Missouri, U.S., Marriage Records, 1805-2002
Jessie Luetta Harvill Willis, 80
May 18, 2006
Jessie Luetta (Morrison) Harvill Willis, 80, Ozark, Mo., departed this life on Saturday, May 6, 2006 at Cox Medical Center South, in Springfield.
She was born Aug. 24, 1925, at Highlonesome, the daughter of William “Bill” and Matle (Nelson) Morrison.
In November 1937, Luetta was baptized and became a lifelong member of the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church.
On Feb. 2, 1946, she was united in marriage to Bernace Eugene “Gene” Harvill. To this union seven children were born.
She is survived by one son, Denny Harvill, of Forsyth; three daughters, Mary June Loftin, and husband, Marvin, of Ava; Phyllis Bloomer of Ava; Betty Jo “B.J.” Harvill of Ozark; two sisters, Ortha Lawrence of Ava, and Huba Rozell, of Chadwick; one brother, Dillon Morrison, and wife, Carol, of Springfield; two sisters-in-law, Doris Morrison, of Ava, and Sybil Harvill, of Oldfield; eight very special grandchildren, and 10 wonderful great-grandchildren; a special family friend, Becky Hamm, as well as a host of other relatives and good friends.
Luetta was preceded in death by her husband, Gene, on Aug. 29, 1986, and her husband, Earl Willis, on Oct. 4, 2002; her son, Glen Allen, one infant son, one infant daughter, her parents, and two brothers, Max and Paul.
Luetta raised her family and enjoyed life to the fullest on her farm in Douglas County for many years. She retired from 24 years of service at Fasco Industries of Ozark in 1990.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, in Adams Funeral Home, Ozark, with the Rev. Carl Thompson officiating.
Burial was in Highlonesome Cemetery.
Thelma Whetsten, 98
May 18, 2006
Thelma L. Whetsten, daughter of Thomas Fitzgerald and Maria Jones Fitzgerald, was born on Feb. 11, 1908, in Douglas County, and departed this life on May 16, 2006 in Springfield, at the age of 98 years, three months and five days.
Thelma was a resident of Springfield since 1966, moving from the Ava area. She was a sales clerk at the Norman Gentry Drug Store and she also had taught school at White Oak.
On Sept. 18, 1933, Thelma and Claude Whetsten were united in marriage in Douglas County.
She was a member of the Lynn Street Baptist Church, Springfield. She loved reading and worked crossword puzzles.
She was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters, one brother and her husband, Claude in 2000.
Her survivors include a nephew, Marvin Whetsten, Springfield; a niece, Jean Haupt, state of Arizona; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Graveside service will be Monday, May 22, at 11 a.m. at the Jenkins Cemetery, (Goodhope area) with the Pastor Gerald Rushing officiating.
Friends may call at the funeral home from Saturday until service time.
Services are being conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava.
Marie Meador, 93
May 18, 2006
Marie Louise Meador, daughter of John Arthur La Motte and Nora Mary (Wilson) La Motte, was born on Sept. 6, 1912, and departed this life on May 5, 2006, in Ava Place, Ava, at the age of 93 years, seven months and 29 days.
Marie was a housewife and a homemaker. She had lived in Ava Place since 1998, moving from the St. Louis area. Marie loved and enjoyed her home at Ava Place.
She was a Christian and loved going to church.
Marie enjoyed working in the flower garden and her favorite food was Three Musketeer candy bars.
She loved visiting with people and to every-one, she was better known as “Granny.”
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Lonie Lee Meador, two sisters, Mildred Rus-sell and Margaret Tiefenauer, a brother, Earl La Motte, two sons, Leroy Meador and Lonie Edward Meador.
She is survived by two daughters, Adrian Joyce Reavis and Donna Gayle Kraisser, both of the St. Louis area; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her very dear friends of Ava Place; and other relatives and friends.
Graveside service was held Monday, May 15, at 1:30 p.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery in St. Louis.
Services were conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava.
Charles W. Stallcup, 71
Jun 8, 2006
Charles W. Stallcup, 71, was born Oct. 25, 1934, in Independence, and passed away in his home in Springfield during the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 31, 2006.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. With a keen wit and spontaneous personality he quickly made friends and lasting relationships.
Charles is survived by his wife, Betty, of the home; son Charles R. Stallcup and wife, Melissa, of Sparta; daughter Susan R. Fiedler and husband, Rick, of Springfield; granddaughter, Megan A. LeBlanc and husband, Norman, and great-granddaughter, Daisha, of Hampton, Va.; grandson, Chase A. Stallcup, of Sparta; granddaughter Amanda R. Mitchell and husband, Keith, and great-granddaughter, Ellie, of Aldrich, and granddaughter Amy Forrest of St. Louis.
He is also survived by his brothers, Robert Stallcup and James Stallcup, both of Springfield, sister Betty Campbell, of southern California, and many other relatives and close friends.
In the early 1950's, Charles moved from the Kansas City area to southern California.
In 1955, he married Betty Lee Cruce in Downey, Calif.
In 1957, Charles was drafted into the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he and Betty returned to southern California to start a family.
Charles was self-employed for most of his working career starting his own business in the early 1960's. In 1976, he sold his business in California and moved his family to Ava, to run a dairy farm. In 1998, he and Betty sold the farm to build a new home in Ava. Having been a hard worker all of his life, a few years of retirement was more than he could take. In 2001, Charles and Betty decided to move to Springfield so he could be closer to his son and daughter, and also so he could get a job at Wal-Mart on the south side of Springfield. Charles was truly a “people person.” He loved spending time with his family and his many friends.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 3, in Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark, with the Rev. Oren Alcorn officiating.
Burial followed in the Ava Cemetery.
John William Heriford, 79
Jun 8, 2006
John William Heriford, age 79, passed from his earthly home to eternal rest on June 7, 2006. He was the son of James Blaine Heriford and Dora (Grudier) Heriford.
John was born on June 6, 1927 at Hammond, Mo.
He was a resident of Ava for the past two years moving here from Thornfield.
John worked as a bulldozer operator, a carpenter, a general store owner, a farmer and cattleman.
He served in the U.S. Air Force following the ending of World War II.
With the exception of family and friends, his main interest was his Hammond Farm where he was raised and later owned. There he spent many hours doing what he enjoyed.
John became a Christian and was baptized on Nov. 7, 1948. He attended the Thornfield General Baptist Church where he was song leader.
John and Barbara Terry were married March 23, 1949 in Mtn. Home, Ark., and to them one daughter was born.
His survivors are his wife of 57 years, Barbara; a daughter, Jana Hesterlee and husband Joe; two granddaughters, Alicia Miller and husband Sam, and Jaime Holt and friend, Nick, all of Ava; two step-grandsons, Bill and Jason Hesterlee; two great-grandchildren, Morgan and Zack Miller; five step-great-grandchildren, Tyler, Makayla, Shae and Devlin Hesterlee, and Katie Miller; one sister, Virginia Hutchings of Thornfield; several nieces and nephews; and many dear friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents, his father-in-law, mother-in-law, two sisters, Bernice Hobbs and Betty McCullough, and three brothers, Junior, Lester and Hadley, three brothers-in-law and one niece.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 10, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with the Revs. John Haskins and Wendell Daugherty officiating.
Interment will follow in the Thornfield Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday from 6 to 7 p.m. in the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Thornfield General Baptist Church or Community Hospice of Mtn. Grove.
Services are being conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava.
Bob J. Hodges, 63
Jun 1, 2006
Funeral services for Bob J. Hodges, 64, Forsyth, will be held at 10 a.m. today (Thursday) in the New Vision Baptist Church, Taneyville, with Pastor James Hathcock officiating.
Burial will be in Union Grove Cemetery, Brown Branch.
Services are under the direction of Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home, Branson.
Mr. Hodges passed away Saturday, May 27, 2006, at his home in Forsyth.
Bob was born July 15, 1942, in Roy, Mo., to Quentin and Sybil (Horner) Hodges. He was a lifelong resident of Douglas and Taney counties. He graduated from the Bradleyville High School, Bradleyville.
Bob had worked for the Boatman’s Bank in Forsyth for over 32 years. He was a self-employed landscaper.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Quentin and Sybil Hodges.
Bob is survived by two daughters, Lisa Hodges and Teresa Dearth, both of Forsyth; two sons, Darin Hodges, of Taneyville, and Doug Hodges, Forsyth; and three grandchildren.
Marlin Reese, 76
Jun 1, 2006
Marlin Reese, son of Anna (Wood) and Simeon Everett Reese, was born on May 19, 1930, on a farm near Topaz, Mo.
He departed this life, at the age of 76, on Friday, May 26, 2006, a few feet from where he was born.
Marlin attended the Coble School and later Cabool Schools.
Marlin married Virginia Lee Welton on Feb. 14, 1948, and they began their 58 years of love and devotion to each other. They raised six children together.
As a young man, Marlin farmed and worked for the Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service in Ava. He often worked at night helping neighbors to repair farm equipment and do other farming tasks. He was always willing to help a neighbor in need. Marlin started the Reese Lumber Company in 1965. His company sawed lumber and made pallets. He also owned a trucking business as part of the pallet company. He sold the pallet company in the fall of 1984 and retired to farm, which he continued until his death.
Marlin left a legacy for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He taught devotion to family, respect, and the value of a job well done. His children learned from his example to enjoy the simple pleasures of life and the natural gifts of the Earth. He was a devoted member of the Fieldstone Church of Christ.
Marlin is survived by his wife, Virginia Lee of the home; one sister, Lois Ilene Janvier and husband Charles; his sons, Marlin Keith Reese and wife, Paulette, Ronald Max Reese and wife, Eloise and Dwight Reese and wife, Valerie; his daughter, Susan Annette Mason and husband, Tom; 16 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one niece, two nephews and many relatives and friends.
He was welcomed to heaven by sons, Teddy Lane and Danny Lee Reese; his parents, Anna and Simeon Everett Reese; his brother, Floyd Arthur Reese and his sister Ina Mae Reese.
Services were at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 30, at the Fieldstone Church of Christ with Evangelist Ron Alexander and Ron Wood officiating.
Burial was in the Penner Cemetery under the direction of Elliott-Gentry-Carder Funeral Home of Cabool.
Robert D. Stonerock, 81
May 25, 2006
Robert D. Stonerock was born Sept. 5, 1924, in Circleville, Ohio, one of eight sons born to the family.
He passed away May 20, 2006.
He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942 and retired in 1969 from the U.S. Air Force. In 1970, the family retired to the Brushyknob community.
Robert is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elizabeth (Betty) Stonerock; three children, Robert, Delores and Tony; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Ralph, in April 2003.
No services are planned.
Kevin Scott Reed, 47
May 25, 2006
Kevin Scott Reed, the son of John H. Reed and Peggy Lou (Proctor) Reed, was born July 16, 1958, in Springfield.
He departed this life May 22, 2006, at the age of 47.
Kevin was a resident of Gainesville, for the past two years, moving from Ava where he had been a resident for most of his life. Kevin graduated from Ava High School in 1976. Following High School he started his truck driving career working for Heath and Sons. Kevin was an over-the-road truck driver and drove cattle trucks most of his adult life.
On June 17, 1978, Kevin and Debbie Beason were married and to this union, a son, John Brandon Reed, was born.
Later divorcing, Kevin married Brenda (Pierson) Frye on March l, 1985, and to this union, another son was born, Justin Scott Reed.
Kevin loved to hunt and fish, and he was a good musician and an excellent square dancer. Most of all he loved his children and grandchildren.
Kevin was preceded in death by his father, John Henry Reed.
He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Peggy and Leo Litwiller, of Taneyville, a son and daughter-in-law, Brandon and Summar Reed, and a son Justin Reed, two grandsons, Gavin and Blake Reed, all of Ava, a brother and sister-in-law, Johnnie and Debbie Reed, of Simpson, Kan.; a sister and brother-in-law, Shellia and Melvin Braden of Taneyville, and a sister, Kristie Glenn, of Bergman, Ark.; a special friend, Missy (Usrey) Kennedy, Gainesville; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Services will be 10 a.m. Friday, May 26, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with the Revs. Gary Stigall and Max Stephens officiating.
Interment will follow in the Ava Cemetery.
Visitation will be today (Thursday) from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the family as a love offering.
Services are being conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava.
Vera May Lovan, 83
May 25, 2006
Vera May Lovan, daughter of the late Noah and Ethel (Williams) Wheat, was born on May 19, 1922, in Vanzant, Mo., and departed this life on May 18, 2006, in the Autumn Oaks Caring Center in Mtn. Grove, Mo. She was 83 years of age.
Vera was united in marriage to Claude Lovan on May 5, 1944, in West Plains, Mo. Six children were born to this union.
They made their home in the Vanzant community for many years.
Mr. Lovan passed away on July 31, 1991.
Vera was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend, who will be truly missed by those who knew and loved her.
She was a long time member of the Victory Church and was well known for her beautiful singing voice. She often sang at area funerals and church meetings.
Besides her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by one brother, Don Wheat.
She is survived by four daughters and two sons, Wanda Watkins and her husband, Ron, of Dora, Brenda Kinney and her husband, Bob, of Jefferson City, Mo., Evelyn Thornton and her husband, J. T., of Dora, Stan Lovan and his wife, Judy, of Ava, Carmen McCarty, of Mtn. Grove and Brant Lovan and his wife, Marnie, of Caulfield; seven grandchildren, Lance Watkins and his wife, Melissa, of Dora, Tara Land and her husband, Brian, of Dora, Melody Kinney, of Kansas City, Mo., A. J. Thornton, of Dora, Paxton Lovan and his fiancée, Hope Brooks, of Ava, Christon McCarty, of Mtn. Grove and Chase Lovan, of Caulfield; four great-grandchildren, Autumn and Brian Watkins and Kelsi and Keeli Land; two brothers, Jack and Lyda Wheat and Pete and Eunice Wheat, both of Vanzant; a sister-in-law, Shirley Chandler and her husband, Gene, of Mtn. Grove; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Vera Lovan were held Monday, May 22, 2:30 p.m. in the Craig-Hurtt Chapel, with Rev. Gail "Bud" Scherer and Rev. Stasey Sheppard officiating.
Burial followed in the Pleasant Home Cemetery under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mtn. Grove.
