Ruby Mae Pearson
Ruby Mae Pearson, 72, Vacaville, Calif., died Tuesday, Aug. 31, 1999, in her home after a short illness. She was born Oct. 30, 1926, in New Hope, Pa., and had resided in Vacaville, Calif., for the past four years. She had been a school bus driver for the El Dorado Unified School District for 25 years. Survivors include her daughters, Patricia Vines of Bolivar, Becky Fiske and Vicki Lane, both of Fallon, Nev., and Sandra Adams of Vacaville, Calif.; two brothers, Robert Hess of Loomis, Calif., and Harry Hess, state of Georgia; nine grandchildren, one great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, in May 1998. No services are planned; private inurnment will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Nadeau Family Funeral Home, Vacaville, Calif.
Perry Gene Pitts
Perry Gene Pitts, 59, Porterville, Calif., died Sunday, Aug. 22, 1999, in Porterville, Calif. The son of Clester and Fae Pitts, he was born Dec. 19, 1939, in Pittsburg. He was raised in Pittsburg, and after graduating from Hermitage High School, he served in the U.S. Army Reserves. At an early age Gene found that he was gifted with the knowledge of radios. That knowledge launched a career in broadcasting, beginning with Bolivar's first radio station, KBLR. Then moving to Springfield, Gene became the chief engineer of KWTO, then KTTS and KGBX. During his time with KTTS and KGBX he also worked for Assembly of God Broadcasting. Later Gene moved to California, working for the government in broadcasting for the Voice of America. Gene enjoyed flying, and his Pittsburg neighbors will remember his air strip on the farm. As a ham radio operator he talked world-wide. Gene's greatest love was for his children and grandchildren. Gene is survived by his wife, Linda Pitts, of Portersville, Calif.; two sons, Phillip Gene Pitts, address unknown, and Jeffrey Thomas Pitts of Bakersfield, Calif.; two daughters, Jennifer Louise Redman of Dunnegan and Julie Ann Weaver and her husband, Mark, of Porterville, Calif.; five grandchildren, Faith Breanna Weaver, Rayce Allen Weaver, Jacob Blaine Redman, Jordon James Redman and Morgan Elizabeth Ragain. Also surviving are his lifelong friends Mike Husmann, Gary Harrison and Skip Bryan. As he begins his new life in heaven, WAORWR signs off to his family and friends. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 27, in Antioch Cemetery near Pittsburg with the Rev. Joe Rouse officiating. Casketbearers will be Mike Husmann, Stephen Butler, Gary Harrison, Kenny Shuler, Skip Bryan, Gene Turner Mike Moore and Carl Turner. Arrangements are under the direction of Butler Funeral Home.
John Lee Russell
John Lee Russell, 41, Bolivar, died Friday, Aug. 27, 1999, as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was born Oct. 8, 1957, in Washington to James A. and Wilma P. Sanders Russell. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Jamie and Jason Vines; his father, James A. Russell; three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Dan and Jeanie Russell, Bill and Brenda Wolf and Mike Russell; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Patsy and Jimmy Gilden, Mary and Randy Long and Debbie Russell; two grandchildren and 11 nieces and nephews, all of Bolivar. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathy, on Nov. 15, 1994, and his mother, Wilma, on Dec. 2, 1998. Services were Tuesday, Aug. 31, in Pitts Chapel with the Rev. Norman Culbertson officiating. Music was provided by Norman and Jewel Culbertson. Burial followed in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers were Junior Netherton, Greg Cooper, Frank Sullivan, Bob Stafford, Kenneth Tindle and Nick Brooks. Memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of the funeral home.
Joseph W. Ruzicka
Joseph W. Ruzicka, 70, Willard, died Saturday, Aug. 14, 1999, in his home following a long illness. He was born May 14, 1929, in Bolivar to Charles and Frances Hruska Ruzicka. On Sept. 5, 1959, he was united in marriage with Geraldine Netzer, and to this union five children were born. He served in the U.S. Air Force and was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Springfield. He was Past Grand Knight of Council No. 698, Knights of Columbus, and also a member of the fourth degree. He was employed for 36 years with Kraft Foods, during which time he also operated Joe's Greenhouse and Poultry with his family. Survivors include his wife, Geraldine, of the home; two sons, Randy Charles Ruzicka and Francis Xavier Ruzicka, of the home; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Jeanette Louise and J.T. Hale of Mountain Grove, Lillian Ann Ruzicka of the home and Elaine and Jim Farrar of Springfield; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Anthony "Tony" and Mildred Ruzicka of Brighton and Paul and Pauline Ruzicka of Thornton, Colo.; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Cecilia and Ivan Francka of Brighton and Lillie and Clarence "Bud" Grider of Bolivar; four grandchildren, Trevor Joseph Hale, Nicole Alexandria Hale, Curtis Dean Hale and Thomas Jacob Farrar; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial was Tuesday, Aug. 17, in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Springfield, with Monsignor Thomas Reidy as celebrant. Burial was in St. Wenceslaus Cemetery south of Bolivar. Arrangements were under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
Clifford E. St. Pierre
Clifford E. St. Pierre, 76, of ???? died at 5:24 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3, 1999, at St. John's Regional Health Center in Springfield.
He was born March 20, 1923 in Detroit, Mich., the son of Adolph and Thelma St. Pierre. As a young man Clifford worked as an auto body repairman and later turned his interest to underground tunnel construction. During this bout as a powderman he worked in Detroit, Baltimore, Connecticut, New York and Canada. During the war, he left his career as a powderman to work in the shipyards, then returned to his chosen path in Baltimore, Niagara Falls and then in Turkey. In 1953 he accepted a job in Alaska on the Eklutna Power Project. Then after working for a period of time in the Jonesville Coal Mines, he pulled out of construction for two years to haul mobile homes from Montana to Anchorage, Alaska, he then returned to construction. During his distinguished explosives career he worked at many remote site including; Aleutian Islands, White Alice Defense Missile Systems, and the Trans Alaska Pipeline. He always claimed Alaska as his home where he love hunting and fishing. After retiring in 1980, he moved to Missouri as a hobby farmer, where he enjoyed raising cattle, ducks, geese, and his two German shepherds. He is survived by his son William J. St. Pierre of Eagle River, Alaska; two sisters, Gladys Porter and Barbara Cecil of Foster, Okla. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and the Pioneers of Alaska. Memorial Services were Saturday, August 7, 1999 in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Pete Davidson Officiating.
Charles R. Staten
Charles R. "Short" Staten, 72, Hermitage, died Monday, Aug. 16, 1999, at his home. He had owned and operated Lightfoot Plumbing and Electrical at Hermitage for about 30 years and had previously worked for the Missouri Highway Department for 20 years. He was a World War II veteran, having served in the Airborne Division of the U.S. Army. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy June Staten, of the home; one daughter, Brenda Kay Jowers of Pittsburg; one sister, Lora Jean Duncan of Wheatland; and two grandchildren, Sarah and Nathaniel Jowers of Pittsburg. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19, at Hathaway-Peterman Funeral Home Chapel, Wheatland, with the Rev. Jeremy Hostettler and the Rev. Kent Parson officiating. Burial will follow in Antioch Cemetery, Pittsburg. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Hermitage or to Citizens Memorial Hospital Hospice.
Rexford Stewart
Rexford Stewart, 84, Springfield, died Saturday morning, Aug. 14, 1999, in Maranatha Village, Springfield. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Erma Lee Medley Stewart; three sons, one daughter, one stepson and two stepdaughters. Services will be Thursday, Aug. 19, at ????????
Dorothy W. Thames
Dorothy W. Thames, 80, Bolivar, died Friday, Aug. 27, 1999, in Parkview Health Care Facility following a short illness. She was born March 25, 1919, in Big Heart, Okla., to Chloe Elizabeth Sparks. She worked as a receptionist for a steel manufacturing company in Kansas City for many years. She was of the Catholic faith and a life member of the V.F.W. No. 9638 Auxiliary in Galmey. She is survived by her husband, James, of the home; five daughters, Kathleen Todd of Grandview, Ruth Jones of Osceola, Wilma Belew of Clinton, Ethelene Hoover of Higginsville and Mary Young of Deepwater; a sister, Betty Johnston of Reno, Nev.; as well as 24 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Kenneth Wise; and two daughters, Wanda Lackey and Donna Beebee. Private family services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
Ralph E. Tinsley
Ralph Emerson Tinsley, 85, Bolivar, died Wednesday, Aug. 18, 1999, at Citizens Memorial Health Care Facility. The son of Charles Cleveland and Florence Ella Wilson Tinsley, he was born Dec. 11, 1913, near Elkton. On March 30, 1935, he was united in marriage to Zerma Parrott, and to this union two children were born: a daughter, Marilyn JoAnn, and a son, Deryl Ralph. Zerma passed away on March 8, 1971. Ralph was then united in marriage to Wanda Cooper on Oct. 28, 1972. Ralph was saved at an early age and was a member of the Salem Missionary Baptist Church, where he attended faithfully until his health no longer permitted. Living on a farm near Flemington and later on a farm near Bolivar, Ralph spent the early part of his life farming. In 1962, Ralph and Zerma moved to Kansas City, where Ralph was employed by the Kansas City public school maintenance department. After his retirement in 1976, Ralph and Wanda moved to Weaubleau and later to their present home in Bolivar. His retirement years were spent doing some of what he loved most: gardening, yardwork, fishing and visiting with his friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Florence; his wife, Zerma; a stepmother, Lola Tinsley; three brothers, Louis, Leonard and Lawrence Tinsley; and a sister, Martha MacLaughlin. Ralph is survived by his wife, Wanda Tinsley, a daughter, Marilyn Griffin and her husband, Ray, and a son, Deryl Tinsley and his wife, Judy, all of Bolivar; two granddaughters, Julie Tinsley of Lake Ozark and Aimee Tinsley of Springfield; tow sisters, Mary Pursley of Kansas City and Elsie Cramblet of Lamar, Colo.; three stepsons, Curtis Cooper and his wife, Mary, of Mountain Home, Ark., Ronnie Cooper and his wife, Glenda, and Larry Cooper and his wife, Janie, all of Bolivar; eight step-grandchildren and 10 step-great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Lero Frazier and Lois Wilson; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Ralph will be sadly missed by his wife, family and friends. He is now at rest. Services were Saturday, Aug. 21, in Butler Funeral Home with Elder Ron Erven officiating. Casketbearers were Richard Brown, Charles Brown, Wayne Tinsley, Larry Cooper, Ronnie Cooper and Bobby Tipton. Burial was in Salem Cemetery near Cliquot.
Irl G. "Bud" Tremain
Irl G. "Bud" Tremain Jr. was born on June 18, 1925, in St. Louis, the son of prominent St. Louis physician and surgeon Dr. Irl G. Tremain Sr. and Lucy Culling Tremain. After a four-month battle with cancer, he passed away on Aug. 26, 1999, at the age of 74 years, two months and eight days. Bud attended primary and secondary schools in St. Louis, and upon graduation from high school he entered the U.S. Navy pre-med training program, but elected not to finish the program. Bud held numerous jobs before electing to return to college at Kansas State College in Pittsburg, where he obtained his undergraduate degree in biology in June 1965 at the age of 38. He continued his education at Kansas State College, and in August1968 he obtained his masters of science degree in psychology. Following his graduation from Kansas State College, Bud taught at Coffeyville Community College and later was a counselor at Norton State Hospital in Norton, Kan. In 1975 Bud moved to Polk County, where his mother had retired after the death of Dr. Tremain. For more than 20 years Bud had been a full-time investor who learned much of his skill from his mother, who was actively managing her investments until one month prior to her death at the age of 92 on Dec. 11, 1991. Bud quietly supported many charities and created scholarships at Coffeyville Community College, Pittsburg State University, Southwest Baptist University and through the Medical Excellence Fund of the Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation. To Bud's first marriage six children were born; Kerry Tremain, Russ Tremain, Richard Tremain, Roy Tremain, Diane Tremain Tobin and Lucy Tremain Johnson. After moving to Polk County, Bud met and on July 11, 1987, married Juanita Hubbell Robertson, who remained his faithful and loving companion until his death. Bud was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Juanita Tremain, of Morrisville; four sons, Kerry Tremain and his wife, Barbara, of Berkeley, Calif., Russ Tremain and his wife, Sandra, of Richmond, Calif., Richard Tremain and his wife, Carla, of Pittsburg, Kan., and Roy Tremain and his wife, Almus, of Chicago, Ill.; two daughters, Diane Tremain Tobin and her husband, Joe, of Pittsburg, Kan., and Lucy Tremain Johnson and her husband, Don, of Chesterfield; two grandchildren, Adriane and Tamara Lee, and two great-grandchildren, Austin and Andrew Fain. Services were Sunday, Aug. 29, at Butler Funeral Home Chapel. Kerry Douglas was the service leader, with remarks by Kerry Tremain, Dana Peterson and Dr. Carl Huser. Musical selections were "Always," "The Old Rugged Cross" and a bagpipe solo of "Amazing Grace," played by Ron Maupin. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery. Casketbearers were Richard Tremain, Russ Tremain, Kerry Tremain, Roy Tremain, Don Johnson and Joe Tobin. Memorial contributions may be made to CMH Hospice in care of Butler Funeral Home, P.O. Box 11, Bolivar MO 65613.
