Sampson Wilhite
Sampson Lewis Wilhite of Crocker died Tuesday, March 16, 1999, at Columbia Healthcare and Rehabili-tation Center. He was 83.
He was born Nov. 4, 1915, in Blythesville, Ark., to Birch Hunt and Susie May Douglas Wilhite. He married Mary Catherine Page, and they had four daughters.
Mr. Wilhite was a member of the Huntsdale Baptist Church, the County Agents Association and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Long Funeral Home, Missouri 17 in Crocker. Services, conducted by the Revs. Clinton Faust and Lee Todd, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Long Funeral Home. Burial will follow at the Crocker Cemetery.
Mr. Wilhite is survived by three daughters, Sandra Tappe of Crocker, Susan Plemmons of Denver and Patricia Ann Kaylor of North Kansas City; one sister, Anna Laura Melloway of Huntsdale; four grandchil-dren and one great-grandson.
His wife, an infant daughter and two brothers died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the National Kidney Foundation, 2100 E. Broadway, Columbia, Mo. 65201.
Carloyn McLaughlin Birkes' life was a colorful canvas.
The Columbia artist and former director of the Columbia Art League died Monday, March 15, 1999, from complications during spinal surgery. She was 45.
Mrs. Birkes battled scoliosis, a lateral curvature of the spine, all her life. When she was 13, she had two consecutive surgeries to correct the ailment. She was in the hospital for a third surgery to deal with the genetic problem when she died.
From the time Mrs. Birkes arrived in Columbia, she was entrenched in the local arts community. She came to Stephens College to study fine arts in 1972. She earned her bachelor's degree in fine arts in 1976, then briefly worked for the Columbia Regional Library.
After leaving the library, Mrs. Birkes taught art at Hickman High School until she opened Art Concepts, her own personal studio where she taught classes.
Right and left brains collided when Keith Allen Birkes, an attorney and executive director of the Missouri Bar, met Mrs. Birkes. The lawyer married the artist on June 29, 1974, in her hometown of Jackson, Mich. Until the day Mrs. Birkes died, her husband called her "a very pretty lady."
After several years of practicing art, Mrs. Birkes took her talents to the administrative level when she be-came director of the Columbia Arts Resources Council. She remained director until it dissolved in 1991. A year later, she became executive director of the Columbia Art League.
For more than six years, she served the Columbia Art League, which had a mission similar to her own philosophy - "art for everyone."
During her tenure at the art league, Mrs. Birkes was known for working tirelessly. Planning the annual Art in the Park festival and the organization's other activities demanded extraordinary commitment; Mrs. Birkes was more than willing to give it.
"She always worked more than was contracted for," volunteer Julie Helvey told the Missourian in October 1997, when Mrs. Birkes suddenly decided to resign from her post. "It's hard to know where paid time stops and volunteering begins."
Kathy Walther, former president of the Columbia Art League, remembers Mrs. Birkes for her endless efforts to improve the quality of art education and art shows in mid-Missouri.
"She helped build the scholarship fund, she wrote the grants that allowed the league to provide art educa-tion at a low cost and she actually got out there and promoted our programs," Walther said.
Columbia's 45-year-old tradition of Art in the Park was bolstered by Mrs. Birkes' leadership, Walther said.
"She helped the program grow enormously both in quantity and quality of artists that come to mid-Missouri," Walther said. "She dedicated full-time effort to her part-time job to make it happen."
Jacque Dunn, president of the Columbia Art League, said Mrs. Birkes also was a gifted artist in her own right. Her forte was sculpting, but she also painted. She admired the highly regarded Georgia O'Keefe.
Mrs. Birkes was born on Jan. 12, 1954, in Jackson, Mich., to John Miar and Therese Eileen Schultz McLaughlin.
Services will be at 3 p.m. today at First Presbyterian Church, 16 Hitt St. Visitation will follow the services, with a private burial on Thursday.
Mrs. Birkes is survived by her mother, Therese Eileen McLaughlin of Jackson, Mich.; her husband, Keith Birkes of Columbia; one daughter, Lara Katherine Birkes of Columbia; one son, Clayton Miar Birkes of Columbia; one brother, John Miar McLaughlin Jr. of Jackson, Mich.; and one sister, Jane Ellen McLaugh-lin Saums of Cairo, Egypt.
Memorials may be sent to Legal Aid, care of Missouri Bar Association, Box 119, Jefferson City, Mo., 65102, or to the Columbia Art League, 1013 E. Walnut St., Columbia, Mo., 65201.
Robert Edward Couch
Robert Edward Couch rarely passed up a chance to be kind. He will leave behind a legacy of good deeds that would be envied by the most ardent Boy Scout.
Mr. Couch died Wednesday, March 10, 1999 at Harry S. Truman Veterans Hospital. He was 70.
"He was always offering to help somebody if he could," said his loving companion of more than four years, Anita Stubblefield. "He thought a lot of the disabled. That was a big part of his life."
Mr. Couch worked as a director of maintenance at Woodhaven Learning Center for several years, and until recently worked at Alternative Community Training, an organization that works with people with disabilities in the community.
"He would always go out of his way to talk to them," Stubblefield said. "Clients would hug him - they really cared for him."
His good deeds were not confined only to clients at ACT, however.
"Several Christmases he sneaked down there and gave gifts to different workers in the offices," she recalled.
Mr. Couch also did not restrict his goodwill only to humans. He leaves behind two cats, who were strays before he took them in.
"He loved my animals," Stubblefield said. "He would buy big bones for my dogs and spoil my horse with carrots."
Tina Carreker said her father had the type of personality that drew people to him.
"He had a whole lot of friends," she said. "He liked to dance and he liked to have fun. He was always cutting the fool."
In addition to western dancing, Mr. Couch enjoyed fishing and had a deep passion for attending flea markets and auctions.
"He loved to collect knick-knacks," Carreker said. "Any time he could find one, he would go."
Mr. Couch was born March 27, 1928 in Los Angeles to Clifford and Ida Malseed Couch.
He served in the Navy as a Seabee during World War II and the Korean Conflict, during which time he earned the Victory Medal, Korean Service Medal, Navy Ooccupation Medal and Good Conduct Medal.
He was a member of Shriners and Masons, and also a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Friends and family will hold a service to celebrate his life from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, March 22, 1999 at VFW Hall, 1509 Ashley St. The service will be officiated by the Rev. Jim Cunningham.
Mr. Couch is survived by Anita Stubblefield of Columbia; one son, Kenneth Couch of Warner Robins, Ga.; two daughters, Tina Carreker of Macon, Ga. and Robin Davis of Warner Robins, Ga.; and seven grandchildren.
His sister died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society, #1 Broadway Suite C-1, Columbia, Mo. 65203.
Edith Pearl Hall
Edith Pearl Hall of Columbia died on Saturday, March 13, 1999, at the Columbia Regional Care Center. She was 85.
Mrs. Hall was born on Jan. 19, 1914, in Cherryvale, Kans., to Jess L. and Eva Holman Brock. In 1935, she married Fred Hall in Joplin.
Visitation for Mrs. Hall will be 10 to 11:30 a.m. today, at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. Dennis Swearngin, will be at 11:30 a.m. at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mrs. Hall is survived by two sons, Freddie Hall of Cliffton, Tenn., and Donald Hall of Granby; a daughter, Judy Andrews of Columbia; one brother, Harold Brock of Muncie, Ind.; one sister, Mildred Brock of Neosho; nine grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
Her husband and two brothers died earlier.
Robert Tschantz Pannabecker
Robert Tschantz Pannabecker of Columbia died Wednesday, March 10, 1999, at University Hospital. He was 73.
Mr. Pannabecker retired from his job as an insurance agent in 1998 after many years on the job. Before that, he worked as a representative for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.
Mr. Pannabecker was born Oct. 9, 1925, in Kai Chow, Chinli China to Samuel Lloyd and Sylvia Lydia Tschantz Pannabecker. He attended high school in Bluffton, Ohio and received his bachelor's degree from Bluffton College. Mr. Pannabecker also attended insurance company school and later worked for Northwest Airlines in Hawaii.
Services for Mr. Pannabecker, conducted by the Rev. Paul Moessner, will be at 11:30 a.m. today at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, 914 West Blvd.
Mr. Pannabecker is survived by his daughter, Leslie P. Bloss of Columbia; his sister, Alice Ruth Ramseyer of Bluffton, Ohio; and two grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one son and one brother.
Memorials may be sent to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 1251, Columbia, Mo. 65205 or the Ellis Fischel Guest House, 115 Business Loop 70 W., Columbia, Mo. 65203.
Mildred Crawley
Mildred Crawley, formerly of Columbia, died on Saturday, March 6, 1999, in Lincoln, Neb. She was 89.
Mrs. Crawley lived in Columbia for 58 years until moving to Lincoln a year ago. She was born on July 9, 1909, in Madison County, Iowa, to Charles and Dora Beeler. She graduated from Winterset High School and Iowa State University. She married Kermit Crawley of Kansas City in 1937.
In 1940, they moved to Columbia, where Mrs. Crawley was on the staff in the Food Science at the University of Missouri. She was an active member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for more than 50 years.
Mrs. Crawley worked for more than 10 years as a volunteer at Boone Hospital Center. She also delivered for the Meals-on-Wheels program, worked for the Red Cross Blood Bank and belonged to the League of Women Voters and the Stephens College Faculty Wives.
Services, conducted by the Rev. John Yonker, will be at 1 p.m. today at First Christian Church, 101 N. Tenth St. A reception will follow at the church.
Mrs. Crawley is survived by a daughter, the Rev. Kim Andrews of North Platte, Neb.; two sons, Tom Crawley of Seattle, Wash., and Don Crawley of Kansas City; one brother, Gene Beeler of Weirsdale, Fla.; six grandchildren and a daughter-in-law.
Her husband died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the First Christian Church.
Virginia Whitchurch Southwood
Wherever she lived - California, South Africa or Columbia - Virginia Whitchurch Southwood was a tireless advocate for social welfare.
When Mrs. Southwood was a social worker in Johannesburg, she promised her husband she'd never visit the townships at night.
"It wasn't always possible to keep the promise, however," she remembered in her 1994 biography, "Slow Branches Burning." "There were needs that went beyond the setting of the sun."
A former MU professor of social work, Mrs. Southwood lived in Columbia for 30 years.
She died Wednesday, March 10, 1999, at Manor Health Care Center. She was 90.
Judith Suther, a former Columbia resident, wrote the story of Mrs. Southwood's first 86 years from 11 hours of tape-recorded memories and more than 100 handwritten pages.
"I remembered once saying to some young people that I believed I was put on Earth to do something difficult and planned," Mrs. Southwood said in the last chapter of her biography.
Her life's history of activist work on behalf of abused and neglected children and the elderly are proof of her commitment to this difficult plan.
Mrs. Southwood was born Aug. 10, 1908, in Savannah, Mo., to Felix Whitchurch and Celectie Kinzer Whitchurch. In 1931, she married South Africa-born Eric J. M. Southwood in St. Joseph.
She received a bachelor's degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and her master's in sociology from MU. She retired from the MU School of Social Work in 1979.
Mrs. Soutx., and Vera Krummenacher of Florissant; a daughter, Martha Drake Spier North of Olympia, Wash.; and a granddaughter, Nicola G. Spier of Raleigh, NC.
A son, Stephen, died earlier.
Memorial plans are incomplete. A private service for family will be held later this week, and a public ceremony may be scheduled at a future date.
Contributions may be made to the Foundation of the Daniel Boone Regional Library, 100 W. Broadway, Columbia, Mo. 65203.
David Ray Wakefield
David Ray Wakefield, MU professor of Asian history, was known for his positive attitude and was respected by many.
"Students recognized him with many teaching awards, and he was also honored with national awards," said Ted Tarkow, an associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Mr. Wakefield died in his Columbia home on Monday after a seven-year battle with bone cancer. He was 48.
"In the time David was with us, we found him to be an exemplary teacher, a pioneer scholar and a first-rate colleague," Tarkow said.
Mr. Wakefield was born May 18, 1950, in San Francisco to John C. and Evelyn Levin Wakefield. He married Kui Chun Su on July 27, 1981, in China.
He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in American history at San Francisco State College, and he obtained his doctoral degree from the University of California at Los Angeles.
Mr. Wakefield joined the MU history department in 1992. Shortly thereafter, he was diagnosed with cancer. He took a year of medical leave and spent time with his mother and stepfather in Berkeley, Calif.
Since Mr. Wakefield's return to MU in 1993, he has had two works published. His first book, "The Three Inch Golden Lotus," won the Eugene M. Kayden National Translation Award in 1993 for best translated book. His second book, "Fenjia: Household Division in Qing and Republican China, 1644-1949," was published last year.
Services for Mr. Wakefield will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the Great Room of the Reynolds Alumni Center on the MU campus.
Mr. Wakefield is survived by his wife, Su Wakefield of Columbia; his son, Daniel Wakefield of Columbia; his mother, Evelyn Wakefield of Berkeley, Calif.; his stepfather, Bud Massey of Berkeley, Calif.; and a sister, Rebecca Wakefield of Berkeley, Calif.
Memorials may be sent to Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, 115 Business Loop 70 W., Columbia, Mo. 65201, or the Visiting Nurses Association, 3315 Berrywood Drive, Suite 102, Columbia, Mo. 65201.
Raymond Acton
Raymond Eugene Acton of Columbia died Sun., March 14, 1999, at his home. He was 56.
The cause of death is still being determined by the Boone County Medical Examiner.
Mr. Acton lived his entire life in Columbia. He was self-employed as a contractor. Mr. Acton spent much of his time working on houses and completing odd jobs, said his son, Donald Eugene Acton. He particularly enjoyed painting and carpentry.
Outside of work, he could be found on the baseball field. Playing baseball was one of Mr. Acton's favorite activities. He also enjoyed fishing and mushroom hunting. Mushroom hunting is a family tradition for the Actons; the children were all taught to distinguish between poisonous and edible mushrooms.
"He enjoyed cookin' 'em and eaten' 'em," said Joanne Acton, his daughter-in-law.
He would sometimes sell the mushrooms he found, she said.
"He knew which ones to get," she said.
Mr. Acton was born Oct. 25, 1942, in Columbia to James and Laura Acton.
Visitation for Mr. Acton will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the Meador and Son funeral home in Sturgeon. Services, conducted by the Rev. Stewart Curtwright, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Meador home, at the corner of Ogden and Davis streets in Sturgeon. Internment will be at the Smith Chapel Cemetery in Rocheport.
Mr. Acton is survived by three sons, Donald Eugene Acton, Ricky Dale Acton and Bobby Berry, all of Columbia; four daughters, Tersa Acton and Rhonda Sue Berry, both of Des Moines, Iowa, Elisha Acton Lunsford of Benton City, and Rebecca Nicole Acton of Columbia; five brothers, Jerry Acton, James Orville Acton and Otto Acton, all of Columbia, Ronald Acton of Fulton, and Wilfred Acton of Rocheport; four sisters, Julia Arlene Hatton, Diana Aldez, and Cathy Jane Callen, all of Columbia, and Leona Ray of Harrisburg; and 15 grandchildren.
Donald E. Barnes
Patriot, veteran, businessman and family man were only a few characteristics of Donald E. Barnes.
Mr. Barnes of Moberly died Saturday, March 13, 1999, at Truman Veterans Administration Hospital in Columbia. He was 79.
Mr. Barnes joined the U.S. Navy in 1943 and served during World War II.
"His work in the Navy was probably his favorite part of his own life," said Brad Dixon, pastor of First Baptist Church in Moberly.
After he left the Navy, he continued to be active with veterans' organizations. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and an active member and past commander of Post 6 of the American Legion in Moberly. He also served as president of the Central Missouri Council of the Navy League of the United States in 1971 and 1972.
Mr. Barnes will be most remembered for his love of the U.S.S. Missouri battleship, said his son, James Barnes. The United States and Japan signed the peace treaty ending World War II on the ship. Mr. Barnes was not present then, but in 1971, he was asked to remove the bell from the boat and present it to the state of Missouri.
"He followed that battleship wherever it went," James Barnes said.
Mr. Barnes was also a businessman. He and his wife, Loy, co-owned Barnes Energy Service and Treasure House, which was founded by his father. The business is the oldest propane dealership in Missouri under continuous ownership.
Mr. Barnes was born Sept. 2, 1919, in Moberly to Ralph and Dena Mae Barnes. He attended the University of Missouri-Columbia and the California School of Aeronautics at Englewood, Calif.
He married Loy Rages in Columbia on Dec. 15, 1946.
Visitation for Mr. Barnes will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Cater Funeral Home, 1520 East Rollins, Moberly. Services, conducted by the Rev. Bradley J. Dixon, will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Cater Chapel.
Mr. Barnes is survived by his wife, Loy of Moberly; two sons, Joe Barnes and James R. Barnes, both of Moberly; a daughter-in-law, Trudy Barnes; and two grandchildren.
His daughter, Donna DeBeth Barnes, died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the First Baptist Church, 514 West Rollins St., Moberly, Mo. 65270.
Charles B. Cox
Charles B. Cox of Centralia died Sun., March 14, 1999, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. He was 83.
Mr. Cox was born April 2, 1915, in Centralia to Thomas Earl and Lula Sansberry Cox.
He graduated from Centralia High School in 1933. On March 10, 1936, he married Virginia King.
Mr. Cox and his wife owned and operated the Cox Clothing Store in Centralia for a number of years.
Mr. Cox, the former president of the Centralia Rotary Club, was a member of the First Christian Church in Centralia, the Centralia High School Alumni Association and the Centralia School Board. He served as alderman on the Centralia City Council and was Vice Chairman of the Centralia Centennial.
In 1935, Mr. Cox played baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals Farm Team in Rogersville, Ark.
Visitation for Mr. Cox was from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Meador and Son Chapel in Centralia. Services, conducted by the Rev. Ed Varnum, will be at 1 p.m. today at the Meador & Son Chapel. He will be buried at the City of Centralia Cemetery.
Mr. Cox is survived by two sons, Kenneth Cox and James King Cox, both of Centralia; two brothers, W. L. Cox of Centralia, and John Waller Cox, of Mexico; and nine grandchildren.
His wife, Virginia, one daughter, Doris Dick, and one brother, Robert Cox, died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the First Christian Church, 229 S. Rollins, Centralia, Mo., 65240.
Melvin Shanker
Melvin Shanker of St. Louis died Thursday, March 11, 1999. He was 78.
Mr. Shanker was born Sept. 26, 1920.
A graveside service was held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 14, 1999, at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, No. 2 White Road, Chesterfield.
Mr. Shanker is survived by his wife, Ethel Shanker of St. Louis; three sons, Richard Shanker of Columbia, Philip Shanker of California and Stanford Shanker of St. Louis; five grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
Memorials may be sent to the charity of one's choice.
Audrey Dickerson
Audrey Shirley Dickerson of Columbia died Saturday, March 13, 1999, at Candlelight Lodge. She was 90.
Mrs. Dickerson was born Nov. 2, 1908, in Bogard to May Burton and Maude G. Hundley Shirley. She attended Bogard schools and graduated from Chillicothe Business School. She married Raymond Edward Dickerson on Aug. 3, 1930.
Mrs. Dickerson was involved with Bogard United Methodist Church. She and her husband continued the family business, Dickerson Furniture and Funeral Home in Bogard until their retirement in 1967. The couple then moved to Tucson, Ariz., where Mrs. Dickerson lived until she moved to Terrace Apartments in Columbia in 1993. She then moved to Candlelight Lodge in 1997.
"She's one of the sweetest and kindest ladies we've known," said Janice Clark, administrator of Candlelight Lodge.
Mrs. Dickerson loved her family and friends. She also was a caregiver, taking care of her husband and two sisters during their long illnesses. She also loved nature, especially flowers and trees, and she helped out in many plantings around Terrace Apartments.
Mrs. Dickerson also suggested building a patio to appreciate the flowers and trees around Candlelight Lodge, Clark said. She supervised the lodge's addition of a rose garden.
"When the weather was good, she was outside twice a day, relaxing and enjoying the beautiful sunshine," Clark said. "She seemed to admire all of God's creations. She loved life."
Visitation will be today, preceding the 11 a.m. funeral service, conducted by the Rev. Walter Brunner and the Rev. Bruce Trussell, at Bogard United Methodist Church. Burial will be at Coloma Cemetery. There will be a memorial service at 10 a.m. Friday at Candlelight Lodge, 1406 Business Loop 70 W.
Mrs. Dickerson is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Shirley D. and Sam M. Rice of Columbia; her grandson and his wife, Bruce Burton and Barbara Rice of Columbia; great-granddaughters, Tess and Trisha Rice, both of Columbia; two brothers, James N. Shirley of Overland Park, Kan., and Eugene B. Shirley of Oklahoma City; two sisters, Marjorie Anderson of Weed, Calif., and Dorothy Henkle of Norman, Okla.; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Her husband; grandson, Martin E. Rice; and three sisters, Emma Evans, Eunice Shirley and Bonnie Yeager, died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Bogard United Methodist Church, Bogard, Mo. 64622.
Estil Lee Hinson
Estil Lee Hinson of Columbia died March 16, 1999, at Boone Hospital Center. He was 81.
Mr. Hinson was born Jan. 3, 1918, in Stoutsville to John Thomas and Ida Jane Sims Hinson. He married Alice Ray on Sep. 6, 1942, in Mexico, Mo.
Mr. Hinson served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and received a Good Conduct Medal. For nine years, Mr. Hinson was a volunteer at the Truman Veterans Hospital in Columbia, where he mainly did transportation of patients and paper work.
"He was a jokester; likes to tease and likes to have fun," said Sandra Davis, escort coordinator at Truman Veterans Hospital. "He had a quiet humor. He was extremely friendly and every bit a gentleman."
Mr. Hinson sometimes provided other volunteers with fresh vegetables he grew.
He was a member of Wilkes Boulevard United Methodist Church and Methodist Men's Club.
Visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Friday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. John Hayes, will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. He will be buried at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. Hinson is survived by his wife, Alice Hinson of Columbia; one son, Bill Hinson of Columbia; two daughters, Linda Austin of Webster Groves and Pamela Luke of Florissant; one sister, Mildred DeTienne of Mexico, Mo.; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
His parents and five sisters died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to American Cancer Society, 1 Broadway, Suite C-1, Columbia, Mo. 65203 or American Diabetes Association, 1316 Parkade Blvd., Columbia, Mo. 65202.
George M. LaRock
Known as Rocky by the neighborhood children, George M. LaRock held a place in his heart for all children. For several years, Mr. LaRock was Santa Claus at the mall. He promised children their dreams and sent them off with a smile.
Mr. LaRock died Sunday, March 14, 1999, at Memorial Woodland Hospital in Woodland Texas, where he was visiting family. He was 82.
His appreciation for childhood was grounded in his youth. Mr. LaRock grew-up quickly. When he was 11, he was on the streets selling newspapers. His loss of childhood stirred a mission in Mr. LaRock to assist as many children as he could.
"He got along better with children than adults," said his daughter Janice Hendrickson, "He got along fine with adults but he liked children better."
A co-founder of the Advent Sheltered Workshop for mentally disabled children, he was recently honored for 30 years of service. His work with people with disabilities was endless. He delivered meals on wheels every Friday up until his death.
The birth of his retarded daughter Marilyn Renee LaRock was the inspiration for his work. He worked for the State Association for Retarded Children and was on the Board of Retarded Association of Missouri. He was on the board of Woodhaven Sheltered workshops for eight years.
Mr. LaRock graduated from MU in 1939. He married June Graham, Nov. 4, 1938 in Independence. He was a member of Missouri United Methodist Church and past president of Travelers Protective Association.
Visitation for Mr. LaRock will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 West. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Mr. LaRock is survived by his wife, June LaRock of Columbia; two daughters, Janice Hendrickson of Hutchinson, Kan., and Judy LaRock-Mosley of The Woodlands, Texas; four grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one great great-grandchild.
Two brothers, three sisters and his daughter Marilyn Renee LaRock, died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Higginsville State School and Hospital, 1101 W. 29th St. Higginsville, Mo. 64037.
Louis F. Cottey III
Louis F. Cottey III of Kirksville died Monday, March 15, 1999. He was 67.
Mr. Cottey was born Dec. 22, 1931, in Kirksville to L.F. and Elizabeth Higbee Cottey. He married Patricia Ann Hamlin in 1955 and later married Joyce Otten on Aug. 22, 1985.
After graduating from MU in 1953, Mr. Cottey was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. After returning from his service, he again enrolled at MU, graduating in 1958 at the head of his class from the School of Law. While a student, he served as editor-in-chief of the Missouri Law Review. In 1958 he began to practice law with his father in Schuyler County.
In 1966 his trial practice success earned him the coveted Lon Hocker Award. Throughout his professional career, he never ceased his pro-bono work for those who could not afford legal services.
Mr. Cottey was a member of "The Academy," the Kirksville Saddle Club and the Kirksville and Baring country clubs. He also was a member of the El Kadir shrine, and he had been a board member for the Kirksville Christian Church. Mr. Cottey also taught law-oriented adult education classes during evenings at the Kirksville Vo-Tech school.
A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. today in the Adair County Courthouse circuit court room. A reception at the Kirksville Shrine Club will follow the service.
Mr. Cottey is survived by his wife, Joyce Otten; two sons, Frank and Bill Cottey; two daughters, Susie Bohnert and Beth Dickie; one stepdaughter, Joan McKervey of Arlington, Va.; his mother; two brothers, John and Jim Cottey; and four grandchildren.
Memorials may be sent to the Shriners Crippled Children's Hospital or the Schuyler County Historical Society, c/o Travis Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, Mo., 63501.
