Cassandra Janel Black
Cassi's mother and stepfather bought her a 1994 Mitsubishi when she turned 16, but it sat in the driveway for three weeks before she even got in it. They had to persuade her to take her driving test so she could get her license. A milestone that kids her age are champing at the bit to reach just wasn't a priority for Cassi - she had more important things to do.
Cassandra Janel Black of Columbia died Tuesday, May 21, 2002. She was 20.
Cassi was born April 15, 1982, in Marceline, to Mark S. and Bobbie St. Clair Black. She lived with her parents in Marceline until she was 4 years old, when her parents separated and she moved to Los Angeles with her mother, Bobbie. They later moved to Columbia. Cassi attended Hickman High School, where she was active in band. She loved jazz music and spent much of her time with her saxaphone.
After graduation, Cassi enrolled in the University of Kansas where she was pursuing a double major in architecture and fine arts. She had her heart set on building schools; she felt she knew exactly what kids needed. In Cassi's mind, there was nothing undecided about her future.
"Architecture was her whole life," her mother said. "The KU architecture program is so hard as it is, and not only did she take that on, but she was also majoring in design. She'd tell me, 'I can do this, Mom. I know I can do this.'"
"She never could do well enough," her mother said. "I'd tell her, 'Cass, you can't always be perfect.' And she'd say, 'Mom, do you want to walk into a building that isn't perfect?'"
Cassi always made time to help others out, too. When Cassi learned the Columbia School District needed substitute teachers, she volunteered her time. She was on her way to Cedar Ridge Tuesday when she got lost on Route WW and ran a stop sign. Her car was broadsided by a 1996 Ford pickup, and she was pronounced dead on arrival at Boone Hospital Center.
"Her dog Vito started crying and seemed upset right at the time Cassi would have died," her mother said. "He just knew."
Cassi had a penchant for rescuing stray animals all her life, according to her mother. "Cass loved people that nobody else could love, whether it was an actual person or a stray animal."
One of Cassi's other goals was to reach young people and tell them to never give up. She was especially bothered by underpriviledged children who may not have the same opportunities more fortunate children do. She would routinely tell her mother, "If a kid is poor or middle-class, they don't stand a chance."
It is for this reason that Bobbie and Mike Pauley, and Mark Black, are establishing a scholarship fund for Hickman High School students in remembrance of Cassi. They will choose one student each year to receive the scholarship, or two students if enough money is collected.
"We want to make clear that these scholarships will be for average kids, ones who would never get a scholarship if not for Cassi's," her mother explained.
Most of all, Cassi looked out for her friends and family.
"Cass always said she was going to pay off our mortgage and build us a house," her mother said. "She felt guilty about us paying out-of-state tuition for her to go to KU. I know now she's building us that house in heaven."
Cassi is survived by her parents; a stepfather C. Michael Pauley of Columbia; three sisters, Cathi Black and Cindi Jo Black Rodgers of Marceline and Chrissi Black of Aiken, S.C.; brother-in-law Bill Rodgers of Marceline; maternal grandmother Joann St. Clair of Brookfield; paternal grandparents Wayne and Billie Joe Black of Brookfield; two stepbrothers Rich Harris of Fayette and Danny Harris of Joplin; two aunts, an uncle, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Her maternal grandfather, Robert St. Clair, died earlier.
Visitation was from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbia. Services will be held at 10 a.m. today at Midway Heights Baptist Church, 6801 W. Rollingwood Blvd., Columbia, and 2 p.m. at Bethany Baptist Church in Marceline. Memorials may be sent to Cassandra Black Memorial Scholarship Fund at David H. Hickman High School, c/o Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W., Columbia, Mo. 65202.
Samuel William Bernskoetter
Samuel William Bernskoetter of Columbia died Tuesday, May 21, 2002, at Boone Hospital Center. He was the infant son of Rob and Tracy Porter Bernskoetter.
There will be a private graveside service Friday at Memorial Park Cemetery.
"He only lived about three hours after birth. He was a little survivor," his grandmother Sammy Porter said. "He was cherished the short time we had him."
Bernskoetter is survived by his parents; paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Bernskoetter of Jefferson City; maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Porter of Columbia; four great-grandmothers; and three brothers, Ryan Bernskoetter, Collin Bernskoetter and Devin Bernskoetter all of Columbia.
Jonathan Austin Cunningham
Jonathan Austin Cunningham of Columbia died Wednesday, May 22, 2002, at University Hospital. He was one.
Cunningham was born November 1, 2000, in Columbia to Dennis Leroy and Leigh Ann Kaiser Cunningham of Columbia.
He was baptized at the Newman Center.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today, at Memorial Funeral Home.
Services, conducted by the Rev. Mark Smith, will be 10 a.m. Saturday, at the Newman Center, 701 Maryland Ave. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, 1217 Business Loop 70 W.
Cunningham is survived by his parents; maternal grandparents, Gerald and Mary Ann Kaiser of Lake of the Ozarks; paternal grandparents, Lloyd and Judy Cunningham of Hallsville; great-grandparents, Regina Bisges and Rose Kaiser; a sister Christina Cunningham of Columbia; and several aunts and uncles.
Memorials may be sent to the Educational Fund for Christina Cunningham in care of Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business 70 W., Columbia, Mo. 65202.
Mary Price Bennett McMinn
Mary Price Bennett McMinn of Columbia died Tuesday, May 21, 2002, at Boone Hospital Center. She was 83.
Mrs. McMinn was born Dec. 8, 1918, in Columbia to Alfred and Mary Myrtle Bennett. She graduated from Hickman High School in 1937 and worked for the Columbia Public School system until retiring in 1984.
She married Meryl McMinn on Sept. 12, 1942, in Boonville, and he survives. Mrs. McMinn was a homemaker and was a member of Missouri United Methodist Church. She is survived by her husband; a son, Robert McMinn of Columbia; two daughters, Glenda Strawn of Harrisburg and Connie Vallentine of Clinton; a sister Lochie Breedlove of Columbia; six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, three step-grandchildren and one step-great-grandchild.
One sister died earlier.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 33 E. Broadway, Suite 100, Columbia, Mo. 65203.
Everette B. Hopper
Everette B. Hopper of Columbia died Tuesday, May 21, 2002, at Boone Hospital Center. He was 85.
Mr. Hopper was born Aug. 13, 1916, in Moberly to Marvin Floyd and Sophia Hellensmith Dunivent. He married Maxine Hudson on May 31, 1941, in Columbia and she survives.
Mr. Hopper is also survived by his daughter Monica Thurston of Columbia and two grandchildren.
His parents and brother, Donald Hopper, died earlier.
A graveside service will take place at 11 a.m. today at Memorial Park Cemetery, 1217 Business Loop 70 W., with John Yonker officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Iola Irene Trumbower
Iola Irene Trumbower of Columbia died on Sunday, May 19, 2002 at Boone Hospital Center. She was 88.
Humility and modesty were guiding principles in her life, her son William Trumbower said. "She did things for others without telling anybody. She did things for people she didn't even know," he said.
A passion for nursing and family epitomized her life. She was the head nurse of the newborn nursery at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. Mrs. Trumbower also worked at the University of Missouri medical center for 18 years. She later worked for Dr. John Henzel from 1978 to 1994. She was also a member of the Missouri Nurses Association. She was "a nurse who cared about people," her son said.
Her son was also particularly struck by her kindness.
"Once when I was little, I accidentally locked her up in the chicken house at our farm and forgot. It got to be nighttime and my dad wanted to know where she was. Just then, I remembered and unlocked the door. There she was, sitting on a bucket. She forgave me," he said. "She forgave everyone."
Mrs. Trumbower was born Jan. 5, 1914, in Milbank, S.D., to John and Ethel M. Hyatt Vipond.
She was raised in Ortonville, Minn., and graduated from Ortonville High School in 1932. She was a graduate of Eitel Nursing School in Minneapolis and finished postgraduate studies at Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital in Jersey City, N.J., in 1938.
She married U.S. Army Capt. William C. Trumbower in Oak Park, Ill., in 1940. The couple moved to Smithton in 1952 and then to Columbia eight years later.
Mrs. Trumbower was also an active member of the Calvary Episcopal Church. She is survived by her son, who lives in Columbia; a daughter, Mary Swearingen of Columbia; a brother, Harold Vipond of Windsor, Calif.; and three grandchildren. Her parents; a brother, Loren L. Vipond; and two stepsons, Fred Trumbower and Charles Trumbower died earlier.
Visitation will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. Fred W. Thayer, will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Calvary Episcopal Church, 123 S. Ninth St. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorials can be directed to Calvary Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, 123 S. Ninth St., Columbia, Mo. 65201.
Ola Dickerson Baker
Ola Dickerson Baker of Centralia died Friday, May 17, 2002, at the Stuart House. She was 87.
Mrs. Baker was born on Jan. 28, 1915 in Claremore, Okla. to Earl and Eliza Frances Jones Dickerson. She graduated from Mexico High School. She married H.O. Baker Jr. on Oct. 14, 1933.
Mrs. Baker was a longtime member of the Maple Grove Methodist Church north of Centralia. She loved to quilt and was active in the Maple Grove Quilt Group as well as the Senior Citizen Center in Centralia.
She is survived by son Herbert Baker of St. Louis; daughter Connie Baker Cox of Centralia; sister Neta Davis of Hannibal; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Her husband, daughter Joy Baker Harvey, sister Thelma Stuart and brother Ray Dickerson died earlier.
Visitation for Mrs. Baker will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Meador & Son Funeral Home in Centralia.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Meador & Son Chapel, followed by burial at Glendale Memorial Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Maple Grove Methodist Church, c/o Howard Armontrout, RR 2, Centralia, Mo. 65240, or the Centralia Senior Center, c/o Mary Buck, 1002 S. Jefferson, Centralia, Mo. 65240.
Wendi J. Binger
Wendi J. Binger, formerly of Columbia, died Saturday, April 20, 2002, in Oakdale, Minn. She was 62.
Mrs. Binger was born Nov. 14, 1939, in Louisville, Ky., to Eugean and Marjorie Bussey. She married William Binger on June 3, 1983, in Oakdale, Minn. He died earlier.
She graduated from Jeffersonville High School in Indiana in 1957 and later graduated from Indiana University. She worked as an accountant for 3M in Austin, Texas, and in Columbia before retiring last year.
Mrs. Binger is survived by sister Donna Sue Wujek of Litchfield, Ill., brother the Rev. James Bussey of Scottsdale, Ariz., sons Bruce Hastings and Jay Hastings both of Oakdale, Minn., daughter Tannis Fox of Santa Fe, N.M., four grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Services were held at Bradshaw Funeral Home in Stillwater, Minn.
Memorials may be directed to the American Diabetes Association.
John W. Coleman
John William Coleman of Columbia died Wednesday, May 15, 2002 at University Hospital. He was 94.
Mr. Coleman was born March 30, 1908 in Hollow Springs, Miss., to Willie and Ellen McKinney Coleman.
During World War II, he served with the U.S. Army in the South Pacific. He was a member of and employed by the Second Baptist Church of St. Louis.
Mr. Coleman was active in the Masons, where he was a 33 degree and a Grand Inspector General.
He married Cheryl Wade of Columbia on Sept. 4, 1998.
He is survived by his wife, his son Robert Coleman of St. Louis, two stepsons, three stepdaughters and several nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
His five brothers and four sisters died earlier.
Services for Mr. Coleman will be held at 12:45 p.m. today at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis.
Memorials can be sent to the Central Missouri Kidney Association care of Ann Campbell, P.O. Box 1915, Columbia, Mo. 65205.
Florence Dohrmann
Florence M. Dohrmann of Columbia died Tuesday, May 14, 2002, at Boone Hospital Center. She was 89.
Mrs. Dohrmann was born March 25, 1913, in St. Louis to Robert D. and Edith Miles Evans. She married Russell H. Dohrmann on March 24, 1934.
She was a lifelong homemaker, and her family remembers her as a loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend.
Mrs. Dohrmann is survived by her husband; two sons, Russell Dohrmann of Boulder, Colo., and Arlan Dohrmann of Town & Country; two daughters, Susan Unger of Creve Coeur and Mary Dohrmann Dresser of Columbia; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Her parents and brother, Robert Evans, died earlier.
Services were held Monday at Stygar-Drehmann-Harrell in St. Louis and burial was at Memorial Park Cemetery in St. Louis.
Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army or to the Missouri Historical Society c/o Stygar-Drehmann-Harrell, 7733 Natural Bridge, Normandy, Mo. 63121.
Marian June Glauser
Marian June Glauser of Columbia died Saturday, May 18, 2002, at her home. She was 77.
Mrs. Glauser was born Sept. 28, 1924, in Tucson, Ariz., to Ernest and Bernice Granville Glass. She married Louis Glauser on Nov. 12, 1944, in Tucson, Ariz.
The couple moved to Columbia in 1945, and Mrs. Glauser graduated from Stephens College. She was licensed as a realtor in 1956, and later assumed the presidency of Glauser Realty. She was the recipient of several awards including Columbia Realtor of the Year in 1974 and Missouri Realtor of the Year in 1985.
Mrs. Glauser held various leadership positions in the realty business, including president of Columbia's Board of Realtors in 1975 and president of the Missouri Association of Realtors in 1981. She also served on the Executive Committee of the National Association of Realtors in 1984 and 1985.
"She was a very busy person who worked very hard for the realty industry and her clients," her husband said.
Mrs. Glauser was an active leader in the community as well. She held a variety of positions, including Camp Fire Girl Leader, president of Columbia Jaycee Wives, president of Columbia's Women's Club, chairwoman of the Community Service Committee of International Altruse of Columbia and member of the city's Board of Housing Standards and Appeals.
Mrs. Glauser also served on the board of KBIA-FM, held a position on the Board of Directors for the Boone County Retirement Center and was a member of the Grants and Loan Committee of the City of Columbia.
In addition to her involvement in the community, Mrs. Glauser loved her family very much, her husband said. "I think she'd like to be remembered as a lady and a mother, a grandmother and a great-grandmother."
Mrs. Glauser is survived by her husband; four children, Lauren Leigh Thompson of Amelia Island, Fla., Randy Glauser of Kansas City, Candece Tierney of Gainesville, Fla., and Tammy Brewer of Columbia; two sisters, Betty Russell and Helen Lochner both of Tucson, Ariz.; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Her parents died earlier.
The Glauser family invites those who wish to express their condolences and remembrances to their home between 7 and 9 tonight. The Glauser home is located at 1312 Willowcreek Lane.
Linda Sacremento
Linda Sue Sacremento of Columbia died Thursday, May 16, 2002, at her home. She was 51.
Mrs. Sacremento was born June 13, 1950, to Ernest and Adeline Stender in Des Moines, Iowa. She married Enrique Sacremento.
Mrs. Sacremento graduated from Des Moines Technical Vocational High School in 1968. She was an active member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses for more than 40 years.
Mrs. Sacremento is survived by her husband of Columbia; one son, James Lela of Holt's Summit; three sisters, June Stender of Des Moines, Beverly Stender of San Diego, Calif., and Georgia Stender of Florida.; and two brothers, Phillip Stender and Jerry Stender both of Des Moines, Iowa.
Her parents died earlier.
Services will be at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Kingdom Hall Jehovah's Witnesses in Columbia.
William R. McConnell
William Russell McConnell of Columbia died Saturday, May 18, 2002, at Boone Hospital Center. He was 58.
Mr. McConnell was born on March 23, 1944, to Russell and Helen McConnell in Coshocton, Ohio. He was married to Betty Jo "Bea" Slaybaugh in Toledo, Ohio, in 1974. Mr. McConnell lettered in baseball and football while attending Coshocton High School. He earned a bachelors degree from Kent State University and a master's degree from Xavier College in Ohio.
Bill "Coach" McConnell, as he was known, devoted much of his life to coaching football. He pursued a second career in real estate, selling farms, commercial, and investment properties in Missouri.
Mr. McConnell is survived by his mother of Coshocton, Ohio; his former wife, Bea McConnell of Columbia; one son, Scott McConnell of Columbia; one daughter, Kelly Hora of College Park, Md.; and one son-in-law, Matthew Hora of College Park, Md. His father and a brother, Jim McConnell, died earlier.
Visitation will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Parker Funeral Services, 22 N. Tenth St. Services will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials may be sent to the Bill McConnell Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Parker Funeral Services, P.O. Box 1251, Columbia, Mo. 65205. The scholarship will be offered to a high school football player pursuing a college education.
Janice Plowman
Janice Plowman of Columbia died Saturday, May 18, 2002, at the Candlelight Lodge. She was 92.
Ms. Plowman was born July 6, 1909, to William Joseph and Iona Alice Hixson Plowman in Hoxie, Ark.
Ms. Plowman was one of the first women to be sent to Europe at the beginning of World War II. During the war she worked for the State Department as a foreign service ambassador.
After retiring, Ms. Plowman worked in the music department at Stephens College. She was a member of Calvary Episcopal Church.
Ms. Plowman is survived by one niece, Nancy Nickel of Columbia; one nephew, Roger William Plowman of Albuquerque, N.M.; and seven grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Her parents and a brother, William Lavelle Plowman, died earlier.
A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. today at Masonic Cemetery in Piedmont, Mo.
Memorials may be sent to the charity of the donor's choice, c/o Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W., Columbia, Mo. 65202.
Susan L. Williams
Susan Lincoln Williams of Roseville, Calif., died Saturday May 18, 2002. She was 54.
Mrs. Williams was born March 10, 1948, to Earl and Maxine Lincoln in Maryville. She graduated from Centralia High School in 1966 and attended MU. She later received a bachelor's degree in early childhood development from California State University in San Bernardino, Calif.
She was active in the Boone County 4-H and the Centralia Christian Church. For several years she worked as a stewardess for Delta Air Lines.
Mrs. Williams is survived by her husband, Larry Williams, of Roseville; three step-children; her parents, of Centralia; two sisters, four step-grandchildren, sisters, Alice Joossens of Orlando, Fla. and Judy Brown of Cameron Park, Calif.; one brother, David Lincoln of Springfield, Va.; four step-grandchildren and five nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at a date to be determined in Mendocino, Calif.
Elizabeth J. Conner
Elizabeth J. Conner, formerly of Columbia, died Tuesday, May 14, 2002, at Hope Hospice in Fort Myers, Fla. She was 80.
The oldest of 11 children, Mrs. Conner was born Nov. 16, 1921, in Columbia to James L. and Minnie Johnson. She married Warren Conner, who died earlier.
Mrs. Conner was employed as a secretary/bookkeeper at First Christian Church for 17 years and as executive secretary/bookkeeper for Woodhaven School and Lenoir Memorial Home for 12 years. While living in Lake Ozark after her retirement, she was a part-time bookkeeper for the Blue Heron Restaurant.
Mrs. Conner was a founding board member of The Wardrobe, where she served in many capacities including president of the board. She also volunteered and worked part time for Alternative Community Training.
A memorial service will be held in early June.
Mrs. Conner is survived by one son, Warren Conner Jr.; three daughters, Sandra Hombs, Marilyn Stone and Carolyn Little; five grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
One brother and one sister died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to ACT, The Wardrobe or Habitat for Humanity.
Richard Diemert
Richard "Bing" Diemert of Columbia died Thursday, May 16, 2002. He was 62.
Mr. Bing was born on Dec. 27, 1939, in Fargo, N.D., to Silverus Stephen and Gertrude Betty Erickson Diemert. He married Linda Miller on Feb. 21, 1998, in Columbia. He worked at Toastmaster for many years and has been employed at Jefferson Junior High School for the past two years. He was a member of Eagles Lodge in Columbia.
There will be no services.
Mr. Bing is survived by his wife; his adopted mother, Dorothy Coil of Sturgeon; his son, Jeff Schreiner of Catlett, Va.; a stepdaughter, Amber Rice of Columbia; a brother, Bill Diemert of Anderson, Calif.; three adopted brothers, Ed Coil of Clark, Bill Coil of Copperolis and Jimmy Jennings of San Mateo, Calif.; an adopted sister, Aretta Watson of Westpoint, Calif.; and four grandchildren. His parents died earlier.
Porter Rice
Porter Rice of Columbia died Saturday, May 18, 2002, at Columbia Healthcare and Rehabilitation. He was 94.
Mr. Rice was born Feb. 12, 1908, in Boone County to Andrew Jackson and Rosa Ann Carlos Rice. On July 15, 1928, he married Stella Pearl Long.
Mrs. Rice was a member of Calvary Baptist Church for 64 years and was a deacon for 45 years. He was employed as a custodian at West Boulevard School for 19 years.
Visitation for Mr. Rice will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. Webster Brown and the Rev. Fred Neiger, will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Columbia.
Mr. Rice is survived by three grandchildren, Steve Rice and Jackie Rice of Columbia and Charlotte Rice of Jefferson City.
His wife, son, parents and two brothers died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Calvary Baptist Church, 606 Ridgeway, Columbia, Mo. 65201.
