Missouri, U.S., Marriage Records, 1805-2002
Clell Larkin Jackson, 80
Feb 9, 2006
Clell Larkin Jackson, the son of Roy Jackson and Ollie Harrison Welch Jackson, was born Nov. 28, 1925, in Hammond, Mo., and departed this life Feb. 1, 2006, at the age of 80.
Clell was a lifelong resident of the area. He graduated from Thornfield High School in 1943. He was self-employed, owning and operating a dozer business and ranch.
On June 24, 1972, Clell and Hellen Wilkerson were married in Theodosia. Hellen preceded Clell in death in 1984.
On March 11, 1985, Clell and Reba Bradshaw were united in marriage in Ava. Reba preceded Clell in death in 2004.
Clell was also preceded in death by his parents.
Clell was a member of the Hilltop Victory Chapel at Thornfield. He participated in the building of Hilltop Victory Chapel and played the guitar for the church.
He loved to hunt and fish and enjoyed watching the birds with Reba. He adored his family.
Clell is survived by a daughter, Patty McDowell and Glen, Ava; grandchildren, Shanna McDowell, Glen and Elijah McDowell, all of Ava; one great-grandson, Anthony McDowell, Ava; his mother-in-law, Florence Rantz, Ava; and other relatives and friends.
Services were held at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 6, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with the Rev. Marvin Graham officiating.
Interment followed in the Thornfield Cemetery.
William Walter “Bill” Burk, 79
Feb 9, 2006
William Walter “Bill” Burk, 79, of Ava, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2006, at his home.
He was born Sept. 20, 1926, at Independence, the son of Leonard John and Eva Mae (Kester) Burk.
He graduated from Ava High School and finished three years of college.
On Dec. 20, 1944, he married Muriel Renamae Sisson and this union was blessed with one son and two daughters.
On Aug. 21, 1944, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he proudly served his country until April 19, 1946.
Bill was a Christian and a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
He was a skilled carpenter who enjoyed spending time in his workshop, discovering new ideas to create from wood. In earlier years, he enjoyed fishing and hunting, but his greater passion has always been playing bluegrass music. He was an accomplished and well-known musician, mastering several instruments. He had also played with several bands throughout the years. He especially enjoyed jam sessions with his many musical friends.
He was preceded in death by both parents.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Muriel, of the home; one son, John Burk and his wife, Estella, of Red Bluff, Calif.; two daughters, Patricia Simecek, of Independence, and Beverly Watson and her husband, Delmas, of Ava; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one brother, Rev. Bob Burk and his wife Patricia, of Ava; one sister, Ruth Jones, of Springfield; other family members and many, many friends.
Funeral services for Bill were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, in Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ava, with the Rev. Robert Burk and Elder Ike Rhoades officiating.
Burial followed in the Turkey Creek Cemetery.
Full military honors were conducted by the American Legion Post 112 and VFW Post 5993.
Nancy (Neiman) Bolen, 83
Feb 9, 2006
Nancy Neiman Bolen, daughter of Calvin Samuel Neiman and Bertie Mae Gastineau Neiman, was born on July 21, 1922, in Squires, Mo., and went to her heavenly home on Feb. 4, 2006, in New Florence, Mo., at the age of 83 years.
Nancy was a native resident of the Ava community, returning to her family home after her profession and the professions of her family took her to various places in Missouri, North Carolina and Georgia.
Nancy was married to Elmer R. Spurrier. After the dissolution of that marriage, she later married Homer E. Bolen, who preceded her in death.
She was a secretary in the medical field at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., and was also executive secretary and acting director for the Missouri Association for Retarded Citizens in Jefferson City. Much of her career was spent in advocacy for the rights of handicapped citizens.
Nancy was a member of the Methodist Church, Order of the Eastern Star Ava Chapter #47, Daughters of American Revolution and the Huguenot Society. Like her father, she was a lifelong Democrat.
She enjoyed all her activities including spinning, weaving, painting, genealogy, historic preservation projects, and working on the farm and being with her friends and family.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Cal and Bertie Mae.
Her survivors include three children, Nina Spurrier Carter and husband, James, Plantation, Fla., Calvin "Cal" R. Spurrier, Mills, Wyo., and Janice Spurrier Dillard and husband, Jack, Montgomery City, Mo.; two stepchildren, Keith Bolen and wife, Adele, Hazelwood, Mo., and Sherry West and husband, Dale, Naples, Fla.; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) at the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with the Rev. Oren Alcorn officiating.
The Order of the Eastern Star service will be conducted by Ava Chapter #47.
Interment will be in the Mt. Tabor Cemetery officiated by the daughter, Rev. Janice Spurrier Dillard.
Visitation was Wednesday from 6 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
The family requests memorials to Ellis Fischel Cancer Hospital, Columbia, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Memorials may be given at the funeral home.
Ethel Pearl Frye, 71
Feb 9, 2006
Ethel Pearl Frye, 71, of Milan, Ill., died Thursday Feb. 2, 2006, at Rosewood Care Center, Moline, Ill.
Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Larson Funeral Home, Rock Island, Ill., with burial at Memorial Park Cemetery, Rock Island.
Ethel was born March 19, 1934, in Hannibal, Mo., the daughter of Ira and Ethel Hayden Rouse.
She married Herman Frye, Jr. in 1964 in Rock Island.
She was a waitress at the former Bringer Inn, Milan, Ill., for many years. Prior to this she worked in food service for the former Milan Grade School.
Ethel was a member of the United Methodist Church in Ava where she and Herman lived for many years.
She enjoyed gardening, fishing and making crafts. She participated in the annual M.I.P. Craft Sale in Milan. She loved being with her grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Herman; a son, David Rouse, Moline, Ill.; grandchildren, Tera Elliott, Silvis, Ill., and Brent Rouse, Erie, Ill.; seven great-grandchildren; a step-daughter, Cheryl McLaughlin, Hampton, Ill.; sisters, Beulah Buckwalter, Milan, Ill., Dorothy Bush, Hannibal, Mo., Doris Walters, Memphis, Tenn. and Viola Coder, Lake Placid, Fla.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Verna Rosealine Freeman, 88
Feb 9, 2006
Verna R. Freeman, daughter of the late Christopher Columbus and Vianna (Loveall) Bell, was born on May 17, 1917, in Douglas County, and departed this life on Feb. 1, 2006, in the Hynes Hospice of St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kan., following a short illness. She was 88.
Verna grew up and attended school in Douglas County, and was united in marriage to James A. Freeman on Dec. 20, 1940l, in Ava. Three children were born to this union.
They lived and farmed in north Missouri for 13 years and moved back to the Ozarks where they operated a store in the Vanzant area for nine years.
Mr. Freeman preceded her in death on Dec. 15, 1988. She had made her home in Kansas for the past two years to be near her family.
Verna enjoyed being outdoors, especially when tending to her flower and vegetable gardens. She enjoyed quilting and cooking for her family and friends.
Besides her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Cecil Bell and Clyde Bell.
She is survived by two sons, James C. Freeman and his wife, Sandy, of Springfield, and Roger L. Freeman and his wife, Jana, of Enid, Okla.; one daughter, Vera Ann Collins and her husband, Charles, of Wichita, Kan.; nine grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Verna Freeman were held Saturday, Feb. 4, at 10 a.m., in the Craig-Hurtt-Bradley Funeral Home Chapel, Mtn. Grove, with the Rev. Dennis Snyder officiating.
Burial was in the Pleasant Mound Cemetery.
Howard R. Spurlock, 90
Feb 9, 2006
Howard R. Spurlock, 90, passed away at his home in Springfield, Mo., Sunday night, Feb. 5, 2006.
He grew up in Douglas County, son of Robert (Bob) Spurlock and Rosa McFarlin Spurlock, now deceased.
Survived by his sisters in Ava, Elizabeth (Wilson) Guthery, and Gerry Degase; a brother, Norman Spurlock, Story City, Iowa; and many other relatives in Douglas County.
Howard spent most of his married life in Springfield, where he raised his family.
Rosa Ruth Enloe, 87
Feb 9, 2006
Rosa Ruth Enloe passed away in her sleep, Jan. 20, 2006, at North Park Village in Ozark, Mo.
She was born April 2, 1918, at Almartha, Mo., the daughter of Rosa Benett Morgan and Clarence E. Morgan.
She was married to the late Woodrow Enloe on April 23, 1935.
She was a member of the Church of Christ at Souder, Gainesville Order of the Eastern Star and the Fire Department Auxiliary at Wasola. She and Woodrow ran the Noble Store, where she was the Postmaster for 30 years. Ruth helped her husband on the Enloe family farm for over 35 years. She enjoyed crocheting and quilting with all her family and friends.
Mrs. Enloe is survived by two daughters, Alline Hicks and husband Norman, of Ozark, and Karen Enloe Matteson, of St. Charles, Mo.; one son, Jerry Enloe and wife Patti, of Springfield; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; five great great-grandchildren; one half-brother, C. J. Morgan, of Ava; one brother-in-law, Eldred and wife Audrey, of St. Charles, Mo.; three sisters-in-law, Alice Menown, of California, Cosby Hill, of Buffalo, Mo., Nina Lewis and husband Paul, of Freemont Hills, Mo.; and many friends and family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Woodrow; one son, Woody Enloe; and one granddaughter, Kelly Enloe.
Services were held Monday, Jan. 23, 2006, at the Souder Church of Christ with burial in the Souder Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Fairhaven Children's Home, Strafford, Mo., or the Souder Cemetery.
Paul Webster Johnston, 92
Feb 9, 2006
Paul Webster Johnston, 92, formerly of Ava, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006, at Autumn Oaks Caring Center in Mtn. Grove.
He was born Dec. 14, 1913, at Macomb to Noah Webster and Dora (Bolt) Johnston.
On April 8, 1934, he married Gladys Mary Willis at Norwood, and this union was blessed with three children.
Our Dad was a protector of his family, always watching to see we were not hurt. He provided shelter for us, and a large garden to feed us for many months of the year.
He was faithful in taking his family to church. He was a Sunday school teacher and served on the Deacon Board at Victoria Tabernacle in Kansas City, Kans. After retirement, they moved to Ava and he served as a deacon at Mansfield Assembly of God.
He worked for Armour and Company in Kansas City, Kans., for 42 years as the night superintendent and was over the sanitation department. The last ten years in St. Joseph, Mo., he was over the canning department. Armour honored him as the #1 Foreman over Production.
We appreciate Jim Bonner for caring for Dad, he would visit him and take him to lunch often. He was a special nephew and most of all, a good friend. He was greatly loved by Dad.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Gladys (Willis) Johnston; his parents, Dr. Noah Webster and Dora Johnston; one brother; and one sister.
He is survived by two sons, Carl Webster Johnston and his wife Yvonne, of Austin, Texas, and Steven Brett Johnston and his wife Leigh, of Overland Park, Kans.; one daughter, Joy Crainshaw, and her husband Larry, of Shawnee, Kans.; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; other relatives and many, many friends.
Graveside services were conducted at 11 a.m., Monday, Feb. 6, 2006, at the Ava Cemetery with Rev. Stan Welch officiating.
The arrangements and burial were under the care and direction of Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ava.
Chester Clyde "Whitey" Lee, 78
Feb 16, 2006
Chester Clyde “Whitey” Lee was born Feb 3, 1927, in Drury Mo.
He passed away on Monday, January 30, 2006, at the age of 78.
Chester was the oldest of eight siblings and was employed for 39 years as a maintenance worker at Cella Vineyards in Reedley, Calif.
He is survived by his mother Alma Ford; six brothers and sisters; his sons, Randy, Danny, and Carey; as well as four granddaughters; and one great-grandson.
Whitey loved spending time with his family, friends, and close companion, Maxine Houvardas. He will best be remembered for his love of country music, dancing, and scenic drives.
Jimmy Ray Engelhardt, 57
Feb 16, 2006
Jimmy Ray Engelhardt, 57, Ava, passed away Saturday, Feb. 11, 2006, at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield.
He was born Nov. 7, 1948, at Ava, the son of Lee Roy and Anna Lee (Denney) Engelhardt.
On July 22, 1972, he married Cheryl Finkemeier in Ava, and to this union, two daughters were born.
Jimmie was a loving father and grandfather, brother, a good neighbor, and a great friend. He was a wonderful cook, and according to his family, he made the best meatballs of anyone. Jimmy enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and hunting. He was always ready for a good game of cards or dominoes.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Jimmie is survived by two daughters, Christy Engelhardt and Jennifer Engelhardt; one grandson, Karl Engelhardt; three brothers, Ronnie Engelhardt, Frank Engelhardt and wife, Loretta, and Mike Engelhardt; two sisters, Eva Thurman and husband, Danny, and Treva Tate and husband, Rick, all of Ava; several nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, at the Mt. Tabor General Baptist Church under the care and direction of Barnes Family Funeral Home of Ava, with the Rev. Tom Johnson officiating.
Burial followed in the Mt. Tabor Cemetery.
