Missouri, U.S., Marriage Records, 1805-2002
Ruskin C. Norman, M.D.
13 Feb 1919 - 19 Sep 2008
Physician, visionary, businessman, cattleman, friend to many, grandfather, father and husband, Ruskin Curry Norman, M.D., has passed away at age 89.
At Rus’s side, when he accepted the outreach of God’s arms were his loving wife of 30 years, Karen Roitsch Norman, and his four loving children and their families, with whom he shared a happy, active, community-oriented life.
A dynamic personality, a quiet man though forceful in thought and deed, a person with wide interests, Rus was beloved by many. Among Rus’s many attributes were his strong work ethic, his faith in the progress of science, his belief in a better future, and his steady leadership and vision. He inspired his friends, co-workers, and family to reach beyond what they thought they could achieve. Rus’s belief in the importance of scientific advancement is illustrated in his working with others to help create the Cancer Therapy and Research Center in San Antonio (CTRC) in 1969.
As a physician, he understood the potential for community-based cancer research. Additionally, Rus and Karen helped medical researcher, Dr. William McGuire, collect breast cancer specimens, from which information was gained that changed the treatment of women with breast cancer throughout the world. As a senior partner, he was proud to be associated with what he felt was the best medical radiology group anywhere -- Norman, Brannan, Riley, Stuart, Freeman, Miller, Goldstein, Williams, McMurray, Golden and Associates, now known as the South Texas Radiology Group.
He was not all work, however. A lot of fun, with a good sense of humor and an easy laugh, Rus loved to play cards and on occasion, place a bet or two. He was an early supporter of horse-racing in San Antonio. To the benefit of his associates, colleagues, friends and family, Rus combined a dedication to work, a strong commitment to the improvement of his community, quiet and unheralded individual acts of kindness, an engaging personality, a streak of irreverence, an unabated criticism of the evils of tobacco, and unparalleled support for those whom he loved.
Born in the Ozarks, in Ava, Missouri, to Clyde E. Norman, a pharmacist and owner of the town’s Rexall Drug Store, and Effie Curry Norman, Rus had an exceptional education for the times. He attended high school and early college at the Kemper Military School, graduating in 1938. He then earned his B.S. degree in pharmacy from St. Louis College of Pharmacy, graduating first in his class. He then attended the University of Missouri Medical School for two years, where he placed second in his class. Rus completed medical school and received his M.D. from Northwestern University. After serving in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in Germany at the end of World War II, he returned to Chicago’s St. Luke’s Hospital for his radiology residency.
Lured by the warm weather and the beauty of the San Antonio River behind the Nix Hospital Building, Rus moved his family to San Antonio, Texas, in 1951. Through years of work, he enjoyed being a part of a dynamic radiology practice that attracted excellent radiologists to San Antonio. This group of physicians served the Nix Memorial Hospital, the Methodist Hospital, and St. Luke’s Hospital, and other outpatient facilities. Rus’s career spanned a period of time during which much new imaging technology was created. He enthusiastically embraced new developments such as CT scanning, mammography, and magnetic resonance imaging.
Over the course of his medical career, Rus was a participating member and contributor to many professional organizations, including the following: American Medical Association; Texas Medical Association; Bexar County Medical Society; American Roentgen Ray Society; Society of Nuclear Medicine, Southwestern Chapter -- Past President; Texas Radiological Society -- Past President; American College of Radiology -- Past Member, Executive Committee; American Health Care Association -- Medical Advisory Committee, Region VII Medical Advisory -- Chairman, National Medical Advisory Committee -- Chairman; Texas Nursing Home Association -- Liaison Representative to Nursing Homes and Aging Committee; Alamo Chapter Nursing Home Association; and Texas and State Professional Standards Review Organization. Rus’s record of community service is broad and significant. He served his community in the following roles and for the following community service organizations: Alamo Area Council of Governments Health Coordinating Committee; Camino Real Health Systems Agency Board of Directors; St. Luke’s Lutheran Hospital -- Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Board and Member; Baptist Health System -- Advisory Board of Trustees; Cancer Therapy and Research Center --Board of Governors and Lifetime Member; Southwest Texas Foundation for Cancer and Therapy Research Center -- Board of Trustees and Lifetime Member; Southwest Texas Methodist Hospital -- Core Cancer Advisory Committee; Humana Women’s Hospital Medical Advisory Board; University of Texas, San Antonio -- Member of the Development Board; St. Luke’s Health Ministries -- Member of the Board of Directors; San Antonio Children’s Foundation -- Executive Committee; Charity Ball Association; and South Texas Blood & Tissue Center Foundation – Co-Founder-Emeritus.
Following his father’s example, Rus loved raising registered Maine-Anjou and Angus cattle at Nor-Tex Farms. It was a highlight of his life when Rus’s bull won Maine-Anjou Bull Champion at the Denver National Western Show.
With dedicated employees and hard-working co-owners, Rus built two nursing homes in San Antonio, which operated under the name, "Normandy Terrace." His goal was to treat the residents and their families with respect and provide them with a place for retirement of which they could be proud. Rus, a physician who understood business, was proud to be on the board of directors at Ilex Oncology, Inc. and at The Bank of San Antonio, which merged into Compass Bank, where he worked with their many outstanding executives and board members.
Rus and Karen’s extensive community contributions were recognized locally and nationally. Rus and Karen received the Humanitarian Award of the Bexar County Medical Society. Together, they also received the National Humanitarian Award from the National Jewish Medical & Research Center of Denver, Colorado.
In 2001, Rus and Karen received the Outstanding Philanthropist Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals. And in 2002, they received the Humanitarian Award from the National Conference of Community and Justice. Rus’s fundamental beliefs are reflected in the following passage: "Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action." (1 John 3:18) A wonderful husband and father, Rus will be dearly missed, although he and his inspiration will remain forever in the hearts of his family.
Rus is survived by his beloved family, his wife and soul mate, Karen, his four children and their spouses, Nancy Norman and Rob Robertson, Susan and Lon Smith, Jimmy and Alice Norman, and Kevin Kaase. Rus is also survived by his nine beloved grandchildren, Jenny and Will Holshouser, Robbie Robertson, Whitney Smith, Andrew Smith, Alex Smith, Shelby Smith, David and Rosie Norman, John Norman and his fianceé Valerie Russell, Eleanor Norman, one great-grandchild, James Ruskin Norman, and another great-grandchild expected in December. Rus is also survived by his sister, Laverne Norman Russell.
Rus’s first wife, Jean Young Norman, the mother of Nancy, Susan and Jimmy, passed away in 1969. Our family wishes to thank the many friends and colleagues who have loved and supported Rus throughout the years. We also wish to thank Rus’s attending physicians, Dr. Robert Schnitzler, Dr. Robert Goff, and Dr. Mark Weinstein and his caregivers, Elva Longoria, Lupita Cerda, Helen Martinez, and Delia Padilla for their kind, thoughtful, and attentive care to Rus.
The visitation was on Sunday, Sept. 21, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary, San Antonio, Texas.
Service was Monday, Sept. 22, at 4:30 p.m., at Christ Lutheran Church.
Valet parking was provided at the church.
The pallbearers were Kevin Kaase, Jimmy Norman, John Norman, Rob Robertson, Robbie Robertson, Wayne Roitsch, Alex Smith, Andrew Smith, and Dr. Lon Smith. The honorary pallbearers were Dr. Harold Brannan, Hal Dean, Dr. John Freeman, Dr. Harvey Goldstein, Jack Gorman, Jim Gorman, Peter Hennessey Sr., John Korbell, Dr. Joe Miller, Bishop Arthur Rode, The Rev. Steve Rode, Dr. Robert Schnitzler, Dr. Jim Stewart, Harry Lee Vogt, and Dr. Mark Weinstein.
A private interment service for the family followed at Sunset Memorial Park.
The family requests that memorials in honor of Rus be sent to the patients of the Ruskin C. Norman Radiation Therapy Unit at CTRC, the ThriveWell Cancer Foundation (P.O. Box 29331, San Antonio, Texas 78229), the Dr. Ruskin C. and Karen Norman Family Foundation Scholarships at Texas Lutheran University and at the University of Texas at San Antonio, or to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements were by Porter Loring, San Antonio, Texas.
Leona Richards, 88
Sep 25, 2008
Leona Richards, daughter of John Lytle and Bertha Kendall Lytle, was born on March 20, 1920 in Oatsville, Ind., and passed to heaven on Sept. 20, 2008, at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare, Ava, Mo., at the age of 88 years.
Leona was a housewife and homemaker.
Leona and Carl Sidney Richards were united in marriage on Dec. 24, 1954 in Princeton, Ind.
Leona was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ Ava Restoration Branch. She loved doing work in the church and she also loved cooking and most of all spending time with all her family.
Leona was preceded by her parents, husband, Carl in 2001, six brothers, five sisters, two sons, John and Wendell, one daughter, Bonnie and one infant grandson.
Leona is survived by two daughters and their spouses, Nancy and Ike Rhoades, Ava, and Connie and Dale Peterson, Lawton, Iowa; one son, Carl S. Richards, Jr., DeWitt, Iowa; 12 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one sister and brother-in-law, Edna and Bob Richards, Ava; nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Leona will be Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2 p.m. at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with Elder Ike Rhoades, Elder Dale Peterson and Elder Randy Spurlock officiating. Interment will follow in the Ava Cemetery. The family requests memorial donations to Church of Jesus Christ Ava Restoration Branch.
Melvin T. Levan, 70
Sep 25, 2008
Melvin T. Levan, 70, of Ava, departed this life Sept. 23, 2008, in Springfield.
Graveside services will be held at the Turkey Creek Cemetery today (Thursday, Sept. 25) at 10:30 a.m. No visitation is planned.
Ava Family Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Larry Lee Larimer, 72
Sep 18, 2008
Larry Lee Larimer, 72, passed away Sept. 16, 2008, surrounded by his family in Sunset, Utah.
He was born July 4, 1936, to Rene and Jack Larimer.
He married Betty Mellott in 1975.
Larry worked 47 years for Union Pacific Railroad as a locomotive engineer and was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. He loved to "preach, teach, and shoot." Being a grandfather was his greatest joy. He was also known for being a loving, gentle, and kind person with an awesome sense of humor. He lived in Ava, Mo., for several years.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Annis, brother, Frank, and his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Betty; his three daughters, Laura, Lynda and Lisa; and eight grandchildren.
Celebration of Life Service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, at New Hope Fellowship Church, Clearfield, Utah.
Family wants to give special thanks to Natalie Taylor and Harmony Hospice for their loving care.
Elva (Burton) Fantucchio, 88
Sep 18, 2008
Elva Fantucchio, daughter of James Burton and Lillie Wilson Burton, was born on June 2, 1920 in Ava, and passed away on Sept. 16, 2008 St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, at the age of 88 years.
Elva was a resident of Ava since 1996 moving from San Jose, Calif.
On July 22, 1944, Elva and Carmen Fantucchio were united in marriage in Springfield, and to this union, four daughters were born.
Elva was employed as an inspector for Burke Rubber Co. in California for many years.
Elva was of the Baptist faith.
She loved gardening and grew beautiful roses and orchids. Elva was a gifted seamstress and excellent cook and loved gathering family and friends together and cooking for them. She was a devoted mother and grandmother.
Elva was preceded in death by her husband, Carmen; her parents; three brothers, Jessie, Virgil and Jimmy Burton; and one sister, Neva Burton.
She is survived by four daughters, Jennie Gee, Loretta Fantucchio and Dianna Ellis all of Springfield, and Patricia Fantucchio, San Jose, Calif.; six grandchildren, Billy, Richard, Daniel, Cheryl, Mei-Lin and Michael; four great-grandchildren, Christian, Luke, Will and Cooper; one sister, Mae Frye; two brothers and sisters-in-law, John and Loretta Burton and Tom and Janice Sue Burton, all of Ava; nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, in Ava. Burial will be at a later date in Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, Santa Clara, Calif.
Charles R. Embrey, 75
Sep 18, 2008
Charles R. Embrey, son of James Richard and Ada Jewell (Cox) Embrey, was born Dec. 18, 1932, in the Dogwood community of Douglas County, Mo.
He departed this life Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008, in his home in Seymour, Mo., at the age of 75 years, 9 months, and 26 days.
On May 17, 1954 he was united in marriage to Donna F. Cornelius and to this union, two sons and one daughter were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Scotty Wayne Embrey; and two brothers-in-law, Jack Griechen and Herbert Cornelius.
Charles is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 54 years, Donna, of the home; a son, Eugene Embrey and his wife Kathy, of Seymour, Mo.; a daughter, DeAnn Gunter and her husband Tom, of Ava, Mo.; a daughter-in-law, Karen Embrey, of Seymour, Mo.; eight grandchildren, Josh Embrey and Chad Embrey and his fiancée Larissa Clements, all of Seymour, Mo., Lesley Potter and her husband Lynel, and Lori Gunter, all of Ava, Mo., Misty Embrey and Zackary Embrey, both of Seymour, Mo., and Tonya Gunter and Jalisa Gunter, both of Lansing, Kan.; four great-grandchildren, Maggey Potter, Grady Potter, Tommy Gunter, and Danta Diaz; two brothers, Kenneth Embrey and his wife Lucy, of Rogersville, Mo., and Clyde Embrey and his wife, Betty, of Springfield, Mo.; a sister, Maudena Griechen, of Seymour, Mo.; two brothers-in-law, Howard Cornelius and his wife, Mary Lou, of Fort Worth, Texas, and Leslie Cornelius, Jr., of Seymour, Mo.; two sisters-in-law, Lois Goss and her husband, Herbert, of Fort Worth, Texas and Lil Norris and her husband, Joel, of Seymour, Mo.; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and many dear friends.
He grew up in Ava, Mo., and moved with his family to Seymour, Mo., in l948, where he began working in the Vollenweider Orchards. Following his marriage to Donna, they made their home at the orchard and lovingly raised their family. Charles became foreman of the orchards, staying on after they were sold to Head's and then to Murphy's, retiring in 2003 after working for over 52 years.
He also raised Hereford cattle on his farm following his retirement.
Charles had accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized along with his son, Scotty, in January 2008.
He was a member of the Seymour Merchants Association, an honorary member of the Seymour Alumni Association, was past chairman of the Seymour Apple Festival and was the original "True King" of the apple peeling contest. He and Donna received the "Good Citizenship Award" in 2000 and together they delivered "Meals on Wheels" for several years.
Charles was a wonderful family man who was devoted to his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and was a true friend and a caring neighbor. We celebrate his life and accomplishments and will treasure the wonderful memories he has created for his family and many friends.
Services were at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, in Holman-Howe Funeral Home in Seymour, with the Revs. Mark Terrill and Chris Simmons officiating. Burial was in Seymour Masonic Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Seymour Nazarene Church Building Fund or Community Hospices of America in care of the funeral home @ P.O. Box 366, Seymour, Missouri 65746.
M. Goldene Hart, 85
Sep 18, 2008
Services for M. Goldene Hart, 85, Ava, will be held Friday, Sept. 19, at 10 a.m., at Ava Family Funeral Home.
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 18.
Mrs. Hart passed away Sept. 15, 2008.
Arrangements are under the direction of Ava Family Funeral Home.
