Missouri, U.S., Marriage Records, 1805-2002
Clara E. Bratton
Clara Estelle Bratton, 72, died Jan. 22, 2006, at Poplar Bluff, Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo.
She was born March 4, 1933, in Taskee, Mo., daughter of the late Paul and Mabel (Harris) Sheridan.
She was united in marriage to William Monroe Bratton March 25, 1975, and he preceded her in death Oct. 20, 1995.
Mrs. Bratton was a member of the Williamsville United Methodist Church and Piedmont Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #347. She was a homemaker.
She is survived by two sons, William "Bill" Monroe (Susan) Bratton Jr., Savannah, Ga., Gary Bratton, Williamsville; four daughters, Ellen (Michael) Hillis, Sharon Bratton, Carol, (Dennis) Marler, all of Williamsville, Nancy (Willis) Strange, Wapella, Ill.; 19 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one son, Bradley Wayne Allen, two brothers, Paul Lavon and John Clinton Sheridan, one sister, Laverta Louise Pracht.
The funeral was held Jan. 25 at Ruegg Funeral Home, Williamsville, with Rev. Kent Wilfong officiating. and music by Josh Smith, Rev. Kent and Susan Wilfong. An Eastern Star service was held Jan. 24.
Pallbearers were Tyler Marler, Denny Marler, Jason, Josh, Wesley and Billy Bratton. Burial was in Harmon Cemetery.
Oscar F. Skaggs
Oscar Franklin Skaggs, 84, died Jan. 16, 2006, at St. John's Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, Mo.
He was born July 16, 1921, in Buckhorn, Mo., son of the late Doner and Nannie (Johnson) Skaggs.
He was united in marriage to Shirley Rae Gamble, and she survives, residing in Piedmont.
Mr. Skaggs had worked for the Alaska Pipeline as a heavy equipment engineer.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, Dale Skaggs, Dittmer; two daughters, Nola Melugin, High Ridge, Mary Covert, Villa Ridge; five brothers Clint, Clarence, Roscoe, Raymond and John Paul Skaggs; three sisters, Bonnie Carmack, Mamie Davis, Hazel Gowen; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson.
The funeral was held Jan. 19 at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont, with Rev. Mark McMullin officiating and music by Angela King, Kelly Smith, Jessica Brown, Jimmy Carmack and Darrin Brown.
Pallbearers were Chris, Benny, Jonathan and Dwayne Skaggs, Jeff Gowen, Leroy Brown and Mike King. Burial was in Murphy Cemetery, Piedmont.
Nora J. Meador
Nora J. Meador, 91, died March 5, 2006, at Madison Memorial Hospital in Fredericktown, Mo.
She was born Oct. 1, 1914, in Piedmont, Mo., daughter of the late Edward and Catherine (Faulkner) Absheer.
She was united in marriage to William T. Meador Feb. 8, 1977, and he preceded her in death Aug. 31, 1986.
Mrs. Meador enjoyed quilting and her family. She had worked at the shoe factory in Piedmont and was a member of the Piedmont United Baptist Church. She could name all of her grandchildren, loved them and prayed for them each day. She gave her daughters the same middle name to show she loved them both the same.
She is survived by her two daughters, Norma Jean "Jeannie" (Warren) Landing, Donna Jean (Jerry) Watson, all of Piedmont; seven grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren and 23 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Roy and Alva Absheer, and one sister, Lottie Haggett.
The funeral was held March 7 at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont, with Rev. Jack Ruble and Rev. Darrel Silvy officiating. Music was provided by Glendell Twidwell and Jeanette Turnbough.
Pallbearers were James H., Jim C., Norman, Randy and Chris Ferguson and Jamie Bell. Burial was in Rockwell Cemetery, Patterson.
Lawrence D. Freukes
Lawrence D. Freukes, 82, died March 4, 2006, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo.
He was born Nov. 4, 1923, in St. Louis, Mo., son of the late Edward and Elizabeth (Trimberger) Freukes.
He married Loraine Wooliver September 1948, and they were married for 28 years. He was united in marriage to Betty Mullins in 1980, and she preceded him in death Nov. 10, 2002.
Mr. Freukes entered the U.S. Navy Oct. 17, 1941, at the age of 17. He was stationed at Pearl Harbor during WWII. He was awarded the American Defense, American Theatre, Asiatic Pacific seven stars, Philippine Liberation one star, Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal; and he was authorized to wear the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon for his time on the USS St. Louis for outstanding heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces during three different encounters from 1943-1945.
He made his living as a boiler repairman for the Civil Defense MAP. He was a member of the Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Louis.
He is survived by two sons, Lawrence D. Freukes Jr., Imperial, Billy Robbins, Parma, Idaho; four daughters, Patricia Freukes, Janice Joseph, both of Arnold, Theresa Rhodes, Parma, Idaho, Kimmie Robbins, Virginia; half-brother, Robert Freukes, Cahokia, Ill.; 25 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a special nephew, Michael Mansfield, who called him Uncle Fuzz.
Preceding him in death were one son, Richard D. Freukes, April 15, 2000, and one brother, Edward Freukes.
The graveside service was held March 7 at Greenville Cemetery with Rev. Louie Robinson officiating. Pallbearers were Lawrence Freukes Jr., Billy Robbins, Edward Joseph, Michael Mansfield, Richard Freukes Jr. and Jerry Rhodes. Honorary pallbearer was Jerry Pennington. Military honors were provided by the Southeast Missouri-Columbia in 1944. She taught commercial subjects in the Patterson High School during the 1945-46 school year. She joined her husband as owner/operator of Luna Hardware and Auto Supplies in 1946 and continued for 44 years. They also had business interests in Piedmont Furniture and Hardware, and she was a director of the Bank of Piedmont.
She became a member of the Piedmont United Methodist Church July 1, 1945, where she taught Sunday school and served as pianist for many years.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by one daughter, Elizabeth "Beth" (Alonzo Ross) Luna, Shrewsbury, Mass.; one son, William "Bill" Jr. (Jane Sheridan) Luna, Seattle, Wash.; one grandson, William A. Luna.
The funeral was held March 3 at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont, with Rev. W. Michael Colo., Melba Brinkley, Piedmont, Corrine "Tootsy" Collins, St. Charles, Glenda Green , Moberly.
The funeral was held Sept. 16 at The Baptist Home with Gerald Collier giving prayer and reading scripture and J.W. Hicks delivering the eulogy.
Donald R. Austin
Donald R. Austin, 67, died Oct. 20, 2004, at his home in Williamsville, Mo.
He was born Dec. 5, 1936, in Fort Sumner, N.M., son of the late Leonard and Mary (Meyers) Austin.
He was united in marriage to Darlene Lindgren June 2, 1984, and she survives, residing in Williamsville.
Mr. Austin was a member of Cool Springs Baptist Church in Williamsville, where he served as a trustee and a Sunday school teacher. He was a carpenter and a veteran of the U.S. Army. He belonged to the Carpenters Union and the National Rifle Association. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, Steve Austin, Sacramento, Texas, Carolyn Abel, Poplar Bluff, Christy Holmberg, Vista, Calif., Trisa Austin, Winsor, Calf.; three brothers, Jack Austin, Lubbock, Calif., Larry Austin, Goleta, Calif.; stepmother, Bessie Austin, Ventura, Washington, Harland (Fern) Foster , Pacific, Dale (Michelle) Foster , Ballwin; two daughters, Mildred (Walter) Eads, St. Louis, Connie (Artie Jr.) Sanders, Piedmont; 16 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren.
The funeral was held Oct. 22 at Cunningham-Millard-Cantrell Funeral Home, Eureka, with Rev. Jerry Cuneio officiating. Burial was in St. Bridget Cemetery with full military honors.
