Missouri, U.S., Marriage Records, 1805-2002
Gene Riggs, 76
Feb 3, 2005
Willie "Gene" Riggs was married in 1949, in Yakima, Wash. Gene and his family returned to the Ava area where they raised their two daughters, Carol and Sandy. He operated a trucking service between Springfield and Ava for several years and continued a delivery service after moving to the Springfield area. After retirement Gene enjoyed watching NASCAR, traveling, working in his yard and feeding the local birds.
Gene was also a charter member of Elks Lodge #2777 in Ozark, which he helped establish in 1992.
Gene is survived by his companion of 18 years, Roberta Hodges, of Springfield; his two daughters, Carol Hosier, Dallas, Texas, and Sandy and Richard Anglin, of San Diego, Calif.; three grandchildren, Jeff and Megan Hosier, Dallas, Texas, and Brian Anglin, of San Diego, Calif.; one brother, Ralph Riggs, of Moline, Ill.; and a sister, Maxine Johnson, also of Moline, Ill.
Gene was preceded in Cemetery
Earl Richard Otto, 82
Feb 3, 2005
Earl Richard Otto, 82, of Ava, Interment was in Park Lawn born Aug. 20, 1922, at Danvers, Ill., the son of Arthur Otto Sr. and Edna Fuller. On Oct. 26, 1946, he death by his parents; one daughter, Linda Metzke; one brother; two sisters; one granddaughter; and one great-grandchild.
Mr. Otto was an Army veteran of World War II. He was a graduate of Danvers High School and a former blacksmith with his brother, Arthur. He was an operating engineer for many years and later worked as a pipe fitter. He was a member of the Plumbers & Pipe Fitters union.
Since his retirement he and his wife spent many winters in Treasure Island, Fla. He enjoyed reading, shuffleboard, riding his bicycle and taking daily walks.
Gordon Junior Roberts, 61
Feb 3, 2005
Gordon Junior Roberts, 61, of Bruner, born Feb. 9, 1943, in Bradleyville, the son of Lewis Gordon and Bernice (Wallace) Roberts.
On Oct. 20, 1962, he and Anita Jo St. John were united in marriage.
Gordon owned and operated Gordon’s Furniture Gallery in Nixa along with his son, Darin. He enjoyed country music and sang at area community events and was a guest of the Oldfield Opry and Thursday Nite Music, in Ava.
He enjoyed gatherings which included his whole family. He took pride in his garden and yard work, and always looked forward to traveling with his wife.
Survivors include his wife, Anita Jo; three children and their spouses, Lisa and Steve Quesssenberry, Ozark, Myka and Brett Adams, Ozark, and Darin and Misha Roberts, Springfield; grandchildren, Kristen and Rick Gerard, Keli Jo Terrell and Jeremy Steele, Aly Fields, Auston Adams, and Sophie Roberts; a great-grandchild, Shelbi Jo Steele; brothers and sisters, Berdina and Bob Harris, Juanita Wisecarver, Don and Lola Roberts, Betty Koehler, Darrell Roberts, and Pauline Carson; his father-in-law, Walter St. John; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Jerry Millsap; nieces and nephews; and many friends.
He was preceded in Interment was in Sparta born. Lula was a member of the Highway Church of the Nazarene, Ava, and a member of the Happy Homemakers of Ava. She loved to quilt, and always looked forward to church trips. Lula was preceded in Interment was in the Mills Cemetery.
Austin Earl Taylor, 76
Apr 28, 2005
Austin Earl Taylor, 76, Ava, born Feb. 8, 1929, in Gradeyville, Ky., the son of Durard and Anna Lee (Coomer) Taylor. On Oct. 19, 1950, he and Opal Lois Humes were united in marriage in Argo, Ill.
Austin was a retired machinist employed by the auto industry. During retirement he enjoyed mowing the lawn, being outdoors and traveling with his wife. For relaxation he attended garage sales and auctions. He was a dedicated father, husband, and family man. He also attended the Brush Arbor Church of God, Mansfield.
Austin was preceded in passing he leaves love and confidence to his family descendants, including his wife Opal Lois; five sons, Roger Taylor and wife, Rebecca, Steve Taylor and wife, Diane, both of Ava, Vernon Taylor, of Jefferson City, Johnny Taylor, of Lake of the Ozarks, and David Taylor, Pine Bluff, Ark.; one daughter, Esther Terry, and husband, Jerry, of Ava; one brother, Dalton Taylor, of Houston, Texas; one sister, Ruth Moss, of Mars Chapel, Ky.; nine grandchildren; other extended family members and several friends.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 27, in the First General Baptist Church, under the care and direction of Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ava, with Pastor Kenneth Cowan and Pastor Tim Brubeck officiating. Burial followed in the Mt. Zion Cemetery, C/O Barnes Family Funeral Home, PO Box 65, Ava, Missouri 65608.
Michelle Marie (Huff) Ricci, 36
Jun 15, 2006
Michelle Marie (Huff) Ricci, the daughter of Michael Dwayne Huff and Sherry (Maddux) Ballew, was death by her maternal grandparents, Mary and Larry Maddox.
She is survived by her parents, Michael Dwayne Huff, Ava, and Sherry Ballew, Kansas City; four children, Zachary and Jacob Lee, Gardner, Kan., Christopher Ricci, Kansas City, and Stephanie Michelle Ricci, Shawnee, Kan.; two sisters and one brother, Melissa Thayer and Gabe Huff, both of Ava, and Jennifer Harms, San Antonio, Texas; paternal grandparents, Junior and Marie Huff, Ava; and a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 10, in the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ LDS, Ava, with Elder R.J. Mendel officiating. Cemetery. Visitation was Friday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava. Services were under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home Ava.
Billy J. Epps, 70
Aug 21, 2008
Billy J. Epps, 70, of Springfield, born on Dec. 27, 1937, at Goodhope, Mo., the son of Lester B. and Hattie A. (Whetsten) Epps.
Billy graduated from Ava High School and School of the Ozarks Junior College. He retired from Cox Health in November 1997 after 37 years of service.
On Aug. 26, 1977, he was united in marriage to Kay L. Pope, in Springfield. He had been a member of the Masons and Abou Ben Adhem Shrine. He was of the Baptist faith.
Billy was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Kenneth Epps and Lester Eugene Epps.
He is survived by his wife, Kay L. Epps, of the home, Springfield; his mother-in-law, Burnice Pope; a son, Paul Epps and Linda Ingerly; a daughter, Susan Turner and husband, Mark, of Henlo, England; a stepson Bryan Scrivener; two granddaughters, Madison Turner and Skye Turner; a brother, Carl Epps and wife, Marjorie, Odessa, Texas; two sisters, Thelma Barker and husband Dudley, of Kansas City, and Betty Moore, Ava; numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and other relatives and close friends.
A memorial service was held in Greenlawn Funeral Home North at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20.
