Thelma M. Sallee
Thelma Maxine Sallee, 87, of Pleasant Hope died April 2, 2001, after a short illness. She was born May 5, 1913, to Mack M. and E. Gertrude (Clave) Choate. She was united in marriage to Arcie O. Sallee on Nov. 12, 1932. Thelma was saved Sept. 29, 1941, and joined the Rock Prairie Missionary Baptist Church. At the time of her passing she was a member of the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Hansen, Idaho, where they lived 26 years while her husband was pastor. She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband of 63 years Elder Sallee, a World War II Army veteran; brother Wilfred Choate and wife Ruth; brother-in-law Fred Gaynor and sister -in-law Irene Choate. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law Carolyn and Barry Sullivan of Jerome, Idaho; two granddaughters, Melissa Sullivan Rice and her husband, Todd, of Boise, Idaho, and Sara Sullivan of Jerome, Idaho; a sister, Elsie Gaynor and brothers Novie Choate and Willard Choate and his wife, Jean, all of Pleasant Hope; two nieces and eight nephews and their spouses; and great-nieces and nephews, cousins and dear friends, all of whom she dearly loved. Funeral services for Thelma Sallee were help April 5, 2001, at Rock Prairie Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. DeWayne Burdette and Bro. Gary Campbell officiating. Music was provided by the church choir. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were Vester Choate, Delbert Choate, Edward Choate, Ronnie Choate, Mike Choate and Gaylord Gaynor. Honorary pallbearers were Junior Choate, Kenneth Choate and Al Kent Redd. Arrangements were under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
Robert Eugene Scroggins
Robert Eugene Scroggins, 76, Urbana, died Saturday, April 28, 2001, in Christian Health Care Center, Hermitage, following a lengthy illness. He was born Jan. 1, 1925, in Morrisville to Reed and Ethel Davis Scroggins. He was united in marriage to Wilma Hawkins and to this union one son was born. He was a retired EKG technician with the Veteran's Hospital in Leavenworth, Kan., and was a member of the Southern Baptist Church in Urbana. He is survived by his wife, Wilma, of the home; a son, Donald Ray Scroggins of Tipton; a brother and sister-in-law, James and Margaret Scroggins of Springfield; a sister, Jenny Gage of Springfield; four grandchildren, Patty Scroggins of Lawson, Samantha Scroggins and Emily Scroggins of Urbana and Donald Ray Scroggins Jr. of Springfield. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Morris Scroggins. His body will be cremated and a memorial service and burial will take place at a later date in Lindley Creek Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
Charles Seiner
Charles B. Seiner, 72, Clinton, died Friday, April 27, 2001, at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital, Clinton, after a lengthy illness. He was born May 16, 1928, in Polk County, the son of Earnest and Edna Seiner. He was united in marriage to Norma M. Jones of Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1947. They lived in and around Bolivar until 1953 when they moved to Kansas City. In 1989, they moved to Clinton and lived there until his death. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Earnestine Crain; one brother, Willard Seiner; and his son Roger Seiner. He is survived by his wife, Norma of the home; two sons, Randy Seiner and his wife Linda, of Leawood, Kan., and Ronnie Seiner and his wife, Krista, of Clinton; one daughter, Linda Elliott of Moberly; one brother, Robert Seiner of Bolivar; six sisters, Opal Keeling, Ruth Underwood, Joan Wilson, Dorthy Butler and Lorene Bays, all of Bolivar, and Helen Anderson of Oklahoma City, Okla; and five grandchildren, Melinda, Melissa, Charlotte, Amanda and Jason. Services were Monday, April 30 in Clinton.
Audrey Shoemake
Audrey Fae Shoemake, 90, Gardner, Kan., died Sunday April 8, 2001, at Medicalodge of Gardner. She was born April 20, 1910, near Alva, Okla., the daughter of Daniel Boone Findley and Pearl McQuaid Findley. Through Audrey's growing years the family owned various general merchandise stores and restaurants in Oklahoma and in the West Plains area. In 1917 Audrey, with her parents and brothers Cecil and Mac and sisters Valerie and Lucille, left Doniphan in a wagon with an overjet and a bed inside and traveled to Pitcher, Okla., camping in a tent along the way. Brothers George and Merritt were away from home and had served in World War I in France. Baby brother Hugh was born in Pitcher. Audrey graduated from high school in Birch Tree in 1929 as valedictorian of her class. The senior day that year was a trip to Alley Springs. After graduation from high school, Audrey worked at her sister Valerie's restaurant in Birch Tree where she met her future husband, Glen, and later she traveled to Kansas City where her sister Lucille lived, and she worked as a nurse maid to a little girl and a baby. Audrey and Glen Oscar Shoemake were married in Kansas City, Kan., March 12, 1931. To this union were born two boys and a girl. The couple lived in Kansas City, Kan., from 1931 to 1939, and then, after living in Eudora and in Arkansas, Audrey, Glen and son Eddie moved to Tulsa, Okla., where Audrey worked in a defense plant making airplane parts during World War II as Glen worked in the shipyards. Audrey's husband lost his sight while in Tulsa and the family moved to Polk County where they lived from 1945 to the time of Glen's passing away in 1960. Daughter Glenda was born in Humansville, and the family bought a farm near Dunnegan where son Danny was born. Audrey worked in St. Louis for the Missouri State Training School for the Blind from 1960 to 1962. From 1963 until her retirement in 1984, she worked in Kansas City, Kan., at Kansas School for the Visually Handicapped as a houseparent. Audrey lived in Olathe, Kan., and then returned to Polk County in 1988. She lived at Rose Park in Bolivar from 1991 to 1997 and then returned to Olathe and later to Medicalodge of Gardner. As a young woman, Audrey was saved and later became a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Dunnegan. While living in Dunnegan she belonged to the home extension club and was a 4-H leader. She was an excellent cook and baker and once won a prize in a Pillsbury Bake-Off contest with one of her cakes. She was well known in her family for her homemade rolls and candy making. She loved to read, kept up with world events, and was a steady correspondent with relatives and friends as long as she was able. The things she seemed to enjoy most at the nursing home were the Sunday afternoon church services with gospel songs. Audrey spent several years caring for her unsighted husband, and was a loving mother and grandmother for many years. She will be greatly missed by all. Audrey was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her five brothers, George, Merritt, Cecil, Daniel (Mac) and Hugh; and two sisters, Valerie Malone and Lucille Orr. Audrey is survived by her children, Edward Shoemake of Alamo, Texas; Glenda Riniker and her husband, Leo, of Gardner, Kan.; Danny Shoemake and his wife, Linda, of Rochester, Minn.; and a daughter-in-law, Pat Shoemake of Flemington. Surviving grandchildren and their spouses are Christy and Tom Johnson of Fredericktown; Deborah and Todd Hoffiren of Spring, Texas; Jerry and Cheryl Tipton, and Paula and Brian Luce, all of Belton; Michael and Kanaye Tipton of Owassa, Okla.; David Tipton of Gardner, Kan.; and Staci Shoemake of Pittsburg, Kan. Twelve great-grandchildren also survive as well as a host of relatives and friends. Graveside services and interment will be Friday, April l3, at Dunnegan Cemetery at 1 p.m. with Reverend Tom Johnson officiating and under the direction of Pitts Funeral Chapel of Bolivar.
James A. Thames
James Albert Thames, 80, Higginsville, formerly of Bolivar, died Friday, April 13, 2001, in Lexington Care Center, Lexington, following a short illness. He was born Jan. 5, 1921, in Dry Prong, La., to James A. and Mammie Thames. He was a World War II Army veteran. He was a member of the V.F.W. Post No. 9638 in Galmey, the American Legion Post in Hermitage and the Shriners. Survivors include four daughters, Wilma Belew of Clinton, Ruth Jones of Osceola, Mary Young of Warrensburg and Ethelene Hoover of Higginsville, 19 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Dorothy; and two daughters, Donna Beebe and Wanda Lacky. Services will be Monday, April 30, at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville. Arrangements are under the direction of Pitts Chapel, Bolivar.
Patti A. Walton
Patti Alice Walton, 83, Hillsboro, Ore., died at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 24, 2001, in Beaverton Rehabilitation Center in Beaverton, Ore. She was born May 27, 1917, in Eudora the daughter of Robert and May Leith. She was raised and attended school in Eudora. On May 27, 1936, she was united in marriage to Jess Walton in Yuma, Ariz., and they shared 40 years. He preceded her in death in 1976. They worked on the road with Mayflower Van Lines for several years and settled in Sand Diego, Calif. There they were city street car operators. At one time they were headed for Alaska, but stopped in Montana and ended up making their home there. She taught school in a small community for about three years. They returned to Sand Diego and worked for the City Bus Company, retiring in 1975. In 1976 she moved to Hillsboro, Ore., where she spend the balance of her life. She was active in the Hillsboro Senior Center. She was a member of the tutoring programs at the Public Library and was a volunteer at El Centro Cultural. She is survived by her two daughters, Alice Ray of Hillsboro, Ore., and Donna Hootman of Brea, Calif., six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Services were Friday, April 27, in Eudora Baptist Church with the Rev. Lon Killingsworth officiating and interment in Eudora Cemetery under the direction Wilson Brim-Daniel Funeral Home, Walnut Grove.
Pauline Witt
Pauline Witt, 83, Dadeville, died Wednesday, April 25, 2001. She was born Sept. 21, 1917, near Morrisville, the daughter of Edward Allen and Florence Maude Stanley Maxwell. She was a lifelong resident of the Dadeville area. She was a homemaker and had been employed with the Dadeville School cafeteria. She was baptized in the Church of Christ Church on July 24, 1946, and was a member of the Bona Church of Christ. She was a graduate of the Morrisville High School in 1935 where she was valedictorian She married Archie Witt on June 27, 1936. To this union three children were born. Together they were privileged to share more than 51 years. He preceded her in death on Feb. 13, 1988. Also preceding her was an infant son, Bill Eddie Witt, on March 3, 1946; her parents; two sisters, Bernice Robinett and Faye Waggoner; and two infant brothers. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Carole Witt of Dadeville; a daughter and son-in-law, Betty and Kenneth Bacon of Fair Grove; six grandchildren and their spouses, Gena and Blaine Hargis, Jeff and Rachel Witt, Brian and Pam Witt, Ginger and Clark McLemore, Craig and Debbie Bacon and Brett and Jo Ellen Bacon; 12 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Art Maxwell of Kerrville, Texas, and Joe and Galen Maxwell, both of Ontario, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews. Services were Saturday, April 28, in Bona Church of Christ with Jim Poland officiating, with interment following in Bona Cemetery under the direction of Wilson Brim-Daniel Funeral Home of Walnut Grove.
Clifford L. Bilyeu
Clifford L. Bilyeu, 70, Bolivar, died Thursday, May 3, 2001, in Citizens Memorial Hospital. He was born July 20, 1930, in Republic to William Homer and Lillie Pearl Bangs Bilyeu. He was united in marriage to Gloria K. Williams on Sept. 10, 1951, and to this union four children were born. He served in the United States Navy for four years and was a member and pastor of Cardwell Missionary Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Gloria of the home; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Phillip K. Bilyeu of Strafford, and Mark L. and Carol Bilyeu of Republic; two daughters and sons-in-law, Cynthia R. and Mark Anderson, and Natalee D. and Frank Smith, all of Springfield; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Betty L. Morgan of Richland, and Doris Lene and Charles Ramsey of Republic; a brother-in-law, Milburn Williams of the home; eight grandchildren, Johnny Copeland, Shawn Davis, Dusty Anderson, Cody Anderson, Dustin Smith, Jordan Booher, Travis Booher and Samantha Smith; two great-grandchildren, Shondra Davis and Clayton Anderson; and many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, one sister, three brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law. Services were Sunday, May 6, in Pitts Chapel with burial with military honors following in Rock Prairie Cemetery. Pallbearers were Phillip K. Bilyeu, Mark L. Bilyeu, Mark Anderson, Frank Smith, Dusty Anderson, Cody Anderson, Jordan Booher and Travis Booher. Honorary pallbearers were his nephews and Milburn Williams. Memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of the funeral home.
Karla J. Cochran
Tamara Leann Cochran
Tiana Lorena Cochran
Karla Jeane Cochran, 30, Tamara Leann Cochran, 8, and Tiana Lorena Cochran, 8, Fordland, died Saturday, May 12, 2001, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident at the intersection of Mo. 83 and Mo. 13 one mile south of Bolivar. Karla Cochran was born Feb. 22, 1971, in Kansas City, Kan. A former resident of Kansas City, Kan., she was a clerk at Underwood Texaco in Rogersville. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Her mother, Jacqueline Cochran Rhodes, preceded her in death. She is survived by a daughter, Tara Lynn Cochran, Kansas City, Kan.; her father and stepmother, James and Karen Cochran, Kansas City, Kan.; one brother and his wife, Stephen and Tina Cochran, Kansas City, Kan.; one sister and her husband, Kellie and Jay Hildebrand, Fordland; two stepbrothers and their wives, Kenny and Becky Collins, Kansas City, Kan., and Kevin and Bianca Collins, Fort Drum, N.Y.
Tiana and Tamara Cochran were born May 18, 1992, in Kansas City, Kan. They were third grade students at Rogersville Elementary School. In addition, Tiana and Tamara Cochran are also survived by their father, Michael Tod Hurtado, Kansas City, Kan.; their paternal grandparents, Tom and Judy Hurtado and Carolyn and Bob Barkley; their great-grandmother, Ofelita Richards; and two aunts, Tina Fields and Tammie Ybarra and her husband, Tony, all of Kansas City, Kan. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 17, in Murray Chapel, Bolivar, with Bishop Dale Sergent officiating. Cremation will follow services. Interment will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 19, in Dooley Bend Cemetery near Hermitage under the direction of Murray Funeral Home.
Floycie Crain
Floycie Sarah Louise Eidson Crain, age 91 years, 8 months and 9 days, passed away Wednesday, May 9, 2001, in Springfield Health Care Center. She was born at the family home located in northeast Polk County, four miles from Goodson, on Aug. 30, 1909, to John and Ida Jump Eidson.
On Dec. 22, 1935, she was united in marriage to Audie Crain, and to this union five children were born. Floycie was saved in a revival meeting helped by Sherman Bybee and later joined the Lindley Creek Missionary Baptist Church.
She is survived by her five children, her dedicated caregiver daughter, Audra Crain of the home, Claudui and Jamie Erven of Goodson, Jerry and Diana Crain of Lebanon, Ben and LeAnne Crain of Springfield, and Paulene and Mike Midles of Flemington; grandchildren and great-grandchildren Michele and John Thiesfeld and their children, Lauren, Lindsey and Megan; Bob and Maria Midles and their children, Hannah, Hailey and Alex; Aaron and Teresa Erven and their children, Spencer and Tiara; Karla and John Spear and their children, Jake and Ashley; Gina and Ray Burroughs; Beth and Kirk Reynolds and their child, Brooke; Brian Crain and his fiancee, Robbi Hutson; Vance and Julie Crain; Amy and Jon Menges; nephews Willard, Wilbur, John and Wayne and nieces Ida, Mary, Erma Lee, Maxine and Marjie; a sister-in-law, Earlie Eidson of Bolivar; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 61 years, Audie Crain; brothers Lloyd Eidson, Bert Eidson and Ray Eidson; a sister, Jewel Schooley; and a niece, Wanda Jean. Services were Saturday, May 12, in Pitts Chapel with Bro. Doyle Mayfield and Bro. Doug Skinner officiating. Burial followed in Lindley Creek Cemetery.
Pallbearers were her grandsons Bob Midles, Aaron Erven, Vance Crain, Brian Crain, John Thiesfeld, John Spear, Kirk Reynolds, Ray Burroughs and Jon Menges. Honorary pallbearers were her nephews Wayne Schooley and John Eidson.
