Don Sexton
Don Sexton, 59, Bolivar, died Monday, Nov. 16, 1998, in Citizens Memorial Hospital following a long illness. He was born June 18, 1939, in Woodland, Calif. to Glen W. and Zona Mae Sexton. He was a retired over-the-road truck driver. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Delbert Sexton. Survivors include eight sons, Steve Sexton of Bolivar, Donnie Sexton, Jimmy Sexton, Kevin Valentine, Bryan Sexton, Rodney Sexton, David Sexton and Robert Sexton; two daughters, Corina Sexton and Nadiene Blackwell; three brothers, Jerry Sexton, Glen Dale Sexton and Robert Sexton; as will as 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Services will be held at a later date in California. Arrangements are under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
Elzada M. Skinner
Elzada Marie Skinner, 79, Goodson, died Wednesday, November 11, 1998. She was born Aug. 3, 1919 to Edward and Margie Blackwell Skinner at Hermitage. Her wish, even as she was plagued with declining health, was to live in her home, have a garden, have flowers on her front porch and around her house and to have her chickens. She wanted to be self sufficient and take care of her home until she left us. Those things were granted to her. She spent her last day cleaning her house, getting her much planned Christmas gifts in boxes for her children and grandchildren. She sewed some, making pillow cases and she was planning Thanksgiving dinner. She told us she wasn't able to cook much this year for Thanksgiving, she wasn't going to tire herself so much. She told us, "Now kids, I'm only going to make turkey, dressing, rolls, green beans, pies and the cakes and you will have to bring the rest. Zada didn't travel far during her life journey, but she touched a lot of lives with her kind, loving ways. She grew up on the Wheatland Prairie. Our dad said they had spent their entire lives together. They played together as young children, went to school together and the remainder of her life as man and wife, separated only for a short time when Bill went to California as a young man. They spent the last 34 years living in Goodson. She spent 63 years of her life showing total devotion to her family and friends. Her pride of accomplishment was her home, to prepare meals for her family and friends. Her health allowed her to continue this tradition until her death. In the summer months if you passed her house you would find her in the garden or taking care of her flowers. She spent the whole summer canning and freezing for the winter months. Zada has a wonderful talent to create handiworks. She embroidered, crochet and made us all wonderful quilts. She blessed us with many loving memories of the beautiful quilts she made us. Each tiny stitch she made was pure love. Our mother never accumulated much earthly wealth, but she was a person to be envious of. She never wore new dresses or fancy shoes but she had a great wealth. She was a kind, gentle loving person to all she met. Zada was a wonderful wife, a devoted mother and a doting grandmother. Zada is survived by her husband, Bill, of the home; a son, Jack of Hollister; a son, Jim and wife, Kay, of Goodson; a son, Bob and wife, Donna Sue, of Bolivar; and a daughter, Margie Pearl Keith and husband, Lloyd, of Bolivar; Zada also left 19 grandchildren and their many spouses, along with 22 great-grandchildren and many relatives and friends who loved her. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Dorothy; three brothers, VE "Gene" Skinner, George "Bud" Skinner and Al "Alf" Skinner; a brother-in-law, Walter "Buster" Rash; and a sister-in-law, Flossie Skinner. Her final resting place will be in Cross Timbers Cemetery under the direction of Pitts Funeral Home.
Robert Slagle
Robert Thomas "Bob" Slagle, 63, Morrisville, died at 1:45 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, 1998, at Cox Medical Center North after a short illness. He was born June 12, 1935, in Polk County to Raymond F. "Shug" and Josie M. Redman Slagle. He attended Lee School and graduated from Pleasant Hope High School. He served in the U.S. Air Force for five years. On Aug. 27, 1960, he was united in marriage with Lavanna B. Stevens, and to this union three sons were born. Other than a few years spent in Minnesota, he lived the rest of his life in Polk County. He retired in June 1997 from truck driving. He was a member of Enon Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Lavanna, of the home; three sons, Charles and his wife, Belinda, of Bois d'Arc, James "Jim" and his wife, Linda, of Springfield, and Jerry and his wife, Royce, of Bolivar; one sister, Betty L. Schroeder, of West Plains; nine grandchildren, one niece and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother, Spencer. Services were Monday, Nov. 9, at Pitts Chapel with the Rev. David Lingo officiating. Burial was in Slagle Cemetery. Pallbearers were Gary Greer, Mike Greer, Floyd "Bub" Carpenter, Robert Schroeder, David Schroeder and Donald Redman.
Mabel H. Williams
Mabel Hester Williams, 92, Mountain Grove, died Nov. 8, 1998, in the Autumn Oaks Nursing Home, Mountain Grove, after a short illness. She was born Jan. 28, 1906, in Ozark County, the daughter of Carl and Florence Harris Edwards. She was married to W.W. Hicks in 1923. Three children were born to this union. He preceded her in head in 1935. She later was married to Riley Fred Williams in 1948, who also preceded her in death in 1969. She was baptized into the Church of Christ at a young age and was faithful to attend church as long as her health permitted. She was a longtime member of the Cabool Church of Christ. She enjoyed the outdoors, especially when attending to her garden and to her flowers. She was an accomplished seamstress and was known for her quilting. She also liked to cook for her family and friends. Besides her husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Troy Hicksin 1997; two brothers; and one sister. She is survived by one son, Doyne Hicks, Mountain Grove; one daughter, Lorene Forrest, Bolivar; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends. Services were Wednesday, Nov. 11 in the Craig-Hurtt-Bradley Chapel with Don Eubanks officiating. Ronald and Wilma Turner, accompanied by Letha Franklin sang "Amazing Grace," "In the Garden" and "Stroll Over Heaven." Pallbearers were Ray Tool, Bill Page, Buddy McCarty, Don Curry, Dan Harvey and Darrel Lindsey. Burial was in Souder Cemetery.
Robert "Bob" R. Wilson
Robert "Bob" R. Wilson, 77, Pleasant Hope, died at 2:20 a.m. Friday, Nov. 20, 1998, in Cox Medical Center South, Springfield. The son of Lon and Lois Burdette Wilson, he was born Jan. 18, 1921, in Pleasant Hope and lived his entire life there. He graduated from Pleasant Hope High School and attended Draughon's Business College. He married Dixie Lee LaRew in December 1950. He was a retired postmaster for the Pleasant Hope Post Office, and he had been a loan officer for the Polk County Bank in Bolivar. He also ran a beef cattle operation. He was a member of the Pleasant Hope Methodist Church, a life member of the DAV and a 52-year member of the Bolivar American Legion. He had been a charter member of the Pleasant Hope Lions Club. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving for four years in the Persian Gulf Command. Survivors include his wife, Dixie Lee; two sons, Dr. Gene Ray Wilson, Jefferson City, and Monte Joe Wilson, Bolivar; two sisters-in-law, Alice Wilson, state of California, and Morine Wilson, Pleasant Hope; one niece and seven nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Fae Kirby, Mae Steele, and Johnnie McCoy; and two brothers, Doran Wilson and Joe Wilson. Services were Monday, Nov. 23, in Pitts Chapel with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson and the Rev. Keith Lee officiating. Music was by Becky Paschall and Coralie Lee. Burial was in Pleasant Hope Cemetery. Pallbearers were Smith Calhoun, Jack Frost, Mickey Hillenbury, David Stutenkemper, Lonnie Weatherly and Jerrell Wilson.
Don O. Banker
Don O. Banker, 65, Harrisonville, died Thursday, Dec. 24, 1998, in Cass Medical Center, Harrisonville. The son of John William and Olive Bullard Banker, he was born March 24, 1933, at Rolla, Kan. He was married to Helen Baker Oct. 22, 1951. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1954 to 1956. He was a test lab technician for Allied Signal Co. in Kansas City, retiring after 32 years. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Jim and Robert Banker. Survivors include his wife, Helen, of the home; two children, Todd Banker of Harrisonville and Donna Stearns of Kansas City; three sisters, Bernadine O'Neal of Eudora, Kan., Jackie Collins of Dumas, Texas, and Nan Mattern of Cadiz, Ohio; three brothers, Carl Banker of Hermiston, Ore., Ed Banker of Kent, Wash., and Walter Banker of The Dalles, Ore.; and four grandchildren. Services were Tuesday, Dec. 29, in Murray Chapel, Humansville, with the Rev. Don Covington officiating. Pallbearers were Brandon Banker, Mike Stearns, Carl Banker, Ed Banker, Walt Banker, Bill Baker, Buzz Baker and Art Mattern. Interment was in Alder Cemetery, west of Humansville.
Inous Broyles
Inous Pauline Broyles, 80, Fair Play, formerly of Stockton, died Thursday, Dec. 31, 1998. She was born May 10, 1918, in Cedar County, the daughter of Morris and Mary Hayward. On Aug. 20, 1933, she was united in marriage with John Broyles. She was converted at the Needmore Church on Feb. 21, 1942, and baptized in the San Larenzo River near Santa Cruz Calif., a year later. She was a member of the Stockton Assembly of God Church. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter in 1936; her parents in 1963 and 1965; her husband, John Broyles, on June 2, 1980; a great-grandson, Scott Broyles, in 1996; and a former daughter-in-law, Shirley Broyles Mick, in 1998. Survivors include her children and their spouses, Dwain and Donna Broyles, Fair Play; James and Betty Broyles, Anchorage, Alaska; and Delores and George Shaw, Crockett, Texas; two brothers, Jack Hayward, Stockton, and Joe Hayward, Rogers, Ark.; 10 grandchildren, Rick Broyles and Vicky Doeden, Stockton; Danny Broyles, Springfield; Lori Eye, Rockville; Tim, Aaron and Kelly Paul Broyles, Anchorage, Alaska; Penny McPherson, Belton, Texas; Cindy Shaw, Irving, Texas; and Johnny Shaw, Grapeland, Texas; seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Services were Sunday, Jan. 3, at the Stockton Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Steve Zemanek and the Rev. Randy Hayward officiating. Music was provided by Carolyn Tucker. Pallbearers were Danny Broyles, Kelly Paul Broyles, Rick Broyles, Kirby Doeden, Dennie Eye and Jimmy Tucker Interment was in the Lindley Prairie Cemetery under the direction of Brumback Funeral Home, Stockton.
Jon M. Buckmaster
Jon M. Buckmaster, 41, Fair Play, died at 5:40 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, 1998, in the emergency room at Citizens Memorial Hospital after suffering an apparent heart attack at his business in Fair Play. He was born March 2, 1957, in Marquette, Mich., the son of John Stanton Buckmaster and Nancy Lou Paavola. He had been a resident of Gulfport, Miss., for several years, moving to Fair Play about three years ago. He was the owner and operator of the Fair Play Tire Shop. He was a member of the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Saucier, Miss., as well as the Bolivar Masonic Lodge No. 195 AF and AM, the Lake Stockton Shrine Club, York Rite, Scottish Rite and the Mizpah Chapter No. 230, Order of the Eastern Star. Surviving is his wife, Kelly, of the home; one daughter, Casey Buckmaster, and two sons, Keith and John Buckmaster, all of the home; his father, John S. Buckmaster, Fair Play; his mother, Nancy Lou Paavola, Marquette, Mich.; four sisters, Karen Goodall of Long Beach, Miss., Robin Snell of Madison, Wis., Kelly Hawkins of Kansas City, Kan., and Margaret Young of Bolivar; and two brothers, James Buckmaster of Long Beach, Miss., and Rod Snell, state of Wisconsin. Services were Saturday, Dec. 12, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with Johnny Sconce officiating. Lodge services were conducted at the conclusion of the funeral service. Private interment will be at a later date. Memorial contributions to his wife and children may be sent in care of Butler Funeral Home, P.O. Box 11, Bolivar, MO 65613
Carl B. Clymore
Carl Brown Clymore, 82, Humansville, died Saturday, Dec. 26, 1998, in Big Spring Care Center. The son of Eugene and Maude Brown Clymore, he was born in Hickory County, near Pittsburg, Dec. 5, 1916. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army for five years. He was a farmer and he raised and trained registered quarter horses. He was a member of Hogle's Creek Masonic Lodge and the Order of Eastern Star. Surviving are two sisters, Ruby Lipe, Humansville, and Faye Samples, Urbana; a nephew, Jerry Lipe, Canyon Lake, Texas; and a niece, Carmetta Hutchison, Urbana. Services were Monday, Dec. 28, in Murray Chapel, Humansville, with the Rev. Martin Micke officiating. Pallbearers were Bert Chaney, James Gordon, Donald Pitts, Gene Turner, Carl Lee Turner and Kenneth Floyd. Interment was in Pittsburg Cemetery.
Christopher Coen
Christopher Lance Coen, 23, Pittsburg, died Wednesday, Dec. 23, 1998, at St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield. He was born Dec. 15, 1975 in Independence, the youngest of three children of Randall L. and Diana M. Coen. He grew up in Hickory County and was a member of Hermitage First Baptist Church. During high school he was senior class president, vice-president of Future Business Leaders of America, a member of Future Homemakers of America and captain of the basketball and baseball teams. He graduated from Hermitage High School in 1994 and from Wentworth Military Academy in 1996. He was a student at Southwest Missouri State University, working toward a degree in industrial management, and was to graduate in May 1999. He was a member of the Society of Manufacture Engineers. For the past three years he had worked nights at United Parcel Service in Springfield as a preloader. He is survived by his parents, Randall L. and Diana M. Coen of Pittsburg; a brother, Rodney, and a sister, Angela; his great-grandmother, Juanita Casey; two grandmothers, Betty J. Coen and Imogene Fisher, all of Independence; one brother-in-law, one sister-in-law, three nephews, two nieces and many friends. He was preceded in death by two grandfathers, Robert J. Coen and Harold J. Fisher, and one uncle, Vincent C. Coen. Services were Sunday, Dec. 27, at Hathaway-Peterman Funeral Home Chapel, Wheatland, with the Rev. Roger Easter and the Rev. Jeremy Hostettler officiating. Burial was in Antioch Cemetery, Pittsburg. Pallbearers were Mark Rapp, Jason Gunter, Benji Hill, Dave Robertson, Jimmy Williams and Robin Crocket. Honorary pallbearers were Jason Sikora and Brian Wright. Memorial contributions to Southwest Missouri State University may be sent in care of his parents.
