Donald E. Clark
Donald E. Clark, 82, Bolivar, died at 2:01 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, 1999, in Cox Medical Center South, Springfield. He was born May 20, 1917, in Topeka, Kan., the son of Victor R. and Grace E. Smelser Clark. He put 36 years of his life into the mechanical aspects of the production and operation of airline aircraft for TWA. He also operated a farm for many years. His retirement took him to Pomme De Terre Lake and then later to Bolivar. He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Hermitage. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois, on Oct. 16, 1988, and by his sister, Dorothy E. Michael. He is survived by two sons, Kenneth E. Clark of Olathe, Kan., and Steven L. Clark of Smithville; three grandchildren, Philip E. Clark of Garden, Kan., Nancy L. Schultz of Olathe, Kan., and Rodney C. Clark of Kansas City; six great-grandchildren, Curtis and Jamie Schultz, Kristen Clark, Matthew Clark, Leslie Clark and Emilee Clark. Services were Tuesday, Sept. 14, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Don Hogan officiating. Burial was in Dooley Bend Cemetery. Casketbearers were Kenneth Clark, Rodney Clark, Steven Clark, Philip Clark, Don Sutton and Mel Henry.
Frank D. Davolt
Frank Dean Davolt, 56, Springfield, died at 6:44 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, 1999, in St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield. He was born Aug. 27, 1943, in Bolivar, the son of Orla and Alberta Davolt. He grew up on a farm west of Bolivar, where he attended Fair Play schools. Later his family moved to Cedar County, and he was transferred to Stockton school. He was saved at an early age in Bolivar. On Dec. 30, 1960, Frank entered the U.S. Navy. He served his country throughout the world and on various navy ships. His naval career included two tours in Vietnam, where he received second and third good conduct medals, the Vietnam Service Medal and combat action ribbon. He retired on May 1, 1982, with the rank of chief hull maintenance technician. Frank loved sports and enjoyed watching his grandchildren's baseball and soccer games. He also looked forward to family gatherings during holidays and special events. He was preceded in death by his father, Orla, and his brother, Carl. Survivors include his mother, Alberta Davolt, of Bolivar; his son, Paul A. Davolt and his wife, Barbara, Bolivar; his daughter, Theresa Eighmy and her husband, Jerry, Springfield; four grandchildren, Phillip, Joey, Erica and Cory; two brothers, Paul Davolt and his wife, Debbie, Springfield, and Jim Davolt and his wife, Sue, Bolivar; three sisters, Patricia Fleeman and her husband, Darell, Fair Play, Joyce Williams and her husband, Lewis, Woodstock, Ga., and Linda Brinkman and her husband, Steve, Troy, Mich.; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Services were Saturday, Sept. 18, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Joe Rouse officiating. Musical selections were by Bill and Sandy Jones with Rose Roweton as the accompanist. Casketbearers were Lewis Williams, Michael Davolt, Shane Davolt, Jerry Eighmy, Sean Davolt, Ted Barker, Vic Davolt and Jim Elton. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
Evelyn W. Dryer
Evelyn Williams Dryer, 74, Fair Play, died Saturday, Sept. 25, 1999, in Cox Medical Center, Springfield, after complications from surgery. She was born Feb. 7, 1925, in Polk County to Amer and Lois Hunt Williams. She was united in marriage to David "Buck" Dryer on Feb. 1, 1941. To this union four children were born: Sharon, Bob, Billy and Danny. At a young age, Evelyn was saved, and in 1938 she joined Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church. She was very active in the church. For many years she was the church clerk and taught Sunday school classes. She loved to sing the songs of the Lord. At her death Evelyn was the oldest active member in the church. Evelyn's pride and joy was her garden. She enjoyed sharing her abundance of fruits and vegetables with her friends and neighbors. It was never an inconvenience to set another plate at the table. Whether it be one person or 10, no one left her table hungry. Evelyn was a very giving and loving woman. She loved everyone unconditionally. If she had something that she thought you needed, it was yours. Her heart was filled with love and faith. Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Sharon Kirksey; a son-in-law, Herman Kirksey; and an infant brother. She is survived by a family that loves her dearly and will miss her, including her husband, Buck Dryer, of Bolivar; her sons, Bob Dryer and his wife, Bobbie Ann, of Hartville, Billy Dryer and his wife, Kay, of Aldrich, and Danny Dryer and his wife, Ramona, of Bolivar; her 10 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends. Services were Tuesday, Sept. 28, in Butler Chapel with Bro. Garland Pool and Bro. DeWayne Burdette officiating. Music was provided by Ramona Dryer, Norma Winfield and Lucinda Crouch. Burial was in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery southwest of Aldrich. Casketbearers were Jerry Winfiel, Dean Winfiel, Tommy Tindle, Marty Tindle, John Davis and James Davis.
Thelma A. Early
Thelma A. Early, 87, Bolivar, died at 7:10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, 1999, at the Hermitage Balanced Care Facility in Hermitage. She was born Aug. 16, 1912, near Weir, Kan., the daughter of Jim and Mina Bowman Stevens. She accepted Jesus as her personal saviour 18 years ago in Pittsburg, Kan., and considered Mount Olive Baptist Church in Bolivar her church home. She is survived by her son, Huston J. Anderson, and his wife, Margaret, of Bolivar; four grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren; as well as her church family and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Donald T. Anderson; a grandson, Scott Anderson; and two brothers, Chester and Lester Stevens. Services were Sunday, Sept. 26, in Mount Olive Baptist Church with the Rev. Danny Vance officiating. Private interment will be held at a later date. Cremation was under the direction of Montgomery-Viets Funeral Home, Buffalo.
Brian Darryk Francka
Brian Darryk Francka, 13, Springfield, died Monday, Sept. 27, 1999, at his home. He was born Jan. 18, 1986, in Springfield and was an eighth grade student at Willard Junior High School where he had participated in football. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bolivar. Survivors include his father and stepmother, Brian and Heidi Francka, Springfield; his mother, Sherri Lingo, state of California; a half-brother, Cody, state of California; his grandparents, Jerry and Judy Francka of Bolivar, Mike and Diana Shanks of Springfield, Wayne Lingo of Springfield, Carol and Lynn Carrington, state of California, and Harold Moore of Walnut Grove; his great-grandparents, James and Tracy Francka of Bolivar and Ruth Mitchell of Pleasant Hope; his step-great-grandparents, W.T. and Linnie Bowman and Rex and Ruth Moore, all of Springfield; his aunts and uncles, Jessica Francka, Jamie and Vicky Francka, Sherry and Donnie Ballard, Chris Francka, Delores Lingo, Tyler and Linda Moore, Bob and Chris Moore and Josh Moore; and many cousins. Funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 1, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Rosary service will be at 7 p.m. Thursday followed by visitation at 8 p.m. in the funeral home. Interment will be in St. Wenceslaus Cemetery south of Bolivar under the direction of Murray Funeral Home.
Bonnie Atkinson Herr
Bonnie Atkinson Herr, 82, Bolivar, died at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, 1999, at Parkview Health Care Facility. She was born Aug. 14, 1917, in Polk County, the daughter of Walter J. and Oma Smith Atkinson. She attended the Rose Bud School and High School in Humansville. On April 5, 1935, she was united in marriage to Murl Franklin Herr in Stockton. A few years after their marriage, they moved to Monte Vista, Colo., and a few years later to southern California, where they spent most of their married life. During World War II she worked at Douglas Aircraft, Long Beach, Calif. Upon their retirement in 1973, she from Brodwick Gym Wear and her husband from Cal Poly College, they returned to Stockton, where they built a home. After her husband's death in 1985, she moved from Stockton to Bolivar in January 1990 where she spent the remainder of her life. She had been in the Parkview Health Care Facility since November 1997. She was a member of the Stockton Christian Church, the Happy Senior Citizen Club and the Lend a Hand Extension Club and had been a volunteer at Stockton Nursing Home. She also helped to raise money for the Stockton Senior Citizen Center and later served as secretary on the site council board for five years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank; her parents, Walter and Oma Atkinson; two brothers, Johnnie Atkinson and Kenneth Atkinson; and four sisters, Audra Hall, Marguerite Roby, Ida Rhinehart and Stella Carneal. Survivors include one brother, Walter J. Atkinson of Corona, Calif.; a niece and nephew, Wanda and Roy Ruckman of Kansas City; and many other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Also surviving are special friends Ronnie, Mary Jane, Scott and Stacie Miller of Stockton. Services were Saturday, Sept. 18, at Brumback Chapel, Stockton, with Ronnie Miller officiating. Interment was in Stockton Cemetery. Pallbearers were Wanda Ruckman, Roy Ruckman, Lee Atkinson, Howard Simmons, Ronnie Miller and Alvin Dody.
Clifford Jon Hott
Clifford Jon Hott, 62, Hermitage, died Sunday, Sept. 20, 1999 at his home after a long battle with cancer. He was born May 14, 1937, in Marseilles, Ill., to William and Ivy Hott. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a mechanic in the 11th Field Maintenance Squadron, 11th Bombardment Wing, from July 1957 to May 1963. After being discharged he worked at Nabisco Paper Board Plant in Marseilles, Ill. He later moved to Missouri and went into business for himself. He operated the JAT Company, specializing in transporting and setting up mobile homes throughout the midwest, from 1982 until 1990 when he was forced to retire due to ill health. Cliff could design, construct or repair just about anything, and he loved the outdoor life: hunting, fishing and mushroom gathering. He will be sorely missed by his family and all who knew him well. Survivors include his wife, Ruby, of the home; five children, Henry Hott of Anchorage, Alaska, Les Hott of St. Joseph, Faith Kennedy of Ottawa, Ill., Valerie Adams of Streator, Ill., and Jon Hott of Ottawa, Ill.; four stepchildren, Patsy Diedrick of Ottawa, Ill., Eddie Currier of Fayetteville, Ark., Chris Currier of Willard and Becky Delcour of Republic; 20 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a brother, Wayne Hott of Morrisville, and three sisters, Florence Cox and Sarah Reppine of Marseilles, Ill., and Patricia Hott of Peru, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and three brothers. Arrangements are under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
Effie D. Jobe
Effie D. Jobe, 87, Bolivar, went home to be with the Lord at 10:05 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, 1999, in her home. Effie was born on Dec. 7, 1911, in Millsap, Texas, to George and Rosa Bagley. Her early childhood was spent in California and New Mexico, where her family established a prairie homestead. During her high school years, her family moved to West Texas, where she met Richard L. Jobe. They were married on May 10, 1930, in Lovington, N.M. To this union were born five children. In 1945 the family moved to Missouri and purchased a farm in Polk County, near Bolivar. In January 1953, her husband, Richard, was killed in an auto accident. Effie worked as a telephone operator for Bolivar Telephone Company and at other jobs while rearing her children. At the age of 49 she decided she must fulfill her desire to become a nurse. After completing nurses's training, she immediately began her nursing career as an inhalation therapist in the newly-formed respiratory therapy department at St. John's Hospital in Springfield. She was a pioneer in this department and continued there until health problems forced her retirement 15 years later. Effie was a member of Southern Hills Baptist Church in Bolivar. She had many talents and interests, some of which were gardening, candle making and painting, sewing, making stuffed toys, quilting and crocheting. Her family and friends have been richly blessed with the fruits of her talents. She was a gentle, loving lady who was dearly loved by all those whose lives she touched. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; a sister, Nellie Bagley; two brothers, Nathan and George Bagley; and a granddaughter, Teresa Cox. She is survived by her five children and their spouses, Troy and Velma Jobe of Rogersville, Dee and Bill Beckley of Springfield, Tylene and Herb Zumwalt of Bolivar, Darian and Kay Jobe of Springfield and Olle and Sharon Jobe of Rogersville; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Services were Saturday, Oct. 2, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bob Tolliver officiating. Burial was in the Greenwood Cemetery. Casketbearers were Matt McPheeters, Andrew Morgan, Christopher Covert and Robby Jacobs.
Johnny B. Lightfoot
Johnny B. Lightfoot, 81, Polk, died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 1999, in Citizens Memorial Hospital following a sudden illness. He was born May 28, 1918, in Polk to Oral and Agnes Vanich Lightfoot. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a member of Sentinel Missionary Baptist Church, VFW Post No. 430 in Buffalo, N.A.R.F.E. Chapter 11 and American Legion Post No. 138. On June 30, 1937, he was united in marriage to Emma Bradshaw, and they had recently celebrated 62 years together. Survivors include his wife, Emma, of the home; three daughters, Shirley Johnson of Blythe, Calif., Janet Scobey of Fountain Valley, Calif., and Johnne Kay Christian of Springfield; a brother and sister-in-law, Arnold and Vivian Lightfoot of Preston; a sister-in-law, Stella Lightfoot of Polk; 15 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two daughters, Norma Hellen and Dorothy Ellen; one brother and one sister. Services were Saturday, Sept. 11, in Pitts Chapel with Bro. Leon Meadows officiating. Burial followed in Payne Cemetery.
David James McCurdy
David James McCurdy, 55, Bolivar, died Thursday, Sept. 30, 1999, in Citizens Memorial Hospital. The son of Raymond G. and Bessie I. Wommack McCurdy, he was born March 6, 1944, in Springfield. He served in the U.S. Army from May 24, 1965, to May 23, 1968, during the Vietnam conflict. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include one son, Michael Dale McCurdy, and his wife, Darla, of Edgar Springs; one daughter, Julia Davis, and her husband, Brian, of St. James; three granddaughters, Mariah Danielle, Maranda Gabrielle and Makayla Lindsey McCurdy, all of Edgar Springs; four sisters, Margie Rookstool and Mollie Stockstill, both of Springfield, Shirley Gallagher of Tulsa, Okla., and Patty Blankenship of Liberty; and many other relatives and friends. Graveside services were Monday, Oct. 4, in Mount Comfort Cemetery north of Springfield with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Butler Funeral Home.
