Jennifer J. Vandenburg
Jennifer J. Vandenburg, 16, Bolivar, died Sunday, Aug. 9, near Ash Grove as the result of an automobile accident. She was a longtime resident of Bolivar and had been a student at Bolivar High School. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She is survived by her mother and stepfather, Blenda and Kevin Lewis of Bolivar; father and stepmother, Randall and Cheryl Vandenburg of Hinton, Okla; a brother, Justin Vandenburg, Hinton, Okla; a stepsister, Christy Reaves, Kemp, Texas; two aunts and an uncle, Sandy and Ted Criss of Bolivar and Deana Robertson of Sunset, Utah; an uncle, Will Wilson, state of Idaho; grandparents Ed and Marie Newland of Bolivar, George and Carol Wilson of St. George, Utah, and Jean Wilson of Clearfield, Utah; great-grandmothers Ernestine Neil of Bolivar and Martha Gordon of Freeport, Ill; and her special friend, Victory Thomas, Ash Grove. She was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph, in 1997, a grandfather and a great-grandfather. Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Bishop Dale Sargent and the Rev. Lon Killingsworth officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery. Visitation will be held this evening (Wednesday) from 7 to 8 p.m. in Pitts Funeral Home.
Hallie A. "Dixie" Wheeler
Hallie Alpha "Dixie" Wheeler, 81, Columbia, formerly of Bolivar, died at 12:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, 1999, in the Boone Hospital Center, Columbia. She was born Sept. 25, 1917, in Thayer, the twin daughter of James Powell and Ada Bond Powell. She was born 15 minutes before her twin sister, Hazel Alma 'Tommy' Humphreys. She was united in marriage to Joseph E. Wheeler on Oct. 17, 1943, and they had celebrated 51 years of marriage before Joe's death in January 1994. She was also preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Bernice 'Bill' Clark. She received her bachelor's degree in education from Southwest Missouri State College and taught for 35 years in area schools, including many years at North Ward School in Bolivar, before retiring from the Bolivar Public School system. She was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Bolivar, including many years of service teaching six-year-old Sunday school children. Surviving are her two daughters, Marilyn Jo Zumwalt and her husband, Robert, of Columbia and Pamela Gail Cansler and her husband, Ron, of Joplin; also her four grandchildren, Robert Joseph Zumwalt, Molly Elizabeth Cansler, Gabriel Wheeler Cansler and Adam Lee Cansler. Also surviving are her twin sister, Hazel A. 'Tommy' Humphreys, of Thayer; two nieces, two nephews, and her brother-in-law, as well as a host of other relatives and many friends. Services were Tuesday, Aug. 31, 1999, in the First Baptist Church with the Rev. Ray Leininger officiating. Music was provided by George and Susan Baker. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery. Casketbearers were Dean Esther, Jim Faulkner, Bo Russell, Pat McGowan, Jesse Pursley and Johnny Cansler. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church in Bolivar.
Tamara Wilson
Tamara Wilson, 30, Mt. Vernon, died at 8:05 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, 1999, at the Mt. Vernon Place Care Center. She was born March 20, 1969, in Shreveport, La. She was of the Catholic faith. Survivors include her mother, Pamela Steffen, San Antonio, Texas; her father, Lloyd W. Wilson, Arnold; a brother, Jeffery Wilson, and a sister, April Wilson, both of San Antonio, Texas; and her maternal grandparents, Bruce and Rita Fries, Bolivar. Services will be at 1 p.m. today (Wednesday) at the Mt. Vernon Place Care Center with Father John Braun officiating. The body has been cremated under the direction of Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home, Mt. Vernon.
Willa Jean Ankrom
Willa Jean Ankrom, 60, Bolivar, died at 1:47 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, 1999, in Citizens Memorial Hospital following a lingering illness. She was born July 23, 1939, in Chadwick to Lloyd D. and Elda M. Robertson Walker. She was a member of Nixa Full Gospel Pentecostal Church of Nixa. She was united in marriage in 1970 to Bill Ankrom. Survivors include her husband, Bill, of the home; her father and stepmother, Lloyd and Helen Walker of Sparta; six sons, Terry Mincks of the home, Bill Mincks and his wife, Cheryl, and Mark Mincks and his wife, Linda, all of Bolivar, Curtis Lawrence of Pacific, Lloyd H. Nelson of Jefferson City, and Raymond Nelson and his wife, Treena, of Pittsburg; a daughter, Jeanie McDonald and her husband, Richard, of Humphreys; two sisters, Joann Plaster and her husband, Jarrett, of Morrisville, and Brenda Walker of Ozark; a half-sister, Cindy Hopper of Branson, and three half-brothers, Jim Coffelt of Spokane, Ronald Coffelt of Galena, and Glen Braden of Kimberling City; as well as 12 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother, Elda, and a sister, Barbara. Services were Tuesday, Sept. 14, at Chadwick Pentecostal Church of Chadwick with burial following in Chadwick Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Pitts Chapel, Bolivar. Memorial contributions may be made at the funeral home.
Floyd Weldon Boswell
Floyd Weldon Boswell, 91, Morrisville, died Sunday, Sept. 19, 1999, at his home. He was born Nov. 28, 1907, in Brighton to Harry Harrison and Ina Inez Griffitts Boswell. He was the second of eight children. He attended Gumbo School, completing the eighth grade. As daring young boys, he and his brothers would swim in the Sac River when it would be flooded half a mile wide. He also told of a time when he was on the river bank and experienced his salvation. During the depression years of the 1930s, he worked as a cowboy in Russell, Kan. He always told stories of the great bend of the river and Rogg Brothers Cattle Ranch where he worked the cattle, fed hay in blizzards, drove cattle, about his favorite horse and about the neighboring Dole Ranch, where "little Bobbie Dole lived." Floyd returned to Missouri and later married Rena Slagle on Dec. 15, 1935. They farmed and raised cattle for many years. Floyd was a farrier and served on the Slagle School Board, the election board and the local road commission. During the 1950s he worked as a water well driller and was a carpenter during the 60s, 70s and 80s. He remained alone at the farm, with failing eyesight and hearing, for 13 years after the passing of his wife Rena. He was also preceded in death by his parents, an infant son and six brothers and sisters. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Charles Floyd and Dixie Boswell of Rogersville; a daughter and son-in-law, Ginger and Bruce Wheeler of Kansas Ciyt; four granddaughters, Kim Simmerman and her husband, Skip, of Rogersville, Paula Ledford and her husband, Dan, of Kansas City, Dawn Buck and her husband, Preston, of Savona, N.Y., and Sandy Lininger and her husband, Jeff, of Greenwood; a grandson, Blane Boswell and his wife, Casey Dawn, of Ozark; nine great-granddaughters, Amanda, Courtney Nicole, Amie, Sara, Cari, Jessica, Andrey, Rachel and Erica; and a great-grandson, Luke. All of Floyd's grandchildren and great-grandchildren have their own special memories of their grandpa. Farewell to Dad, Grandpa and Great-grandpa. Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, in the Slagle Creek Missionary Baptist Church south of Bolivar with Bro. Gene Skinner officiating. Music will be provided by the church choir, and burial will be in the Slagle Cemetery under the direction of Butler Funeral Home. Casketbearers will be Gene Allen, Dick Magnuson, Charles Polodna, Dan Ledford, Jeff Lininger and James Boswell. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. today (Wednesday) in the Butler Chapel.
Velma Breshears
Velma Breshears, 94, Bolivar, died at 1:05 a.m. Friday, Sept. 10, 1999, in Citizens Memorial Health Care Facility following a short illness. She was born Nov. 26, 1904, in Goodson to John Thomas and Susan Arminta Beem Farmer. She was a homemaker. On Sept. 5, 1924 she was united in marriage to R. Aulden "Buster" Breshears, and to this union one son was born. She was saved at an early age and joined Goodson Missionary Baptist Church and at the time of her passing was the oldest member of the church. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Marvin A. and Marjorie Fay Breshears of Bolivar; three grandchildren, Karen McKee and her husband, Bob, of Owasso, Okla., Max Breshears and his wife, Anna, of Stillwell, Kan., and Lindel Breshears and his wife, Nancy, of Carrollton, Texas; five great-grandsons, one great-granddaughter and one great-great-grandson, one nephew and 13 nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two sisters and five brothers. Services were held Sunday, Sept. 12, in Pitts Chapel with Bro. Jackie Brakebill officiating. Music was provided by Goodson Missionary Baptist Church Choir. Burial followed in Mountain View Cemetery.
Jean M. Brich
Jean M. Brich, 68, Bolivar, died at 3:15 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, 1999, at St. John's Regional Health Center in Springfield after a lingering illness. She was born Nov. 27, 1930, in Chicago, Ill., the daughter of George and Mary Vanderzwalm. She was a homemaker and a member of the Berean Baptist Church in Bolivar. She was the widow of Fred Brich, who died in 1979. Surviving are two sons, Garland Brich of Bolivar and Robert Brich of Chicago, Ill.; a brother, Richard Vanderzwalm, address unknown; and two grandsons. Services wil be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, in Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. David Lingo officiating. Burial will be in Salem Cemetery at Cliquot.
Ivan W. Butler
Ivan Wesley Butler, 79, Humansville, died Wednesday, Sept. 15, 1999, at St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield. The son of Oliver L. and Ethel Hinkle Butler, he was born March 26, 1920, north of Wheatland. He grew up in the White Cloud area and attended White Cloud School. He attended Macedonia Church north of Wheatland. On Dec. 25, 1943, he was married to Bertie Louise Smart. They lived in Hickory County where he worked for Frisco Railroad, worked at the feed store in Weaubleau and farmed. In 1959 they moved to Humansville, and in 1960 he began driving a milk truck for John Hornbeck. After 31 years of driving, he retired in 1991 because of poor health. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Harvey, Guy, Earl and Dean Butler; and two sisters, Mandy Stevens and Winnie Bradshaw. Survivors include his wife, Bertie, of the home; a sister, Floy Downs of Grain Valley; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Services were Saturday, Sept. 18, in Murray Chapel, Humansville, with the Rev. Bill Vernon officiating. Honorary pallbearers were Jimmy Bradshaw, Jerry Bradshaw, Kenneth Butler, W.D. Butler, Leon Butler, Brian Butler, Mike Cox, Clifford West, Tammy Butler, Dena Waddell, Lonnie Butler, Linda Butts, Velma Betts, Betty Martin, Crystal Vaughn, Brandi Smith, Billy Downs and Janet Worthy. Pallbearers were Roy Austin, Charley York, Jimmy Smith, Steve Vaughn, Richard Downs, Bill Downs, Jack Bradshaw and Donnie Smith. Interment was in Robinson Cemetery west of Weaubleau.
Glenda D. Butler
Glenda Darlene Butler, 41, Brighton, died at 3:47 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, 1999, in St. John's Regional Medical Center, Springfield, following a lingering illness. She was a homemaker and a 1976 graduate of Marion C. Early High School. Survivors include her daughter, Lori Butler, and her parents, Jesse and Lois Buckner, all of the home; two half-sisters, Wilma Holt of Wheatland and Glenna Marie Kennedy of Independence; a half-brother, Dyrl Buckner of Osceola; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Services were Monday, Sept. 13, in Pitts Chapel with burial following in Payne Cemetery.
Loran J. Cave
Loran J. Cave, 80, Brighton, died Wednesday, Sept. 22, 1999, in Maranatha Village, Springfield. He was born May 8, 1919, in Ozark, the son of Jeff and Maggic Cave. On April 18, 1949, he married Janie Appleby. He retired in 1981 from Frisco Transportation, where he had worked for 42 years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two grandsons and a great-granddaughter. He is survived by his wife, Janie; two sons, Larry Cave of Springfield and Wesley Cave of Boulder City, Nev.; a daughter, Becky Bumgarner, Brighton; 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Services were Saturday, Sept. 25, in Springfield with burial in White Chapel Memorial Gardens. Arrangements were under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home North, Springfield.
