Georgia 'Nancy' Acton
Georgia "Nancy" Acton died Thursday, March 25, 1999, at Boone Hospital Center. She was 76.
Mrs. Acton was born on Jan. 20, 1923, in Boone County to Theodore and Jenny Hill Turner. She married Phillip Acton in Boone County on Jan. 30, 1940.
Services, conducted by the Rev. Slade Skipper, will be today at 1 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, 1217 Business Loop 70 W., with burial following in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Her husband, a son, four brothers and five sisters died earlier.
Memorials can be sent to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 30638, Columbia, Mo., 65205.
Gladys M. Winn
Gladys M. Winn died Thursday, March 25, 1999, at the Williamsburg Nursing Home. She was 91.
Mrs. Winn was born on June 23, 1907 in Boone County to Robert S. and Laura Ellen Rippeto Richardson.
She married William C. Winn in 1929, and he died earlier.
No services are planned.
Mrs. Winn is survived by her sister, Goldie J. Lee of Centralia, and several nieces and nephews.
Six brothers died earlier.
Naomi Dell Crews
Fun and upbeat, Naomi Dell Crews was a good friend to many people.
"She was liked and had a lot of friends," said Margaret Crews, her daughter-in-law. "She just out lived them all."
Mrs. Crews of Columbia died at the Boone Retirement Center Saturday, March 27, 1999. She was 95.
Mrs. Crews was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. Her husband's family always called her when they had problems or needs, her daughter-in-law Margaret Crews said.
Mrs. Crews carried her spirit of helping others to the retirement center. She helped the other residents however she could, said her nurse, Karen Enyard.
"She made it her business to go around and help people," Enyard said. "She never was somebody who just stood around."
Mrs. Crews was born March 24, 1904, in Boone County to William Rucker and Nannie Elizabeth Weldon Elkin. She attended Columbia High School.
In 1922, she married John Robert Crews. They had one son, John, and lived in Browns Station, a town just north of Columbia, most of their lives. In fact, Mrs. Crews lived in the same house for 67 years.
She liked to swim and teach others the sport. She taught many of her son's friends to swim. She took them swimming in Tank Pond, where steam engine trains got water, Crews said.
Mrs. Crews wanted the best for her son.
"Her main ambition was for him to graduate from high school and a university," Crews said. "He did. He became an engineer."
Mr. and Mrs. Crews owned and operated Crews Groceries in Browns Station. Everyday Mrs. Crews would go into town to buy products to restock the store.
Mrs. Crews is survived by one daughter-in-law, Margaret Crews of Jefferson City; three granddaughters, Vicki Simpson of St. Louis, Terri Crews of Springfield, and Melinda Swedeen of Danbury, Wis.; and three great grandchildren.
Her husband and son died earlier.
Mrs. Crews was cremated. She requested no services or visitation be held.
Charles Thomas Hayworth
Charles Thomas Hayworth of Columbia died Saturday, March 27, 1999. He was 56.
The Boone County Medical Examiner has determined he died of natural causes.
Mr. Hayworth was born to Riley Thomas and Bonnie Jean McReynolds Hayworth on Oct. 28, 1942, in Sedalia. He married Kathryn Morgan in Columbia on Dec. 18, 1982.
Mr. Hayworth served in the U.S. Army, and had served as a Southern Baptist minister. He was a member and youth group leader at Woodcrest Chapel, and was employed as a facilities engineer with Boone Hospital Center.
Visitation for Mr. Hayworth will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. David Schawo and the Rev. Rod Casey, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Woodcrest Chapel.
Mr. Hayworth is survived by his wife, Kathy Hayworth of Columbia; two sons, Aaron Hayworth and Mike Hayworth, both of Columbia; two daughters, Vicki Hayworth and Stephanie Hayworth, both of Columbia; one sister, Cindy Heavin of Gallatin, Tenn.; two grandchildren; one nephew; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Mr. Hayworth's parents died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the Hayworth Family, care of Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W., Columbia, MO 65202.
James V. Holleran
James V. Holleran was a serious academic and an avid sports fan who loved his children - including the dog he regarded as being a fourth daughter.
Mr. Holleran, a professor of English at MU for 26 years, died Friday, March 26, 1999, at University Hospital and Clinics. He was 70.
Erin Holleran, his daughter, remembers her father's staunch support of Notre Dame sports.
"One of the first songs we learned as kids was the Notre Dame fight song," Erin said. "He loved having three daughters. He turned us into tomboys."
He often brought home Nerf balls and took his three girls out to shoot baskets.
Puppy, a cross between a Doberman and a German shepherd, was rescued by Mr. Holleran from the shelter and was shown the true meaning of love.
"He walked his dog at least five times a day," said Winfield Burggraaff, a history professor at MU. "Everybody in the neighborhood knew him and liked him."
Burggraaff, who lived across the street from Mr. Holleran, said the retired English professor was an extraordinary teacher.
"He was a very charming and witty man," Burggraaff said. "Many of his former students remember him."
Mr. Holleran was born Sept. 28, 1928, in Ashland, Pa., to James and Helen Holleran.
He was a member of the football team in high school and coached a semi-pro basketball team in the 1940s.
He earned a bachelor's degree at St. Joseph's University, a master's degree at the University of Notre Dame and a doctorate at Louisiana State University.
Mr. Holleran stressed the importance of learning and explained how it would offer a lot of opportunities to his daughters, Erin said.
"He really enjoyed being a professor," she said. "He loved working with students. He wanted to make a difference."
He taught at the University of Detroit for five years before coming to Columbia. At MU, Mr. Holleran served as an associate dean of the College of Arts and Science.
"He was such a neat man," said Vicki Dennison, Mr. Holleran's former secretary. "He had a compassion for dealing with people. His relationships were good with everybody."
His research and publications focused primarily on Edmund Spenser, William Shakespeare and Edmund Campion.
"I was very impressed with Jim's interest in his work," said Haskell Hinnant, director of graduate studies in the English Department at MU.
Mr. Holleran's book on the English martyr Edmund Campion, called "A Jesuit Challenge," is being released soon by Fordham Publications.
"He had a passion for his book writing," Dennison said.
Services, conducted by the Rev. Robert Barth, will be at 11 a.m. today at the Newman Center, 701 Maryland Ave.
Mr. Holleran is survived by his wife, Ann Holleran; three daughters, Erin Holleran of Columbia, Brigid Vincent of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Meghan Holleran of Jamestown, Mo.; and his sister, Eileen Holleran of Ashland, Pa.
Memorials may be sent to Carol Hennion at the University of Notre Dame, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, Ind., 46556-5612.
W.W. Pugh
W.W. "Bud" Pugh died Saturday, March 27, 1999, at Boone Hospital Center. He was 73.
Mr. Pugh was a self-employed carpenter and master builder who lived in Columbia his entire life.
"I've heard all my life, 'there are no more builders or carpenters like your dad,'" his daughter Vicki Mansfield said. "He loved building and working with his hands. His work was his hobby."
Mr. Pugh was born Nov. 1, 1925, in Columbia, to William D. and Maggie Kanatzar Pugh.
He married Treva L. Rule on June 8, 1946, in Leavenworth, Kan.
Visitation for Mr. Pugh will be from 7 to 9 tonight at Parker Funeral Service, 22 N. Tenth St. Services, conducted by the Rev. Michael Keith, will be at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday at Parker Funeral Service.
Mr. Pugh is survived by his wife, Treva Pugh, of Columbia; four daughters, Linda S. Carlyle and Vicki Mansfield of Columbia, Lisa G. Clough of Venea, Ohio, and Janis Serati of Fargo, N.D.; one son, Ronald D. Pugh of Columbia; three sisters, Alberdia Hawkins and Marie Williams of Columbia, and Nadine Cleek of Rocky Mount; his mother-in-law, Imojene Woods of Columbia; 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
A brother, sister and an infant daughter died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the Wilkes Boulevard United Methodist Church, 702 Wilkes Blvd., Columbia, Mo., 65201.
Bryce Rucker
Dr. Bryce Wilson Rucker, a former MU associate journalism professor, died Feb. 17, 1999, in Chapin, S.C. He was 77.
Dr. Rucker received his Ph.D. from MU and was a professor of journalism from 1974 to 1985 at the University of South Carolina. He worked as an assistant professor at MU's School of Journalism while working on his doctorate.
He authored "The First Freedom" in 1968, which won the Kappa Tau Alpha Scholarship Society Award in 1969. He also authored "Modern Journalism" and "Reporting at its Best."
Dr. Rucker is survived by his wife, Betty Derrickson Rucker; one son, Bryce Calvert Rucker of Carbondale, Ill.; one daughter, Linda Rucker Daly of San Diego; one brother, Carl L. Rucker of Albuquerque, N.M.; and granddaughter, Jessica Sue Rucker of Carbondale, Ill.
He is buried at the Chapin United Methodist Church Cemetery in Chapin, S.C.
Mary Ann Linger
Mary Ann Linger loved to collect family heirlooms, ranging from dolls and plates to the necklace that her grandparents bought in 1883.
Mrs. Linger also created many of her family's keepsakes. Even though her hand was weakened by a bout with polio in her 20s, she embroidered pillows to suit the individual interests of her family.
"She had a great flair for family, especially her grandchildren," said her daughter, Debra Swagerty. "She was very engaging, very warm."
Mrs. Linger of Prairie Village, Kan., died of cancer Thursday, March 25, 1999. She was 62.
Mrs. Linger was stricken with polio at 22 but recovered after a battle that lasted almost two years.
"It was a hard struggle," Debra Swagerty said. "She had to learn to walk and talk all over. There was always some physical weakness the rest of her life."
Mrs. Linger was born Feb. 4, 1937, in Columbia to John T. McMullan and Cathleen Pfeiffer McMullan.
She graduated from University Lab High School in 1955 and attended MU. She was a member of the PEO sisterhood and past president of her chapters in Topeka, Kan., and Denver. She also was an active member of the Classic Car Club of America.
She married Paul N. Linger Jr. on Nov. 17, 1990. He said he will remember her most for her warm personality.
"She did her best to make her family and friends feel good and to promote harmony among all of them," he said.
Mrs. Linger is survived by her husband; one son, Dr. Daniel L. Swagerty Jr. of Overland Park, Kan.; two daughters, Debra A. Swagerty of Topeka, Kan., and Kathyrn Zack of Overland Park, Kan.; two stepdaughters, Leslie Stoupas of Carbondale, Colo., and Diana Linger of Nederland, Colo.; and six grandchildren.
A son, Laurence Swagerty, died earlier.
Services were held Monday at John Knox Presbyterian Kirk in Kansas City, and she was buried at the Columbia Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to either Kansas City Hospice or Kansas Advocates for Better Care.
Beatrice W. Engley
Beatrice W. Engley of Columbia died Monday, March 29, 1999, at University Hospitals and Clinics. She was 81.
"She really was a lady," said her husband, Dr. Frank B. Engley Jr. "She's going to be missed."
After attending Vassar College, Mrs. Engley graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1939, where she received a master's degree in microbiology in 1944. She also later received a master's degree in library science from MU.
Scientific study and medical research were a major part of Mrs. Engley's life.
Dr. Engley said Mrs. Engley held many positions at MU and took classes in library science around her work. She was good at editing and published many articles on science, especially microbiology and immunology.
"It gave her another outlet for her science and energy," he said.
Mrs. Engley was the medical librarian at MU's Medical School's department of family and community medicine for many years. She retired in 1990.
Jack Colwill, who was chairman of the department when Mrs. Engley worked there, said she filled a unique role at the school. She helped establish a behavioral science reference center.
"She was an incredibly dedicated, hardworking woman," he said.
Mrs. Engley was born Sept. 16, 1917, in Philadelphia to Charles and Elizabeth Conway Doak. She grew up in Germantown, Penn., and attended Germantown Friends School. Mrs. Engley married Dr. Engley in Philadelphia in 1948.
Mrs. Engley completed doctoral work in microbiology and immunology at the University of Illinois at Chicago and worked in several academic laboratories.
Mrs. Engley also was active in Calvary Episcopal Church, especially the altar guild. In addition, she was a proud member of the Missouri Chapter of the National Society of Colonial Dames, for which one's family must trace hundreds of years of living in the United States to be a member of the organization, Dr. Engley said.
A memorial service, conducted by the Rev. Frederick W. Thayer, will be at 9 a.m. Saturday at Calvary Episcopal Church, 123 S. Ninth St. There will be no visitation.
Survivors include her husband, Dr. Frank B. Engley Jr. of Columbia; three daughters, Karen E. Shea of Clinton, Mass., Elizabeth A. Gillam of Alexandria, Ala., and Heather C. Caldwell of Mt. Carroll, Ill.; one son, Frank B. Engley III of Columbia; one sister, five brothers and four grandchildren.
One brother and two sisters died earlier.
Memorials can be sent to Daniel Boone Regional Library, 100 W. Broadway, Columbia, Mo. 65203.
Scott Wayne Henry
Scott Wayne Henry enjoyed the outdoors, and his contagious personality touched many people.
"Everyone he met loved him," said his wife, Lanna Henry. "He was very personable; anywhere he went he talked to people."
Mr. Henry of Columbia, died Monday, March 29, 1999, from acute pancreatitis. He was 32.
"His sense of humor was phenomenal," said his mother, Cheryl Henry. "He had a big heart."
Mr. Henry was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis approximately nine months ago, after suffering with stomach pains for two years.
"The pain became unbearable," Lanna Henry said. "If he had gone to the hospital sooner, he may have survived."
He married Lanna Henry on April 18, 1998, and the couple was about to celebrate their first anniversary.
"We were good friends for many years," Lanna Henry said. "We had a special relationship; we were best friends in the whole wide world."
Originally from Mesa, Ariz., Mr. Henry moved to Columbia three years ago, and he was a maintenance worker for the Ramada Inn Conference Center.
Although Mr. Henry did not belong to local organizations, he did stay active with outdoor activities.
"He loved anything outdoors, from archery to hiking," Cheryl Henry said.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Henry is survived by his parents, Kenneth and Cheryl Henry of Mesa, Ariz.; two daughters, Jody Mezzell of Saford, Ariz., and Wendy Sunders of Mesa, Ariz.; one brother, Jeff Henry of Columbia; one sister, Lori Henry of Mesa, Ariz.; one grandmother, Roberta Swails of Chula Vista, Calif.; and four grandchildren.
Although services and visitation are undetermined, they will be held in Mesa, Ariz.
Elsie Fern Lee
Everyone was always made to feel welcome in Elsie Lee's house.
"When family came to visit, she would never let them stay in a motel," said Mrs. Lee's daughter Merry Baize. "We would always make room for them."
Elsie Fern Lee of Sturgeon died Tuesday, March 30, 1999. She was 68.
Mrs. Lee was born June 9, 1930, in Columbia to Murry and Ammon Dennis Sapp.
Mrs. Lee married Meredith Lee on Sept. 29, 1951, in Columbia. She worked at Ellis Fischel Cancer Center for 34 years as a nurse technician and a respiratory therapist technician.
"Even when she retired, she still took care of sick family members," Baize said. "She liked to make other people happy."
A member of the Christian Chapel in Sturgeon, Mrs. Lee was very strong in her faith.
"She spent a lot of time studying the Bible and giving to Christian charities," Baize said.
Mrs. Lee also had a passion for gardening and was an excellent cook.
"She believed that no one should leave the table hungry," Baize said. "The food was great, and there were always plenty of leftovers."
Visitation for Mrs. Lee will be from noon to 1 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Graveside services, conducted by the Rev. Dennis Stewart, will be at 1 p.m. today at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mrs. Lee is survived by her husband, Meredith Lee of Sturgeon; one son, Richard Lee of Sturgeon; four daughters, Deborah Sublette of Columbia, Sandra Spry, Merry Baize and Kristen Lee, all of Sturgeon; one sister, Sue Nelson of Hallsville; and five grandchildren.
Two brothers and two sisters died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the church of one's choice.
William Crump
Eight years ago William Arthur "Wimpy" Crump was diagnosed with lupus, an inflammatory disease of the blood vessels and connective tissue. Mr. Crump's disease never stopped him from caring for others, especially children.
"He was a kid at heart," said Mr. Crump's sister, Constance. "He always joked around with kids. He just seemed like a big kid."
Mr. Crump of Fayette died Tuesday, March 30, 1999, in his home. He was 33.
"He found out about the disorder in 1991," Constance Crump said. "It was tough on him, but he was dealing with it well."
Mr. Crump was loved by many and will be sadly missed by the family, she added.
"He was a loving guy," she said. "He was free-hearted, he loved kids, and he was willing to help out wherever he was needed."
Mr. Crump was born in Columbia on February 18, 1966, to Minnie M. Gaines Crump and Ollie Jackson.
He served a short time in the U.S. Army.
"He did not serve too long," his sister said. "He got homesick."
After his brief period with the Army, Mr. Crump held a factory job at National Garment Co.
Visitation for Mr. Crump will be from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Monday at H.T. May & Son Funeral Home in Fayette.
Services, conducted by the Rev. Michael Jackman, will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Fayette.
Mr. Crump is survived by four sisters, Phyllis Conway, Matilda Crump, Constance Crump and Annette Crump, all of Fayette; and two brothers, Michael Crump of Michigan and Ben Gaines of Macon, Mo; a special friend Onieda Broadus, of Fayette; three aunts, one uncle, one brother-in-law and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
His father, mother and two sisters died earlier.
Emily C. Deuser
Emily C. Deuser of Columbia died Tuesday, March 30, 1999, at Boone Hospital Center. She was 85.
Mrs. Deuser was born Dec. 28, 1913, in St. Louis to Charles Otto and Eva Descher Kahr. She married Ralph Deuser in on Sept. 19, 1935 in St. Louis.
Mrs. Deuser worked as a secretary for MU's biochemistry department and was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.
Visitation will be today from 9 to 10 a.m. at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. David Veit, will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mrs. Deuser is survived by her husband of Columbia; one daughter, Joyce D. Pruitt of Spartanburg, S.C.; and three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Two brothers died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Our Lady of Lourdes Building Fund, 903 Bernadette Drive, Columbia, Mo. 65203.
Bruce Martin
Bruce Edward Martin died Tuesday, March 30, 1999, at University Hospital after complications from heart surgery. He was 64.
"He was with me through the good times, the bad times, the hard times and the easy times," said his wife, Vicki Martin. "And I was with him."
Mr. Martin was born Oct. 24, 1934, in Oklahoma City to Thomas J. and Nellie Woods Martin. He moved to Columbia in August 1990 from Quincy, Ill. He married Vicki Mallady on Feb. 14, 1991. He was a truck driver and had worked as a custodian at MU for the past eight years.
Services, conducted by the Rev. Rick Bilderback, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Parker Funeral Service, 22 N. Tenth St.
Mr. Martin is survived by his wife; two brothers, Thomas Martin of Arlington, Texas, and Charles Snodgrass of Glenallen, Va.; two daughters, Lena Kitchen of Dallas and Edith Rolland of Los Angeles; five sons, James E. Bielawski, Carl L. Miller and Raymond E. Smith Jr., all of Columbia, Jessie Hines of Carterville, Ill., and Donnie R. Kitchen of Fort Leonard Wood; 24 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
His parents and four brothers died earlier.
Robert Williams
Robert Williams of Boonville died Tuesday, March 30, at Cooper County Memorial Hospital. He was 80.
Mr. Williams was born on July 4, 1918, to Ed Drew and Minnie Crump Gill in Lone Elm. He attended Lone Elm and Speed grade schools. He was a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Speed, where he was co-chairman of the Steward Board, a District Steward, a member of the Trustee Board and a member of the choir. Mr. Williams married Louella Bruce on Feb. 1, 1941, in Boonville.
Services, conducted by the Rev. Sterling White, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Bethel A.M.E. Church in Boonville. Burial will be in Speed Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the H.T. May and Son Funeral Home in Boonville. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Mr. Williams is survived by three sisters, Clara Leona Crump of Kansas City, Anna Falls of Slater and Frances Warren of Bunceton; seven brothers, Leonard Crump of Kansas City, William Nelson, Cecil Drew and Randall Williams, all of Boonville, Earl Williams of Bunceton, Cecil Williams of Columbia and Thomas Williams of Springfield, Ill.; two daughters, Samantha Ann Butler of Kansas City and Luritta Williams of Boonville; one son, Robert Williams Jr. of Raytown; and several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
His wife and one brother died earlier.
