James E. Caselman
James Earl Caselman was an outdoorsman. He enjoyed camping, canoeing and being outside, said his stepdaughter, Pamela Slama.
Mr. Caselman, of Ashland, died Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2002, at Ashland Healthcare, after a four-year battle with cancer. He was 74.
Mr. Caselman was born July 20, 1927, in St. Joseph to Earl William and Alice Gentry Caselman. He married Rochelle Barnes in 1950 and she later died. He married Marilyn Wiles in 1962 and after her death married Bettie Sparks on Dec. 30, 1994.
Mr. Caselman served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and worked as an electrician for 27 years before retiring. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 257 in Jefferson City. Mr. Caselman was a member of the Woodcrest Primitive Baptist Church in Ashland and the Masonic Lodge in Hugoton, Kan.
Visitation for Mr. Caselman will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Robinson Funeral Home, 601 N. Henry Clay Blvd. in Ashland. Services, conducted by the Elder Wallace Johnson, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Woodcrest Primitive Baptist Church, 406 S. Henry Clay Road in Ashland. Burial will be in Woodcrest Cemetery.
Mr. Caselman is survived by his wife, Bettie Sparks Caselman of Ashland; two sons, Charles Phillip Caselman of Hallsville and Robert Earl Caselman of Jefferson City; two daughters, Cynthia Lu Parks of Columbia and Laura Jene Spurgin of Johnston, Iowa; two stepsons, Bobbie E. Glascock of Hartsburg and John Glascock of Holts Summit; one stepdaughter, Pamela Slama of Hartsburg; one brother, William Wesley Caselman of Florence, Colo.; two sisters, Margaret Robbins of Aurora, Ky., and Kathryn Barber of Hugoton; eight grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; one great granddaughter; and two step-great-grandchildren.
Two sisters died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Woodcrest Cemetery, 406 S. Henry Clay Blvd., Ashland, Mo. 65010, or to Missouri River Hospice, c/o Option Care, 3210 Bluff Creek Drive, Columbia, Mo. 65201.
John Crane
John Henry Crane, formerly of Columbia, died in Colon, Costa Rica, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002. He was 63.
Mr. Crane was born April 17, 1938, in Columbia to Henry M. and Vera Ballenger Crane. He graduated from Hickman High School in 1956 and later received two bachelor's degrees from MU and a master's degree from the University of Arkansas.
He married Louise Kelleher on Dec. 30, 1972.
Mr. Crane was a Honorary Woodrow Wilson fellow, a Fulbright scholar and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. His wife's job as a diplomat led them around the world, and Mr. Crane taught literature and language in different countries, including Japan and Venezuela. He was fluent in French and Spanish and could speak Japanese, German and Italian.
Mr. Crane's brother, Thomas E. Crane, said Mr. Crane didn't want people to think he was different than anyone else.
"He made an effort to be kind," Thomas Crane said. "That's the only way to describe him. "
Thomas Crane said Mr. Crane would return to Columbia every couple of years to visit. He said he recalls the two of them taking advantage of the unlimited mileage in Mr. Crane's rental car by driving around Columbia and Jefferson City, refreshing old memories. One such memory was playing outside the Paquin Street home where Mr. Crane was born.
"We had some real good times," Thomas Crane said. "He's a lot of fun."
Thomas Crane said Mr. Crane loved being with people and playing bridge. He was an American Contract Bridge League certified director. He was also a member of First Christian Church.
His brother said Mr. Crane was a compassionate man. He was a cat lover and a member of a national cat charity. Thomas Crane said he has a number of pictures of Mr. Crane as a child with his cats.
Mr. Crane is survived by his wife; his son, Jonathan Worthington Crane of Washington, D.C.; his brother, Thomas E. Crane of Columbia; and his nephew, Kevin M.J. Crane of Columbia. Mr. Crane will be buried at the Columbia Cemetery. Arrangements are incomplete.
Ralph H. Luebbers
MU chemical engineering professor Ralph Henry Luebbers and his wife, Jean, opened their home to his students, often inviting them to dinner.
Foreign students were especially welcome. They were encouraged to learn as much as possible, return to their native countries, work for the betterment of their peoples and remember MU.
Ralph Henry Luebbers of Columbia died Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2002, at the Terrace Apartments. He was 95.
Dr. Luebbers was born March 26, 1906, to Diedrich and Clara Rieke Luebbers on their farm near Burlington, Iowa.
After graduating from Burlington High School in 1922, he earned his doctorate in chemical engineering from Iowa State University. He was one of the first recipients of a doctoral degree in chemical engineering awarded by an American university.
Dr. Luebbers met Jean Maurice at ISU and they were married on Christmas Day 1935.
In 1938, he was appointed assistant professor of chemical engineering at MU. Dr. Luebbers was then called to active duty. During World War II he served as a camp medical inspector in California and as a public health officer in England, France, Germany and Austria.
Upon returning to MU in 1946, he was appointed associate professor. By 1948 he was appointed full professor.
Dr. Luebbers funded four scholarships in support of undergraduate engineering and science students at various universities, including one for MU.
As a pioneer in environmental engineering, Dr. Luebbers developed interdisciplinary approaches to industrial and municipal problems. He co-organized national air and water pollution conferences. He also served as the first nuclear safety officer at MU's nuclear reactor. In 1972 he retired as professor emeritus.
Dr. Luebbers obtained several patents involving water and waste water treatment and one for industrial processing of gypsum, which contributed to the modern drywall process. He donated his patents to professional organizations.
Services, conducted by the Rev. John Baker and the Rev. Ed Rollins, will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Terrace Apartments, 1408 Business Loop 70 W.
Dr. Leubbers is survived by his wife, Jean Leubbers of Columbia; and three sons, David J. Leubbers of Denver, Robert M. Leubbers of Carbondale, Ill., and Roger A. Leubbers of Melbourne, Australia.
Elke Young
Elke Young's colleagues said she was a perfectionist. Her station at the Columbia Beauty Academy remained flawlessly clean, even after a long day of appointments. The 30-year-old student hairstylist loved the business and her expertise in the field was apparent to everyone around her.
"She had a wonderful attitude about cosmetology and about everything in life - she always had a smile on her face and was cracking jokes and pulling pranks," co-worker Lori Wells said. "She knew what she was doing and was always willing to help anyone that needed her."
Mrs. Young died Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002, at University Hospital. She was 30. Co-workers said Mrs. Young's personality and professionalism was apparent with every customer.
"When someone sat in her chair, it was if they became the most important thing in her life at the time," co-worker Kym Smith said. "It didn't matter who they were or what they had; she took care of them."
Mrs. Young was born Dec. 19, 1971, in Gelnhausen, Germany, to Jakob Turban and Martha Ritzel Turban. She married Cy Young on Oct. 17, 1992, in Christiansfeld, Denmark, and they moved to the United States. Two years ago, she moved to Columbia and last November began classes at the Columbia Beauty Academy.
While her co-workers and customers were important to her, Mrs. Young's passion was her two daughters.
"Her daughters meant everything to her," co-worker Melissa Moutray said. "She had pictures of them hung up all over her station. They were her world."
"She was a beautiful person both inside and out," Cy Young said. "She loved going to the park with the kids, music, good food, art and exercising. She was truly a great person all around."
"She shined above the rest of us," Smith said. "She had an edge above the rest of us. We learned from her."
Mrs. Young is survived by her father, of Germany; her husband and daughters Jasmin and Kathrin of Columbia; and sister Sabine Herzog of Germany.
Mrs. Young's mother died earlier.
Visitation will be at 10 a.m. today at Parker Funeral Service, 22 N. Tenth St. Services will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.
Travis L. Crump
Travis Lamont Crump of Columbia died Monday, Feb. 25, 2002, at University Hospital. He was 26.
Mr. Crump was born Dec. 22, 1975, to Don Jackman and Constance Crump in Columbia. Mr. Crump was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and attended Fayette public schools.
Visitation for Mr. Crump will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the H.T. May and Son Funeral Home, 304 Tolson St. in Fayette. Services, conducted by the Rev. Mike Jackman, will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Linn Memorial Methodist Church, 409 N. Church St. in Fayette.
Mr. Crump is survived by his parents of Fayette; two daughters, Quiara Crump and Latraviara Doxley, both of Columbia; two sisters, Mary Helen Jackman of Columbia and Maria Jackman of Fayette; two brothers, Lance Cowans and Chad Crump, both of Fayette; his grandparents Helen and Willis Jackman of Fayette; six aunts, six uncles and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
His grandmother Minnie Marie Crump died earlier.
Marlys Whitmer
Mary Marlys Whitmer of Columbia died Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2002, at West Village Manor. She was 100.
Known as Marlys, Mrs. Whitmer was born July 22, 1901, in Vinton, Iowa, to James and Harriet Hazen Prochaska. She married Vernne R. Whitmer Nov. 9, 1922, in Iowa. For more than 25 years, Mrs. Whitmer owned and operated Whitmer Grocery Store in Boone, Iowa, where she attended Community Methodist Church. She was a member of Order of the Eastern Star. Mrs. Whitmer moved to Columbia in 1987.
There will be no visitation. Services, conducted by the Rev. Gary Dewitt, will be Friday at 1:30 p.m. at Terrace Retirement Community, 1408 Business Loop 70 W. Mrs. Whitmer will be cremated.
She is survived by two sons, Del Whitmer of Columbia and Don Whitmer of Des Moines; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Her husband, two brothers and one son, Marvin, died earlier.
Memorials may be given to Terrace Apartment Memorial Fund, 1408 Business Loop 70 W, Columbia, M0., 65201.
Louise Anderson
Louise Jane Anderson was considered a loving and devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother by her family.
Mrs. Anderson of Columbia died Monday, Feb. 25, 2002, at her home. She was 74.
Mrs. Anderson was born Sept. 16, 1927, in Crocker, near Wheeler's Mill, to Clarence and Grace Helms. She had five children with her first husband, Lloyd Peterson. She later married Hugh Anderson.
Mrs. Anderson spent most of her life in the nursing field and founded Hillcrest Home for the Elderly in 1975. She was a member of Praise Assembly of God Church.
She is survived by her mother, Grace Helms of Crocker; three daughters, Jane Tannous of Houston, Rebekah Shaieb of Stillwater, Okla., and Deborah Peterson of North Hollywood, Calif.; two sons, Jeff Peterson of Sacramento, Calif., and Samuel Peterson of Columbia; three brothers, Joe Helms of Downey, Calif., Arthur Helms of Crocker and Albert Helms of Tampa, Fla.; three sisters, Alfreda Routh of Crocker, Veda Holyfield of Princeton, La., and Mary Ann Gelvens of Bonnets Mill; nine grandchildren; and a great-grandson.
Visitation will be at 9 a.m. Thursday at Praise Assembly of God Church, 4300 Clark Lane. Services, conducted by the Rev. Dennis Stuart, will follow at 10 a.m. Burial will be at 3 p.m. Thursday at Antioch Cemetery near Crocker.
Her father, husbands, a brother and a granddaughter died earlier.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Praise Assembly of God Church, 4300 Clark Lane, Columbia, MO 65202.
Melville Peterson
Melville Peterson enjoyed woodworking, World War II history, and was a doctor of economics. But of all the things in his life, his family was most important, said his daughter, Deborah Peterson.
Dr. Peterson died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2002, at his home in Clearwater, Fla. He was 82.
Dr. Peterson was a professor of finance at MU for 26 years and a World War II veteran.
His favorite hobby was woodworking, his daughter said. His works included a grandfather clock and several pieces of furniture.
His daughter said he was "a bit of a history buff," and had a favorite quote from World War II that he used often: "Rule 6 of the British Navy: Don't take yourself so damn seriously."
Dr. Peterson was born Nov. 22, 1919, in Huntington, W. Va., to Charlie and Bertha Peterson. He was a journalist in the 3rd Infantry Division in World War II.
from 1956 to 1982, he was a professor of finance at MU. During his time in Columbia he sponsored the Phi Chi Theta women's business society and was an elder of the First Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club.
Dr. Peterson moved to Clearwater, Fl., in 1994.
A memorial service, conducted by the Rev. Ray Quiles, will be held at 1:30 p.m. March 6 at First Presbyterian Church, 16 Hitt St.
Dr. Peterson is survived by his daughter, Deborah Peterson of Clearwater; his son, David Peterson of Kansas City; and four grandchildren.
His wife and a brother died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to First Presbyterian Church, 16 Hitt St., Columbia, MO 65201.
Frederick Strothmann
Frederick Henry Strothmann of Oklahoma City died Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002, at Mercy Health Center in Oklahoma City. He was 86.
Mr. Strothmann was born Nov. 25, 1915, in Clay Township to John O. and Emma S. Strothmann. He received his master's degree from MU. During World War II, he served as a research scientist at John Hopkins University, working on the radio proximity fuse.
On Oct. 7, 1945, he married Patricia C. Wilson. They moved to Oklahoma City and for the next 56 years he worked as a geologist in the oil and gas industry.
Mr. Strothmann was a prominent geologist and an orchid enthusiast. The American Orchid Society awarded him judge emeritus status.
A prayer vigil was held Friday at Baggerley Funeral Home Chapel in Edmond, Okla. Services were held Saturday at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church in Edmond. Burial was in Resurrection Cemetery in Oklahoma City.
Mr. Strothmann is survived by two sons, Frederick M. Strothmann of Midwest City, Okla., and John P. Strothmann of Oklahoma City; two daughters, Victoria A. Norman of Keller, Texas, and Geraldine E. Glover of Oklahoma; one brother, Woodrow Strothmann of Odessa; one sister, Elsie Strothmann of North Platte; nine grandchildren ; 12 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
His wife and a brother died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the University of Missouri Fred Strothmann Geology Scholarship Fund, c/o University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211.
Maxine Vandenberg
There were many special things about Maxine Adams Vandenberg, said her daughter Jane Vandenberg Crowell.
"Her strength and her faith in her family" were most important to her, Crowell said.
Mrs. Vandenberg of Columbia died Monday, Feb. 25, 2002. She was 94.
Mrs. Vandenberg was born Feb. 12, 1908, in White Eagle, Okla., to James Wiley Adams and Julia Ann Zane Adams. Her father was a licensed U.S. Indian agent sent to Oklahoma and her mother, a member of the Wyandotte nation, was an elementary education teacher. She taught at the Native American school Mrs. Vandenberg attended.
Mrs. Vandenberg came to Columbia in 1925 to attend Stephens College. Crowell said her mother spoke of polo and horses when she talked about college. Mrs. Vandenberg was a member of the women's polo team and also showed "jumpers" at the American Royal, Crowell said. Mrs. Vandenberg graduated from Stephens in 1927 and followed in her mother's footsteps, returning to the Wyandotte nation to teach elementary education.
She married George H. Vandenberg Aug. 18, 1928, in Ponca City, Okla. They had two daughters.
"She was a very strong woman," Crowell said.
Crowell said she finds strength in the Native American heritage her mother passed on to her.
Visitation and services will be private. There will be a private burial in Mission Chapel Mausoleum in Wichita, Kan.
Mrs. Vandenberg is survived by two daughters, Jane Vandenberg Crowell of Columbia and Georgann Vandenberg Tompkins of Paradise Valley, Ariz.; four grandchildren, Laura Crowell Canonaco of Mt. Prospect, Ill., George Bradford Crowell of Del Norte, Colo., J. Van Byrd of Paradise Valley and Ann Byrd Brown of Shelby Township, Mich.
Her husband died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the Wyandotte Nation Education Dept., c/o Carla Culver, P.O. Box 250, Wyandotte, OK 74370.
George J. Fuchs Jr.
George J. Fuchs Jr., formerly of Columbia, died Monday, Feb. 18, 2002, at Washington County Memorial Hospital in Salem, Ind. He was 76.
Dr. Fuchs received his undergraduate degree at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and he received his medical degree at the University of Wisconsin in 1948. In 1956, he was appointed to the MU Medical School as an assistant professor, and in the same year, he began a private medical practice, which he ran until 1985.
He was a former president of the Boone County Medical Society and a former chairman of the OB-GYN Department at Boone Hospital, the Missouri State GYN Society and the Missouri Section of American College of OB-GYN. He was the chief of GYN and clinical teaching professor at the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center until he retired to the Ozarks in 1997.
Dr. Fuchs was born June 10, 1925, in St. Louis to George J. and Helen Virginia Fuchs.
Dr. Fuchs was an avid Missouri Tigers supporter, and he was also an athlete. In medical school, he was the starting quarterback and a linebacker at the University of Wisconsin. He led the team in the annual "Blue and Gold" game. Dr. Fuchs was also a Big Ten indoor shot-put champion. In addition, his friends considered him one of the best handball and racquetball players in Columbia.
Dr. Fuchs brother William Fuchs said, "He was as tough a competitor as I've ever seen. He didn't back down."
David Knight was a close friend of Dr. Fuchs and long-time racquetball partner. Knight said he remembers many fierce but friendly competitions on the court.
"He was a big practical joker but didn't mind being the butt of the joke either," Knight said.
"He told jokes one after the other," William Fuchs said. "He made friends very easily."
In addition to his strong sense of humor, Knight said Dr. Fuchs was a gentle man.
"He was a very loving brother," William Fuchs said. Dr. Fuchs was a legendary physician and delivered many of Columbia's babies, Knight said.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth Fuchs of Salem; two daughters, Catherine Denault and Laura Fuchs; one son, George J. Fuchs III; two brothers, Robert Fuchs of Jefferson City and William Fuchs of Columbia; two stepdaughters, Michelle Rath and Karen Nicholson; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
One son died earlier.
Visitation was Thursday at Dewalt Funeral Home in Salem. Services were held Friday at Mt. Tabor Christian Church. Burial was in Mt. Tabor cemetery. Memorial services will be at 4 p.m. today at Broadway Christian Church, 2601 W. Broadway. Memorials can be sent to the American Cancer Society, 33 E. Broadway, Suite 100, Columbia, MO 65203.
Dorothy Martin
Dorothy "Marty" Martin personified Stephens College. Miss Martin invested herself in the enrichment and interests of students there for 38 years, friends said.
"She was Stephens College to many students," said friend and former student Sally Stephenson.
Miss Martin died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2002, at University Hospital. She was 93.
She was born to Herbert S. and Ella M. Martin Jan. 19, 1909, in Sioux City, Iowa. She spent her early years in LeMars, Iowa.
Miss Martin received an associate's degree from Stephens College, a bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa and a master's degree from MU. She began her work for a doctoral degree at the University of Southern California.
She was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority at University of Iowa.
After a career as a social worker in Chicago and in Kansas City, Miss Martin joined the faculty at Stephens College, where she taught sociology. She was also the director of the House Plan, an academic program for freshman women at Stephens College.
She directed study groups in New York. Miss Martin also traveled to five continents leading summer student tours around the world.
"She was one of the best-loved teachers at Stephens," said friend Hugh Stephenson.
Miss Martin taught social work at MU after retiring from Stephens College.
In 1987, a scholarship was established in her name for House Plan students.
Sally Stephenson said she remembered her teacher for her compassion and sense of humor.
Though Miss Martin has no surviving relatives, she leaves behind close friends she called her adopted family: Hugh and Sally Stephenson; their children, Ted Stephenson and Ann Stephenson Cameron; and their grandchildren, Sarah and Scott Cameron.
Miss Martin's friends are invited to her home at 700 Hilltop Drive from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in LeMars.
Memorials may be sent to the Dorothy Martin Scholarship Fund, Stephens College, 1200 E. Broadway, Columbia, MO 65215.
Katrina Jean Sipe
Katrina Jean Sipe of Columbia died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2002, at Boone Hospital Center. She was 63.
Ms. Sipe was born May 9, 1938, in Guthrie, Okla., to Howard and Emma Sipe.
She was a member of Christian Chapel. Ms. Sipe was an administrative assistant at Kodak for 16 years, and she also wrote poetry.
Visitation for Ms. Sipe will be 7 to 8:30 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. Gary Denbow and the Rev. Clifford Cato, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Christian Chapel, 3300 S. Providence Road.
Ms. Sipe is survived by her mother, Emma M. Sipe of Columbia; five brothers, Kim Sipe of Columbia, Karl Sipe of Fort Worth, Texas, Dennis Sipe of Sweet Spring, Alvin Sipe of Sedalia and Verlin Sipe of Fresno, Calif.; three sisters, Elouise Walker of Flagstaff, Ariz., Lavonda Prescott of Vallejo, Calif., and Sharon Dority of Climax Springs.
Her father died earlier.
Jocie L. Harlan
Jocie Lucille Patton Harlan of Columbia died Friday, Feb. 22, 2002, at Boone Retirement Center. She was 93.
Mrs. Harlan was born Oct. 17, 1908, in Westphalia, Kan., to Fred Everett and Della Maude Patton. Mrs. Harlan earned a teaching certificate at Pittsburgh State Teachers College. She taught in a one-room schoolhouse. As a charter member of Rockwood Baptist Church, she taught Sunday school for 50 years and was a missions leader.
On June 1, 1930, she married Chester Lee Harlan in Bronson, Kan.
Visitation for Mrs. Harlan will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at D.W. Newcomer's Sons Floral Hills Chapel, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd. in Kansas City. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the chapel. Burial will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.
Mrs. Harlan is survived by three daughters, Pat Robertson and Kathy Penny, both of Dallas, and Sandy Cockriel of Columbia; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Her husband and two brothers died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Rockwood Baptist Church for missions, 10035 Westport Road, Independence, Mo., 64052.
John P. "Jack" Slusher
From the redwood forests of the Pacific Northwest to the Vermont woods, John P. "Jack" Slusher's life was linked to the trees he loved so much.
"There wasn't an area he didn't like," said his wife, Carol Slusher. "He always enjoyed going to theater productions and loved good music, but his main interest was the out-of-doors."
Mr. Slusher died Friday, Feb. 22, 2002, at Boone Hospital Center. He was 67.
As a University of Missouri Extension forester and forestry professor for 31 years, Mr. Slusher combined his livelihood with a lifestyle that allowed him to spend more time among trees than behind a desk.
"In his prime, he was gone four days a week on the job," said his son, Scott Slusher. "He came from Lexington, where his parents had a timber farm and his main hobbies were planting trees and managing timber."
Mr. Slusher was born June 11, 1934, in Lexington, Mo., to Paul V. and Mary Irons Slusher. On Sept. 3, 1954, he married Carol Murry.
He obtained a bachelor's degree in forestry at MU and a master's degree in extension education from Kansas State University.
After serving in the Army, Mr. Slusher worked for the Missouri Department of Conservation from 1958 to 1961 as an assistant district forester and at Kansas State University as the district extension forester from 1961 to 1969.
"Being an extension forester meant that he was in charge of data distribution across the country," Carol Slusher said. "This allowed him opportunities to serve on many different boards of directors, like the National Society of American Foresters."
Mr. Slusher was also on the board of the Forest Farmers Association as well as the Missouri Forest Products Association. Mr. Slusher was awarded the Karkhagne award for recognition of outstanding service to professional forestry and also named a fellow at the Society of American Foresters.
Mr. Slusher was also a member of Columbia First Christian Church, Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and 4-H and was an honorary member of FFA. But he still found time for his children and grandchildren.
"His kids and his work, trees, were his love," Scott Slusher said. "He was a devoted father who went to all his kids' ball games."
Visitation for Mr. Slusher will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. John Yonker, will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Columbia First Christian Church, 101 N. 10th St.
Mr. Slusher is survived by his wife, Carol Slusher; one son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Donna Slusher of Lexington; one daughter, Paula Slusher of Columbia; and five granddaughters; and one grandson.
Contributions can be sent to the Walter Johnson Palliative Care Team, c/o Renee Hulshof, executive director, Walter Johnson Palliative Care Foundation, Boone Hospital Center, 2401 Vandiver Drive, Columbia, Mo. 65202.
Charles O. Massie
Charles O. Massie of Boonville died Thursday, Feb. 21, 2002. He was 91.
"Everybody liked him," said Mr. Massie's niece, Isabel Cobb. "He was a warm, loving person and a hard worker. I'll remember how he taught me to tie my shoes as a girl, silly things like that."
To Judy Masterson, a niece by marriage, Mr. Massie was a "giving, loving man" who was reserved.
"He rarely spoke, but when he did speak it was profound," Masterson said. She said Mr. Massie's jokes and quotations usually had meaning behind them. She said he liked to teach life lessons.
"He believed that he was put on this earth to give back to people," Masterson said.
A lifelong farmer, Mr. Massie was born April 29, 1910, in Vinitia, Okla., to O.W. and Ora Massie. He moved to Howard County at age 3 and lived there most of his life.
He married Thelma Long on Aug. 6, 1958, in New Franklin. Mr. Massie was a member of the New Franklin Christian Church and the Modern Woodmen of America. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Visitation for Mr. Massie will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today at William Wood Funeral Home, 517 Fourth St. in Boonville. Services, conducted by the Rev. Roger McMurry and the Rev. Bill Ryan, will be 2 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Mr. Massie is survived by his wife, Thelma Massie of Boonville; one niece, Isabel Cobb of Camdenton; and several cousins.
Two brothers died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the New Franklin Christian Church, 1200 County Road 314, New Franklin, Mo., 65210, or to the American Heart Association, 2600 I-70 Drive NW, Columbia, Mo. 65202.
Donald J. Spence
Donald James Spence of Columbia died Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2002, at his home. He was 51.
Mr. Spence was born Nov. 6, 1950, in Boonville to John C. Spence Sr. and Annell Chappell Spence. He graduated from New Franklin High School in New Franklin. He worked as a chef at Holiday Inn.
Visitation is from 4 to 6 p.m. today at Warren Funeral Chapel, 12 E. Ash St. Services, conducted by the Rev. Ray Warren, will be at 1 p.m. Monday at St. Luke United Methodist Church, 204 E. Ash St. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, 1217 Business Loop 70 W.
He is survived by his mother, Annell C. Spence of Columbia; four sisters, Bobby Jo Brown of Columbia, Carolyn Ward of Fulton, Geraldine Banks of Chicago and Joyce Gordon of Milwaukee; two brothers, John Spence Jr. of Milwaukee and Richard Spence of Columbia; and several cousins and friends.
His father died earlier.
Ronald S. Gordon
Ronald Seth Gordon of Columbia died of a brain tumor Friday, Feb. 22, 2002, at his home. He was 42.
Mr. Gordon was born Sept. 10, 1959, in Birmingham, Ala., to James Thomas Gordon and Gladys Rae Gordon. He attended MU and graduated in 1982 with a bachelor's degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering. He also received a master's degree in business administration from MU in 1984.
Mr. Gordon's hobbies included duck hunting and fishing. He was also a fan of MU sporting events.
"He loved watching Missouri football and basketball games," said his wife, Karen Gordon, whom he married in 1982.
Visitation was Saturday at the home of his father-in-law,
Roland Lohmar. There will be no funeral.
Mr. Gordon is survived by his wife; his parents, James and Gladys Gordon of Birmingham; a son, Seth Roland Gordon of Columbia; a daughter, Chelsea Gordon of Columbia; two brothers, Barry K. Gordon and Garry K. Gordon, both of Birmingham; a sister, Debra J. Gordon of Clearwater, Fla.; and his in-laws, Roland and Nancy Lohmar of Columbia.
Memorials may be sent to the Scholarship Fund for the Benefit of Chelsea and Seth Gordon, c/o Commerce Bank, 2000 Bernadette Drive, Columbia, Mo. 65203.
Lora J. Ellis
Lora J. Ellis of Columbia, formerly of Hartsburg, died Thursday, Feb. 21, 2002. She was 62.
Mrs. Ellis was born Feb. 22, 1939, in Kansas City, to Emmett and Elizabeth Maupin Owen. She was raised in Mexico, Mo. Mrs. Ellis was a homemaker.
Visitation for Mrs. Ellis will be from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the Robinson Funeral Home, 601 N. Henry Clay Blvd. in Ashland. Services, conducted by the Rev. Mark Thompson, will be 11 a.m. Monday at Robinson Funeral Home. Burial will be at Bonds Chapel Cemetery in Hartsburg.
Mrs. Ellis is survived by her son, Dale Scott of Centralia; three daughters, Teresa Haslett of Sugar Creek, Judith Thompson of Fayette and Sandra Stevens of Columbia; three brothers, Ralph L. Millard, Robert E. Owen and Kenneth W. Owen, all of Mexico; 13 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Her parents and a brother, Donald Millard, died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the American Lung Association for Emphysema Research, 1118 Hampton Ave., St. Louis, Mo. 63139-3196.
