John T. Chester
The Rev. John T. Chester, a multi-talented volunteer who held a wide variety of jobs, died Tuesday, March 7, 2000, at his home in Boonville. He was 67.
"He was a very well-respected gentleman and a true believer of God," his daughter Sheila Williams said.
Rev. Chester was born June 8, 1932, in Anderson County, S.C., to Canary Hall and Jack Chester. He was educated in Newport News, Va., and served in the Army. He was married to Georgia Mae Elbert on June 20, 1954.
He became an ordained minister on August 2, 1970, and worked in the Central District Association, holding various positions for many years.
Rev. Chester was a pastor for churches in Rocheport, Napton, Bunceton and Miami, Mo. He was also the superintendent of Sunday school, associate pastor, and a member of the Uplifters choir at Morgan St. Baptist Church.
Generous and help-oriented, Rev. Chester will always be remembered for his random acts of kindness, Williams said.
"My dad would go out of his way to give you the shirt off his back," Williams said.
Williams and Rev. Chester's wife remembered one time in which he picked up a man on the highway, took him to a hotel and paid for his room.
Williams also said her father was so well-liked that "everyone always wanted to be at our house."
Even now, people are still visiting the Chester house.
"Everyone in the community has really helped us out in our time of sorrow," Williams said.
Rev. Chester always held a full-time job in addition to his work for churches. He maintained various part-time positions, and also operated his own janitorial service.
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. today at H.T. May and Son Funeral Home. Services, conducted by the Rev. T.J. Huskey, will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Morgan St. Baptist Church. Burial will be in Boonville Memorial Gardens.
Rev. Chester is survived by his wife; two sons, John Chester Jr. of Boonville and Wade Chester of Aurora, Colo.; four daughters, Barbara Shipley of Kansas City, Adrienne Chester of Fulton, Phyllis Newman and Sheila Williams, both of Boonville; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Barbara Dorward
Barbara J. Hardt Dorward of Columbia died Tuesday, March 7, 2000, at Boone Hospital Center. She was 58.
Ms. Dorward was born Sept. 30, 1941, in Pittsburgh, Pa., to Robert A. and Margaret Grace Rogers Schueler. She married William Doward in Las Vegas, Nev., on Feb. 4, 1994.
Ms. Dorward worked at Columbia Insurance Group for 35 years. She served as a company officer and as assistant vice president and manager of office services. She was a member of the National Secretary Association and was the 1974 Missouri Secretary of the Year.
Visitation for Ms. Dorward will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. John Foley, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Ms. Dorward is survived by her husband, William Dorward of Columbia; her mother, Margaret Cole, and step-father, Waldo Cole of Columbia; one son, Robert Hardt of Columbia; two step-sons, Jeffrey Dorward of Kansas City, and Don Dorward of Columbia; two step-daughters, Diana Flora of Tulsa, Okla., and Debbie Dorward of Columbia; one granddaughter and six step-grandchildren.
Her father died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society or to a charity of choice.
Hester Garrett
Hester Nadine Garrett of Columbia died Wednesday, March 8, 2000, at Boone Hospital Center. She was 89.
Mrs. Garrett was born Aug. 3, 1910, to Walter B. and Betty Buckler Ewens. She was married to George Henry Garrett. He died in Nov. 1988. Mrs. Garrett worked as a cook at Boone Retirement Center until her retirement. She was a member of Eagles Auxiliary.
Visitation for Mrs. Garrett will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 West. Services, conducted by the Rev. Charles Parker, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. She will be buried at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mrs. Garrett is survived by two sons, Shirley Garrett of Columbia and Jerry Garrett of Strawberry, Ark.; one brother, Otha Ware Ewings of New Franklin; one half-sister, Mahala Kite of Fayette; five grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Her husband, two sons, three brothers, two sisters and one step-sister died earlier.
Phyllis Schieszer
Phyllis Marilyn Schieszer of Columbia died Thursday, March 9, 2000, after an extended illness. She was 61.
Mrs. Schieszer was born May 24, 1938, in Bell, Mo., to Otto and Blanche Cox Thompson. She married Robert "Bob" Schieszer on June 27, 1958, in Slater.
Mrs. Schieszer was a member of First Christian Church in Boonville and was employed by Wal-Mart for 13 years.
Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at First Christian Church.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Schieszer of Columbia; one son, Robert Leslie Schieszer of Dahlonega, Ga.; two daughters, Teresa Lee Osweiler of Webster, Iowa, and Shelly Lynn McDonald of Independence; and six grandchildren.
One of her daughters, Lisa Ann Schieszer, died earlier.
Memorials may be sent the Central Missouri Kidney Association, P.O. Box 1915, Columbia, Mo. 65205.
Kenneth A. Ball
Kenneth A. Ball died Wednesday morning in his home in Centralia. The 65-year-old Centralia resident was born in Madison, Mo., on April 27, 1934, to George Dewey and Venus Cleary Ball.
On June 4, 1954 he married Joan Reams. Mr. Ball was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Centralia and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. He retired from the Norfolk & Southern Railroad after 40 years. He was a member of the United Transportation Union and Railroad Retirement. Mr. Ball was very active in other activities of the Centralia community.
He is survived by his wife, two sons, Randall Cooper Ball of Columbia, and Rex Andrew Ball of Centralia, and a daughter, Debra Jo Ball of Centralia.
He is also survived by two brothers George Ball of Centralia and Millard Ball of Clarksville, Tenn., three sisters Mildred McCraw of Georgetown, Texas, Irene McCullough of Springfield, Mo. and Katie Young of Centralia; and two grandchildren, Nicholas Andrew Ball and Cari Cooper Ball, both of Columbia.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Meador & Son funeral home in Centralia.
Memorial Services will 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 11 at the Meador & Son Chapel in Centralia with the Rev. Jim Tolliver and the Rev. Larry Ball presiding. The burial will take place in the City of Centralia Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to the Kenneth Ball Memorial Charity Fund at Boone County Bank in Centralia.
Daniel Marrs
Daniel Marrs of Columbia died Monday, Feb. 28, 2000, at Truman Veterans Hospital. He was 50.
"He didn't ask for much, and he didn't need much," his friend John Shettlesworth said.
Mr. Marrs was born Sept. 21, 1949, in Woodland, Calif., to Ernest and Thelma Marrs. He grew up in Minnesota and graduated from high school in 1967.
Mr. Marrs joined the Army in March 1969 and served in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970.
"He saw too much action in Vietnam and never got over it," Shettlesworth said. "He's like a lot of us."
Mr. Marrs lived in Columbia the last 10 years of his life and worked for Mr. Fixit, a home maintenance company.
He had not been in touch with his family for several years, Shettlesworth said.
Mr. Marrs spent a lot of time in parks with his friend making dream catchers, which are inspired by Native American culture. He was part of a local network of veterans who take care of one another.
"He was an intelligent man," Shettlesworth said. "He could draw, and he wrote poems."
His daughters didn't know him, he said, but they might be able to learn about him through his poetry.
"He's a good man," his friend Glen Guest said. "Nobody knew it."
Visitation for Mr. Marrs will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Gilbert Shelter at Rock Bridge State Park. Services, conducted by James Byrant, will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Gilbert Shelter. Mr. Marrs' body was cremated. His ashes will be spread over an Native American mound at Moon Star Farm in Hartsburg.
Mr. Marrs is survived by his parents, Ernest and Thelma Marrs of Woodland, Calif.; two brothers, Al and Larry Dean Marrs; and four daughters.
Memorials may be sent to any veterans organization.
Edgar Gardner
Edgar Gardner of Ashland, a farmer his entire life, died Tuesday, March 7, 2000, at Ashland Health Care. He was 81.
Mr. Gardner was born April 10, 1918, in Climax Springs to Dee and Ruby White Gardner. He married Inez Perry on March 4, 1954, in Jefferson City.
Mr. Gardner served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, and he was a member of New Hope Baptist Church in Hartsburg.
Services, conducted by the Rev. Steve Miller, will be at 7 p.m. today at Robinson Funeral Home, 601 N. Henry Clay Blvd., in Ashland. Visitation for will be one hour before the service.
Mr. Gardner is survived by his wife, Inez Gardner of Ashland; two daughters, Karen Davis of Columbia and Marcia Martin of Clark. One daughter, Janice Gardner, died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to New Hope Baptist Church Youth Group, 6210 Claysville Rd., Hartsburg, Mo. 65039, or to the charity of your choice.
Georgetta Cole
Georgetta Cole of Ashland died Tuesday, March 7, 2000, at Boone Hospital Center. She was 47.
Mrs. Cole was born April 18, 1952, in Macon, to George and Maxine Page Starke. She married Terry Cole on June 2, 1973, in Columbia.
She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Post 152.
Mrs. Cole worked at 3M as a machine operator for 29 years. She enjoyed drag races, league bowling and going to the lake. Most of all, she loved her family and spoiling her grandson.
Visitation for Mrs. Cole will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Robinson Funeral Home, 601 N. Henry Clay Blvd, Ashland. Services, conducted by the Rev. Fred Martie, will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Robinson Funeral Home.
She is survived by her husband, Terry Cole of Ashland; one son, Chad Cole of Ashland; one daughter, Regan Cole of Ashland; one daugther-in-law, Shelly Cole of Ashland; a brother, Bill Herrin of Bevier; a sister, Susie Palmer of Columbia; and a grandson, Jacob Stanley Cole of Ashland.
Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.
James L. Farris
He loved gardening, fishing, traveling, camping and flea markets.
James L. Farris of Columbia died Saturday, March 4, 2000, at his home. He lost his battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 56.
Mr. Farris was born Feb. 13, 1944, in St. Louis to Jesse and Lillie Roe Farris. He married Dorothy Chapman in 1992 in Wyoming. Mr. Farris was an Army veteran. Before his illness, he was employed as a carpenter.
"He was knowledgeable in every aspect of construction," his wife said. "He loved to build things. He would come up with an idea in his head and he would build it."
She said he built a miniature porch swing for their two grandchildren in Texas who were his pride and joy. He also built their older granddaughter a trophy case.
"He was a wonderful husband, a wonderful father and a wonderful grandfather," she said.
On March 31, 1999, Mr. Farris was told he had six months or less to live, his wife said, and he decided he wasn't going to give up that easily. "He was a fighter," she said. "He fought 'till the end. He suffered and he's not suffering anymore. I'm going to miss him very much."
Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday at Nilson Funeral Home, 5611 St. Charles Road. Services, conducted by the Rev. Doug Einfeld, will follow.
He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Teresa Adler of Michigan and Brenda Wright of Texas; and four sisters, Dee Clem of California, Joyce Sparks of Utah, and Karen Daisy and Dianne Morrow, both of Michigan; and several grandchildren.
The family requests no flowers.
Arvel E. Scherer
He loved his family, fishing and the outdoors very much.
Arvel E. "Gene" Scherer died Sunday, March 5, 2000, in Columbia. He was 72.
Mr. Scherer was born Oct. 13, 1927, in Brunswick to Jacob Wagner and Willie Hazel Closser Scherer.
He served with the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Mr. Scherer married Ginny Arnett on May 10, 1947. Mr. Scherer was a member of Redeemer Presbyterian Church.
He was strictly an outdoor person and he loved to fish, his wife said. After they retired, they bought a house with 10 acres so he could be close to the outdoors.
"We have a pond right by the house," she said. "He fished and I sat on the deck by the house and talked to him."
He was very much a family man who loved his children and grandchildren each in their own special way.
"When we had our 50th wedding anniversary two years ago everyone was able to come home," she said. "It was so enjoyable that they decided they would all come again at that time each year in May."
They had come for the past two years, she said.
Visitation for Mr. Scherer will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. Don Jefferson, will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 7201 E. Highway WW. He will be buried in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. Scherer is survived by his wife of Columbia; one son, Douglas Scherer of Jacksonville, Fla.; four daughters, Kay Rauscher and Karla Elliott, both of Columbia, Sandra Thomas of Enid, Okla., and Kerri Scherer of Schaumberg, Ill.; and nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
His parents and a sister, Norma Jean Duncan, died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Redeemer Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 7201 E. Highway WW, Columbia, Mo. 65201.
Delmer F. Hall
Delmer F. Hall of Columbia died Saturday, March 4, 2000, at his home. He was 90.
Mr. Hall served in the U.S. Army as a military policeman during World War II, was the president of the local Carpenter's Union, was a member of the Hallsville School Board and a member of Wilkes Boulevard Methodist Church.
He was born Nov. 30, 1909, in Boone County to Benjamin Arthur and Paulina Toalson Hall.
Mr. Hall married Veneva Ackmann on Aug. 9, 1947.
Visitation for Mr. Hall will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services will be at noon Tuesday at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Mr. Hall's body will be buried in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. Hall is survived by one son, Howard Hall of Columbia; one daughter, Charlotte Palmer of Columbia; one brother, Alvin C. Hall of Fort Smith, Ark.; and three grandchildren.
His wife, four brothers and five sisters died earlier.
Nancy McKey
Nancy K. McKey of Madison, Wis., died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2000, following a brief illness. She was 60.
For the last year-and-a-half, Ms. McKey was public relations director at Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison.
Previously, she was executive director of the Friends of Banning Park in Long Beach, Calif.; associate director of the School of Journalism at the University of Southern California; director of University and Alumni Events at the University of Southern California; assistant director of the Annenberg Center for the Study of the American Experience in Los Angeles and assistant convention manager of the 1976 Republican National Convention. From 1971 to 1978 she was the senior assistant to the president of the University of Wisconsin System.
Ms. McKey was born March 22, 1939, in Nevada, Iowa, to Everette and Virginia Keefe Kahl. She grew up in Rockwell City, Iowa, and Grinnell, Iowa. She graduated from Grinnell High School in 1957. Ms. McKey attended the University of Iowa and Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis.
A memorial gathering will be held 2 p.m. today at Monona Terrace, One John Nolen Drive in Madison, Wis. Her remains will be placed in Memorial Park Mausoleum in Columbia at a later date. Memorial services are pending.
Ms. McKey is survived by her parents, Everette and Virginia Kahl of Columbia; one daughter, Melissa Helgesen of Verona; one son, Patrick McKey of Winnetka, Ill.; one brother, Stephen Karl of Dallas; and several grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation; 121 Second St., 2nd Floor; San Francisco, CA 94105.
Ruth Walter
Ruth Stewart Walter of Columbia died Friday, March 3, 2000, at Columbia Regional Hospital. She was 74.
Mrs. Walter was a member of the Columbia Art League, the Boone County Genealogy Society, and Friends of the Library. She was also a member of the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson City.
Mrs. Walter was born Feb. 16, 1926, in Mexico, Mo., to George and Maude Genrich Stewart. She graduated from Mexico High School and attended Moberly Junior College. She married Roy Walter in 1956, and was employed at Williams Keepers and McAdams Ltd. until her retirement in 1996.
Visitation for Mrs. Walter will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Monday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by Dr. Jerry Thompson, will follow at 3 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery, 1217 Business Loop 70 W.
Mrs. Walter is survived by her son, August Walter of Columbia; one brother, Eugene Stewart of Mexico, Mo.; five sisters, Ima Jean Stewart and Bessie Towson of Columbia, Billie Dawson and Rose Stewart of Jefferson City, and Geraldine Cleeson of Paris, Mo.
Memorials may be sent to the American Liver Foundation, 75 Maiden Lane, Suite 603, New York, NY 10038.
Connie Hulen
Connie Hulen, a long-time Columbia resident, died Friday, March 3, 2000. She was 84.
Mrs. Hulen was born Sept. 27, 1915, in Birchwood, Tenn. She moved to Columbia in 1946 with her husband, Stan. Along with Stan's brother, Carl, the Hulens created and developed the lake bearing their name in west Columbia. It was a hot spot for families and college students to fish, boat and swim in the 1950s and 1960s.
The Hulens also helped develop the Columbia Veterinarian Hospital and Town & Country Bowling Lanes at Providence Road and Nebraska Street. Mrs. Hulen also helped her husband when he was manager of Stuckey's in Millersburg. They both retired in 1988.
Mrs. Hulen also spent time as a Sunday School teacher, pianist and choir member at Calvary Baptist Church in Columbia. She spent the last four years in Dallas with her husband to be closer to her children. She had been battling Alzheimer's.
"Mother's loves were her family, friends and worshipping through music," said her son Stan. "She enjoyed people and music to the very end."
A memorial service for Mrs. Hulen is being held in Dallas.
Mrs. Hulen is survived by her husband, Stan Hulen; her daughter, Judy Hulen; her son and daughter-in-law, Stan and Cathryn Hulen, and a granddaughter, Emily Hulen, all of the Hulens live in Dallas.
Memorials may be made to Park Cities Baptist Church, 3933 Northwest Parkway, Dallas, Texas, 75225.
Velma Limerick
Velma Limerick, who worked as a nurse for most of her life, died Friday, March 3, 2000, at Boone Hospital Center. She was 87.
"I can't say enough good things about her," her nephew Lloyd Allen said. "She was a person who was devoted to help others, a great aunt and a wonderful person."
Mrs. Limerick was born Nov. 4, 1912, in Boone County to John Virgil and Lena Ann Watson. She married Thomas Benton Limerick on Oct. 26, 1940.
After high school, Mrs. Limerick worked at Noyes Hospital and University Hospital & Clinics as a nursing attendant and later as an X-ray technician. She also worked at Boone County Hospital as an LPN.
Mrs. Limerick worked at the Stephens College Student Health Center for 17 years and the Columbia College Student Health Clinic for seven years.
She was also a member of the Columbia Seventh-day Adventist Church her entire life.
Visitation for Mrs. Limerick will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. Al Oetman, will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, with burial to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mrs. Limerick is survived by a daughter, Judith Makovicka of Fulton; four nephews, Kenneth Rowland of Mohave, Ariz., Lloyd Allen of Columbia, Donald Allen of Weatherford, Texas, and Bill Barger of Everette, Wash. Her husband, two brothers and three sisters died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Seventh-day Adventist Church and Elementary School, 1100 College Park Dr., Columbia, Mo. 65203.
Juanita Donovan
Juanita Pearl Donovan of Hallsville died Friday, March 3, 2000, in Hallsville. She was 79.
Mrs. Donovan was born June 6, 1920, in Columbia, to John Joseph and Lucille Hardin Brown. She married George E. Donovan Jr. on Nov. 26, 1948, in Rocheport.
Mrs. Donovan was a member of Rock Bridge Church of God Holiness. She worked as a secretary and office manager of the Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 and Columbia Central Labor Council Credit Union in Columbia.
Visitation for Mrs. Donovan will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbia. Services, conducted by the Rev. Rodney Davis, will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Rock Bridge Church of God Holiness.
Mrs. Donovan is survived by her son, George E. Donovan III of Centralia; her daughter, Donna D. Sapp of Hallsville; and two grandchildren.
Her husband and brother died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Harmony Hill Youth Camp, c/o the Rev. Rodney Davis, 3515 Valencia Drive., Columbia, Mo. 65203.
Thomas Dodd
Thomas F. Dodd of Bloomington, Ill., died Thursday, March 2, 2000, at Martin Health Center in Bloomington, Ill. He was 95.
Mr. Dodd, who formerly lived in Columbia, was born Dec. 10, 1904, in Stockton to Issac and Dora Robertson Dodd. He married Pauline Caldwell on Aug. 16, 1936.
Mr. Dodd was a member of Missouri United Methodist Church in Columbia.
Services, conducted by the Rev. Dave Jones, will be at 1 p.m. today at Memorial Park Cemetery, 1217 Business Loop 70 W.
Mr. Dodd is survived by his wife; one son, Ronald Dodd of Bloomington, Ill.; and one daughter, Nancy Dodd of Middletown, N.J.
Three sisters and one brother died earlier.
