Randall Brian "Randy" Stroup of Overland Park, Kan., formerly of Webster Groves died Sunday, April 3, 2005.
Mr. Stroup was born June 10, 1946, in Hutchinson, Kan., to Robert E. and Eleanor (Canning) Stroup. He grew up in Webster Groves, and graduated from the University of Kansas, where he was a pitcher on the varsity baseball team. He married Patricia "Pat" A. Gordon on Oct. 28, 1967, in Lawrence, Kan.
Mr. Stroup worked for many years in sales in the packaging and tool and die industries. He loved fishing, following KU sports, and tailgating at the Chiefs games. He looked forward to his fishing trips at Table Rock Lake with his brother and father, where they shared life stories.
Mr. Stroup was a member of the Colonial Church of Prairie Village, and played on the softball team. He coached his son's baseball teams and also worked as an official at swim meets, where he enjoyed watching his children compete for the KC Blazers.
He adored his family, and loved spending time with his grandchildren, photographing every moment.
Mr. Stroup is survived by his wife of over 37 years, Pat; daughters Julie A. (Tom) Stack, Amy L. (Kurt) Torkelson; son R. Brian (Stacy) Stroup Jr.; brother Aric N. (Nancy) Stroup; sister Karen G. (Bill) Thompson; mother Eleanor Stroup of Webster Groves; seven grandchildren; and six nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held in Lenexa, Kan. Cremation followed the service. The family will spread his ashes during a memorial service to be held this summer at Table Rock Lake.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Jo Co. 3&2 Baseball, or the KC Blazers, in c/o Belden Funeral Chapels, 500 Oak St., Leavenworth, Kan. 66048; 913-682-1614.
Edwin George Summers of Webster Groves died Sunday, March 6, 2005. He was 81.
Mr. Summers was born in Indiana Harbor, Ind. He served in World War II in the Army Signal Corps with the Ground Communications of the Flying Tigers. After the war he received his bachelor and master of music from DePauw University in Indiana. When he married Rose Lee, they moved to St. Louis, where he worked for Kilgen Organ Co., and then Aeolian Piano Co.
In 1963, he became a self-employed piano technician, tuning and rebuilding pianos in St. Louis. He also serviced pianos for many area colleges, the Muny Opera, and for 21 years the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. He was active at Webster Groves Presbyterian Church as a deacon and elder.
Interment private. Memorials to the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, Mo. 63103; or Webster Groves Presbyterian Church, 45 W. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, Mo. 63119.
Dollie E. Sutton (nee Gallian) of Webster Groves died Tuesday, March 29, 2005.
During the 1970s and 80s, Mrs. Sutton was "His Gal Dollie" on KMOX radio's the Jack Carney Show. She talked about Meals on Wheels and her "crazy" daughter Suzzette, who would try to ice skate in July.
Mrs. Sutton did publicity for M.O.W., Church Women United, Missouri Historical Society and the reprint of Ariadne Thompson's autobiographic, "The Octagonal Heart."
Mrs. Sutton was the wife of Samuel J. Sutton Jr.; mother of Jill (Larry) Austin and Suzzette Sutton; grandmother of "Kitty" Austin; sister of Claude Edward and Donald Gallian.
Funeral services were held Saturday, April 2, at Gerber Chapel in Webster Groves. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
Paul Raymond Swank of Glendale and Man-O-War Cay, Abaco, Bahamas, died Sunday, April 10, 2005. He was 95.
Mr. Swank was the founder and chairman of Swank Motion Pictures and Swank Audio Visuals, both nationwide companies based in St. Louis. He was a highly regarded leader in both industries and active in both businesses until his death.
Mr. Swank was active in developmental efforts in his church, and a longtime member of Rotary International. Mr. Swank and his wife, Lucille, maintained a home in Man-O-War Cay, Abaco, Bahamas, for many years, and were a beloved part of the little island community.
Mr. Swank was the husband of Lucille Parker Swank for 65 years, until her death in 2003. He was the father of Mike (Donna) Swank of Palm Desert, Calif., Tim (Liz) Swank of St. Louis and Isabel (Paul) Allen of Webster Groves; grandfather of Tim (Cara) Swank of Seal Beach, Calif., Kevin (Colleen) Swank of Palm Springs, Calif., Debbie (Jeff) Albers of Palm Springs, Calif., Kathy (Brian) Scott of Dexter, Mo., Chris Swank of Boston, Mass., Peter Swank of St. Louis, Amy Allen of Clayton and Joel Allen of Webster Groves; and great-grandfather of seven.
A memorial celebration of his life was held Saturday, April 23, at the First Congregational Church of Webster Groves. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be sent in honor of P. Ray Swank to the American Cancer Society, 4207 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, Mo. 63108. Arrangements by Gerber Chapel.
Marjorie Close Taylor (nee Chapman), a lifelong resident of the Webster Groves and Glendale areas died Friday, July 1, 2005.
Mrs. Taylor attended Bristol Elementary School, as did her three children and one grandson, and graduated from Webster High School before attending Washington University. In 1941 she married George B. Close (1915-1968), who was also a resident of Webster.
She volunteered for the Red Cross and for many years was chapter chairman of the Webster Red Cross. In her later years she volunteered at Webster Rock Hill Ministries, which became a true passion.
Mrs. Taylor owned The Coffee Grinder gift shop in Webster Groves along with Idele Harris, and after the death of her second husband, Thomas R. Taylor, a former resident of Webster Groves, she managed the shop until it was sold.
Mrs. Taylor was the daughter of the late Oliver M. and Mae Chapman; sister of the late Elizabeth Wilson; mother of Marne Close, George B. (Judy) Close Jr., and Cathy (Paul) Deslo; grandmother of Daniel Super Hapke III, Kevin George Hapke and Kate Close, and Carrie Bush. She had one great-grandchild.
Family services will be held in Mayfield, N.Y., at the Close farm where she spent her summers.
Lee A. Thatcher, formerly of Webster Groves died Monday, Aug. 22, 2005. He was 55.
Mr. Thatcher was the husband of Beth (nee Hicks) Thatcher; son of Ruth and the late Elbert Thatcher; brother of Randy Thatcher, Gail Mesnier and Phil Thatcher; grandfather, brother-in-law, son-in-law, uncle, great-uncle, cousin and friend.
A memorial service was held on Tuesday, Sept. 6 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church of Webster Groves, 9 S. Bompart Ave. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 102454, Atlanta, Ga. 30368-2454.
James R. "Jim" Thomas, D.D.S. of Kirkwood died Sunday, Oct. 9, 2005.
Mr. Thomas practiced dentistry in Kirkwood for many years. He was the husband of Nancy A. Thomas (nee McCrum); father of Cathy (Bob) Vogt, Jim (Kim), Michael Dooley (Barb), David and John Thomas; grandfather of Paul, Nancy and Laura Vogt, Sarah and Jimmy Thomas, Michael and Matt Thomas; brother of Rev. David Thomas and Richard (JoAnn) Thomas; uncle, cousin and friend.
A funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 19, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Kirkwood. Interment, Forever Oak Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Kilo Diabetes & Vascular Research Foundation, 1227 Fern Ridge Parkway, Suite 120, St. Louis, Mo. 63141. Arrangements by Bopp Chapel, Kirkwood.
Fern Thompson (nee Crocker) of Shrewsbury died Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005.
Mrs. Thompson was the wife of the late James P. Thompson; mother and mother-in-law of Lynne Daugherty, Dave Meintrup, Jill Thompson and Donita Bauer; grandmother of David (Tatiana) Meintrup III; great-grandmother of Jonas; sister-in-law, aunt, great-aunt, cousin and friend to many.
Funeral services were held Thursday, Dec. 15, at Gerber Chapel in Webster Groves. Interment, Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross, www.redcross.org.
Irene L. Thompson (nee Brown) of Webster Groves died Monday, Oct. 24, 2005. She was 83.
Mrs. Brown was the wife of the late Melbourne R. Thompson; mother of Kathy (Ben) Amido and Allen "Rusty" (Kristen) Thompson; sister of Iva Mae (Bill) Norton; grandmother of Brian, Jennifer, Megan, Shannon and Chip; sister-in-law, aunt and friend to many.
Visitation will be held Friday, Oct. 28, 4 to 8 p.m., at Gerber Chapel, 23 W. Lockwood Ave. in Webster Groves. Services, Saturday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m., at Webster Groves Christian Church, 1320 Lockwood Ave. Interment, Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Orchard Crest Camp, 2180 Madison 250, Fredericktown, Mo. 63645.
Frances W. "Robin" Thurmond (nee Williamson), formerly of Kirkwood and Webster Groves died Saturday, Oct. 1, 2005.
Mrs. Thurmond was the mother of Christopher, Jeffrey (Denise), Mindy (David Griesedieck), Amy and Greg Thurmond; mother-in-law of Chris Wood Unser; grandmother of Yeats Thurmond; sister of John (Carol) Williamson; aunt and friend.
A funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 4, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. Interment, Calvary Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Mental Health Association of Greater St. Louis, 1905 S. Grand, St. Louis, Mo. 63104. Arrangements by Bopp Chapel.
Daniel R. Tolley of Webster Groves died Friday, Oct. 14, 2005, of a heart attack. He was 81.
Mr. Tolley was editor of the St. Louis Jazz Club's Jazz on the River publication. He was raised in West Orange, N.J., the youngest of seven children. He took piano and clarinet lessons as a child, and spent Sunday afternoons making music with his siblings in living room concerts for their parents.
Mr. Tolley served in the Army Air Forces in World War II. While visiting an officer's home in St. Louis, he met Gladys Gleiber. They married in 1947.
Mr. Tolley graduated with a bachelor's degree in accounting from Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., and moved to St. Louis. He worked as an insurance broker for various companies before he was hired at the Charles Crane Agency in downtown St. Louis. He retired in the early 1990s.
Mr. Tolley was a member and former treasurer of the St. Louis Jazz Club, a group founded in 1951 to promote jazz music in the St. Louis area. He and his wife were avid travelers, and had returned from a trip to Japan shortly before his death.
Mr. Tolley was the husband of Gladys A. (nee Gleiber) Tolley; father of Denise (David) Eckert; grandfather of Conor and Fiona Eckert; brother of Grace Zdenek; cousin, uncle and friend to many.
A memorial Mass was celebrated Oct. 17, at Annunciation Catholic Church in Webster Groves. Interment, Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Arrangements through Gerber Chapel. Memorials may be made to the St. Louis Jazz Club, 1535 Azalea Drive, St. Louis, Mo. 63119.
Lewis J. Turner of Webster Groves died Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2005. He was 78.
Mr. Turner was past master of Algabil Lodge #544, and a member of Webster Groves Lodge #84 Ancient, Free & Accepted Masons. He served in the Army in World War II, and was a certified public accountant.
Mr. Turner was the husband of Esther (nee Albrecht) Turner; father of John (Colette) Turner, Patricia (Jerry) Chollet, Mike (Gina) Turner, and Holly Jockenhoefer; grandfather of Todd, Elaine, Douglas, Eric, Noel, Catherine, Merri and the late Christie; uncle, cousin and friend.
Funeral services were held Monday, Oct. 31, at Gerber Chapel in Webster Groves, with Masonic services. Interment, Lakewood Park Cemetery. Memorials to the Masonic Home of Missouri, 6033 Masonic Dr., Suite A, Columbia, Mo. 65202.
