Dale Francis Patek
Dale Francis Patek of Hallsville died Tuesday, June 25, 2002, at West Village Manor of diabetes related kidney failure. He was 48.
"He was such a caring person, he loved to work with children," said Elaine Patek, his wife of 18 years. "He was a city boy but I made a country boy out of him."
Mr. Patek was born Aug. 8, 1953, in Cleveland to Dale Francis and Ruth Ann Springborn Patek. He served in Vietnam with the U.S. Navy from 1972 to 1977.
He married Elaine Stegeman in Wardsville, Mo. on Oct. 1, 1983. The couple moved to Hallsville in 1995.
Mr. Patek was a member of the Newman Center and the Newman Center Building Committee. He was also a retired member of the Boone County Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the Boone County 4-H Horsemanship Committee. Mr. Patek was a horse enthusiast, and he passed his hobby down to his two daughters. "He loved watching the girls ride," Elaine said. "The kids always got a kick out of it." Mr. Patek is survived by his wife; two daughters, Melissa and Shawn Marie Patek, both of Hallsville; and a sister, Debbie Vandigo of Chariton, Ohio.
His parents died earlier.
"He will be missed," Elaine said. "I just lost my best friend."
Visitation for Mr. Patek will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W.
Services, conducted by the Rev. Mark Smith, will be at 1 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Home.
Memorials may be sent to Boone County 4-H Horsemanship Committee, c/o Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W., Columbia, Mo., 65202, or American Diabetes Association, 1316 Parkade Blvd., Columbia, Mo., 65202.
Iota D. Fenton
Iota D. Fenton of Higginsville died Wednesday, June 26, 2002, at Meyer Care Center in Higginsville. She was 92.
She was born Dec. 6, 1909, in Audrain County to William and Ethel Ogden.
"Dad called her Iota because she was just a little somethin'," Mrs. Fenton's sister, Harriet Morrow, said. She remembers her as talented and beautiful. "I would write readings for church and she would always sing. She had a great voice."
The sisters would be entertained for hours by her piano playing.
After high school, she lived in Vandalia and worked in the garment industry. In 1956, she came to Columbia where she worked for the MU Student Union and Shelter Insurance Co. She was a faithful member in the Mt. Olivet, Vandalia and Columbia Presbyterian churches.
Mrs. Fenton retired in 1974 and moved to Higginsville. She became a member of First Presbyterian Church there, where she played piano, sang in the choir and taught Sunday school.
"She was a great member of the church, she was so talented at her art and her personal relationships," said the Rev. Don Sturgess of First Presbyterian Church. "She could do anything that needed to be done and do it with a positive attitude."
"She was always wanting to help everyone with her gracious, charming, and positive attitude," said Helen Sheehan, her friend and fellow choir singer. "She expressed herself very well. She painted beautifully and we always quilted together. She was so good at it." Mrs. Fenton is survived by her three children, James E. Moss of Mexico, Mo., Mary Eileen Hackenberger of Kansas City, and Judy Westphal of Berryville, Ark.; her sister, Harriet Morrow of LaMesa, Calif.; nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Fenton's first husband James Hiter Moss, her second husband Hollis Fenton, her parents, and her three brothers, Marlin, Otto, and Harold DeTienne died earlier.
Services, conducted by the Rev. Erica Harley, will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church in Higginsville. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Antonio "Tony" Jermaine Clark
Whenever anything happened in Tony Clark's life his sister, Tina, was the first to know. On Saturday, Tina Clark received an unexpected phone call from a Warsaw Lake park ranger saying Tony had drowned.
Antonio "Tony" Jermaine Clark, of Sedalia died Saturday in Warsaw Lake. He was 26. For the past 15 years, Mr. Clark lived his life in and out of boy's homes and correctional facilities. On June 4, 2002, Mr. Clark was released from the Farmington Correctional Facility and moved back home to Sedalia, picking up his life right were he left it - with his family.
"Tony lived fast and died hard, and he loved his family," said Julie Deal, a close friend. "The last three weeks, he lived life to the fullest, but Tony still took time to talk to his son on the phone."
Though Mr. Clark never had the chance to celebrate his only son's birthday, Tre'Veon Jermaine Clark-Marshall knew his father still loved him. Tre'Veon will turn 7 years old next month.
Mr. Clark was born April 9, 1976, in Sedalia to Dianna Barber and Napolane Durley. He attended Smith Cotton High School, and later received his GED in 2000.
As a child, Mr. Clark had many friends, but for Earl Scroggins, Mr. Clark was more than just a friend, he was like a brother.
"We would call him Freddy Jackson, because he looked so much like the old R&B singer," Scroggins said.
Tina Clark recalls the great moments she had with her brother when they were children. "Tony and I grew up very close together when we were kids. I can remember us walking down the trails to our grandmother's house to swim," Tina Clark said. "Tony was a great swimmer."
Mr. Clark is survived by his special friend Swanetta Marshall of Columbia; one son Tre'Veon Jermaine Clark-Marshall of Columbia; his mother Dianna Barber of Sedalia; two sisters Deborah and Tina Clark and grandmother Maude Clark all of Sedalia; his father Napolane Durley of Minnesota; one brother Lepolane Clay of Boonville; and several aunts and uncles.
His grandfather died earlier.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday at the H.T. May and Son Funeral Home at 400 West Cooper St, Sedalia, Mo. Services will be conducted by Bishop Carl Branch. Mr. Clark will be buried in Crown Hill Cemetery.
Friends may arrive at the funeral home from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday. Mr. Clark's family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Busby F. Kent
In one of Mary Ball's favorite photographs of her father, he's dressed to match his mailbox.
She said the photo shows her father Busby Kent's pride in his job as a postal worker as well as his unique sense of humor.
"They used to paint the mail boxes dull green," she said. "When they started painting them red, white and blue he dressed in a white shirt, a red tie and blue pants because he thought it would be fun to dress like the mailbox. He had quite a sense of humor."
Mr. Kent of Hallsville died Saturday, June 22, 2002, at Boone Hospital Center. He was 100.
"He was always tickled to announce that he was retired for longer than he worked," she said.
Mr. Kent was born Dec. 28, 1901, at his family's farm south of Sturgeon to George and Mary Eliza Kent. Ball said Mr. Kent liked to tell the story of his birth, saying that his father left the farm to get the doctor, but by the time they returned, he "was already born and had two teeth."
He was valedictorian of his class at Sturgeon High School, and attended Chillicothe Business College. Ball said Mr. Kent always told people that "shorthand got the best of him," so he left school and got a job as a postal worker.
On June 3, 1922, he married Dollie Jacobs in Chillicothe.
He retired from the Chillicothe Post Office as postmaster in 1957 after 34 years of service. After his retirement, he was a Shelter Insurance agent in Camdenton and Hallsville and began a small farm and cattle operation with his son, Jerry, in 1961. He was a member of the Hallsville Baptist Church, where he served as deacon, Sunday school teacher and financial secretary.
He is survived by three sons Jerry Ball of Hallsville, George Kent of Auburn, Ala., and Jerry Kent of Columbia; five brothers, Lawrence Kent of Topeka, Kan., Gilbert Kent of Centralia, Charles Kent of Columbia, John Kent of Sturgeon and Harold Kent of Chillicothe; and five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.
Mr. Kent's wife; brothers Robert Kent, Miller Kent and Fred Kent; and sisters Henrietta Kaser, Darlene Kent, and her unnamed twin all died earlier.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Hallsville Baptist Church, 115 Elizabeth St. Visitation will be an hour before the service.
Memorials may be sent to Hallsville Baptist Church, Building Fund, PO Box 18, Hallsville, Mo., 65255.
Emma M. Nevins
Emma Mae Nevins of Columbia died Sunday, June 23, 2002, at her home. She was 74. Ms. Nevins was born on April 14, 1928, in Boone County to Mattie Acuff and Bewey Smith.
She graduated from Columbia's Douglass High School and worked at Ellis Library for 32 years. She was a member of Second Baptist Church in Columbia. She was in the church's women's mission.
She is survived by two sons, Henderson Hickman of Columbia and William Hickman of Los Angeles; her mother, Mattie Acuff of Vandalia; four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Her father, a daughter, and husband Clyde Nevins died earlier.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Warren Funeral Chapel, 12 E. Ash St. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Second Baptist Church, 407 E. Broadway. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Wanda F. Roberts
Wanda F. Roberts of Hallsville died Monday, June 24, 2002, at her home. She was 69.
Mrs. Roberts was born Jan. 9, 1933, in Columbia to James and Mozell Gilpin Chick. Mrs. Roberts lived her entire life in Boone County.
On Feb. 4, 1949, Mrs. Roberts married William E. Roberts in Columbia. He died earlier. Mrs. Roberts served on the Board of Directors for the Hallsville United Methodist Church, and worked as a supervisor at University Hospital for 11 years. She also worked for Columbia Healthcare and Rehabilitation for three years and did childcare in her home. She volunteered her time in several community organizations.
Visitation for Mrs. Roberts will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Parker Funeral Service, 22 N. Tenth St. Services, conducted by the Rev. Tom Adams, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Parker Funeral Service. Mrs. Roberts will be buried at Little Bonne Femme Cemetery in Columbia.
She is survived by her daughter, Elaine Roberts of Hallsville; two sons, Thomas "Danny" Roberts of Columbia and William "Pete" Roberts of Ashland; and four grandchildren. A sister and brother died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Hallsville United Methodist Church, Building Fund, 134 Hwy 00 E., Hallsville, Mo., 65255.
James Moses Aaron Weiss
James Moses Aaron Weiss of Columbia, died Monday, June 24, 2002, at his home. He was 80.
Dr. Weiss was born Oct. 22, 1921, in St. Paul, Minn., to Louis and Gertrude Weiss. He married Bette Shapera in 1946.
Dr. Weiss graduated with a degree in medicine in 1950 from the University of Minnesota, served a residency at Yale University and was awarded a master's degree in public health with high honors from Yale. He was also Phi Beta Kappa, AOA, Sigma Xi and a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
He served in the Medical Corps of the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean War and achieved the rank of Captain.
Dr. Weiss was appointed to the faculty of Washington University, and in 1959 he was named the first professor of psychiatry at MU.
In 1960 Dr. Weiss became the founding chairman of the department of psychiatry at MU. He held the position for 31 years and secured the first grant to build the Mid-Missouri Mental Health Center.
Dr. Weiss was a good man and a unique coworker, said Armando Favazza, who is a professor and associate chairman of the department of psychiatry.
"He had very strange hours," Favazza said. "He liked to work from noon to 8 or 9 at night. He said he couldn't take coming in early, but he stayed late. Sometimes he would be leaving to go home at 5:30 or 6 in the morning, and see the surgeons who where coming in."
Dr. Weiss received the following fellowships during his lifetime: foundation fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and a fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, American Psychiatric Association, American Public Health Association, Preventative Medicine Association, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Psychiatrists and the American Association of Psychoanalytic Physicians.
He founded the Journal of Operational Psychology and edited it for 20 years. He was also an accomplished trumpet player.
He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Jenny Anne Weiss-Ford of Columbia; a son, Jonathan Weiss of Columbia; sisters Zoey Levy of Phoenix, Ariz., and Judy Mellins of Boston; and four grandchildren.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Parker Funeral Service, 22 N. Tenth St. Burial will follow in Columbia Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the MU department of psychiatry James M.A. Weiss Award for Excellence in Psychiatry Fund and the Hillel Foundation in Columbia.
Mary Jewel Springer
Mary Jewel Springer of Glasgow died Saturday, June 22, 2002, at Colonial Manor in Glasgow. She was 85.
She was born Dec. 17, 1916 in Crisp to Elmer and Jewel Hembree Langford.
Mrs. Springer earned a business degree from Springfield-Draughn Business College in the early 1930s. She worked as a secretary and bookkeeper in the Springfield area until World War II. During the war, she worked at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. for a year.
She married James Springer on Oct. 23, 1944, and together they bought and operated the Grade A dairy in Willard until they retired. After retirement, they moved to a farm near Diamond until her husband died in August of 1988.
Mrs. Springer was a member of the Disciples of Christ faith.
Graveside services will be conducted under the direction of Carr-Yager Funeral Home and will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Vaughn Cemetery near Greenfield.
Mrs. Springer is survived by a brother, Larkin Langford of Fayette; and four nephews and nieces.
Her husband and a brother, Kenton Langford, died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the Cancer Research Center, in care of the Carr-Yager Funeral Home, 204 N. Linn St., Fayette, Mo. 65248.
Ethel M. Scott
Ethel M. Scott of Columbia died Friday, June 21, 2002, at University Hospital. She was 89.
Mrs. Scott was born Jan. 24, 1913, in Freeport, Ill., to John and Pearl Hill Cox. She grew up in What Cheer, Iowa. She married Judge Everett H. Scott on Aug. 17, 1939, in Des Moines.
Mrs. Scott was a "school teacher at heart" who taught beginning reading for elementary school children, her son John Scott said.
"She just loved to see something click in the kids when the light comes on, that's why she taught," John Scott said.
John Scott said he remembers his mother's smile most of all because it lit up every time one of her children or grandchildren came into the room.
One of those grandchildren, Katie Randolph, said she remembers spending a month each summer with her grandmother painting and reading, yet "it was more about spending time with each other."
In addition to teaching, Mrs. Scott worked as a sales clerk briefly after World War II and was also a member of the First Baptist Church.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Waterloo Cemetery in Waterloo, Iowa. Friends may visit the family from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Kearns, Huisman-Schumacher Chapel in Waterloo.
Mrs. Scott is survived by a daughter, Patricia A. Eich, of Columbia; a son, John E. Scott, of Lone Jack; sisters Helen R. Stein of Hemet, Calif., and Gertrude O. Stanley of Ottumwa, Iowa; and four grandchildren.
Mrs. Scott's brothers, Leslie Scott and Walter Scott; a sister, Viola Neusum; and her husband died earlier.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Disabled American Veterans.
Dennis Dean Stone
Dennis Dean Stone, of St. Louis and formerly of Columbia, died June 17, 2002, in St. Louis. He was 51.
Born July 16, 1950, to Elma F. and Jo Allen Stone, Mr. Stone was raised by Elma F. and Eledia Stone in Columbia.
In honor of the automotive specialist's love for the demolition derby, the family is donating his car to the derby.
"He loved the auto-racing track," sister Donna Spector said. "He was physically present there a lot and liked working in the pit, and he tampered with building race cars as a hobby."
A 1969 Hickman High School graduate, Stone then trained to be an auto mechanic. He worked in Boone County for 38 years, where he was employed by Howards Garage, Stones Auto Salvage and Custom Muffler.
The automotive specialist used his skills to help out friends and family as well. Cars and pool were two things everyone knew him for.
Mr. Stone was an avid pool player. He played all the time and everywhere he went. He especially liked going to a place near his St. Louis home, Jody T's. "It was the place all his friends hung out," Spector said. "It became a second family in St. Louis for him." Mr. Stone also loved to spend time with his family. After moving to St. Louis from Columbia, he often came back to spend time with the family in Columbia and celebrate holidays and special occasions.
Spector remembers when the family would gather yearly at the Holidome for Christmas. Family gatherings and special trips were common for Mr. Stone, who loved to travel. He especially enjoyed Florida, Illinois, California and Colorado, where they once went on a family trip.
"He was a fun-loving man," Spector said. "He loved to laugh and have a good time." His idea of fun, other than cars and pool, included going to Silver Dollar City, Six Flags, and Cardinals games.
A little known fact about Mr. Stone is that he especially loved to play Trivial Pursuit. "He was the best at history and geography," Spector said. With his incredible knowledge in these areas, Stone was known to impress.
Stone had been sick for the past few years and resided in St. Louis with his beloved kitty cat, named kitty cat.
His daughter Christie made an extra effort to take trips to St. Louis to visit him and made a special effort to take good care of her daddy, Spector said. Mr. Stone was a member of Faith Baptist Church.
The visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop W. Services, conducted by the Rev. Gary Crumly, will be at 7 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home.
Dennis Dean Stone is survived by his mother Jo Allen Mons of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.; an adoptive mother, Eledia Stone of Columbia; a son, Travis Stone of Sturgeon; two daughters, Christie Stone and Tina Stone, both of Columbia; three sisters Donna Spector of St. Louis, Sandra Morningstar of Lake Ozark, Brenda Norvell of Ladson, S.C.; and five grandchildren.
His father died earlier. Memorials can be sent to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 30638, Columbia, Mo., 65205.
Silas "Jack" Burks
Silas "Jack" Burks of Belton died Sunday, June 23, 2002, from cancer. He was 53.
Mr. Burks was born April 6, 1949, in Columbia.
Mr. Burks was a navy veteran and worked for Mission Plastics in Shawnee, Kan., as a mold technician.
Mr. Burks was a member of the Catholic Church.
Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, at Belton Chapel.
Services will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at E. K George & Sons, 611 Chestnut, Belton. He will be buried at Maplewood Cemetery in Brownington, Mo.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Jean Burks of Grandview; three daughters, Tamara Curry of Bowling Green, Mo. and Chantay Burks and Sarah Burks of Harrisonville, Mo.; his father, Silas Jackson Burks of Deepwater, Mo.; his grandmother, Zula Burks of Columbia; four sisters, Betty Burks of Marina, Cailf., Thelma Bothwell of San Jose, Calif., Carolyn Burks of Belton, and Linda Kay Burks of Belton; two brothers, Harold Burks of Neb., and Emmett Burks of Belton; and three grandchildren.
Memorials may be sent to Kansas City Hospice or Wayside Waifs, Inc.
John 'Doug' Ellis
John "Doug" Ellis of New Florence died Tuesday, June 18, 2002, at University Hospital. He was 72. Mr. Ellis was born Dec. 30, 1929, in New Florence to Kermit Allison Sr. and Mary Louise Ritschard Ellis. He married Helen Delores Edwards on March 17, 1962, at the Presbyterian Church in New Florence. The couple lived on Mr. Ellis' family's farm and helped to raise family members. Mr. Ellis was a retired farmer and feed mill employee and a former member of the Old Thresher's Association and High Hill American Legion Post 198. Mr. Ellis was dedicated to the upkeep of the New Florence Cemetery. He spent all his life in New Florence except while serving in the Army in Korea from 1952 to 1954. Mr. Ellis is survived by his wife, Helen Delores Edwards Ellis of New Florence; his mother, Mary Louise Ritschard Ellis of New Florence; three brothers, Robert Emil Ellis of High Hill and Kermit Allison Ellis Jr. and Loyd Daniel Ellis, both of New Florence; two sisters, Mary Lou Wright of Columbia and Karen Ann Ellis of New Florence. Memorial may be sent to the New Florence Cemetery, c/o Schlanker Funeral Home, 207 Danville Road, Montgomery City, Mo. 63361. - Jessie Lewis
Virginia Kroon
Virginia Mary Kroon of Fayette died Thursday, June 20, 2002, at Fayette Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was 75. She was born April 5, 1927, in Fraser, Mich., to Reuben and Edna Baumgartner Ballor. She married John J. Kroon on Oct. 26, 1946, in Roseville, Mich., and he survives. Mrs. Kroon was a homemaker and the mother of six children. Survivors include her husband, John Kroon of Fayette; five sons, Joel Kroon of Fayette, Mark Kroon of Eugene, Ore., James Kroon of Fayette, Joel Kroon of West Bloomfield, Mich., and Jeffrey Kroon of Royal Oak, Mich.; a daughter, Paula Ireland of Ferndale, Mich.; two brothers; one sister; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her parents, six brothers and one sister died earlier. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m Monday at Carr-Yager Funeral Home, 204 N. Linn St., Fayette. Services, conducted by the Rev. Jamie Page, will be held at 11 a.m Monday. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Fayette Nursing and Rehabilitation Center's Resident Care Fund, in care of Carr-Yager Funeral Home, 204 N. Linn St., Fayette, 65248 . - Brandy Owens
Esther Baumgartner
Esther Baumgartner of Columbia died Tuesday, June 18, 2002, at Lenoir Health Care Center. She was 91.
She was born Feb. 4, 1911, in Iowa City to Bert and Margaret Miller Baumgartner. She graduated from the University of Iowa, and later attended the American Institute of Business in Iowa.
After working for the Allis Chalmers farm implement company, Miss Baumgartner was employed at the registrar's office at Stephens College for 35 years. She served with the U.N. Relief and Rehabilitation Agency in Germany.
A bridge master, Miss Baumgartner was a noted tournament player. She traveled widely. Miss Baumgartner is survived by a nephew, James Baumgartner of Iowa City; and a niece, Susan Clark of Lake Oswego, Ore.
Her parents, a brother and a sister died earlier.
No services are scheduled for Miss Baumgartner.
William Roberts
William L. Roberts of Columbia died of a heart attack Wednesday, June 19, 2002, at University Hospital. He was 61.
Mr. Roberts was born Aug. 4, 1940, in Poplar Bluff to Willie F. and Mary Thomas Roberts.
Mr. Roberts was a member of the United Pentecostal Church in Columbia. He graduated from Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff with an associate's degree in education. He worked at Boone Hospital Center.
Mr. Roberts is survived by his mother; three sons, William L. Roberts, Jr., Maurice D. Roberts, and Enoch L. Roberts, all of Columbia; four daughters, Sheena U. Dieffenbacher, Alicia L. Roberts-Wilson, and Mattie G. Roberts, all of Columbia, and Lueveria M. Huerta of Burnsville, Minn.; one brother, Joshua Roberts of Poplar Bluff; four sisters, Ferdie Dukes of Los Angeles, Marvella McCrory and Willie Mae Martin of Poplar Bluff, and Lula Bennett of Ontario, Canada; ten grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
His father, two brothers and two sisters died earlier.
The visitation was held Saturday.
Services, conducted by the Elder R.L. Gilstrap, will be held at 3 p.m. today at the Warren Funeral Chapel, 12 E. Ash St. Burial will be at Columbia Cemetery, 30 E. Broadway.
Charles Frederick Mai
Charles Frederick Mai Sr. of Columbia died Wednesday, June 19, 2002, at Boone Hospital Center. He was 89.
Mr. Mai was born June 16, 1913, in Beaver Falls, Pa. to Fred J. and Elizabeth R. Mai. He married Betty Strong on Oct. 10, 1942, in Oak Park, Ill.
Mr. Mai graduated in 1936 from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater with a bachelor's degree in business. Mr. Mai served in World War II as a counterintelligence officer in the United States and in Europe. He obtained master's degrees in English and psychology in 1961 from Drake University in Des Moines.
Mr. Mai was a sales representative for IBM and Addressograph Multigraph Corp. After receiving his master's degrees, he was a deferred-giving specialist at Columbia College, Stephens College, the Menninger Foundation in Topeka, and the American Cancer Society.
He was an active member of the Columbia Downtown Rotary Club and served on many boards and committees at the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, and at Lenoir Retirement Community.
After his retirement, Mr. Mai pursued a successful free-lance writing career. Survivors include his wife; a son, Chuck Mai Jr., of Edmond, Okla.; and five grandchildren.
His parents and his daughter, Nancy Kreighbaum, died earlier.
Services are pending. A memorial service will be held Oct. 12 at Epple Chapel at the Lenoir Retirement Community.
Memorials are suggested to the Fellowship of John, 3612 Lenoir St., Columbia, 65201; or to First Christian Church, 101 N. Tenth St., Columbia, 65201.
Margaret Oneta Uplinger
People enjoyed being around Margaret Uplinger because she was a great listener.
She worked at Boone Realty and Remax Boone Realty for more than 20 years in real estate sales. Her husband Kenneth Uplinger said his wife's job complimented her personality, because she was excellent at listening to people's needs and meeting them. Her clients often became her friends.
Margaret Oneta Uplinger of Columbia died Friday, June 21, 2002, at University Hospital. She was 71.
While selling baking products 20 years ago, Mrs. Uplinger met one of her best friends, Louise Adkins. Adkins said Mrs. Uplinger came to her house, and they began to visit and share recipes. She said they loved giving each other flower-gardening and shopping tips. Adkins described the Uplingers as a fun-loving couple who loved to see the humor in life. "She had such a sweet smile. Her eyes would sparkle when she smiled," Adkins said. Mrs. Uplinger was involved with the Columbia Area Senior Center on Business Loop 70. Adkins said one of the fun times she and Mrs. Uplinger had was pricing items for a senior center garage sale. She said they playfully tried to sell each other clothing that was not in the other's taste.
One of Mrs. Uplinger's favorite pastimes was fishing with her husband, who she married on Feb. 27, 1964. He said they fished the big lakes in Missouri for crappie and catfish until 1997, the year Mrs. Uplinger started chemotherapy.
Mrs. Uplinger battled cancer for 28 years, but she enjoyed life in spite of the fight. Kenneth Uplinger said his wife fought leukemia for 23 years without chemotherapy and worked the whole time.
"She never dwelled on her illness. She was there to listen to others," Adkins said. Mrs. Uplinger was born Aug. 23, 1930, in Sturgeon to Otis Leon Willis and Eula May Bryson Willis.
Mrs. Uplinger is survived by her husband; four daughters, Margaret Ann McAbee of Honolulu, Hawaii, Mildred Oneta Ray of Birmingham, Ala., Susan Willis Noel of Fort Payne, Ala., and Frances H. Spangler of Columbia; four grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.
Her parents, two sisters and a brother died ealier.
Visitation for Mrs. Uplinger will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday at Nilson Funeral Home, 5611 St. Charles Road. Services, conducted by the Rev. Art Dyer, will begin at 2 p.m. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, 115 Business Loop 70 W., Columbia, Mo. 65203 or The Columbia Area Senior Center, 1121 Business Loop 70 E., Columbia, Mo. 65201.
