Missouri, U.S., Marriage Records, 1805-2002
Ernestine L. Givans, 79
Jun 26, 2008
Ernestine Lamb Givans passed from this earth Sunday, June 22, 2008 at Mercy Villa in Springfield, Mo., from a lengthy illness.
She was born on Oct. 8, 1928 to Dr. Hugh and Elvena Swinney Lamb in St. Louis, Mo.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Rev. James Lamb and Jay Lamb, a sister, Geraldine Lamb, infant daughter, Cynthia Ann, and her husband, Robert "Bob" Givans.
Following her graduation from Miss Hickeys Secretarial School in St. Louis, she began her career as an executive secretary for such companies as Darcy Advertising and Aeronautical Chart in St. Louis.
It was here that she met Robert L. Givans, her husband. They were married on Jan. 1, 1960 in St. Louis. To this union, three daughters were born.
She gladly gave up the daily grind to raise her daughters as a stay at home mother. Because of this, she was able to help her daughters in scouting, swim teams and a long list of camps and other activities. She was a Mother Advisor for Rainbow Girls for several years, as well as a former president of the Douglas County Republican Women’s Club. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Ava Chapter #47 and a member of the First Southern Baptist Church, Ava. Ernestine assisted her husband in their business, Douglas County Abstract and Title Co. in Ava for over 20 years. They enjoyed Drury Panther basketball as season ticket holders for many years. In 1995, they moved from Ava to Springfield. Robert passed away in 1998.
She is survived by two daughters, Julie Miles, Springfield, Mo., and Mary Ann and Scott Lambers, Leawood, Kan. In addition to her daughters, she leaves four adored grandchildren: Alexander Robert Miles, William Davis Miles, Clarissa Elizabeth Lambers and Jennifer Nicole Lambers, as well as her sister-in-law, Virginia Pettit, Oak Ridge, Tenn. Also surviving are nephews, Robert Pettit, Chevy Chase, Md., her nieces, Deborah Lamb, St. Louis, Mo., Susan Pettit, Harpswell, Me., and Linda Felton, Oak Ridge, Tenn.
A graveside memorial service will be held Thursday, June 26, 2008, at 10 a.m. in the Ava Cemetery, Ava, with the Rev. Oren Alcorn officiating. Visitation was Wednesday from 6 to 7 p.m. at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava.
Memorial donations may be made to Douglas County Library or Douglas County Historical Society.
Esther Deaver, 88
Jun 26, 2008
Olive Esther Deaver, the daughter of James Oliver Brixey and Grace Myrtle Wilson Brixey, was born Nov. 4, 1919 in Jetmore, Kan., and departed this life June 23, 2008, at the age of 88 years 7 months 19 days.
Esther was a lifelong resident of the Ava and Mansfield area.
On April 13, 1938, Esther and Clyde H. Deaver were united in marriage in the home of her parents, in Ava, Missouri. Esther and Clyde were blessed with a daughter, Linda.
Esther was a homemaker and factory worker. She loved to crotchet, sew, bake cakes for all the family, and do crafts. Esther was a member of the Highway Church of the Nazarene and the Bryant Flintpoint Extension Club for many years. Esther loved her family and church family.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Alvin Brixey, and her husband, Clyde.
Her survivors include her daughter, Linda K. Campbell and husband, Paul, Mansfield, Mo.; four grandchildren, Rick Campbell, Reeds Spring, Mo., Shelley Mitchell and Dean, Ava, Mo., Brandan Campbell and Mitzi, Norwood, Mo., and Laryme Campbell and Melissa, Squires, Mo.; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one brother, Dillard Brixey and Pauline, Wenatchee, Wash.; one sister, Belva Christophersen, Redmond, Wash.; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 26, at the Highway Church of the Nazarene with the Rev. John Moles, Rev. Mark Hatcher, and Rev. Buddy Boyd officiating. Interment will follow in the Prairie Hollow Cemetery. Visitation was Wednesday from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Gideons International, or the American Cancer Society.
Clyde D. Hector, 82
Jun 26, 2008
Clyde Dewell Hector, son of Alva Hector and Lela Lumsden Hector, was born on Jan. 17, 1926 in Lake City, Ark., and passed away on June 21, 2008 in Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare, Ava, Mo., at the age of 82 years.
Clyde was a resident of Ava for the past nine plus years, moving from California. Clyde was a retired chef with a hospital. He was a veteran and served in World War II and Korea with the U.S. Army.
In 1947, Clyde and Sue Adams were united in marriage in Jonesboro, Ark., and to this union four children were born.
Sue preceded him in death.
On April 10, 1999, Clyde and Freda (Adams) Rhoads were united in marriage in Napa Valley, Calif., in a General Baptist Church. Clyde was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in California, and the Ava General Baptist Church.
Clyde's favorite hobby of all time was fishing. In late years, he also enjoyed traveling the countryside and visiting friends and family.
Clyde was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Sue, one brother, Alfred Hector, and one sister, Alma Cooper.
He is survived by his wife, Freda Hector of the home in Ava; four children and their spouses, Barbara Ann and John Goleno, Lancaster, Calif., Lon and Patti Hector, Napa Valley, Calif., Mark and Brenda Hector, Kalama, Wash., and Aric and Terri Hector, Cave Junction, Ore.; seven grandchildren; one sister, Ruth Feller, Canby, Ore.; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Memorial service will be Friday, June 27, at 10 a.m. at Ava General Baptist Church, with the Rev. Oren Alcorn officiating.
Burial of cremains will be at a later date and time in Napa Valley, Calif.
The family requests memorials to Gideons International.
Arrangements are being conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home Ava.
Dr. Clifton E. Harlan, 93
Jun 19, 2008
Dr. Clifton E. Harlan, 93, of Morton, Ill., formerly of Ava, Mo., passed away at his home in Morton on Saturday, June 14, 2008, at 6:45 p.m. His family was by his bedside.
He was born April 29, 1915, in Van Buren County, Iowa.
He married Jacqueline L. Workman on Jan. 2, 1937. They had been married 71 years.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Jackie; one son, Richard (Debbie) Harlan, of Springfield, Mo.; one daughter, Rosemary (Robert) Whelchel, of Hanna City, Ill.; six grandchildren, Todd Mangan and Holly Demers, both of Stuart, Fla., Heather (Mike) Lind, of Kansas City, Mo., Stuart (Pam) Harlan of, Jefferson City, Mo., Christopher (Heather) Harlan of Raleigh-Durham, N.C., and Julie (Curtis) Martell, of Lawrence, Kan.; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jay and Ethel Harlan; his sister, Enid Faber; and two children, Dallas and Carolyn Harlan.
He graduated from Stockport High School in Stockport, Iowa, in 1934. He graduated from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine & Surgery in 1938.
He practiced in Ava, until 1985 when he retired. During this time, he delivered over 3,000 babies and made house calls in the beautiful hills of the Ozarks.
He was a member of the Ava United Methodist Church, serving on different boards of the church. He was an usher for many years and a Gideon.
He was awarded the Ava Area Chamber of Commerce John N. Dickison Award, commemorating a life of service to the Ava community.
He enjoyed attending the Ava High football games and served as the team doctor. He was the first recipient of the Sports Doctor Award. He also enjoyed the Ava High basketball games.
He raised and showed registered shorthorn cattle, taking many top prizes in the states of Missouri and Arkansas. He was a member of the American Shorthorn Association. He also raised and showed Missouri Fox Trotter horses and was a member of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 22, at Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home in Morton, Ill. Additional visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, June 23, at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 24, at the Ava United Methodist Church, with burial in the Ava Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Gideons International, Ava United Methodist Church or to Harbor Light Hospice in Peoria, Ill.
Carl W. Sparks, 94
Jun 19, 2008
Carl W. Sparks, son of John Sparks and Eva (Floyd) Sparks was born on June 15, 1913 in Kingston, Ark., and passed away on June 12, 2008 in St. John's Hospital, Springfield, at the age of 94 years, 11 months and 27 days.
Carl was a resident of the Ava community for many years where he owned and operated Sparks Dry Goods Store on the Ava square. He served his country during World War II with the U.S. Army and was stationed in Alaska. He was a life member of the American Legion Post #112, Ava, .
On June 27, 1960 Carl and Kathleen McCoy were united in marriage and to this union three children were born.
Carl received his B.S. degree from Hendrix College and a master's in guidance and counseling.
Carl was a member of the First General Baptist Church, Ava, and served as a deacon. Carl enjoyed reading his Bible and the local papers.
He adored his children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Alvin and an infant brother, two sisters, Virgie and Artie and a daughter, Kathy Stewart.
He is survived by one son and wife, James and Elizabeth Sparks, Ozark, and one daughter and husband, Linda and Bryan Hardy, Nixa; eight grandchildren, Jennifer and Susan Hardy, Kristopher, Alex and Devin Stewart, and Timothy, Katie and Sarah Sparks; and other relatives and friends.
Services were at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 17, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home with the Rev. Robert Roberts officiating. Visitation was Tuesday, 9 a.m. until service time. Interment followed in the Ava Cemetery with full military honors by American Legion Post #112 and VFW #5993. Memorials may be made to Gideons International or to the donor's choice of charity.
Billie Louise Hill, 70
Jun 19, 2008
Billie Louise Hill, the daughter of H.B. and Elda Smith, was born June 23, 1937 in Oklahoma and departed this life, June 15, 2008 at the age of 70 years 11 months and 22 days.
Billie was a resident of Ava for the past five years, moving here from California. Billie was a homemaker and enjoyed going for walks with her dog, Puzzles, working in the yard and taking care of her children.
In June of 2004, Billie and Irish Downey were united in marriage in Riverside, Calif.
Billie was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters and one brother.
She is survived by her husband, Irish Downey; three sons, Wesley Hill and Diane, Don Hill and Julie, all of Ava, Mo., and Ronnie Hill, Lake Elsinore, Calif.; five daughters, Deanna Walker and Jim, and Darlene Hill, all of Oregon, Cindy Hill and Larry, of Gainesville, Mo., Georgianna (Cookie) Hill of the state of California, and Marlene Weidman and Ernie of Branson, Mo.; Brian and Shy, Gainesville; 37 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; one brother, Lynn Hill, of the state of Oklahoma; and a host of relatives and friends.
Cremation services are under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava.
Melba Oxley, 88
Jun 19, 2008
Melba C. Oxley, daughter of Charles Ware and Issie Pitcock Ware, was born on July 13, 1919 in Souder, Mo., and passed away on June 15, 2008 in Ava, at the age of 88 years, 11 months and 2 days.
Melba was a lifelong resident of Ozark and Douglas counties. She was a housewife, homemaker and worked on the farm alongside her husband, Roy.
On Aug. 4, 1937 Melba and Roy Oxley were united in marriage in Romance, Mo., and to this union, two children were born.
Melba was a member of the Ava Church of Christ, Ava.
She enjoyed being with all of her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Roy in 1984, and one sister, Vera.
She is survived by one son and his wife, Myron and Glennus Oxley, Centerview, Mo., and one daughter and her husband, Eva and Lawrence Ray Stillings, Ava; three grandsons, Dannie, Doyle and Marty; two granddaughters, Shana and Holly; six great-grandchildren; one sister, Chloe Miller, state of Oregon; and other relatives and friends.
Services for Melba were held Wednesday, June 18, at 10 a.m., at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with Brad Smith officiating.
Interment will follow in the Herndon Cemetery, Ozark County.
The family requests memorials to the Herndon Cemetery.
Bernice J. Witty, 97
Jun 12, 2008
Bernice J. Rohrbacher Shaw Witty, 97, went to her heavenly home June 7, 2008 at Primrose Place in Springfield, Mo.
Bernice was born Jan. 4, 1911 in Diggins, Mo., the daughter of Andrew Rohrbacher and the former Sarah Ann Hertweck.
Her first marriage was to Joseph E. Shaw. Joseph and Bernice were blessed with two sons, Robert D. Shaw and Joe Dale Shaw. Mr. Shaw and one son, Robert, preceded her in death.
She grew up in Missouri and after her marriage moved to California where she raised her two sons. Bernice worked in garment factories, Diamond Walnut factory and also sold craft for several years to craft stores.
She attended Fundamental Baptist Churches and for many years was a faithful Sunday school teacher and witness for the Lord, who she loved dearly. She also faithfully supported many gospel preachers on TV and radio.
In 1980, she moved back to Missouri and married Clarence Witty in 1981. She and Mr. Witty were married for 11 years. Mr. Witty preceded her in death on Feb. 23, 1992.
Also preceding in death were her parents, Andrew and Ann (Hertweck) Rohrbacher; a brother, Chester, who died in infancy, and two other brothers, Ernest and Clyde Rohrbacker; two sisters, (Mercy) Ella Lee and Melba Roper.
Survivors include one son, Joe Dale Shaw, Stockton, Calif.; a grandson, Bob Shaw, of Alaska; a sister, Pearl Arnell, of California; a stepson, Eugene and Sandy Witty, of Springfield, Mo.; a sister, Pearl Arnell, California; and a host of nephews and nieces.
Graveside service was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 10, in White Chapel Cemetery, Springfield, Mo. Services are under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, Mo.
