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DR. ARNOLD LEE MEDEARIS
Dr. Arnold Lee Medearis, 53, born Sept. 10, 1947, the son of Abe and Ruby Lee Medearis, El Dorado Springs, passed away March 20, 2001, at the University of California, Los Angeles Medical Hospital following a short illness.
Arnold graduated from the El Dorado Springs High School and later the Missouri University-Columbia, and the University School of Medicine.
He was preceded in death by his mother in 1975. Surviving are his daughters, Kattie Lee and Kristi Lea; of the home in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA; his estranged wife, Sandra Lollis Medearis, and a third daughter, Kelly Liegh Medearis of Los Angeles; his father, Abe Medearis, El Dorado Springs; aunts; uncles; nieces; nephews; cousins and many friends.
Memorial services were held Sunday, March 25, in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, following his cremation.
CORDA MAE BLAND WITT
Corda Mae Bland Witt, 88, was born on July 21, 1912, to Stella Josephine Grimes and Joseph Israel Bland. She went to be with the Lord and Savior on Sunday morning, March 25, 2001, at the Cedar County Memorial Hospital in El Dorado Springs.
Cordie, as she was know to her family and friends, was united in holy matrimony to Elmer Ray Witt on Nov. 30, 1929, at Nevada. God blessed this union with four sons of which three survive her. They are Kenneth D. Witt, Arvada, CO; E. Dwain Witt and Donald D. Witt, both of El Dorado Springs.
Cordie spent most of her life as a homemaker in St. Clair County until 1973, when she and her husband moved to El Dorado Springs. She loved her family and her church and on numerous occasions she told family members that she prayed for them daily calling each one by name. She spent many hours making beautiful quilts for her family and friends.
Cordie accepted the Lord at an early age and was a member of the Church of God (Holiness). She attended faithfully as long as her health permitted. It was a special blessing to her when all of her sons accepted the Lord. Cordie strove to instill Christian principles in her children and grandchildren and was always concerned with their spiritual wellbeing. They were all very special to her.
Cordie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Elmer, of 63 years on March 10, 1993; an infant son, Leslie Ray; three sisters-Hazel Mays, Neva Hamilton and Neta Morlan; and one brother, Ewing Bland. In addition to her three sons, Cordie is survived by their spouses, Cleo, Bonnie and Sharon; eight grandchildren - L.D. Witt, Kevin and Kristen Witt, Kim and Keith Osterloh, Kyle and Robin Witt, Scott and Jana Witt, Jana and Randy Kerr, Stacie Bush and Terri and Dusty Schaaf; 15-great-grandchildren-Mandee and Michael Osterloh, Alex Witt, Brittany Bush, Kellen, Teryn and Jillian Kerr, Ryan, Davis, Cory and Avery Witt, Alexa and Kameron Schaaf, Taylor and Tanner Witt. Codie is also survived by two brothers, Nolan Bland-Kansas City and Clayton Bland-El Dorado Springs, one sister, Winifred Hodo, Kansas City; other relatives and a host of friends.
Cordie's place in our lives is now empty, but our memory of her will go forward with us. We will meet her again in a place where sorrow and death do not exist if we prepare as she prepared long ago.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday morning, March 29, 2001, at the Church of God (Holiness) with Rev. Leland Trussell and Rev. Wayne McCollough officiating.
Musical selections will be provided by Faith Trussell, Debbie Menefee and Larry Oehring. Interment will be in the El Dorado Springs Cemetery under the direction of the Hackleman and Sons Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be L.D.Witt, Kevin Witt, Kyle Witt, Scott Witt, Dusty Schaaf, Keith Osterloh and Randy Kerr.
Memorial contributions may be made to the El Dorado Springs Christian School.
M. LOUISE ZIMMER
M. Louise Zimmer, 88, of Rantoul, IL, formerly of Neoga, IL, died at 1:10 p.m. March 21, 2001, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL.
She was born Dec. 28, 1912 in Clinton, IL, the daughter of Claud and Mary (Castell) Smith. On July 13, 1944, she married Lloyd B. Zimmer who preceded her in death Sept. 30, 1987.
Survivors include two sons, Thomas Baker and wife, Joan, O'Fallen, Missouri and John Baker-St. Louis; two daughters, Alice Donahue and husband, Donald, St. Louis and Donna Cole and husband, Ray, Rantoul, IL; stepson-Lawrence "Larry" P. Zimmer, and wife, Kay, El Dorado Springs; a brother, William Smith and wife, Mary, California; 13 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren including Aron P. Zimmer, El Dorado Springs; and 40 great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by one brother, two sisters, and one step son, Robert L. Zimmer.
Mrs. Zimmer was a former employee of General Electric Co. in Mattoon, IL, and Kern Manufacturing Co. of Neoga. She was a member of the Gaskill United Methodist Church, built of walnut timber from Zimmer ancestor Philip's land, where she was pianist for 30 years.
Services were March 24, at the Swengel-O'Dell Funeral home in Neoga, IL with Rev. Maurice Midgley, Parris, IL officiating. Burial was in the Neoga Memorial Cemetery.
LEAH JEAN CHARLES
Leah Jean Charles, 81, Nevada, passed away April 25, 2001, at Christian Health Care, Nevada. She was born Feb. 8, 1920, in Connersville, IN, to Dr. R. B. and Clara Douglas.
She was married on Oct. 4, 1944, to Rex. W. Charles.
She was a graduate of Tech High School in Indianapolis, IN, in 1938. She was first employed as an abstractor for Vernon County Abstract Company and later for Bowman's Vernon County Title Company, retiring in 1977.
She was a member of First Christian Church where she was a choir member and also served on the board. She served as past District Deputy and past Grand Matron of the Order of Eastern Star Nevada Chapter 53.
Survivors include her husband, Rex, of the home; two sons, Joseph A. Charles and his wife, Georgia, Nevada, and Thomas L. Charles and his wife, Diana, Nevada; two daughters, Linda S. Scammell and her husband, Charles, of Nevada, and Elizabeth A. Perrin and her husband, Paul, Nevada; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and two nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother and two sisters.
Services were Saturday, April 28, at Evergreen Memorial Chapel with Pastor Tom Haynes officiating. Burial was in Balltown Cemetery, Horton.
Memorials are suggested to the National Parkinson Foundation in care of Evergreen Memorial Chapel, P. O. Box 894, Nevada, MO 74744.
IRA D. PERRY
Ira D. Perry, 60, Dunnegan, died Wednesday morning, April 25, 2001, at his residence.
Born Oct. 7, 1940, in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. Ira was raised in Strongs, MI, and attended school in Newberry. A veteran of the Korean Conflict, he served in the United States Army until his honorable discharge. A resident of the states Kansas and Missouri, he was employed as a commercial trunk driver for several years until his recent illness forced him into an early retirement. Ira's hobbies and interests included hunting, fishing and carpenter work.
Ira is survived by his wife, Phyllis, of Dunnegan; mother, Dorothy (W.W.) Schwesinger, Trout Lake; a son, daughter and step-daughter, brothers, Charles (Linda) Perry, Harrisonville and Roger (Donna) Perry of Clio, MI; sister, Dorothy (Henry) Voth, Lithia Springs, GA; half-brother, Leo Schwesinger, Trout Lake and several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Services were held Tuesday, May 1, at the Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry with Pastor Robert Poirier officiating. Interment followed at Colburn Cemetery in Stronge.
WILBUR LYNN PARKS
Wilbur Lynn Parks, 73, the son of John Lee and Nina Mae (Nichols) Parks, was born on Jan. 6, 1928 in St. Clair County. He departed this life on April 25, 2001, at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler.
Mr. Parks served his country in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict. After his time in the military he returned to Kansas City where he worked as a mechanic in small engine repair, and later as a master mechanic. When he left Kansas City he returned to Appleton City area where he farmed and later worked as a drover in the slaughter house in Rockville.
He was united in marriage on Oct. 27, 1961, in Kansas City, KS to Mary Cornwell.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Mary. He is survived by one son, Gary Lynn Parks, Amsterdam, MO; one daughter, Jodi Thomlinson, Walker; one brother, Gene Parks, Taberville; three sisters - Vera Schacher, Harrisonville and Merlene Hamilton and Virginia Lee Craig - both of Norbone, MO; seven grandchildren-Brittany Thomlison, Jennifer Hoffman and Jason, Jesse, John, Jeston and Julie Parks; and four great-grandchildren - Katelyn, Jossie, Jessika and Bobby Hoffman.
Mr. Parks was fun loving, and a kind and caring husband and father. He was well liked and respected by all who knew him.
A graveside services was held in Taberville Cemetery on Friday, April 27, with Rev. Gene Gray officiating under the direction of Hills and Son Funeral Home, Appleton City.
Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society.
MARY KATHLEEN GREATHOUSE HOUK
Mary Kathleen Greathouse Houk, 80, was born March 7, 1921, near Osceola, the oldest daughter of Harry and Beulah Burrow Greathouse. She passed away April 26, 2001, at the Oak View Living Center in Jefferson City following a long illness.
At the age of 18, Kathleen was married to Orville (Mick) Houk on March 16, 1939. Two children were born to this union: Mickey Dale and Sharon Gail.
Kathleen lived with her family in Kansas City for many years before relocating to the Taberville/El Dorado Springs area in 1970. She loved growing flowers and sewing. Her life was raising her children, and caring for her grandchildren while their mother worked. Her passion was depression glass and collectibles, and she had an antique shop for a time.
Kathleen had a salvation testimony of being saved in the Holiness Church at Cook's Chapel as a young teenager. She was baptized along with her husband and their son and daughter in November of 1955 at Greendale Baptist Church in Kansas City. Her membership has been at First Baptist Church of El Dorado Springs since about 1972.
Kathleen was preceded in death by her husband, Orville; their son, Mickey; her father and mother, Hary and Beulah Greathouse; two brothers, Elmer Greathouse and Edgar Ray Carriker, and a sister, Evelyn Houston.
Kathleen is survived by her daughter, Sharon Gail-Jefferson City; four grandchildren: Jerry Dysart, Warrensburg; Cary Dysart, Greenwood; Sandy Crane-Jefferson City; and Susan Thorne, Watertown, NY; and eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by three sisters: Gerry Hughes, Archie, Bernie Butler, Independence and Joyce Gray, Schell city; eight nephews, 11 nieces and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services were held Saturday, April 28, in the Sheldon-Goodrich Chapel with Pastor Carl Butler officiating. Music was by Pastor Carl Butler. Interment was in Yeater Cemetery under the direction of Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home, Osceola.
