Mirror, Steelville Star-Crawford Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of December 31, 2014 Dawn Michelle Buck Dawn Michelle (Setzer) Buck was born on Saturday, May 29, 1976 in St. Louis, Missouri to Jim King and Cynthia Ann Duncan and passed away on Sunday, December 14, 2014 at the age of 38 years, 6 months and 15 days. Dawn married Michael D. Buck on July 9, 2006 at Living Word Ministries in Leasburg, Missouri and to this union four children were born. She enjoyed spending time with her family especially her grand- children, and also enjoyed spending time at the river. She is survived by her husband, Michael Buck of Leasburg, Missouri; father, Jim King; mother, Cynthia Setzer of Leasburg, Missouri; children, Christopher Vannoy, Austin Vannoy, Joseph Buck and David Buck, all of St. Louis, Missouri; brother, Gene Setzer of St. Louis, Missouri; sister, Kathy Setzer (Michael) Sweeney of Bourbon, Missouri; brother-in-law, Steve Buck of Union, Missouri; grand- children, Joseph Buck, Jr., Logan Buck, Gavin Buck and Savannah Buck, all of St. Louis, Missouri; other relatives and friends. A memorial service was held on Sunday, December 28 at 3 p.m. at the Living Word Church, Leasburg, Missouri with Rev. Jim Delacourt officiating. The family has chosen cremation as the final disposition. Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri. James Franklin Harlan James Franklin Harlan of Highland, Illinois, formerly of Steelville, Missouri, was born to Allan and Lillian (Duncan) Harlan on July 5, 1924 in Pinckneyville, Illinois and passed away Monday, December 22, 2014 at the age of 90 years, 5 months and 17 days. James married Eldonna G. Kendrick on February 9, 1945 in Little Rock, Arkansas. After graduation James joined the Navy. He served as a tail machine gunner in WWII and was awarded a purple heart after begin shot down in the Phillipines. He worked as a carpenter for over 40 years, retiring as a master carpenter from Granite City School District. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge #877 in Granite City, Illinois, Faternal Order of Eagles #1126 in Granite City, Illinois and former member of the VFW. Upon his retirement he and his wife enjoyed life in the country in Steelville, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, Allen Harlan and Lillian McGuire; his wife of 60 years, Eldonna on January 29, 2005; and daughter, Gina S. Etler. He is survived by a son, James R. (Deanna) Harlan of Highland, Illinois; four grandchildren, Johnathon and Joshua Etler of Weslaco, Texas, Kaferl Purtle of Highland, Illinois and Austin Harlan of Highland, Illinois; two great grandchildren, Kennedy and Donovan Purtle of Highland, Illinois; son-in-law, John Etler of Weslaco, Texas; other relatives and friends. Graveside service was Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Steelville, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home, Highland, Illiniois. Andrew Joseph OÕBrien Andrew Joseph OÕBrien of Cuba, Missouri (formerly of Berryman, Missouri) was born on Sunday, February 10, 1935 in a brick bungalo in Dogtown, St. Louis, Missouri to Andrew Joseph Sr. formerly of County Kerry, Ireland and Ellen Marie (Hickey) OÕBrien formerly of County Clare, Ireland and passed away on Thursday, December 18, 2014 at the age of 79 years, 10 months and 8 days. Andy married Pauline Catlett on June 18, 1960 and to this union two children were born. Andrew was a former Marine and was trained in Camp Pendleton. He also served in the Navy. Near the end of his military career he served at a station in Japan, where he was a guard for the A-Bomb. He was employed by AJF Trucking as a truck driver for 34 years. During this time he proudly delivered welding rods to the St. Louis Gateway Arch daily during its construction. When Andy retired he moved to Berryman, Missouri. After working for 34 years he always said he was going to do nothing in retirement. He enjoyed his retirement by being a volunteer fireman, gardening, hunting with his son and nephews and taking his grandchildren to the creek and hanging out (and telling lies) at the Berryman store. He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Ellen Marie OÕBrien; daughter, Cathy OÕBrien; brothers-in-law Walter King, Jim Bailey, Bill Amos, Edward Catlett, Joe Catlett, Roy Catlett Jim Riely, Jack Adams, Jim Garth and Mac McBride; and sisters-in-law Betty Hodges and Frances Catlett. He is survived by his wife, Pauline OÕBrien of Cuba, Missouri; son, Andy (Shirley) OÕBrien of St. Louis, Missouri; sisters, Ann Riely of Glenndale, Missouri, Margie (Bill) Marshal of Houston, Texas, Kate McBride of St. Louis, Missouri and Theresa (Al) Fusch of Chesterfield, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Alice Catlett of Sun City, Arizona, Veronica Adams of Glencoe, Missouri, Margie King of Cuba, Missouri, Catherine Amos of St. Peters, Missouri, Virginia Bailey of Steelville, Missouri and Gertrude (Rolla) Moses of Edmond, Oklahoma; brothers-in-law, Bob Hodges of Festus, Missouri and Mike (Ann) Catlett of Cuba, Missouri; six grandchildren; five great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was from 10-11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 with funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Cuba, Missouri with Father Richard Boever officiating. Full military honors followed the service. The family chose cremation as the final disposition. Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Rita Jane Sgrio Rita Jane Sgroi, nee Bamert, of Cuba, Missouri was born on Sunday, February 17, 1935 in St. Louis, Missouri to Joseph and Mary Garringer Bamert and passed away Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at the age of 79 years, 10 months and 6 days. Rita married Joseph Jack Sgroi on September 18, 1954 in St. Louis, Missouri and to this union five children were born. They were married for 60 years and always loved to dance. Rita was a wonderful cook, especially of Italian dishes and a woman with a big heart. She was an active member of the Holy Cross Catholic Church and the ladies prayer group. She also, donated a lot of her time to the churches clothes closet for many years. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Mary Bamert; brothers, Gene Bamert, Joe Bamert and Rich Bamert; sisters, Theresa Moore and Pat (Cliff) Georgen; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Rose Amato, Tony (Antoinette) Sgroi, Mary Lou (Jack) Gaffney, Bud Kellems and Jim Sgroi. She is survived by her husband, Joseph Sgroi of Cuba, Missouri; children, Angelo (Lisa) Sgroi of Salem, Missouri, Anthony Sgroi of Belle, Missouri, Joseph Sgroi, Jr. of Owensville, Missouri, Vincent Sgroi of Cuba, Missouri and Cynthia Zimmerman of Florissant, Missouri; brothers, Cyril (Catherine) Bamert of Defiance, Missouri, Charles (Carol) Bamert, Art (Judy) Bamert, Johnny (Florence) Bamert, Tommy (Mary) Bamert, Al (Dee) Bamert of Lake St. Louis, Missouri and Jerry Bamert of St. Peters, Missouri; sister, Fran Kellems St. Louis, Missouri; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, May Bamert, Yavonne Bamert and Ed Moore, all of St. Louis, Missouri, Frank Amato of Brooklyn, New York and Pat Bliele of Arapaho, Colorado; 12 grandchildren; five great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was Monday, December 29, 2014 from 9-10:45 a.m. at the Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri with funeral mass followed at 11 a.m. at the Holy Cross Catholic Church, Cuba, Missouri with Father Richard Boever officiating. Burial was at the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri. Luman ÒSonnyÓ Fredrick Watkins Luman ÒSonnyÓ Fredrick Watkins of Rolla, Missouri was born in St. James, Missouri on September 10, 1940 to Luman and Winifred (Havens) Watkins and passed away Monday, December 22, 2014 at the age of 74 years. Sonny was united in marriage to Janet Scott on June 13, 1959 and to this union three sons were born. A true patriarch of the family, Sonny founded Watkins Portable Toilets in 1982, which is now one of the largest portable toilet companies in Missouri. Being born and raised in this area he learned at an early age the beauty of the great outdoors and the bounty of the rivers and streams. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also enjoyed his cattle, tractors and bluegrass music. He was preceded in death by his parents, Luman and Winifred Watkins; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Edith and Henry Scott; sisters, Hazel Chalfant and Phyllis Cooley. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Janet Watkins of the home; sons, Scott Watkins and wife Paula, Jeff Watkins and wife Susan and Randy and wife Frederika, all of Rolla, Missouri; grandchildren, Jamie, Jeremy and Jessie Watkins, Josh and Amber Treece and Heather Frayer; brother, John Watkins and wife Lynne of Idaho; sister, Zanetta Glenn of Rolla, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, December 27, 2014 at the Rolla Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary, Rolla, Missouri. Funeral services were held on Saturday, December 27, 2014 at the Rolla Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary at noon with Pastor Stephen Kamprath officiating. Interment at the Macedonia cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary in Rolla, Missouri. Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site. http://www.threeriverspublishing.com/ ************************************************ 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