Charles Wilson Eatherly
MU junior Charles Wilson "Chad" Eatherly was filled with a restless energy, whether volunteering at the St. Francis House, the MKT Park Patrol or with the campus alcohol awareness program.
He never sought recognition, but people noticed.
The 21-year-old, who died on Friday of undetermined causes, was to have received the university's "Unsung Heroes" award at a banquet Saturday evening. In his place, friends David and Aaron Cassat accepted the award, which honors students who work "behind the scenes" to help others.
"He had an incredible impact on other students," said Assistant Wellness Resource Director Kim Dude, who nominated Eatherly for the award. "He was very articulate, and he helped literally hundreds of his peers make better choices."
Eatherly died at about 3 p.m. Friday, March 5, 1998, at University Hospital, the day after his 21st birthday. A completed autopsy failed to determine the cause of death, which is still under investigation, said Boone County Medical Examiner Jay Dix. But Columbia Police Capt. Doug Schwandt said the death did not appear to be alcohol-related.
Eatherly worked for more than two years on the Alcohol and Drug Awareness and Prevention Team and made presentations about drinking responsibly to Greek houses and residence halls.
His generous spirit extended to more informal settings as well, said Eatherly's fraternity brothers at Pi Kappa Alpha.
"If there's anyone that exemplifies what a Greek should be, it was Chad," said Wes Milligan, president of the fraternity. "He was the one that had the values that kept the house together. Everyone saw him as a mentor."
A journalism major, Eatherly talked about either working as a reporter or going back to Memphis, Tenn., to teach at Christian Brothers High School, his alma mater.
"We weren't sure what direction Chad was going to take," said Emilie Ostrander, who dated him for about eight months. "Any way you slice it, though, he wasn't going to make money, but he didn't care."
Ostrander, 20, said Chad helped her through difficult times even after the two stopped dating, often sitting with her and listening to her cry.
He often surprised her with his innocence. Once, a professor gave him a take-home exam with the admonition not to take more than a half-hour. Eatherly timed himself and didn't complete the exam.
Some of Eatherly's lust for life came across in his personality and strange sense of humor. He called rain "liquid sunshine," wore jeans and Allman Brothers T-shirts on dates and spoke passionately about the blues and his hometown of Memphis.
Eatherly is survived by his parents, Jim and Cheryl; one brother, Chase; and one sister, Christy.
Funeral services had not been arranged as of Saturday afternoon.
Naomi Thompson
Naomi Idell Thompson was a spiritual woman. She often prayed with her sister Mary Thompson and enjoyed singing gospel songs.
Ms. Thompson died Thursday, March 4, 1999, at Regional Care Center. She was 65.
"She was a good spiritual person during her life," her sister said. "We prayed together while she was in the nursing home."
Ms. Thompson was born Nov. 13, 1933 in Louisiana, Mo., to Frank Thompson and Katy Rose McCoy Thompson. She lived in Columbia for 30 years.
Ms. Thompson enjoyed making things such as jewelry. She also enjoyed making people happy.
"She will be remembered for her good humor and kindness," Mary Thompson said.
Visitation was held Saturday at Nilson Funeral Home. Services will be at 2 p.m. today at the funeral home, 5611 St. Charles Road. Ms. Thompson will be buried at Oakland Cemetery.
Ms. Thompson is survived by her two sisters, Mary Thompson of Columbia, and Shirley Fay Thompson of Memphis, Tenn.; and her brother, Wilford Charles Thompson of Mexico, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews.
Her parents died earlier.
Robert Thorndyke
Robert Leonard Thorndyke Sr. of Columbia died Wednesday, March 3, 1999, at University Hospital of natural causes. He was 62.
Mr. Thorndyke was born Dec. 25, 1937, in Muscatine, Iowa, to John Jay and Janet Hanson Thorndyke. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 15 years.
Services for Mr. Thorndyke will be announced at a later date.
Mr. Thorndyke is survived by four sons, Steve Thorndyke, Mark Thorndyke, and David Thorndyke, all of Muscatine, and Robert Thorndyke Jr. of Columbia; one daughter, Maggie Burns of Muscatine; two brothers, Bill Thorndyke of Davenport, Iowa, and Pete Thorndyke of Muscatine, Iowa; one sister, Nancy Sterns of Muscatine; and 16 grandchildren.
His parents, one son and one sister died earlier.
Roy Lowell Bullard
Roy Lowell Bullard of Columbia died Friday, March 5, 1999, at his home. He was 63.
Mr. Bullard was born Oct. 5, 1935, in Boone County to Roy Edgar and Edith Pearl Thomeson Bullard. He married Joe Ann Curnutte on March 28, 1983, in McMurry Chapel United Methodist Church in Columbia.
Mr. Bullard served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was a member of Missouri United Methodist Church in Columbia.
Visitation for Mr. Bullard will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. Bart Larson, will be held 2 p.m. Monday at Memorial Funeral Home.
Mr. Bullard is survived by his wife, Joe Ann Bullard, of Columbia; two sons, Wesley Craig Bullard and Kevin David Pape, both of Columbia; and four grandchildren, two nieces and one nephew.
Walter T. Duren
Walter Thomas Duren of Columbia always liked to lend a helping hand.
"Walter would show up and mow the lawns of those who couldn't do it themselves," said the Rev. Rodney Fowler, associate pastor at Grace Bible Church. "He was a very caring and giving person. He was always looking out for other people."
Mr. Duren died Monday, March 8, 1999, at University Hospital and Clinics. He was 83.
Mr. Duren was born April 8, 1915, in Howard County to Thomas Walter and Mary Lee McCorkle Duren.
He married Dorothy Mae Brown on June 22, 1936, in Fayette.
Mr. Duren was a member of Grace Bible Church and participated in the Grace Fellowship Group for senior citizens at the church.
He also helped out around the church. Mr. Duren and his wife would drive senior citizens without transportation to and from the fellowship meetings. Mr. Duren also mowed the lawn for the church.
He was very active outdoors. He loved fishing, hunting and woodcutting.
"Walter loved to show off the things in his house," Fowler said. "Whether it was something he was working on or new guns, ammunition, a deer he had killed. He was very interested in those things."
Mr. Duren also was a member of the Holiday Rambler Club.
Visitation for Mr. Duren will be from 6 to 8 tonight at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. Michael Burt and the Rev. Rodney Fowler, will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at Pleasant Green Cemetery in Glasgow.
Mr. Duren is survived by his wife, Dorothy Mae Brown Duren of Columbia; one son, Charles Lee Duren of Osceola; one daughter, Glenda Sue Sapp of Fulton; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Two brothers and four sisters died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Grace Bible Church, 1322 Paris R oad, Columbia, Mo., 65201.
John David Hall
John David Hall will be remembered for always putting others first.
"He thought highly of people," said his mother, Ann Hall. "And he spent his life serving them."
Mr. Hall of Columbia died Monday, March 8, 1999, at Boone Hospital Center of a brain tumor. He was 32.
Mr. Hall was a counselor at Farmington Correctional Center. He specialized in drug and family counseling.
Mr. Hall was born June 26, 1966, in Boone County to J.D. and Ann Hall. He graduated from Centralia High School in 1984. He attended MU and graduated in 1991. He received a bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's in psychology.
As a freshman at the University of Missouri, Mr. Hall discovered a passion for helping others. He volunteered to teach reading as part of Barbara Bush's national reading program.
"He enjoyed it so much," Ann Hall said. "It wasn't the easiest task. Some people were foreigners, struggling with the language. But John gave it all his heart."
Mr. Hall also found time to spend with his parents. He ate lunch and dinner with them several times a week.
"He always made it fun," Ann Hall said. "He would tell the funniest stories. He had great wit and humor. There will be a hole in lunch and dinner now."
Services, conducted by the Rev. Donald Wallace, will be at 11 a.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W.
Mr. Hall is survived by his parents, J. D. and Ann Hall of Columbia; and a grandmother, Lucille Hall of Fulton.
Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 1 Broadway, Suite C-1, Columbia, Mo., 65203.
Nellie McDonald
Nellie M. McDonald of Fulton died Monday, March 8, 1999, at her home. She was 72.
Mrs. McDonald was born Feb. 4, 1927, in Tebbetts to Benjamin Spencer and Hester Freeman Spencer. She married Olivet R. McDonald.
Mrs. McDonald worked for many years as a seamstress with Stride Rite Shoe Company in Fulton.
Visitation for Mrs. McDonald will be from 6 to 8 tonight at Maupin Funeral Home in Fulton. Services, conducted by the Rev. Bob Frey, will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Maupin Funeral Home, and burial will be at Mokane Cemetery in Mokane.
Mrs. McDonald is survived by two sons, Harold "Peanuts" Bond of Mokane and Marvin Bond of Columbia; four daughters, Sharon Baker and Mary "Kackie" Hooks of Columbia, and Marsha Loyd and Lois Dzurick of Millersburg; one brother, John Spencer of Holts Summit; two sisters, Lucinda Zeugin and Mildred Rothove of Fulton; 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Her husband, two brothers and one daughter died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association, Mid-Missouri Chapter, 1121 Business Loop 70 E., Columbia, Mo. 65201.
Neila Teddy Pettit
Neila Teddy Pettit was a trendsetter throughout her life.
Just after Dr. Pettit and her husband Jack were married, she faced the first test in her life as an initiator.
Dr. Pettit wanted to attend school with her husband at Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio, but the school had a strict rule that did not allow married women to be admitted as undergraduates. Suddenly, the crusade was on for Mrs. Pettit and she convinced the school board to overturn their ruling.
Dr. Pettit of Columbia died Saturday, March 6, 1999, at her home. She was 75.
She was born May 26, 1923, in Boone County to Rex P. and Lula Mae Parker Barrett. She attended Lee Elementary School and later served as PTA president when her three children attended that school.
Dr. Pettit was instrumental in changing the way Columbia kindergarten schools are funded. There were a few private kindergarten schools in the area and a few church preschools, but none were part of the public school system.
Dr. Pettit initiated a citywide vote that incorporated kindergartens into the public schools.
"She thought it was ridiculous that our oldest daughter couldn't attend public school in kindergarten," Jack Pettit said. "We saw kindergarten schools in other states as part of the public school systems."
Dr. Pettit, who earned her bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in education from MU, also helped establish new principles for training teachers in the College of Education. She directed a new MU program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education titled, "Humanizing, Individualizing and Personalizing."
"Instead of lectures and tests and spitting back what you learned, Neila encouraged more of a hands-on teaching approach so there was greater feedback from the students," Jack Pettit said.
Dr. Pettit, a professor emeritus of MU's education college, was a member of the First Baptist Church, Constance Emig Circle of King's Daughters, Women's Symphony League and a charter member of the Assistance League of Mid-Missouri. She also served as a lifeguard and instructor at Stephens College Lake and Country Club and was president of the Columbia Camp Fire Girls.
Visitation for Dr. Pettit will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business 70 W. Services, conducted by Dr. John Baker, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church, 1112 E. Broadway.
Dr. Pettit is survived by her husband, Jack Pettit of Columbia; one son, Ted Neil Pettit of Honolulu; one daughter, Pamela Sue Bruenjes of Columbia; three brothers, Rex Parker Barrett of Midway, Utah, S. Barre Barrett of Jacksonville, Fla., and J. Larre Barrett of Homossasa Springs, Fla.
One daughter, Jackie Pettit White, died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church, 1112 E. Broadway, Columbia, Mo. 65201, or to the Assistance League of Mid-Missouri, 1400 Forum Blvd., Suite 20, Columbia, Mo. 65203.
Pearl Ozella Sapp
Pearl Ozella Sapp of Hallsville died March 8, 1999, at her home. She was 77.
Ms. Sapp was born June 25, 1921, to Charles Edward and Mary Ethel Mitchell Carter in Higbee.
Ms. Sapp retired from MU's Campus Dining Services in 1986. She also worked in food service at Ranch House, Harris' Cafe, Hathman House, Camps Pin Oak and Wokonda in the Ozarks, and Posthouse Cafeteria. More recently, she worked at Grandmother's Pantry.
Visitation for Ms. Sapp will be from 6 to 8 tonight at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W.
Services, conducted by the Rev. Eddie Anderson, will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Funeral Home. She will be buried in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Ms. Sapp is survived by two foster children, Wanda Pearl Hoffman of Columbia and Edward Lee Sutton of Ft. Smith, Ark.; and two sisters, Nellie Harrison of Hallsville and Veneta Cochran of Columbia.
Three brothers and one sister died earlier.
Memorials can be sent to Ozzie's Playhouse--Camp TaKiMiNa, 800 N. Providence Road, Suite 102, Columbia, Mo., 65203.
Mary Hickem
Mary Madgelene Lewis Hickem was an important part of her family.
"She was a lovely mother, sister and aunt," said Sheila Lewis, Ms. Hickem's niece. "She gave very unsel-fishly to her family and was loved by all."
Ms. Hickem of Bloomington, Ill., died Sunday, March 7, 1999, at St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Ill. She was 61.
Ms. Hickem was born Dec. 13, 1937, in Auxvasse to Frank Lewis Sr. and Mary Roland Lewis.
She lived in Bloomington, Ill., for 24 years and worked for General Electric for 22 years. She retired recently.
"She was a loving mother, like my sister and my best friend," said Mark Lewis, Ms. Hickem's son.
Ms. Hickem also helped raise her niece. "She was like my second mother," Sheila Lewis said.
Ms. Hickem was a member of Second Baptist Church in Auxvasse. In Bloomington, Ill., she attended Union Missionary Baptist Church. She also was a member of the Machinist Local 1000 Union in Bloomington.
Visitation for Ms. Hickem will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Warren Funeral Chapel, 10 N. Fourth St. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today at the chapel. Services, conducted by the Rev. William Butler Sr., will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Second Baptist Church in Auxvasse.
Ms. Hickem is survived by a son, Mark Lewis of Fort Worth, Texas; two sisters, Clariona B. Tucker of Bloom-ington, Ill., and Hazel R. Lewis of Columbia; three brothers, Frank Lewis Jr. of Auxvasse, Robert Gary Lewis of Columbia and Gale E. Lewis of Rockford, Ill.; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two aunts; and numerous nieces, nephews and cous-ins.
Four brothers and two sisters died earlier.
Eva Viola Jordan
Eva Viola Jordan cherished her family.
In her 103 years, many of which were spent in Columbia, Mrs. Jordan enjoyed ballroom dancing and Conway Twitty songs. She also took care of herself until she was 95. But perhaps her greatest accomplishment is starting a family that now includes 76 members.
Mrs. Jordan died Monday, March 8, 1999, at the Williamsburg nursing home. She was 103.
"She is responsible for 76 people," said her son Jack Heibel. "The family meant a lot." Heibel said the majority of the family will be coming to Columbia for the service.
Heibel remembers his mother as a loving, patient woman.
"I was the youngest in the family," he said. "Children are not perfect angels, but she was always there for me. She loved all her children."
Mrs. Jordan was born April 27, 1895, in Morgan County to J.W. and Sarah Hayes Edmondson. In 1916 she married Cleatus O. Heibel in Kansas City, and after his death, she married James Jordan in St. Louis in 1943.
Heibel said Mrs. Jordan loved ballroom dancing and danced until she was 90. "She was just a natural, no lessons," he said.
He also said she enjoyed listening to country music.
"Conway Twitty was her favorite country singer," Heibel said. "She liked the love songs."
Originally from Columbia, Mrs. Jordan moved to St. Louis and went to work during World War II. She spent 30 to 40 hours a week at a stitching machine for a shoe factory.
"She could sew anything," Heibel said.
Mrs. Jordan was a member of the Sacred Heart Church. She lived in Colorado after her second marriage.
Visitation for Mrs. Jordan will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. David Viet, will be at 2 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mrs. Jordan is survived by three sons, Bill Heibel of Quincy, Ill., and Jack Heibel and Bob Heibel, both of Columbia; one daughter, Laura Jean Small of Lake Placid, Fla.; 22 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and 17 great-great-grandchildren.
Both husbands, one son, two brothers, three sisters and two grandchildren died earlier.
Phyllis Lawrence
Phyllis Ruth Lawrence of Columbia died Friday, March 5, 1999, at Shawnee Mission Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan. She was 81.
Mrs. Lawrence was born Nov. 3, 1917, in Kansas City, Mo., to Christopher and Clara Sooter Dosh. She attended Central High School in Kansas City, Mo., and on July 5, 1935, she married Paul Emmett Lawrence.
Mrs. Lawrence was a secretary and employee of Boone County National Bank and Boone National Savings and Loan before she retired. Always on the go, Mrs. Lawrence was a member of the Elk Mates of Columbia and enjoyed golf.
Graveside services, conducted by the Rev. Robert Leach, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Columbia Cemetery, 30 E. Broadway.
Mrs. Lawrence is survived by one son, Eric Lawrence of Airway Heights, Wash.; one sister, Opal Feltis of Stewartsville; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Her husband, one brother, two sisters and one son died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Gideon International, P.O. Box 7108, Columbia, Mo. 65205.
Ron Naeger
Ron Naeger's outstanding devotion to broadcast journalism won him warm respect from both students and faculty.
Mr. Naeger, who taught video shooting and editing classes at the MU School of Journalism, was known for his "can do" attitude, said fellow professor Roger Gafke.
"I don't think 'no' was in Ron Naeger's vocabulary," Gafke said. "I don't know of a time when he wouldn't try, whether it was a student with an editing problem or a faculty member with a curriculum planning issue."
Mr. Naeger died Tuesday, March 9, 1999, in his sleep at his home. He was 48. The cause of death is unknown at this time.
Mr. Naeger was born Oct. 30, 1950. He was married to Joyce Naeger of Columbia, who survives. Their three children also survive.
In 1976, Mr. Naeger received a bachelor's degree in radio-TV-film from MU. In 1988, he received his master's degree in communications from MU. Since 1980, he served in a variety of positions at MU, ranging from broadcast engineer to assistant professor.
When Mr. Naeger arrived at MU, the broadcast lab had little quality equipment, said Greeley Kyle, an MU broadcast news instructor.
"He built us up to where we are now," Kyle said. "He had the determination to keep pushing until it got done."
Mr. Naeger's extensive technical knowledge and teaching skills made him an invaluable asset to MU, Kyle said.
"Ron was like the skeleton that held this school together," he said.
Mr. Naeger's students agreed he always was around to give them any guidance they needed.
"There wasn't a day I wouldn't go by his office and say hello to him," said MU junior Katrina Brown. "He's been an inspiration and a mentor to a lot of people."
MU junior Catharine Devito also said students developed close relationships with Mr. Naeger.
"If we ever had any problems or questions, we could go to him," she said. "He was always there for all of the students."
To show their support and affection, broadcast students met Wednesday night at the Heidelberg to take food to the Naeger home.
Colleagues also recognized Mr. Naeger's devotion toward his students.
"He was like a father figure for many of the students," Kyle said. "He truly loved the students."
One of Mr. Naeger's teaching innovations was a concept called "just in time teaching," which delays teaching students certain skills until just before they actually use them in a realistic setting.
"Ron had a vision for this school that involved preparing our students for the newsroom," Kyle said.
Mr. Naeger's work also took him to the Middle East, where he shared his broadcasting skills, Gafke said. In 1997, he taught a five-week workshop in the West Bank for Palestinian TV cameramen.
For the remainder of the semester, several professors will teach Mr. Naeger's broadcast students.
"He's sorely going to be missed," Kyle said. "We all counted on Ron to keep everything going smoothly."
Funeral arrangements for Mr. Naeger are incomplete.
Wade A. Bryant
Wade A. Bryant of Jefferson City dedicated his life to family and to friends. Mr. Bryant died Wednesday, March 10, 1999, at St. Mary's Health Center in Jefferson City. He was 82.
Mr. Bryant was an electrician and owned and operated a farm in Prairie Home. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Jefferson City and Twilight Lodge No. 114.
"He was a fine brother, and his death will certainly leave a void in the family," said his sister, Alma Ausburn of Columbia.
Mr. Bryant was born May 1, 1916, in Dixon to Edwin and Eva Bryant. He attended Dixon High School.
Mr. Bryant married Jewell Dodds in Vienna, Mo., on Jan. 8, 1937. She died earlier.
Visitation for Mr. Bryant will be from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Buescher Memorial Home in Jefferson City. Services, conducted by the Rev. Dorothy Lairmore, will follow. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, 1217 Business Loop 70 W.
Mr. Bryant is survived by one brother, Walter Bryant of Columbia; one sister, Alma Ausburn of Columbia; one son, Wade Bryant Jr. of Delray Beach, Fla.; one daughter, Barbara J. Odneal of Jefferson City; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church, 201 Monroe St., Jefferson City, Mo., 65101 or to Heisinger Lutheran Home, 1002 W. Main St., Jefferson City, Mo., 65109.
Jean Mitchell
Jean Mitchell of Columbia died Wednesday, March 10, 1999, at Boone Hospital Center. She was 67.
Mrs. Mitchell was born July 29, 1931, in Mexico, Mo., to Rolla L. and Stella Keeling Surls. She married William W. Mitchell on Nov. 17, 1950, in Dexter, N.Y.
For the past 15 years, Mrs. Mitchell has lived in Columbia. She co-owned 2M Auto Paints Inc. in Columbia with her husband.
She was also a member of First Baptist Church in Mexico.
No visitation is scheduled. Services, conducted by the Rev. Raymond Iman, will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson in Mexico. Burial will be at the Elmwood Cemetery.
Mrs. Mitchell is survived by two daughters, Deborah Mitchell of Fulton and Billye Potter of Prior, Okla.; one brother, Robert Surls of Peculiar; and two granddaughters.
Her husband and both parents died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 33 E. Broadway Suite 100, Columbia, Mo., 65203.
Mollie Schwalb Wishner
Mollie Schwalb Wishner of Columbia died Saturday, March 6, 1999, at Regional Care Center. She was 82.
"Everybody knew her and liked her a lot," said her son, Michael Wishner. "She was very well-known because she was a very typical New Yorker - very straightforward and not afraid to say what was on her mind. She had a heavy Brooklyn accent, which would tickle people at stores and around town."
Mrs. Wishner was born Jan. 31, 1917, in New York. She married Nathan Wishner on May 6, 1946, in Elkton, Md.
During World War II, she was employed as a watch-dial painter for a watchmaker while her husband served in the military.
She moved to Columbia in 1973 after finding a house through a catalog.
"It was strictly accident that we came here," her son said. "It was something that had to be done quickly, because the price of living was too high in New York."
Services and burial for Mrs. Wishner will be held at Mount Hebron Cemetery in Flushing, N.Y.
She is survived by a son, Michael Wishner of Columbia, and a close friend, Karen Datzman of Metamora, Ill.
Her husband died earlier.
