Donald Gene Hayes
Donald Gene Hayes, 71, Pleasant Hope, died at 6:30 a.m. Monday, March 6, 2000, in Cox Medical Center South, Springfield. He was born Dec. 15, 1928, near Urich, the son of Clifton F. and Beulah J. Hayes. The family moved to the Springfield area in 1949. He served on active duty in the Air Force from 1950 to 1954 and eight more years in the reserves. Gene went into the electronics and broadcasting field as a broadcast engineer for KTTS-TV (Channel 10). He worked as a teacher in the training department for the Zenith plant as it began operations in Springfield, then moved to the quality control area of the plant before taking a position as assistant chief engineer for the startup of KOZK (Channel 21). In addition, he taught electronics part time for Graff Vo-Tech in Springfield and had run an electronics repair shop in Pleasant Hope for several years. A special thank you goes to his health care providers for giving so much comfort and assistance to Gene and his family in the past few months. He was preceded in death by his mother, Beulah J. Hayes, in February 1991; and his father, Clifton F. Hayes, in May 1998. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Euna Marie, of Pleasant Hope; a son and daughter-in-law, Ron and Teresa Hayes of Springfield; a granddaughter, Sara, of Springfield; a brother, Kenneth Hayes and his wife, Dorothy, of Sherman, Texas; three sisters and their husbands, Gloria and Elvin Burney of Stotts City, Peggy and Harold Boyce and Nancy and Robert Simmons, all of Springfield; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Services were Friday, March 10, in Greenlawn Funeral Home North with burial in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. (7c)
Winfred Harold Hood
W.H. Hood, 80, Pleasant Hope, died at 11:08 a.m. Tuesday, March 14, 2000, after suffering an apparent heart attack. He was born Dec. 30, 1919, at Miller, the son of Charles and Gladys Eubanks Hood. He graduated from the Miller High School and later graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in vocational agriculture. He returned during summers and received his master's degree in dairy science. On Dec. 22, 1945, he was united in marriage to Rebecca Ann Lathem. In this marriage of 54 years, three children were born, Marilyn, Dennis and Rita. W.H. was a loving husband and father. W.H. "Papa Hood," which many of his students called him, taught vocational agriculture at Pleasant Hope for 34 years. Papa Hood tried hard to teach not only agriculture practices but also right from wrong and how to be proud of yourself, rich or poor. He helped many students who didn't have money to start a project. Throughout his years of teaching, he coached numerous winning judging teams, but most remembered is the 1977 world's no.1 dairy judging team acheived in Wales, England. Mr. Hood was stern but loved his students so very much. He also taught night classes for veterans after the war. W.H. will be missed, not only by his family and friends, but also by the many students he taught over the 34-year period. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Pleasant Hope. W.H. was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Max and Keith, and two infant grandchildren, Eric and Lydia Hill. Surviving are his wife, Becky, of the home; two daughters, Marilyn Hayes and her husband, Joe, of Indian Point and Rita Hill and her husband, Greg, of Bolivar; his son, Dennis Hood and his wife, Cindy, of Bolivar; his grandchildren, Kim Trobisch and her husband, Stephen, of Bolivar, Bruce Hood and his wife, Tonna, of Bolivar, Charity and Cody Hayes of Indian Point and Leigha and Olivia Hill of Bolivar; and great-grandchildren Neil Henenberg, Sam and Kate Trobisch, Bryce and Kensey Hood, all of Bolivar. Other family members include his three sisters, Joan Wilson of Olathe, Kan., Helen Wilmoth of Mt. Vernon and Betty Bell Ray of Strafford; his five brothers, Winston Hood of Mt. Vernon, Morris Ray Hood, Ralph Hood, Jerry Hood and Paul K. Hood, all of Miller; also many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives and many friends. Services were Friday, Marcy 17, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. O. Paul Ray officiating. Personal reflections were given by Derald Isdell, Alvin Rohrs and David Agee. Musical soloist was Jane Hood with Pat Hood as the pianist. Musical selections were "Because He Lives" and "Ten Thousand Years." Burial was in the Pleasant Hope Cemetery. Casketbearers were Fred Johnson, Darrel Smith, Joe Spear, Billy Gilmore, Joe Hayes and Greg Hill. Honorary casketbearers were Pleasant Hope FFA members, past and present. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pleasant Hope FFA or the American Heart Association. (8c) 2
Naomi N. Hutton
Naomi N. Hutton, 88, Humansville, died Saturday, March 11, 2000, in Big Spring Care Center, Humansville. The daughter of William and Electa Smith Rodgers, she was born Feb. 27, 1912, at Iola, Kan. She was married Feb. 27, 1929, to Claude C. Hutton. He preceded her in death in 1972. Also preceding her in death were two children, Donald Hutton and Cleta Akers; and two great-granddaughters. Survivors include six children, George Hutton of Austin, Texas, Charles Hutton of Iola, Kan., Ronnie Hutton of Bolivar, Roger Hutton of Dallas, Texas, Dale Hutton of Amarillo, Texas, and Charlene Harris of Humansville; two brothers, Cecil Rodgers of Sarasota, Fla., and Buddy Rodgers of Fort Worth, Texas; 32 grandchildren, 61 great-grandchildren and 20 great-great-grandchildren. Services will be at 10 a.m. today (Wednesday) in Murray Chapel, Humansville, with the Rev. Robert Harris officiating. Pallbearers will be her grandsons. Music will be provided by the Harris family. Burial will be at 1 p.m. in Fairview Cemetery, Mildred, Kan.
Raymond W. Jensen
Raymond Wallace Jensen, 71, Bolivar, died Monday, March 27, 2000, at Citizens Memorial Hospital. The son of Wallace Raymond and Erma Lillian Swafford Jensen, he was born at Reedsburg, Wis., June 14, 1928. he served in the U.S. Navy for two years and in the U.S. Air Force for 22 and a half years, retiring with the rank of master sergeant in 1969. He was rural mail carrier at Niangua for 12 years and worked in Topeka, Kan., as a service technician for Xerox for 10 years. On March 11, 1951, he married Glenrose Harmon. They had lived in Bolivar since 1993, moving from Grove Springs. Survivors include his wife, Glenrose, of the home; two daughters, Deborah Jensen of Woking, England, and Rebecca McDairmant and her husband, Edward, of Buffalo; one brother, John Jensen of Madison, Wis.; four sisters, Lillian Anderson of Greenwood, Ind., Aileen Gray, Beverly Olson and Evelyn Schleogeler, all of Maidson, Wis.; and three grandchildren, Nathan McDairmant of Springfield and Seth and Elizabeth McDairmant, both of Buffalo. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 30, in Murray Chapel. Military honors will be at graveside by Amvets Post No. 114 Honor Guard. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. today (Wednesday) in the funeral home. 9
Wilma S. Johnson
Wilma S. Johnson, 85, Bolivar, died at 10 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, 2000, at Parkview Health Care Facility after a lingering illness. She was born April 25, 1914, in Polk County, the daughter of Roy Earl and Mabel Elnora Peterson Teters. She was a graduate of Bolivar High School, where she was active in sports, and a graduate of Southwest Baptist College. She also attended Southwest Missouri State Teachers College in Springfield, receiving her teaching certificate. She taught school for a while at the Wilmington School in northern Polk County. She was united in marriage to Claude Johnson on Oct. 31, 1941, in Yuma, Ariz., and they lived in California for a short time before returning to Bolivar and Polk County. She was a member of First Baptist Church and the CMH Ladies Auxilliary. She had also worked for the McCraw-Koon-Kahler Clinic as a receptionist for many years. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Claude; one brother, H. Tiffin Teters; one sister, Thelma L. Brashear; three brothers-in-law, Oby Jester, Beuford Barnes and Frank Brashear. Surviving are one brother, Roy E. Teters Jr. and his wife, Rosa, of Springfield; three sisters, Nina Jester, Lois Barnes and Mabel Russell and her husband, Bo, all of Bolivar; one stepdaughter, Betty Vanderpool of Hermiston, Ore.; a sister-in-law, Norryn Teters of Bolivar; nine nieces and six nephews. Services were Saturday, April 1, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ray Leininger officiating. Musical selections were "How Great Thou Art," "Beyond the Sunset" and "The Lord's Prayer." Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery. Casketbearers were Bill Jester, Bob Jester, Henry T. Teters Jr., Larry Teters, Marvin Ashlock and Wallace Davis. Memorial contributions may be made to the CMH Hospice or the SBU Landscape Fund.
Stella G. Keith
Stella Genice Keith, 49, Bolivar, died at 1:30 a.m. Saturday, March 18, 2000, in Cox Medical Center South, Springfield, after a long illness. The daughter of Lewis and Maggie Lentz, she was born Dec. 6, 1950, at Forrest City, Ark. She was married Aug. 2, 1969, to Michael Keith with the Rev. Lloyd Morgan officiating. To this union were born three children, Michael Dennis Jr., Rhonda Genice and David Wayne. She was a 1971 graduate of Bolivar High School. She and her husband moved to Pleasant Hill in 1979 and in 1993 returned to Bolivar. She was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy in 1981. She was a member of Mt. View Missionary Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Maggis Lentz; two sisters, Ollie Fay Lentz and Patty Lentz; and a granddaughter, Justine Larson. She is survived by her husband, Michael, of the home; two sons, Michael Dennis Keith Jr. and his wife, Michelle, of Pleasant Hill and David Wayne Keith and his fiancee, Laura, of Bolivar; a daughter and son-in-law, Rhonda and Justin Larson of Gilbert, Ariz.; seven grandchildren, Amanda, Austin, C.J., Crystal, Hope, Cheyenne and Kyle; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, David and Merlee Keith of Bolivar; five brothers, Leonard Lentz of Liberty, Lawrence Lentz of Mulberry, Fla., Elmer Lentz and Bobby Lentz of Ozakie, Kan., and Bennie Lentz of Colorado Springs, Colo.; one sister, Elsie Johnson of Tignall, Ga.; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Services were Monday, March 20, in Murray Chapel, Bolivar, with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson officiating. Honorary pallbearers were Kodie Poindexter and Justin Poindexter. Pallbearers were Kerry Butler, Keith Butler, J.J. Lentz, Keith Lentz, Shawn Pratt and Adam Lentz. Interment was in Payne Cemetery. 2
Cletus Lightfoot
On Saturday, March 4, 2000, after a long illness, Leland Cletus Lightfoot, 81, Polk, went to be with our Lord. Leland Cletus Lightfoot was born in Sentinel on March 5, 1918, to Pink Pearl (Howard) and Freeman Dee Lightfoot. He was saved at the Sentinel Missionary Baptist Church on Nov. 12, 1933. Cletus graduated from Hermitage High School. He was united in marriage to Ruth Jeanette Barnes on March 22, 1941 in Bolivar by Bro. T.H. Phillips. To this union two children were born, Linda and Rick. He was a member of Sentinel Missionary Baptist Church. Cletus was a farmer for most of his life. He also drive a school bus in the late 1950s and early 1960s for the Bolivar school district. Cletus was a rural mail carrier for several years until retirement. He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Rick and Sharon Lightfoot of Polk; one daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Kenny Laird of Bolivar; his twin sister, Cleo Walker of Polk; five grandchildren and their spouses, Chris and Elaine Laird of Mountain Grove, Scott and Adina Laird of Columbia, Steve and Deana Laird of Bolivar, Heather (Lightfoot) and Russell Alaimo of Polk and Shannon Lightfoot of Bolivar; eight great-grandchildren, Sarah and Molly Laird, Malissa, Emilee, Corey and Kyle Laird, Rachel Lightfoot and Sean Lightfoot; one niece, Joann Ireland of Springfield; two nephews and their wives, Terry and Mary Walker of Grandview and Max and Mary Reed, state of Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his parents, Freeman Dee and Pink Pearl Lightfoot; his wife, Ruth Jeanette Lightfoot; his brother-in-law, Ross Walker; and a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Helena and Leo Reed. Services were Tuesday, March 7, in Pitts Chapel with Bro. Jackie Brakebill and Bro. Leon Meadows officiating. The Sentinel Missionary Baptist Church choir provided music. Burial followed in Payne Cemetery. Pallbearers were Curtis Howard, Garland Jenkins, Denzil Roberts, Donnie LIghtfoot, Neil Reynolds and Russell Payne.
Anna Story McColm
Anna Emily Story McColm, 91, Bolivar, died at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 5, 2000, after a short illness. She was born Aug. 29, 1908, in Salem to Samuel Ward and Cynthia Ellen Morton Davis. She had one sister, Mary, and two brothers, Marion and Mark. Anna married Samuel Arthur Story on June 27, 1936. To this union were born a daughter, Martha, and a son, Samuel. Anna was saved in 1943 and was a member of Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Anna and Arthur owned and operated grocery stores at Burns and Half Way for 27 years. As her husband Arthur's health deteriorated, she lovingly took care of him until he passed away in 1967. After his death, Anna closed the store and began a career at the Bolivar Nursing Home. Anna was always a caretaker, and following Arthur's death she took care of many. Anna was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Arthur Story; a granddaughter, Vanessa Ann Vest Blankenship; and a grandson, Curtis Gifford. Anna married Howard McColm in 1969, and he preceded her in death in 1974. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Martha and Albert Vest of Half Way; her son and daughter-in-law, Samuel (Sonny) and Mary Story of Rush Springs, Okla.; and 10 grandchildren and their spouses, Junior Vest and Nancy, Cynthia Vest Payne and Ron, Veva Vest Hegle and Gary, Earl Blankenship, Sam Vest and Cindy, Robert Vest, Marla Vest Henry and Mike, Shannon Vest Floyd and Ronnie, Debra Gifford Morgan, Robin Gifford Heart and John Gifford. Anna was also blessed with 28 great-grandchildren. Services were Wednesday, March 8, in Pitts Chapel with burial following in Crestview Memorial Gardens. (7c)
Emma Jean Mitchell
Emma Jean Mitchell, 73, Bolivar, died Thursday, March 9, 2000, in St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield, following a short illness. She was born May 28, 1926, in Sacramento, Calif. She was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Becky Mitchell; a daughter, Sherrie Ruth Mosher; seven grandchildren, Jeanne LaRue of Kansas City, Bingo Breshears of Bolivar, Nick Breshears and Nancy McDowell, both of Independence, Derek Mitchell and Regina Mitchell, both of Buffalo, and Tommy Mosher of Bolivar; and six great-grandchildren, Judah LaRue of North Kansas City, Savannah and Sierra Breshears of Bolivar, Mathew Chandler, Austin McDowell and Blake McDowell of Independence. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Albert Norwood Mitchell, on Jan. 19, 2000; a daughter, Ethel Mae Breshears; and a great-granddaughter, Jessica Elizabeth Chandler. Services were Sunday, March 12, in Pitts Chapel with the Rev. John Throckmorton officiating. Burial followed in Mitchell Campground Cemetery. Pallbearers were Wayne Mitchell, David Punch, Richard Gile, Steve MItchell, Ricky Thompson and Steve Tygart. Honorary pallbearers were David Cook and Randy Mosher. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the giver's choice. (7c)
Neva M. Musson
Neva Marie Musson, 92, Bolivar, died Thursday, March 9, 2000, in Citizens Memorial Hospital. She was born Feb. 1, 1908, in Humansville to Thornton and Barbara Anna Young Crozier. She was a homemaker. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Leslie and Kris Pursley of Maryland Heights and Vance and Marla Pursley of Republic; a daughter and son-in-law, Bette and Robert Chick of Overland Park, Kan.; six grandchildren, Monte Jacobs, Brenna Pursley, Audra Pursley, Amanda Pursley, Alisson and Brad Roweton and David and Tamiko Pursley; and a great-grandson, Chase Roweton. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lute Musson; four brothers and one sister. Graveside services were Monday, March 13, in Humansville Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
