Paul E. Rains
Paul Edward Rains, 71, Humansville, died March 9, 2001, at Citizens Memorial Hospital, Bolivar. He was born March 17, 1929, in Humansville to George and Stella Henry Rains. He was united in marriage to Geraldine Fisher on March 18, 1961, in Humansville. They lived in the Independence area before moving to the Humansville area in 1974. They engaged in dairy farming for 15 years after returning to Humansville. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Clifford Rains, Gaylord Rains and Alfred Rains; three sisters, Marie Routh, Lois Meredith and Neva Kenny; and his stepmother, Ida Rains. He is survived by his wife, Geraldine, of the home; four daughters, Debbie Klein and her husband, Greg, of Sibley, Paula Zachary of Twin Falls, Idaho, Patty Chaney and Bill Fogler of Humansville, and Pamela Sellers and her husband, Todd, of Humansville; one sister, Marge Goodwin and her husband, Doug, of Humansville; one stepsister, Pauline Price of Bolivar; 18 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, lots of nieces and nephews, other relatives and a host of friends. Services were Monday, March 12, 2001, at Humansville First Baptist Church. Interment was in Tinker Cemetery, Humansville. Arrangements were under the direction of Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home, Osceola.
M. Imogene Reed
M. Imogene Cunningham Young Reed, 82, Webb City, died at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, 2001, at St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Louis after a short illness. She was born July 8, 1918, in Carthage. She had lived in Jasper County her entire life and was a 1935 graduate of Carthage High School. In 1982 she retired as a case worker from the Division of Family Services. As a member of the Liberty Baptist Church in Webb City, she spent many years as church pianist, organist and Bible teacher. For many years she and her husband served as volunteers for youth and adult camp activities at Baptist Hill Assembly near Mt. Vernon. They were also members of Campers On Mission For Christ, a group involved in building and renovating small churches. For many years she was a member of the American Business Women's Association in Carthage. She formerly served as a project leader for the 4-H Club near LaRussell and was active in Extension Club work. She married Charley Young Jan. 22, 1938. He preceded her in death on June 2, 1968. On May 28, 1981, she married I. Lee Reed, who preceded her in death on Sept. 18, 1992. Also preceding her in death were her parents, J.O. and Lela Tilton Cunningham; a daughter, Helen Young; a son, Pat Young; two grandchildren; a brother, Clem Cunningham; and a sister, Helen Kelley. Survivors include three sons, Andy Young of Sedro Wooley, Wash., Ed Young of Clinton, and George Young of Florence, Ala.; two stepsons, Jim Jacobs of Coweta, Okla., and Tim Reed of Tulsa, Okla.; four daughters, Jean Campbell of LaRussell, Sue Howard of Alba, Judy Brown of Columbia, and Mary Allen Miller of Bolivar; two stepdaughters, Bettye Warden of Carthage, and Karen Champeau of Little Chute, Wis.; one brother, Alvin Cunningham of Carthage; 22 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren. Services were Saturday at the Hedge-Lewis Chapel with the Rev. Gene Needham and the Rev. Ron Woody officiating. Burial was in the Harvey Cemetery near LaRussell. Pallbearers were her grandsons, Jeff Howard, Greg Howard, Brad Howard, David Howard, Brandon Collins, Michael Allen and Chuck Young. Memorial contributions may be made to the Liberty Baptist Church of Webb City.
Gordon H. Robinson
Gordon Hunter Robinson, 86, Bolivar, passed away Tuesday, March 27, 2001, at 7:24 p.m. in Cox Medical Center South, Springfield, after a brief illness. He was born Nov. 13, 1914, in Owensboro, Ky., the son of John William and Hazel McCloud Robinson. After living in Owensboro for two years, Gordon's parents moved to Bolivar. To them a second child was born, Mary Jean, on April 13, 1917. Gordon was a long time resident of Polk County and retired owner of Robinson Neon. In Bolivar, his parents purchased a variety store, "The Fair Store," located on the Bolivar square. They lived in many houses throughout Bolivar including a home on Walnut Street, one that faced Pike Street just south of the North Ward School, and then a home on Chestnut where Gordon grew up. He graduated from Bolivar High School in 1932 and from Southwest Baptist College in 1934. Gordon had also attended Drury College, taking engineering and drafting classes. While in college, he sang in the Men's Quartet, and during vacation, he traveled with Dr. Counts Redford and the other members of the quartet to many cities and churches in Missouri and surrounding states raising funds for Southwest Baptist College. Gordon had also been called many times to sing at funerals and fund-raisers. He entered the U.S. Army in September, 1942, and spent three years in North Africa, Sicily and Italy working in the map department. After being honorably discharged, he entered a neon engineering school in Louisville, Ky. In June, 1947, he was united im marriage to Ruth Harper of Springfield and to this union three sons were born, Keith, Gary and Dale. Gordon joined the Bolivar Rotary Club in 1946, in which he served as president in 1959-60. He was recently honored by the Rotary Governor as the oldest member still active in Rotary in Bolivar. He was also a member fo the local V.F.W and the Howard S. Keeling American Legion Post no. 138. As members of the Bolivar United Methodist Church, both Gordon and Ruth have served many offices within the church. He was superintendent of the Sunday School when the Builders Class was organized, and was an active member of that class until his death. The church was one of his favorite organizations. Besides constantly visiting on behalf of the church, he donated the sign on the front lawn of the church. His contributions were not limited to the United Methodist Church, but included donations of signs to many other churches. While engaged in the work of the church, he was also serving his community in many other ways, including visiting nursing homes, holding public office, such as city alderman, and taking care of people's needs throughout his life. He was also active in Boy Scout Leadership, Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce and several other community projects. He will be greatly missed by all. He is survived by his wife, Ruth L. Robinson, of the home; three sons, Dale Robinson and his wife, Deborah, of Bolivar, Gary Robinson and his wife, Margaret, of Bellaire, Texas, and Keith Robinson and his wife, Mary, of Sedalia; one sister, Mary J. Neely of Denver, Colo.; two grandchildren and one step-granddaughter. Services were Friday, March 30, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dan Adkison and Rev. Bill Maggi officiating. Music was provided by David Hacker, soloist, and Louisiana Mastin, pianist. Casketbearers were Charlie Miller, Milton Dickensheet, Carl Huser, J.V. Wommack, Scott Gallivan and Jeff McClelland. Honorary Casketbearers were Karen Tweed, John Playter, Gordon Mastin, Keith Parminter, Don Jump, Cameron Seiner, Charles Neuhart and Jack Hacker. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery.
Mary Lee Shook
Mary Lee Shook, 92, Des Moines, Iowa, died at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 27, 2001, in Mercy Hospital, Des Moines. The daughter of Ernest and Jenny Miller, she was born April 12, 1908, at Fair Play. She lived at Fair Play and Aldrich for many years, living in Des Moines the past 19 years. A retired teacher, she taught in several area schools including Aldrich, Fair Play and Dunnegan. She was a member of the Aldrich United Methodist Church where she was a Sunday School teacher and pianist. Her parents; her husband, Rev. Brooks Shook; her daughter, Betty Sue Bolton; and three brothers, Harmon, Charles and Kelton Miller, preceded her in death. She is survived by one daughter, Jenny Shook, Des Moines, Iowa; two sons and their wives, Bill and Shirley Shook, Fair Play, and Joe and Dora Shook, Fenton; six grandchildren and their spouses, David and Karen Bolton, Mundelein, Ill., Ann and Bob Filip, Columbus, Ohio, Paula and Bobby Evans, Fair Play, Darin and Christi Shook, Urbana, Sarah and Kevin Brown, Wichita, Kan., and Jared and Retta Shook, Fort Scott, Kan.; and 17 great-grandchildren. Services were Sunday, April 1, in the Aldrich United Methodist Church with David Stunkel officiating. Interment was in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, south of Aldrich, under the direction of Murray Funeral Home.
Mary Alice Snyder
Mary Alice Dexheimer Snyder, 79, Sedalia, passed away in her home at 5:10 p.m. Monday, March 12, 2001, after a short illness. She was a lifelong resident of Pettis County, having been born March 22, 1921, about seven miles southwest of Sedalia, the oldest daughter of Harry and Hazel Gorrell Dexheimer. She attended the one-room Glover School, where she completed grades one through eight in eight years, which was very difficult due to the amount of time she spent helping on the family farm. In 1939, she graduated from Green Ridge High School and later attended Central Business College until beginning work at Inter-State Studio at 601 W. 16th St. in Sedalia on July 7, 1941. On Dec. 31, 1952, she married Guy M. Snyder, whom she loved and worked with side by side until his death on Aug. 14, 1988. To this union were born a daughter, Giana Marie Snyder Andrews of Bolivar, and a son, Aric Nelson Snyder of Sedalia. Also surviving are a stepdaughter, Aileen Elizabeth Snyder Yuille; a son-in-law, Jerald Andrews; and a daughter-in-law, Cindy Linhardt Snyder; seven grandchildren, two step-granddaughters, six step-great-grandchildren, six step-great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Melvin "Bud" Dexheimer; one sister, Ruth Hazel Hamby; and a nephew, Harry Hamby. Mary Alice was saved Friday night, Sept. 13, 1935, at Camp Branch Baptist Church and was a member there until joining New Hope Baptist Church in Sedalia in 1956, where she taught Sunday school and was Sunday school secretary until 1989. At New Hope she established a scholarship fund that enabled many young people to attend college. She also loved to attend Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Bolivar when she visited her four granddaughters there. Mary Alice was very supportive of her children and grandchildren and their friends and was very active in Sedalia PTA, serving in various positions of the PTA, including several terms as president. She devoted her entire career to Inter-State Studio, where she started in the bookkeeping department and later worked in virtually all manufacturing areas before holding the position of CEO. Mary Alice was the ultimate "people" person. She could remember maiden names, relationships, marriages and deaths often times better than the people she interviewed for positions at Inter-State while serving as human resources administrator. She gave credit to the lifelong friends she made at Inter-State for "keeping her going" through difficult times and for keeping her active and motivated through almost 60 years at Inter-State. Mary Alice continued to work at Inter-State every day until early December 2000, when her health prohibited her active involvement with the company. Her guidance, support and love are irreplaceable, and she will be deeply missed by everyone who was fortunate to have been blessed to know her. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 15, at Heckart Gillespie Funeral Home, Sedalia. Pallbearers will be Ed Sanders, Rick Pettit, George Bain, Herb Houston, Jim Rissler, John Schmidt, Warren Preuitt and Ken Buchanan. Honorary pallbearers will be Terry Don Anderson, Bonnie Utt, Wynona O'Neill, Ethel Wallen Ruth Edwards, Wanneta Smith, Mary Nye, Colleen Mazzella, Nancy Curtiss, Marion Scott, Donna Linhardt, Connie Bjur, Neil Dodge, Bob Burke and Sharon Hollaway. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Sedalia. Visitation will begin at 6:30 p.m. today (Wednesday) in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Childrens' Therapy Center, Sedalia; New Hope Baptist Church Scholarship Fund, Sedalia; or Hospice of Sedalia.
Gwendolyn L. Sokolik
Gwendolyn L. Sokolik, 59, Polk, died Friday, March 9, 2001, in her home following a sudden illness. She was born Sept. 18, 1941, in Nebraska City, Neb., to Harold O. "Tobe" and Lorene Herman. On Jan. 5, 1966, she was united in marriage to Marvin J. Sokolik. She was a production worker for Teters Floral Products and a member of the Church of the Nazarene in Bolivar. She is survived by her husband, Marvin, of the home; four sons and their wives, Douglas and Kathy Rakes of Blue Springs, Neb., Marvin Jr. and Dawn Sokolik of Rolla, Dale and Paula Sokolik of Buffalo and Ton and Nikki Sokolik of Polk; as well as 13 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Roger Herman; and a grandson. Services were Monday, March 12, in Pitts Chapel with Pastor Rod Campbell officiating. Burial followed in Rondo Cemetery. Pallbearers were Don Jump, Charles Bailey, Gary Lowe, Lawrence Knickerbocker, Joe Sokolik and John Seippel.
Opal Ann Thompson (1 of 2)
Opal Ann Thompson, 89, Elkhart, Ind., died at 11:15 a.m. Monday, March 5, 2001, in the Valley View Health Center in Elkhart, Ind., after a long illness. She was a longtime resident of the Polk County community of Van and a member of the Walnut Ridge Missionary Baptist Church. She was the widow of the late Lyman Thompson. Surviving are a daughter, Peggy Delaney of Elkhart, Ind., four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Services were Friday, March 9, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Gary Ankrom and Bro. Carroll "Red" Ankrom officiating. Burial was in the Pleasant Hope Cemetery.
Opal A. Thompson (2 of 2)
Opal Ann Hensley Thompson, 89, Elkhart, Ind., died at 11:15 a.m. Monday, March 5, 2001, at the Valley View Health Center in Elkhart after a long illness. Opal was born July 4, 1911, in Brighton, the daughter of William Mose and Artie Hensley. She was saved at an early age in Wishart and later joined the Walnut Ridge Baptist Church in Van, where she was still a member. On Sept. 16, 1933, Opal was united in marriage to Lyman "Fat" Thompson, and to this union one daughter was born, Peggy Marlene. Opal and Fat spent most of their married life together on their dairy farm east of Bolivar before retiring and moving to the Van community. They enjoyed fishing and running trotlines together. They could usually be found on Pomme de Terre Lake. After the death of her husband in 1980, she moved to Elkhart, Ind., where she was cared for by her daughter and wonderful son-in-law who helped care for her for the past 20 years. She made many longtime friends there, but she always considered Polk County her home. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Fat; two sisters, Grace Ankrom Trader and Edna Utley; and two brothers, Lonnie Hensley and Calvin Eugene Hensley. Opal leaves behind a daughter and son-in-law, Peggy and Bob Delaney; one grandson and his wife, Rick and Helen Brown; three granddaughters and their husbands, Debra and Ken Pearcy, Tami and Rick Dorman, and Anita and Ricky Dickson; nine great-grandchildren, four step-great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Services were Friday, March 9, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Gary Ankrom and Bro. Carroll "Red" Ankrom officiating. Music was provided by Gary, Greg and Charles Ankrom, and a special song by her great-granddaughter Amanda Waterman. Casketbearers were Shannon Hancock, Nathaniel Brown, Todd Waterman, Ricky Dickson, Rick Dorman, Cody Dorman, Rick Brown, and Ken Pearcy. Burial was in the Pleasant Hope Cemetery.
Garsa E. Vest
Garsa Elizabeth Edwards Vest, 78, Brighton, died at 3:30 a.m. Monday, March 5, 2001, in Parkview Health Care Facility after a five-year battle with cancer. Garsa Elizabeth Demott was married to Leonard N. Edwards in June 1941. Following the death of Leonard, Garsa Edwards was united in marriage to Leslie R. Vest Sr. on Sept. 27, 1986. She was a retired cashier for Woods Super Market, and she and Leslie managed campgrounds in Branson. She was saved at an early age, and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Morrisville. She is survived by her husband, Leslie R. Vest of the home; one son, Avery Edwards, and his wife, Linda, of Grand Junction, Colo.; three daughters, Phylis Mathis and her husband, Karl, of Morrisville, Lois Reed of Fordland and Dixie King and her husband, Gary, of Bolivar; four stepsons and their wives, Bob and Nina Vest of Shallotte, N.C., Charles and Sharon Vest of Tonganoxie, Kan., Ray and Ruth Vest of Ozark, Ark., and Leslie R. Jr. and Patty Vest of Bolivar; five stepdaughters, Sue Stauch and her husband, Jerry, of McCloud, Kan., Pat Kitr of Pittsburg, Edna Mincks and her husband, Garley, of Shallotte, N.C., Carol Ripley and her husband, Jack, of Springfield and Sharon K. Hill and her husband, John, of Chanute, Kan.; 45 grandchildren and 56 great-grandchildren. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. today (Wednesday) in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. John Shuler officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Hope Cemetery. Casketbearers will be Robert McGinnis, Bill Mathis, Kenny Reed, Jim Redman, James Reed and Tony Stauch. Honorary casketbearers will be Roger Williamson, Danny Coffey, Calvin Milam, Roma Morris, Lloyd Cates and Ron Hale. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the CMH Hospice of Bolivar.
Ernest C. 'Junior' Watt
Ernest C. "Junior" Watt, 66, Humansville, died at 9:33 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, 2001, in Cox Medical Center South. He was the owner and operator of Watt Service Station in Humansville. The son of Ernest C. and Gertie Bishop Watt, he was born April 17, 1934, in Cedar County. He married Freda Webster March 27, 1959. His father and a sister, Wilma Watt, preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife, Freda, of the home; his daughter, Marty Watt, Springfield; his mother, Gertie Watt, Humansville; and two sisters, Blanche Good and Betty Degraffenreid, both of Humansville. Services were Saturday, March 31, in Murray Funeral Home, Humansville, with the Rev. Martin Micke officiating. Interment was in Humansville Cemetery.
