Flora Brantley
Flora May Cox Brantley died Sunday, May 2, 1999 at Boone Retirement Center in Columbia. She was 91.
Mrs. Brantley was born Sept. 17, 1907 in Blodgett, Mo., to Thomas Noel and Minnie N. Meyers Cox. She married Herschel A. Brantley on Oct 19, 1930.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 7 at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie, Mo. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Shelby Funeral Home. Burial will be in Dogwood Cemetery.
Mrs. Brantley is survived by a daughter, Alberta L. Dey of Columbia; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren. Her husband died earlier.
Betty Alma Bruenjes
Betty Alma Bruenjes' stubborn streak helped her in a fight against the Alzheimer's disease she developed about eight years ago, her daughter said.
"When she set her mind to something, she would not quit until she finished it, like when she learned to drive when she was in her forties," said her daughter, Lois Reborne.
Mrs. Bruenjes of Columbia died Sunday, May 2, 1999, at Boone Retirement Center. She was 70.
"We'll remember her as funny, stubborn and forever creative," Reborne said. Mrs. Bruenjes was so creative she could make anything useful, even if it had been discarded as useless by someone else, Reborne said. Mrs. Bruenjes was also a great organizer who planned everything to the last detail.
Mrs. Bruenjes also loved to garden and was a great cook. Her daughter remembered the pride Mrs. Bruenjes felt when she was able to serve a meal that consisted entirely of the food from her garden, which dominated the yard.
Mrs. Bruenjes also liked to take photographs. Her favorite subjects were her family and places she has traveled.
She used some photos of people with funny expressions on their faces to make cards with captions to send to her grandchildren.
She adored her grandchildren and liked to take them on trips with her husband, Clarence Bruenjes. They traveled America extensively, and they also took several cruises.
"She and my father were totally devoted to one another," Reborne said.
Mrs. Bruenjes was born Aug. 7, 1928, in St. Louis to Alfred Casper and Alma V. Hough Yost. She married Feb. 15, 1947, in St. Louis and moved with her family to Kansas City in 1953. She retired with her husband in 1995 and moved to Columbia. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Visitation for Mrs. Bruenjes will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W., and from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday at Hough Chapel, Lebanon, Mo. Services, conducted by the Rev. Irvin Bruenjes and the Rev. Keith Klockau will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Hough Chapel. Burial will be at Hough Cemetery.
Mrs. Bruenjes is survived by her husband, Clarence Bruenjes of Columbia; a son, Jim Bruenjes of Columbia; a daughter, Lois Reborne of Kansas City; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Her sister died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the Trinity Lutheran Church Building Fund, 2201 West Rollins Road, Columbia, Mo., 65203.
Harold Ehler
Harold Thomas Ehler died Friday, April 30, 1999, in a car accident. He was 45.
Mr. Ehler was born Feb. 7, 1954, in Boone County to James Thomas and Mildred Fern Brown Ehler. He lived his entire live in Boone County and graduated from Hickman High School.
Visitation for Mr. Ehler will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Parker Funeral Service, 10th and Walnut streets. Services, conducted by the Rev. Bill Ryan, will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Parker Funeral Service. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. Ehler is survived by his wife, Cathey Sue Ehler of Columbia; two sons, Thomas Joe Ehler and Terry Dean Ehler of Columbia; two brothers, James Howard Ehler and Kenneth Earl Ehler of Columbia; and his father, James Thomas Ehler of Columbia.
His mother died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the American Diabetes Association, Missouri Affiliate, Inc., Box 11, Columbia, Mo., 65205-0011.
Claude F. Fisher Sr.
Claude F. Fisher Sr. of Columbia died Sunday, May 2, 1999, at Boone Hospital Center. He was 81.
Mr. Fisher was born Jan. 12, 1918, in Pilot Grove, Mo., to Bert and Iva Newell Fisher. He was a member of the Missouri National Guard.
Visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbia. Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Funeral Home.
Mr. Fisher is survived by two sons, Eddie Fisher of Glasgow and Dennis Fisher of Boonville; two daughters, Nancy Jensen of Rancho Santa Marguarita, Calif., and Betty Myers of Pilot Grove, Mo.; one step-daughter, Helen Huth of Boonville; a brother, James Elmer Fisher of Oklahoma; two sisters, Isabel Simmons of Boonville and Edna Hurt of Jefferson City; 10 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 13 step-grandchildren; and 17 step-great-grandchildren.
His first wife, Bessie Wood, his second wife, Thelma Bennett, a son, Claude F. Fisher Jr.; five brothers and four sisters died earlier.
Earl Hibbs
Earl Hibbs of Centralia died Sunday, May 2, 1999, at Boone Hospital Center. He was 81.
Mr. Hibbs was born Nov. 27, 1917, in Kankakee, Ill. to Reroy and Dorothy Lockwood Hibbs. He married Lois Fern Jacobson Hibbs on Sept. 18, 1940.
Mr. Hibbs worked as a farmer and bartender at Centralia Country Club after retiring from the A.B. Chance Company in 1957. Mr. Hibbs was also a member of the club and enjoyed playing golf.
He was a member of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus in Centralia.
He was also a devout follower of the St. Louis Cardinals. He would attend the "Business Man's Special" at Busch Stadium several times a season until his eyesight forced him to stop going.
"He just loved the St. Louis Cardinals," said his son, Ray Hibbs. "He would have gone the other day, but he was too weak."
Visitation will be at 6 p.m. today at Meador and Son Funeral Home in Centralia. Services, conducted by the Rev. Rob Fields, will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 404 S. Rollins St. in Centralia. Burial will be at the city of Centralia Cemetery.
Mr. Hibbs is survived by his wife, Louis Hibbs, of Centralia; two sons, Edwin Hibbs and Ray Hibbs, both of Hallsville; two daughters, Judith Rickley of Sturgeon and Earlene Kather of Enterprise, Ala.; two brothers, Morris Hibbs of Cairo, Mo. and Edwin Hibbs of Stormlake, Iowa; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A son, sister and granddaughter died earlier.
Ebony Maupins
Ebony Michelle Maupins of Sedalia died Tuesday, April 27, 1999, at University Hospital and Clinics after an illness. She was 21.
Ms. Maupins was born Nov. 16, 1977, in Sedalia, Mo., to Diane Maupins and John Porter. She was a graduate of Smith Cotton High School and was employed in telecommunications at Kirby Vacuum in Sedalia.
Services for Ms. Maupins, conducted by the Rev. E.T. Sims, will be at 1 p.m. today at Burns Chapel Freewill Baptist Church in Sedalia. Burial will be at Crown Hill Cemetery in Sedalia.
Ms. Maupins is survived by a daughter, Katelyn Maupins of Sedalia; a son, Keishaun Jones of Sedalia; her mother, Diane Maupins of Sedalia; her father, John Porter of New Orleans; three brothers, David Maupins and John Maupins of Sedalia and Troi Maupins of Kansas City; her grandmother, Francis Frazier of Sedalia; and her grandfather, John A. Porter of New Orleans.
Visitation was held Monday at the H.T. May & Son Funeral Home in Sedalia.
Steve O. Nichols
Steve O. Nichols of Columbia died Sunday, May 2, 1999, in Boone County after a tractor accident. He was 46.
Mr. Nichols was born Sept. 27, 1952, in Boone County to Everett and Madeline Hathman Nichols. He married Sandy Strawn on March 20, 1970, in Columbia. He was a member of the Eagle's Lodge.
Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. Kevin Collins, will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. Nichols is survived by his father; Everett Nichols; his wife, Sandy Nichols; one son, Jeff Nichols; two daughters, Marsha Ballenger and Lisa Cook; one brother, Russell Nichols; one stepbrother, John Johnson; and three grandchildren, all of Columbia.
His mother died earlier.
Russell Stone
Russell Wayne Stone loved being outdoors.
"He loved to go hunting," said Phillip Timmons, Mr. Stone's best friend. "Anything in the woods, he'd hunt for it. He loved being out in the woods."
He also enjoyed fishing, listening to music and riding horses, his mother Dorothy Stone said.
Mr. Stone of Higbee died Saturday, May 1, 1999, in Higbee from a horseback riding accident. He was 28.
As the youngest of eight children, he was surrounded by a large family and enjoyed spending time with his relatives.
"We got together a lot and played yard football games and a lot of volleyball," said his sister Rebecca Murphy.
Mr. Stone was born on July 29, 1970, in Columbia to James Wilson and Dorothy Farlow Stone.
Timmons met Mr. Stone in the 1980s when they lived across the street from each other.
"We've been tight ever since," Timmons said.
Visitation for Mr. Stone will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. Mel Eaton, will follow at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. He will be buried at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. Stone is survived by his parents of Columbia; his paternal grandmother, Mary Emma Stone of Columbia; four brothers, Roger Wilson Stone, Randall Gene Stone and Robert Eugene Stone of Columbia, and Darrell Euel Stone of California; and three sisters, Debbie Lynn Calvert and Tammie Palmer of Columbia, and Rebecca Murphy of St. Joseph.
Ralph and Helen Valentine
Ralph and Helen Valentine of Lovington, N.M., died Friday, April 30, in an automobile accident near Brownfield, Texas. Mr. Valentine was 79. Mrs. Valentine was 78.
Mr. Valentine was born Feb. 26, 1920 in Boone County to A. Clyde and Cora Peacher Valentine. Mr. Valentine attended rural Boone County schools and graduated from Hickman High School. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and was a farmer in Boone County. He later owned an auto repair business in Lovington, N.M.
On Feb. 5, 1941, he married Helen Richardson in Ashland.
Helen Valentine was born June 19, 1920, in Boone County to Clayton and Mary Helen Welch Richardson. She attended rural Boone County schools and graduated from Harrisburg High and the University of Missouri. She taught school in Boone County and in Lea County, N.M.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. today, at the First Baptist Church in Lovington, N.M.
The Valentines are survived by their three sons, David C. Valentine of Columbia; Richard L. Valentine of Benson, Ariz.; and Michael R. Valentine of Sacramento, Calf.; a daughter, Jane V. Pope of Lovington; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Mr. Valentine is also survived by his sister, Anne V. Hague of Fulton.
Mr. Valentine's one brother died earlier, and Mrs. Valentine's two brothers died earlier.
Brian A. Admire
Brian A. Admire of Ashland died Saturday, May 1, 1999, at University Hospital and Clinics. He was 24.
Mr. Admire was born Oct. 23, 1974, in St. Joseph to Richard and Peggy Smith Admire.
Visitation was held Sunday at Robinson Funeral Home in Ashland. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. today at Robinson Funeral Home. Mr. Admire was the assistant branch manager for Como Tire Supply Inc. in Columbia.
Mr. Admire is survived by his parents, Richard and Peggy Admire of Ashland; a brother, Bradley Admire of Ashland; a sister, Melissa McClellan of St. Joseph; his grandmother, Pearl Admire of St. Joseph; several aunts and uncles; and one niece and nephew.
His paternal grandfather and maternal grandparents died earlier. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, 33 E. Broadway, Suite 100, Columbia, Mo. 65203.
Janet Sue Ruggles
Janet Sue Ruggles of Columbia died Friday, April 30, 1999, at Columbia Healthcare and Rehabilitation. She was 61.
Miss Ruggles was born Aug. 30, 1937, in Fairfield, Iowa, to Tony Lewis Ruggles and Edna May Moore Ruggles.
Miss Ruggles worked at the Shelter Work Shop in Woodhaven. She attended Calvary Baptist Church.
Visitation for Miss Ruggles will be today from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Parker Funeral Service in Columbia. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Columbia.
Miss Ruggles is survived by three sisters, Donna Eichelberger of Springfield, Mo., Mildred Grate of Hollister and Judith Jergens of Leawood, Kan.; two brothers, Dwayne Ruggles of Little Rock, Ark., and William M. Ruggles of Columbia; and eight nieces and nephews.
Harold Phillip Harris
Harold Phillip Harris of Warrensburg died Tuesday, April 27, 1999, of a blood clot in his lung. He was 47.
Mr. Harris had been attending Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg and was going to graduate this month.
"He spent his life just trying to help the young people," said his wife, Mary Frances Harris. "I think that's part of why he returned to college so late in life: to show them that it was never too late."
Mr. Harris was born March 23, 1952, in Canton, Miss. He served in the U.S. Army before receiving an honorable discharge in 1978. Following his service, he moved to Colorado, where he lived for 15 years.
While living in Colorado, Mr. Harris met his wife and established two successful companies: Happy People Janitorial Service and Poor People Production Company. He married Mary Frances Harris in 1994.
While attending college in Warrensburg, Mr. Harris was a member of Iota Phi Theta fraternity and served on the Pan-Hellenic Council. He also was a member of the Burns Chapel Free Will Baptist Church and the American Legion.
Visitation for Mr. Harris will be from 5 to 6 p.m. today at H.T. May & Son Funeral Home in Sedalia. Services, conducted by the Rev. Carl Hardin, will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Burns Chapel Free Will Baptist Church in Sedalia.
Mr. Harris is survived by his wife, Mary Frances Harris of Warrensburg; two daughters, Bessie Harris and Shadawn Morris of Warrensburg; and three sons, Alexander Morris of Warrensburg, and Phillip Harris and Leonard Harris, both of Colorado.
Linnie Bell Knight
Linnie Bell Knight of Harrisburg died Thursday, April 29, 1999, at Columbia Regional Hospital. She was 69.
Mrs. Knight was born June 3, 1929, in Columbia to Elmer and Lillie Morris Stapleton. She married Harold Schofield, who died earlier. She later married Arthur Knight, who also died earlier.
Mrs. Knight was a member of the Baptist Church and worked at several nursing homes in the Harrisburg area.
Visitation for Mrs. Knight will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Meador & Son Funeral Chapel in Sturgeon. Services, conducted by the Rev. Stewart Curtright, will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Smith Chapel Cemetery in Harrisburg.
Mrs. Knight is survived by one daughter, Pearl Calvert of Harrisburg; one granddaughter, Maria Jennings of Columbia; and one great-granddaughter, Kayla Jennings of Columbia.
Alice Ann Naylor Koppenaal
Alice Ann Naylor Koppenaal of Columbia died Tuesday, April 27, 1999. She was 74.
Mrs. Koppenaal was born June 2, 1924, in Topeka, Kan., to Bert and Ione Naylor. She married William P. Koppenaal on March 18, 1950.
Mrs. Koppenaal worked as an engineering assistant for Allis-Chalmers in Milwaukee, Wis., before raising her seven sons. Active in Round Table and Girls Club, she also volunteered as a teacher's aide and foster grandparent in the Parkway and Columbia school districts.
Mrs. Koppenaal was an avid sports fan. She loved the Green Bay Packers and auto racing.
"People were amazed to see this little old lady rooting as hard as everyone else," said her son, Brian Koppenaal.
Besides her love for sports, Mrs. Koppenaal also had a passion for animals.
"She really loved her pets," Brian Koppenaal said. His mother owned 17 pets. Their names are Whiskers, Boggy, Pepper, Queenie, Hercamer Bernardo Essex, Bosco, Dutchess, Rufus, Boris, Maynard, Jessie, Opie, Penny, Calli, Blitzen, Kitty Whiskers and Blackie.
Visitation and services for Mrs. Koppenaal were Saturday.
Koppenaal is survived by seven sons, James Koppenaal, William Koppenaal Jr., Keith Koppenaal and Warren Koppenaal, all of Columbia, Gary Koppenaal of Athens, Ga., David Koppenaal of Richland, Wash., and Brian Koppenaal of Chicago; and nine grandchildren.
Two sisters, one brother and a daughter died earlier.
Dan Philiman McCauley
Dan Philiman McCauley of Nixa died of heart failure Saturday, April 24, 1999, in Depoe Bay, Ore. He was 43.
Mr. McCauley was born Sept. 27, 1955, in Mexico, Mo., to Jerry and Mary Ann McCauley.
Mr. McCauley attended Kickapoo High School in Springfield. He was a drummer in school, and he had a love of music throughout his life. He also was a drummer in many rock bands.
Mr. McCauley was known for his good sense of humor and outgoing personality. He liked spending time with people and made friends easily. He also enjoyed fishing and loved the outdoors.
Services for Mr. McCauley will be at 6 p.m. Saturday at Aire-Master, 1821 N. Highway CC in Nixa.
Mr. McCauley is survived by his parents, Jerry and Mary Ann McCauley of Nixa; two sisters, Patti Kilgore of Nixa and Carol Bosserman of Brooklyn Park, Minn.; a brother, Douglas McCauley of Nixa; and a grandmother, Janette McCauley of Columbia.
Memorials may be sent to the Dan McCauley Memorial Fund, Signature Bank, P.O. Box 589, Springfield, Mo., 65801. Contributions will be donated to the World Wildlife Fund.
