Missouri, U.S., Marriage Records, 1805-2002
Larry Dean Sprague, 69
Oct 11, 2007
Larry Dean Sprague, son of the late T.C. and Lois (Miranda) Sprague, was born on March 7, 1938, in Buffalo, Iowa, and departed this life on Oct. 5, 2007, in the Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis following a short illness. He was 69 years, 6 months and 28 days of age.
Larry grew up and attended school in Buffalo, Iowa and joined the United States Navy in 1955. Later, he served in the United States Air Force and retired as a master sergeant in 1977.
He was united in marriage to Emogene Dobbs on April 11, 1960, in Iowa City, Iowa. Three sons were born to this union.
They made their home in the Ozarks where they raised their family on a farm in Drury, Mo .
Larry was an avid outdoorsman, especially when hunting, fishing and camping. He enjoyed spending time with his family friends and his dog and companion, Buddy. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend. He was also a loyal American who loved serving his country.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, Bill Adams.
Larry is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Emogene Sprague, of their home; his sons, Thomas Sprague and his wife, Janice, of Drury, Jack Sprague and his fiancé, Elizabeth, of Norwood, and Larry Sprague and his fiancé, Samy, of Ava; one brother, Thomas Sprague and his wife, Pat, of Ava; three sisters, Mary Jo Connell and her husband, Gene, of Moline, Ill., Donna VanderVeer and her husband, Jack, of Seymour, Iowa, and Judy Anderson, of Mtn. Grove; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Graveside services for Larry Sprague were held Monday, Oct. 8, at 10 a.m., in the New Hope Cemetery with the Rev. Reg Kelly officiating.
Full military honors were given at the cemetery by American Legion Post 30 with Jared Moore as bugler.
Burial was in New Hope Cemetery under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home of Mtn. Grove.
Kenneth Lee Bennett
(June 18, 1945 - October 24, 2011)
Kenneth Lee Bennett was born on June 18, 1945 in Artesia, California to Foey and Rachel Bennett. On the morning of October 24, 2011, Kenneth left this world to return to his Lord Jesus, at the age of sixty-six years, four months and seven days.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his daughter Tammy Roberts.
Kenneth was survived by daughter Stephanie Oxenreider and husband Michael, of Seymour Missouri, his step-daughter Cindy Ayers of the state of Virginia, his Vernon "Butch" Roberts of Seymour, Missouri; his grandchildren, Nichole Bennett who spent the last few years caring for her Grandpa, Steven Bennett, Shea Ward, Tamra Reeves, and Timothy Reeves, all of Seymour, Missouri; his great-grandchildren, Allie, Callie, and Bryson Pickett; Alivia Bennett, and Joy McDonald, all of Seymour, Missouri; his brothers, Thomas Bennett, Lester Bennett, Chester Bennett and wife Teresa, all of Seymour, Missouri; his sisters Barbara Pirtle and boyfriend John Ikerd of Conway, Missouri, and Kathy Cantrell of Seymour, Missouri, as well as many dearly loved nieces, nephews and friends.
Kenny grew up near Seymour and lived in the area throughout most of his life. He went to Rock Island, Illinois, when he was 22, but came back home to the Ozark Mountains. Driving for Mayflower, the Lumber Company and various other trucking companies, Kenny saw different parts of the country, but his heart was always here with his family.
He was happiest when he was playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Spending time with his family, being a practical jokester or packing Doodle’s bottle in his back pocket, Kenny created special memories for those he loved. He enjoyed cars, fishing and a good fish story.
Kenny came to know the Lord Jesus later in his life, but his foundation was laid at Grandma Bennett’s Sunday school each Sunday. Whether it was fried chicken, cornbread, or Kathy Day’s sweet and juicy rhubarb pie, Kenny understood the blessing of the simple joys of life. He left a legacy of love and friendship, of hard work and of time well spent.
Kenneth Bennett was a loving and devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and accomplishments and although we will miss his smile and loving presence, we will cherish his memory forever.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 28, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Holman-Howe Chapel, Seymour, Missouri, burial to follow at the Liberty Cemetery, Seymour, Missouri.
Visitation will be held from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Thursday, October 27, 2011.
Irene Giffin, 95
Oct 11, 2007
Irene Giffin, daughter of John W. and Lucy Lee Anna Tate Huffman, was born Aug. 14, 1912 in Douglas County.
She departed this life Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007 in Rocky Ridge Manor, Mansfield, at the age of 95 years, one month and 23 days.
In 1929, Irene was united in marriage to Elmer J. Giffin, and to this union, five sons and four daughters were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Elmer in 1987; two sons, Noel and Wayne Giffin; three daughters, Anna Jo Graves, Sharon Davis and an infant daughter; one grandson, Dennis; a great-granddaughter, Stephanie; a great-grandson, Michael; as well as two brothers and five sisters.
She is survived by three sons, Ellis Giffin and his wife, Dorothy, of Jenks, Okla., Norman Giffin and his wife Lela, of Seymour, and Marvin Giffin and his wife, Bunida of Mansfield; one daughter, Beverly Freeman and her husband, Calvin, of Neosho; 12 grandchildren and numerous great-and great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Jackie Dill, of Hannaford, Calif.; along with many nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
She was born in Douglas County, and lived there until moving to California in 1940. In 1949, Irene moved back to Douglas County, and then to Mansfield in the 1950s, where she remained until her passing. She was an employee at the Tobin Hamilton Shoe Factory where she worked for 16 years before retiring.
Irene was of the Pentecostal faith.
In her spare time, Irene enjoyed working in her vegetable garden and tending to her beautiful flowers. She loved to share her fresh and canned vegetables with her friends and family, and enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, whom she loved very much.
Irene was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister and aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) at Holman-Howe Chapel, Mansfield, with the Rev. Mark Terrill officiating.
Burial will be in Dyer Cemetery in Douglas County.
Emma Louise Maggard, Infant
Oct 11, 2007
Emma Louise Maggard, infant daughter of Carla Ann Weitzel and Larry Maggard, was born Oct. 5, 2007, at Cox Medical Center in Springfield and went home to be with the Lord the same day.
Emma is survived by her parents; one sister, Harley Maggard; maternal grandmother, Beverly Metcalf; great-grandmother Pat Sewell; her paternal grandparents, Donna Adams, Jerry Jones, and Ralph Mauzy; and several loving aunts, uncles, and other family members.
Emma was preceded by her maternal grandfather, Tex Metcalf; her paternal great-grandparents, Mildred and Tilbert Maggard; and maternal great-grandfather, Frank Sewell.
Graveside services for Emma L. Maggard were held in the Mt. Olive Cemetery, Oldfield, at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, with the Rev. James Orick officiating.
Services were conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava.
Joe Barney Miller, 78
Oct 11, 2007
Joe Barney Miller, son of Bernie Miller and Josie (Hatfield) Miller, was born on May 25, 1929, in Ava, and raised by his grandmother, Sadie and her husband, Jim Matney.
He passed away from a long illness on Oct. 8, 2007, in his home in Ava, with his loving family by his side.
Joe B. was a life-long resident of the Ava community. He was a farmer and school bus driver for the Ava R-1 District for 28 years.
On March 24, 1943, Joe B. and Goldie Jenkins were united in marriage in Ava, by the Rev. Leonard Silvey.
Joe B. loved working and grabbing suckers. He also enjoyed listening to hounds run. Joe B. recently made a profession of faith and was saved. He loved being with his family.
He was preceded in death by his father, Bernie; his mother, Josie; grandmother, Sadie and Jim; two brothers, Russell and Tommy Miller; a half sister, Mary Ann Coonce; and a great-great-granddaughter, Alya Grace Barcus.
Survivors include his wife, Goldie, of the home; one daughter and three sons and their spouses, Reba and Don Nash, Ava, Joe Pete and Jeannie Miller, Ava, Jack and Connie Miller, Ava, and Jimmy and Brenda Miller, Squires; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Nelly Turner, Ava, and Betty Jean and Ernie Scott, San Bernardino, Calif.; one brother, Johnny and Norma Jean Miller, San Bruno, Calif.; two sisters-in-law, Ruby Miller, Ava, and Wanda Sue Miller, Mansfield; half brothers and sisters, Jack Miller and family, of Colorado, Mike and Evelyn Miller and family, Kansas City, Alvin and Rosie Miller and family, Ava; brother-in-law, Woodrow Coonce and family, Ava; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, in the Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, with the Rev. David Dodson officiating.
The family requests memorials to the American Cancer Society, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Whites Creek Cemetery.
Services are under the direction of Clinking¬beard Funeral Home, Ava.
Ruth Mitchell, 80
Oct 11, 2007
Mary Ruth (Huffman) Mitchell was born Feb. 27, 1927, in the Rome, Mo., community, and departed this life Oct. 5, 2007, at the age of 80 years, 7 months and 8 days.
She was the daughter of Luther Huffman and Della (Turner) Huffman.
Ruth lived in Seymour most of her life, moving to Nixa in 2006 to be near her daughter. She enjoyed reading her Bible, going to church and most importantly spending time with her children. She was of the Pentecostal faith.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Marvin C. Mitchell, in 1998; a son, Marvin; a grandson, Michael; and two granddaughters, Amy and Stephanie. Also preceding her in death were a brother, Wesley Huffman, and a sister, Aileen Ellison.
She is survived by four children, Sandra K. Deakins and husband John, of Nixa, Jackie Keithley and her husband, Dean, of Ozark, David R. Mitchell and his wife, Angela, of Seymour, and Terry D. Mitchell and his wife, Patsy, of Seymour; 11 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Services were held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 8, in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Ava, with the Rev Jack Keithley officiating.
Services were under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava.
Alta Brown, 92
Oct 11, 2007
Alta Brown, daughter of Martin Burton Lane and Celia Melinda Miller Lane, was born on May 10, 1915, in Squires, and passed away to her heavenly home on Oct. 10, 2007, in Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare in Ava, at the age of 92 years and 5 months.
Alta was a homemaker and resident of Ava most of her life.
On Aug. 15, 1933, Alta and Everett James Brown were united in marriage in Hartville, and to this union six children were born.
She moved to Colorado in 1935, with her family and returned to Ava in 1948.
Alta was a Christian and faithfully attended the Pentecostal Church. She was also called to the evangel ministry. She loved taking her family to church.
Alta enjoyed fishing, gardening and quilting. Most of all she loved spending time with all her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Everett; four sisters, Alma, Lillie, Joy and Lou; one brother, Martin; a son, Dennis; and a granddaughter, Lorrie Brown.
Survivors include one daughter and four sons, Betty Hale and Roger Brown, both of Ava, Larry Brown, Rochelle, Ill., David Brown, Mtn. Home, Ark. and Randall Brown, Denver, Colo.; 19 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Services for Alta will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with the Rev. Lester Platt officiating.
Interment will follow in the Fannon Cemetery.
Visitation is Friday from 6 to 7 p.m. in the funeral home.
Paul Henley, 78
Oct 4, 2007
Paul Henley, born Sept. 30, 1928, in Ava, currently residing in Sun City West, Ariz., and formerly of Spokane, Wash., passed away Aug. 28, 2007 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Surviving are his wife, Sue; four children; 10 grandchildren; two stepchildren; two step-grandchildren; and a sister, Laverne Nelson, of Kennewick, Wash.
He earned his bachelor's degree in education from Central Washington College and his masters degree from Whitworth College. He served with the U.S. Marine Corps and coached for 30 years, also serving as athletic director from 1959 to 1968, and central administration student activities coordinator from 1973 to 1982. He was presented the state's athletic director of the year award in 1979, retiring from the school district in 1982.
In 1993, he was inducted into the WSSAAA Hall of Fame.
Paul worked 19 years as a registered representative for Interpacific Investors Services.
He was the son of Paul Henley and Bernice Slate Henley, both deceased. He has cousins in this area including Vivian (Krider) Floyd, of Rogersville, Lonnie Krider, Norwood, and Donald and Harley Krider, of Peoria, Ill.
Memorial services were held in Seattle, Wash., and Sun City, Ariz.
