Bradford Batton
Bradford Bernard Batton's years of military service earned him prestigious national awards and honors, including a Purple Heart and a Congressional Medal of Honor.
Mr. Batton of Columbia died Monday, May 1, 2000, at Boone Hospital Center. He was 66.
Mr. Batton was born on June 24, 1933, in Tanner, W.Va. to Walter S. and Susie Alice Hardman Batton. He married Norma Cunningham on Nov. 27, 1954, in Stumptown, W.Va.
Mr. Batton served in the U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division from 1950-1954 during the Korean Conflict. He received the Airborne Wings, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army of Occupation 1945-1955, Korea Service Medal 1950-1954, Cold War Victory Commemorative, Fortiquears-Korean Medal, Congressional Medal of Honor and Presidential Citation.
Mr. Batton was also a member of the First Baptist Church in Milford, Ohio and of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #280 in Columbia.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, 1217 Business Loop 70 W.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Bradford Antonio Batton of Chippewa Lake, Ohio, and Randal Sheldon Batton of Columbia; one sister, June Coward of Wellington, Ohio; seven grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.
Raymond N. Bennett
Raymond "Ray" Nelson Bennett of Columbia died Monday, May 1, 2000 at Boone Hospital Center. He was 65.
Mr. Bennett was an area businessman since 1966 and operated area service stations including the I-70 Amoco and Northside Conoco. He was a member and ordained deacon of the Parkade Baptist Church.
Mr. Bennett was born Aug. 6, 1934 in Sedalia to Ray Eugene and Eva Belle Crain Bennett. He married Beverly Tegtmeyer on Sept. 21, 1952.
Visitation for Mr. Bennett will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Memorial Funeral Home 1217 Business Loop 70 West. Services, conducted by the Rev. Terry Hunsaker, will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday at the Memorial Funeral Home Chapel.
Mr. Bennett is survived by his wife, three sons, Kevin Bennett, Chris Bennett and Shaun Bennett, all of Columbia; a daughter, Cyndi Hall, of Columbia; two sisters, Betty Jean Janney of Warsaw, Mo. and Ann Seymour of Rockdale, Texas; six grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Two brothers and a sister died earlier.
Memorials for Mr. Bennett may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 33 E. Broadway, Suite 100, Columbia, Mo 65203, the Alzheimer's Association, 1121 Business Loop 70 E., Columbia, Mo 65201 or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 30638, Columbia Mo, 65205.
Davis Junior Garrett
He was a great provider, a hardworking man and a Christian.
Davis Junior Garrett of Kingdom City died Saturday, April 29, 2000, at Harry Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital. He was 69.
Mr. Garrett was born Feb. 1, 1931, in Riddleton, Tenn. to Robert and Nannie Nixon Garrett.
He attended Riddleton public schools. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from Oct. 2, 1951 to Oct. 1, 1953. He was a member of St. James Masonic Lodge #511 in Waukegan, Ill.
Mr. Garrett met Eunice Graves at her cousin's house in Waukegan, Ill. and they were together since. They were married, and Mrs. Garrett said they spent 20 beautiful years together.
Mrs. Garrett said her husband never met any strangers because he befriended everyone with whom he came in contact.
"He has a numerous number of friends," she said. "I can't even begin to name them. He talked to everybody. He loved to talk."
Mr. Garrett also loved yard work.
"You could throw a slice of bread out there and eat it," Mrs. Garrett said. "That's how clean he kept his lawn."
The Garretts moved from Waukegan, Ill. to Riddleton, Tenn. and then to Kingdom City in 1990. Mr. Garrett worked at the Sheriff's Department in Fulton. He then was employed at Gasper's restaurant in Kingdom City.
Visitation for Mr. Garrett will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Warren Funeral Chapel, 107 W 6th St. in Fulton. Services, conducted by the Rev. T. L. Garner, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Calvary Baptist Church in Fulton. Burial will be held at Callaway Memorial Gardens in Fulton.
Mr. Garrett is survived by his wife, four daughters, Vanessa Garrett of Pride North Chicago, Deborah Garrett of Zion, Ill., Vernetta Tally and Kathy Gillette, both of Waukegan, Ill.; four sons, Kevin Garrett of Waukegan, Ill., Anthony Garrett of North Chicago, Ronnie Gillette and Andy Gillette, both of Fulton; two sisters, Pauline Garrett of Evanston, Ill. and Robbie Carter of Carthage, Tenn.; 18 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Two brothers and four sisters died earlier.
William Anthony Roark
William Anthony Roark treasured his involvement with the Catholic Church.
"The church was the center of his life," said Russ Carmichael, his life partner. "He was a completely and utterly devoted Catholic."
Mr. Roark of Columbia died Friday, April 28, 2000, at Ellis Fischel Cancer Center of HIV-related illnesses. He was 36.
Even when he was very sick, Mr. Roark listened to what others said. Using religion as his life's focus, he worked to enlighten others' lives, Carmichael said.
Mr. Roark worked as a children's educator at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where he was a member, and as a supporter of the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network.
"He was the friendliest, gentlest, most wonderful man," Carmichael said.
Debilitating illness prevented Mr. Roark from getting involved in the community more, Carmichael said.
"Even when he was in utter and severe pain, he always bore it with a smile," he said.
Mr. Roark was born September 26, 1963, at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base in Michigan to Eugene and Elizabeth Hodges Roark.
Mr. Roark attended Truman State University, Rockhurst College and MU.
He was united in holy union with Carmichael on Dec. 3, 1994.
Visitation for Mr. Roark will be from 7 to 8 p.m. today at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1115 Locust St. A rosary service will begin at 8 p.m. Services, conducted by the Rev. Edwin Cole, will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Sacred Heart. Burial will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Kansas City, Kan.
Mr. Roark is survived by his partner; his parents, Elizabeth and Eugene Roark of Sedalia; and three sisters, Mary Bahner of Bahner, Cecelia Donelson of England and Theresa Luebbering of Holts Summit.
Three brothers died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 1013, Columbia, Mo. 65205, or the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1115 Locust St., Columbia, Mo. 65201.
William M. Starke
William M. Starke died Monday, May 1, 2000, at Boone Retirement Center. He was 81.
Mr. Starke was born Jan. 13, 1919, in Boone County to Edwin Alexander and Anna Laura Martin Starke. He was employed as a truck driver until retirement. He attended Olivet Christian Church and Grace Bible Church.
Visitation for Mr. Starke will be 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at Nilson Funeral Home, 5611 St. Charles Road. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Nilson Funeral Homes, followed by a burial at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. Starke is survived by three daughters, Lois Walker of Columbia, Wanda Duren of Clinton, and Judy Adkins of Houston; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Two brothers died earlier.
Roy Edward Forbis
Roy Edward Forbis of Columbia died Saturday, April 29, 2000, at his home. He was 79.
Mr. Forbis was born May 1, 1920, in Boone County to Jack and Martha Palmer Forbis. He married Mildred Jane Melloway on June 29, 1939, in Columbia.
He was a member of Grandview Baptist Church in Columbia and a member of the Teamster Local #833 in Jefferson City.
Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. Jim Smith, will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbia. He will be buried at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. Forbis is survived by one son, Joseph Edward Forbis of Columbia; one daughter, Jayne Lee Ward of Columbia; two sisters, Dorothy Sadler of Wheatland and Bertie Forbis of Columbia; one grandson and two great-granddaughters.
His wife, four brothers, two sisters and one grandson died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the Cedar Crest Baptist Church Camp, Little Bonne Femme Association, 1512 Business Loop 70 W., Columbia, Mo. 65202
Richard Hunkins
Richard Colleran Hunkins of Columbia died Thursday, April 27, 2000. He was 72.
Mr. Hunkins was born Oct. 27, 1927, in St. Louis to Catherine Ann Colleran and Everett Demming Hunkins. He was ordained to the priesthood March 17, 1956, by Cardinal Joseph Ritter.
Since 1995, Father Hunkins served in the Columbia Nursing Home as a Diocesan Pilgrimage Director. He was named a Lieutenant Commander and awarded the Naval Commendation Medal for his service in Vietnam.
Father Hunkins is survived by two sisters, Betty Ann Sims and Mary Ellen Holton; and two brothers, Franklin Hunkins and Thomas Hunkins.
Visitation for Father Hunkins will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Columbia, ending with a prayer service. A funeral Mass, celebrated by the Rev. John Gaydos, will be held 11 a.m. Monday at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Columbia. Another visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in University City. A funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. Burial at Calvary Cemetery in St. Louis will be held after the Mass.
Memorials may be sent to St. Thomas Seminary in Hannibal.
Reita Page
Reita Pearl Page of Columbia died Thursday, April 27, 2000, at Ellis Fischel Cancer Center. She was 63.
Mrs. Page was born April 20, 1937, in Odessa to Fred Allen and Lillie Edith Barker Bush. She married Bobby L. Page on April 6, 1954, in Boonville.
The Rev. Charles Parker will conduct services at 3 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel.
Mrs. Page is survived by one son, Tracy Page of Fulton; two daughters, Brenda Bolden and Reita Page, both of Columbia; three stepsons, Malvin Page of Harrisburg, Kerry Page of Oklahoma and John Page of Columbia; one brother, Clifford Bush of Pleasant Hill; two sisters, Opal Speas of Lexington and Lorena Hudson of Grand Junction, Colo.; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be sent to Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, 115 Business Loop 70 W., Columbia, Mo. 65202.
Dorothy E. Allen
Dorothy E. Allen of Columbia died Tuesday, May 9, 2000, of a heart attack at University Hospital and Clinics. She was 53.
Mrs. Allen was born Feb. 22, 1947, in Portageville to Walter Sr. and Maggie Howard Allen. She joined
New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Portageville.
Visitation for Mrs. Allen will be from 10 to 11:45 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul AME Church, 501 Park Ave., in Columbia.
Services, conducted by the Rev. Clifton N. St. James, will be at noon Saturday at St. Paul AME Church.
Mrs. Allen is survived by three daughters, Lisa Conner of Columbia, Yolanda Allen of Nashville, Tenn., and Tamala Cobb of Columbia; a son, Daniel (Jack) Allen; a daughter-in-law, Stacy Allen; three sisters, Margaret Allen of Columbia, Deloris Grant of Moreno Valley, Calif., and Bertha Collier of
Columbia; three brothers and one sister-in-law, John Allen of Columbia, Walter Allen Jr. of Columbia,
Anthony and Augusta Allen of Portagevlle; and eight grandchildren.
Her parents and two grandsons died earlier.
Betty Gene Crespi
Betty Gene Crespi of Columbia died Thursday, May 11, 2000, at Boone Hospital Center. She was 71.
Mrs. Crespi was born Jan. 9, 1929, to Edward and Marie Cunningham Raybrook. She married Michael
Henry Crespi in 1947. She enjoyed crafts and travel.
There will be a private service at a later date.
Mrs. Crespi is survived by three daughters, Deborah M. Crespi of Washington, Mo., Irene J. Nelson of
St. Joseph and Barbara A. Warn of Columbia; one son, Michael J. Crespi of California; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Her husband and a sister died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the Heart of Missouri Girl Scout Council, 230 Metro Drive., Jefferson City, Mo. 65101 or the Eldercare Center, 137 Clark Hall, Columbia, Mo. 65202..
Clif Parmentier
Clif James Parmentier of Columbia died Wednesday, May 10, 2000, at his home. He was 67.
Mr. Parmentier was born Jan. 14, 1933, in St. Louis to James and Dorothy Parmentier. He served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War and was active in the Boy Scouts of America for 60 years. He most recently worked with Troop #3, the oldest troop west of the Mississippi River. He married Gudrun Walliser on July 10, 1960, in Columbia.
Visitation for Mr. Parmentier will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Nilson Funeral Home, 5611 St. Charles Road, in Columbia. There will be no services.
He is survived by his wife; a son, Geoffrey Parmentier of Columbia; a daughter, Karen Skimming of Gainesville, Fl; and two grandchildren.
Memorials may be sent to the Boy Scouts of America, 1203 Fay St., Columbia, Mo. 65203 or to the Audubon Society of Missouri, 3005 Chapel Hill Road, Columbia, Mo. 65203.
Charles Turner III
Charles Wesley Turner III of Columbia died Wednesday, May 10, 2000, at The Williamsburg. He was 79.
Cmdr. Turner was born Dec. 31, 1920, in Columbia to Charles Wesley Turner Jr. and Anna A. Schwartz Turner. He married Helen A. Odor on March 3, 1946.
He entered the U.S. Navy just before World War II and retired as a commander 23 years later.
Cmdr. Turner graduated from MU in 1977, where he had started and completed three-and-a-half years before the war. He was a member of Calvary Episcopal Church and was an Eagle Scout. He also was a skilled bridge player and he and his wife played in many tournaments.
Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday at Parker Funeral Service, 22 N. Tenth St., in Columbia. Services, conducted by the Rev. Canon Arnold Hoffman, will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Parker Funeral Service.
Cmdr. Turner is survived by his wife, Helen Turner of Columbia; two daughters, Mariana Olson of
Moberly and Claudia Turner of Santa Rosa, Calif.; a son, Charles W. Turner IV of Bloomington, Ill. ; a sister, Marilyn Dahl of Springfield, Ill.; and five grandchildren.
A sister died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the Salvation Army, 1108 W. Ash St., Columbia, Mo. 65203 or The Central Missouri Food Bank 2000 Pennsylvania Drive, Columbia, Mo. 65202..
Amy Jean Acton
Amy Jean Acton of Columbia died Tuesday, May 9, 2000, at Boone Hospital Center. She was 71.
Mrs. Acton was born July 4, 1928 to William A. and Laura Nichols Perkins in Boone County.
She married George Stanley Acton in Columbia on Dec. 7, 1946.
Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W.
Services, conducted by the Rev. Slade Skipper, will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. The burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mrs. Acton is survived by two sons, Stanley Dale Acton of Hannibal and Jeffrey Lynn Acton of
Columbia; a daughter, Peggy Jean Daly of Rocheport; three brothers, Bobby Perkins of Arizona, Billy Perkins of Columbia, and Leonard Perkins of Pittsburg, Mo.; a sister, Erma Bennett of Stephens and six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Her parents, husband and four brothers died earlier.
Jonathan Eli Carter
Jonathan Eli Carter died Tuesday, May 9, 2000, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia.
The 14-month-old son of Stephen L. and Rose N. N'Guessan Carter accidently drowned in a baby bath at his home.
Jonathan was born March 16, 1999, in Columbia.
Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Evangelical Free Church, with Dr. Bill Smart officiating. The burial will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Jonathan is survived by his parents; his paternal grandmother, Lois D. Bashandi of Columbia; and his maternal grandmother, N'Drin Doudouhon Helene of Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
His maternal grandfather and paternal grandfather died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the Evangelical Free Church in memory of Jonathan E. Carter, 600 Silvey, Columbia, Mo. 65203.
Marie T. Johnson
Marie T. Johnson of Ashland died Tuesday, May 9, 2000, at her home. She was 56.
Mrs. Johnson was born March 30, 1944, in Columbia Heights, Minn., to Irving and Temple Watson Nygaard.
She married Gary Johnson on Dec. 27, 1967, in Manhattan, Kan. Mrs. Johnson was a teacher at Southern Boone County Elementary School for eight years.
Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m., today at Robinson Funeral Home, 601 N. Henry Clay Blvd., in Ashland. Services, conducted by Vicki Braddy, will immediately follow at 7 p.m.
Mrs. Johnson is survived by her husband, two daughters, Kari Johnson and Marit Johnson, both of Ashland; and a brother, Jon Nygaard of Fergus Falls, Minn.
Her parents died earlier.
Memorial contributions can be sent to Southern Boone County Primary Building, in care of Dave Decker, 303 N. Main St., Ashland, Mo. 65010.
John Leigh Bullard
John Leigh Bullard of Columbia died Saturday, May 6, 2000, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Columbia police. He was 50.
Mr. Bullard was an artist and a philosopher, said his brother, Tom Bullard.
"He wrote songs and poetry and played the guitar. He played his songs for his friends," Tom Bullard said. "As a philosopher, he explored different religions. I think it made him a stronger Christian."
Tom Bullard remembers his brother as being a friend to many people, even strangers.
"He'd talk to anybody on a great deal of subjects," Tom Bullard said. "He was an easy person to talk to."
Tom Bullard says that people would often seek out his brother when they wanted someone to talk too. "He helped a lot of people by talking to them."
Mr. Bullard liked children and animals.
"One of his neighbors told me that he'd never seen Johnny eat candy, but he always had candy for his kids," Tom Bullard said. "Young people liked him, too."
For the past 11 years, Mr. Bullard was employed with Marshall Engineering of Columbia as a surveying technician.
"He was a very hard worker and was excellent in his particular line of work," said Bill Marshall, owner of Marshall Engineering.
Mr. Bullard was born on New Year's Day, 1950, in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., to Roy James Bullard and Frances Hogan Bullard.
Visitation for Mr. Bullard will be from 6 to 7 tonight at Robinson Funeral Home in Ashland. Memorial services will follow at 7 p.m., also at Robinson Funeral Home. Bill Marshall will officiate.
Mr. Bullard is survived by two brothers, Tom Bullard of Manhattan Beach, Calif., and Jim Bullard of Columbia.
His parents died earlier.
Memorial contributions may be sent in Mr. Bullard's name to the Humane Society of Boone County, 616 Big Bear Blvd., Columbia, Mo. 65202.
Thelma Bullard
Thelma Bullard stayed busy throughout her 95 years. She worked as a teacher, a sales clerk, stayed active in her church and still found time to revel in the joys of gardening, crafts and crocheting.
Mrs. Bullard died Monday, May 8, 2000, at Ashland Health Care in Ashland . She was born Jan. 22, 1905 in Boone County to Edward E. Burnham and Clara B. Daniels Burnham. Mrs. Bullard later taught at what was Oak Grove School on Hawkins Road in the early 1920s. She married Raymond Bullard on Jan. 25, 1925 in Ashland.
Mrs. Bullard worked as a sales clerk for Pauley's Store and JCPenney's. She also worked at Boone Hospital Center as a ward secretary. Retirement did not slow down the grandmother of three and great-grandmother of two, as she spent her time gardening, making crafts, crocheting and remaining active in the New Liberty Baptist Church in Hartsburg.
Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday at Robinson Funeral Home, 601 N. Henry Clay Blvd. in Ashland. Services conducted by Elder John Anderson will follow at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. The burial will take place at the New Salem Cemetery in Ashland.
Mrs. Bullard is survived by her son, Edward Bullard of Ashland; three grandsons; and two great-grandchildren.
Her parents, husband and a sister died earlier.
Memorial contributions may be made to the New Liberty Cemetery or New Liberty Church, 4200 E. Liberty Lane in Hartsburg.
Carl Morton Roberts
Carl Morton Roberts of Columbia died Friday, May 5, 2000, at Boone Hospital Center. He was 51.
Mr. Roberts was born June 22, 1948, in Columbia to Joseph H. and Genelle Morton Roberts.
Mr. Roberts and Cindy Palmer were married in Columbia in 1982. He was a member of Wilkes Boulevard Methodist Church and worked as an auto parts salesman at Machens Ford for 32 years.
Visitation for Mr. Roberts was held on Monday at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Services were conducted by the Rev. Michael Keith on Tuesday. Mr. Roberts was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Columbia.
Mr. Roberts is survived by his wife, Cindy, and one son, Craig Roberts of Columbia.
His parents died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the Craig Roberts Trust Fund, c/o Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W., Columbia, Mo. 65202.
Cynthia Barnett
Cynthia Morine Barnett of Fayette died Wednesday, May 3, 2000, at her home. She was 81.
Mrs. Barnett was born Feb. 16, 1919, to John and Ludie Powell of Forrest Green. She married Willard Barnett and worked for the D.C. Rogers family in Fayette. Mrs. Barnett also participated for a number of years in the OATS program, with which she remained active until her health began to fail. Mrs. Barnett was a member of Second Baptist Church in Fayette.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at H.T. May and Son Funeral Home, 304 Walter St., in Fayette. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Second Baptist Church in Fayette, with the Rev. Horace Hopkins officiating.
Mrs. Barnett is survived by her three daughters, Mary Eubanks and Martha Wright, both of Fayette, and Ann Strotter of Stillwater, Okla.; and six grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, one son-in-law and many cousins.
Her husband died earlier.
