Helen Fetzer Hart
Helen Fetzer Hart of Columbia died Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2000, at Wildwood Care Center in Madison. She was 77.
Mrs. Hart was born Oct. 12, 1923, in Brunswick to John L. and Lorena Coy Fetzer. She married Neilan Hart of Brunswick on Aug. 20, 1949.
Mrs. Hart worked with her husband operating Farmway Service Cooperative in Columbia from 1954 to 1981. He said his wife was an important part of the Farmway operation.
"We had 3,300 patrons and all of the patrons that came in wanted to see Helen," Neilan said. "She was a very outgoing person and all of the farmers enjoyed visiting with her."
Mrs. Hart was also in charge of purchasing while working with her husband.
"She was part of the management team," Neilan said. "We started with three employees and ended with 69. We did it together."
Mrs. Hart was a member of Missouri United Methodist Church in Columbia, a member of King's Daughters, and a volunteer for Columbia's Meals on Wheels program.
Mrs. Hart's son, John Hart of Grand Junction, Colo., said his mother was a people-person, much unlike himself and his father.
"She would walk into a room and everybody would know her," John said. "She was a great sociable lady and she had a great bunch of friends."
Graveside services for Mrs. Hart will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Memorial Park Cemetery, 1217 Business Loop 70 W.
In addition to her husband and son, Mrs. Hart is survived by two grandchildren, Trevor Justin Hart of Bellingham, Wash., and Ashley Erin Hart of LeGrande, Ore.
Two brothers and two sisters died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to American Cancer Society at 33 E. Broadway, Suite 100, Columbia, Mo. 65203.
Blanche M. Davison
Blanche M. Davison of Columbia died Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2000, at Boone Hospital Center. She was 58.
Mrs. Davison was born Sep. 27, 1942, in Columbia to Wilbur and Alice Peck. She married Donald A. Davison in Rocheport in 1961.
Mrs. Davison worked as a medical transcriptionist at Boone Hospital Center. She had worked there since 1974.
Visitation for Mrs. Davison will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Nilson Funeral Home, 5611 St. Charles Road Services will immediately follow at Nilson Funeral Home. At 2 p.m., a Celebration of Life Service will be held at the family home.
Mrs. Davison is survived by a son, Terry Davison; a daughter, Tami Davison; a grandson; and several nieces and nephews.
Her husband and a son died earlier.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Tony Austin Cave Scholarship Fund, c/o First National Bank, 810 E. Broadway.
David Dale Matney
David Dale Matney of Auxvasse died Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2000, at Callaway Community Hospital. He was 58. A massive heart attack is suspected, his sister said, and an autopsy is being performed.
"David never met a stranger," said Laura Cagle, his youngest sister.
"I'm the baby and he was the oldest, so he was more like a father than a brother to me," she said. "When I was little, David would take us camping and boating and fishing."
Mr. Matney never sat idle. He loved to travel and try out new restaurants. He liked to paint. He loved to work on cars.
"He could do anything," said Herman Matney, his brother. "All in all, he was one of the best persons I've ever known."
Mr. Matney was born Feb. 4, 1942, in Goodrich, Mich. He married Marian McGee in 1971 in Union City, Tenn. He was employed as a mechanic for Wulff Brothers Construction Co., but had been self-employed in the auto parts business for the past 10 years.
Visitation for Mr. Matney will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Nilson Funeral Home, 5611 St. Charles Road, Columbia. Services, conducted by the Rev. David W. Cochran, will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Nilson Funeral Home. Burial will be at the Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery in Auxvasse.
Mr. Matney is survived by his wife; three sons, David Edward Matney and Timothy Matthew Matney, both of Columbia, and David Dale Ponder of Ashland; two daughters, Ginger Kay Hudson and Susan Hope Bauer, both of Columbia; his father, Lige Cecil Matney Jr. of Paducah, Ky.; his mother, Hazel Humphries Matney Williams of Columbia; four brothers, Jerry Ray Matney of St. Louis, Lige Cecil Matney III of Columbia, Herman Eugene Matney of Hallsville and Julian Harry Matney of Topeka, Kan.; four sisters, Shirley Jean Stewart of St. Petersburg, Fla., Diana Rose Cagle of Bowling Green, Mo., Shelia Kay Cagle of Wichita, Kan., and Laura Mae Cagle of Columbia; and seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be sent to the American Diabetes Association, attention: ADA Web, P.O. Box 96911, Washington, D.C. 20090-6911.
Clyde Sylvester Allee
Time stopped Monday for friends, family and former co-workers of Clyde Sylvester Allee while time clicked on for the rest of the world. Mr. Allee died Monday, Oct. 30, 2000, at Columbia Heathcare & Rehabilitation. He was 86.
Mr. Allee helped the Columbia community keep track of time by repairing watches at Lamb's Jewelry for more than 50 years.
While most people consumed with time were turning to electronic or cheaply made watches, Mr. Allee could repair the oldest and most complicated miniature machines.
"He could fix watches that you couldn't even get a part for," said Terry Calcote, a fellow repairman and jeweler at Lamb's Jewelry. "He kept a cabinet full of old parts from the beginning of time."
Co-workers said Mr. Allee might also be the last of the watch repair artisans.
"We're taking a watch apart run by gears, springs and levers, and throwing the movement out and putting a new one in, instead of inspecting every tooth and part," Terry Calcote said.
Mr. Allee was respected for what he did, and many customers wouldn't let anyone but Mr. Allee touch their timepiece. He also was certified by Katy Railroad to service engineers' pocket watches.
Although Mr. Allee sought to be a barber, his life took a different path when he was stricken with polio in his 20s. With no cure available, polio forced him to rely on crutches. He had to find a new trade.
"He sat down at the bench and let his tools, eyesight and brain do the work for him," said Frank Calcote, owner of Lamb's Jewelers.
Another co-worker said Mr. Allee possessed the greatest of courage. "I don't remember a time when he didn't come to work when there was ice and snow on the road," said Dannelle Neukomm.
The disease later put him in a wheelchair, but that didn't stop Mr. Allee from continuing to do what he loved. Working past retirement age, he worked until he could no longer.
"He worked out of the love of it," Terry Calcote said. "His devotion and work ethic was incredible."
Terry Calcote added that everyone should be like Mr. Allee.
"If everyone was like Clyde, you wouldn't have to lock your house at night. You wouldn't even have to sign a contract, just shake hands. It would just be a good world to live in," he said.
Mr. Allee was born June 16, 1914, in High Point to Charles Sylvester and Stella Josephine Armstrong Allee. He married Pretha D. Findlay in Jefferson City on Aug. 1, 1936.
Mr. Allee was a charter member of Memorial Baptist Church, where he was a deacon and church treasurer. He was also a member of the Horologist Guild, a group of watch-repair workers.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, officiated by the Rev. Bob Webb, will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday at Memorial Funeral Home followed by burial at Memorial Park Cemetery and Mausoleum, 1217 Business Loop 70 W.
Mr. Allee is survived by his wife; three daughters, Rita Ann Hoover of Tampa, Fla., Linda Kay Polk of Park Hills and Donna Jean Sachs of Ashland; two sisters, Josephine Allee and Rosalie Lehman, both of California; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
His two brothers, three sisters and four grandchildren died earlier.
Remembrances can be made to Memorial Baptist Church, 1634 Paris Road, Columbia, Mo. 65202.
Herbert Neil Tise
Herbert Neil Tise died Monday, Oct. 30, 2000, at Boone Hospital Center. He was 86.
Mr. Tise was born Feb. 1, 1914, near Pleasant Hope to Edgar and Nell Cowden Tise. On May 12, 1940, he married Mary Louise Conner in Lebanon.
As an engineering student at the University of Idaho, Mr. Tise was a member of the basketball team and the Sigma Chi fraternity. He had a 40-year career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and earned the title of chief of community services of the Farmer's Home Administration. Mr. Tise directed Missouri programs for the development of public water and sewer. He oversaw recreational facilities such as lakes and golf courses in 160 counties.
In 1974, Mr. Tise received the Secretary of Agriculture's Superior Service Award for his leadership in establishing a rural community development program for Missouri. He was also awarded the first "Boss of the Year" from the Cameo Chapter of the American Business Women's Association.
A veteran of World World II, he served three years of active duty in the U.S. Navy Civil Egineering Corps.
His community leadership was exemplified in his involvement as a trustee of Lenoir Health Care Center, an elder emeritus of the First Christian Church and as a member of the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers.
He was also active in American Legion Post 202, Rotary and The Muleskinners. He was a supporter of MU basketball and was a long time volunteer for Meals on Wheels.
The Rev. John Yonker and the Rev. Thomas Shrout will officiate a memorial service 11 a.m. Friday at the First Christian Church, 101 N. 10th St.a daughter, Sherry Tise Cherry of Providence, R.I.; two sons, David Neil Tise of San Francisco, Calif., and Edward Connor Tise of Pasadena, Calif.; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
His wife and two brothers died earlier.
Memorials can be sent to the H. Neil and Louise Conner Tise Memorial Fund of the First Christian Church, 101 N. 10th St., Columbia, Mo. 65201, or to the American Lung Association.
Oliver E. Garrison
Oliver E. "Blackie" Garrison died Sunday, Oct. 29, 2000, at Memorial Hospital in Savannah, Ga. He was 71.
Mr. Garrison was born May 31, 1929, in Cooper County, to George and Susie Bledsoe Garrison. He married Joyce Creasy on Sept. 6, 1950, in Boone County. Mr. Garrison worked as a union concrete finisher in Columbia most of his life. He and his wife moved to Midway, Ga., in 1998.
Visitation for Mr. Garrison will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, officiated by the Rev. Max Jennings, will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Memorial Park Cemetery and Mausoleum, 1217 Business Loop 70 W.
Mr. Garrison is survived by his wife; a daughter, Linda Malone of Midway, Ga.; four brothers, George Garrison and Orville Garrison, both of Paola, Kan., Vester Lee Garrison of Muscatine, Iowa, and Charles Garrison of Blue Springs; five sisters, Lorene Jackson, Isabelle Jackson and Mary Simmons, all of Boonville; Ola Mae Henderson of Muscatine, Iowa, and Evelyn Smith of Lee's Summit; five grandchildren; five step-grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
A brother and a sister died earlier.
Ruth C. Ellis
Former MU first lady Ruth C. Ellis died Monday, Oct. 30, 2000, at the Lenoir Health Care Center. She was 98.
Throughout her life, Mrs. Ellis made many lasting contributions to both the community of Columbia and to MU. She will be remembered for her good heart and for her good efforts.
She was active in the League of Women Voters, Tuesday Club, King's Daughters, the Fortnightly Club, The Readers, Arthritis Council, State Historical Society and Friends of the University Library. She was also a honorary member of the Mortar Board.
Mrs. Ellis was born Sept. 1, 1902, in McCredie, to Robert Lee and Ollie Phillips Clapper. She grew up in North Dakota, but returned to Missouri for two years to attend Stephens College. After two years at Stephens, Mrs. Ellis went back to North Dakota to attend the State Teachers College. There, she met her husband-to-be, Elmer Ellis, whom she married Aug. 8, 1925, in Fargo, N.D.
Five years later, Mrs. Ellis again returned to Missouri when her husband began teaching history at MU. In 1945, he became dean of the College of Arts and Science, and from 1954 to 1966 served as University president. After he retired, MU dedicated the expanded library in his name. He died in 1989 at the age of 88.
"Ruth supported Dr. Ellis' leadership with deep commitment, charm, grace and much love for the institution and for its students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends," MU Chancellor Richard Wallace said.
Services, conducted by the Rev. David Weamer and Dr. H. Wilkes O'Brien, will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at First Presbyterian Church, 100 Hitt St. Friends may come to the church one hour prior to the service for visitation. Mrs. Ellis will be buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, 1217 Business Loop 70 W.
Mrs. Ellis is survived by several nieces and nephews.
Three brothers and one sister died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the Ruth C. Ellis Memorial Fund, Room 104, Ellis Library, Columbia, Mo., 65201, or Fellowship of John c/o Lenoir Health Care, 3300 New Haven Road, Columbia, Mo. 65203.
Charles C. Kovacs
Charles C. Kovacs of Columbia died Oct. 29, 2000, at the Columbia Manor Care Center. He was 85.
Mr. Kovacs was born Aug. 22, 1915, in Madison County, IL, to Charles D. and Mary Horhouser Kovacs. He married Dora Ann Nemeth on Feb. 18, 1950, in Granite City, Ill. They moved to Columbia from Benton City in 1960.
Mr. Kovacs served in the U.S. Army from 1936 to 1946 during World War II. He was a member of Carpenter's Local #1925 for 40 years. He also enjoyed grape growing. Mr. Kovacs attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Visitation for Mr. Kovacs will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Parker Funeral Service, 22 N. 10th St. in Columbia and from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Irwin Funeral Chapel in Granite City, IL. Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Calvary Cemetery in Granite City.
Mr. Kovacs is survived by his wife, Dora Kovacs of Columbia; one daughter, Mary T. Biskup of Ballwin; two sons, Tom S. Kovacs and George L. Kovacs, both of Columbia; and two grandsons, Nicholas Kovacs and Vincent Kovacs, both of Columbia.
Memorials may be sent to the Missouri Grape Growers Scholarship Fund, c/o Les Bourgeois, 12847 W. Highway BB, Rocheport, MO 65279 or the American Cancer Society, 33 E. Broadway Suite 100, Columbia, MO 65203.
Virgil Efton Fausett
Virgil Efton Fausett of Sturgeon died Sunday, Oct. 29, at Boone Hospital Center. He was 84.
Mr. Fausett received five Bronze Stars and Good Conduct medals during World War II. Mr. Fausett was a service manager and mechanic at Tiger Motors for 23 years. He worked at University Printing 12 years before retiring in 1980.
He was born on April 16, 1916, in Sulphur Springs, Ark., to W.E. and Pearl Mae Reed Fausett. He married Connie Maiden on July 13, 1942, in Hallsville.
He is survived by his wife; daughter, Kay Brink; three sisters, Erma Hall and Thelma Giddens, both of Columbia, and Mabel Nichols of Sturgeon; two grandchildren, Darren and Nicole Brink of Columbia, and four great-grandchildren.
A brother, Archie Fausett and a sister, Wilma Whitemarsh, died earlier.
Visitation for Mr. Fausett will be 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. in Columbia. Services, conducted by the Rev. John Foley, will follow at 11 a.m.
Mr. Fausett will be buried at Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors.
Memorials may be sent to the American Diabetes Association, 1316 Parkade Blvd., Columbia, Mo. 65202 or Parkinson's Disease Foundation, William Black Medical Research Bldg., Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, 710 W. 168th St., New York, N.Y. 10032-2699.
Mabel Fern Leech
Mabel Fern Leech of Columbia died Thursday, Oct. 26, 2000, at her home. She was 87.
Mrs. Leech was born on Nov. 28, 1912, in California, Mo., to Henry and Caroline Rohrbach Mutti. While at California High School she began an active pursuit into softball and basketball. She would later graduate as the 1930 class valedictorian.
After attending Central Missouri State Unuiversity and obtaining a teaching certificate, she worked for a small time as a teacher in her hometown.
She left that life behind when she enrolled at MU. She continued in sports and became the captain of and pitcher for the champion softball team.
She went on to obtain her bachelor's of science in nursing in 1936 from Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
For 30 years, she was an American Red Cross volunteer. She also was a promoter in reading literacy as a Literacy Action Corps member.
Visitation for Mrs. Leech was held Sunday at the Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by Rev. Bruce Caldwell, will be held 10 a.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mrs. Leech is survived by one son, Charles Leech of Mandeville, La.; three daughters, Dorothy Heibel of Hallsville, Mary Walden of Columbia and Nancy Morris of Clark; one brother, Glenn Mutti of Paris, Mo.; two sisters, Dorothy Herbertson of Denver and Virginia Purifoy of Loveland, Colo.; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Her husband, one brother and one sister died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association, 1121 Business Loop 70 E.; the American Red Cross, 1805 West Worley St.; the Columbia Public Library, 100 W. Broadway; and Literacy Action Corps, attn: Cliff White, P.O Box 7105 Columbia, Mo. 62505.
Donald Joseph Elwell
Donald Joseph Elwell of Columbia died Monday, Oct. 23, 2000, at University Hospital in Columbia. He was 81.
Mr. Elwell was a case manager and counselor at the Boone County Council on Aging, where he helped care for older adults.
He was also an accomplished writer and poet.
He was born Nov. 20, 1918, in Corning, N.Y., to Samuel and Mae Elwell. Mr. Elwell like many others, came to Columbia as a student. A high school track star, he attended MU on an athletic scholarship and graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology. He also served in the Army in World War II, where he earned the title of second lieutenant.
He married Helen Hoppe in Columbia on June 1, 1950. She survives him.
He is also survived by his son, Peter Bartok of Columbia; his stepdaughter, Mary Fink of Atlanta; and two grandchildren.
One brother and one sister died earlier.
Services will be held privately at Memorial Funeral Home.
Lillie Bruce Wright
Lillie Bell Bruce Wright, of Columbia died Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2000, at Boone Retirement Center. She was 98.
Mrs. Wright was born on January 8, 1902, in Boonville to Frank and Ellen Patterson Bruce.
Mrs. Wright worked at Stephens College for several years and was a member of Second Baptist Church in Columbia.
"She loved the Lord. She was a very sweet and special lady," said Barbara Minger, Mrs. Wright's nurse at Boone Retirement Center. "She had a wonderful smile."
Visitation for Mrs. Craig will be at 9 a.m. on Monday at Second Baptist Church at 407 . Broadway. Services, conducted by the Rev. Clanton C.W. Dawson, will follow. Burial will be in Clarks-Fork Cemetery in Clarksfork.
Mrs. Wright is survived by a son, Emmett Wright of Columbia; a brother, Booker T. Bruce of Cleveland; six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Her husband, two brothers, three sisters and three children died earlier.
Driscoll Peter David
Driscoll Peter David of Columbia died Friday, Oct. 27, 2000, at University Hospital. He was 78.
Mr. David was born June 12, 1922, in Port Arthur, Texas, to Whitney and Elia Broussard David. He was a Navy gunner mate during World War II. He worked for Golden Gate Transit for 38 years.
Visitation for Mr. David will be from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Wednesday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Entombment, conducted by Father Don Wallace, will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday at Memorial Park Mausoleum.
Mr. David is survived by his life-long companion Dessie Burns; a daughter, Viola David of Columbia; a sister, Mary Lary of Pasadena, Texas; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
A brother died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Children's Miracle Network, attn: Jenea Ridnour, University Hospital, One Hospital Drive, Columbia, Mo. 65212.
Fred Mickens Jr.
Fred Mickens Jr. of Columbia died Sunday, Oct. 22, 2000 at Boone Hospital Center. He was 71.
Mr. Mickens was born Oct. 12, 1929 in Mexico, Mo. to Fred Mickens, Sr. and Edith Tolson. After graduating from Garfield High School, Mr. Mickens worked in the trucking business. He moved to Columbia in 1980.
"He was a loving brother," Clifford Mickens said, adding that his brother was close to everyone in the family. Fred Mickens was a Catholic church-goer, and enjoyed the traveling opportunities that trucking afforded him, his brother said.
Services will be held at a later date.
Mr. Mickens is survived by a son, Jerry Williams of Mexico; two brothers, Robert Mickens and Clifford Mickens, both of Des Moines, Iowa; and two sisters, Sharon Mickens of Dickerson, N.D., and Erma Scott of Des Moines.
Two sisters died earlier.
