullivan, Missouri, Martha Ray of Cuba, Missouri, Shirley and husband Gene Adair of Sullivan, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held on Thursday, December 23, 2010 4 p.m. until time of Funeral Service at 7 p.m. at Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri with Bro. Charles Ledbetter and Bro. Joe Bruno, officiating. Graveside service was held on Friday, December 24, 2010 at 10 a.m. at Delhi Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Helen Elizabeth Harman Helen Elizabeth Harman, nee Achurch, of Linn Creek, Missouri, was born in Steelville, Missouri to Charles Robert and Estora Civilla (Sites) Achurch and passed away Sunday, December 19, 2010 at the age of 80 years, 11 months and 6 days. On September 12, 1947, she was united in marriage to Roy “Sonny” Harman. Helen and Sonny moved from Steelville, Missouri in 1956. They lived in Hermitage, Missouri and in 1974 they moved to Camdenton, Missouri. She enjoyed playing the piano and performed at the First Baptist Church in Steelville prior to moving. Her main career was a homemaker and she took great care of her family often working extra hours to provide something special for her children and grandchildren. After retirement Helen and Sonny traveled extensively in their motor home. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Estora Achurch; her husband “Sonny”; brother, Harold “Jack” Achurch and one sister Dorothy Stough. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Elaine Bland and husband Dale of Linn Creek, Missouri; two sons, Robert Lee Harman of Blue Springs, Missouri and Alan Roy Harman and wife Terri of Camdenton, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Amy Kogan, Emily Pierce and husband Leland, BreAnna Harman, Jared Harman, Haley Harman, Kristal Harman, Alan Harman II, Scott Harman and Kayla Harman; two great grandchildren Beth Kogan and Katie Bradley and baby Connor on the way; other relatives and friends. Visitation was from 1-2 p.m. on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at the Britton- Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri. Funeral service was held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Delmar Hutson officiating. Special music of “I’ll Fly Away” and “I Overlooked an Orchid” was played. Committal prayer and burial were in the Steelville Cemetery. Granddaughter Amy Kogan read a favorite poem of her grandmothers’ called the “Clock of Life.” Casket bearers were Bob Harman, Alan Harman, Alan Harman II, Jared Harman, Scott Harman and Dale Bland. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. Edward Henry Johnson Edward Henry Johnson of Cuba, Missouri was born March 11, 1926 at St. Louis, Missouri to Edward H. and Elizabeth Alice (nee Powers) Johnson and passed away Monday, December 20, 2010 at Rolla, Missouri at the age of 84 years, 9 months and 9 days. Edward was united in marriage to Ruth M. Grellner and to this union three sons were born. In 2001 Edward was united in marriage to Betty James. Edward proudly served his country as a Sergeant in the 736th Army Air Forces Base Unit. He served from June 1943 till April 1946. After returning from the service Edward went to work for McDonnell Douglas Aircraft in St. Louis. He started learning about aircraft manufacturing, the space shuttles and anything else they would teach him. He then became the owner/operator of Aerospace Machine Shops and Jeffco Enterprises for many years before retiring to Cuba in the early 1980’s. He was a licensed pilot, member of the Knights of Columbus, former caretaker of Holy Cross Cemetery, helped deliver Meals on Wheels for a number of years and was always involved in the community until his health didn’t allow him to be. In the last few years he has enjoyed feeding the fish every spring, summer and fall and feeding the birds in the winter. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward H. and Elizabeth Johnson; first wife, Ruth Johnson; one son, Edward T. Johnson; other relatives and friends. He is survived by his wife, Betty Johnson of the home; two sons, Steven M. and wife Barbara Johnson of St. Charles, Missouri and Robert “Bobby” T. and wife Terry Johnson of Fenton, Missouri; three step children, Jeanann Howard of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Tommi Woolsey of Rolla, Missouri and James and wife Charity Woolsey of Sullivan, Missouri; 15 grandchildren, Eddie and wife Karen Johnson, Nathan and Ashley Johnson, Deric Openlander, Stephanie and husband Lionel Lawson, Ethan, Landon, Brady, Tray, Jaden, Cordi, AJ, Trina, Jazzy and Liam; two great grandchildren, Nicholas Johnson and AJ Lawson; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held Wednesday, December 22, 2010 from 5-8 p.m. at the Britton Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri. Celebration of Mass was held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 23, 2010 at the Holy Cross Catholic Church of Cuba with Father James Finder as celebrant. Interment with full military honors followed at the Holy Cross Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri with family serving as pallbearers. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Frances “Fran” Koepke Frances “Fran” Koepke of Columbia, Missouri was born May 18, 1949 in Columbia to J.W. and Lois Smith Stafford and passed away on December 15, 2010 at her home at the age of 61 years. She was married on August 7, 1969 in Miami, Oklahoma to Gene Koepke (formerly of Owensville, Missouri). Fran was a 1967 graduate of Hickman High School and a 1969 graduate of Capitol Business College in Jefferson City. She worked at Lincoln University for two years and then at her family owned Pepsi Cola Bottling Company until her retirement in 1986. She was a member of Columbia United Church of Christ, Quarterback Club, Show Me Cosmo Club and the Columbia College Cougar Club. She enjoyed reading, traveling, fishing and watching the Missouri Tigers and Columbia College Cougars but her greatest love was helping others and taking care of her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, J.W. and Lois Stafford. She is survived by husband, Gene of Columbia, Missouri; son, Mark Koepke and wife Kellie; daughter, Laura Koepke and husband Jeff Lentz; brother, John Stafford and wife Brenda, all of Columbia, Missouri; mother-in-law, Gladys Koepke of Cuba, Missouri; brother-in-law, James and wife Dorathea Koepke of Cuba, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was Saturday, December 18 from 4-7 p.m. at the Memorial Funeral Home, Columbia, Missouri. Services were held Sunday, December 19, at Memorial Funeral Home, Columbia, Missouri. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Columbia, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Memorial Funeral Home, Columbia, Missouri. Henry “Hank” Charles McGauly Henry “Hank” Charles McGauly Jr. of Steelville, Missouri was born July 4, 1939 to Henry Charles Sr. and Ann Wills McGauly and passed away Sunday, December 19, 2010 at Gibbs Care Center in Steelville, Missouri at the age of 71 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Sr. and Ann McGauly; son, Michael Joseph McGauly and daughter, Cynthia Ann Dickens. He is survived by his wife, Gail McGauly of Steelville, Missouri; one son, Henry Charles McGauly III and wife Cheryl of Imperial, Missouri; two daughters, Laura Lynn Murray and husband Jeff and Tammy Renee Dake and husband Darren, all of Cuba, Missouri; two step-children; nine grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; siblings, Lily Mateja, Pete McGauly and Pat Howard, all of St. Louis, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Graveside service was held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at Steelville Cemetery with Father James Finder officiating. Committal prayer and burial were in the Steelville Cemetery, Steelville, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. Marrlan Morgan Marrlan Morgan of Sullivan, Missouri was born on Wednesday, April 2, 1913 in Owensville, Missouri to Jesse Morgan and Jennie Spurgeon Morgan and passed away Saturday, December 18, 2010 at LifeCare Center of Sullivan, Missouri at the age of 97 years, 8 months and 16 days. Marrlan married Juanita Martin on December 24, 1940 in Cantwell, Missouri and to this union one son was born. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Bourbon, Missouri and the Steelville Masonic Lodge #77. Marrlan completed his Masters in Education degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. He taught several years in the public schools of Crawford and Gasconade Counties. Along with teaching he had a passion for farming. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Jennie Morgan; wife, Juanita; sisters, Edna (Logan) Shoemaker, Beulah (Orville) Souders; brothers, Wellington (Edna) Morgan, Samuel Morgan and Forrest Morgan. He is survived by his son, Leon (Beth) Morgan of Sullivan, Missouri; grandchildren, Michael Morgan and Melissa (Dennis) Brown, all of Sullivan, Missouri; sister-in-law Winnie Morgan of Owensville, Missouri; brother-in-law, DeWayne Martin of Cuba, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was Tuesday, December 21, 2010 from 12-2 p.m. and funeral service at 2 p.m. at the Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri with Rev. Delmar B. Hutson officiating. Burial was at the Bourbon Cemetery, Bourbon, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri. Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site. ************************************************ Copyright. 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