Gertrude A. Brune
Gertrude "Gertie" Amanda Brune died Saturday, Nov. 27, 1999, at the St. John's Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur. She was 77.
Mrs. Brune was born March 2, 1922 in Hartsburg to Paul and Martha Zeller. She married Theophil H. Brune Feb. 9, 1946 in Hartsburg. They were married for 35 years.
Mrs. Brune was a member of the Dorcus Society and Friedens United Church of Christ in Warrenton, the Warren County Animal Welfare, the Warren County American Heart Association, and the Emmaus Auxillary.
Funeral services were conducted Monday, Nov. 29, 1999, at the Friedens United Church of Christ by the Rev. James Merrell and the Rev. Fredric Brightman. Mrs. Brune was buried at the Lippstadt Cemetery in Warrenton.
Mrs. Brune is survived by her son the Rev. David W. Brune of Union; three daughters, Diane M. Longfellow and Carol M. Gruszczynski, both of Broken Bow, Neb., and Phyllis A. Avis of Warrenton; one brother, Ralph Zeller of Springfield, Mo.; one sister, Ruth Pirner of Wichita, Kan.; and 14 grandchildren.
Her husband, one sister, Lillian, and three brothers, Earl, Arthur, and Lambert, died earlier.
Memorials may be made to the Warren County Heart Association, the Emmaus Home, the Warren County Animal Welfare Association, and the Frieden's United Church of Christ c/o the Nieburg-Martin Funeral Home, 510 E. Main, Warrenton, MO. 63383.
Doris Lahar Clark
Doris Dunbar Lahar Clark of Columbia died Dec. 8, 1999, at South Hampton Place. She was 95.
Mrs. Clark was born Nov. 3, 1904, in Taunton, Mass., to George Dunbar and Lanta Robinson Lahar. She married Paul Abrams Clark in Kansas City, Mo. in 1936. He died earlier.
She was a volunteer at Boone Hospital Center.
An informal memorial service will be at 4:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 10 at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. There will be no visitation.
Mrs. Clark is survived by her son, Peter Paul Clark of Columbia and two grandchildren, Cacki Clark and Brig Clark.
Her husband and two brothers died earlier.
Angela Scuderi
Angela DiFalco Scuderi of Columbia died Saturday, Dec. 4, 1999, at her granddaughter's home in Columbia. She was 87.
Mrs. Scuderi was born Dec. 31, 1911, in St. Louis to Sam and Julia M. DiAngelo DiFalco.
Mrs. Scuderi was married to Joseph Scuderi for 40 years. She lived most of her life in St. Louis, coming to Columbia in January to live with Theresa Scuderi, her granddaughter, so Scuderi could care for her grandmother.
"She did a lot of different things," her granddaughter said. "She liked to knit and things like that."
Mrs. Scuderi graduated from high school in New York and went on to attend a community college there. She had her own beauty shop and worked as a cosmetologist for about 30 years until she retired in the 1960s.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in Hannibal with her immediate family. Her body was cremated.
Mrs. Scuderi is survived by her sister, Josie Miglorie of St. Louis; four granddaughters, Theresa Scuderi of Columbia, Anita Aiello of Jefferson City, Maria Scuderi of Portland, Ore., and Lillian Jackson of Hannibal; and five great-grandchildren.
Her husband and son died earlier.
Donald E. Roads
Donald E. Roads loved the outdoors and spent much of his time doing wildlife activities such as fishing and hunting.
"He was a real adventurer," said his daughter Ann Roads.
Donald E. Roads of Shelbina died Wednesday, Dec. 8, 1999, at Boone Hospital Center. He was 74.
Mr. Roads owned and operated a bowling alley in Shelbina for almost 25 years. Besides work, he spent much of his time outdoors.
"He was really big on hunting, and sometimes went to Colorado and Canada to hunt," his daughter said. "He hunted birds, deer and pretty much everything."
Mr. Roads also took his family with him during his outdoor activities.
"My sisters and I were all in girl scouts and my brother in boy scouts," his daughter said, "and dad often took all of us out camping and canoeing.
"He also had a pilot license and sometimes we went flying with him in [his] club's Cessna 170."
Another talent Mr. Roads had was wood craft, and he provided his family with beds, chests, entertainment centers and other things.
Mr. Roads was born May 28, 1925, in Pittsfield, Ill. to Daniel W. and LaVina Main Roads. During World War II, he served with the U.S. Marine Corps and on Nov. 22, 1958, he married Jill Chapman in Shelbina.
Throughout his life, Mr. Roads was a member of United Methodist Church. In addition, he was a member of the American Legion, Teachnor Post of Shelbina and a Masonic lodge member of Shelbina.
Through the Shelbina Literacy Council, where he also served as president, Mr. Roads helped teach adults to read and tutored children who needed help with school studies.
"He really took people in and helped them out," his daughter said. "He loved helping other people.
"I remember vividly when I was going through a divorce. I was upset and he just came, took me in his arms, cuddled me and said everything would be OK," she said.
Services for Mr. Roads will be conducted by the Rev. Frieda Betts at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12 at Shelbina United Methodist Church, 200 E. Spruce.
Mr. Roads is survived by his wife, Jill Roads of Shelbina; one son, John Roads of Los Angeles, Calif.; three daughters, Ann Roads of Colorado Springs, Colo., Joan Roads Gibson of Springfield, Mo., and Nancy Roads Workman of Columbia; one sister, Marilyn Threlkeld of Macon; and four grandchildren.
His two brothers and one granddaughter died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 33 E. Broadway Suite 100, Columbia, MO. 65203, or to the Shelbina Literacy Council.
Virginia Torrance
Pillows, handtowels, dolls and quilts were just a few of the crafts that kept Virginia L. Torrance busy.
"She did a lot of craft work," said Nancy White, Mrs. Torrance's daughter. "She gave a lot of the crafts as gifts or to church bazaars."
Virginia L. Torrance of Columbia died Wednesday, Dec. 8, 1999. She was 83.
Mrs. Torrance was born June 8, 1916, in St. Louis to David W. and Louise Drusch Fox.
She spent most of her life in Columbia. She married Harley B. Torrance on Sept. 26, 1935 in Columbia. He died in 1953.
Mrs. Torrance worked in housekeeping at Ellis Fischel Cancer Center for 20 years. She was also a cook in Columbia's public schools and a member of Wilkes Boulevard United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday and Bible schools.
Visitation for Mrs. Torrance will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. Michael Keith, will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Columbia Cemetery.
Mrs. Torrance is survived by two daughters, Janet L. Batye and Nancy E. White, both of Fulton; one sister, Dorothy Amick of Trinidad, Colo.; one granddaughter; and three great-grandchildren.
Her husband, three brothers and one sister died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Wilkes Boulevard United Methodist Church, 702 Wilkes Blvd., Columbia, MO 65201.
George H. Vandenberg
George H. Vandenberg of Columbia died Wednesday, Dec. 8, 1999, in Columbia. He was 96.
Mr. Vandenberg was born May 26, 1903 in Weatherford, Okla. to H.J. Vandenberg and Johanne Bolke Vandenberg. He married Maxine S. Adams on Aug. 18, 1928 in Ponca City, Okla.
He worked in sales for the Southwestern Electrical Company for 20 years and was president of Claude Neon Federal Company Southwest. He was a member of the Plymouth Congregational Church. He was a 33rd degree Mason, a charter member of Wichita DeMolay and a member of the Royal Order of the Jesters.
Mr. Vandenberg was a founding member of Ducks Unlimited, and National Ducks Unlimited honored him for his work in the organization. His hobbies included fly fishing as well as duck, quail and pheasant hunting. He also enjoyed playing bridge.
Services will be held at a later date. Mr. Vandenberg's body will be entombed at Mission Chapel Mausoleum in Wichita, Kan.
Mr. Vandenberg is survived by his wife, Maxine Vandenberg of Columbia; two daughters, Jane Vandenberg Crowell of Columbia, and Georgann Vandenberg Tompkins of Paradise Valley, Ariz.; and four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Nine brothers and sisters died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the Shrine Burn Centers c/o Midian Temple of the Shrine, 130 N. Topeka, Wichita, Kan. 67202 or to Ducks Unlimited - Wichita Chapter c/o Eric Moore, 1822 N. Valleyview, Wichita, Kan. 67212.
Alice E. Mellor
Alice Elizabeth Mellor of Columbia died Tuesday, Dec. 7, 1999, at Boone Hospital Center. She was 85.
"She had such a wonderful sense of adventure," said Mrs. Mellor's daughter Nancy Schneider. Mrs. Mellor used to ride her horse in the Wasatch mountains in Utah to visit a man who played the zither.
"She fully engaged in life in her own parameters," her daughter Kathleen Cain said.
"She approached life having every adventure that could be had. She was someone who could never be bored," Schneider said.
"She was always pushing the envelope in one way or another not fitting any mold or stereotype," Schneider said.
According to her family, Mrs. Mellor's humor and wit were refreshing to all who knew her. She was, above all, a mother and a mentor, who by her own example taught the dignity and beauty of life.
During her youth in Utah, she developed a love of the mountains and was exquisitely aware of all things growing and changing, her family said.
Mrs. Mellor was born May 3, 1914 in Manti, Utah, to Alice and E. Dilworth Woolley. She married Myron Mellor May 29, 1937. She had lived in Pittsburg, Kan. and Itasca, Ill. and moved to Columbia in 1996.
Visitation for Mrs. Mellor will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Crocker Cemetery in Pittsburg, Kan.
Mrs. Mellor is survived by one son, Douglas Mellor of London, England; two daughters, Kathleen Cain of Columbia and Nancy Schneider of Philadelphia; one brother, Harold Woolley of Salt Lake City; 11 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and one on the way.
Her husband died earlier.
Juliette R. Napier
Juliette Rollins Napier of Columbia died Monday, Dec. 6, 1999, at Lenoir Health Care Center. She was 75.
Mrs. Napier was born July 12, 1924, in Columbia to Frank Bingham and Juliet Bowling Rollins. She was a graduate of Dana Hall in Wellesley, Mass., and attended Sweet Briar College in Virginia. She received Bachelor of Art and a Bachelor of Journalism degrees from the University of Missouri.
On Nov. 28, 1954, she married Robert Ray Napier in Holly Springs, Miss.
Mrs. Napier was a member of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America, the Kate Thompson Circle of King's Daughters and the Episcopal Church.
Services will be conducted by the Rev. Sarah Bailey at 2 p.m. today at the Calvary Episcopal Church. Mrs. Napier will be buried at Columbia Cemetery.
Mrs. Napier is survived by two daughters, Juliet Bowling Napier and Laura Rollins Napier, both of Columbia.
Her husband and a son, Robert Ray Napier Jr., died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 33 E. Broadway Suite 100, Columbia, Mo. 65203; The Central Missouri Humane Society, 616 Big Bear Blvd., Columbia, Mo. 65202; or Boone County Historical Society, 3801 Ponderosa St., Columbia, Mo. 65201.
Anna Lee Sims
Anna Lee Sims of Columbia died Wednesday, Dec. 8, 1999, at Boone Retirement Center. She was 98.
Mrs. Sims was born June 28, 1901, in Boone County to Leeander Bruce and Annie Virginia Howard Davis. Mrs. Sims married Troy Crane on Aug. 26, 1920. Mr. Crane died in l949. On July 22, 1950, she married Dave Sims in Columbia.
Mrs. Sims was the oldest living member of Nashville Baptist Church in Ashland.
Visitation for Mrs. Sims will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel.
Mrs. Sims is survived by her daughter, Mary Katherine Wisner of Sunrise Beach, Mo.; 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Her husband Dave Sims, one daughter, three brothers and two sisters died earlier.
Eunice Sharp
Eunice Sharp loved people just as she loved life.
"She enjoyed people and she enjoyed the public," said niece Cathy Patton.
Eunice Sandy Sharp of Columbia died Wednesday, Dec. 8, 1999, at North Village Park in Moberly. She was 95.
Mrs. Sharp was born July 28, 1904, in Ray County to Samuel A. and Mary Catherine Rhodes Sandy. On April 11, 1936, in Stanberry, she married Victor Martin Sharp.
For more than 34 years, Mrs. Sharp worked as a case worker with the Missouri Department of Public Welfare. It was a job she loved.
"She did love her work and was very dedicated to her work," Patton said.
Mrs. Sharp also had two other favorite things - Missouri basketball and professional football.
"The Dallas Cowboys were her favorite team," Patton said.
Church was also important to Mrs. Sharp. She was very active in the First Christian Church of Columbia, where she was a member.
She had also served as District Deputy of the 26th District of Eastern Star.
Visitation for Mrs. Sharp will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services will follow at 11 a.m. Friday at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. She will be buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Columbia.
Mrs. Sharp is survived by her niece Cathy Patton and several other nieces and nephews.
Her husband, three brothers and seven sisters died earlier.
Thomas Sebree Baskett
Thomas Sebree Baskett's legacy will live on with each visitor to the Baskett Wildlife Center in Ashland.
Dr. Baskett died Monday, Dec. 6, 1999 at his home. He was 83.
Over the years, Dr. Baskett served a number of roles in Columbia and around the country - mentor, teacher, editor, writer, naval officer and family man.
Dr. Baskett was born Jan. 23, 1916 in Liberty, Mo., to William Denny Baskett and Maybelle Grigsby Baskett.
Dr. Baskett grew up in Fayette, where his father was a teacher at Central Methodist College. After graduating from there, he earned advanced degrees from the University of Oklahoma and Iowa State University.
"He grew up in Howard County," said Thomas Baskett, his son. "He really came home in lots of ways. He grew up over there, he went away to be trained and he made his way back to central Missouri."
From 1942 to 1945 he served as a naval officer in the Pacific.
He married Marjorie Kenison in Ames, Iowa on Feb. 14, 1947.
Before coming to Columbia to teach at MU in 1948 he taught at Iowa State and the University of Connecticut.
"Dad's students are all over America, mentoring their own students, shaping public policy, and I'd say reflecting his sense of wonder about the natural world," Thomas said. "That's the way higher education is supposed to work."
During his teaching years he mentored more than 50 graduate students.
He headed the Missouri Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit for 32 years and from 1968 to 1973 was Chief of Wildlife Research for the U.S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife in Washington, D.C. He attained university emeritus status in 1987, two years after retiring from the Missouri Unit.
Dr. Baskett' other positions included editing The Journal of Wildlife Management in the 1960s and president of The Wildlife Society in 1971.
He received the Wildlife Publications Award in editorship for his part in co-writing, compiling and editing, "Ecology and the Management of the Mourning Dove."
His honors included The Wildlife Society's Aldo Leopold Memorial Award, the Missouri Department of Conservation's Master Conservationist Award and the E. Sydney Stephens Professional Wildlife Award from The Wildlife Society's Missouri Chapter. Also, in 1998, the university named the Baskett Wildlife Center near Ashland in his honor.
Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8 at the Ashland Cemetery in Howard County.
The Rev. Rhymes Moncure Jr. of Missouri United Methodist Church will officiate.
Survivors include his wife, Marjorie Kenison Baskett; three children, Thomas S. Baskett Jr. of DeLand, Fla., Jann Diane Baskett of Austin, Texas, and Richard Kenison Baskett of Columbia; his sister, Frances Lodge Heistercamp of Nokomis, Fla.; and stepmother Helen W. Baskett of Fayette.
Memorials may be sent to the Thomas S. Baskett Scholarship Fund, University of Missouri-Columbia, c/o Director of Development, 2-4 Ag. Building, Columbia, Mo. 652
Philip Davis
Perhaps Philip Davis is the best one to say how he would like to be remembered. In one of his poems, he wrote, "some fun, some serious I hope is me/Many may read with thought as they see."
Philip Dewayne Davis of Columbia died Friday, Dec. 3, 1999, at Truman Veterans Hospital. He was 75.
Mr. Davis was born May 4, 1924 in Boone County to Philip W. and Violet P. McGee Davis. He married Mary Margaret Driskill on June 25, 1945.
Mr. Davis lived his entire life in Boone County. He was self-employed, first in the construction business and later as an electrician.
A lifetime deacon at the First Baptist Church, "he was a good Christian man," his daughter Patsy Turner said.
Mr. Davis exemplified his Christian spirit by volunteering at the Boone County Retirement Center for the past few years. Turner said her father volunteered at the home while her mother stayed there and continued his work after she died.
He helped out by visiting the patients and feeding them meals. Turner said her father used to say he went in to feed the patients because that way he knew they were getting at least one good meal a day.
"The main thing was he fed them, talked to them and gave them a smile," she said.
Mr. Davis also spent his spare time writing poems. Some of his poems were featured in the nursing home newspaper and the Columbia Daily Tribune's open columns section. Turner said her father wrote his poems as a hobby and not for commercial profit.
"He was not a poet, he was just a man that wanted to do this," Turner said. Turner said the family is gathering Davis's poems and trying to put them into a book.
Turner said her father was a very private person and very quiet, though, "he had lots and lots of friends."
"If anybody needed help - a friend, a neighbor - and if he felt that he could help, he would," she said.
Graveside services, conducted by the Rev. Bob Russell, were Tuesday at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mr. Davis is survived by his daughter, Patsy G. Turner of Bridgeton; two sisters, Lena P. Colores of Calif., and Effie M. Cunningham of Hallsville; one brother, Harold W. Davis of Independence; and two grandchildren.
His parents, his wife and a sister died earlier.
Lois L. Pugh
Lois L. Pugh wasn't much of a talker. She spent most of her time creating mini-masterpieces for her family with the help of needle and thread.
Mrs. Pugh died Thursday, Dec. 7, 1999, in Columbia. She was 77.
She was born Oct. 28, 1922 in Boone County to Theodore Roosevelt Sandker and Lula Lucille Caldwell Sandker. She married Charles Pugh on Sept. 30, 1939.
Mrs. Pugh began a fulfilling life raising five children and working on a farm with her husband.
"She could drive the tractor with the best of them," said her daughter Sue Reiskamp. "She was responsible for raising the chickens."
After Mrs. Pugh and her husband moved to Columbia from the Henton community in the late '60s, she worked in retail at Parks Department Store and sewed for Lorna's.
It was in Columbia where Mrs. Pugh began sewing quilts for her grandchildren when they were born.
"The tradition has stuck - every kid has a quilt," Reiskamp said.
When her grandchildren graduated from high school, she made them another quilt.
"The problem was when we had more than one kid graduating in a year," Reiskamp laughed.
With 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, Mrs. Pugh had several quilts to sew. Reiskamp said her daughter in college always sleeps with the quilt.
"It gives them all something to look back on and know Grandma did that for them," she said.
Crocheted dolls and clothing were also part of Mrs. Pugh's many creations.
"She loved making doll clothes. The more lace, the more trim, the better," her daughter said. "She liked to really dress them up."
Remembering her mother's giving nature, Reiskamp added, "She hardly kept anything for herself. She made everything to give away."
Whether it was sewing, cleaning or cooking, Mrs. Pugh's family will remember her as a quiet, hardworking woman who gave of herself through her crafts.
"She sang and whistled while she worked. She was an all-around woman," Reiskamp said. "That's what everyone remembers about her."
Visitation for Mrs. Pugh will be 6 to 8 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. Norman Conklin, will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Dripping Spring Christian Church, 2701 W. Dripping Springs Road.
Mrs. Pugh is survived by four daughters, Edith Butzin of Centralia, Sue Reiskamp and Brenda Loyd, both of Columbia, and Glenda Runde of Fulton; three sisters, Thelma Ahmid and Fay Potter, both of California., and Mildred Monk of Mexico, Mo.; and 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Her parents, husband and son, Larry Pugh, died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Dripping Spring Cemetery Fund, 3150 W. Stone Drive, Columbia, Mo. 65202.
Emma Renfro
Emma Renfro taught for more than 40 years, first at several rural schools in Callaway County, then for 25 years in Columbia at Ridgeway Elementary and West Junior High School.
"She was an outstanding teacher," said O.V. Wheeler, former principal of Ridgeway Elementary. "The kids just loved her and she just loved the kids."
Emma Renfro of Columbia died Sunday, Dec. 5, 1999. She was 87.
Mrs. Renfro was born June 20, 1912, in Callaway County to Oliver Lee and Mary Fox Sebastian. She graduated from Hereford High School and earned bachelor's and master's degrees from MU.
"She taught in order to help people, more than anything else," said brother Charles Sebastian. "She worked hard to get an education herself."
Mrs. Renfro served as principal of Blue Ridge Elementary School from 1966 until her retirement in 1978.
"She was a wonderful professional," said Muriel Battle, former West Junior High School principal. "She was always eager to share her skills with young teachers who came along.
"We not only worked together, we socialized together. She was a wonderful bridge player."
Wheeler said Mrs. Renfro was a delight to work with.
"They didn't make them any finer than her," Wheeler said.
Mrs. Renfro married John Jeuel Renfro April 30, 1938. She was a member of many organizations including Thilo Chapter of the Eastern Star, Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Colonies and PEO.
Visitation for Mrs. Renfro will be 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at Parker Funeral Service, 22 N. Tenth St. Services, conducted by the Rev. James Palmer, will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Parker Funeral Chapel. Burial will be at Oak Chapel Cemetery in Callaway County.
Mrs. Renfro is survived by her brother, Charles E. Sebastian of Centralia and five sisters, Grace Norris, Nancy Finlay and Mary Lee Sebastian, all of Columbia, Martha McCray of Auxvasse, and Letsey Jean Dodd of Downey, Calif.
Her husband and one brother died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the American Heart Association, 2600 I-70 Drive NW, Columbia, MO 65202, or to the donor's choice.
Bobby Underwood
Bobby Underwood Sr. was an adventuresome world traveler who loved the outdoors.
Bobby Melvin Underwood Sr. of Columbia died Sunday, Nov. 28, 1999. He was 69.
Mr. Underwood worked for many years in the oil industry, starting at the age of 18 as a driller. He eventually worked his way to upper management.
Son Robby Underwood remembers his father's fondness for children.
"He's always been mad about kids," he said. "He always helped take care of his grandchildren."
Mr. Underwood's brother Hal remembers him as a good man.
"He worked hard for his family," he said.
Mr. Underwood was born Dec. 8, 1929, in Santa Fe, N.M., to Howell and Opal Foster Underwood. He served in the Navy from 1944 to 1945.
He married Betty Taylor, then Connie Gomez, and on Dec. 28, 1978, he married Emilia Vergara in Colombia.
Graveside services for Mr. Underwood are at 11 a.m. Saturday at South Park Cemetery in Roswell, N.M.
Mr. Underwood is survived by his wife, Emilia Vergara; three sons, Robby Underwood of Columbia, Bobby Underwood of Shawnee Mission, Kan., and Anthony Underwood of Houston; four daughters, Penny-Ann Huber of Belen, N.M., Sandra Underwood of Chicago, and Sara Underwood and Opal Underwood, both of Houston; one brother, Hal Underwood of Montgomery, Texas; one sister, Terry Donna; and eight grandchildren.
Three brothers and one sister died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 30638, Columbia, MO 65205, or Rusk Rehabilitation Center, 315 Business Loop 70 W., Columbia, MO 65202.
Mildred F. Allred
Mildred Allred spoke up for personal rights whenever she could.
"She was on a crusade for smoking. She smoked until the day she died," said her daughter Carmen Nash. "She had these little cards that said 'Thank you for letting me exercise my right to smoke.' "
Mildred F. Allred of Columbia died Friday, Dec. 3, 1999, at her home. She was 68.
"She felt passionately about whatever rights were being restricted, freedom or speech or whatever," said daughter Jennifer Jensen.
Ms. Allred was born Aug. 30, 1931, in Itam to Frank and Beulah Myers Freemont. She graduated from Richmond High School in Richmond. Before Ms. Allred moved to Columbia in 1994, she helped form the first Boy's Club in Independence.
"She was a very spirited person, very passionate about politics and art. She was very creative," Jensen said.
Ms. Allred painted natural landscapes as well as paintings of downtown Columbia and Kansas City.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Shelter Insurance Gardens, 1729 W. Broadway.
Ms. Allred is survived by her mother, Beulah Irene Smith of Independence; one son, Jack Judd of El Rino, Okla.; four daughters, Jennifer Jensen of Columbia, Carmen Nash of Warsaw, Melissa Shoaf of Liberty, and Linda Judd of Independence; two brothers, Frank Allred of Cataula, Ga., and John Allred of Grandview; one sister, Kay Middleton of Independence; 12 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
R.B. Bridges
R.B. Bridges of Columbia died Friday, Dec. 3, 1999, at Truman Veterans Hospital. He was 73.
Mr. Bridges was born May 15, 1926, in Jefferson City to Nolan and Lillin Rice Bridges.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Cooties, AMVETS and Disabled American Veterans.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Memorial Park Cemetery, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Mr. Bridges will be honored with a 21-gun salute and taps.
No survivors are listed.
One sister died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W., Columbia, Mo. 65202.
Mafra Voorheis
Her family had celebrated Mafra Voorheis' birthday each year, but today's party was to be extra special: Mrs. Voorheis was going to turn 100 on Dec. 15.
Although the woman who had been honored as Harrisburg's oldest living citizen lived almost a full century, Mrs. Voorheis would not see her centennial celebration.
"This year was going to be a big celebration," said granddaughter Marva Iglehart. "She almost made it."
Mafra Voorheis of Columbia died Thursday, Dec. 2, 1999 at Candlelight Lodge. She was 99.
Mrs. Voorheis lived her entire life in Boone County. She lived for a time at the Sims home in Harrisburg, which was recognized as the oldest farm in Boone County and had been designated a Centennial home.
She was a member of the Harrisburg Baptist Church and the Order of the Eastern Star, a charter member of the Barnett Homemakers Extension Club and a volunteer at Boone Hospital Center.
Mrs. Voorheis valued spending time with family members, relatives said.
"She liked people," daughter Marjorie McBride said. "I think she always enjoyed getting together with family."
Iglehart's grandchildren were lucky to have several years with Mrs. Voorheis, Iglehart said.
"They had a great-great grandmother," she said. "That's pretty special."
Mrs. Voorheis was born Dec. 15, 1899, to Alfred and Alice Taylor Sims. She married Nelson Voorheis on Oct. 14, 1917.
Mrs. Voorheis was recognized as Harrisburg's oldest citizen during the town's 125th-anniversary celebration in 1996. She later moved to Columbia.
Survivors include a daughter, Marjorie McBride of Harrisburg; two sons, R.E. Voorheis of Harrisburg and Bob Voorheis of Independence; two grandchildren, Marva Iglehart of Columbia and Brent Voorheis of Harrisburg; seven great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
Her husband, parents, four sisters and one grandson died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Harrisburg Baptist Church, 340 E. Sexton Road, Harrisburg, Mo., 65256.
Cecelia Weishaar
Cecelia Weishaar of Columbia died Thursday, Dec. 2, 1999, at Boone Hospital Center. She was 78.
Mrs. Weishaar was born Nov. 16, 1921, in Chicago to Peter J. and Margaret Bielowski Nowak. She married Harold C. Weishaar on March 1, 1942, in Chicago.
Visitation for Mrs. Weishaar was held Saturday at Nilson Funeral Home, 5611 St. Charles Road. Services will be held at the Queen of All Saints Bascilica in Chicago at a later date. Burial will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Chicago.
Mrs. Weishaar is survived by two sons, Timothy Weishaar of Columbia and Harold Charles Weishaar II of Centerville, Ohio; five daughters, Denise Smith and Holly Casteel, both of Columbia, Sharon Reif of Holt, Mich., Dawn Piotrowski of Palos Hills, Ill., and Jill Brubaker of Allen, Texas; two sisters, Virginia Rafacz of Chicago and Barbara Jean Hyndiuk of Milwaukee; and 14 grandchildren.
Her husband died earlier.
Katherine Kimes
Katherine J. Kimes of Jefferson City died Friday, Nov. 26, 1999 at her home. She was 41.
Ms. Kimes was born June 27, 1958 in Bridgeport, Conn., to William Henry and Carole Ann King Kimes. She worked as a home-care worker in Jefferson City.
Services for Ms. Kimes will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 at Nilson Funeral Home, 5611 St. Charles Road. They will be conducted by the Rev. Edwin Cole. Visitation for Ms. Kimes will precede the services at Nilson Funeral Home between noon and 1 p.m.
Ms. Kimes is survived by her son, Robert Kimes of Columbia; and three sisters, Amy Eiberger of King City, Susan Gibbons of Oak Creek, Colo. and Liza Enix of Jefferson City.
Memorials will be accepted through the Katherine Kimes Memorial Fund, c/o Nilson Funeral Home, 5611 St. Charles Road, Columbia, Mo. 65202.
William Barnett
William G. Barnett was an honored war veteran, electrician, quail hunter, father and husband who drew his first and last breaths in Boone County.
Mr. Barnett of Columbia died Thursday, Dec. 2, 1999, at the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James. He was 90.
He was born May 26, 1909, in Columbia to Emmett and Katherine Burks Barnett. While growing up in Boone County, Mr. Barnett met Dola Bell Hyde, whom he married on July 27, 1931.
"They both grew up there. They met when they were very young," Mr. Barnett's daughter Jo Anne Chandler said.
Mr. Barnett served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He earned a Bronze Star in the South Pacific Theater. The medal is awarded for heroic or worthy achievement in service.
Mr. Barnett worked for many years as an electrician for several local companies.
In his free time, he loved to quail hunt. Chandler remembers that when her father wasn't out in the field he would be telling his family stories about past hunting experiences.
"He was a big-time hunter," Chandler said. "We had to hear about how the dog pointed and how the birds were flushed out."
Mr. Barnett was also active as a member of the Ancient Landmark Masonic Lodge #356 in Harrisburg. He served as the lodge's district deputy grand lecturer for several years.
Graveside services, conducted by Jim Cunningham, will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday in Memorial Park Cemetery, 1217 Business Loop 70 W.
Mr. Barnett is survived by his wife, Dola Belle Barnett of Columbia; a son, Mike Barnett of Wildwood; three daughters, Judi Gracey of St. Charles, Jo Anne Chandler of Fairfield Bay, Ark., and Beverly Carl of Pasadena, Calif.; one brother, Frank Barnett of California; and eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be sent to the Alzheimers Association, Mid-Missouri Chapter, 1121 Business Loop 70 E., Columbia, Mo. 65201.
