Missouri, U.S., Marriage Records, 1805-2002
Gene Riggs, 76
Feb 3, 2005
Willie "Gene" Riggs was born, the son of Lee and Erdie Heriford Riggs, on March 12, 1928, in Thornfield, and departed this life on Jan. 29, 2005, in Springfield.
Gene spent most of his early years in the Thornfield community working and going to school. It was there that he met his future wife, Deatta Johnson, and they married in 1949, in Yakima, Wash. Gene and his family returned to the Ava area where they raised their two daughters, Carol and Sandy. He operated a trucking service between Springfield and Ava for several years and continued a delivery service after moving to the Springfield area. After retirement Gene enjoyed watching NASCAR, traveling, working in his yard and feeding the local birds.
Gene was also a charter member of Elks Lodge #2777 in Ozark, which he helped establish in 1992.
Gene is survived by his companion of 18 years, Roberta Hodges, of Springfield; his two daughters, Carol Hosier, Dallas, Texas, and Sandy and Richard Anglin, of San Diego, Calif.; three grandchildren, Jeff and Megan Hosier, Dallas, Texas, and Brian Anglin, of San Diego, Calif.; one brother, Ralph Riggs, of Moline, Ill.; and a sister, Maxine Johnson, also of Moline, Ill.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Quincy and Norman Riggs, and one half brother, Cleo Herd.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, with burial following in the Thornfield Cemetery
Earl Richard Otto, 82
Feb 3, 2005
Earl Richard Otto, 82, of Ava, passed away Thursday, Jan. 27, at 1:30 p.m., at his residence.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, at Otto-Argo-Calvert Memorial Home, Danvers, Ill., with the Rev. Rick Tindall officiating. Interment was in Park Lawn Cemetery, Danvers, Ill., with military rites by the Carl S. Martin Post #635 honor guard, Normal, Ill.
Mr. Otto was born Aug. 20, 1922, at Danvers, Ill., the son of Arthur Otto Sr. and Edna Fuller. On Oct. 26, 1946, he married Lorene Dickson, at Danvers, Ill., and she survives.
He is also survived by three daughters, Susan and Steve Layne, Manito, Ill., Diane and Stephen Reid, Marion, Ill., and Jan Upchurch, Carlock, Ill.; six sons, Bruce and Marilyn Otto, Las Vegas, Nev., Alan and Sharon Otto, Normal, Ill., Patrick and Mary Otto, David Otto and Michael Otto, all of Danvers, Ill., and Dennis Otto, Casper, Wyo.; one sister, Faye White, Danvers, Ill.; 22 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Linda Metzke; one brother; two sisters; one granddaughter; and one great-grandchild.
Mr. Otto was an Army veteran of World War II. He was a graduate of Danvers High School and a former blacksmith with his brother, Arthur. He was an operating engineer for many years and later worked as a pipe fitter. He was a member of the Plumbers & Pipe Fitters union.
Since his retirement, he and his wife spent many winters in Treasure Island, Fla. He enjoyed reading, shuffleboard, riding his bicycle and taking daily walks.
Gordon Junior Roberts, 61
Feb 3, 2005
Gordon Junior Roberts, 61, of Bruner, passed away Thursday, Jan. 27, 2005, from a heart attack. He was born Feb. 9, 1943, in Bradleyville, the son of Lewis Gordon and Bernice (Wallace) Roberts.
On Oct. 20, 1962, he and Anita Jo St. John were united in marriage.
Gordon owned and operated Gordon’s Furniture Gallery in Nixa along with his son, Darin. He enjoyed country music and sang at area community events and was a guest of the Oldfield Opry and Thursday Nite Music, in Ava.
He enjoyed gatherings which included his whole family. He took pride in his garden and yard work, and always looked forward to traveling with his wife.
Survivors include his wife, Anita Jo; three children and their spouses, Lisa and Steve Quesssenberry, Ozark, Myka and Brett Adams, Ozark, and Darin and Misha Roberts, Springfield; grandchildren, Kristen and Rick Gerard, Keli Jo Terrell and Jeremy Steele, Aly Fields, Auston Adams, and Sophie Roberts; a great-grandchild, Shelbi Jo Steele; brothers and sisters, Berdina and Bob Harris, Juanita Wisecarver, Don and Lola Roberts, Betty Koehler, Darrell Roberts, and Pauline Carson; his father-in-law, Walter St. John; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Jerry Millsap; nieces and nephews; and many friends.
He was preceded in death by a brother, "Odie" Lowell Roberts, a sister, Willa Jean Boggs, mother-in-law, Eloise St. John, brother-in-law, Keith St. John, and his parents.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Adams Funeral Home, Ozark, with Phillip Wright officiating. Interment was in Sparta Cemetery.
Stephen Robert Myhre, 57
Feb 3, 2005
Stephen Robert Myhre, the son of Robert Oliver Myhre and Louise May (Jennings) Myhre, was born July 6, 1947, in Centralia, Wash., and passed away in Squires.
Stephen was a resident of Centralia, Wash., for the past 16 years. He was employed as an accountant for Lewis County, Wash.
He is survived by his two children, Aaron and Hayley Myhre, and their mother, Allyson Myhre, of Centralia, Wash.; a brother, Darrell Myhre, of Washington; his aunt, Marilyn Brown, Squires; and other relatives and friends.
Cremation services are under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava.
Arlan Dean Evans, 62
Feb 3, 2005
Arlan Dean Evans, 62, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005, at his home in Ava. He was born February 9, 1942, in St. Joseph, La., to a family including three brothers and three sisters.
On April 15, 1966, Arlan was united in marriage to Laura "Midge" Townsend Bates at Lafayette, La., and to this union, two children were born.
Arlan and Midge established Tacoma Taxidermy in Graham, Wash. and spent many enjoyable summers fishing in Alaska before retiring to Ava in 1999. Arlan enjoyed being active in the Highway Church of the Nazarene. He joined several worldwide Work-and-Witness Teams, and received the Nazarene Missions International Distinguished Service Award. Arlan was also a veteran and proudly served his country in the United States Army.
He was preceded in death by his father, Orville Lee Evans Sr., mother Della (Tarver) Evans, and his brother Rayborn Evans.
Arlan is survived by his loving wife, Midge; one son Dean Evans and wife, Deborah, of Lebanon; one daughter, Christine Cavanaugh and husband, Patrick, of Puyallup, Wash.; two grandchildren Katherine and Joey Cavanaugh, also of Puyallup, Wash.; two brothers, O.L. Evans Jr., of St. Joseph, La., and Jim Evans, of Hattiesburg, Miss.; three sisters, Virginia Foster, of Citrus Heights, Calif., Shirley Jones, of Mena, Ark., and Brenda Greer, of Rayville, La.; other relatives and several caring friends.
Memorial services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, in the Highway Church of the Nazarene, Ava, with Rev. Dustin Ledford and Rev. Joe Young officiating, under the direction of Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ava. An extended time of sharing and celebration of Arlan’s life was held at the church immediately following the service.
Albert R. Reese, 80
Feb 3, 2005
Albert R. Reese, 80, Springfield, passed away Feb. 1, 2005.
Mr. Reese was a cattle rancher at Brown Branch, Mo., from the late 1940's until his retirement in 1990. During World War II he served with the 1264th Combat Engineers Battalion in Europe.
He is survived by his wife, Gertrude, who was his companion for 32 years; her children, Pat Lyons and wife Sharon, Theodosia, Joe Lyons and wife Brenda, Azle, Texas; three sisters, Mildred Ellison, Olathe, Kans., Elaine Ellison and Elizabeth Gentry of Springfield; and nieces, nephews and other family.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, in Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel, Springfield. Burial will follow in the Ozarks Memorial Park Cemetery, Branson. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Hospice Care of VNA, 1378 East Republic Road, Springfield, MO 65804.
Elizabeth "Betty" Carolyn (Hulce) Walker, 59
Feb 3, 2005
Elizabeth "Betty" Carolyn (Hulce) Walker was born May 29, 1945, in Spokane, Wash., to Charlie Raymond McCorquodale and Edith Inez Barnett. She was raised by her adoptive father, Stanley Eugene Hulce. She passed away Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2005, in Cox South Hospital, Springfield.
When Betty was 15, her family moved from Fresno, Calif., to Gravette, Ark., where she attended Gravette High School. After graduation she attended nursing school in Fayetteville, Ark., and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. Betty was an LPN for many years and enjoyed helping people. Betty was employed by the Gravette Medical Center for 28 years. She also served as a volunteer EMT for the City of Gravette. She was a member of the First Christian Church.
Betty had one daughter, Donna Kay Walker, who passed away in 1995. Betty moved to the Ava area in July 1998, to be near her sister and her family. She loved to read, watch movies, do needlework and ceramics.
She was preceded in death by her birth father, C. R. McCorquodale; adoptive father, Stanley E. Hulce; and daughter, Donna Kay Walker.
She is survived by her mother, Edith Inez Bailey, and stepfather, Jabe, of Sheridan, Ark.; her sister, Leslie Elaine (DePoortere) Nelsen, and husband, Don, Ava; one niece, Renee Stillings, and husband, Bryan, Ava; great-nephews, Aaron Stillings and Caleb Stillings, Ava; great-niece, Emily Stillings, Ava; nephew, Kenneth Nelsen, Ava, Bradley Nelsen, and wife, Shawna, Ava; great-nieces, Seri, Grace and Ivy Nelsen, Ava; her great-aunt, Marguerite Donovan, Arcadia, Calif.; her great-aunt, Dorothy Seiler, Spokane, Wash.; and her special friend, who was her personal nurse for many years, Cathy Bess, Ava. She will be lovingly and fondly remembered by many extended family members and friends.
A memorial service will be held at the time of her interment in Decatur, Ark. Date to be announced later.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to the American Diabetes Association or to the organization of the donor's choice. Arrangements under care and direction of Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ava.
Clarine Frances Hoelsch, 71
Feb 3, 2005
Clarine Frances Hoelsch, 71, of Showlow, Ariz., and Scottsdale, Ariz., passed away Jan. 25, 2005, at Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn. She was born on Jan. 27, 1333, in Ava, to Everett Austin Denney and Anna Ethel (Shelton) Denney.
She is preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Doyle Denney; and sisters, Lena Irvin and Eula Metcalf.
Clarine is survived by her husband of 46 years, Alan Hoelsch; two sons, David Hoelsch and Michael Hoelsch; daughter, Alison Meyer (Jeffrey); four grandchildren, Lindsay Meyer, Austin Meyer, Philip Meyer and Zachary Meyer; two sisters, Reba McGovern and Juanita Denney; brother, Paul Dewayne Denney; and many nieces and nephews.
Clarine first moved to Arizona in 1945, then returned to Missouri and graduated from Ava High School in 1950, then moved to Arizona. She worked at Mountain Bell for many years, then quit to stay home and raise her children. She was active in all aspects of her children's lives, from being a room mother to attending and cheering all their various sports and activities. She returned to the work force in 1978, first at the Goldwater's Distribution Center, then at Broadway Southwest at Los Arcos Mall. She retired in 1993 and moved to the White Mountains town of Showlow.
Clarine was an active volunteer at the Navapache Regional Medical Center in the gift shop. She loved helping people and assisted at many elections. In addition, she was a wonderful, caring wife, mother and grandmother, generously giving her love in a quiet, unpretentious manner. She will be greatly missed by her family and by all who knew or loved her.
Services were held Saturday, Jan. 29, 11 a.m., at Ascension Lutheran Church, Paradise Valley, Ariz. Arrangements were by Messinger Indian School Mortuary, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Ben M. "Mac" Callaway III, 70
Jan 27, 2005
Ben M. "Mac" Callaway III, passed away peacefully at St. John’s Hospital on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2005, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Ben "Mac" was born Nov. 14, 1934, in Ava, Mo., to Elda Norman Callaway and Benjamin M. Callaway.
Ben "Mac" graduated from Ava High School as Valedictorian of his class. He attended Missouri University where he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1956. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity.
In 1956, he was employed by Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, Mich., as Product Engineering Designer within the styling office.
In 1958, Ben "Mac" and JoEtta Whitacre were united in marriage.
He continued his work at Ford Motor and held the position of Resident Engineer and Principal Design Engineer.
In 1978, he was appointed Mgr., Interior Design and in 1980, held the position of Mgr., Car and Truck Package Design Dept.
In 1991, he was appointed Mgr., Truck Package and Design. He held that position until he retired in 1995.
Ben "Mac" was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Dearborn and he served on the board of trustees.
Ben "Mac" and Jo belonged to Normads Travel Group in Dearborn and have traveled around the world. They continued their membership after moving to Springfield and have many friends in the group.
After retirement, Ben "Mac" became interested in genealogy and spent hours finding descendants and corresponding with some.
He also loved to try to "Catch the big one" while fishing with his brother-in-law.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ben.
He is survived by his mother, Elda, Ava; his wife, JoEtta (Whitacre) Callaway, of Springfield; his sister, Cynthia Farnham and husband Arthur, Wichita, Kans.; his sister-in-law, Evon Long and husband Ralph (Diemer) Long, of Springfield; his cousin, Bob Crain and wife Delores, and daughter, Leigh Heriford and husband Randy, and children, all of Ava; niece, Robbin Graham and husband George, and sons, Ian and Nash, of Springfield; niece, Jacqueline Jenkins, of Dallas, Texas; nephew, David Farnham and wife Debbie, and son, Gabe, Wichita, Kans.; nephew, John Farnham, San Francisco, Calif.
Visitation was held Jan. 21, 2005, at Greenlawn South, followed by funeral services on Jan. 22. Burial was in Hazelwood Cemetery, Springfield.
Memorial contributions in Ben’s memory are suggested to the American Cancer Society or to the organization of the donor’s choice.
Patricia Ann Scott Buehler, 59
Jan 27, 2005
Patricia Ann Scott Buehler was born Jan. 20, 1945, in Marshall, the daughter of Wilbur and Marie Twitty Scott. She passed away Sunday, Jan. 16, 2005, in her home in Pleasant Hope at the age of 59 years, 11 months and 27 days.
She moved around a lot as a child but truly called the Ava area home. She graduated from Ava High School in 1962. On June 8, 1963, she was united in marriage to Charlie Buehler, and to this union, three children were born. They moved to Pleasant Hope in 1976, where in 1986 they opened Buehler's Auto until its closing in 2000.
Pat, as she was known, loved the outdoors and visiting with friends, family and neighbors. She and Charlie spent numerous hours at the shop after closing just to visit with neighbors. She had a great passion for flowers as over the years her yard magnificently showed through the seasons. Pat and Charlie loved to travel, listen to music and camp. One of Pat's most recent passions had become motorcycle riding. Pat truly enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, Rachel and Jake, to them she will always be "Mi Mi."
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, O. S. and Florence Twitty; her parents; her husband of 36 years, Charlie; and her son, Matt.
Pat is survived by her son, Allen Buehler, and his special friend, Laurie Frank, of Bolivar; her daughter, Leslie Skidmore and husband Mark of Pleasant Hope; two grandchildren, Rachel and Jake Skidmore of Pleasant Hope; four brothers, Jim Scott, Chuck Scott, Ricky Scott and wife Linda and Larry Scott and wife Pricilla, all of Bolivar; one sister, Vicky Keithley and husband Loren of Luther, Okla.; a sister-in-law, Jan Benton and husband Roger of Springfield; as well as area relatives, uncles, George Twitty, Wasola, Trevis Twitty, Ava, and aunt, Maxine Lund, Seymour; a host of nieces and nephews whom she dearly loved; and many friends whom she cared and thought a great deal of.
Pat was an amazing, strong and vibrant person. She was not afraid to speak her mind. She was a loving and caring mother, not only to Allen and Leslie, but to many, who will forever carry her memory in their hearts.
Mass of Christian Burial was Wednesday in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bolivar with Father Pat Wissman as celebrant and Virginia Sandgren as lector. Burial followed in St. Wenceslaus Cemetery south of Bolivar. Arrangements were under the direction of the Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar.
