Cedar County, Missouri Obituary Collection

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Date: Saturday, 20 March 2010, at 8:24 p.m.

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EARL F. “JACK” BELCHER
Earl F. “Jack” Belcher, 85, El Dorado Springs, was born on Dec. 21, 1915, near Cedar Springs, to John Robert and Addie Lea Monroe Belcher. He passed away on July 17, 2001, in the Mt. Vernon VA Nursing Home after an extended illness.
Jack served his country during WWII, where he spent three years in the Philippine Islands. He was decorated with a Good Conduct Medal, an American Defense Service Ribbon, a Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star and also received a DAV Honorable Discharge. He was a life member of the VFW Post 257 of El Dorado Springs.
Jack was saved in a revival meeting at West Union Missionary Baptist Church in October 1955.
Jack was united in marriage to Mildred O. Simmons Reeves on March 3, 1956. They resided on a farm southeast of El Dorado Springs until Jack's health failed and they moved to town in 1988. He enjoyed working the land and tending to his livestock. Jack loved taking grandchildren fishing and playing at the creek. He found great pleasure in watching his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and the neighborhood children spend many happy hours on the farm. Many a kid learned a valuable lesson in working and turning the crank on the old ice cream freezer.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers - Homer, William, Henry and Harrison; two sisters - Elvira and Maggie; and one granddaughter, Daisy Reeves. He is survived by Mildred, his devoted wife for 45 years; his twin sister, Muriel Bowen, El Dorado Springs; four daughters - Linda Cain, Branson, Gendy Poag and Jim Cothren, El Dorado Springs, Betty and Roger Meeks, Stockton and Bonny and David Highley, Marshfield; one son, Carl and Tammy Reeves, El Dorado Springs; 22 grandchildren - Sarah, Michelle, Adam and Daniel Reeves, Brian, Corey, Doug, Amanda and Kayla Cain, Susie and Scott McCollum, Daphne Cox, Patrick, Alvin, Addie, Rayn, Emily, Ethan, Betheny and Amanda Meeks, Erin, Kristin and Jason Highley; three great-grandchildren - Tryston and Gage McCollum and Morgan Reeves. Also surviving are nieces, nephews and many friends.
Services were held on Saturday morning, July 21, at the Hackleman Chapel with Bro. Everett Smith and Bro. Norman Highley officiating. Musical selections were provided by Karen Rains. Interment was in the Lebeck Cemetery under the direction of the Hackleman and Sons Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Joe Bohrer, Larry Floyd, Dick Gregory, Corey Cain, Charles Belcher and Gerald Dobbs. Honorary pallbearers were Lloyd Bledsoe and Frank Foley.

EVA STEMPER
Lifelong Cedar County resident Eva Stemper, 101, passed away on Wednesday, July 18, 2001, at the Cedar County Memorial Hospital.
Mrs. Stemper was born on the family farm near Filley on Feb. 15, 1900, one of twin daughters born to Albert F. and Ann M. Crum Ellis. She was raised near Filley, coming to El Dorado Springs to attend high school, where she graduated with the class of 1920.
For 18 years, Mrs. Stemper taught schools in rural Cedar County, resigning her duties to care for her ailing mother. On Oct. 17, 1959, she was united in marriage to Andy Stemper. They farmed until moving to El Dorado Springs many years ago.
A charter and devoted member of the Park Street Christian Church, Mrs. Stemper enjoyed reading, working in her garden and traveling. She loved to quilt, making many beautiful quilts even after turning 100. She loved to tell stories about the early days of living in El Dorado Springs and will long be remembered for her quick wit, quiet voice and strong loving devotion to her family and friends.
Survivors include one niece, Wilma May Faver, and her husband, Sid, Alamos, CO; two nieces-in-laws, Maida Myrle Ellis, Stockton and Idoma Ellis, El Dorado Springs; two great-nieces; two great-nephews; and a host of friends, especially Louis Osborne and Wilma Carter, who helped Eva immensely after the death of Andy.
Her husband, Andy; two brother, Charlie and Bill; and four sisters - Alameda, Alta, Bessie and her twin, Iva, have preceded her in death.
Services were held on Friday afternoon, July 20, at the Park Street Christian Church with Rev. Travis Hurley officiating. Musical selections were provided by Ran Cochran. Interment was in the Greenfield Cemetery at Jerico Springs under the direction of the Hackleman and Sons Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Jim Summers, Gene Starkey, Chuck Hurley, Oscar Carter, Ken Wood and Jack Lady. Honorary pallbearers were Louis Osborne and Vincil Warren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Park Street Christian Church.

MARY ANN ANDERSON
Mary Ann Anderson, 62, El Dorado Springs, passed away on Thursday morning, July 19, 2001, after a series of lengthy illnesses. She was born in Dewey, VA on May 26, 1939, the daughter of Lester P. and Mary M. Brugh Johnson.
Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Billy Johnson and Jimmy Johnson. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, J.B. Anderson, of the home; her daughter, Becky VanDerWoude, and her husband, Sean, El Dorado Springs; her son, Tim Anderson, Dallas, TX; one brother, A.P. (Page) Johnson, Smyrna, DE; and two sisters, Esther Hughes of Albuquerque, NM and Margaret Moses of Hurst, TX. Mary Ann is also survived by the lights of her life, her grandchildren - Meghan, Tess and Garrett; numerous adored nieces and nephews, as well as her precious great nieces and nephews.
Mary Ann was an inspiration to all those whose lives she touched and she will be greatly missed.
Services were held on Sunday afternoon, July 22, at the Hackleman Chapel with Chris Brophy and Esther Schraw officiating. Musical selections were provided by Faith Trussell. Interment was in the Tennessee Chapel Cemetery under the direction of the Hackleman and Sons Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Edward W. Applin, Steven G. Applin, Gary Hicks, Roy Hicks, Danny Thurman and Randy Thurman.

ORPHA M. CLINTON
Orpha M. Clinton, 96, Nevada, passed away Thursday, July 19, at Moore-Few Care Center.
She was born Jan. 16, 1905, in Vernon County to Floyd and Anna Bell Harper Smith. On Oct. 15, 1931, she married George Bush Clinton in Nevada.
She was a Licensed Practical Nurse employed by the Nevada State Hospital and local nursing homes. She was a lifetime Vernon County resident. She was very talented at playing the harmonica, dancing and working with her flowers.
She is survived by a son, Bob Clinton Sr., and his wife, Laura, of Walker; a granddaughter, Julie Mae Clinton; a grandson, Bob Lee Clinton and his wife, Lavina; two great-granddaughters, Tracy and Jodee Clinton; and a niece, Betty Ann Smith Pisciotta, and husband, Vince, of Milo.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George Bush Clinton; two brothers, Hiner Smith and Willie Smith; and her parents.
Graveside services were Saturday, July 21, at Newton Burial Park under direction of Evergreen Memorial Chapel with Larry Brown officiating.
Memorials are suggested to Moore-Few Care Center.

RALPH BECKHAM
Ralph Beckham, who for the past year and a half lived with his daughter and her husband, Irvin and Jeanette Moore, in Garfield, AR departed this life to be with Jesus Saturday, June 2, 2001. Only the week prior to his death he had been taken to the home of one of his granddaughters and her husband, Larry and Annette Ross, in order that a greater number of his children and grandchildren might share in his care. It was there, surrounded by the people he loved and who, in turn, loved him dearly that he was taken from this world at the ripe age of 90 years.
Ralph was born Aug. 28, 1910, to William David and Addie (Coffman) Beckham who resided at Shirley, MO. He was the oldest of nine children. He was preceded in death by only one of those siblings, Ruth Perry, of DeSoto, MO. Seven of his brothers and sisters survive him: Dorothy Bay, DeSoto; Bessie Gowen, Poplar Bluff; Della Dawes, Decatur, IL; Francis Phillips, DeSoto; Leo Beckham, St. Louis; Glen Beckham, Phoenix, AZ and David Beckham, St. Louis.
On Aug. 26, 1933, Ralph was united in marriage to Beatrice Gausman of St. Louis. To this God-ordained union, six children were born: Donald Beckham, DeSoto; Jeanette Moore, Garfield, AR; Kenneth Beckham, Belton; Richard Beckham, Lake Charles, LA; Thomas Beckham, Overland Park, KS and Timothy Beckham, Wichita, KS. Four of the immediate family preceded Ralph in death; his wife of 66 years, Beatrice, on Jan. 6, 2000; Kenneth on Feb. 7, 1988; Thomas on Dec. 3, 1989 and Donald on Sept. 30, 1994. In addition to the three surviving children, Jeanette, Richard and Tim he is survived by 20 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, dozens of nephews and nieces and huge crowd of very dear friends and church family.
Ralph and Bea raised their family on a farm located near DeSoto. The farm and a feed and farm supply business were his primary vocation. In the mid-sixties he and Bea sold the farm and feed business and moved to Overland Park, KS, to be nearer the majority of their family and to assume the responsibility as Supervisor of Maintenance for the Johnson County system of Libraries. He worked there until his retirement at the age of 65 whereupon he bought an acreage near El Dorado Springs and built a new home on it and enjoyed some of the most cherished time of his life gardening and (as he called it) playing with his pets - his prized black cows. Since leaving the El Dorado Springs area, he and Bea lived for a number of years again in Overland Park; seven years next door to Tim in Wichita, KS, and then when his soul mate was taken from him in January of 2000 he went to live with Jeanette.
Ralph was saved at an early age under the preaching of Rev. Otto Dueker. He never deviated from his determination to fully follow the Lord. Perhaps this farmer, business man, husband, father and singer can best be capsulized by remembering his favorite songs he sang across the years. One of his first signature songs was entitled, “The Loveliness of Christ”, ”Oh, all language fails completely when I seek to tell the world, of the loveliness of Jesus Christ my Lord.” Then there was the one that many of us remember from those earlier years, “I'm Going Higher Some Day”, ”Over the Hills and Beyond the Blue Sky. Going where none every sicken or die. Loved ones to meet in that sweet by and by. I'm going higher some day.” And, of course, those of us who knew him will know that “Zion's Hill” was always a favorite - ”There waits for me a glad tomorrow, where gates of pearl swing open wide. And when I pass this vale of sorrow, I'll dwell upon the other shore.” One of his favorites in more recent years was, “Oh This is Just What Heaven Means To Me”, ”What joy twill be when we get over yonder. And join the throng around the crystal sea. To meet our loved ones and crown Christ forever. Oh, this is just what heaven means to me.” But perhaps the one song he sung more frequently than any other was, “Some Golden Daybreak”, ”Some golden daybreak, Jesus will come. Some golden daybreak, battles all won. He'll shout the victory, break through the blue. Some golden daybreak, for me for you.” Well, Ralph Beckham has truly “gone higher” (not someday, but Saturday). He's gone higher to be with, and experience “The Loveliness of Christ” on “Zion's Hill”. He now knows experiential “Just what heavens means to me”. Truly for him it is not death but an incredibly beautiful “golden daybreak”.
Thank you, Ralph, for all the great memories, the great friendship and most of all, your great influence and contribution to our lives. We will never forget you.
Services were held on Tuesday morning, June 5, at the Church of God (Holiness) with Revs. James Coleman, Delbert Dillon and Melvin Waters officiating. Musical selections were provided by his grandchildren. Interment was in the El Dorado Springs Cemetery under the direction of the Hackleman and Sons Funeral Home. Pallbearers were grandsons: Ralph Moore, Donald Beckham, David Beckham, Mark Beckham, Todd Beckham, Travis Beckham, Matthew Beckham and Stephen Beckham. Honorary pallbearers were Paul Willard, Ron Hubbard, Harvey Cain and Ed Stagner.

JACQUELINE GRACE CHITTY
Jacqueline Grace Chitty, 71, the daughter of John Eugene and Margie Faye (Hutsler) Goble was born Nov. 9, 1929, in Lawrence, KS, and passed from this life on Saturday, June 2, 2001, at St. John's Hospital in Springfield.
Early in her life, Gracie attended school in Lawrence, then she, along with her family moved to Rich Hill. She was one of the graduates of Rich Hill's Class of 1948. Just after graduation, Gracie attended secretarial school in Kansas City for two years. She then began employment with Safeway Grocery working in the office. She then moved her employment and began working for the R.W. Harmon Bus Company as a school bus driver for the Kansas City school district covering the Ruskin area for more than ten years.
About 1950, Gracie met Harold Mason Chitty at her mother's restaurant in Adrain. They were married on Feb. 9, 1952, in Warrensburg.
In the 1960's Harold and Gracie purchased property in Schell City where Mrs. Goble lived and on weekends ran the Schell Osage Cycle Center where they sold motorcycles and associated parts and merchandise. After Harold's retirement in the mid-1980's, he and Gracie made Schell City their permanent home and ran the cycle shop full time. Eventually they also opened a used car business.
While they lived in the city, Gracie and Harold attended Besthonia Baptist Church. During her spare time, Gracie enjoyed electronics, tools, gadgets and was an avid fan of KU Jayhawk Basketball.
Survivors include her husband, Harold, of the home in Schell City; three sisters - Mildred Hodge, Las Vegas, NV, Norma Thomas and her husband, Ted, Schell City; and Pat Prough and her husband, Everett, also of Schell City; a brother-in-law, J.B. Chitty and his wife, Margaret, Wichita, KS; two sisters-in-law, Dixie Underwood and her husband, Bill, Butler, and Lillian Goble, Lawrence, KS; nieces; nephews; other relatives and many friends.
Gracie was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Charles, who passed away in 1990.
Services were held Monday, June 4, at the Schell City Christian Church with Rev. Diane Cutler officiating. Musical selections were provided by Madalyn Crocker, David Souza and Diane Eslinger. Pallbearers were Kenny McCoy, Kenny Hallam, Kenny Prough, Jackie Thomas, Raejean Cross, Jerry Thomas, Larry Harms and Tony Davis. Interment was in the Green Lawn Cemetery in Schell City under the direction of the Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home, Schell City. Memorials are suggested to the Children's Mercy Hospital in care of the funeral home.

MYRTLE IRENE FOX
Myrtle Irene Fox, 81, daughter of Luther A. and Georgia E. (Nading) Leak was born Dec. 1, 1919, in New Franklin, MO; and passed from this life on Monday, May 28, 2001, at St. John's Hospital in Springfield.
At the age of nine years, she, along with her family moved to a farm near Schell City. It was the place where she learned to love the outdoor life, walking in the timber along the creeks, working on the farm and in the fields, and especially riding horses. She attended school in Schell City, one of the graduates of the Class of 1937.
On May 5, 1937, she was united in marriage to Joseph Robert Fox and to their union six children were born. In addition to being a homemaker, Irene worked at the International Shoe Company in El Dorado Springs for over seven years, then worked as a Psychiatric Aide and Developmental Assistant at the Nevada Habilitation Center for over 24 years retiring there in 1986 holding the position of Developmental Assistance III.
After having lived 63 years in Vernon County in the areas of Schell City, Harwood and Walker, in 1992 she moved to a small community called Chesapeake, near Mt. Vernon, to be near her daughter. There she made friends and lived a very active life until her health no longer permitted.
Irene was a member of the Pine Street Baptist Church in Nevada having accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior, and being baptized in April of 1987.
Survivors include her children; two sons - Robert D. (Bub) Fox of Harwood and James R. (Jack) Fox of Milo; three daughters - Berta Jo Carl of Osceola; Ann Keeton of Platt City and Wanda Phillips of Mt. Vernon; 19 grandchildren; seven step grandchildren; 40 great grandchildren; 19 step great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; one sister - Alberta Painter of Ogallala, NE; nieces, nephews; other relatives and many friends. Irene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two great-grandchildren, and just last year, her daughter, Mary, passed away.
Services were held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 31, at the Harwood Baptist Church with Pastor Beverly Hubbard officiating. Musical selections were provided by Waggoner and Karen Morerod. Pallbearers were James Clinton Fox, Ron Elliott, Bill Carl, Robert Fox Jr., Guyon Collins and Roger Keeton. Honorary pallbearers were John Carl, Joe Carl, Chuck Elliott, Lance Phillips and Justin Phillips. Interment was in the Green Lawn Cemetery in Schell City. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home in Schell City.

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