Garley Mincks
Garley Elmer Mincks was born May 5, 1912, near Rogersville to Silas Lafe an dJUlia Ellen Brewer Mincks.
He went home to be with the Lord at 3:20 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001, in Parkview Health Care Facility at the age of 88 years, eight months and 19 days.
He grew up in Webster and Greene counties.
He was united in marriage to Sarah Marie Appleby of Willard on April 16, 1935.
In 1940, they moved to Polk County, which he claimed was the best place on earth to live.
During his life, Garley was a dairy farmer and a block layer.
He enjoyed coon hunting all of his life and loved to remember coon hunts he had been on.
Garley was saved and joined Mount Etna Baptist Church, where he was a charter member and deacon.
He hardly ever missed a church service and had the building heated up and was ready to sing those old hymns which he loved.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years, Marie; a baby daughter, Mary Ellen; a son, Ross Wayne; a grandson, Dwight Alan; a son-in-law, James Cunningham; his parents, three brothers and two sisters.
He is survived by one daughter, Clara Nadine Cunningham of Bolivar; five grandsons and their wives, Wade and Shontel Cunningham of Goodson, Darrel Cunningham, Chris Cunningham, Andy and Christina Rauch and Alex and Crystal Rauch, all of Bolivar; two granddaughters, Linda Cunningham of Springfield and Amy Archibald and her husband, Sean, of Jonesboro, Ark.; six great-grandchildren, Haley and Katelyn Rauch, Lori and Cody Archibald, Alan and Sarah Cunningham; a daughter-in-law, Teresa Rauch of Bolivar; an adopted granddaughter and her family, Becky McGarrah, Andy and Danny McGarrah; many nieces and nephews and a host of friends and neighbors.
Services were Saturday, Jan. 27, in Butler Chapel with the Rev. Neil Graham and the Rev. Dennis Payton officiating.
Music was provided by Barbara Swadley, pianist, and congregational singing led by Bob Swadley.
Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery near Willard.
Casketbearers were Wade Cunningham, Chris Cunningham, Steve Mincks, Bill Mincks, Alex Rauch and Andy Rauch.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mount Etna Baptist Church.
LILLIE MAY RALEIGH
Lillie May Raleigh, 87, Humansville, died Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001, in Big Spring Care Center.
She was born in Hickory County near Weaubleau on Feb. 22, 1913, the oldest of eleven children born to James and Rose Holiman Moore.
On April 14, 1934, she married Wayne Raleigh, and they lived in Humansville for the past 38 years.
She was a homemaker and a member of the Gerster Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband, Wayne, of the home; three daughters, Hattie Raleigh of Blue Springs, Thelma Woods of Independence and Wilma Blakemore of Western Grove, Ark.; a brother, Jim Moore of Bolivar; two sisters, Ina Faye Henderson of Lee's Summit and Dollie Moore of Wheatland; six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Services were Saturday, Jan. 27, in Murray Chapel, Humansville, with the Rev. Robert Harris officiating. Interment was in Butcher-Fairview Cemetery near Wheatland.
Pallbearers were Wayne Bradshaw, Dennis Henderson, Clay Estes, Jim Estes, Bob Blakemore and Shorty Hampton.
Wanda M. Redd
Wanda Merle Schleifer was born on Dec. 29, 1917, in Polk County, the daughter of Fred and Susie Thompson Schleifer.
She departed this life at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 19, 2001, in the Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Lockwood at 83 years and 21 days of age.
Wanda was born and lived her entire life in the Van community, graduating from Pleasant Hope High School.
Wanda was saved at an early age and joined the Walnut Ridge Missionary Baptist Church where she remained a member until the time of her death.
She was united in marriage to Alva Redd on Nov. 27, 1935.
To this union, one son was born, Al Kent.
Wanda was active in her church and community and was a member of the Van Town Club.
She enjoyed quilting and fellowshipping with the neighbors of the community.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Casey, and her sister, Virginia Stewart.
In her passing, she leaves her son and daughter-in-law, Al Kent and Peggy Redd of Half Way; two grandchildren, Carol Bullard and her husband, Chad, of Half Way and Darren Redd and his wife, Shelly, of Bolivar; also four great-grandchildren, Stephan, Jona, Dakota and Cheyenne; one sister-in-law, Marie Redd, and one brother-in-law, Clyde Stewart.
She also leaves several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
She will be sadly missed by all who loved and knew her.
Services were Monday, Jan. 22, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson officiating.
Music was provided by the combined choirs of the Walnut Ridge Church and the Schofield Church.
Burial was in the New Bethel Cemetery south of Half Way.
Casketbearers were Phil Schleifer, Mike Schleifer, Fred Stewart, Mike Stewart, Gary Stewart and Ray Dean Hinkle.
Esther May Schultz
Esther May Schultz, 62, Aldrich, died at 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2001, at Cox Medical Center, Springfield, after a brief illness.
She was born near Morrisville on Sept. 21, 1938, the daughter of Arthur Gilbert Sell and Verna Cordelia Slagle.
She had been a longtime resident of Blue Springs, moving to the Aldrich area about five years ago.
She was a retired clerk typist from the Leeds Plant of General Motors in Kansas City.
Surviving are her five daughters, Deborah May Rapp of Collinsville, Okla., Brenda Sue Crabtree of Houston, Texas, Johnna Lynn Irvin of Blue Springs, Deanna Marie Decker of Lake Latawana and Kelley Ann Metcalf of Kansas City; two sisters, Evelyn O'Dell of Liberty and Shirley Burgent of Kansas City; two brothers, Leon Sell of Belton and Gilbert Sell of Aldrich; and 11 grandchildren.
Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. James Sewell officiating.
Burial will be in Slagle Cemetery south of Bolivar.
Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home.
Friends may call at their convenience after 9 a.m. Thursday.
The casket will be closed at all times.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Mitzi M. Slater
Mitzi Michelle Murphy Slater, 33, Philadelphia, Pa., formerly of Bolivar, died Thursday, Jan. 11, 2001.
She was born June 27, 1967, in Springfield to Bobby and Wanda Landreth Murphy.
She attended Bolivar High School, Southwest Missouri State University and Kent State University, where she earned a master's degree.
She was preceded in death by two sisters, Sharon Annette Murphy and Brenda Kay Peak Lewis.
She is survived by her husband of six years, Joshua Slater of Philadelphia, Pa.; her parents, Bob and Wanda Murphy of Bolivar; a sister and her husband, Janet Peak and Gary Fletcher of Johnson City, Tenn.; a brother and his wife, Larry and Janice Peak of Walnut Grove; her in-laws, Robert and Marion Slater of Bryn Mawr, Pa.; a brother-in-law, Ben Slater of Bryn Mawr, Pa.; a sister-in-law and her husband, Janet Slater and Marc Belitski of Broomall, Pa.; nieces and nephews Laura Fletcher, Sierra Friend, Joey Fletcher, Christie Fletcher, Josh Peak, Melissa Peak, Jennifer Lewis, Kenny Lewis, Shawn Layne, Larry Paul Layne and many other relatives along with special friends Desmond Schulz, John Gibson, Dalton Pownell and Erich Ploppa.
Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, in Pitts Chapel with burial following in Greenwood Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. today (Wednesday) in the funeral home.
Vernon W. Barnes Sr.
Vernon W. Barnes Sr., 89, formerly of the Aldrich area, died at 5:15 a.m. Friday, Jan. 19, 2001, in Christian Health Care Center, Springfield, following a lingering illness.
He was born Nov. 4, 1911, in Woodburn, Ore., to Josiah Benton and Emma Barnes.
Survivors include three sons and two daughters-in-law, Vernon W. Jr. and Sue Barnes of Bartlesville, Okla., Gene and Annie Barnes and John Barnes, all of San Jose, Calif., as well as eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and a sister.
Graveside services were Monday, Jan. 22, in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Aldrich, with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson officiating.
Arrangements were under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
Erma Lee Stewart
Erma Lee Medley Stewart, 78, was born Feb. 23, 1922, and went to be with her Lord Saturday, Jan. 20, 2001, in Maranatha Village, Springfield.
She was saved at 14 years of age at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, where she was a member until she moved her membership to Rock Prairie Missionary Baptist Church where she was a faithful and active member for several years.
After her move to Maranatha Village, she moved her membership to True Hope Missionary Baptist Church, where she was a member at the time of her passing.
She was united in marriage to Dean Medley on March 10, 1938.
To this union, three children were born, Dennis, Linda and Deanna.
She spent most of her life in the Tin Town community, where she owned and operated Medley's Upholstery and Purse Shop, and was affectionately known as the "Purse Lady of Tin Town."
She never met a stranger and loved to meet and visit with everyone.
On Aug. 28, 1976, she married Rexford H. Stewart.
Erma Lee and Rex had 23 years together; they loved going to church and singing gospel songs.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dean Medley, in 1972 and her husband, Rexford Stewart, in 1999; one sister, Mary Giboney; two brothers, Ralph McCurry Sr. and Howard McCurry; and her mother-in-law, Vercy Medley.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Sonnie Medley; two daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Bill Yoast and Deanna and Ron Cook; four stepchildren and their spouses, Norene and Richard Fronobarger, Rexford N. and Wanda Stewart, Edgar Paul and Sharon Stewart and Lloyd Delano and Carolyn Stewart; seven grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; a sister and her husband, Willa Dee and Quentin Richerson of Lodi, Calif.; a sister-in-law, Veda Cates; a sister-in-law and her husband, Norma Lee and Bob Beach; a brother-in-law and his wife, Franklin and Jane Stewart; and a host of loving nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
Her beautiful smile will be missed by everyone who knew her.
Services were Wednesday, Jan. 24, in Greenlawn Funeral Home North, Springfield, with burial in Rock Prairie Cemetery north of Tin Town.
Pallbearers were her grandsons, Dennis A. Medley, David K. Medley, Brian L. Cook, Shawn L. Yoast, Shane L. Yoast and Shannon L. Yoast.
Honorary pallbearers were her step-grandsons, Darren Stewart, Dennis Stewart, Doyle Stewart, Leroy Stewart, Jason Stewart and Chris Stewart.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Kidney Fund.
Homer G. Watts
Homer Gene Watts, 74, Springfield, died at 6:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, 2001.
He was born April 29, 1926, near Baker, in Searcy County, Ark., the son of Hugh Vance and Bettie Hagar Watts.
As an infant, he and his family moved to Osage County, Okla., where his father worked in the oil fields.
At age 14, he moved to the Half Way area, where he attended school.
He started working as an automobile painter, which was his profession all of his life until his retirement.
He lived and worked in numerous places across the country, including Bolivar, Springfield and the state of California.
He later moved back to Springfield, where he resided until his death.
Survivors include his companion for many years, Vea Anderson of Springfield; his two daughters, Cherryl Daugherty of Carbondale, Ill., and Judy Taylor of San Clemente, Calif.; a brother and sister-in-law, Victor and Norma Watts, Springfield; four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, one niece, two nephews, cousins and many friends.
Services were Sunday, Jan. 14, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson officiating.
Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery.
Casketbearers were Jim Hagar, David Hagar, Richard Appleby, Rick Hagar, Nick Mass and Bob Julien.
Patrick L. Williams
Patrick Lewis Williams, 40, Dunnegan, was found dead in his home at 11:34 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2001.
He was born Jan. 10, 1961, in Valparaiso, Ind., the son of Lawrence Marvin and Charlene Hale Williams.
He had been a longtime resident of Indiana before moving to Missouri about six years ago.
He had been a resident of the Dunnegan area a little over one year.
He was a truck driver for the I.W.X. Company in Springfield.
Surviving are his wife, Sandra L. Williams, of the home; one son, Jesse Williams of Plymouth, Ind.; his mother, Charlene Williams of Plymouth, Ind.; four sisters and three brothers, Mickie Dutcher of Culver, Ind., and Cheryl Beatty, Bea Williams, Betty Williams, Larry Williams, Jimmie Williams and Robert Williams, all of Plymouth, IN.
Services were Monday, Jan. 22, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Tom Kinnan officiating.
At his request, his body was cremated after the services.
Mark F. Winton
Mark F. Winton, 75, Metairie, La., formerly of Polk County, died Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2001, in Metairie.
He was born Dec. 21, 1925, in Cliquot to Mark Ralph and Lillian Belle Brown Winton.
He was united in marriage to Amelia Lois Ballard.
He had been an equipment engineer for Texaco Oil Company.
He is survived by his wife, Lois, of the home; a son, Mark T. Winton; two daughters and sons-in-law, Alice and Art Johnson and Carol and Stephen Harlan; as well as three grandchildren.
Services will be first in Metairie, La., and at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, in Pitts Chapel with burial following in Dunnegan Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, in the funeral home.
