DONALD E. STALKER
Donald E. Stalker, 65, Bolivar, died at 5:38 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2000, in Citizens Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. He was born June 7, 1935, in Polk County, the son of Carl Reuben Daniel and Vera Evelyn Farmer Stalker. His first marriage was to Norma J. Havens on Aug. 20, 1956, and his second marriage was to Elizabeth J. Crawford on Dec. 28, 1982, in Miami, Okla. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl "Dick" Reuben Daniel Stalker and Vera Evelyn Russell, and a sister, Velma Robertson. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, of the home; one daughter and her husband, Carol and Dusty Hall of Bolivar; two sons, Roy Stalker and his wife, Janet, of Polk and Robert Stalker of Bolivar; two stepdaughters and their husbands, Glenda and Rodney Maples of Morrisville and Brenda and Heath Keykendoll of Warsaw; nine sisters and their husbands, Dorothy Thompson of Stover, Carlene and Kenneth Melton of St. Charles, Pam and Larry Kelly, Carla and Ron Duff and Marcia and Rodney Lowrance, all of Pleasant Hope, Peggy and Randy King of Bolivar, Rusty and Kerry Jones of Buffalo, Virginia and Lyle White of Kansas City and Katie Hagar of Half Way; two brothers and their wives, Lee Warren and JoAnn Stalker of Stover and Jesse and Sharon Stalker of Ozark; his stepmother, Charlean Stalker; 12 grandchildren, Jeremie Hall, Brian Stalker, Brandon Stalker, Nicholas, Benjamin and Anthony Stalker, Stacy Hall, Brad Hall, Jacob and Joshua Wooderson, Isaac Tate and Clinton Maples; and six step-great-grandchildren, Cody, Macy, Jacob, Kasey, and Devan Hall and Broch Simmons; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends. Services were Sunday, Dec. 17, in Butler Chapel with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson officiating. Burial was in Crestview Memorial Gardens east of Bolivar. Casketbearers were Jacob Wooderson, Joshua Wooderson, Brandon Stalker, Brian Stalker, Jeremie Hall and Mike Hagar. Honorary casketbearers were Nicholas Stalker, Benjamin Stalker, Anthony Stalker, Clinton Maples and Isaac Tate.
Eugene R. Warson
Eugene Ray Warson, 70, Collins, died at 5:28 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, 2000, in Sac-Osage Hospital, Osceola. The son of Jesse R. and Mary Groves Warson, he was born June 13, 1930, at Kansas City, Kan. On Dec. 31, 1950, he married Norma Hall in Harrison, Ark. He was a retired law enforcement officer. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Herbert Warson, Arthur "Basil" Warson and Carl T. "Tom" Warson. Survivors include his wife, Norma, of the home; four children, Lonnie Warson of Tulsa, Okla., David Warson of Howell, N. J., Mark Warson and Christina Warson, both of Collins; five grandchildren, Jesse Warson and Melissa Warson, both of Springfield, Elizabeth Warson and Jennifer Warson, both of Howell, N. J., and Brian Warson of Grandview; and two brothers, Donald Warson of Roseburg, Ore., and Charles Warson of Collins. Services were Tuesday, Jan. 2, in Murray Chapel, Humansville, with the Rev. Robert Harris officiating. Interment will be at a later date in Humansville Cemetery.
Lillian Marie West
Lillian Marie Francka West, 63, Springfield, died at 12:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 25, 2000, in Cox Medical Center South, Springfield, after a two-year battle with ovarian cancer. The daughter of Gary and Rosie Ruzicka Francka, she was born Aug. 11, 1937, near Brighton. She was raised on her family's farm north of Brighton and graduated from Pleasant Hope High School in 1955. She worked at the MFA farm store in Morrisville from 1955 to 1958. She retired from Wal-Mart Stores, Aurora, in 1993 after nearly 20 years of service. She married Charles E. West on Nov. 15, 1958, in St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Karlin. They had four children and had lived in Lincoln, Neb., Enid, Okla., and Aurora, moving to Springfield in 1998. She was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Springfield. She is survived by her husband, Charles; four children and their spouses, Gary and Tami West of Davenport, Iowa, Susan and Lannie Lynxwiler of Mountain Home, Ark., Jo Ann and John Carpio of O'Fallon and David and Shelley West of St. Louis; nine grandchildren; her only sister and her husband, Josephine and Rodney Fleeman of Bolivar, and their children, Ronda Hall of Aldrich and Roger Fleeman of Bolivar. Funeral mass was Thursday, Dec. 28, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Springfield, with the Rev. Thomas E. Reidy officiating. Burial was in St. Wenceslaus Cemetery at Karlin. Arrangements were under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel, Springfield. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Faye Westfall
Ethel Faye Westfall, 84, Bolivar, died at 4:25 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2000, in Citizens Memorial Hospital following emergency surgery. Faye was born Feb. 1, 1916, in Wright County. She was the daughter of Daniel C. and Luella Barrett Neill. At an early age, Faye and her family moved to Buffalo. Faye attended grade school in a typical one-room schoolhouse of that era. Following graduation from Buffalo High School in 1935, she attended Draughons Business College in Springfield. Faye was united in marriage to R.E. "Johnny" Westfall on Nov. 22, 1937. They lived all their married life in the Half Way community. Prior to their marriage, Faye was a clerk in the Dallas County AAA office, later knows as ASCS and currently operating under the title of FSA. Marriage to Johnny meant being a business woman for Faye as she worked side by side with him, first in the Westfall Mercantile Co. at Half Way, then the Bolivar Candy Company, operating this business for almost a quarter of a century. Following Johnny's death in August 1971, she moved to Springfield, where she worked as a secretary at First Baptist Church. Faye served on the Library Board for 39 years. Upon retirement, she moved back to Half Way before moving to Bolivar about 1980. Faye had a solid Christian testimony. As a girl, she joined the Methodist Church in Buffalo. Following her marriage to Johnny, they both joined the Baptist Church at Half Way. She remained a Baptist throughout her life, always enjoying Bible study. Faye Westfall will be remembered as a Christian, a hard worker and one who truly loved her fmaily, being particularly proud of her heritage. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, seven brothers and four sisters. She is survived by her son, Morris Westfall and his wife, Sharon, two grandchildren, Craig and Christi Westfall, and one great-grandson, Cody Ray Westfall, all of Half Way; a brother, Vience "Jiggs" Neill, and a sister, Marjorie Johnson, both of Buffalo; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and many friends. Services were Friday, Dec. 22, in Butler Chapel with Bro. Keith Frieze and the Rev. Ray Leininger officiating. Music was provided by Jim and Ethel Mae Tennis and the Floodwater Band, Nathan Hoffer, David Barham, Mike Rowan and Alan Roberts. Burial followed in Greenwood Cemetery. Casketbearers were Raymond Sergent, Ken Legan, Junior Roweton, Jack Barham, Jim Keeling, Lendall Voris, Steve Austin and Don Roderick. Honorary casketbearers were Tennison Degraffenreid, Gene Claxton, Neal Oglesbee, Billie N. Hendrickson, John Allford, Micky Davies, Wayne Wilson, Warren Davis, Jack Neill and Bill Neill. Memorial contributions may be made to the Polk County LIbrary, 1690 W. Broadway, Bolivar, MO 65613.
Noel F. Wilkinson
Noel F. Wilkinson, 95, Bolivar, formerly of Eudora, died Sunday, Dec. 31, 2000, in Citizens Memorial Health Care Center following a short illness. He was born in Oak Grove and was a longtime resident of the Eudora area. He was a retired educator, teaching in Morrisville and Dadeville school districts. During World War II he was employed with Hanford Engineering Company in Richland, Wash., and raised and trained western saddle horses. He was a member of the Church of Christian Science, the Grain Valley Masonic Lodge and the Shrine. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorraine, and a son, Jere Wilkinson. He is survived by five daughters, Barbara Wilkinson of Springfield, Beverly Miller of Independence, Judy Slavens of Eudora, Connie Christy of Bellevue, Wash., and Sharon Armstrong of Harper Bluffs, Fla.; eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Aldrich, with the Rev. Lon Killingsworth officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Wilson Brim Daniel Funeral Home, Walnut Grove. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home prior to services.
Tennie Wrinkle
Tennie Wrinkle, 94, Half Way, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2000. She was born Sept. 6, 1906, in Urbana to Bill and Etta Bridges Richards. She was united in marriage to Joseph Morgan Wrinkle on May 27, 1927, and to this union 10 children were born. Tennie was a former longtime resident of Half Way, later moving to Springfield where she resided at the time of her death. She was a wonderful mother, wife and grandmother and will be missed by many. She was saved at the age of 21 at Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church. She was a member of Harmony Missionary Baptist Church. Survivors include four daughters, Dorothy Loftis of Ozark, Janice Smith and Katherine Hanson of Springfield and Wanda Perkins of Platte City; four sons, Morgan Wrinkle of Bolivar, Carl Wrinkle of Springfield, John Doyle Wrinkle of Half Way and William Wrinkle Jr. of Fair Grove; one sister, Winnie Walker of Harrisonville; 16 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and six step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Donald Lee Wrinkle, in January 1986; her husband, Joe, in September 1989; a daughter, Wasolee Sewell, in 1998; four sisters and two brothers. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, in Pitts Chapel with Bro. Leon Meadows and Bro. Donnie Lane officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. today (Wednesday) in the funeral home.
Robert W. Bair
Robert Wayne Bair, 76, Morrisville, died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2001, at his home. He was born Nov. 8, 1924, at Arthur, Iowa, the son of Warren O. and Elsie Johnson Bair. A veteran of World War II, he served in the U. S. Army Air Corps. On Sept. 20, 1949, he married Patricia A. Ferguson in Tekamah, Neb. A resident of Morrisville since 1992, he was a retired farmer. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, John Bair. Survivors include his wife, Patricia, of the home; one son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Susan Bair, Kansas City; and two sisters, Dorothy Horton of Elk Point, S. D., and Donna Hoy of Mesa, Ariz. Services were Monday, Jan. 8, in Murray Chapel, Bolivar, with Father Pat Wissman officiating. Interment was in Crestview Memorial Gardens.
George A. Blakemore
George Allder Blakemore, 93, Dadeville, died Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2001, in Dade County Nursing Home. He was born June 9, 1907, in Dadeville to Alvin C. and Bess Allder Blakemore. He joined the Presbyterian Church at Dadeville at an early age. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge for more than 70 years and was an active member of the Dadeville Masonic Cemetery board for more than 30 years. He was a lifelong Dade County farmer and well-known breeder of shorthorn cattle. He was united in marriage to Sarah A. Higgins on June 24, 1939, and to this union, two sons were born. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sarah, on Oct. 11, 1996; an infant son, Charles Richard; one brother and two sisters. Survivors include his son, George Robert "Bob" Blakemore and his wife, Jennett, of Greenfield; two granddaughters and their husbands, Shelley and Brad Marshall of Springfield and Marsha and Chris Fischer of Columbia; one great-granddaughter, Olivia Marie Marshall of Springfield; several nieces and nephews and many friends. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, in Dadeville Methodist Church with the Rev. Larry Malaney officiating. Burial will be in Dadeville Masonic Cemetery with Masonic rites by Washington Lodge No. 87 A.F. & A.M. Arrangements are under the direction of Dadeville Funeral Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Dadeville Masonic Cemetery or Dadeville Methodist Church.
Earl "Bud" Blankenship
William Earl "Bud" Blankenship, son of Earl W. and Latha Lowry Blankenship, was born March 14, 1928, at Buffalo. He departed this life Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2001, in Citizens Memorial Hospital at the age of 72 years, 10 months and 17 days. He graduated from Bolivar High School in 1946. On March 17, 1947, he married Betty Jean Barker. She preceded him in death Nov. 30, 1994. His parents and a daughter-in-law, Ann Blankenship, also preceded him in death. Earl was employed as a lineman for Southwest Electric Co-op for 44 years. He was a member of Bolivar Lodge No. 195 and attended Bolivar First Christian Church. Earl's love for bowling began as a young boy when he was a pinsetter at the bowling alley on the square in Bolivar, and he continued bowling throughout the remainder of his life. Earl was an avid NASCAR racing fan, his favorite driver being No. 6, Mark Martin. Survivors include his six children, Velma Tollette of Boynton, Okla., Loretta Fudge of Bethalto, Ill., William Earl Blankenship Jr. of Bolivar, Rebecca Smith of Springfield, Perry Blankenship and Leslie Blankenship, both of Independence; a sister, Virginia Henderson of Brighton; eight grandchildren and, in addition, another grandchild who will be born in April; and seven great-grandchildren. Services were Saturday, Feb. 3, in Murray Chapel with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson and Bro. John Brown officiating. Honorary pallbearers were Robert Tollette, Gene Ahart, Michael Blankenship and Kelly Ahart. Pallbearers were Bill Tummons, Wilburn Ball, Jim Newell, Jim Black, Jim Mosier and Mark Payne. Interment was in Greenwood Cemetery.
Lottie Mae Boggess
Lottie Mae Boggess, 55, Bolivar, died at 11:05 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2001, in her home after a brief illness. She was born June 27, 1945, in Danville, Ill., the daughter of Wilbur and Edna Weikel Masterson. She had been a resident of Bolivar for the past year, moving from Conroe, Texas. She had been a credit collections manager. Surviving are her husband, Joe L. Boggess Sr. of the home; a daughter, Tonya M. Kinsman of Ft. Rucker, Ala.; a son, Joe L. Boggess Jr. of Bolivar; one brother, Bud Masterson of the state of California; three sisters, Cecila Carnahan of Pine Village, Ind., Illeen Ditson of Spring, Texas, and Arlene VanDerWal of Springfield, Ill.; and seven grandchildren. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. David Johnson and the Rev. Tony Moore officiating. Burial will be in the Barren Creek Cemetery west of Bolivar. Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. before the service at the funeral home. The casket will be closed at all times. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Hospital, Memphis, Tenn.
