Zelma Murray
Zelma Murray, 93, Bolivar, died Thursday, Feb. 11, 1999, in Citizens Memorial Health Care Facility following a lingering illness. She was a lifelong resident of Polk County, being born in Wishart on Oct. 5, 1905, to William Henry Harrison Euliss and Nora Hensley . She was saved July 21, 1920, and joined Enon Baptist Church. She later moved her membership to Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. On August 20, 1922, she was united in marriage to Tom Oliver Murray, and to this union two children were born, a daughter, Wilma, and a son, Floyd. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Floyd and Connie Murray of Springfield; a daughter and son-in-law, Wilma and Jim Howell of Bolivar; three sisters, Pauline Hensley and her husband, Wilbur, and twins Ina Ahart and Inez Wilson, all of Bolivar; six grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband on Nov. 15, 1976; a grandson; three brothers and three sisters. Services were Sunday, Feb. 14, in Pitts Chapel with Bro. Doug Skinner officiating. Burial followed in Enon Cemetery. Pallbearers were Jeff Murray, Jerry Wells, Mike Sawyer, Charles Cross, Charles (Bub) Cross and Scott Nelson.
Mabel Peterson
Mabel Grace Peterson, 93, Kansas City, died at 2 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1999, at the Parklane Medical Center in Raytown after a brief illness. She was born in Polk County near Pleasant Hope on Oct. 20, 1905, the daughter of Jerome and Annie Fowler Alley, and had lived in Polk County for many years. She was also a longtime resident of Springfield, moving to Kansas City about five years ago to live with her daughter. She was a retired schoolteacher and a member of the Schofield Missionary Baptist Church southeast of Half Way. Surviving are her daughter, Ina Jarman, and her husband, George, Kansas City; one brother, C.C. Alley, and his wife, Thelma, Pleasant Hope; and two grandchildren. Services were Friday, Feb. 26, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Carroll "Red" Ankrom and the Rev. Michael R. Ankrom officiating. Burial was in the Schofield Cemetery. Casketbearers were Jeffrey Jarman, Wesley Jarman, Kenneth Fisher, Gary Drake, Randy Ankrom and Michael Ankrom.
Regis J. Phillips
Regis J. Phillips, 67, Dunnegan, died Friday, Feb. 12, 1999, at Citizens Memorial Hospital of an apparent heart attack. He was born May 1, 1931, at Seneca, Kan., the son of Joseph and Clara C. Vondemkamp Phillips. He attended Sts. Peter and Paul School in Seneca. At age 17 he joined the U.S. Air Force, where he served more than 20 years. After his discharge, he lived in the Kansas City area where he owned and operated auto parts stores in Kansas City, Gladstone and Platte City. In 1984 he moved to Springfield, where he owned and operated auto parts stores there and in Rogersville. He also had an electrical company in Springfield. He had recently moved to a new home in Dunnegan. He was married to Mary Theresa Nadeau in 1952 at Caribou, Maine. They were later divorced. Survivors include a daughter, Sahron Rhynerson, Ballwin; four brothers, Fr. Walter Phillips of Ogallala, Neb., Leonard Phillips of Bankston, Iowa, Arthur Phillips of New Vienna, Iowa, and Lyle Phillips of Leawood, Kan.; three sisters, Vera Knudson and Zita Bergman, both of Seneca, Kan., and Elda Mae Haverkamp of Wetmore, Kan.; and two grandchildren. The Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Tuesday, Feb. 16, at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Seneca, Kan. Burial was in the church cemetery with full military honors. The rosary was said Monday evening at the Lauer Funeral Home, Seneca, Kan. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sts. Peter and Paul School, Seneca, KS 66538.
Mildred Fay Reynolds
Mildred Fay Reynolds, 87, Humansville, died Thursday, Feb. 4, 1999, in Citizens Memorial Hospital. The daughter of Curtis and Lavern Pearl Blackwell, she was born March 28, 1911, at Benton, Ill. She married William E. Reynolds March 16, 1929. He preceded her in death in May 1988. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Delores DeFoer, two granddaughters, her parents, four sisters and one brother. She had moved to Humansville from Redding, Calif., seven years ago to make her home with her daughter and son-in-law, Billie and Gene Willcutt. She was a homemaker and a member of the Humansville Full Gospel Church. Surviving are three daughters, Ruby Almond of Anderson, Calif., Billie Willcutt of Humansville and Jean Millican of Westville, Okla.; 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Services were Monday, Feb. 8, in Murray Chapel, Humansville, with the Rev. Robert Harris officiating. Graveside services and burial will be today (Wednesday) in Anderson District Cemetery, Anderson, Calif.
Lingle A. Rife
Lingle Arnold Rife, 68, Bolivar, formerly of Marshall, died at 4:48 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, 1999, in St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield, following a year-long illness. He was born Dec. 18, 1930, in Cross Timbers to Ulus and Hazel Arnold Rife. He was retired from Marshall Shoe Factory and had served in the U.S Air Force. He was of the Assembly of God faith. On April 30, 1954, he was united in marriage with Janice Lindell. Survivors include his wife, Janice, of the home; a son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Beth Rife, Marshall; two daughters and a son-in-law, Karen and James Bays and Linda Nease, all of Bolivar; three sisters, Treva Miller of Bakersfield, Calif., Marie Foote of Kansas City, Kan., and Erma Philbert of Preston; and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Timothy Rife and Lingle A. Rife Jr.; and a daughter, Hazel Rife. Services will be at 1 p.m. today (Wednesday) at Bolivar First Assembly of God Church with Pastor Mark Summers officiating. Burial will follow in Hermitage City Cemetery, Hermitage. Arrangements are under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
Merlin F. Shively
The Rev. Merlin Francis Shively was born Feb. 22, 1927, in Queen City. He was the son of George Shively and Edna Epperson Shively, both of whom preceded him in death. He departed this life Feb. 13, 1999, in Cox Medical Center South, Springfield, after a short illness at the age of 71 years, 11 months and 21 days. On May 1, 1976, he was married to Bonnie Hulston of Pittsburg. She survives at their home. He is also survived by two children, Beckie Conard, Monett, and Dan Shively and his wife, Shelly, Chillicothe; five grandchildren, Jessica Conard, Kelsy Conard, Brooklynn Shively, Caleb Shively and Phillip J. Stanley; three brothers, Richard Shively and his wife, Helen, Toledo, Ohio, Rex Shively and his wife, Faye, Ottumwa, Iowa, and Max Shively and his wife, Neva, Lancaster; and two sisters, Deloris Carpenter, Lancaster, and Mary Jackson, Ottumwa, Iowa. A sister, Neva Summerville, preceded him in death. Merlin served his country during World War II on the USS Holland in the Pacific war zone. Some 40 plus years ago he surrendered to the gospel ministry. After pastoring a few small churches in north Missouri, he moved to Osceola, where he pastored the First Baptist Church for eight years. He later pastored the Highview Baptist Church in Chillicothe for 21 years. In October 1993 he and Bonnie moved to their home on Lake Pomme de Terre. He was called as pastor of the Pomme de Terre Baptist Church in October 1994, where he served faithfully until his passing. Merlin spent many hours raising a large garden and sharing the vegetables with others. He was known for his generous heart and love for children. Most of all he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Services were Feb. 16 in the Pomme de Terre Baptist Church with the Rev. Alan Thompson and Dr. G.H. Surrette officiating. Music was provided by Jim Suiter and Marti Buckner, vocalists, and Mary Gatewood, pianist, and included "The Old Rugged Cross Made the Difference" and "Till the Storm Passes By." Burial was in the Pittsburg Baptist Cemetery under the direction of Butler Funeral Home, Bolivar. Casketbearers were L.D. Dunavin, Charles Orndorff, Ronnie Brannon, Blackie Bonenbaugh, Art Smith and Ora McVey. Honorary casketbearers were the Rev. Don Hogan, the Rev. Dan Good, the Rev. Robert Sisney, the Rev. Donald Hart, Dr. Bill Hooper and the Rev. Norman Noble. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pomme de Terre Baptist Church.
John C. Johnson Sr.
John Clifton Johnson Sr., 82, Bolivar, died Monday, Feb. 15, 1999, in his home. He was born in Laclede County near Orla on Oct. 26, 1916, to Van Doren and Rebecca Vermillion Johnson. He was united in marriage to Louise L. Scarborough on Nov. 26, 1938, in Lufkin, Texas. To this union three daughters and a son were born. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and had been a heavy equipment operator for the highway department. He was a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church. Survivors include three daughters and two sons-in-law, Barbara and Jack Vest of Bolivar, Susan James of Independence and Carol and Clint Ellingsworth of Highlandville; a son and daughter-in-law, John C. Jr. and Patsy Johnson of Bolivar; three sisters, Loucille DiStasio, state of Illinois, Madeline Bannon, state of Kansas, and Verna Stake, state of Arkansas; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise, on Dec. 11, 1998, after 60 years of marriage. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, in Pitts Chapel with J.D. Stake officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Olive Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. today (Wednesday) in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Citizens Memorial Hospital Hospice Program in care of the funeral home.
Thelma M. Steinke
Thelma Marie Steinke, 77, Bolivar, died Monday, Feb. 1, 1999 at the Parkview Health Care Facility after a lingering illness. SHe was born July 30, 1921, in Polk County, the daughter of Albert and Ethel Irene Hook Wilson. She moved to Milwaukee, Wis., in her early years where she met and married her husband, Albert Steinke. They returned to Bolivar several years ago. She was saved in her early childhood and attended First Baptist Church as long as her health permitted. Survivors include her husband, Albert C. Steinke, of the home; a stepson, Tom Steinke and his wife, Lynn, of San Diego, Calif.; a stepdaughter, Mary Insco and her husband, Billy Ray, of Melbourne, Fla.; one sister, Ruth Coffey, Morrisville; two sisters-in-law, Lois Wilson and Deloris Wilson, both of Bolivar; six step-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Homer Wilson and Glen Wilson; and one stepdaughter, Sandy Johnson. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ray Leininger officiating. Burial will be in the Enon Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery southwest of Bolivar. Casketbearers will be Daniel Leith, Danny Trantham, Jerry Coleman, Tom Leith, Joe Leith and Deral Vincent. Friends may call at their convenience at the funeral home until service time.
Uvon F. "Tommy" Thompson
Uvon F. "Tommy" Thompson, 81, Bolivar, died at 9:05 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, 1999, at St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield, after a sudden illness. He was born May 16, 1917, in Garden City, Kan., and was raised in Rice County, Kan., the son of John and Nettie Thompson. He was a longtime resident of Great Bend, Kan.; and moved to the Fair Play area in 1985. He and his wife moved to Bolivar about two years ago. He was a heavy equipment operator in the oil fields and in construction. He was preceded in death by his parents and by a grandson, Terry Lee Thompson. Survivors include his wife, Beatrice A. Thompson, of the home; three daughters and their husbands, Sharon and Roger Vote, Bolivar, Sonja and George Conner, Rogersville, and Claudia and Robert Dietz, Eugene, Ore.; three sons and their wives, Kenneth and Connie Thompson, Great Bend, Kan., Dwayne and Irene Thompson, Folsom, Calif., and Mike and Jane Thompson, Morrisville; one sister and brother-in-law, Thelma and Madison Cathey, Albuquerque, N.M.; a brother and sister-in-law, Hubert and Anita Hutches, Pasadena, Calif.; 17 grandchildren, Andy Conner, Columbus, Ga.; David Conner and wife, Deysi, Villahermosa, Mexico; Ginger Conner, Midwest City, Okla; Allen Thompson, State Line, Nev.; Terri Fritz and husband, Ken, Great Bend, Kan.; Sharon Ferguson and husband, Daryl, Great Bend, Kan.; Steve Thompson and wife, Sheila, Radium, Kan.; Carl Thompson and wife, Julie, Sacramento, Calif.; Donna Avila and husband, Euglio, Santa Ana, Calif.; Natalie Thompson, Davis, Calif.; Roger Vote and wife, Glenda, Bolivar; Rex Vote and wife, Jeannine, Wichita, Kan.; Greg Vote and wife, Wendy, Metamora, Ill.; Tom Vote, Bolivar; Pam Forbes and husband, Jay, Goddard, Kan.; Lee Thompson, Morrisville; and Annette Dietz, St. Rose, La.; 19 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. today (Wednesday) in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Ernie Presley officiating. Musical soloist will be Bill Shook with Paula Shook as pianist. Burial will follow in the Morrisville Cemetery. Casketbearers will be Allen Thompson, Andy Conner, Steve Thompson, David Conner, Carl Thompson, Roger Vote, Lee Thompson, Rex Vote, Greg Vote and Tom Vote. Honorary casketbearers will be Ken Fritz, Daryl Ferguson, Jay Forbes and Euglio Avila.
Mary T. Vignola
Mary Theresa Benedetto Jacopetti Vignola, 97, Dunnegan, died Saturday, Feb. 27, 1999, in Parkview Health Care Facility. The daughter of Joseph and Theresa Cipriano Benedetto, she was born March 2, 1901, in Torino, Italy. She came to the U.S. with her family at the age of 5 1/2 on the ship LaGosgne and remembered seeing the Statue of Liberty as they entered the harbor. On April 10, 1961, she became a naturalized citizen of the U.S. Most of her life was lived in Jackson and Sutter Creek, Calif., until she moved to Dunnegan 20 years ago to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Elinor and Roy Smith. She was of the Roman Catholic faith. She was preceded in death by a son, Gy Jacopetti; three brothers, Tony Benedetto, Joseph Benedetto and Frank Benedetto; and two sisters, Theresa Del Bono and Doris Paganuci. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Elinor and Roy Smith, Dunnegan; three nephews, Ed Benedetto, Clayton, Calif., Alton Benedetto, Northridge, Calif., and Joseph Benedetto, Jackson, Calif.; and a god-daughter, Annie Ghisue, Oakland, Calif. Graveside services were Tuesday, March 2, at Plum Grove Cemetery south of Humansville with the Rev. Charles Costello Sr. officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Murray Funeral Home, Humansville. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
