Missouri, U.S., Marriage Records, 1805-2002
Charles Thomas "Tom" Laird, 52
Jun 8, 2006
Charles Thomas "Tom" Laird, son of Floyd and Alma Lucille Humphrey Laird, was born Nov. 18, 1953 near Lilbourn, Mo.
He departed this life Thursday, June 1, 2006, due to heart failure resulting in an automobile accident in Webster County.
On Jan. 16, 1971, Tom married Debbie Delp. To this union two sons and two daughters were born.
On Nov. 2, 1997 he was united in marriage to Barbara Elaine Clark Downs. They have shared the last 10 years together near Mansfield.
He was preceded in death by his father and a brother, Bobby Laird.
Tom is survived by his wife, Barbara, of the home; eight children, including Michelle Bass, Mindy Laird and Charles "TJ" Laird, Jr., all of Hartville, Brian Laird, of Flippin, Ark., Keith Downs, of Everett, Wash., Matthew Downs, of Mansfield, Melanie Pierce, of Show Low, Ariz., and Monica Dunne, of Collegedale, Tenn.; 15 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter; his mother, Alma Lucille Laird, of Mansfield; three brothers, Billy Laird, of Crawford, Tenn., Raymond Laird, of Sikeston, and Don Laird, of Belleville, Ill.; four sisters, Betty McKeel and Ruby Herbst, both of Mansfield, Janet Carrell, of Labadie, Mo., and Shirley Garner, of Monett; 19 nieces and nephews; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Charles and Frances Clark, of Frankfort, Ill.; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends.
Tom was born and raised in the Bootheel of Missouri. As a young man he went to Bellville, Ill., where he apprenticed as an electrician and then worked wiring barges on the Mississippi River. Twenty-five years ago he moved to Wright County, where he owned and operated Laird and Associates, a general remodeling construction company.
Playing music was one of Tom's favorite pastimes. He spent many years as a professional musician playing the guitar and singing in a progressive country band throughout Missouri, Louisiana and Texas. He will always be remembered for the heart and soul that he put into his music.
In his spare time, Tom found great pleasure working with wood in his workshop.
Tom also loved being out in nature. He had a special passion to share his love of the outdoors with his children.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Holman-Howe Chapel, Hartville, with the Rev. Larry Scott officiating, and Juanita Herrell, eulogist. Burial was in New Hope Cemetery.
Almena M. Sturgeon, 84
Jun 29, 2006
Almena M. Sturgeon, daughter of Carl Salzbrenner and Ethel M. McBride Salzbrenner, was born on Jan. 9, 1922, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and departed this life on June 27, 2006, in Seymour, at the age of 84.
Almena was a resident of the Ava community for the past 26 years moving from Wisconsin. She was a homemaker.
On July 3, 1941 Almena and Richard H. Sturgeon Sr. were united in marriage in Chicago, Ill., and to this union, one son was born.
Almena was a member of the United Church of Christ. She loved bowling, crocheting, going out to eat and especially loved waffles and listening to Lawrence Welk music. She also really enjoyed reading her Bible and being with her friends and family.
Almena was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Richard Sturgeon Sr. in 2003.
She is survived by her son and wife, Richard H. and Alice Sturgeon Jr., Ava, and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, June 30, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with Rev. Tim Brubeck officiating and cremation following. Burial of cremains will be in the Hubbard Cemetery at a later date and time.
Visitation is Friday from 9 a.m. until service time.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to the Salvation Army.
Services are being conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava.
Archie T. Mahan, 80
Jun 29, 2006
Archie T. Mahan, the son of William Ambrose Mahan and Ellen (Duckworth) Mahan, was born July 6, 1925, in Ozark County, Mo., and departed this life June 24, 2006, at the age of 80.
Archie was a resident of the Ava area since 1929. He was a beef and dairy farmer. His horses were special to him helping ease the everyday work on the farm. Archie was a member of the Ava Church of Christ and Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association.
In 195l, Archie and Dora Jo Lethco were united in marriage in Mtn. Grove, and to this union, a son was born.
Archie was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Eula Price.
His survivors include his wife, Dora Jo, of Joplin; one son, David Mahan, Ava; two brothers, Lloyd Mahan, Wilder, Idaho, and Junior Mahan and wife, Esther, Wichita, Kan.; two sisters, Fern Ledbetter and husband, Ed, Checotah, Okla., and Bonnie Barnes, Wilder, Idaho; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services were at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 27, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with Harlin Howerton officiating. Interment followed in the Ava Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava.
Milan Grover Bourland, 78
Jun 29, 2006
Milan Grover Bourland, 78, eldest son of Grover Green Bourland and Pauline Nera Clanin Bourland, was born near Osceola on Feb. 9, 1928, and received spiritual promotion to the presence of the Lord on May 27, 2006.
On Sept. 23, 1949, Milan married Vera Lorene Reasoner.
To this union four sons were born: James, and wife, JoAnn, of Clinton, Randy, and wife, Patti, of El Dorado Springs, Milan, and wife, Lora, Moore, S.C., and Tim, and wife, Tammy, of Gladstone. They all, along with seven granddaughters, two grandsons and six great-grandchildren, lovingly grieve but know without question that their husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather celebrates his homecoming.
Milan loved his family and he loved music. He was self-taught and played the guitar, mandolin and banjo. He made music an important part of his ministry, as he and Vera played together.
Milan was saved the June following his graduation from high school, was sanctified shortly thereafter and within a few months answered God's call to the ministry. He received a junior college degree from Mt. Zion Bible School in 1948 and completed his bachelor of theology at Kansas City College and Bible School in 1951. His educational pursuits were, however, a lifelong quest.
This is a summary of the ministerial efforts of Milan: 1947 – 1949 Sprague, Mo.; 1949-1951: full-time evangelism; 1952 - 1956: Herriman Chapel; 1956-1959: Brush Arbor, Mo.; I959-1965: Kinser Chapel, Mo.; 1965-1969: Lowry City; 1969 - 1973: El Molte, Calif.; 1973 - 1979: Blackjack-. 1979 - 1988: Fulton; 1988 - 1996: Log Church, Mo.; 1996 - promotion Saturday: Herriman Chapel.
In addition, Milan taught at Mt. Zion Bible School for 17 years and served in several other capacities there, including dean of students, business manager, editor and publisher of the Reporter, as principal and as its president. He also served the Lord and the Church of God (Holiness) with extended periods of ministry on both the Home and World Mission Boards, the Publishing Board and the Convention Roll Committee.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 30, in the Lowry City Church of God (Holiness) with the Revs. Darrell Swearengin, Jack Smith and Noel Scott officiating. Burial was in the Lowry City Cemetery under the direction of Sheldon Funeral Home of El Dorado Springs.
Flora Coffer, 90
Jun 29, 2006
Flora Ann Coffer, age 90, of Chadwick, passed away Wednesday, June 21, 2006. She was born February 16, 1916 in Douglas County, the daughter of Manuel Pruett and Mary Susan "Sued" (Moore) Pruett.
On September 3, 1932, she and Arthur Coffer were united in marriage.
Mrs. Coffer was a homemaker and also worked along side her husband on the farm. She was a member of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church at Highlonesome. She loved babies and enjoyed all of her grandchildren, great-, and great-great-grandchildren.
She spent time quilting and looked forward to her garden every year.
Survivors include two sons and their wives, Earl and Pauline Coffer, Ozark, and Dearl and Kathy Coffer, Chadwick; two grandchildren, Mike Coffer and wife Karen, Ozark, and Jennifer Johnson and husband Steve, Oldfield; nine great-grandchildren, Melissa, James, Austin, Quentin, Roselyn, Madelyn, Shannon, Kaitlyn, and Morgan; two great-great-grandchildren, Skye, and Zayne; two sisters, Thelma Goin, Oldfield, and Zelma Morrison, Springfield; as well as nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur, in 1990, her twin brother, Floyd Pruett; two sisters, Goldie Coffer, and Lola Gray, and her parents.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 24, in Adams Funeral Home, Ozark, with Rev. Carl Thompson officiating. Burial followed in Old Boston Cemetery, Oldfield.
Friends and family gathered at the funeral home on Friday for visitation.
Grace “Holt” Haden, 93
Jun 29, 2006
Grace Holt Haden, daughter of John Franklin Holt and Emma Thompson Holt, was born April 16, 1913, south of Ava in Douglas County and departed this life June 26, 2006, at the age of 93.
On Dec. 24, 1936, Grace and Morley E. Haden were united in marriage in Ava. To this union four sons and one daughter were born.
Grace was a member of Springcreek General Baptist Church.
When she was young she loved to fish. In her later years, she enjoyed listening to bluegrass music and watching her brother, Bob, play the fiddle. She also enjoyed spending time with and checking up on her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, especially talking with her grandson, Steve, at the end of the day.
Grace was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Morley; one son, Fred; eight brothers and one sister.
Her survivors include three sons, Dall and wife, Betty Haden, of Squires, Wilbern and wife, Judy Haden, of Ava, Larry and wife, Pat Haden, of Ava; one daughter, Barbara and husband, Pat Walker, of Ozark; 13 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be 11 a.m. today (Thursday) at Springcreek Cemetery with the Rev. Tom Johnson officiating. Visitation was held from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava.
Memorial contributions can be made to Springcreek Cemetery or to the charity of choice. Services are being conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home Ava.
Jason Spanley, 33
Jun 29, 2006
Jason Spanley passed away Monday, June 19, 2006, at his residence in Ava. He was 33 years old.
Jason was born July 19, 1972, in Orlando, Fla.
Moving to this area two years ago from Tennessee, Jason worked for Wal-Mart in Ava as a cashier.
He is survived by his parents, Denise and Kevin Stage, of Gainesville; grandmother, Louise Loots, of Mtn. Home, Ark.; grandfather Keith Stage, of Gainesville; brothers Bryan Spanley, Nashville, Tenn., and Daniel Stage, Gainesville; and a sister, Amy Stage, of Ava.
A visitation was held Friday afternoon at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, with Jim Rhoads officiating.
Cremation followed under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home of Gainesville.
Brandon E. Darlington, 27
Jun 22, 2006
Brandon Edward Darlington, son of Clyde and Juanita (Linder) Darlington, was born July 25, 1978 and departed this life June 17, 2006, at the age of 27.
Brandon was born and raised in Ava. If anyone stayed with Brandon and visited with him for more than five minutes, they knew what Brandon loved — he loved to hunt, fish, camp, cook, play his guitar, and hunt mushrooms like his Papaw Darrel taught him. If he wasn't singing one of his songs, he was telling jokes and making turkey calls. Brandon loved to host barbeques and have softball games. Brandon loved life and never let anyone have a dull or serious moment. He was the type of person that no one could ever stay angry at. He would do anything for anyone that asked him. He worked at many various jobs, but mostly with construction, last working for Rost Construction in Marshfield.
Brandon was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Earl and Myrle (Smith) Darlington, and by his maternal grandfather, Darrel Linder.
He is survived by his parents, Clyde and Juanita Darlington, Ava; two sisters, Crystal (Darlington) Johnson and husband Chris, Ava, and Clarissa Darlington, Ava; two nephews, Devon and Ethan, his maternal grandmother, Virginia Linder, Ava, a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, other family and friends; and a special friend, Erin.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 20, at 10 a.m. at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with the Revs. Dustin Ledford and Mark Hatcher officiating. Burial was at Brushy Knob Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society or the foundation of donor’s choice.
Lulu M. Brown Shrum, 94
Jun 22, 2006
Lulu Shrum was born on Feb. 12, 1912, in Douglas County, Mo., to James L. and Amanda Morris Brown.
She died on June 8, 2006, at Truman Lake Manor in Lowry City, where she had lived for the last eight years.
Services and interment were June 14 in Lowry City.
She is survived by two daughters, Nancy Carrell (Gene) of Bolivar, and Sue Storm of Overland Park, Kan.; three granddaughters, Jana Duke (Brad) of Springfield, Lisa Carrell of Burbank, Calif., and Carmen Gray (Brian) of Charlotte, N.C. She leaves two great-grandchildren, Nathan and Samantha Duke of Springfield and a number of nieces and nephews, many of whom live in the Douglas County area.
Lu was preceded in death by her dear husband, Bruce Shrum, who died in 1997. She was the tenth of 12 children, all of whom predeceased her. Her siblings were Sherman William Brown, Rosa Davis, Bertha Davis, John Jesse Brown, Bessie Snook, Everett Brown, Vernia Allen Brown, Louis Brown, James Orville Brown, Charles Brown and Leroy Brown.
After graduation from Ava High School, Lu attended college in Tallequah, Okla., just long enough to get her teaching certificate and then returned to Douglas County to teach in country schools.
It was at Whites Creek School that she met Bruce Shrum and they married on Feb. 9, 1935.
Lu continued her college education at Southwest Baptist College and Southern Missouri University. After Bruce entered the ministry, she taught in many school districts from Missouri to Idaho. She retired from teaching in 1980 when she taught her last fourth grade class at Lakeland School in Lowry City. Whether it was public school or Sunday school, children were Lu's focus, and she considered all her service to children as ministry.
Lu had various types of employment over the years. Early in World War II, she was a riveter at Douglas Aircraft in Tulsa. She also worked as a cook on a sheep and cattle ranch in Oregon and as a seamstress at a posh department store in Fort Worth while Bruce attended Southwestern Seminary.
For many years, raising the couple's two daughters was Lulu's main priority. Besides mother, “pastor's wife” was her chief title. She and Bruce pastored churches in Vista, Osceola, Asbury, Joplin, Sarcoxie, Round Prairie and Gerster in Missouri, as well as congregations in Texas, Idaho, Wyoming, and Washington.
In their later years, Lu and Bruce lived in retirement in Lowry City, where they enjoyed gardening, crafts, training horses and serving their community. It was at this time, that Lulu became thoroughly involved in what had always been a passing interest—painting. She enjoyed painting nature scenes, old buildings, flowers, and animals. She competed and placed in a number of art shows in the area. Bruce enjoyed framing the pictures and carting her here and there to art exhibitions.
In the early 90's, Lu's primary job became caring for Bruce and helping him remember his favorite scriptures as long as he possibly could.
After Bruce's death, Lu lived independently for a short period, but with her own failing health she entered Truman Lake Manor in 1998. There she built many friendships among residents and staff alike and continued to live a productive life—still teaching Bible study, still painting, and still helping those around her. Over the last few years, Lulu suffered some heart problems, coped with increasing pain from osteoarthritis, and more recently suffered from stroke. She slipped away on June 8 and is now resting in the Lord.
Mervin Roy Case, 80
Jun 22, 2006
Mervin Roy Case was born Jan. 12, 1926, at Climax Spring, Mo., the son of Delbert Edwin "Ed" Case and Reva (Hocking) Case.
He departed this life June 20, 2006, at the age of 80.
Mervin and Faye L. Davis were united in marriage Aug. 21, 1949 in Ava. Mervin and Faye were blessed with two daughters, Marsha (Case) O'Briant and Becki (Case) Bright.
Mervin loved to play board games, cards, snooker and enjoyed traveling with his family.
Mervin was a member of the Ava General Baptist Church and served as deacon for several years.
Mervin was a lifelong resident of Ava. He was Army veteran of World War II, serving in Europe. After the war he worked with heavy machinery building ponds, diversion terraces, some roadwork and land clearing in Douglas and surrounding counties. He also drove local and over-the-road trucks for various companies. Mervin later served as Missouri state representative in Jefferson City for 15 years.
Mervin was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Veryl Case, and a sister, Betty Jefferson.
He is survived by his wife, Faye, of the home, Ava; two daughters, Marsha (Case) O'Briant, Neosho, and Becki (Case) Bright and husband, Alan, Nixa; four grandchildren, Dawnelle Payne and husband, Levi, Darrell and Lyndon O'Briant, Erika Bright; three great-grandchildren, Jayden O'Briant, Colson and Keagen Payne; two sisters, Doris Elliott, Ava, and Nadine Lakey, Whitehaven, Miss.; one brother, Larry Case, Sparta; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 24, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with the Revs. Oren Alcorn and Allen Maples officiating. Interment will follow in the Ava Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday from 6:30 to 7:30 in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the donor’s choice.
Services are under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava.
