Inez M. Humphrey
Inez Mae Humphrey, 78, Fair Play, died Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2000, in Stockton Nursing Home. The daughter of John William and Laura Sharp Robinson, she was born at Wickenburg, Ariz., July 23, 1921. She married George H. Humphrey April 4, 1942. He preceded her in death in 1969. She was employed as office administrator for Pinal County Hospital in Florence, Ariz. She was later employed in the plant department of Missouri Telephone Company. Survivors include two children, Larry Humphrey, Safford, Ariz., and Joann Condren, Fair Play; two sisters, Laura Shoecraft, Phoenix, Ariz., and Anna Meyer, Fort Collins, Colo.; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Cremation was under the direction of Murray Funeral Home. Burial will be at a later date in Nutrioso Cemetery, Nutrioso, Ariz.
Mary A. Jeter
Mary Amelia Jeter, 83, Humansville, died Saturday, Jan. 8, 2000. She was born Nov. 20, 1916, in Hebron, Neb., the eighth of nine children born to Adolph Joseph and Florence Rozanna Prentice DeWald. She married Wilton Hubert Jeter on June 29, 1938. To this union, three children were born, Wilton Hubert Jr., Bernice Jane and Beverly June. After several years of following road construction, they bought a farm near Collins, where they raised their family. They lived there until 1993, when they moved to Bolivar because of their health. In December 1997, they moved into Big Spring Care Center in Humansville. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Wilton Jeter, on May 23, 1998; her parents; four brothers, Ralph, Linus, Harold and John; and two sisters, Grace and Alice. Survivors include their three children and their spouses, Wilson Jr. and Darlene Jeter, Humansville; Bernice and Charles Barnhouse, Bolivar, and Beverly and Ralph Bond, Henley; eight grandchildren, Wilton Jeter III, Wesley Jeter, Dorilene Koehler, Judy Morrison, Mark Bond, Wyatt Jeter, Becky Hall and Jay Jeter, and their spouses; 12 great-grandchildren; and two sisters in the state of California. Services were Tuesday, Jan. 11, in Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home, Osceola, with Wilton Jeter Jr. officiating. Music was "Look at Us" and "If I Could Hear my Mother Pray Again." Pallbearers were the grandsons. Interment was in Robinson Cemetery near Collins.
Henry J. Johnson
Henry J. Johnson, 71, Humansville, died Friday, Jan. 21, 2000, in Citizens Memorial Hospital. The youngest of three children born to Henry J. and Bessie M. Johnson, he was born Sept. 14, 1928. He was baptized into the Church of Christ at an early age. He grew up in Miami, Fla., where he completed high school. He was admitted to Howard University in Washington, D.C., and after eight years he received a degree in dentistry. However, he did not pursue this profession; he preferred teaching, and for many years he was a bilingual teacher in Los Angeles, Calif. His first marriage was to Julia Moore. To this union three children were born, Sylvia, Henry Jr. and Rita. He was inducted into the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and attained the rank of sergeant. After three years he received an honorable discharge in 1953. He was married to his second wife, Julie, for more than 20 years. She preceded him in death July 29, 1996, after they moved to Humansville. His parents and his brother, Johnie, also preceded him in death. He is survived by his three children, Henry J. Johnson Jr. of San Fernando, Calif., Sylvia Sneed and Rita Johnson, both of Washington, D.C., and their mother; his sister, Mattie L. Jackson and her husband, evangelist Thomas O. Jackson of Tuskegee, Ala.; a granddaughter, Dana Sneed, attending Clark University in Atlanta, Ga.; a niece, Theresa Winters and her husband, Ray, of Humansville; a sister-in-law, Hellon, of Valdosta, Ga.; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mary and John R. Todd of Brentwood, N.Y.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Services were Tuesday, Jan. 25, in Murray Chapel, Humansville, with evangelist Thomas O. Jackson officiating. Pallbearers were Dennis Ball, Russell, Ball, Earl Ball, Tom Hoelscher, Herbert Teer and Mike Sprowls. Interment was in Humansville Cemetery.
Kenneth C. Callaway Jr.
Kenneth Charles Callaway Jr., 62, Bolivar, died at 2:03 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 6, 2000, at St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield. He was born April 3, 1937, in Poplar Bluff, the son of Kenenth Charles Sr. and LaVeda Fay Donaldson Callaway. Charles was a member of the Bolivar First Christian Church and was a past president of the Bolivar Kiwanis Club. He was very active in the Boy Scouts of America for nearly two decades, serving as Webelos leader, Cub Scout master and Scout master. He was the recipient of the Scouts' Silver Beaver Award. Charles had been active as a 4-H leader and served on the Girl Scouts' board of directors. His relaxation was fixing appliances. His most treasured times were the ones shared with his family, and he and his laugh will be missed by all. Charles was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth C. Callaway Sr; his father-in-law, Glenn Adams; his mother-in-law, Bessie Kelley; and one nephew. Surviving are his wife, Glenda L. Callaway, of the home; their two daughters and their husbands, Jackie and Pat O'Dell and their children, Kevin and Megan O'Dell of Tebbetts, and Mary Ann and John Waddelow and their children, Jacob Neal and Joshua Waddelow of Bolivar; three sons and their wives, James and Karen Callaway and their children, Amanda, Samantha and Tom Callaway of Bolivar, Kenny and Pam Callaway and their children, Eric Fite and Kenna Callaway of Salisbury and John and Pam Callaway and their children Jill, Levi, Jade and Luke Callaway of Nixa; Charles's mother, LaVeda Callaway of Bolivar; his two sisters, Evelyn Fullerton of Bolivar and Rosemary Sutton of Raytown; a cousin and her husband, Dorothy and Derald Isdell of Bolivar; a brother-in-law and his wife, Jeff and Gail Herndon; two sisters-in-law and their husbands, Sue and Drew Stevenson and Julie and Doug Hawks; his stepmother-in-law, Ruth Adams; 11 nieces and nephews and 10 great-nieces and great-nephews, as well as a host of other relatives and many friends. Services were Sunday, Jan. 9, in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. G. Scott Carlton and the Rev. Harold Hendrickson officiating. Musical soloist was David Hacker, singing "In the Garden" and "Amazing Grace" with Marge Vanvranken as pianist. Vince Gill's recording of "Go Rest High on That Mountain" was played. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery. Casketbearers were Doug Ezell, Carl Smith, Joe Mangum, Denzil Roberts, Gary Short and Kent Snodgrass. Honorary casketbearers were Bob Fullerton, Mike Midles, Jim Gardner, Lance Hutton, Lyle Garretson and Bob Lincoln. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the Boy Scouts of America.
Josephine M. Kellner
Josephine Margaret Kellner, 81, Bolivar, died Saturday, Jan. 22, 2000, at Strafford Care Center, Strafford, where she had recently been unanimously elected Resident Council president. She was born on Armistice Day, Nov. 11, 1918, in Ringgold County, Iowa, the youngest child of Joseph and Margaret Hubbert. She was preceded in death by her two older brothers, Stephen Hubbert and Frank Hubbert, local dairymen and farmers in the Karlin area. Her sister, Lillian, a retired member of the Religious Sisters of Mercy, resides in St. Louis. She attended Elfindale Girls' Academy in Springfield where she enjoyed her studies, especially French and chemistry. In 1934 she married Cyrill F. Kellner, who preceded her in death in 1986. To this union five children were born, Joanne, Dennis, Larry, Vicki and Terri. Vicki also preceded Josephine in death in 1991. To most who knew her, Josephine was a witty, articulate woman who enjoyed entertaining and visiting with others. She was a housewife and true farmer for many years before entering the workplace in retail. She was an advocate for the disabled and human rights. Josephine was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bolivar but was recently attending Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Springfield due to her change of address. In addition to her sister and a host of nieces, nephews and friends, Josephine is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Joanne and Kenneth R. Cooper of St. Louis; her son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Marge Kellner of Lawrence, Kan.; her son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Ruth Kellner of Strafford; and her youngest daughter, Terri Haines of Strafford. Also surviving Josephine are 23 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, or her "little olives," as she so enjoyed calling them at the dining table. Services will be at 10 a.m. today (Wednesday) in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bolivar, with Father Patrick Wissman presiding. Burial will follow in St. Wenceslaus (Karlin) Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bernard Francka, Dannie Hubbert, Chuck Hubbert, Peter Cooper, Perry Cooper and Terry Kellner. Arrangements are under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
John S. Lawson
John S. Lawson, 41, Willard, went home to be with his Lord at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2000. He was born to Everett and Angie Lawson on June 15, 1958, at Smithville. He was preceded in death by his father and mother and one brother, Robert Lawson. He is survived by four brothers, Everett Lawson of Billings, Gary Lawson of Kearney, Harlin Lawson of Willard and Rick Lawson of Holt; two sisters, Patricia Schwarzel of Lawson and Dixie Baker of Kearney. John was saved and was of the Baptist faith. He loved to hunt and fish and enjoyed horseback riding. John was a brother and a friend. He was more than just an uncle to his nephews; he was also their buddy. John talked of heaven often, and we think he was just kind of homesick. We are content in knowing "our loss is heaven's gain." Sadly missed but never forgotten. Graveside services were Saturday, Jan. 22, in Brighton Cemetery with the Rev. Ed Long officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
Ledra A. Lynch
Ledra Anita Lynch, 90, Visalia, Calif., died Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2000, in the Westgate Gardens Nursing home, where she had lived since December 1994. She was born Oct. 4, 1909, in Mount Ayr, Iowa, the fourth of 13 children born to Albert and Vinnie Harsh White. She came to Cedar County at the age of 12 with her parents. She was united in marriage to William "Ethmer" Lynch on May 19, 1925, in Fair Play. They moved to California in 1926, later returning to the family farm in Masters, southwest of Fair Play, in Cedar County. They made several trips back and forth to California before settling in Visalia. Her husband passed away Aug. 6, 1967. After his death, she did private nursing and retired in 1971. She did volunteer work for the senior citizens for 18 years and participated in senior plays throughout California. She was a member of the Rebekah Lodge for 30 years, having gone through all the chairs, and in 1973 was Noble Grand. She was a member of the Church of God in Visalia, Calif. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ethmer Lynch; an infant daughter; her parents; and eight brothers, Earl, Bob, Donald, who was an infant, Elvis, Luther, Marvin, who was 11 months old, Thomas and Hallie White. Her survivors include two sons, William "Bill" Lynch of Masters and James E. Lynch of Dunnegan; four daughters, Barbara Ellen Gannaway of Visalia, Calif., Belva Lee Findley of Masters, Sharyl Sue Justice of Gilmer, Texas, and Luanna Kay Leisure of San Jose, Calif.; one brother, Dorleigh White of San Luis Obispo, Calif.; three sisters, Ina Mitchell, Clarice Comstock and Marilyn Thompson, all of Visalia, Calif.; 14 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren. Services were Monday, Jan. 24, at the Miller Memorial Chapel in Visalia, Calif. Burial was in the Visalia District Cemetery.
Shirley Mae McClaren
Shirley Mae McClaren, Bolivar, died at 9:05 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, 2000, in Citizens Memorial Health Care Facility at the age of 67 years, 11 months and 19 days. She was born Feb. 11, 1932, in St. Joseph, the daughter of William Cleo and Virginia Ruth Keller McClaren. She attended schools in St. Joseph and in Atchison, Kan., and graduated from high school in Hamlin, Kan., and also from the Platte Business College. She retired after 36 years as a secretary and bookkeeper for the Missouri Water and Steam Company in St. Joseph. She and her mother moved to Bolivar in May 1996 to be nearer her brother and sister-in-law, Gene and Billie McClaren. She loved the St. Louis Cardinals, the Missouri Tigers and the Kansas City Chiefs and never missed a game if they were on television or radio. She was preceded in death by her father and by a brother, Robert. Surviving are her mother, Virginia R. McClaren, and her brother and sister-in-law, Gene and Billie McClaren, all of Bolivar; a nephew, Steven McClaren of Enid, Okla., and a niece, Denise McClaren of Seattle, Wash. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. today (Wednesday) in the Ashland Cemetery at St. Joseph with the Rev. Steven D. McClaren officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Butler Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association. (1c)
Wanita Ruth Miller
Wanita Ruth Miller, 68, Bolivar, died Sunday, Jan. 23, 2000, at Citizens Memorial Hospital. She was born July 30, 1931, in Sedalia, the daughter of Harley Samuel and Marie Josephine Keuper Arnold. She moved to Bolivar in 1948 with her parents and graduated from Bolivar High School and Southwest Baptist College. She worked as a clerk typist for the state of Missouri, retiring in 1994 when she and her husband returned to Bolivar. She was a member of the Mission Chapel Baptist Church near Elkland where she enjoyed playing the piano and the organ. She was involved in many church activities. She also enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Martin Miller of the home; a daughter and her husband, Becky and Jeff Gates of Monett; two sons and their wives, David and Tammy Miller of Aurora and Kevin and Missi Miller of Monett; five grandchildren, Micah, Caleb, Brooke, Levi and Matthew; and many other friends and relatives. Services were Tuesday, Jan. 25, in the Mission Chapel Baptist Church near Elkland with the Rev. Otis Civine and the Rev. Bill Tatom officiating. Music was provided by Connie Bowden and John Pettitt with Leona Pettitt as accompanist. Burial was in the Stever Cemetery at Elkland under the direction of Butler Funeral Home. Casketbearers were Vernon Jones, John Pettitt, Glen Potter, David Richerson, George Bowden, Ray White, Hershell Pettitt and Benny Wallace. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Mission Chapel Baptist Church, Elkland.
Albert N. Mitchell
Albert Norwood Mitchell, 76, Bolivar, died Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2000, in his home after a short illness. The son of Albert Jerome and Ethel Duncan Mitchell, he was born March 26, 1923, at Aldrich, where he grew up. He married Emma Jean Steinheauer in 1943. After his service in the U.S. Army, they made their home in Bolivar in 1955. He was a life member of Bolivar VFW Post No. 4085 and also a member of the Howard S. Keeling American Legion Post. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Ethel Mae Breshears; a great-granddaughter, Jessica Elizabeth Chandler; a brother, Jerome J. Mitchell; and two sisters, Margaret McCarty and Louise Eador. Surviving are his wife, Emma Jean Mitchell of the home; a son, Terry Leon Mitchell of Buffalo; a daughter, Sherrie Ruth Mosher of Bolivar; seven grandchildren, Bingo Breshears of Hutchison, Kan., Nick Breshears and Nancy McDowall, both of Independence, Derek Mitchell and Regina Mitchell, both of Buffalo, and Tommy Mosher of Bolivar; six great-grandchildren, Judah LaRue of North Kansas City, Savannah and Sierra Breshears of Bolivar, Matthew Chandler and Austin and Blake McDowell, all of Independence; two sisters, Martha Hensley of Bolivar and Cleora Rowan of Lawson; a brother, Donald Mitchell of Aldrich; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Services were Saturday, Jan. 22, in Murray Chapel with the Rev. Milton Hathcock officiating. Music was by Regina Mitchell, Rebecca Mitchell and Robert Queen, accompanied by Jeanne LaRue. Honorary pallbearers were Richard Gile and Randy Mosher. Pallbearers were Robert Queen, David Cook, Wayne Mitchell, Steve Mitchell, David Punch and Ricky Thompson. Military rites were conducted by the Amvets Post No. 114 Honor Guard. Interment was in Mitchell Campground Cemetery.
