Missouri, U.S., Marriage Records, 1805-2002
Terry C. Brennan, 65
Feb. 4, 1942 – Sept. 6, 2007
Terry Campbell Coverdale Brennan was born on Feb. 4, 1942 in Long Beach, Calif., to Jean McFarland Coverdale and Gordon Keith Coverdale.
At an early age, Terry could win the hearts of everyone around her. During her life as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend and journalist, she was most renowned as a storyteller.
As a journalism student at SMU in Dallas Texas, Terry worked as an intern for the Dallas Morning News. Her first beat assignment was the Amusement Department; a perfect fit for Terry's personality. After SMU's graduation, Terry began her early career as a general assignment reporter with the Dallas Times Herald. During her time at the city desk, JFK was assassinated and she was assigned coverage of the Lee Harvey Oswald burial. Her writing earned her recognition and awards, most notably the Media Award from the America Red Cross for her compassionate report on flooding in South Dallas.
Thomas Henry Brennan caught Terry's eye and affection while he was a pre-law student at SMU.
He later became the love of her life. They married in 1963, and celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary on May 31.
In 1974, they packed up their Texas flag and followed their dreams to Mansfield, to a farm between Mansfield and Ava on Bryant Creek. The 100-year-old house on the farm was deemed "uninhabitable." Terry met the challenge like everything in her life, with determination, and made the house a home for their three children Donald, Rebecca and Claire.
In November 2000, when Terry was first diagnosed with breast cancer, she met the challenge with a healthy defiance. She was able to fight this disease with her strong faith and her positive attitude. Terry had a love for life that was obvious to all those who knew her.
Recently, Terry and Tom had to move to Springfield, to be closer to medical care for Terry, a move, according to Terry, that was much harder for them to make than the move from Texas to Missouri.
As a young girl, Terry was taught to dream. She never stopped dreaming for not just herself but for others. Her final dream was for her grandchildren to continue to know her through shared stories and laughter.
Terry was raised in the Episcopal Church before converting to Catholicism in 1973.
Terry attended St. Leo's Catholic Church in Ava, prior to attending Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Mansfield.
Terry was preceded in death by her father, Gordon Keith Coverdale.
She is survived by her husband, Thomas Brennan of Springfield; children, Donald Brennan and wife Carla, San Antonio, Texas, Rebecca Schrock and husband Wally, of Nixa, and Claire Spence and husband, Robert, of Springfield; and six grandchildren, Margaret, Thomas and Patrick Finnegan Brennan, all of San Antonio, Texas, and Robert, Thomas and Alexander Spence, all of Springfield. Grandchild number 7, who will be named, Terry, is due to be born in November 2007 to Becky and Wally.
Also surviving are her mother, Jean Bentley, Dallas, Texas; a sister, Jeanie Powell, Houston, Texas; a stepsister, Camille Brennan, Dallas, Texas; a stepbrother, Russell Bentley, Brownwood, Texas; sister-in-law Dawn Maloney and husband Thomas, Rye, N.Y.; and brother-in-law, Lane Brennan, Sausalito, Calif.
Visitation and prayer service will be held at Lohmeyer Funeral Home, 500 E Walnut St, Springfield, on Friday, Sept. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Mansfield, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15.
Memorial contributions can be made to Citizens Development Center 8800 Ambassador Row Dallas, TX 75247 or Camp-Re-New-All, c/o Father Paul Wightman, Rt. 6 Box 6700, Ava, MO 65608.
David Lynn Kester, 52
Sep 6, 2007
David Lynn Kester, 52, was born Jan. 29, 1955, to Ernest Jr. and Virginia Kester in Ava.
He left this life on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007.
He was preceded in death by his father.
David was above all a devoted father who delighted in the successes and achievements of his children, a father who instilled the values of education, independence, and worldliness in both his son and daughter. As founder and owner of the Springfield-based The Furniture Broker, David has been serving the Ozarks for nearly 20 years.
David was also an accomplished sportsman in his time, traveling as far away as Africa and Asia for hunting and fishing expeditions with his dear friend and business partner, Larry Wilson, and frequently flying down the slopes on his snowboard faster than those half his age. Lastly, David deeply cherished his four dogs, and none was ever far from his side.
David is survived by his daughter, Hana Vujeva and her husband, Steven of Denver, Colo.; his son, Ian, of Las Vegas, Nev.; his mother, Virginia Kester, of Springfield; his brother and sister-in-law, Dennis and Paula Kester, of Springfield; two nephews, Jeff and Jason Kester, also of Springfield. He also leaves behind many other family and friends who will dearly miss him.
Visitation was held at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 31, in Barnes Family Funeral Home of Ozark.
Memorial services followed at 11 a.m.
A luncheon was held at noon at Hopedale Baptist Church in Ozark to celebrate the life and achievements of this devoted father, astute businessman, and accomplished sportsman.
In lieu of flowers, the Kester family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10001.
Tamara Jo Calvin Ragusa, 47
Sep 6, 2007
Tamara "Tammi" Jo Ragusa, 47, passed from this world on Thursday. Aug. 23, 2007.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Darlene Dobbs Calvin, on June 3, 2001, and her sister, Terrie Calvin Carey, on Dec. 22, 2004.
Tammi was born to Tony and Darlene Calvin on Feb. 5, 1960, in Mansfield.
She was lovingly greeted with open arms by two older 'sissies', and a host of great grandparents, grandmas and grandpas, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was in fact named after great-grandpa Joe Calvin, her daddy's grandpa.
One of Tammi's legacies above all will be her love of animals. Tammi was a sucker for any stray or abandoned dog or cat, and always managed to shower these pets with the love and care they so desperately needed.
Growing up, Tammi was very active at the Longview YMCA, played cornet in the school band, and was a member of Rainbow Girls through the Grandview Chapter of Eastern Star.
Tammi had many skills and talents, including sewing and decorating. She was also a fabulous cook and shared her gifts bountifully with her family. She was also a certified nail technician, and later in life, earned her certification as an EMT.
In September 1977, Tammi married Chuck Ragusa, and they were blessed with a beautiful baby daughter they named Elizabeth Darlene, after both of her grandmothers.
Throughout her adult life, Tammi continued to strive and grow, and her accomplishments were many.
Tammi is survived by her daughter, Beth, and son-in-law, Mike Riley, and two grandchildren, Caleb and Caitlyn, Lee's Summit; her father, Tony Calvin, Osceola; a sister, Toni Calvin Edwards, Belton; her brother and his wife, Clay and Sheryl Calvin, Kansas City. She also leaves behind countless loving cousins, aunts, uncles, in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends.
A Memorial Service was held at 6 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 26 at Sheldon Funeral Home in Osceola.
Graveside service was held at 11 a.m. Monday morning, Aug. 27, at Denney Cemetery in Ava, where Tammi will rest close to her mom and sister.
The family requests memorial donations in lieu of flowers to Beth Riley, 707 SW New Orleans Ct., Lee's Summit, MO 64081.
Tammi was the niece of Don Dobbs and Sandy Dobbs Chambers, both of Ava.
Kristina 'Kristy' Marie (Bradshaw) Guenther, 23
Aug 30, 2007
Kristina "Kristy" Marie Guenther, daughter of Rex Bradshaw and Becky (Ellis) Bradshaw-Lumley, was born on Apri1 23, 1984, in Springfield, and departed this life suddenly on Aug. 21, 2007, in Norwood, at 23 years of age.
Kristy grew up and attended school in Norwood and graduated from Norwood High School in 2002. She was united in marriage to Matthew Guenther on Nov. 30, 2004, in Norwood. For the past few years, she had lived in the Ava area.
She was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. She loved her family very much and enjoyed playing with her nieces and nephews whenever possible.
While living in the Norwood area, Kristy attended the Union Grove (Caudle) Free Will Baptist Church near Norwood.
She was preceded in death by her older brother, Joshua Lee Bradshaw, on April 21, 1999; her grandfather, Cecil Bradshaw, in 1992; and a great-great-grandfather, Glenn Norris.
Kristy is survived by her father and stepmother, Rex and Cindy Bradshaw, of Norwood; her mother and stepfather, Becky and Kyle Lumley, of Ava; one sister, Jamie Williams and her husband, Michael, of Norwood; one niece, Whitney; three nephews, Cole, Waylon and Walker; one stepniece, Hailey; two stepbrothers, Dillon Moody and Vince Lumley; three stepsisters, Tiffany Lumley, Nikki Martin, and Miranda Lumley; her grandparents, Faye Bradshaw, and Bill and Glenda Fanning; several aunts, uncles, and a host of other relatives and friends who will sadly miss her.
Funeral services were held Friday, Aug. 24, at 2 p.m., in the Union Grove "Caudle" Church, Norwood, with the Rev. Zach Williams officiating.
Burial was in the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mtn. Grove.
Herbert Allen Cornelius, 78
Aug 30, 2007
Herbert Allen Cornelius, son of Luther Leslie and Louise Katherine Peters Cornelius, was born May 4, 1929, in Glidden, Iowa.
He departed this life Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007, in his home, in Seymour, at the age of 78.
His parents preceded him in death.
Herb is survived by four sons, John Cornelius, of Fort Worth, Texas, James Cornelius, of Lakefield, Minn., David Cornelius, of Fort Worth, Texas, and Daniel Cornelius, of Homer, Alaska; one daughter, Loretta Cornelius, of Minneapolis, Minn.; a number of grandchildren; two brothers, Leslie Cornelius Jr., of Seymour, and Howard Cornelius, and his wife, Mary Lou, of Fort Worth, Texas; three sisters, Lois Goss and her husband, Herbert, of Fort Worth, Texas, Donna Embrey and her husband, Charles, and Lil Norris and her husband, Joel, all of Seymour; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born in Iowa and raised in Douglas County, near Seymour, and graduated from Seymour High School in the class of 1946. In 1947, he entered the United States Army where he served his country faithfully until retiring in 1978.
Herb had made his profession of faith in Christ and was a member of the Seymour First Baptist Church.
Herb was a 32nd Degree Mason and past master of the Hazlewood Masonic Lodge #459 A.F. & A.M. of Seymour, where he had served as the education officer. He was a Shriner with the Valley of Joplin Scottish Rite and was a member of the York Rite with the Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Temple in Springfield. He belonged to the Past Masters Unit and the Legion of Honor Ridge Runners Scottish Rite Club. He had also sponsored several children receiving care at the Shriners Children's Hospitals.
He was a past worthy patron of the Order of Eastern Star Chapter #144 of Seymour, where he was presently serving as chaplain. He had received an appointment to the Grand Chapter of Eastern Star in 1997. He also was a longtime active member of the Seymour Lions Club and had received the Good Citizen of Seymour Award in 1997. He was also a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign War Post 1502, Wilson-Alexander American Legion Post 306, the Disabled American Veterans Orlan Smith Chapter, and was an active member of the Webster County Veterans Memorial Association.
Services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, in Holman-Howe Chapel, of Seymour with burial in Seymour Masonic Cemetery with full military honors, by the Fort Leonard Wood Honors Team and the Webster County Memorial Veterans Association.
A memorial has been established to Seymour Senior Center and may be made through the funeral home in Seymour.
Rodrick Edgar Lethco, 60
Aug 30, 2007
Rodrick Edgar Lethco, 60, passed from this life on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2007, in El Camino Hospital, Mountain View, Calif., after a final battle with congestive heart failure and aspiration pneumonia.
Rod was born on June 28, 1947, at Goodhope, in Douglas County, Mo.
He attended grade school at Goodhope and Plainview, then finished his education in California.
His parents, Clarence Edgar Lethco and Velma Jewell (Barnes) Lethco-Butler, and a stepfather Clarence Elmer Butler, preceded him in death.
Two children are Kevin Roderick Lethco, and Bonnie Lynn (Lethco) Sidsworth, her husband, Ken, and one granddaughter, Jennifer Sidsworth surviving in Fresno, Calif., and his former wife, Alice (Bryant) Lethco.
Also surviving are four sisters, Dora Jo Mahan, of Joplin, Lodena Marian McCoy, Mtn. Grove, Velma Fern Bennetts, Fresno, Calif., and Nancy Louise Fureby and husband, Duane, of Rocklin, Calif.
Preceding him in death were Glenn McCoy, Stanley A. Bennetts and Archie T. Mahan.
Other survivors are nieces and nephews: Lodena's children, Phillip Martin McCoy; Jane Ann Johnmeyer and husband, Bill; Mark Alan McCoy and wife, Shirley, Kristen, Kendall, and Keenan; Timothy Lynn McCoy, wife Anna, and Alexander; Dora Jo's son, David Edward Mahan; and Nancy's son, Jason Andrew Fureby.
Many cousins, relatives and a wealth of friends loved him unconditionally.
Rod grew up in Christianity. He was baptized into the Church of Christ at an early age in Missouri, and loved the Lord above all.
Rod went to California at an early age, attending Selma and Watsonville elementary schools. Due to his mother's failing health, he remained in Fresno with his two sisters, Fern and Nancy, then Fern and her husband, Stan, continued his up-bringing. He attended Cooper Junior High and Fresno High School, and became an associate of arts engineering major at Fresno City College.
In high school he played football; in college he played golf and became a certified scuba diver.
Interrupting his further education, he enlisted in the Air Force during the Vietnam era. His tour of duty was a civil engineering squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Mont., where he worked with and maintained the Minuteman Missiles siloed at various sites on the base and around the area.
After the military, he worked for the Department of Interior, Bureau of Reclamation on the Central Valley Water Project which vitalized the west side of Fresno County. He worked on the Friant-Kern, and the huge water valves and pumps which took water through the mountains near Bakersfield into the Los Angeles basin. He also worked for Cal-Trans as an engineering technician.
Interment was in the Last Supper section at Fresno Memorial Gardens in California on Aug. 20.
Patric Craig Meador, 50
Aug 30, 2007
Patric Meador, son of Frank and Pat Meador of Ava, was born in La Mesa, Calif. on Sept. 29, 1956 and passed away on Aug. 20, 2007 in Bayfield, Colo.
Patric graduated from high school in Bayfield in 1974. He served in the Army for two years, stationed in Germany.
He was a cartoonist and illustrator and was well-known in the Four Corners area for his art work. Many years ago he designed the cover for C. W. McCall's hit record, "Wolf Creek Pass." He recently had a book of cartoons published depicting his trials and tribulations in the Veteran's Administration Hospital for the past eight years. Many of Patric's illustrations can be found in homes and offices across the United States.
Patric is survived by his parents, Frank and Pat Meador, of Ava; sisters, Laurie and Robbie Davis, of Gepp, Ark., LeeAnn and Kris Norman, of West Plains, and brother Charley Meador, of West Plains; two stepsisters, Diana and Randy Talbot, of Pagosa Springs, Colo., and Frankie and Tom White of Durango, Colo.; two aunts, Myrna and Joe Couch, of Kansas, and Beulah Thurston of New Mexico; nephews Brian Hill, Brett Ozment, Klay Norman, and Geoff White; nieces, Nicole Odom, Kelly Norman, Amanda White and Tracy White, Rochelle Shahan, Misty Rathjen, and Charmaine Talbot; cousins Tom Dodd, Susie Hutt, Trisha Beaudoin, Kristin Molina, Jimmy Wallace, Mark and Josee Emery, Lonnie Wood, Ronnie Wood, Rusty Wood and Londa Grover; plus nine great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Elza and Edith Bell, and Harry and Lois Meador; his aunt, Breta Opstad, uncle T.J. Dial and cousin Elaine Wallace.
At his request, Patric was cremated and his ashes buried at the Pine River Cemetery in Bayfield, Colo. on Aug. 24, with a graveside service conducted by family and friends.
Elnora L. Prock, 83
Aug 30, 2007
Elnora Lorraine Prock, daughter of Otis McCoy Pierce and Carrie (Medlock) Pierce, was born Feb. 23, 1924, in Douglas County, and departed this life Aug. 23, 2007, in Lebanon, at the age of 83.
Elnora was a resident of Lebanon for the past 20 years.
On Feb. 14, 1958, Elnora and John Gerald Prock were united in marriage in Fresno, Calif.
Elnora was a musician and singer. She played the bass guitar and drums with her husband. Elnora attended the Church of Christ.
Elnora enjoyed making crafts. At one time she had a flower shop in Ava and in Lake of the Ozarks. Elnora loved being with her family and was very proud of them.
Elnora was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Gary Alexander; one sister, Charlotte; two brothers, Sonny and Billy Ray.
Her survivors include her husband, Gerald Prock, Lebanon; five children, Ronnie Alexander, Fresno, Calif., Tim Alexander, Crocker, Geraldine Jett, Lebanon, Tenn., John Prock, Lebanon, Mo., and Johnna Benton, Squaw Valley, Calif.; 18 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; four sisters, Blondie Andrews, Hamilton, Mont., Elta Props, Fort Smith, Ark., Beverly Dick, San Jose, Calif., and Darlene Fiducci, Pleasant Hill, Ore.; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services were at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with Harlin Howerton officiating.
Interment followed in the Souder Cemetery.
Visitation was held from 1 p.m. until service time on Tuesday.
Memorials may be made of the donors choice.
