Amy O. Vossbrink
Amy O. Vossbrink of Columbia died of cancer Saturday, Sept. 25, 1999. She was 86.
Mrs. Vossbrink devoted many years of her life to nursing. She enlisted in the Army in 1942 as a second lieutenant and served in the Army Nurse Corp during World War II in Africa and Europe. She also worked as a school nurse for Brentwood High School for 18 years and was an active member of the Retired Teachers' Association.
Nursing was her career, but church was her life. She was a member of Broadway Christian Church and was involved with the Christian Womens' Fellowship.
"Her life revolved around her church work and her church family," said Paul Black, her nephew.
Mrs. Vossbrink was born Jan. 15, l913, in Marine, Ill., to George and Ada Costner Tabor. She married George Vossbrink on June 10, 1953, in Arkansas.
For the last 12 years, Mrs. Vossbrink drove Jean Baldwin to services every Sunday.
"We just depended on each other and shared the moment together," Baldwin said. "She was a loyal and true friend."
Baldwin said that Mrs. Vossbrink's knowledge of the Bible was impressive. Religion was part of her family tradition.
A hard-working, devoted woman, Mrs. Vossbrink continued to give even in death. She donated her body as an anatomical gift for cancer research to the MU School of Medicine.
"She was a tough lady," Black said. "She lived her life on her own terms. She made the decision not to go though chemotherapy and to let the illness run its course. That was a tough and courageous decision."
Services, conducted by the Rev. Rick Frost, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Lenoir Chapel, 3612 Lenoir St.
Mrs. Vossbrink is survived by her sister, Golda E. Black, and 21 other nieces and nephews.
Her husband, three brothers and one sister died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Lenoir Retirement Home, 8 Miller Drive, Columbia, Mo. 65201.
Dixie Hazel Forsee
Dixie Hazel Forsee of Columbia died Sunday, Sept. 26, 1999, at Boone Hospital Center. She was 81.
Throughout her life, Mrs. Forsee was ready to travel across the state to pursue her interests, which included everything from gospel music to rabbits.
Her husband, Henry, said Mrs. Forsee greatly enjoyed showing animals.
"We ran all over the state of Missouri showing rabbits and chickens," he said. "She and I and three or four other people formed the Mid-Missouri Rabbit Club, back 30 years ago. It is still going on today.
"We loved gospel music," Forsee said. "We would go to the state fair and see our favorite performers." They traveled to other gospel music celebrations. Forsee said they loved to travel to a festival in Meramec Cave every October.
Mrs. Forsee was born July 5, 1918, in Howard County to Richard and Edna Mae Downs Bodle. She married Henry Forsee on May 19, 1936.
Mrs. Forsee was a member of Olivet Christian Church in Columbia. She once taught there as a Sunday school teacher.
Services, conducted by the Rev. Dennis Swearngin, will be held at 1 p.m. today at the Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Columbia.
Mrs. Forsee is survived by her husband, Henry Forsee of Columbia; two sons, Robert Forsee and Donald Forsee, both of Columbia; one daughter, Mary M. Williamson of Burlington, Ind.; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Her half-sister died earlier.
Memorials can be sent to the American Diabetes Association, 1316 Parkade Blvd., Columbia, Mo. 65202.
Gladys Ewens Fenton
Gladys Ewens Fenton of Westerville, Ohio, died Sunday, Sept. 26, 1999, at Sterling House in Columbus, Ohio. The former Columbia resident was 86.
Mrs. Fenton was born March 17, 1913, in Hallsville, to William L. and Nina Ewens. She married George Ray Fenton on Dec. 12, 1931.
She was a longtime member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Columbia. Mrs. Fenton also worked for many years at MU in the Student Housing office.
Fred Neiger, an associate minister at Calvary, remembers Mrs. Fenton and her husband as very faithful members of the church.
After her husband died, she moved to Ohio to be near her only son, Richard Lee Fenton. In Ohio, she was a member of the Messiah United Methodist Church in Westerville.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. Paul Jarrett, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Memorial Funeral Home Chapel.
Mrs. Fenton is survived by her son, Richard Lee Fenton of Ohio; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be sent to the American Diabetes Association, 1316 Parkade Blvd., Columbia, Mo. 65202.
Betsy M. Davies
Betsy M. Davies was an optimistic person who had a passion for making a difference in children's lives. She was a kindergarten teacher at Crest View Elementary School in Boulder, Colo.
Mrs. Davies died Saturday, Sept. 25, 1999, of ovarian and breast cancer in her Boulder home. She was 48. She had battled cancer for three-and-a-half years, Mrs. Davies' sister, Cindy Mustard, said she admired her sister's generosity.
"She has given so much support to anybody whenever they needed it," Mustard said.
Mrs. Davies was born on her parent's wedding anniversary, Sept. 12, 1951, in Columbia. Mustard said her sister was an anniversary gift for their parents, George and Elizabeth Miller.
"I think she was the favorite of the family," Mustard said. "She was the baby."
Mrs. Davies graduated from Hickman High School in 1969. During her freshman year of college, Mrs. Davies attended Colorado Women's College in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Mrs. Davies received her bachelor's degree in education from the University of Kansas in 1973 and moved to Colorado. She married Scott Davies on April 26, 1986, in Gold Lake, Colo.
"I think she's most passionate about her family, her children and teaching," Mustard said. "Her other passion is Colorado and the mountains."
Mustard said Mrs. Davies was a Broncos fan and loved listening to Paul McCartney.
"She loved life," Mustard said. "She loved to entertain - her home was open to anybody."
A memorial service, led by the Rev. Gary Johnson, will be held for Mrs. Davies at 4:30 p.m. Today at First Presbyterian Church Chapel in Boulder.
Mrs. Davies is survived by her husband, Scott Davies of Boulder; two sisters, Mustard of Columbia and Helen Kallenbach of Occidental, Calif.; one son, Christopher Davies; and one daughter, Sara Davies.
Her parents died earlier.
Contributions may be sent to the Crest View Elementary PTO, 1897 Sumac Ave., Boulder, Colo. 80304 or to the charity of one's choice.
Karla Jean Cupp
Marilyn Thomas remembers a daughter who was remarkably kind and had a love for sports, the piano, animals and children. Her daughter never married or had children, but "she loved other people's kids," Thomas said.
"She would always feed cats and take them in when she could," Thomas said.
Karla Jean Cupp of Columbia died in her home Sunday, Sept. 26, 1999. She was 41. The cause of death is undetermined, but her mother said she had Lupus for the past 20 years.
Ms. Cupp was born Aug. 12, 1958, in Kirksville to Bill and Marilyn J. Gordon Cupp. She graduated from Kirksville High School in 1977. She volunteered for the RAIN organization and also worked as a nurse's aide at Kirksville Osteopathic Hospital for several years.
"She was always helping someone else despite her own struggles," Thomas said.
She spent the past month in the hospital recovering from a crushed hip. She was released last Wednesday.
"Her first concern was to get some food for the cat as soon as she came home," Thomas said.
Thomas said her daughter only had one kidney, and doctors feared for her survival.
"I expected it for years but not this soon," she said.
Ms. Cupp is survived by her father, Bill Cupp of Kirksville; her mother, Marilyn, and stepfather, Robert Thomas, of Millersburg; two brothers, Jim Cupp of Lee's Summit, and Dallas Cupp of Kirksville; two sisters, Kelli Downey of Fulton and Erin Cupp of Kirksville; and a grandmother, Verdun Cupp of Kirksville.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Millersburg Christian Church.
Memorials may be sent to the Lupus Foundation c/o Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W., Columbia, Mo. 65202 or Millersburg Cemetery, 4527 State Road J, Fulton, Mo. 65251.
Berniece P. Glascock
Berniece P. Glascock of Hartsburg died Saturday, Sept. 25, 1999, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. She was 78.
Mrs. Glascock was born May 5, 1921, in Blackwater to August and Pauline Lieneky Begemann. She married Estil D. Glascock on Nov. 6, 1941, in Hartsburg.
Mrs. Glascock was a member of the Goshen Primitive Baptist Church in Hartsburg, as well as a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post No. 152 and the Order of the Eastern Star No. 309 in Ashland.
She worked as a beautician at the House Beautiful Salon in Columbia for more than 35 years. For the past few years, she worked at New Image in Ashland.
Services, conducted by Elder Marvine Tolle, will be at 11 a.m. today at Robinson Funeral Home, 601 N. Henry Clay Blvd., in Ashland. Visitation was held Monday.
Mrs. Glascock is survived by a son, Jerome Glascock of Hartsburg; her sister, Deloris Reeder of Hartsburg; three brothers, Paul "Pete" Begemann of Hartsburg, Robert "Buck" Begemann of Columbia, and August Begemann of Henley; and three grandchildren.
Her husband died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 33 E. Broad-way, Suite 100, Columbia, Mo. 65203.
Mary Miller
Mary Miller gave a voice to the poor of Columbia.
"She was always right there when people needed her," Vivian Doughty said.
Doughty worked with Mrs. Miller for seven years at Boone County Human Development Corporation. She said she will remember the first day she met Mrs. Miller. Doughty came to Mrs. Miller's office to interview for a job.
"When I walked into the room, she was eating a popsicle," Doughty said.
That day, Mrs. Miller shared her work philosophy with Doughty.
We don't screen people out, we screen people in," she recalled Mrs. Miller saying.
Mary Margaret Miller died Sept. 24, 1999, at Capital Regional Medical Center in Jefferson City. She was 71.
There was time for both work and play for Mrs. Miller's employees, Doughty said. Sometimes, Mrs. Miller would close the office for an hour and have a potluck lunch in the office or treat her employees to breakfast at Shoney's, Doughty said.
She made the day for the rest of us go better," David Thayer said. Thayer was Mrs. Miller's supervisor at the Boone County HDC and knew Mrs. Miller for 28 years.
"She was always trying to improve things," Thayer said. "She always got things done."
Mrs. Miller was born Nov. 8, 1927, in Boone County to Theodore and Margaret Gaithwright Russell. She married David Noble in 1950. He died earlier, and she later married Herman Miller of Jefferson City.
She was the first black executive director at Boone County Human Development Corporation, where she retired after 25 years. Miller was also the first black project director for the Columbia Housing Authority. She developed recreation and meal programs for senior citizens, organized efforts for an elevated crosswalk to be built over Providence Road and helped develop an afternoon school program for latchkey kids at Fifth Street Christian Church.
Mrs. Miller was a founding member of Planned Parenthood of Central Missouri, Mid-Missouri Legal Services, Central Missouri Food Bank and The Wardrobe. She was awarded the Martin Luther King award by Gov. Mel Carnahan and was a member of Fifth Street Christian Church.
Services, conducted by the Rev. Hanna H. Tommey, will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at First Christian Church, 101 N. 10th St.
Mrs. Miller is survived by her husband, Herbert Miller of Jefferson City; and two daughters, Donna Noble Cavitte of Jefferson City and Jaynae Miller of Los Angeles; and one grandchild.
Memorials may be sent to Central Missouri Food Bank, 2000 Pennsylvania Drive, Columbia, Mo. 65202; Planned Parenthood, 711 N. Providence Road, Columbia, Mo. 65203, and The Wardrobe, 715 Park Ave., Columbia, Mo. 65201.
Donald R. Tharp
Donald R. Tharp of Platte City died Friday, Sept. 24, 1999, at Trinity-Lutheran Hospital in Kansas City following a seven-year battle with cancer. He was 62.
Mr. Tharp was born May 15, 1937, in Jefferson City to Roy E. and Vivian Strong Tharp. He graduated from Park College with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 1966, he received a master's degree in social work from MU.
He obtained a doctorate degree in law from the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 1971. He served as mayor of Platte City from 1973 to 1976. He also served as the assistant prosecuting attorney for Platte County from 1974 to 1978.
From 1982 to 1985, he served as general counsel for the Missouri Division of Insurance. Mr. Tharp spent his last 14 years in private practice.
Visitation for Mr. Tharp will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. today at the Rollins Funeral Home in Platte City, Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church of Platte City. Mr. Tharp will be buried at New Market Cemetery in New Market.
Mr. Tharp is survived by his wife, Sandra, of Platte City; his mother, Vivian Tharp of Jefferson City; two brothers, Steve Tharp of Mexico, Mo., and Michael Tharp of Overland Park, Kan.; two sisters, Donna Sue Caine of Mexico, Mo., and Judy Wickham of Warrensburg; five children, Randall Tharp of Kansas City, Lee Tharp of Jefferson City, Adam Tharp of Camp Lejeune, N.C., Carter Tharp of Columbia and Alison Tharp Martin of Columbia; and eight grandchildren.
His father died earlier.
Riley Morris Richardson
Riley Morris Richardson of Columbia died Friday, Sept. 24, 1999, at Boone Hospital Center. He was 81.
Mr. Richardson was born June 27, 1918, in Boone County to Hulen and Nina Sapp Richardson.
He married Ibbie Bennet on Oct. 5, 1938, in Ashland. He belonged to the 4-H Extension Council and was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in Jefferson City. He was also a member of the Dudes and Dames Square Dance Club.
Visitation for Mr. Richardson will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. Susan Cox-Johnson, will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. Richardson is survived by his wife; two sons, J.R. Richardson of Columbia and Roy Richardson of Denver, two daughters, Fay Palmer of Columbia and Lorrain Rowsey of Charlotte, N.C.; 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Two brothers died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the American Diabetes Association, 1316 Parkade Blvd., Columbia, Mo. 65202.
Dwight Detmer
Dwight Detmer of Columbia died Friday, Sept. 24, 1999. He was 51.
Visitation for Mr. Detmer will be from 4 to 9 p.m. today at Miller Funeral Home, 1206 Washington Street, Washington, Mo. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Mr. Detmer will be buried at Jefferson Barracks Cemetery in St. Louis.
Mr. Detmer is survived by his mother, Elvira Detmer, of Washington, Mo.; his sister, Vickie Coon, of Saugus, Calif.; two nieces and one nephew.
