Missouri, U.S., Marriage Records, 1805-2002
Richard G. Strasser, 82
May 19, 2005
Richard G. “Uncle Rich” Strasser, 82, of Ava, born Jan. 27, 1923, in St. Louis, the son of Otto and Grace (Stebel) Strasser. He worked for the CCC camps during World War II in St. Louis, helping build the park systems and working in the construction of the St. Louis Arch. He was also a journeyman electrician and pipe fitter.
He finally made his career as a custodian for the Normandy School District in St. Louis, and retired after 30 years. He had many hobbies which included having fun with all of his nieces and nephews.
Richard never death by his parents and brothers, Louis and Gene, and one brother who Cemetery in St. Louis.
Herbert G. "Jake" Jacobs, 81
Jul 7, 2005
Herbert G. "Jake" Jacobs, the son of Richard Jacobs and Irene Belle (Lay) Jacobs, was passed away on July 5, 2005, in his home in Springfield, at the age of 81.
Jake was a resident of Springfield for a year and a half moving from Ava.
Prior to moving to Ava, he resided in St. Louis County for 50 years. He was employed as a supervisor and carpenter, building both commercial and residential buildings before he retired. Jake served his country during World War II with the U.S. Army. He served two tours, a total of seven years.
Jake was a member of the Seminole Baptist Temple in Springfield, and while living in Ava attended the First General Baptist Church.
On July 20, 1945, Jake and Ruth Kirby were united in marriage and to this union five children were death.
On March 10, 1999, Jake and Virginia B. (Proctor) Andrews were united in marriage in Harrison, Ark.
Preceding Jake in Cemetery in St. Louis, with Rev. Kurt Calkins officiating, with full military honors.
Memorials can be made to the American Heart Association or American Cancer Society. Services are being conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava.
Margaret L. Gastineau, 84
Jul 14, 2005
Margaret Lois Gastineau, the daughter of Steve McHolland and Nellie Haskins McHolland, was passed away on July 6, 2005, in Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center, Ava, at the age of 84.
Margaret was a lifelong resident of Ava. On June 30, 1946, Margaret and Richard Lee “Dick” Gastineau were united in marriage in Ava, and to this union two children were death by her parents, one brother, Forrest McHolland, and her husband, Richard.
Margaret is survived by a daughter, Karen Chronister and husband, Buddy, Ava; one son, Lyle Gastineau, of Kentucky; two grandsons, Scott Gastineau and Steven Giovanni and wife, Valerie; one great-grandchild, Antonio; and other relatives and friends.
Graveside service was held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 9, in the Ava born Nov. 24, 1931, in Oklahoma, the daughter of Gid and Ida Rogers Bice. She departed this life on Dec. 31, 2004, at the age of 73. Leola lived most of her life in the Ava area. She Interment was in Huffman born September 16, 1925, in Ava.
Wayne was a retired truck driver. He enjoyed farming and logging. He was a father, grandfather and great-grandfather who will be missed by many.
Survivors include five children, Cynthia K. Smith, Chillicothe, Saundra Downey, Atchison, Kansas, Delores Cammack, Plano, Texas, Betsy Fox, Kansas City, and Jim Moody, Springfield; 10 grandchildren, including Emilie Jane Lynn Smith and Traci Ann Badovinatz; four great-grandchildren; three sisters, Wanda, Jackie and Ailene; three brothers, Norman, Dale and Frank Archer; and many others who knew him as Dad and Grandpa.
He was preceded in Cemetery.
Elda Norman Callaway, 99
Jul 28, 2005
Elda Norman Callaway was married and until 1937 they lived in Independence, Kans., Covington, Okla., and Chanute, Kans., while Ben worked for Long Bell Lumber Company as assistant manager and manager. In 1937, they moved to Ava to be near her parents after her sister Reba's died and Elda and Ben's family expanded to include her father, Dr. Norman, and Reba's son, Bob Crain.
Elda spent the 1940's and 1950's being wife, mother, and "helper" in her father's medical practice after he lost his vision. She did all the ordinary household work and also canned produce from her father's farm, sewed (this was to become one of her favorite pastimes, and she was an excellent seamstress) and found time to be active in various clubs - Fortnightly, Chapter IH P.E.O. of which she was a charter member, Art Club and bridge groups, along with supporting the many civic groups in which Ben was active.
All this while including the usual school activities of Bob, Mac and Cynthia. The Callaway household expanded during the years to include Ben's mother for extended visits and his aunt, Lena Brown, who lived with Elda and Ben before she entered the nursing home in Ava. Elda was a very busy lady.
In the years since the family left home, Elda found a new hobby, working in the yard with her flowers. After Ben's death by her parents, Dr. R. M. and Lissie Norman; sister, Reba Crain; husband, Ben Callaway; and son, Mac Callaway.
She is survived by her daughter-in-law, JoEtta (Whitacre) Callaway, of Springfield, Mo.; her daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia and Art Farnham, of Wichita, Kans.; their son, David Farnham (Debbie) and son, Gabe, of Wichita, Kans., and their son, John Farnham, of San Francisco, Calif.; her nephew and his wife, Bob and Deloris Crain, of Ava, and their daughter, Leigh Heriford (Randy) and Adam, Cody and Olivia Heriford.
Services were held Wednesday, July 27, at 10 a.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with the Revs. Oren Alcorn and Greg Dowler officiating. Cemetery. A visitation was held in the family home on Tuesday evening. Family requests memorials to be made to the Douglas County Historical Museum or Ava United Methodist Church.
