Hershal F. Nance
Hershal Franklin Nance, 81, Pittsburg, died Friday, Aug. 18, 2000, at the VA Medical Center in Fayetteville, Ark. He was born Sept. 9, 1918, at Granite City, Ill., the son of Thomas Franklin and Viola Wheeler Nance. He was a retired truck driver and a Baptist. He was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Moose Lodge and Civil Defense Service. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of Disabled American Veterans. Survivors include his daughter, Debra Furnifur of Crown Point, Ind.; one son, Ray Smith of Overland Park, Kan.; three sisters, Mary Johnson of Warrensburg, Evelyn Dorman and Judy Reynolds, both of Kansas City, Kan.; three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ramona Jean Wood Nance, in 1990. Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, in the DAV Hall in Bolivar. Cremation was the direction of Nelson's Funeral Home, Fayetteville, Ark.
Hubert E. "Buck" Seiner
Hubert Erwin "Buck" Seiner, 84, Bolivar, died Friday, Aug. 11, 2000, in Citizens Memorial Hospital. The youngest of 12 children, he was born Feb. 2, 1916, in Polk County, the son of George Lee and Eliza Jane Baird Seiner. He attended Oak Grove Grade School and graduated from Bolivar High School in 1934 and from auction school in 1937. He and Mildred Derossett were married by the Rev. Alpha Redford on April 12, 1941. To this union, were born three children: Shirley, Gary and Linda. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Nov. 12, 1942, and was discharged on Nov. 29, 1945. He served as Polk County collector from 1946 until 1950. He moved from a farm near Burns to Bolivar in 1961. He worked as a car salesman for Bill Roberts Chevrolet dealership for about 40 years, retiring in 1987. Buck was saved on Jan. 27, 1958, and soon thereafter joined the Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, where he was ordained as a deacon on April 22, 1971. He served as the Sunday school superintendent and as a Sunday school teacher for several years. He was a member of the Howard S. Keeling American Legion Post No. 128 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, both in Bolivar, for more than 50 years. Survivors include his wife, Mildred, of the home; his children, Shirley Sutherland of Raytown, Linda Bridges of Grain Valley and Gary Seiner of Washington, D.C., and a very special son-in-law, Byron Bridges. Also surviving are a brother, Cameron Seiner and his wife, Juanita, of Bolivar; a sister-in-law, Francis Derossett of Springfield; his grandchildren, Bretta Wyatt and her husband, Chris, Nick Sutherland and Ryan Sutherland and his wife, Janelle; his great-grandchildren, Jake, Luke and Tucker Wyatt and Bailey Nicole Sutherland; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Ernie, Oscar, Jim and Cecil; and his sisters, Annie, Nora, Bess, Sadie, Marie and Lela. Buck was a compassionate man, powerful in prayer, who never met a stranger. A close acquaintance once said of him, "Buck Seiner is the Lord's good will ambassador." Services were Monday, Aug. 14, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Doyle Mayfield and Bro. Dennis Spear officiating. Music was provided by the Krtek family and James Houk. Burial was in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Military honors and color guard were conducted by the Howard S. Keeling American Legion Post No. 128. Casketbearers were Gary Campbell, David Campbell, Randy Jones, Max Hastain, Jim Strader, Steve Scott and Tom Barham. Honorary casketbearers were Marshall Henderson, John Leonard Kukal, Gene Agee, Doyle Barham, Max Barham, Rex Barham, Garland Pool and Fred Powell. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Jack B. Adams
Jack B. Adams, 69, Bolivar, died at 8:10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2000, in Citizens Memorial Hospital. He was born July 28, 1931, in Springfield to Burl and Henrietta Toye Adams. He had served his country in the U.S. Navy and had retired from over-the-road truck driving. Survivors include his wife, Geri, of the home; three sons, Michael Dunne, who is in the service in Germany, Dwight Bishop of Butte, Mont., and John Bishop of Golden, Colo.; five daughters, Beverly Kulaski and her husband, Larry, of Phillipsburg, Mont., Becky Matilla and her husband, Chummer, of Butte, Mont., Jackie Klotz of Phillipsburg, Mont., Colleen McManus and her husband, Shawn, of Fountain, Colo,. and Laura Odeggard and her husband, Per, of Edmonds, Wash.; two brothers, Thomas Adams and his wife, Linda, of Arlington, Texas, and Steve Adams of Billings, Mont.; two sisters, June Chance of Pleasant Hope and Sue Colbarn and her husband, Denny, of West Yellowstone, Mont.; a sister-in-law, Yvonnie Jory and her husband, Robert, of Butte, Mont.; as well as 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a 5-year-old sister, Linne Mae Adams, and a brother-in-law, Isaac W. Chance. Visitation was Friday, Aug. 19, in Pitts Chapel with burial at a later date in Montana.
James M. Brill
James Michael Brill, 22, West Plains, died Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2000, on the Lamoille River in Vermont in a canoeing accident. He was born July 21, 1978, in Inglewood, Calif., the son of Jim and Penny Brill. He graduated in May 2000 from Southwest Baptist University with a degree in Christian ministries and theatre. While attending SBU, he met Heather Spring Wall, and they were married on June 5, 1999. He was in charge of student ministries at First Baptist Church during the 1998-99 school year. He was ordained as a minister at First Baptist Church of West Plains on March 9, 2000. He was working for Vermont Pathway Ministries Camp in the state of Vermont and had enrolled at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, where he planned to attend this fall. He is survived by his wife, Heather; his parents, Jim and Penny Brill; three sisters, Aimee Webb and her husband, Bill, of West Plains, Carrie Collins, her husband, Kevin, and their children, Olivia and Isaac, of Webster Groves, and Stacy Brill of the home; his grandparents, Carl and Juanita Harwood of Escondido, Calif.; an uncle, Newt Brill, and his wife, Carolyn; his cousins, Julia Frohlich of Oakton, Va., Margaret Tao of Lenexa, Kan., and Joel Brill of Springfield; an aunt, Carleen Albright, her husband, Charles, and their children Vic and Van Albright, all of Siverton, Ore.; Carla Vogt of Escondido, Calif.; his mother-in-law, Diane Wall; his sisters-in-law, Holly Nesbett and her daughter, Emma, and Heidi Neeley and her husband, Jacob; Hannah Wall; and his brothers-in-law, Heath and Hunter Wall. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clyde and Marie Brill; his father-in-law, Evan Wall; and a brother-in-law, Scott Nesbett. Services were Tuesday, Aug. 8, at the First Baptist Church of West Plains under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial followed in Oaklawn Cemetery, West Plains. Memorial contributions may be made to Southwest Baptist University for the James Brill Scholarship Fund.
Jerry W. Hackler
Jerry Wayne Hackler, 52, Humansville, died Friday, Aug. 11, 2000, in his home. The son of Bonnie and Waid Hackler, he was born at Gardner, Kan., Aug. 15, 1947. He was preceded in death by his father, Waid Hackler, and his stepfather, Ashley Henry. Survivors include his wife, Jerry Ann Hackler; his mother, Bonnie Henry, Humansville; five children, Danny Wayne Hackler, Rhonda Michelle Hackler, Chad Wayne Hackler and Donna Marie Hackler, all of Olathe, Kan., and Jerri Lynn Shaw of Pond Creek, Okla.; two sisters, Kathy Schwartz of Burnsville, Minn., and June O'Grosky of Humansville; also several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Services were Monday, Aug. 14, in Murray Chapel, Humansville, with William Biggs officiating. Pallbearers were Terry Broockerd, Steve Broockerd, Tim Broockerd, Pat Hyer, Mike Schwartz and Chase Free. Interment was in Flemington Cemetery.
Jerry D. Sell
Jerry David Sell, 68, Bellville, Texas, died Saturday, Aug. 26, 2000, in a hospital in Houston, Texas. He was born Jan. 27, 1932, in Pryor, Okla., to Oscar Eldon and Elsie Inez Blackwell Sell. He was a farrier and retired horse ranch manager and had served in the U.S. Navy. He moved to the Polk County area in the 1950's and then to Texas in the 1970s. He is survived by his daughters, Deborah Kordes and her husband, Kevin Elmer, of Osage, Okla., and Sissy Bass and her husband, Wylie G., of Bellville, Texas; a brother, Glenn Sell of Sealy, Texas; five grandchildren, one great-grandson and numerous other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Ralph, Robert, Bill and Donald Sell. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 1, in Flemington Cemetery. Local arrangements are under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
Joe Gene Sappington
Joe Gene Sappingson was born Jan. 20, 1905, in rural Walnut Grove and departed this life peacefully at his daughter's home in Kimberling City on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2000, at the age of 95 years. He was a retired farmer in the Greene and Polk county area. Mr. Sappington was saved as a young man and had belonged to Asher Creek, Rose Hill and Spring Hill Baptist Churches. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Bolivar. He had served as Sunday school teacher, superintendent, usher and many years as an ordained deacon. He will be remembered for his ability to quote many scriptures. The youngest of 11 children born to Martin Luther and Sally Butcher Sappington, he was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters; six brothers; an infant son, Joe Jr.; and one son-in-law, Milton B. Willis. He is survived by his wife, Melba Ragains Sappington; two daughters and one son-in-law, Ella Mae and Calvin Lyman of Kansas City and Mona Bea Willis of Kimberling City; one granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Monica Jo Willis Newberry and Carl Newberry of Kimberling City; two step-granddaughters, Linda Little of Sapulpa, Okla., and Shirley Willis of Springfield; two step-great-granddaughters, two step-great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Joe and Melba were married Sept. 22, 1928, and would have celebrated their 72nd anniversary this month. Services were Tuesday, Sept. 5, at First Baptist Church, Bolivar, with Dr. G.H. Surette officiating. Burial followed in Rose Hill Cemetery, Willard, under the direction of Pitts Funeral Home.
Joyce Ann Morse
Joyce Ann Morse, 56, El Dorado Springs, died Thursday, Aug. 10, 2000, in St. John's Regional Medical Center, Springfield, due to complications of cancer. She moved to Bolivar from California in 1995 and moved to El Dorado Springs in 1996. She is survived by her husband of 20 years, Gerald W. Morse, of the home, and by her daughters, Kelli Hocking and Tracy Stevens, both of El Dorado Springs, Lesli Carmichael of Cassville and Jodi Watkins of Half Way. Also surviving are three sisters and one brother, who live out of state, and 14 grandchildren. The family will hold private memorial services.
Lillian Snodgrass
Lillian Snodgrass, 90, Bolivar, died at 12:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, 2000, in Dallas County Care Center, Buffalo, after a long illness. She was born Aug. 7, 1909, in Cedar County, the daughter of Perry and Lela Burdick Conway. Her father died during her infancy, and she was then adopted by Henry Burdick. She attended Southwest Baptist College to obtain a teaching certificate and taught school in Vernon County. She was later a homemaker. On Feb. 7, 1931, she was united in marriage to Roy Snodgrass, and they were blessed with 69 and a half years of marriage and two daughters, Mary Lou and Eula Mae. Roy and Lillian (Billie as she was called by many) enjoyed life on the farm in El Dorado Springs, where they had cattle and horses. Billie had a great love for dogs, breeding and raising dachshunds, dalmatians and schnauzers. She was also a very talented seamstress, sewing many of her own clothes as well as sewing for her daughter and granddaughters. In 1971 they sold the farm and moved to Bolivar. Lillian is survived by her husband, Roy, of the home; one daughter and her husband, Mae and Bill Maack of Goodson; two granddaughters and their husbands, Susie and Rick Graham of Bolivar and Jennifer and Donny Condren of Goodson; one grandson, Mike Maack of Polk; and four great-grandchildren, Douglas, Ross, Hayli and Cole Condren. She was preceded in death by her parents and one daughter, Mary Lou Snodgrass. Graveside services were Monday, Aug. 7, in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, El Dorado Springs, with Elder Efton Piper officiating. Casketbearers were Bill Maack, Donny Condren, Rick Graham, Mike Maack and Douglas Maack. Arrangements were under the direction of Butler Funeral Home, Bolivar.
Marjory Ann Pitner
Marjory Ann Hammontree was born Aug. 22, 1922, in Bolivar, the daughter of Dr. Ben and Laura Hammontree. She was brought into this world by her grandfather, Dr. Daniel E. Hammontree. She departed this life on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2000, at her home at the age of 77 years, 11 months and 14 days. Marjory was saved at the age of 12 years at the First Baptist Church in Bolivar, and when older she helped out in the primary department. She attended grade school and high school in Bolivar and belonged to the drum and bugle corps, girls' glee club and booster club. She graduated in May 1940. In June 1940 she was united in marriage to Ray A. Pitner, and to this union two sons were born, Dennis Ray and Stephen Lyle Pitner. Marjory was a stay-at-home mom. She was a Cub Scout den mother and room mother many times. She was a charter member of the Facts and Fiction club. Marjory and Ray kept busy by going to the boys' ball games. The family moved to Springfield due to a job transfer, and she began working for St. John's Regional Health Center, where she worked in the records room for five years. In 1983 when Ray retired, they moved to Table Rock Lake, which they enjoyed so much, until Ray's health made them move back to Bolivar to be close to doctors and the hospital. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Ray, in 1995. She is survived by two sons, Dennis R. Pitner of Newport Beach, Calif., and Stephen Pitner and his wife, Claudine, of Austin, Texas; and five grandchildren. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 11, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson's Group of the Ozarks, P.O. Box 50595, Springfield, MO 65805.
