Charles W. Barker
Charles W. Barker, 81, Joplin, died at 2:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 14, 1999, at St. John's Regional Medical Center. He was born June 17, 1918, in Fair Play to Frank W. and Lillian Jane Slater Barker. He graduated from Fair Play High School and received a B.S. in business administration from the University of Missouri, Columbia, in 1939. He was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. From 1941 to 1946, he served in the U.S. Navy as commanding officer of minesweepers in the Pacific Ocean. In 1942, he married Earlene Glenn (Pat) O'Flaherty, who preceded him in death in 1961. He was president of Ellis Wholesale Drug Co. of Joplin from 1946 to 1955. He was then owner and president of Joplin Transfer and Storage Co., which was affiliated with Mayflower Moving and Storage. He was a member of the former Joplin Club and Rotary Club. He was also a charter member of Twin Hills Golf and Country Club. In 1966 he was married to Betty Meredith, who survives of the home. Other survivors include his sister, Betty Barker Jackson of Joplin; his daughter, Sally Barker Purvis of Atlanta, Ga., and three grandsons, David Purvis of Atlanta, Ga., and Stephen Purvis of Norwalk, Conn.; three stepdaughters, Janet Davis of Tulsa, Okla., Carol Meunnig and Laura Vinyard, both of Joplin; four step-granddaughters, Carey Davis of Phoenix, Ariz., Cebelle Scott of Tulsa, Okla., Beth DeBonis of Littleton, Colo., and Katy Davis of Tulsa, Okla.; three step-great-grandsons, Ossie Martindale of Phoenix, Ariz., Ian Scott of Tulsa, Okla., and David Debonis of Littleton, Colo. The body was cremated and a family service was held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rotary Community Fund Endowment, Rotary Club of Joplin, PO Box 1771, Joplin, MO 64802.
Ottavia B. Barrett
Ottavia B. Barrett, 74, Weaubleau, formerly of Kansas City, died Sunday, Nov. 15 at 4:07 p.m. in St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield. The daughter of Herbert and Nellie Breshears Mezzacasa, she was born April 16, 1924, at Houston. She worked for 15 years at Wolfermann's in Kansas City as a cake decorator. She was a member of Eastside Assembly of God in Kansas City. Survivors include seven children, Joe Freeland of Ava, David Jordan of Blue Springs, Darlene Leas of Kansas City, Nellie Cox of Weaubleau, Ottavia Carter of Lone Jack, Sandra Marsh of Independence and Carol Cooper of Flemington; two brothers, Joe Mezzacasa of Kansas City and Nelson Mezzacasa of Weaubleau; 17 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Delmar Freeland, and two grandchildren. Services will be 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) in Murray Funeral Home, Bolivar. Burial will be in Robinson Cemetery west of Weaubleau.
Ray Beebe
Cecil Ray Beebe, 69, Humansville, died Thursday, Nov. 4, 1999, in St. John's Regional Health Center.
The son of Cecil and Roma Moorman Beebe, he was born Dec. 22, 1929.
He was a retired court reporter, having worked for many years in American Samoa and Honolulu, Hawaii.
Survivors include his mother, Roma Beebe, of Humansville and three children, Lynn Cole of Santa Cruz, Calif., David McAninch of Kansas City and Joe Beebe of Seattle, Wash.
No services are planned.
Cremation was under the direction of Murray Funeral Home.
Louise F. Butler
Louise F. Butler, 62, Buffalo, died at 2:50 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 7, 1999, at St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield.
She was a home health care worker.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, at the Bolivar Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home North, Springfield.
Michael A. Cable
Michael Allen Cable, 53, Humansville, died Tuesday, Nov. 2, 1999, at his place of employment in Bolivar. The son of James and Vada Parsons Cable, he was born at Freedom, Okla., July 14, 1946. A resident of Humansville since April, he formerly lived at Fair Play. He was employed by D & K Automotive in Bolivar. He was a U. S. Navy veteran. Surviving are his wife, Vickie, of the home; two sons, Kenneth Michael Cable, Urbana, and Shane Baker, of the home; his mother and stepfather, Vada and Ed Brady, Houston, Texas; two brothers, Tony Cable, Ulum, Texas, and Perry Cable, Brenham, Texas; and two grandchildren, Kenneth Ray Cable and Rhader Lee Cable. Services were Friday, Nov. 5, in Murray Chapel, Humansville, with the Rev. Joe Rouse officiating. Pallbearers were Gary Clark, Robert Winger, Matt Routh, Steve Hornbeck, Terry Griffin and Dennis Mauck. Interment was in Shady Grove Cemetery south of Fair Play.
Ira J. Carroll
Ira James Carroll, 85, Half Way, formerly of the Goodson community, died at 12:50 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, 1999, in Citizens Memorial Hospital following a short illness. He was born Aug. 1, 1914, in Goodson to Will and Ida Elizabeth Rush Carroll. He was a farmer and a member of Lindley Creek Church. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Fred and Gentry Carroll. Survivors include numerous nieces and nephews. Services were Monday, Nov. 15, in Pitts Chapel with Bro. Joe Spear officiating. Burial followed in Lindley Creek Cemetery. Pallbearers were Jarrett Black, Brad Farmer, Wayne Gladden, Larry Bays, John Greer and Mike Greer.
Shirley Sue Cates
Shirley Sue Cates, 45, Rogersville, formerly of Bolivar, died at 4:25 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 9, 1999, at Cox Medical Center South, Springfield. Shirley was born on July 20, 1954, in Springfield, the daughter of N.C. "Smokey" Cates and Faye Crafton Cates. The family moved to Bolivar when Shirley was young, and she graduated from Bolivar High School in 1972. Shirley was saved at home at the age of 9 years and was later baptized into Goodson Missionary Baptist Church. She was a member of Lighthouse Missionary Baptist Church in Bolivar from 1981 until her death. Shirley was employed at Southwest Trucking Co. in Springfield for the last two years and prior to that worked at Bill Roberts Chevrolet for six years. She was preceded in death by her father, N.C. "Smokey" Cates. She is survived by her mother, Faye Cates, Bolivar; her sister, Rhonda Vote and her husband, Jerry, Bolivar; a half-brother Larry Dixon of Twin Falls, Idaho; two half-sisters, Teresa Culver of Twin Falls, Idaho, and Margaret Hedges of Richland, Wash.; her nephew, Todd Craigmyle and his wife, Tammy; her niece, Heather Bradt and her husband, Howard; one great-nephew, Tiler Craigmyle; one great-niece, Brandalyn Lou Bradt; and many more family and friends. Services were Saturday, Nov. 13, in Butler Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Jim Bybee and Bro. Doyle Mayfield officiating. Music was provided by the Lighthouse Missionary Baptist Church choir and soloists Rhonda Vote and Julie Julien with Julie Julien as pianist. Burial was in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery east of Bolivar. Casketbearers were Todd Craigmyle, Howard Bradt, Rick Hagar, Ray Gann, Elvin Foster and Jeff Julien. God granted Shirley's wish to "go home." Hallelujah!
Jim W. Chaney
Jim West Chaney, 77, Bolivar, died Wednesday, Nov. 10, 1999, at Citizens Memorial Hospital. He was born Feb. 23, 1922, at Hermitage, the son of Orel H. and Emma Parkhurst Chaney. He married Margaret DeMotte on June 4, 1948. Jim had lived most of his life in the Hickory County area as a farmer and laborer until five years ago when he moved to Bolivar. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving in World War II. He was a member of the Wheatland Christian Church, where he had served as an elder and as superintendent for 20 years. He was a member of the Hogles Creek Masonic Lodge No. 279 and a charter member of the Galmey V.F.W. Post No. 9638. Jim was a wonderful man. He was always friendly, outgoing, pleasant and truthful--perhaps a bit ornery. But he didn't know a stranger. He accepted people quickly. He didn't have to buy his way with people. He made you feel like a friend. He never said anything bad about anyone. He always looked for the good in people. He did a lot of things for others. He never ever questioned them. And he didn't do them because he expected anything back. He wouldn't say a word even if someone owed him. He never had an enemy. Everybody loved him. Jim liked to "cut up." He had a wonderful sense of humor and a great skill for telling funny stories and jokes. I often told him he reminded me of Santas Claus, with little hair and a big belly and an even larger countenance. He always had a big smile or a huge grin upon his face. I guess I'd describe Jim as a dedicated Christian man, so overflowing with goodness and so full of jollyness. That's what made him unique and distinct from most men. And for that I appreciated him so! He was a good father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Jim was a man who loved his family. He loved children. And he enjoyed watching the stars. He loved farming. That was his life. And as his family has said, He was a loving and good husband. He was always good to me. He was my best friend. He was the most wonderful dad there ever was. One thing Jim liked to say, and quite often, was "Live life one day at a time and to its fullest." And that's just what he did. He was someone I'll never forget. He'll surely be missed. Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Margaret Chaney, of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Pamela and Roy Houseman of Liberty and Becky and Frank Honn of Raymore; one son and daughter-in-law, Frank and Pat Chaney of Humansville; two brothers, Lige Chaney of Flemington and Bert Chaney of Wheatland; six grandchildren, Frank Lee and Jim Honn, Tommy and Angi Jordan, Allison Mixon and Jade Chaney; and four great-grandchildren, Ashleigh, Amanda and Jennifer Jordan and Drake Honn; as well as many other relatives, friends and neighbors. Services were Saturday, Nov. 13, at Hathaway-Peterman Funeral Home Chapel, Wheatland, with the Rev. Ernest Foltz and the Rev. Scott Carlton officiating. Burial was in Dooly Bend Cemetery with military rites by the Galmey V.F.W. Post No. 9638. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wheatland Christian Church, CMH Hospice or the First Christian Church, Bolivar.
Dean Credille
Dean Credille, 75, Bolivar, died at 5:40 a.m. Friday, Nov. 19, 1999, in Parkview Health Care Facility following a lengthy illness. She was born Oct. 8, 1924, to Foster and Lena Clanton Anders in Mineola, Texas. She was a former switchboard operator for Southwest Baptist University and had been a sales clerk at Wal-Mart. She was a member of First Baptist Church and their Women's M.U. group as well as the SBU Women's Club. Survivors include her husband, Lynn, of the home; three sons and daughters-in-law, John and Ronda Credille of Bolivar, David and Minka Credille of Cedarhill, Texas, and Brian and Rose Credille of Surabaya, Indonesia; a brother, Royce Anders of Plano, Texas; three sisters, Lonnie Vessels of Dallas, Texas, Martha Yates of Rosenburg, Texas, and Wanda Sprouse of Plano, Texas; as well as eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Services were Sunday, Nov. 21, in Pitts Chapel with burial following in Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lynn and Dean Credille Scholarship Fund in care of the SBU Advancement Office.
Elva Mae Dobbins
Elva Mae Dobbins went home to be with Jesus on Saturday, Nov. 20, 1999, at the age of 95 years, 4 months and 24 days, at Citizens Memorial Hospital after a short illness. She was born June 27, 1904, at Eudora, the daughter of Fred Blaine and Mary McKenzie McDonald. Her mother passed away when she was eight months old, and she was then adopted by Dee and Molly Dickerson, who raised her as their own. Elva was saved at an early age and was a faithful member of the Pleasant Ridge Missionary Baptist Church as long as her health let her. She was a devoted Christian who loved the Lord with all of her heart. Her life was an inspiration to her family and many friends. She was united in marriage to Charley Young on Dec. 24, 1922. To this union were born two daughters, Mary Catherine and Wilda Charlene. Charley passed away on Nov. 11, 1958. On Sept. 15, 1963, Elva was married to Joe Glenn Dobbins; he had one daughter, Marilyn Holman. They lived in Bolivar for several years. Glenn passed away Feb. 6, 1979. After Elva became ill, one thing she really missed was going to the Senior Center; she loved the people there. She enjoyed going to the Polk County Singing every month, and she loved gospel music. She went to church as long as she was able. The blind center tapes were a great help to her. The grandchildren always said, "you didn't have to wonder what 'Mom' thought, she would speak right out and tell them!" "Mom" also enjoyed going to Eudora Church on special occasions and really enjoyed the church tapes. Elva was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands; one sister, Dora Stiles; and one brother, Delbert McDonald. Surviving are her two daughters and their husbands, Mary Catherine and Eldon Neill of Stockton and Charlene and Kent Morgan of Fair Play; her stepdaughter and husband, Marilyn and Lee Allen Holman of Walnut Grove; five grandchildren, Janice Barnholtz, Carolyn Akins, David Neill, Kevin Morgan and Penny Fraser; three step-grandchildren, Rickie, Tony and Deana Holman; 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter; one nephew, Ed Stiles of Aldrich; and several other relatives and many friends. Services were Monday, Nov. 22, in Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Lon Killingsworth officiating. Musical soloist was Bob Lowery with Vicki Killingsworth as pianist. Burial was in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery south of Aldrich. Casketbearers were David Neill, Kevin Morgan, Rickie Holman, Tony Holman, Jerry Akins and Pati Fraser.
Your gentle face and patient smile
With sadness we recall.
You had a kindly word for each
And you died beloved by all.
The voice is mute and stilled the heart
That loved us well and true.
Oh, bitter was the trial to part
From one so good as you.
You are not forgotten, loved one
Nor will you ever be,
As long as life and memory last
We will remember thee.
We miss you more, our hearts are sore,
As time goes by we miss you more.
Your loving smile, your gentle face
No one can fill your vacant place.
