Ralph D. Piper
Ralph Donald Piper, 68, Kansas City, formerly of Humansville, died Thursday, July 22, 1999, at his home. The son of Harlan and Ethel Wilson Piper, he was born in Polk County on Dec. 30, 1930. He grew up in the Pomme de Terre and Humansville areas, attending Humansville schools and helping his father operate the family well-digging business. In 1949 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Japan, serving during the outbreak of the Korean War. He returned to Fort Leonard Wood where he was discharged from active duty in November 1951, continuing to serve in the Army Reserve until 1955. On Oct. 5, 1951, he married Lucille Rains. They moved to Kansas City in January 1952, where they raised their three children, Diana Jean, Donald Wayne and Alpha Denise. He was employed by the American Can Company for 23 years until it became necessary for him to take medical retirement in 1975. He was baptized, along with his daughter, Denise, on March 26, 1972. Survivors include his wife, Lucille, of the home; two daughters, Diana Bailey and her husband, Robert, Kansas City, and Denise Chesney and her husband, Gregg, Smithville; one son, Don Piper, Kansas City North; three granddaughters, Vanessa Dawn Piper, Alpha Christine and Alison Nicole Chesney; two sisters, Lavona Jolley and her husband, John, and Beatrice Houston, and a brother, David Piper, all of Humansville. Graveside services were Sunday, July 25, in Humansville Cemetery with the Rev. Robert Harris officiating. Music was by Carly and Lou Rice. Arrangements were under the direction of Murray Funeral Home.
Robert L. Powell
Robert L. "Bob" Powell, 80, Pittsburg, died at 1:15 p.m. Monday, July 26, 1999, in his home. He was born Aug. 31, 1918, in Kansas City to Manuel and Ettabelle Ring Powell. He was married Sept. 6, 1952, to Freda Mikes. He was a member of Minden Methodist Church in Menden, Neb., and Local No. 101 and the Masonic Lodge 32nd degree in Windsor. Survivors include his wife, Freda, of the home; two sons, Roger Powell of Hermitage and Anthony Brannen of Salisbury; a daughter, Connie Dahlgren of Osage Beach; eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a stepson, Steve Brannen. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 29, at Pomme de Terre Cemetery, Pittsburg, with the Rev. Virgil Kearney officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
Elbert Reynolds
Jesse Elbert Reynolds, 74, Bolivar, died at 5:43 p.m. Thursday, July 29, 1999, in Cox Medical Center South, Springfield. He was born Aug. 10, 1924, at Sentinel to George and Mary Storment Reynolds. He was a lifelong resident of Polk County, a cattleman, a retired car salesman of 22 years and a member of Sentinel Missionary Baptist Church. He was united in marriage to Audrey Jean Edmondson on Sept. 17, 1947. They had celebrated 51 years together and were the parents of two children. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Leonard, Ray and Hallie Reynolds; and a sister, Vera Talion. He is survived by his wife, Audrey; a daughter and son-in-law, Vickie and Harold Condren, Fair Play; a son, Bradley Reynolds, Bolivar; a granddaughter, Christa Matlock, Joplin; a grandson, Chad Baker, Fair Play; two great-grandchildren, Alivia and Anthony Azzun, Joplin; two brothers, Arlie Reynolds, Santa Paula, Calif., and Marvin Reynolds, Urbana; a sister, Iva Lichty, Cleveland, Ohio; several nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. Services were Monday, Aug. 2, in Murray Chapel with the Rev. Merle Newton officiating. Pallbearers were Bob Barnhouse, Jerald Hofstetter, Stanley Lear, Buzz Baker, Chad Baker and Mike Climer. Interment was in Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
Opal Root
Opal Rebecca Root, 82, died Wednesday, July 7, 1999, in Springfield Residential and Nursing Care Center where she had resided for the last six years. She was born Feb. 9, 1917, at Sentinel to Robert Benjamin and Nancy Catherine Walker. She was a member of Sentinel Missionary Baptist Church and later a member of Freedom Missionary Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her first husband, John Charles Kee, and her second husband, Ray Carlton Root; four brothers, Virgil Walker, Creed Walker, Herschel Walker, Russell Walker; and a sister, Zula Ingles. She is survived by a daughter and her husband, Barbara and Guy "Tut" Harville, Springfield; a stepdaughter and her husband, Donna and Charles R. "Bob" Johnson, Morrisville; two grandchildren, Michelle Swearengin and her husband, Monty, Half Way, and Kevin Harville, Springfield; a step-granddaughter, Pamela Tate, Morrisville; three step-great-granddaughters; one brother and sister-in-law, Leo and Berneice Walker, Bolivar; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Mabel Roberts of Bolivar and Jewell and Albert Roberts of Polk; several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and many friends. Services were Friday, July 9, in Pitts Chapel with Bro. Jackie Brakebill officiating. Interment was in Hopewell Cemetery near Sentinel.
Leota Sewell
Leota Sewell, 79, Springfield, died Thursday, July 29, 1999, in Cox Medical Center South, Springfield, following a long illness. The daughter of George and Effie Lindsey, she was born March 9, 1920, near Morrisville. She retired from the Busy Bee Department Store and was a member of Northwest Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Murrell; a sister, Golden; and a brother, Ronald. She is survived by her son, Ira Lynn Sewell, and his wife; two daughters, Mary Dysart and Anita Cooper and her husband, Hugh; five granddaughters, Terry Bangle of Hanford, Calif., Cindy Klaus of Garden City, Kan., and Traci Owens, Shay Dysant and Sara Cooper, all of Springfield; eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; a brother, Hurd; three sisters, Faye, Esther and Jessie; several nieces, nephews and cousins and many friends. Services were Tuesday, Aug. 3, in Greenlawn Funeral Home North with the Rev. Larry Cooper officiating. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery, Willard.
Luther L. Standley
Luther L. Standley, 78, Bolivar, died early Monday, July 26, 1999, in his home. He was born Sept. 21, 1920, in Bolivar, the son of Luther Hanson and Orlena Delilah Dunaway Standley. As a young man, he moved to Stockton, Calif., where he worked as a longshoreman and heavy equipment operator. He moved to Bolivar several years ago. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and received a Purple Heart. Surviving are one son, William E. "Bill" Standley, Farmington, N.M.; four sisters, Rhoda Porter of Ventura, Calif., Beulah Lobaugh of Olatha, Colo., Betty Beck of Truth or Consequences, N.M., and Mary Earwood of Las Vegas, Nev.; four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, July 30, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson officiating. Burial will be in the Mt. Olive Cemetery northeast of Bolivar.
Frank Henry Stewart
Frank Henry Stewart, 80, Bolivar, died at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 14, 1999, in Citizens Memorial Hospital. He was born Aug. 30, 1918, in Bolivar, the son of Frank Leslie Stewart and Katherine Elizabeth Grimmett Stewart. Frank was a lifelong member of the Bolivar community. After graduating from Bolivar High School, he attended Missouri University. On Dec. 20, 1940, Frank married Eldorene Jenkins. After serving in the armed forces during World War II he returned to Bolivar. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bolivar, where he taught Sunday school, served as a deacon and served on many committees. Frank was employed by the Missouri State Veteran's Administration, was city engineer for Bolivar and retired from Teters Floral Products as production manager in 1979. He was a former member of the Kiwanis Club and served as Commander of the Howard S. Keeling Post No. 138 of the American Legion. After his retirement, Frank enjoyed his hobbies, fishing and visiting with his coffee buddies. Frank is survived by his wife of 58 years, Eldorene; a son, Jim Stewart of Springfield, and Jim's three children, Travis, Erin and Lindsay; a daughter and son-in-law, Jan and Hal Wilson of Gainesville, Fla., and their daughter and son-in-law, Vicki and Bob Case of Orlando, Fla. Also surviving are his sister, Mary Virginia Gallivan of Bolivar and a sister-in-law, Bobbie Norman of Ozark. Services were Friday, July 16, in Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ray Leininger officiating. Music was provided by Ervin Keathley, soloist, and Holly Brown, accompanist, and included "How Great Thou Art" and "My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me." Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery. Casketbearers were Joe Kirby, Bo Russell, Lloyd Sherman, Lu Hoover, Ray Chappell and Keith Parminter. Honorary casketbearers were Bob McClelland, Bob Jump, Jesse Pursley, Dale Glover and Charles Neuhart. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the Polk County Community Center.
Ivan Stockton
Ivan Stockton, 63, Pleasant Hope, died Friday, July 23, 1999, at Dallas County Care Center in Buffalo after a battle with cancer. He was born Nov. 20, 1935, in Dade County to John Clyde and Mollie Stockton. He is survived by his wife, Wanda, of the home; two sons, Coy Alan Stockton and Larry Wayne Stockton and his wife, Cathy; three daughters, Diana Jo Tucker, Karen Kay Collins and her husband, Harold, and Teresa Elaine Sexton, all of West Plains; two stepsons, Allen Hampton and his wife, Terry, and Wade Hampton and his wife, Tammy; a stepdaughter, Deena Payne; 11 grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, one great-granddaughter and two step-great-grandchildren; a brother, Adren Stockton and his wife, Cindy, of Aldrich; a sister, Amelia Manes and her husband, Bob, of Bolivar; three nephews, one niece and several great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Barbara Jo and two daughters, Susan and Debra Lynn. Services were Saturday, July 24, in Pitts Chapel with Bro. Donnie Lightfoot officiating. Music was provided by Roberta Pitts and Jeanette Lightfoot, accompanied by Paula Brewer. Burial followed in Pemberton Cemetery in Dade County.
Reuben L. Ballinger
Reuben L. Ballinger, 78, Bolivar, died Friday, Aug. 20, 1999, in Citizens Memorial Hospital. He was born March 9, 1921, in Bolivar to Reuben L. and Dorothy Marie Durham Ballinger. On Oct. 5, 1941, he was united in marriage to Eunice R. Herbert, and to this union three children were born. He was retired from the Lake City Ammunitions Plant in Kansas City, where he was the inventory control clerk. After leaving the Kansas City area, he operated the Bolivar Landing Bait Shop from 1983 to 1994. He was a member of the Bolivar Assembly of God Church. Survivors include his wife, Eunice, of the home; two sons and daughters-in-law, Kenneth and Peggy Ballinger of Lee's Summit and Jimmie and Jan Ballinger of Kansas City; a daughter and son-in-law, Pamela Kay and Bill Shibley of Independence; a brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Ann Ballinger of St. Joseph; as well as six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Melvin Ballinger and Nelson Ballinger; and a sister, Maxine Ballinger. Services were Tuesday, Aug. 24, in Pitts Chapel with Pastor Mark Summers and Gene Kates officiating. Music was by Danny Hitchcock. Burial followed in Slagle Cemetery.
Louisa A. Bucklinger
Louisa A. Bucklinger, 87, Bolivar, died Sunday, Aug. 22, 1999, at Citizens Memorial Health Care Facility. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sidney J. Field, she was born at San Francisco, Calif., March 4, 1912. She was married to Floyd D. Bucklinger Feb. 16, 1957. A resident of Bolivar for the past 10 years, she was a former resident of the Humansville area. She was a homemaker, and for more than 25 years she was a sales auditor for Thrifty Drug Company, Los Angeles, Calif. She was a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Survivors include her husband, Floyd, of the home, and a son, Bruce Bucklinger, Burke, Va. Services will be at 9:30 a.m. today (Wednesday) in Murray Chapel with the Rev. Wes Ummel officiating. Interment will be in Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, Kan.
