Cassie Mae Beckley
Cassie Mae Beckley, 83, Bolivar, died Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2000, at Citizens Memorial Health Care Facility following a lengthy illness. She was born Oct. 12, 1916, in Cassville to John Wilson and Maggie Emiline Horton Fisher. She had been a homemaker. She is survived by her five children, Ted Beckley of Rogersville, John Beckley of Springfield, Delona Harbour of Palmdale, Calif., Robert Beckley of Springfield and Melody Beckley of Bolivar; two sisters, Susie Woolever of Joplin and Ruth Howell; as well as 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Jack P. Beckley; her second husband, Paul Jones; two brothers, Johnny Fisher and George Fisher; and a sister, Edie Stripling. No formal funeral services are planned. Private family services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
Ruth M. Bodenhamer
Ruth M. Leek Bodenhamer, 84, was born Sept. 19, 1915, and passed away Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000, in Citizens Memorial Healthcare Facility after a short illness. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Ronald and Betty Jane Bodenhamer of Brookline, Carol and Raymond Fuller of Bolivar, Nancy Jobe of Rocky Mount and Becky and Ken Legan of Half Way; 15 grandchildren, Randy Bodenhamer of Morrisville, Susan Trotter, Kathy Osredker, Donna Petiford, Rob Bodenhamer, Richard Bodenhamer and Mark Snow, all of Springfield, Rusty Bodenhamer of Aurora, Linda Lincks, Michael Snow of Van Buren, Ark., Brenda Cannaliotto of Fort Smith, Ark., Joseph Jobe of Jefferson City, Jason Jobe of Columbia, Brock Legan of Macon and Stephanie Howard of Jasper; 28 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. Also surviving are one brother, Norman Leek of Seattle, Wash., and several nieces and nephews. Her family was the joy of her life. She was preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Mamie Hudgens Leek; her husband, Lewis F. Bodenhamer; one son, Stephen; two brothers, Raymond and Doral Ed Leek; two sisters, Dorothy Leek and Emily Lytle; and one grandson, Kent Jobe. Ruth graduated from Aurora High School in 1934 and completed a business postgraduate course in 1935. Lewis and Ruth were married Aug. 29, 1935, and made their home on the family farm at Strafford until 1959, when they moved to a farm near Half Way. After Lewis's death in 1971, Ruth moved to Bolivar, where she resided until her death. Ruth was saved at an early age and was active in the church as long as her health permitted. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Bolivar and had served as pianist, Sunday school and Bible school teacher, camp counselor and Polk County Women's Missionary Union president. Ruth served as a dorm mother at Southwest Baptist University for several years after the death of her husband. She was also active in Mizpah Chapter No. 230 Order of the Eastern Star, receiving her 50-year pin this year. Ruth held many offices including organist and Worthy Matron. She was a member of the Study Club of Bolivar, a General Federated Women's Club, where she served as president and GFWC Sixth District treasurer. Services will be at 11 a.m. today (Wednesday) in Pitts Chapel with burial following in Crestview Memorial Gardens east of Bolivar. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association in care of the funeral home.
Tim E. Broyles
Tim E. Broyles, 38, Anchorage, Alaska, died Saturday, Sept. 23, 2000, in Anchorage following a sudden illness. He was born Sept. 3, 1962 in Roswell, N.M., to James Raymond and Betty Sue (Clemons) Broyles. He graduated from high school in Kansas City prior to moving to Anchorage in December 1993. He is survived by his parents, Jim and Betty Broyles of Anchorage, Alaska; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Kelly and Lisa Broyles of the state of California and Aaron Broyles of Anchorage, Alaska; a sister and brother-in-law, Penny and David McPhearson of Temple, Texas; and his maternal grandmother, Ellen Clemons of Bolivar. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, John and Pauline Broyles, his maternal grandfather, Jesse Clemons, two uncles and one aunt. Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, in Pitts Chapel with the Rev. Randy Hayward officiating. Burial will follow in Lindley Prairie Cemetery near Fair Play. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until service time Saturday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hope Community Resource Center, 540 International Airport Rd., Anchorage AK 99518.
Steward E. Deines
Steward Edward Deines, 86, Bolivar, died Saturday, Sept. 30, 2000, in Parkview Health Care Facility following a brief illness. He was born June 1, 1914, in Harvard, Neb., to John and Elizabeth Spahn Deines. He served his country in the U.S. Army. On March 20, 1942, he was united in marriage to Ova Wall, and to this union a daughter was born. He was a retired printing company salesman and a member of the First Church of the Nazarene and the American Legion Post No. 138. He is survived by his wife Ova, of the home; a daughter, Donna Shreck of Bolivar; two grandchildren, Karen Bainbridge, Bolivar, and Ken Shreck, Wahoo, Neb.; as well as five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and two sisters. Services will be at 10 a.m. today (Wednesday) in the First Church of the Nazarene with the Rev. Rod Campbell officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ken Shreck, John Bainbridge Jr., Gary Lee, Carl Bridges, Nick Knickerbocker and Curtis Bridges. Arrangements are under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
David "Buck" Dryer
David Owen "Buck" Dryer was born May 10, 1921, in Louisburg to Wilbur C. and Florence E. Dryer. He departed this life Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2000, at his home near Aldrich. In April 1937, Buck joined the Civilian Conservation Corps at the age of 15. After his discharge from the CCC, he was united in marriage to Evelyn Williams on Feb. 1, 1941. To this union four children were born. For more than fifty years Buck and Evelyn made their home on a farm near Aldrich. He was recognized for his abilities in the areas of farming, mechanics and welding. Saved as a young man, Buck joined the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Aldrich where he remained a faithful member until his death. As the oldest and longest-active member, he served as Sunday school teacher and superintendent. Buck was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Raymond; a sister, Lily; a daughter, Sharon Kirksey and son-in-law Herman; and his beloved wife of 58 years, Evelyn. He is survived by three sons and their wives, Bob and Bobbie Ann Dryer of Hartville, Billy and Kay Dryer of Aldrich and Danny and Ramona Dryer of Bolivar. Also surviving are five granddaughters, five grandsons and seven great-grandchildren; three brothers and their wives, Kenneth and Edna Dryer and Chester and Shirley Dryer, all of Kansas City, and Vernon and Debra Dryer of Springfield; three sisters, Trevie Davis of Stockton, Thelma Pierce of Bolivar and Mary Lemke and her husband, Richard, of Morrisville, and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. Buck was kind, loving, and set an example for all. He will be remembered for his quiet manner and encouraging words, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Services were Friday, Sept. 8, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. DeWayne Burdette and Bro. Dean Winfiel officiating. Music was provided by the Krtek family. Burial was in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery. Casketbearers were Tommy Tindle, Marty Tindle, Gene Williams, James Davis, John Davis and Jerry Winfiel. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southwest Missouri or the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery.
Willard F. Durham
Willard Franklin Durham was born Oct. 11, 1920, in Bolivar, the son of Walter Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Ballinger Durham. He departed this life Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2000, in Citizens Memorial Health Care Facility after a lingering illness at the age of 79 years, 10 months and 26 days. Better known to his family and friends as Franklin, he enlisted in the U.S. Army on June 5, 1941, and served as a heavy machine gunner with Company D 1st Infantry during World War II. He was awarded two bronze stars for service in the Luzon New Guinea campaigns and was awarded the good conduct medal, plus various ribbons. In November 1945, he received an honorable discharge and returned to the United States and his hometown of Bolivar. After his military service, he worked as a heavy machine operator and was an over-the-road truck driver. Due to health reasons, he resided the last 13 years with his sister, Gertrude Cowden of Bolivar. He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Ruby Gladys Durham; a brother, Truman "Buck" Durham; three stepbrothers, Wiley "Junior" Hembree, Herbert Hembree and Glen Dale Hembree; a half-sister, Shirley Mauck; and a stepsister, Peggy Resser. Surviving are a son, Michael Durham of Santa Paula, Calif.; a brother, Almas Durham of Kansas City, Kan.; three sisters, Helen McCune of Mountain Grove, Gertrude Cowden of Bolivar and Marcella Anderson of Porterville, Calif.; and a half-sister, Lois Orrell of Collins; also many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends. He will be missed by us all. Our loss is heaven's gain. Services were Saturday, Sept. 9, in the Butler Funeral Home with the Rev. Frank McCune officiating. Music was provided by the McCune family. Burial was in the Slagle Cemetery south of Bolivar. Casketbearers were Lloyd Cates, Terry Mitchell, Gene Manes, Donald Slagle, Kelly Bouling and Benjamin Gilliam. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to Hospice.
Kenneth C. Emberton
Kenneth C. Emberton was born June 8, 1920, in Weaubleau, the son of Hobart Emberton and Minnie Dunivant Emberton. He passed away on Sept. 26, 2000, at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Palo Alto, Calif., at the age of 80 years, 3 months and 18 days. Ken graduated from the Arkansas City High School, Arkansas City, Kan., in 1939. He previously attended high school in Bolivar and attended some classes at the University of Maryland. Ken also received 10 credits from the Army University in Barritz, France. On June 22, 1941, Ken was united in marriage to Dixie Spurgeon in Baltimore, Md. To this union, two daughters were born. Ken joined the U.S. Army and served in World War II as a sergeant. He was the recipient of two bronze stars. After the war, Ken and Dixie returned to Baltimore where he was employed by Crown Cork & Seal until his retirement. In 1956, the whole family moved to California, where Ken continued to work for Crown Cork & Seal in San Francisco. He was the regional sales manager and traveled all over the northwest, including Alaska and Hawaii. Ken loved working with tools and had a machine shop in his garage. His hobbies included collecting knives and watches. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hobart and Minnie Emberton, a sister Kathleen Emberton, and a brother, Bruce Emberton. Surviving are his wife, Dixie, of the home in Santa Clara, Calif.; two daughters and their husbands, Kenna L. and Ronald Granath of Morgan Hill, Calif., and Melissa K. and Greg Gibson of Yucca, Ariz.; his four grandchildren, Kenneth J. Granath of Morgan Hill, Calif., Gregory Gibson of Yucca, Ariz., Carrie Granath Pizzo of San Jose, Calif., and Claran Emberton of Yucca, Ariz.; his two great-granddaughters, Jamie Pizzo and Kristen Pizzo, both of San Jose, Calif.; and many other relatives and a host of friends. Services were Tuesday, Oct. 3, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Harlan R. Spurgeon officiating. Musical soloist was Brad Wommack with Rose Roweton as the accompanist. Burial was in the Greenwood Cemetery. Full military honors were presented by the Galmey V.F.W. Post No. 9638.
Galen E. Fisher
Galen E. Fisher, 69, Springfield, died Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2000, in his home after a long illness. Born Jan. 25, 1931, to J. Guss and Juanita Fisher in Greensburg, Kan., he graduated from Senior High School, Springfield, in 1949. He joined the U.S. Navy, serving through the Korean War until June 1954. He married Barbara Williams in 1952 and established Ozarks Ornamental Concrete in 1959, sculpting many pieces, retiring in 1993 due to his health. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Barbara; five children and their spouses, Gayle and David Bingham, Gary Fisher, David and Linda Fisher, Dana and Ron Vest and Kari and Mark Murray; ten grandchildren, Dustin and Gina Bingham, Mindy and Dustin Rogers, Brooke Fisher, Renea Vest, Ashley Bingham, Tiffany Vest and Allison and Katelyn Murray; one great-granddaughter, Riley Bingham; a sister, Gervaise Burns; two nephews, several aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of friends. Services were Friday, Sept. 22, in Greenlawn Funeral Home North with burial in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lung Association or Hospice of Southwest Missouri.
Gregory A. Fisher
Gregory Allen Fisher, 48, Springfield, formerly of Half Way, died at 6:12 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2000, in Cox Medical Center South, Springfield, after a long battle with kidney failure. He was born April 4, 1952, the son of Glenn and Ruby Fisher. He graduated from Half Way High School and later became a framer carpenter in the states of Missouri, Texas and Nevada. Survivors include Sue Kessinger, his significant other of 13 years; a son, Daniel Fisher of Springfield; a daughter, Miranda Fisher of Bossier City, La.; a granddaughter, Shyanne Marie Fisher; his father and stepmother, Forrest Glenn and Corrine Fisher of Morrisville; and one sister, Cindy Fisher of Springfield. Graveside services will be Friday, Oct. 6, in Reed Cemetery, Half Way. Arrangements are under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home South, Springfield.
Mary J. Fox
Mary J. Fox, 96, Bolivar, died at 2:45 p.m. Sept. 21, 2000, at Citizens Memorial Healthcare Facility after a lingering illness., near Fair Play, the daughter of James A. and Harriett Jane Renfro Fox. She had lived in the Fair Play area most of her life. Survivors include nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Graveside services were Tuesday, Sept. 26, in the Akard Cemetery at Fair Play with the Rev. Pete Davidson officiating. Burial was under the direction of Butler Funeral Home.
