Walter Johnson
Nearly every day while teaching economics at MU, Walter Johnson could be found sitting in the same place: on a bench outside the building meeting with students from his class.
Michael Podgursky, chairman of the economics department, said he was so used to seeing Mr. Johnson sitting on the bench that he wished there could be a statue of him there.
"He was a very warm and friendly, charmful fellow," Podgursky said.
Mr. Johnson, of Columbia, died Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2001, at Boone Hospital Center. He was 63.
"We're all going to miss Walter," said Mayor Darwin Hindman. "He was a very special character."
Mr. Johnson was born April 13, 1938, in Newport News, Va., to George B. and Suzanne Kingstone Johnson. He married Mary-Angela Butt on Aug. 10, 1963.
Mr. Johnson earned his bachelor's degree at Johns Hopkins University, where he was member of Alpha Delta Phi. After earning a doctoral degree in economics at Duke University, he served two years in the Army.
Mr. Johnson moved to Columbia in 1965 to join MU's economic department. He taught introductory economics to thousands of students and retired in 1998.
"As my son said, he was just an extremely talented teacher," Hindman said. "He was bigger than life to generations of university students."
Mr. Johnson also served as a trustee of Boone Hospital Center from 1985 to 2001. Among many accomplishments there, he was instrumental in implementing a systematic, dignified approach to caring for the dying and their families. The palliative care facility at Boone Hospital Center was recently named after him.
Mike Shirk, the president of Boone Hospital Center, knew Mr. Johnson for 15 years.
"He was a tremendous friend of Boone Hospital and very supportive. The entire Boone family is going to miss his enthusiasm, commitment and dedication," Shirk said.
Mr. Johnson also worked with city officials by serving on the Columbia Finance Advisory Board, Hindman said. Mr. Johnson also advised Hindman and others during political campaigns.
"Whenever anybody wanted to know where to get out door-to-door, he was the master. He knew it better than anyone else," Hindman said.
Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife, Mary-Angela of Columbia; two sons, Walter Johnson of New York, and Willoughby Johnson of Kansas City; two brothers, George Johnson of St. Louis, and Paul Johnson of Houston, and two granddaughters.
Services will be held later. Memorials may be sent to the Walter Johnson Palliative Care Foundation, Boone Hospital Center, 1600 E. Broadway, Columbia, Mo. 65201.
Jack Lierly
When Jack Lierly learned he had a brain tumor and doctors told him he had about six months to live he did not despair. The avid golfer and friend of many began to say goodbye to his friends with the same vitality that he had shown throughout life.
"He went out and partied for a month and said goodbye in his own way," said son Matt Lierly.
On Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2001, Mr. Lierly, of Columbia, died. He was 59 years old.
Mr. Lierly was born on July 16, 1942, to Ancil Eldon and Florence Dorothea Coon Lierly in St. Louis. He was married to Renelda Mary, Anna Cromwell and Laura Deneke.
For 30 years Mr. Lierly lived in Columbia and sold floor covering at Cleek's, Mid-City and LD Brinkman before retiring.
While Mr. Lierly loved work, his true passion was golf. For 21 years he hosted the Lierly Invitational Golf Tournament at the Lake of the Ozarks. Matt Lierly said the family will continue the event and rename it the Jack Lierly Memorial Golf Tournament.
A memorial service will be held Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Memorial Funeral Chapel, 1217 Business Loop 70 West. Visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home in Room A.
Jack Lierly is survived by sons Steven Lierly of Davenport, Iowa and Matthew Lierly of Columbia.
His parents and one brother died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society.
Terry DeHaven
Terry W. DeHaven of Columbia died Tuesday Nov. 20, 2001, at his home. He was 47 years old.
Mr. DeHaven was born April 26, 1954, to Paul DeHaven and Ruth Hackman DeHaven in Sturgeon.
A self-employed construction worker, Mr. DeHaven valued time spent with family, said his mother.
A graveside memorial service will be held Saturday in Columbia Cemetery. Visitation is from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. Saturday at Nilson Funeral Home, 5611 St. Charles Road.
Mr. DeHaven is survived by his parents, of Columbia; daughter, Ashley DeHaven of Versailles, Mo.; brother, Bruce DeHaven of Columbia and sister, Donna Sims of Columbia.
Ronnie Nowlin
Ronnie Nowlin, of Harrisburg, died Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2001, in Columbia. He was 26.
Mr. Nowlin, a heavy equipment operator for Lonnie Nichols Excavating Co., died in a work-related accident Tuesday afternoon.
Mr. Nowlin was born Aug. 28, 1975, in Boone County to Ronnie Nowlin Sr. and Valerie Santora Nowlin.
A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Nilson Funeral Home, 5611 St. Charles Road.
Services, conducted by the Rev. Dennis Stuart, will be Saturday at Nilson Funeral Home.
Mr. Nowlin is survived by fiance� Roxann Carter of Harrisburg; daughter Jade Nowlin of Harrisburg; sister Michelle Nowlin of Fulton; half sister Angie Woods, of Columbia; grandmother Lovine Nowlin of Hallsville, and grandfather Lou Santora of Harrisburg.
Memorial contributions may be sent to: Jade Nowlin Trust Fund c/o Nilson Funeral Home, 5611 St. Charles Road, Columbia, Mo. 65202.
Lance Northup
Lance Northup of Columbia died Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2001, in Columbia. He was 45.
Mr. Northup was born July 31, 1956, in Columbia to Lanny Northup and Virginia Martin Northup.
He was employed by MU.
A graveside service, officiated by the Rev. Dennis Stuart, will be held at 2 p.m. today at Mt. Zion Cemetery. Visitation will be at 1 p.m at Mount Zion Church, Mount Zion Church Road in Hallsville.
Mr. Northup is survived by his parents; a sister, Nancy McMillen of Columbia; and a brother, Joe Northup of Columbia.
Charles Livingston
Charles Larue Livingston of Columbia died Wed., Nov. 21, 2001, at Columbia Regional Hospital. He was 90.
The Rev. Livingston was born April 28, 1911, in Weeping Water, Neb., to Cyrus Livingston and Eliza Spangler Livingston. He married Mildred Whistler on Oct. 9, 1937, in Muskogee, Okla.
The Rev. Livingston attended the University of Nebraska and graduated from the graduate seminary at Phillips University in Enid, Okla.
The Rev. Livingston was ordained minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for 63 years, serving in Oklahoma, Nebraska, Iowa, Texas, and Missouri. He was also a member of the Rock Bridge Christian Church in Columbia.
Services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. in Epple Chapel at Lenoir Center. A graveside service will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Plattsmouth, Neb.
The Rev. Livingston is survived by his wife, Mildred Livingston of Columbia; son, David Livingston of New Castle, Ind.; two daughters, Nancy Livingston of East Alton, Ill. and Clara Smoot of Kingsford, Mich.; a sister, Wilma Schultz of Walton, Neb.; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Memorials can be sent to Rock Bridge Christian Church Building Fund, 301 W. Green Meadows Rd., Columbia, Mo. 65203.
Mary E. Baker
Mary Elizabeth Baker died Monday, Nov. 19, 2001, at Boone Retirement Center. She was 82.
Mrs. Baker was born Oct. 25, 1919, in Jefferson City to Carl A. and Bessie M. Coots Morland. On Oct. 10, 1936, she married James A. Baker in New Bloomfield. He died earlier.
Mr. and Mrs. Baker operated Jimmy's Potato Chip in Columbia from 1946 to 1961.
Their son, Fred L. Baker of Columbia, said they hardly ever took a vacation.
"She was a hard worker," he said. "They built it from nothing to a good potato chip company."
When she wasn't running the business, Mrs. Baker loved to do yard work. Fred said she always kept the yard and the house immaculate.
"She was liked by everybody," he said. "She was always visiting people or having people over. She was very generous."
Mrs. Baker was also a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church.
Visitation for Mrs. Baker will be from 10 to 11 a.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mrs. Baker is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Fred L. and Donna Baker of Columbia; a brother, J.B. Morland of Jefferson City; a half sister, Peggy Case of Holts Summit; a grandson, Greg L. Baker of Columbia; and a great-granddaughter, Andi Baker of Columbia. Her parents and her sister, Dorothy Morland Hammen, died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the Boone Retirement Center, 1623 Anthony, Columbia, Mo., 65201.
Bruce A. Fleming
Bruce A. Fleming of Columbia died Sunday, Nov. 18, 2001, at the Williamsburg in Columbia. He was 86.
Mr. Fleming was born Oct. 13, 1915, in Tilden, Neb., to Austin Lawrence and Celia Clare Townsend Fleming. He married Patricia Ann Cross in August 1946. She died earlier. He married Eleanor Johnson in 1973.
Mr. Fleming was a barber for more than 30 years in Atkinson, North Platte and Grand Island, Neb. He served as a member of the 35th Division Rangers in World War II, and fought at the Battle of the Bulge. He was a combat instructor and an expert marksman.
Mr. Fleming played semi-pro baseball in Nebraska and coached Little League. He also worked with the Civilian Conservation Corps to build dams in Nebraska. Among his many activities, fishing was his favorite pastime.
Services for Mr. Fleming will be conducted at a later date in Nebraska.
Mr. Fleming is survived by his sons; Christopher P. Fleming of Big Lake, Minn., James B. Fleming of Monticello, Minn., and Robert L. Fleming of Rocheport.
His wife died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the Rainbow House, 2302 N. Oakland Gravel Road, Columbia, Mo., 65202; to Little League Baseball in Grand Island, Neb.; or to West Holt High School in Atkinson, Neb.
Ronald Busselman
Ronald Raymond Busselman of Columbia died of cancer Monday, Nov. 19, 2001, in Bonne Terre. He was 53.
Mr. Busselman was born Dec. 17, 1947, in St. Louis to Raymond C. Busselman and Genevieve MaCarthy Bennett. He attended the University of Missouri-St. Louis and later studied at Michigan State in Ann Arbor. After graduating from the School of Sociology, he came to MU to pursue a master's degree.
For more than twenty years, Mr. Busselman was a social worker for the Division of Family Services in Jefferson City and the Division of Aging in Columbia.
"He worked a lot of hours and a lot of long nights," said his mother Genevieve. "He was always busy."
When he wasn't working, Mr. Busselman loved to watch sports. Whether it was football, baseball or hockey, he enjoyed every minute of the game and even taped the ones that he didn't have time to watch.
Genevieve said her son was always a quiet person. He took care of himself and was an independent worker. When he discovered he had lung cancer, Mr. Busselman returned to his mother's home in Bonne Terre.
Services, conducted by the Rev. John Schneider, will be held noon Saturday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 15 St. Joseph St. in Bonne Terre.
Mr. Busselman is survived by his mother and step-father, Genevieve MaCarthy and Joseph Bennett of Bonne Terre; four brothers, Thomas, James, Dennis and Steven Busselman of St. Louis; a sister-in-law, Carol Busselman of California; a step-brother, Joseph Bennett II of California; a step-sister, Clara Lamkie of Sullivan; and several nieces and nephews.
His father, Raymond C. Busselman, and his brother, Michael Busselman, died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society.
Roy Rumbaugh
Roy Randall Rumbaugh of Hallsville died Monday, Nov. 19, 2001 at his home. He was 42.
Mr. Rumbaugh was born Aug. 24, 1959 in Hallsville to Charles C. and Iris D. Rumbaugh.
He worked, owned and operated a farm for three years before he began working at Glazier Midwest Distributing Company in Columbia more than 20 years ago. He was a salesperson.
Visitation for Mr. Rumbaugh will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at Memorial Funeral Home. Services, conducted by the Rev. Bill Ryan, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Memorial Funeral Home.
Mr. Rumbaugh is survived by his mother, Iris Rumbaugh of Hallsville; one brother, Charles D. Rumbaugh of Hallsville; three sisters, Sandra K. Redszus of O'Fallon, Sharon L. Young of Dunnellen, Fla., and Nancy E. Grooms of Bellefontaine, Ohio; eleven nieces and nephews; and four grandnieces and nephews.
Memorials may be sent to Red Top Christian Church Building Fund of Hallsville in care of Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 West, Columbia, Mo. 65202.
Franklin Ewing Bradshaw
Franklin Ewing Bradshaw of Columbia died Sunday, Nov. 18, 2001, at his home. He was 81.
Mr. Bradshaw was born Sept. 10, 1920, in McBaine to James T. and Mary Elizabeth Waters Bradshaw.
Mr. Bradshaw lived his whole life in Boone County. He attended McBaine Star School and later served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a Water Tender 3rd Class.
Mr. Bradshaw worked in plumbing and heating, and he owned and operated Frank's Home Repair.
"He loved woodworking," Bill Bradshaw, his son, said. "He could do almost anything with his hands."
Visitation for Mr. Bradshaw will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Parker Funeral Service, 22 N. Tenth St. Services, conducted by the Rev. Stanley Owen and the Rev. Jeff Benson, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Parker Funeral Service. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. Bradshaw is survived by his wife, Beatrice Bradshaw of Columbia; six sons, Bill, Frankie, Jack and Leslie Bradshaw of Columbia, Daniel Bradshaw of Hallsville and Michael Bradshaw of Harrisburg; two daughters, Sarah Kifer and Shelia McClintock of Millersburg; one step-daughter, Jackie Dennis of Columbia; 19 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Bradshaw's first wife, one daughter, two sons, three brothers, five sisters and one great-granddaughter died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Cosmopolitan International Diabetes Foundation Discovery Fund, c/o Parker Funeral Service, P.O. Box 1251, Columbia Mo. 65205.
Martha S. Morris
Martha S. Morris died of cancer Sunday, Nov. 18, 2001, at her home. She was 53.
Mrs. Morris was born Nov. 6, 1948, in Higbee, Mo., to Glen and Lillian Humphey Mallory. She married Edward Morris on Nov. 8, 1974, in Higbee.
Mrs. Morris was employed as an inspector by the Sierra Bullet Company in Sedalia for eight years. She enjoyed crochet, and loved her grandchildren very much, said Janice Westlakes, her sister.
Mrs. Morris was a member of the Mt. Ararat Baptist Church.
Visitation for Mrs. Morris will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Nilson Funeral Home, 5611 St. Charles Road, in Columbia. Services, conducted by the Rev. Russell Lucas, will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Burial will be at the Old Union Cemetery.
Mrs. Morris is survived by her husband, who lives in Green Ridge, Mo.; a son, David Edward Self of Winona, Mo.; three step-sons, Dale Morris of N.C., and Danny and David Morris, both of Sedalia; three daughters, Mechele Hess of Higbee, April Morris of Dayton, Ohio and Lora Bell of Green Ridge; two brothers, Russell Mallory of Kansas City, and Larry Mallory of Moberly; five sisters, Earlene St. Clair of Clark, Mo., Shirley Mallory of Excelsior Springs, Mo., Patsy Hayden of Moberly, Janice Westlakes of Columbia, and Marie Dietzman of Warsaw, Mo.; and 17 grandchildren.
Her parents and two sisters died earlier.
Guilard Ravenscraft
Guilard Ravenscraft of Columbia died Monday, Nov. 19, 2001, at Boone Hospital Center. He was 82.
Mr. Ravenscraft was born Feb. 1, 1919, in Boone County to T.P. and Nannie E. Williams Ravenscraft. On May 13, 1973, he married Ruth M. Lee in Columbia. Mr. Ravenscraft was a member of Memorial Baptist Church. He was also a Mason and 32nd Degree Scottish Rite member. Before retirement, he worked for the Paint Shop at the University of Missouri.
Visitation for Mr. Ravenscraft will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. Bob Webb, will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. Ravenscraft is survived by a son, Cliff O. Ravenscraft of Kirkwood; a daughter, Phyllis A. May of Mexico, Mo.; and three grandchildren.His wife; his brother, Robert S. Ravenscraft; and his sister, Mary F. Walje, died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Memorial Baptist Church, 1634 Paris Road, Columbia Mo. 65201.
William Wright
William "Ulric" Wright died Thursday, Nov. 16, 2001, at the Terrace Apartments in Columbia. He was 89.
Mr. Wright was born Dec. 16, 1911, in West Feliciana Parish, La., to William Perkins and Nell McQueen Wright. He married Edith Rogillio April 30, 1938 in Jackson, La.
Mr. Wright worked for Ethyl Corporation in Baton Rouge from 1939 to 1947. In 1947, he returned to Jackson to work for the state of Louisiana as farm supervisor. He became farm manager for the East Louisiana State Hospital farms in 1963.
Mr. Wright retired in 1976. He was a member of the Louisiana Retired State Employee Association.
He and his wife moved to Columbia in 1992, where his son taught at Stephens College. Mr. Wright was a member of First Presbyterian Church.
Services, conducted by the Rev. Richard Ramsey, were held Sunday at Memorial Funeral Home. Mr. Wright was buried at Memorial Park Cemetary.
Mr. Wright is survived by his wife, Edith; a granddaughter, Beth Zobel of Seattle, Wash.; a daughter-in-law, Linda B. Wright of Columbia; two great-grandsons, Benjamin and David Zobel; and two cousins.
His son, Erwin Wright; a brother, John Wright; and a sister, Oreka Norwood died earlier.
Memorials can be sent to First Presbyterian Church, 16 Hitt St., Columbia, Mo. 65201.
Edith L. Stockton
Edith "Pat" Louise Stockton of Columbia died Sunday, Nov. 18, 2001 at her home. She was 77.
Mrs. Stockton was born Oct. 24, 1924 in Petersburg, Va. to Emmett and Hazel Andrews. She married Ray E. Stockton on Feb. 19, 1947 in Arlington, Va. Mrs. Stockton was a member of the Parkade Baptist Church and was employed by the House of Brokers Realty Inc. as an appointment secretary for 15 years.
Visitation for Mrs. Stockton will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday at Parkade Baptist Church, 2102 N. Garth St. Services, conducted by the Rev. Chris Cook, will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the church. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mrs. Stockton is survived by two sons, Robert Otis Stockton of Sedalia and Raymond E. Stockton Jr. of Minneapolis, Minn.; a daughter, Lisa Carnes of Columbia; a brother, Edwin Andrews of Greenville, N.C.; a sister, Hazel Henshaw of Chester, Va.; and four grandchildren.
Her husband died earlier. Memorials may be sent to Parkade Baptist Church at 2102 N. Garth St. Columbia, Mo. 65202.
Ruby A. Mountjoy
Ruby A. Mountjoy of Columbia died Thursday, Nov. 16, 2001 at Boone Hospital Center. She was 73.
Mrs. Mountjoy was born Dec. 26, 1927, in Boone County, to Emmitt and Pearl Batye Lewis. She married Joe Mountjoy on April 5, 1950 in Columbia.
She worked at GTE for 25 years. Mrs. Mountjoy enjoyed baking and decorating cakes. She also had a great love for her grandchildren. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.
Services will be held today at 1 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Home. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mrs. Mountjoy is survived by her husband; a son, Ralph Mountjoy of Columbia; a sister, Gertrude Robein of Boonville; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Her son, Ronnie Mountjoy Sr., two brothers and two sisters died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the American Diabetes Association, 1316 Parkade Blvd., Columbia, Mo. 65202.
Albert Earl Gay
Albert Earl Gay died Thursday, Nov. 15, 2001, in Callaway Community Hospital in Fulton. He was 53.
Mr. Gay was employed as a housekeeper at Fulton State Hospital. He was formerly the head chef at the University of Missouri and worked at William Woods College in Fulton. His son, Albert Gay Jr., said he liked to sing and to cook. Mr. Gay often cooked dinners for his big family. His favorite dish was lasagna.
Mr. Gay attended the Second Christian Church in Fulton and was a member of the Super Bowl Club.
Mr. Gay was born on Nov. 26, 1947, in Callaway County, to Oliver J. Moore and Opal Cinderella Gay. He attended Fulton Public Schools.
Visitation for Mr. Gay will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday at Warren Funeral Chapel, 107 W. 6th St., Fulton. Services will be Tuesday at Second Christian Church, 401 St. Louis, Fulton.
Mr. Gay is survived by his son, Albert Gay Jr. of Fulton; eight sisters, Shirley Gay, Brenda Weaver, Joyce Weaver, Kathy Cross, and Dorothy Weaver, all of Columbia, Ida Weaver and Ruthie Weaver of Fulton, Ruby Weaver of Springfield; four brothers, Tommy Gay of Kansas City, George Weaver of Fulton, John Weaver Jr. of Centralia, Jeffrey Weaver of Licking.
His mother, Opal Cinderella Gay, died earlier.
Marilyn Palmer
Marilyn Palmer of Columbia died Sunday, Nov. 11, 2001, at University Hospital. She was 76.
Mrs. Palmer was born June 22, 1925, in Audrain County, to Clarence and Molly Grant Tilford.
She married William Ray Palmer, a detective for the Columbia Police Department.
Mrs. Palmer was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Columbia and was active in the Grandparents Program at Parkade Elementary School. She retired from the Medical Records Department of University Hospital.
Services were held Saturday at the Meador and Son Chapel in Sturgeon. Visitation was held Friday at the funeral home.
Mrs. Palmer is survived by three sons, the Rev. Robert Carlos Palmer Sr. of Waverly, Va., William Ray Palmer Jr. of Columbia and Raymond Wright of Kansas City; two brothers, Wallace Tilford of Kildare, Texas, and James Tilford of Los Angeles; one sister, Sallie Kennedy of Boston; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Her husband, two sisters and three brothers died earlier.
