Clark E. Gray
Clark Everett Gray, 61, Oak Grove, Ark., formerly of Bolivar, died Friday, Jan. 5, 2001, in Rolla. He was born Dec. 13, 1939, in Blue Eye, a son of Charles Everett and Georgia Ellen Clark Gray. He worked for a heavy machine company as a crane operator. He served in the U.S. National Guard. He is survived by two sons, Gregory Clark Gray of Rolla and Steven Wayne Gray of Springfield; one daughter, Carrie Butler of Blue Eye; seven grandchildren; one sister, Evelyn McFarland of Branson; and one brother, Charles Kenneth Gray of Springfield. He was preceded in death by his parents; on brother, Billy Joe Gray; and one sister, Alma McGinnis. Graveside services were Monday, Jan. 8, in the Blue Eye Cemetery under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service, Berryville, Ark.
Lee Davis Griffits
Lee Davis Griffits, 84, Brighton, died at 2:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, 2001, in Christian Healthcare East, Springfield. He had been self-employed as a laborer. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Rick and Christina Griffits of Brighton; four grandchildren, Heidi, Amy, Ricky and April; two great-grandchildren, Jaida and Tateum; and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Guinn and Oma Griffits, and his wife, Elsie Griffits. Graveside services were Saturday, Jan. 6, in Brighton Cemetery.
Robert H. Groen
Robert "Bob" H. Groen, 60, Pleasant Hope, died at 11:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, 2001, in Cox Medical Center North, Springfield. He was born July 25, 1940, in Swae City, Iowa. Untill the time of his illness, he was employed by Mullings Farms in Pleasant Hope. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl; his daughter Christina, her husband, Ben, and son, Travis; his daughter Michelle, her husband, Daniel, and children Seth, Brittany and Dalton; and a sister, Maryann Wright of Chanute, Kan. No services were held. Arrangements were under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home North, Springfield. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in care of the funeral home.
Juanita F. Hindman
Juanita Frances Hindman, 87, Aldrich, died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2001, in Parkview Health Care Facility following a lingering illness. She was born Sept. 19, 1913, in Lambert, Okla., to John E. and Ella Copeland Brim. She had worked for MFA Grocery in Aldrich. She was a 50-year member of the Aldrich United Methodist Church. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, James E. and Karel L. Lowery of Jefferson City; two grandchildren, Evan Nicholas Lowery and Emily Lyster Lowery, also of Jefferson City; several cousins, other family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joseph Hindman, in October 1985; a brother, Carmen P. Brim; and cousins Frances and Henry Stone. Services will be at 10:00 a.m. today (Wednesday) in Aldrich United Methodist Church with the Rev. Sylvia Ireland officiating. Music will be provided by her grandchildren. Burial will follow in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Aldrich United Methodist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
William J. "W.J." Jump
William J. "W.J." Jump, 73, Bolivar, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2001, at Citizens Memorial Hospital. He was born Nov. 2, 1927, in Bolivar to Alfred and Ines Jump. He served in the Merchant Marines and then went into the Army. When he got out of the Army, he moved to Kansas City, where he met and married Dorothy Choate on Dec. 1, 1951. They lived in Kansas City, where he worked for Fleming Foods for 25 years. They moved back to Bolivar when he retired in 1988. He was saved and baptized at Sunset Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Kansas City. He was a family man, a loving husband and a caring father who never stopped worrying about his kids. He was a special grandpa who made each one feel special in their own way. He enjoyed his great-grandkids and they loved their poppy. He was a good friend who was always there to lend a hand. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Dorothy; a son and his wife, Mike and Kim Jump; three daughters and their husbands, Debbie and Larry Blazer, Vickie and Eddie Griffith and Karen and Delbert Bailey; 11 grandkids, three step-grandkids, three great-grandkids and three step-great-grandkids; three brothers, Marion Jump, Bob Jump and Sonny Jump, all of Bolivar; and two sisters, Francis Avis of Laurie and Willa Mae Brewster of Tucson, Ariz. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Ines Jump; a brother, Lee Jump; a sister, Marcella Vandergrift; a granddaughter, Tracy Patrick; and a great-grandson, Benjamin Welch. He touched all of us in different ways. He will be missed by us all, but we know he's at peace in a better place. Services were Saturday, Jan. 20, in Southern Hills Baptist Church with Pastor Gary Urich and Bro. Garland Pool officiating. Music was by Mary Jenkins accompanied by Tammy Kelly. Burial followed in Greenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers were Bill Patrick, Jody Summers, Travis Summers, Jacob Summers, Garry Jump and Ronnie Jump. Arrangements were under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
Barbara E. Knoy
Barbara Eloise Knoy, 89, Bolivar, died Saturday, Jan. 27, 2001, in Parkview Health Care Facility after a short illness. She was born Nov. 4, 1911, in Nashville, Tenn., to Omar and Julia Evans. She was the youngest child, having three older sisters and one older brother. She married George DeLoyt Knoy on Dec. 26, 1935, in Nashville, Tenn. They lived in Tennessee and California before moving back to Bolivar in 1983. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, her brother and her husband, George, who died Oct. 22, 1997. She is survived by her two daughters, Eloise Moore and her husband, Michael, of Fullerton, Calif., and Sharon Zidlicky and her husband, Steven, of Bolivar; her son, Winton Knoy of Parris, Calif.; two grandchildren, Susan Becker and her husband, Theron, of Bolivar and Catherine Zidlicky; and a sister-in-law, Sybil Weaver of Kona, Hawaii. Services were Tuesday, Jan. 30, in Pitts Chapel with the Rev. Jerry Cooney officiating. Music was provided by Mary Vest and Kathy Greer. Pallbearers were Richard Jenkins, Rex Warren, Paul Doyle, Carl Blomenkamp, Larry Drake and Ron Hendrickson.
Wayne A. Kropf
Wayne Allen Kropf, 63, Half Way, died Sunday, Jan. 28, 2001, in St. Francis Hospital, Memphis, Tenn., from complications of cancer. He was born Sept. 10, 1937, in Shelby County, Ill., to Allen and Viola Shrock Kropf. He accepted Christ in his youth and was baptized into the Amish Mennonite Church, where he remained a member until his death. On Dec. 8, 1957, he was united in marriage to Barbara Ann Eigsti near Tampico, Ill. They were together for more than 43 years. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, of the home; six sons, Ernest of the home, Christy and his wife, Rosetta, Victor and his wife, Carla, Edward and his wife, Verneta, Simon and his wife, Julie, and Lloyd of the home, all of Half Way; three daughters, Linda Blosser and her husband, Warren, of Half Way, Nancy Hostetler and her husband, Jesse, of Buffalo, and Karen of the home; 29 grandchildren; two brothers, Ervil Kropf of Half Way and Charles Kropf of Vandalia; one sister, Beulah Headings of Buffalo; three uncles and five aunts. He was preceded in death by one son, Richard, and his parents. Services will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, at the Pleasant View A.M. School, then at 10 a.m. at the Pleasant View A.M. Church with the Rev. Ken Hostetler, the Rev. Eugene Kropf, the Rev. Mark Eigsti and the Rev. Ben Hostetler officiating. The church choir will sing. Interment will be in the Pleasant View A.M. Cemetery under the direction of the Cantlon Otterness Funeral Home of Buffalo. Visitation will begin at 4 p.m. today (Wednesday) in the Pleasant View A.M. School.
Lelia R. Larkin
Lelia Rayfield Larkin, 93, Arcadia, died Saturday, Jan. 20, 2001, at the home of her daughter. She was born Feb. 28, 1907, in Grandin, the daughter of Jess and Alice Vernom Jaco. On Dec. 27, 1927, in Centerville, she was united in marriage to Floyd Rayfield, who preceded her in death in 1950. On Aug. 16, 1969, in Ellington, she was united in marriage to Paul Larkin, who preceded her in death in 1994. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Ellington, where she taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. At the time of her death, she was a member of the First Baptist Church of Ironton. She was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands; two sons, Bill and Ben Rayfield; three brothers, Hillard, Elmer and Vester Jaco; a sister, Nealey Melton; a great-granddaughter, Mindy Gore; and a stepdaughter, Luella Goggin. She is survived by two daughters, Barbara McNail and her husband, Dall, of Arcadia and Marinell Erven and her husband, Ron, of Bolivar; two stepsons, Kenneth Larkin and his wife, Susan, of St. Louis and David Larkin and his wife, Pat, of Ironton; two stepdaughters, Mary Pyrtle and her husband, George, of Cape Girardeau and Judy Stroer and her husband, Bill, of St. Louis; one stepson-in-law, Cliff Goggin of St. Louis; one daughter-in-law, Louise Rayfield of Plano, Texas; two sisters-in-law, Mae Rayfield of Ellington and Ruth Jaco of Salt Lake City, Utah; seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, 18 step-grandchildren, 25 step-great-grandchildren and other relatives and friends. Services were Monday, Jan. 22, at the McSpadden Funeral Home, Ellington, with the Rev. Ron Erven officiating. Music was by Frances Vermillion. Pallbearers were Dr. Scott Rayfield, Kendall McNail, Derek Erven, Garret Gore, Devin Gore and Michael Larkin. Honorary pallbearers were Bernie Bales, Craig Rayfield, Kevin Goggin and Paul Goggin. Burial was in Ellington City Cemetery.
Vera Mae Lockhart
Vera Mae Lockhart, 63, Half Way, died Saturday, Jan. 6, 2001, in her home following a lingering illness. She was born Jan. 9, 1937, in Goodson to Ray Edward and Neva N. Thorp Harris. On Dec. 15, 1937, she was united in marriage to Wayne Lockhart, and to this union, four children were born. She was a homemaker and quilter. Her church membership was at Rimby Assembly of God Church. Survivors include her husband, Wayne, of the home; two sons, Dwayne L. Lockhart and Roger A. Lockhart, both of Half Way; two daughters and a son-in-law, Linda M. Lockhart of the home and Brenda K. and Larry Benedict of Flemington; a stepdaughter, Bertha Lee Potter of Laurie; three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Melvin and Ester Harris of Independence, Howard Harris of Bolivar and Virgil and Darcus Harris of Bolivar; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Wilma and Morris Blanton of Bolivar, Willa F. and Glenn Lemmon of Springfield and Dorothy and Curtis Lockhart of Louisburg; five grandchildren, Kayla Benedict and Cameron Benedict of Flemington and Curtis Potter, Kim Potter and Stephanie Potter of Laurie; as well as four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Willard Harris and L. Dee Harris. Services will be at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) in Pitts Chapel with Bro. Roger Easter officiating. Music will be provided by Cindy Lockhart and Ruth Easter. Burial will follow in Star Ridge Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Citizens Memorial Hospice in care of the funeral home.
Erma L. Mawhiney
Erma Louise "Mammie" Mawhiney, 74, Pleasant Hope, died Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001, in her home after a long illness. She was born March 1, 1926, in Greenfield, the daughter of Hugh and Carrie Duffy. She was a retired registered nurse of 27 years with St. John's Hospital and Mercy Villa, Springfield. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, five sisters, two brothers-in-law and one nephew. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Thomas, of the home; a son, Dan Mawhiney and his wife, Ruth, Pleasant Hope; a daughter, Carrie Agee and her husband Mike, Hollister; and six grandchildren, James Agee of the home, Carrie Lynn Agee of Hollister, Tom and Valerie Mawhiney of St. Louis, Patty Mawhiney of Springfield, and David Mawhiney of Pleasant Hope. Services were at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, in Greenlawn Funeral Home North, Springfield, with the Rev. Larry Hargus officiating. Burial was in Vaughen Cemetery, Greenfield.
Alma Nell McBride
Alma Nell McBride, 84, Bolivar, died Friday, Jan. 12, 2001, in Citizens Memorial Health Care Facility after a lengthy illness. She was born March 19, 1916, in Paradise, Texas, to David and Mary Combs. She grew up in Clayton, N.M., and graduated from Clayton High School in 1934. She worked for the Texas State Welfare Department and married C.C. McBride in 1945 in Dallas, Texas. They moved to Bolivar in 1951. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church, Bolivar, and served as hostess for more than 20 years. She also coordinated the church nursery for many years. She worked at the Southwest Baptist University Student Union for four years. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Richard Potter of Bolivar, and their children, Chris, Abby, Jon and Andy; her son and daughter-in-law, Dean and Linda McBride of Lee's Summit, and their children, Vanessa Melanie, Ashley, Adam and Lauren; her son and daughter-in-law, Kent and Kathy McBrice of Superior, Colo., and their children, Kelly, Zac and Arielle; a sister and two brothers, Margie Hartwig and L.D. Combs, both of Hereford, Texas, and Robert Combs of New York, N.Y. She was preceded in death by her husband, C.C. McBride, and a sister, Imogene Zinck. Services were Sunday, Jan. 14, in Bolivar First Baptist Church with the Rev. Ray Leininger officiating. Music was by Bill and Sandy Jones, accompanied by Rose Roweton. Pallbearers were Dean McBride, Kent McBride, Richard Potter, Jonathan Potter, Andrew Potter and Adam McBride. Interment was in Crestview Memorial Gardens under the direction of Murray Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Southwest Missouri chapter of the Alzheimers Association, 2021 S. Waverly Ave., No. 100, Springfield, MO 65804.
