Jack Branham Todd
Jack Branham Todd died Monday, Nov. 20, 2000, at his home in Otterville. He was 77.
Mr. Todd was born on April 3, 1923, in Pilot Grove to Fulton and Estil Thomas Todd. He graduated from Pilot Grove High School in 1941. He was a charter member and helped start the Pilot Grove Future Farmers of America.
Mr. Todd joined the Navy in 1942 and served as a bomber pilot during World War II. He married Nona Mae Morgan in Cocoa, Fla. on Aug. 26, 1944. In 1951, Mr. Todd joined the U.S. Air Force and served during the Korean War. He retired from the reserves as a lieutenant colonel in 1983.
Since 1954, Mr. Todd owned and operated a farm in the Otterville community. He raised Charolais cattle and was active in the Charolais Cattle Association.
Mr. Todd served on former Gov. Mel Carnahan's Agricultural Advisory Council and was a past Commander of American Legion #84. He worked with Whiteman Air Force Base and was instrumental in getting Minutemen missiles placed in the area. He was also a member of the First Baptist Church in Otterville.
The visitation will be held between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. today at the First Baptist Church in Ottersville. The service will be held at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, with the Rev. Jerry Brock conducting. Burial will follow at Mt. Nebo in Pilot Grove.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Jack Todd Jr. of Deerfield Beach, Fla., and James F. Todd of Fort Worth, Texas; two daughters, Peggy Nichols of Gaithersburg, Md., and Candace Garb of Columbia; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His daughter and brother died earlier.
Contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Annex.
John L. Martin
John L. "Peck" Martin, a project engineer at Boone Hospital Center for almost a quarter century, died on Tuesday, November 21, 2000, at Boone Hospital Center. He died of a stroke caused by vascular disease. He was 45.
Martin worked at the hospital from 1974 to 1998. There he met Faith Ann Meuth Martin in 1986, and they were married on July 30, 1993, in Boone County.
He also worked for Coastal Electric Co., from 1998 to 1999 and then worked at Ashland Health Services from 1999 to 2000.
Mr. Martin, who lived in Ashland, was born Jan. 29, 1955, in Boone County to John Frank and Bertha Martin.
"Peck," as he was known by other Ashland residents, was given the nickname by his father who said he was as redheaded as a woodpecker when he was born.
"Everyone knew him as a very kind and playful person," his wife said. "He was a hometown boy for sure."
Raised on his father's farm, Mr. Martin and his family lived on the same property for 45 years, raising their children in his hometown.
"Peck" Martin loved hunting, farming and raising cattle. He was an avid deer and pheasant hunter and a good farmer.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Robinson Funeral Home in Ashland.
Mr. Martin is survived by his wife from Ashland; his son Brandon John Martin, 13, of Ashland; two daughters, Elizabeth Ann Martin, 16, and Heather Faith Gibbs 26 both from Ashland; his father, John Frank Martin of Ashland; two sisters, Trudy Halley of Atlanta, Mo. and Ginny Martin of Ashland; and several nieces and nephews. His mother and a brother died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the John L. Martin Trust Fund, c/o Boone County Bank, Ashland, Mo. 65010.
Paul A. Zeller
Paul A. Zeller died Sunday, Nov. 19, 2000, at a hospital in Wichita, Kan. after injuries sustained in a car accident on Interstate 70. He was 17.
Mr. Zeller's father, Bruce, said his son was "a fun-loving kid who loved rap music."
Mr. Zeller was born on Jan. 19, 1983, in Boonville to Bruce Zeller and Lois Porter. He attended Hickman High School until he dropped out earlier this year to pursue his General Education Development certificate.
He was engaged to Shanae Canton, but a wedding date had not be set. The couple also had a seven-month-old daughter, Eabryana Zeller.
Services, conducted by the Rev. R.L. Gilstrap, will be at 11 a.m. Friday at William Wood Funeral Home, 517 Fourth St., in Boonville. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. Friday until the time of the service. Mr. Zeller's body has been cremated and burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery, 1006 Locust St., in Boonville at a later date.
Mr. Zeller is survived by his fiancee, his daughter, his mother, who lives in Columbia, and his father, who lives in Boonville; his sister, Amy Long of Moberly; his maternal grandparents, Winifred and Joe Fancler of Tipton; and Juanita and Elwood Gerke of Pilot Grove; his paternal grandmother, Ruth Zeller of Boonville; one niece and nephew; and many uncles, aunts and cousins.
Memorials may be given to the family for a trust to be set up for Eabryana Zeller.
Dwain Johnson
Dwain Johnson died Monday, Nov. 20, 2000, at his home in Harrisburg. He was 62.
Mr. Johnson was born on June 4, 1938, in Boone County to Clinton and Arlene Maiden Johnson. He served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1960 and 1961 to 1965. He married Fran Preacher in Columbia.
Mr. Johnson worked as an electrical technician at Stephens College for 28 years. He was a member of the Smith Chapel and an avid card player.
The visitation will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday and the service will follow at noon at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. The Rev. John Foley will conduct the service, and the burial will take place at Smith Chapel Cemetery.
He is survived by a wife, Fran Preacher of Harrisburg; two daughters, Lesa Adams of Columbia and Tracy Hudson of Harrisburg; and two grandchildren.
Memorials can be sent to Missouri River Hospice, at 3210 Bluff Creek Drive, Columbia, Mo. 65201.
Vencil Davis
Vencil Deering Davis of Columbia died Sunday, Nov. 19, 2000, at Wildwood Care Center, in Madison, Mo. He was 93.
Mr. Davis was born Oct. 9, 1907, in Columbia to Ira Lee and Mary Coats Davis. He married Lillian Little on Jan. 18, 1927, in Jefferson City.
Mr. Davis graduated from Hickman High School. He co-owned and operated Davis-Hourigann Sign Co. for more than 40 years. Mr. Davis served in the U.S. Army and was a member of the American Legion Post 280.
Mr. Davis enjoyed singing at the Sunshine Singers and the Older Americans Klub. He was a member of the First Baptist Church.
Visitation for Mr. Davis will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Parker Funeral Service, 22 N. Tenth St. Services, conducted by the Rev. Dennis Swearngin, will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Memorial Park Cemetery, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. in Columbia.
Mr. Davis is survived by a son, Ira Davis of Columbia; a daughter, Lola Nichols of Sedalia; two grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren.
His wife, three brothers and one sister died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Wildwood Care Center, 12806 Highway 151, Madison, Mo., 65263.
Gerri Jones
Gerri Jones of Columbia was killed in her home Thursday, Nov. 16, 2000. She was 38.
"She was a wonderful person," said Howard Robinson, a friend and neighbor of hers. "She would always say 'thank you.'"
Charles Kidwell, also a neigbhor and friend, said, "She was one of the coolest persons I knew. She should not have died the way she did. She was polite to everybody."
Ms. Jones was born March 30, 1962, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Michael and Monica Mary Hackett Hoban. She moved to Columbia in 1979 and was a homemaker. She enjoyed photography, reading, writing, poems, drawing, art and animals.
Kidwell said she was a person that knew how to survive and did not worry about luxury.
"She liked her coffee table," Kidwell said while laughing. "It was homemade. She would say 'that's my favorite coffee table.'
"I couldn't have asked for a better neighbor. She was Catholic and read the Bible. She would help her enemies out if it was called for - that's the kind of person she was. She always had a smile on her face. Her death was uncalled for. She was too nice of a person for that."
Memorial Services will be at 6 p.m. today at Parker Funeral Service, 22 N. Tenth St.
Ms. Jones is survived by her mother, Monica Jones of Columbia; one daughter, Amy L. Jones-Newman of Columbia; one son, Michael Hoban of Jacksonville, Fla.; two sisters, Ann Monica Hoban and Margaret Jones both of Columbia; and one grandson.
Her father died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Victims of Crime Compensation care of Parker Funeral Service.
Sara Louise Renfro
Sara Louise Renfro of Columbia died Saturday, Nov. 18, 2000, at Lakeview Nursing Home in Boonville. She was 71.
Ms. Renfro was born May 16, 1929, in Boone County to Azariah and Bertha Burnett Mize.
She married Paul Alexander Renfro on Feb. 5, 1947, in Jefferson City.
She lived in Boone County her entire life and was a member of the Bethel Baptist church.
Services for Ms. Renfro will be at 1 p.m. today at Parker Funeral Service. 22 N. Tenth St. She will be buried at Memorial Park Cemetery at 1217 Business Loop 70 W.
Ms. Renfro is survived by two sons, John E. Renfro of New Franklin and Paul Renfro of Columbia; eight sisters, Linda Bradley, Caroline Williamson and Mary Wyble, all of Columbia, Dora Emma Crowley of Sedalia, Gladys Skaggs of Sturgeon, Cora Mae Robinson of Iuka, Miss., Helen Robison of Marshall and Lorene Wren of Douglas, Ariz.; a brother, William A. Mize of Auxvasse; and two grandchildren.
Her husband, one brother and three sisters died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to American Cancer Society, 33 E. Broadway, Suite 100, Columbia, Mo. 65203.
William "Alex" Gates Sr.
Ex-commissioner Gates, 81, dies
William "Alex" Gates Sr. of Columbia, a Northern District Boone County commissioner between 1983 and 1988, died Thursday, Nov. 16, 2000. He was 81.
In addition to being a founding member of the Boone County Historical Society, he was a former president of both the Muleskinners and the Boone County Farm Bureau. He served on the boards of Blue Cross and Boone County Group Homes. He was also a member of Kiwanis and a past chairman of the Retired Professors of the College of Agriculture of the University of Missouri.
Mr. Gates was born Nov. 2, 1919, in Henry County to Albert Victor and Julia Alexander Gates. A member of the Kappa Alpha Order, he graduated from MU's School of Agriculture in 1942. He married Dundee Autenrieth on Oct. 24, 1942, in Oklahoma City. During World War II, he served in a field artillery unit in the Army and fought in Africa and Europe from 1942 to 1944, attaining the rank of captain. He remained in the Army Reserves and retired in 1961 as a major.
Mr. Gates worked with the University of Missouri Extension Services for 36 years. Mr. Gates and his wife owned Gates Antiques and were charter members of the Mid-Missouri Antique Dealers Association.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at the First Presbyterian Church on Hitt Street. The Rev. George McCall will officiate. Burial will be in Columbia Cemetery at 30 E. Broadway, with visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Parker Funeral Home, 22 N. Tenth St.
Mr. Gates is survived by four children, William A. Gates Jr. of Fulton, Ralph D. Gates of Columbia, Julianne Gates Kindred of Clayton and Dundee Jane Gates Boley of Jefferson City, Tenn.; and three granddaughters, Katie King, Ginger King and Jessica King of Jefferson City, Tenn.
His wife of 58 years, Dundee A. Gates, and his sister Louise Gildehaus died earlier. Memorials may be sent to the Boone County Historical Society, 3801 Ponderosa Drive, Columbia, Mo. 65201 or the Missouri 4-H Foundation, University of Missouri, 211 Whitten Hall, Columbia, Mo. 65211.
Mary Futrell Eggers
Mary Futrell Eggers went to school to be a physician, but medicine was not the most important thing in her life.
"She loved her kids and grandkids," her husband, Dr. G.W.N. Eggers, said. "That was her life."
Mrs. Eggers died Saturday, Nov. 11, 2000, at University Hospital. She was 72.
Mrs. Eggers was born on May 24, 1928, in Cadiz, Ky., to John and Mary DeBaun Futrell. Mrs. Eggers graduated from the University of Kentucky, where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. She went on to receive her M.D. at Duke University Medical School in 1952. Mrs. Eggers interned at Louisville General Hospital and received anesthesiology training at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. After she married on Dec. 30, 1955, she stopped practicing as a physician. She was a member of the Constance Emig Circle of King's Daughters of Columbia and the Junior League of Galveston, Tex. Services will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1115 Locust St.
Mrs. Eggers is survived by her husband.; a son, G.W.N. (Will) Eggers III of Tolland, Conn.; a daughter, Carol Ann Eggers of San Francisco; two sisters, Barbara Wombwell of Lexington, Ky., and Patsy Dallas of Paducah, Ky.; and three grandchildren.
Memorials for Mrs. Eggers may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 33 E. Broadway, Suite 100, Columbia, Mo. 65203.
Sarah B. Roberts
Sarah Mae Benedict Roberts of Columbia died Friday, Nov. 17, 2000, at Boone Hospital Center. She was 65.
Mrs. Roberts was born April 11, 1935, to Charles and Mattie Lee Whitesides Benedict in Boone County. She married Daniel Roberts on July 6, 1961, in Columbia.
Mrs. Roberts is survived by her husband; three brothers, Jerry Benedict of Greeley, Colo., Lloyd Benedict of Rocheport, and David Benedict of Vicksburg, Mich.; three sisters, Belinda Davenport of Hallsville, Juanita Dailey and Sue Cooper, both of Columbia; a son, Kevin Roberts of Ashland; a daughter, Dana Gruender of Columbia; and two grandsons.
A sister and a brother died earlier.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. John Foley, will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Memorial Funeral Home. Mrs. Roberts will be buried in Oakland Cemetery, 2929 E. Oakland Church Road.
Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 33 E. Broadway, Suite 100, Columbia, Mo. 65203.
Sara Marie Pultman
Sara Marie Pultman of Columbia died at birth Thursday, Nov. 16, 2000, at Boone Hospital Center.
She is survived by her parents, Michael Scott Pultman and Lisa Marie Lewis, both of Columbia; her paternal grandmother, Betty Pultman of Columbia; two brothers, Carl and Cody Lewis of Columbia; and several aunts and uncles.
Visitation for family and close friends will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. Monday at Memorial Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at 3 p.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery, 1217 Business Loop 70 W.
Memorials may be sent to the family of Sara Marie Pultman, in care of Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W., Columbia, Mo. 65202.
