Betty Lou Gradowski
Betty Lou Gradowski of Columbia died Tuesday, March 14, 2000, at University Hospital & Clinics. She was 67.
Mrs. Gradowski was born November 20, 1932 in Meta, to Roy Elmer and Linnie Braser Sinden. She married Kenneth Stack and he died in 1974. She then married Alexander Gradowski in 1977 in St. Louis.
"She was very outgoing. She liked to belong to clubs, helping people," her sister Beulah Lynch said.
Mrs. Gradowski did voluntary work for the Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Troy. Another of her interests was making crafts for special occasions for the different clubs she was in. She was a member of the Homemakers Club and T.O.P.S.
"She did all kinds of beautiful handworks," Lynch said. "In Eastertime she made bunnies, for example." Lynch said Mrs. Gradowski used all kinds of materials for the different crafts she made.
Visitation for Mrs. Gradowski will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 West. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel.
Mrs. Gradowski is survived by husband Alexander Gradowski of Columbia; two stepsons, Henry Gradowski of Elsberry, and George Gradowski of Los Angeles; one stepdaughter Christine Viviano of Long Island, NY; one brother, Roy Wayne Sinden of Eldon; two sisters, Alma Bowen of Wentzville, and Beulah Lynch of Kansas City; four step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.
Her parents died earlier.
William Jackson
William Jackson of Columbia died Friday, March 10, 2000, at Columbia Regional Hospital. He was 89.
Mr. Jackson was born Jan. 27, 1911, in Columbia to Andrew Jackson and Flora Key Jackson. He attended Douglass High School. Mr. Jackson also was a member of Fifth Street Christian Church in Columbia.
He was the first African American hired by Columbia's U.S. Post Office as a letter carrier.
In 1960, Mr. Jackson married Cornelia Branham in Jefferson City.
Visitation for Mr. Jackson will be from 5 to 8 p.m. tonight at Warren Funeral Chapel, 10 N. Fourth St. Services, conducted by the Rev. A.G. Miller, will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Fifth Street Christian Church, 401 N. Fifth St. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. Jackson is survived by four sons, William Jackson Jr. of San Diego, Harold Jackson of Oakland, Calif., Nathaniel Jackson Sr. of Urbandale, Iowa, and Mitchell Jackson of Columbia; one daughter, Billie Jackson Warren of Austin, Texas; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
His wife, one sister and three brothers died earlier.
Parker Johnson
Parker Johnson of Moberly died Tuesday, March 14, 2000, at Village Park Care Center in Moberly. He was 89.
Mr. Johnson was born Sept. 19, 1910, in Boone County to William H. and Blanche Farris Little Johnson.
He spent his entire life in Boone County. Mr. Johnson worked in the maintance department at Stephens College for 10 years.
Mr. Johnson was a member of the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans.
Visitation for Mr. Johnson will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Parker Funeral Service, 22 N. Tenth St. Services, conducted by Elder Wallace Johnson, will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Parker Funeral Service. Interment will be at Johnson Cemetery in Ashland.
Mr. Johnson is survived by two sisters, Flora Green of Ashland, and Josie Johnson of Fulton; two brothers, Henderson Johnson and Oscar Johnson, both of Ashland; and several nieces and nephews.
His four brothers and one sister died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Johnson Cemetery Association, c/o Connie Roose, 11651 Englewood Road, Ashland, Mo 65010.
Gertrude C. Pearson
Gertrude C. Pearson loved children and devoted most of her life to them.
She worked for 35 years for the Boonville Head Start program, a child-development program for low-income families. The children and staff affectionately called her "Ms. Gertrude."
Mrs. Pearson of Boonville died Thursday, March 9, 2000, at Cooper County Memorial Hospital. She was 62.
Mrs. Pearson was with the Head Start program since its beginnings in Boonville. She started the job as a teacher's aide and was the director of the center for the last 25 years of her work there.
"She was always willing to help anybody," said son William Lionel Pearson. "She volunteered for the community a lot."
Mrs. Pearson was born July 23, 1937, in Bunceton to Augusta Clay and Zelma Roland. She married William Ferd Pearson on Dec. 7, 1961.
She was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Bunceton and also regularly attended Morgan St. Baptist Church. Mrs. Pearson was a member of the Harvest House Board and a member of the Bunceton Cemetery Board.
Visitation for Mrs. Pearson will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at H.T. May and Son Funeral Home in Boonville. Services, conducted by the Rev. Earl Jackson, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Morgan St. Baptist Church. Burial will be at Sunset Hill Cemetery.
Mrs. Pearson is survived by her two sons, William Lionel Pearson and Charles E. Pearson, both of Boonville; three brothers, Henry Roland of Kansas City, Leroy Roland of San Diego and George Moore of Leavenworth, Kansas; and four grandchildren.
Her husband, one daughter, one sister and one brother died earlier.
Mack H. Todd
Mack Henry Todd of Columbia died Monday, March 13, 2000. He was 77.
Mr. Todd was born Oct. 29, 1922 in Heltonville, Ind. to James and Bertran "Tranny" Todd. On April 3, 1943, he married Velma Bodenhamer.
Mr. Todd served in the Air Force, and upon retirement, he worked as a school administrator in Arkansas. He was a member of Columbia's Blue Ridge Christian Church, the National Education Association and the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association. He also was a member of the American Legion Gillen Post No. 33 of Bedford, Ind. and the Veterans Association of Heltonville, Ind.
Visitation for Mr. Todd will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 12 to 2 p.m Friday at Jones Funeral Home in Heltonville, Ind. Services, conducted by the Rev. Jim Fisher, will be at 2 p.m. Friday. Burial will be at the Gilgal Cemetary in Heltonville, Ind.
Mr. Todd is survived by his wife, Velma; four daughters, Linda Todd of Meridian, Miss., Jo Ella Todd of Columbia, Suzanne Todd Meek of Chapel Hill, N.C., and Maxine Todd of Dallas; four sisters, Ola Jones, Margaret Sparks, Roberta Boyd and Shirley Moran, all of Bloomington, Ind.; and one grandson.
His brother, Opal Todd, died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Residential Services, Inc., P.O. Box 730, Carrboro, NC 27510.
Frances G. Wilson
Frances G. Wilson of Fayette, who was a foster parent to 52 children, died Sunday, March 12, 2000, at Fayette Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was 81.
Mrs. Wilson was a member of the Second Baptist Church in Fayette.
Mrs. Wilson was born in Fayette to William and Allie Stapleton Powell on March 16, 1918. She married Eldridge A. Wilson on Oct. 15, 1934.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday at H.T. May and Son Funeral Home, 304 Walter St. in Fayette. Services, conducted by the Rev. Horace Hopkins, will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Second Baptist Church, 309 E. Hackberry in Fayette.
Mrs. Wilson is survived by three sons, David Wilson and Timothy Wilson, both of Columbia, and Daniel Wilson of Kansas City; two daughters, Fontella Wilson and Lisa Wilson, both of Columbia; two brothers, Kenneth Broadus and Nathan Broadus, both of Columbia; five sisters, Jacqueline Thompson of Boonville, Teresa Williams of Marshall, Calandra Mitchem of Raytown and Doris Tatum and Louise Holliway, both of Kansas City; and 11 grandchildren.
Her husband, five sisters and four brothers died earlier.
Mary Elizabeth Angell
Mary Elizabeth Angell of Hallsville died Monday, March 13, 2000 at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. She was 92.
Mrs. Angell was born May 17, 1907 to William Richard and Sarah Ann Winscott.
She graduated from high school in Centralia and later at-tended Orton Rice Business College in Columbia.
In August 1929, she married Wilbert Forsee, who died in Febru-ary 1952. She married James Buford Angell of Centralia in September 1962, who died in November 1970.
Mrs. Angell retired from Ellis Fischel Cancer Center in 1975 after working for 21 years in the Dietary Department.
She was a member of the Wilkes Boulevard Church in Colum-bia and the Ladies of the Moose Lodge in Moberly.
Visitation for Mrs. Angell will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Parker Funeral Services, 22 N. Tenth St. Services, conducted by the Rev. Bruce Caldwell, will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Parker Funeral Service.
Mrs. Angell is survived by her daughter, Mary Reams of Hallsville; two grandsons, R. Thomas Reams and Edward Reams; one grand-daughter, Brenda Rollins; and four great-grandchildren.
Her two sisters died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to American Cancer Society, 33 E. Broadway, Suite 100, Columbia, Mo. 65203.
Lowell C. Forbes
Lowell C. Forbes of Columbia died Saturday, March 11, 2000 in Columbia. He was 83.
Mr. Forbes was born Feb. 8, 1917 to Harry E. and Georgeanna Westman Forbes in Washington County, Colo.
He married Mildred West Nov. 9, 1946 in Kansas City, Kan.
Mr. Forbes retired in 1978 after more than 30 years of service with Columbia's city power plant. He was a member of Wilkes Boulevard Methodist Church, a member and former officer of Odd Fellows and a member of the Athens Rebeckah Lodge and Woodmen of the World.
Visitation for Mr. Forbes will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W., with an Odd Fellows Service at 6:30 p.m. Services, conducted by Stanley Owen and the Rev. Michael Keith, will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Wilkes Boulevard United Methodist Church.
Mr. Forbes is survived by his wife; his son, Robert Lee Forbes of Marshalltown, Iowa; his daughter, Betty Ann Ghio of Hallsville; a brother, Marion Forbes of Des Moines, Iowa; two sisters, Velva Mueller of Marshalltown, Iowa and Neva James of Alexander, S.C.; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
One son, seven brothers and one granddaughter died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Ellis Fischel Hospital Guest House, 115 Business Loop 70 W., Columbia, Mo. 65202.
Thomas O. Melvin
Thomas O. Melvin of Rocky Mount died Saturday, March 11, 2000, at Truman Veterans Hospital in Columbia. He was 68.
Mr. Melvin was born Feb. 9, 1932, in Howard County to Merrott Hollis and Alta McMillan Melvin.
He graduated from Hickman High School in 1950, and served in the Army from 1952 until 1954, with the 868 FA Battalion. Mr. Melvin owned Tom's Cabinets in Columbia for 30 years.
Visitation for Mr. Melvin will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Parker Funeral Service, 22 N. Tenth St. Services, conducted by the Rev. Fred Marty, will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Ashland cemetery in Howard County.
Mr. Melvin is survived by his brother, Merrott Hollis Melvin of Columbia and his sister, Dorothy Jean Nimesto of Dickson, Texas.
Frank "Bud" Elkin
From baseball pitcher to sheriff, farmer to good friend, he did it all, but kept his family as his top priority
Frank Linwood "Bud" Elkin died Friday, March 10, 2000, at Boone Hospital Center. He was 84.
"He was a strong Democrat as well as a family man because we always came first," said Mr. Elkin's daughter Kena Forbis.
Mr. Elkin was Boone County deputy sheriff for two years. He served as sheriff of Boone County from 1964 to 1973 and later as an honorary deputy sheriff for Ted Boehm, Boone County sheriff.
"He was one of the legends you hate to see go," Boehm said. "He's done so much not just for the law enforcement agency, but for the community as a whole."
Boehm said Mr. Elkin was the sheriff when he arrived in Boone County in 1968.
"He did a good job introducing the newcomers to the job," Boehm said. "He always took the time to talk to people regardless of how busy he was."
Boehm said if there was a question about the definition of a public servant, "it would be Bud Elkin."
Mr. Elkin was the former mayor of Hallsville. He was also a cattle farmer. Forbis said her father waited to retire until he was 80. He resigned from his job as mayor in 1994 for health reasons.
Mr. Elkin was born Dec. 9, 1915, to Frank Faucett and Nena Parker Austene Elkin in Hallsville.
He graduated from Hallsville High School and then went on to Kansas City Business College and Kansas City Electrical and Welding School.
On Nov. 17, 1940, he married Mildred L. Willett. They were married 59 years.
Forbis said her parents were very dedicated to each other. She said her father's number one priority was to love his family. Mr. Elkin would call all of his kids everyday.
"If he didn't hear from us in a short time, he'd call again or come by to see if we were sick or if something was wrong," she said.
Forbis said he had that father's intuition of always knowing things even before they were said.
Every holiday was special to the family, Forbis said, because all 40 family members, including grandchildren and great-grand children, were able to come together.
"Everyday with us was special to him," she said.
Mr. Elkin played professional baseball with the St. Louis Browns. In fact, his grandson, Skip Elkin, who serves as an alderman of the Hallsville City Council, has his baseball card.
"I actually believe in my heart that he made a difference in the world," Skip Elkin said. "He's going to be missed by a lot of people."
Elkin said his grandfather was a wonderful father, grandfather and friend.
"He seemed to know what to say and how to say it," Skip Elkin said. "He taught me a lot about work ethic and of life in general."
He said his grandfather also taught him a lot about politics.
Forbis said politics were her father's second priority, and that faith and god guided him in everything that he did.
"He was a counselor," she said. "I can't even begin to tell you how many people he counseled.
Skip Elkin said his grandfather was someone you could count on anytime for anything.
Mr. Elkin worked as building inspector for Boone County Planning and Zoning. He owned a feed store and trucking business in Hallsville.
He was also the owner and operator of an antique store in Hallsville. He was part owner of Columbia Livestock Sale Barn.
He was a member of Red Top Christian Church and Hallsville Masonic Lodge #336. He served on the Hallsville School Board and as a Democratic committeeman for Rocky Fork Township. He was president of Tiger Shrine in Columbia. He was also a member of the Angus Cattleman's Association, National Sheriff's Association and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
"When you live 84 years like he did with such a passion for his homeplace, you become knowledgeable about things," Forbis said.
Forbis said if anyone had questions, the answer was always, "Ask Bud."
She said her father was a good Samaritan. Since his death, Forbis said, so many people have talked about all the kindnesses Mr. Elkin had given them. She said that her family had never realized how many people he touched.
"People respected him so much," she said.
Visitation for Mr. Elkin will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today, with a Masonic service at 7 p.m., at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. Bill Ryan, will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel.
He is survived by his wife, Mildred L. Elkin of Hallsville; one son, Phil Elkin of Hallsville; four daughters, Elaine George, Nena Kallenbach, and Kena Forbis, all of Hallsville, and Debbie Kelley of Columbia; one sister, Dorothy Zaring of Columbia; 15 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be sent to Hallsville Red Top Christian Church, Hallsville, Mo. 65255 or Shriners Hospital, c/o Bud Elkin Memorial, 2001 S. Lindberg, St. Louis, Mo. 63131.
Lenora Mercetis Clark
Lenora Mercetis Clark of Columbia died Saturday, March 10, 2000, at Boone Hospital Center. She was 76.
Mrs. Clark was born June 16, 1923, in Puxico to Roy Harold and Magie Nola McClard Martin. She grew up with five siblings.
She married Paul K. Clark on August 22, 1944, in Pickett, Ark. They had three children, and Mrs. Clark devoted almost all of her time to her family. She was a homemaker for most of her life and loved it, said her son Ronald D. Clark. She loved talking with her siblings, taking care of her children, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Mrs. Clark was a member of Duckcreek Baptist Church in Puxico. She was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary.
Visitation for Mrs. Clark will be 11:30 to 1 p.m. Monday at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. Mickey Havener, will follow at Memorial Funeral Home.
Mrs. Clark is survived by two sons, Bobby G. Clark of O'Fallon, Ill., and Ronald D. Clark of Columbia; one daughter, Paula K. Blumer of Columbia; two brothers, R. Muriel Martin of Lake St. Louis and Harold R. Martin of St. Charles; two sisters, Ilene Jennings and Betty Page, both of St. Charles; and six grandchildren.
Mrs. Clark's husband and one brother, Jerry Martin, died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the Ronald McDonald House, 1001 Stadium Blvd., Columbia, Mo. 65201; or to the Make A Wish Foundation, c/o Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W., Columbia, Mo. 65202; or to the charity of one's choice.
Leon W. Kidd
Leon W. Kidd of Columbia died Thursday, March 9, 2000, at Lenoir Health Care Center. He was 88.
Mr. Kidd was born Feb. 27, 1912, in Marshall, Okla., as the oldest of J.W. Kidd and Mable Ott Kidd's 10 children.
Mr. Kidd graduated from Phillips University in Enid, Okla., with two degrees and then from Lexington Theological Seminary with a doctoral degree.
Mr. Kidd used his extensive education while serving as a chaplain during World War II in France and Germany. Mr. Kidd also participated in the Battle of the Bulge. He served with the 442nd Rainbow Division, which helped liberate Dachau. Mr. Kidd also served in the Korean War.
He remained a member of the Army Reserves and retired as a lieutenant colonel. He served churches in Kansas, Oklahoma, Illinois and Michigan. Mr. Kidd married Helen Williams in 1941. In 1987, his friends and colleagues honored Mr. Kidd for 50 dutiful years in the ministry of the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ.
Mr. Kidd then retired to Decatur, Ill. After retiring, he served as an interim minister in churches in Illinois, Michigan and Canada.
Mr. Kidd moved to Lenoir in March 1998 and resided in assisted-living quarters. Despite his many health problems, Mr. Kidd still served on the Vespers Planning committee, helping to lead weekly prayer breakfasts and assisting foreign students from MU in learning conversational English.
A graveside service, conducted by the Rev. Robert Lowe, for Mr. Kidd will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, Ill.
A memorial service, conducted by the Revs. John Yonker and Sally Robinson, will be held 3 p.m. Monday at Lenoir Retirement Center.
Mr. Kidd is survived by his son, L.W. Kidd of Decatur, Ill.; four sisters, Anna Riddle of Tonkawa, Okla., Claudine Corder of Lee's Summit, Marjorie Collins of Tulsa, Okla., and Ethel Silva, of Richland, Wash.; two brothers, Charles Kidd of Camarillo, Calif., and Harold Kidd of Plainview, Texas; and three great-grandchildren.
His wife, Helen, daughter, Evelyn Bilbry, and great-granddaughter, Nicole Beamer, died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Fellowship of John c/o Lenoir Retirement Center, No. 1 Hourigan Drive, Columbia, Mo. 65201 or Crestview Christian Church c/o Rev. Robert Lowe, 860 Sarah Drive, Decatur, Ill. 62526.
Imogene McBride
Imogene McBride of Centralia died Thursday, March 9, 2000, three days after her 72nd birthday.
Mrs. McBride was born March 6, 1928, in Centralia to David and Hallie Davis.
Mrs. McBride belonged to the First Christian Church. She baby-sat children in her home for 50 years.
Visitation for Mrs. McBride was held Saturday. Services, conducted by the Rev. Ed Varnum, will be at 3 p.m. today at Meador and Son Funeral Home in Centralia. Burial will be in the city of Centralia Cemetery.
Mrs. McBride is survived by one brother, W.A. Davis of Mexico, Mo.; two sisters, Dora Bagley of Centralia and Mary Frances Bagley of Weston, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews.
Her husband died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the First Christian Church, 229 S. Rollins, Centralia, Mo. 65240.
Donna Wilcoxson
Donna J. Wilcoxson of Harrisburg died Friday, March 10, 2000, at her home. She was 56.
Mrs. Wilcoxson was born April 23, 1943, in Boone County to John and Margaret Smith Richardson. She was a member of the Harrisburg Baptist Church. In her spare time, Mrs. Wilcoxson enjoyed horseback riding, reading and playing cards.
Visitation for Mrs. Wilcoxson will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Nilson Funeral Home, 5611 St. Charles Road. Graveside services, conducted by the Rev. Mike Kelleher, will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Harrisburg Cemetery.
Mrs. Wilcoxson is survived by her husband, Paul Wilcoxson of Harrisburg; two sons, Michael Wilcoxson and Darrin Wilcoxson, both of Harrisburg; a sister, Rita Sue Proctor of Harrisburg; and several grandchildren.
Memorials may be sent to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, 915 Olive St., St Louis, Mo. 63101.
