PAUL D. JOHNSON
Paul Dwight Johnson, 75, was born to Lester and Eula Johnson in their home west of Caplinger Mills on April 30, 1925. He passed from this life Sunday, Oct. 29, 2000, in St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield, after an unexpected and sudden heart attack. He and his wife of 53 years were just returning home after a bus trip to the Smokey Mountains in Tennessee, where they had spent five fun-filled days. Paul was born the second of three boys. His mother died when he was just 10 years of age. A short five years later, his father died. At that time, John, the oldest of the three brothers, and his wife moved back home with Paul and his younger brother, Calvin. On Jan. 20, 1947, Paul married the girl of his dreams, Daisy Dixon. They spent their life together on the farm in Cedar County. To this union, were born three children: Richard Eugene, Paul Edward and Kathy Darlene. Paul was saved in the fall of 1947 on the street in front of the Stockton courthouse at the age of 22, after which he joined the Stockton Missionary Baptist Church and was baptized. He was later called by God to preach the gospel. After fighting against it for eight years, he surrendered to the call, and church became the focus of his life. Paul pastored seven different churches over a 25-year period and held numerous revivals from Polk County to Kansas City. He preached the necessity of salvation and the importance of the church. At the time of his death, he was a member of Freedom Missionary Baptist Church, located up the hill from his home, and was filling in for the pastor, Bro. David Keller, who had been killed in a car accident in May. Paul believed in a "know so, heartfelt" salvation and preached it everywhere he went. Paul was a farmer at heart. He spent many hours on the tractor and enjoyed sharing this with his sons throughout his life. He continued to farm and raise cattle with his son, Eddie, until the time of his death. Paul wrote insurance for over 40 years. He enjoyed meeting and helping people, and especially enjoyed friends coming by the office to sit and visit, as they often did. Paul and his daughter, Kathy, became even closer when she began working in the insurance office with him and her husband during the past 10 years. Paul enjoyed his life, and his family meant the world to him, including his many nieces and nephews, which he treated like his own. He was especially fond of his grandkids, whom he loved to play and joke around with. Paul and Daisy enjoyed going places together, whether it be work, church or taking trips. Someone once said, "Paul and Daisy go together like cream and sugar." Paul liked to find old tools and had begun quite a collection, but one of his favorite pastimes was to sit on his front porch and behold the wonders of God. Paul was not without faults, but for those who loved him, they were not readily visible. Paul was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother, Calvin. Survivors include his wife, Daisy, of the home; three children, Eddie Johnson and wife Debbie, Kathy Crain and husband Tom and Eugene Johnson and wife Carolyn, all of Stockton; grandchildren Jennie and Sarah Johnson, Melissa Dunlap and husband Chad, Shawn Crain, Genia Daniels and Rich Johnson; three great-grandchildren; one brother, John Johnson; and numerous other relatives, friends and neighbors. Paul Johnson will be greatly missed as a husband, a father, grampa, brother, uncle, friend and neighbor. Memories are a priceless treasure.
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16.
Services were held at Brumback Funeral Home in Stockton on Wednesday, Nov. 1. Bro. Jeff Shelenhamer read the obituary and offered the opening prayer. Freedom Missionary Baptist Church and friends sang "I'm Bound for the Land of Canaan" and "Take Up Thy Cross." Bro. Leo Keller read the 90th Psalm and preached a short message on the necessity of salvation, a "know-so, heartfelt" experience with God. Cindy Webb led the church and congregation in singing "Amazing Grace." Pallbearers were nephews Scott Johnson, David Johnson, Lester Johnson, Gene Mears, Brian Cook and Kenneth Burns. Honorary pallbearers were Denton Daniels, Doug Webb, Charles Winfiel, Horace Coale, Dale Beaty, Ralph Johnson, John Johnson, Kenneth Johnson, Mike Dixon, Alan Dixon and Bob Coale. Burial was in Caplinger Mills Cemetery.
Altha Kates
Altha Treva Mae Wilson Kates, 78, Bolivar, passed away Sunday, Oct. 1, 2000, in St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield, after a sudden illness. She was born to the union of Alvin Daniel and Dora Alice Barnhill Wilson in Thayer on April 21, 1922. She was one of nine children. She was married to Walter Aften Kates of Bolivar on Dec. 26, 1942, by the Rev. Loren Graves. To this blessed union were added three children, all of whom survive: Walter Harrison Kates of the home, Treva Mae Kates Orrell and her husband, Kenneth, and Danny Lee Kates and his wife, Cherie, all of Bolivar. There were also eight grandchildren, four step-grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Aften Kates, her parents, grandparents and seven siblings, Mildred Wilson Curry, Robert Clyde Wilson, Alvin Wilson Jr., Marie Wilson Jewel, Margaret Wilson Warren, Lucille Wilson and Helen Wilson Bennett. She has left behind one living brother, Harold Wilson of Thayer, and a host of nieces and nephews. She was a sweet and kind person who had many friends and relatives and neighbors. She was saved as a young woman at the Old Sunset Church and was a lifelong member of Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Services were held at Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church on Tuesday, Oct. 3, with Bro. Doyle Mayfield officiating. Pallbearers were Walter Kenneth Dean Orrell, Lewis Ernster, Levi Kates, Lee Kates, Arnold Wilson and Charlie Wilson. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
Marlene Kelso
Marlene Kelso, 62, Wheatland, died Thursday, Oct. 19, 2000, at St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield. She was born Oct. 14, 1938, at Houstonia, the daughter of Edward and Stella Bailey Carver. She had lived in the Galmey area the last 12 years and had previously lived at Sedalia. She was a member of the Galmey Community Bible Church. Survivors include her husband, John Kelso of the home; two sons, Leslie Kelso and Eric Kelso, both of Rolla; two brothers, William Carver of Odessa and Quinton Carver of Independence; and five grandchildren. Services were Saturday, Oct. 21, at Hathaway-Peterman Funeral Home Chapel, Wheatland, with the Rev. Rick Walters officiating. Burial followed in Dooly Bend Cemetery.
Zena M. Miller
Zena Maurine Grammer Miller, 95, Bolivar, died Saturday, Oct. 7, 2000, in Doctors' Hospital, Springfield. The daughter of Oscar and Bess Stribling Grammer, she was born in the Acton community of Hood County, Texas, Jan. 17, 1905. A graduate of Granbury (Texas) High School, she attended Texas Wesleyan College. On Oct. 11, 1925, she married Louis Vernon Miller, who preceded her in death. She spent most of her life in Texas, moving to Bolivar after the death of her husband in 1985. She was a member of First Baptist Church and had been involved in a Baptist church all of her life. Survivors include her children, Kenneth Zane Miller and his wife, Arlette, of Little Rock, Ark., and Twila Wakefield Smith and her husband, M. Hugh Smith, of Bolivar; six grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Ruth Goforth of Fort Worth, Texas; two nieces and other relatives. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, in Tolar Baptist Church, Tolar, Texas. Cremation was under the direction of Murray Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be given through Tolar Baptist Church, Tolar, TX 76476 to the Texas Baptist Offering for World Hunger or through First Baptist Church, Bolivar, MO 65613 for world missions.
Gladys E. Minnick
Gladys E. Minnick passed away at 7 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, 2000, in Truman Lake Manor, Lowry City, after a lingering illness at the age of 99 years, 2 months and 12 days. Gladys was born July 26, 1901, in Caney, Kan., the daughter of John and Alice Bell Booth Todd, who were early pioneers. They settled in Caney, Kan., raising a young family of son Adrian Todd and daughters Elma Todd and Gladys Todd. Gladys was the class valedictorian of Caney High School in 1919 and was active in several school class activities, of which her favorites were music and preparation of the 1919 high school class year book. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Bolivar. Gladys greatly enjoyed singing in the church choir and participating in church social activities. Gladys moved to Bolivar from Kansas City after the death of her husband, Homer Minnick, in 1955, to be closer to her sister Elma Mathias and her niece and niece's husband, Betty Jean and Herman Braithwait. Gladys had remarked to her great-nephew that she remembered the day that news of the disastrous sinking of the ship Titanic had reached her hometown of Caney, Kan. During the last several years, Gladys had been a resident of the Butterfield Care Center in Bolivar and recently moved to the Truman Lake Manor in Lowry City. The family gratefully acknowledges the special kindness of the Charles Braithwait family of Lowry City who personally assisted Gladys in matters of her care after the death of Betty Jean Braithwait a few years ago. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Homer. Gladys is survived by a niece, Audrine Winkler of Madison, Wis.; a great-niece, Sue Winkler Bridson of Madison, Wis.; a great-nephew, John Todd Winkler of St. Louis; two great-great-nephews, Andrew Bridson of Milwaukee, Wis., and Chris Bridson of Minneapolis, Minn.; and a great-great-niece, Michelle Bridson Richardson of Spring Green, Wis. She is greatly missed by her many friends and surviving family. Services will be at 11 a.m. today (Wednesday) in Mount Moriah Cemetery, Kansas City, with the Rev. G. Scott Carlton officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the First Christian Church of Bolivar.
Larry S. Moore
Lawrence Samuel Moore, 76, Brighton, died Monday, Oct. 2, 2000, at his home. He was born May 13, 1924, in Drumwright, Okla., the son of Vergia Crane and Fred Moore. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean Conflict and was a retired electric lineman for Local No. 53 in Kansas City. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post No. 3404 in Springfield and the AmVets Post No. 117 at Buffalo. He is survived by his wife, Peggy D. Moore, of the home; his mother, Vergia Crane of Springfield; 10 children, Nancy L. Huff, Patricia A. Kriby, Barbara A. Scott and Tammy Boswell, all of Springfield; Theresa S. LeGrande and Sherri Lynn Moore, both of Wichita, Kan., Deloris S. Zimmerman of Fair Grove, Pam K. Mangan of Morrisville, Douglas R. Scott of Monett and Rebecca L. Fisher of Pea Ridge, Ark.; six sons-in-law and one daughter-in-law; one sister, Marjorie Snow of Topeka, Kan.; nine granddaughters, 15 grandsons and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Fred Moore; a brother, Gary Crane; two sisters, Iris Moore and Bernice Moore; and an infant daughter, Molly Ann. Graveside services were Thursday, Oct. 5, in the Robberson Prairie Cemetery north of Springfield with Bill Pringle officiating. Casketbearers were Shar Fisher, Bud Boswell, John Mangan, Phil Zimmerman, Larry Presley and Jerry Presley II. Honorary casketbearers were Steven Mangan, Michael Mangan and Doug Scott. Burial was under the direction of Butler Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Southwest Missouri.
Marjorie A. Munroe
Marjorie Allen Munroe, 86, formerly of Bolivar, died at 11:04 a.m. Monday, Oct. 16, 2000, in the Dade County Nursing Home, Greenfield, after a lingering illness. She was born Aug. 11, 1914, at Lockwood, the daughter of W.J. and Sara Grant. She was the youngest of six children. Marjorie had spent most of her growing up years in Lockwood. Marjorie loved to tell stories as she remembered from her youth and the family relationship and friendship she held dear. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in San Bernardino, Calif. An accomplished organist and pianist, she played for churches, revivals and weddings. She worked as a beautician for more than 25 years, owning a number of beauty shops in both Missouri and California. During her retirement years she enjoyed travel throughout the U.S. and Canada with her late husband, Murray Munroe, whom she wed in 1973. Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Murray; three brothers, Ralph, Elmer and Glenn; and two sisters, Gladys and Blanche. Surviving are two sons, Bob Morris of Palo Alto, Calif., and Rex Johnson of Bolivar; one daughter, Marti Shuler of Bolivar; four grandchildren, Craig and Jami Shuler and Chuck and Sarah Johnson; and one great-granddaughter, Kersten Shuler. Graveside services were Wednesday, Oct. 18, in the Hampton Cemetery near Everton with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Butler Funeral Home.
Della G. Pitts
Della G. Pitts, 91, died Thursday, Oct. 12, 2000, in Citizens Memorial Hospital following a short illness. She was born Jan. 5, 1909, in Huron to William Homer and Mary Elnora Henson Brown. On May 2, 1927, she was united in marriage to Elbert A. Black, and to this union seven children were born. She later married William Virgil Pitts on May 12, 1975. She had been a homemaker and a cook at the cafeteria at Southwest Baptist College. She was of the Baptist faith. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Bobby and Ann Black and Elbert O. Jr. and Sandra Black, all of Kansas City; three daughters and sons-in-law, Myrtle and Dave Raile of Grand Island, Neb., Elberta and Donald Jares of St. Paul, Neb., and Betty and Bob Larson of Aurora, Neb.; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Bob and Rose Brown and Marvin and Dorothy Brown, all of Bolivar; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary and Wayne Hammerbacker of Fair Play and Mabel and Johnny Vest of Polk; 16 grandchildren, Kenneth Blacketer, Donnie Blacketer, Pam Workman, Patty Spellman, Ron Koch, Sheryl Knuth, Sheila Hein, Marla Ellicott, Linda Sondag, Karen Jares, Bruce Larson, Brenda Edwards, Eric Black, Shane Black, Diana Moss and Tracy White; and 20 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; both her husbands; two daughters, Ruby Blacketer Lovell and Willa Koch; three grandchildren, Shirley Blacketer, Larry Koch and Brent Larson; one great-grandchild; two sisters, Stella Lightfoot and Velma Fowler; and three brothers, Jesse Brown, Tom Brown and Noel Brown. Services were Monday, Oct. 16, in Pitts Chapel with Bro. Donnie Lightfoot officiating. Burial followed in Payne Cemetery. Pallbearers were Kenneth Blacketer, Donnie Blacketer, Bruce Larson, Ron Koch, Eric Black, Shane Black and Tim Moss.
Sammie L. Pyle
Sammie L. Pyle, 80, Morrisville, died Saturday, Oct. 14, 2000, in her home. She was born Aug. 5, 1920, in Guion, Ark., to Charles and Laura Adams Henderson. She was united in marriage to Ernest Y. Pyle, and to this union five sons were born. She was a homemaker and had been associated with the OATS group in Morrisville. Survivors include four sons and daughters-in-law, Gerald and Shirley Pyle of Greenville, Texas, Oral "Toby" and Cherryl Pyle of Morrisville, Ronnie and Mary Pyle of Summerville, S.C., and Bert and Millie Pyle of Baton Rouge, La.; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two special nieces, Donna Hagler and Bonnie Jo Clupper both of Dupo, Ill., as well as many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ernest Y. Pyle in April 1984; an infant son, Ernest G. Pyle; one sister and three brothers. Services will be at 10 a.m. today (Wednesday) in Pitts Chapel with Pastor Randy Urich officiating. Burial will follow in Maple Park Cemetery in Springfield.
Clyde H. Shackelton
Clyde H. Shackelton was born Dec. 8, 1924, to Floyd H. and Clara M. LeJeune Shackelton on the home place in Half Way, where he and Marcella lived during their married lives. He departed this life on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2000, in Parkview Health Care Facility following a lingering illness. Clyde was married to his high school sweetheart, Marcella Sampson, Dec. 11, 1945, by the Rev. Frank Lyttle in Long Lane. To this union two children were born. Clyde is survived by his wife, Marcella, of the home; a daughter and son-in-law, Jeanette and Jerry David Gallivan of Half Way; a son and daughter-in-law, Tony and Karen Shackelton of Springfield; six grandchildren, Janelle Gallivan, Jimmy Gallivan and his wife, Aimee, Jay Gallivan, Mandy Anderson and her husband, Kelly, Lacy Shackelton and Cody Shackelton; two great-grandchildren, Lauren Anderson and Caleb Gallivan; a brother-in-law, James Sampson and his wife, Maxine; a nephew, a niece and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents. Clyde was a member of the Schofield Missionary Baptist Church and a charter member of the Half Way Lions Club. Some of Clyde's happiest years were when he carried the mail for Route 2 in Half Way. He thoroughly enjoyed his job and always enjoyed the children who would greet him at the mailbox. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service after more than 20 years. He then returned to working on the farm. Clyde was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friends. He was always willing to help a friend or neighbor for whatever reason. He always had a smile and never met a stranger. Clyde was known to play jokes on people, but in the fun kind of way. Clyde will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Services were Friday, Nov. 3, in Pitts Chapel with Bro. Dennis Spear and the Rev. Harold Hendrickson officiating. Music was provided by the Schofield and Half Way Missionary Baptist Church choirs accompanied by Pat Voris and led by Lendell Voris. Pallbearers were Jimmy Gallivan, Jay Gallivan, Kelly Anderson, Steve Timmerman, Mark Timmerman and Gerald Davison. Honorary pallbearers were Jack LeJeune, Louis Gorden, John Robinson, David Gallivan, Morgan Wrinkle, Ben Andrews, Wayne Eastburn and Dean Voris. Burial followed in Schofield Cemetery. An obituary and guest book may be accessed at Legacy.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Schofield Cemetery or the American Cancer Society.
