Dottye Bennett David, a resident of Kirkwood, died Monday, Dec. 2, 2002. She was 78 years old.
Ms. Bennett, a popular singer and St. Louis television personality, began her career at the age of 14. Born in St. Louis, she attended Cleveland High School and sang in local establishments like Steve Cady's restaurant and Wohl's Bar in downtown St. Louis.
As a teenager, Ms. Bennett furthered her singing career by joining a live radio program, broadcast from KSD Radio. While performing at KSD, she met and married John Baker, a trumpet player. The two wed in 1943, but later divorced. Mr. Baker died in 1988.
Ms. Bennett made her first television appearance on KSD-TV (now KSDK) in 1947, working with pianist and orchestra leader Russ David. In 1948, she co-hosted Union Electric's "Telequiz Calls" with Harry Gibbs. In 1957 she married Curt Ray, also a broadcast entertainer. The couple co-hosted a show on KMOX Radio, followed by "Good Morning St. Louis" on KMOX-TV. Mr. Ray died in 1981.
Ms. Bennett's career at KMOX-TV included hosting a children's newscast. After the program was cancelled in 1967, she worked as a doctor's office receptionist, then studied nursing at St. Louis Community College-Meramec. She later worked as a school nurse for the Parkway School District.
Over they years, Ms. Bennett had kept in touch with Russ David. In 1984, she joined him for a Variety Club Telethon, and in 1994 they married. The couple continued to perform together around St. Louis.
Ms. Bennett is survived by her husband; her children, Vicki Gubany of Ellisville and John Baker of San Francisco, Calif.; and four grandchildren.
A memorial service was held Dec. 8 at Webster Groves Christian Church; the body was cremated. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Louis affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 410975, St. Louis, Mo., 63141.
Douglas Courtland Davis, retired commander with the United States Navy and former Webster Groves resident, died Monday, Oct. 28, 2002. He was 84 years old, and lived in Benicia, Calif. at the time of his death.
Cmdr. Davis was born in Hillsboro, Mo. He was a 28-year veteran of the United States Navy from 1939 to 1967, including both World War II and the Korean War. He was a resident of Webster Groves when he entered active service.
He fought during the attack on Pearl Harbor and played a key role as a pilot in the Battle of Midway. His military decorations include the Navy Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart and Navy Commendation Medal.
Cmdr. Davis was a member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, V.F.W., Retired Officers Association, PBY Catalina Association and the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum. He was a former member of the American Legion.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Nancy Davis; daughters Michelle McDonogh, Louise Rummel, Carmel Tosaki and Lisa Solook; sons Anthony Davis and Keith Davis; sister Mildred Kunce of Kirkwood; and 16 grandchildren.
Burial with full military honors was held in Pilgrim's Rest Cemetery in Ware, Mo. Memorial donations may be made to Aircraft Carrier Hornet Foundation, P.O. Box 460, Alameda, Calif., 94501; USS-Hornet.org.
de France Crosby Davison, a lifelong Kirkwood resident, died Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2002. She was 80 years old.
Mrs. Davison was a member of the Kirkwood Historical Society and Grace Episcopal Church in Kirkwood, where she was active in the Altar Guild and served as wedding coordinator.
Mrs. Davison was preceded in death by her husband, John H. Davison. She is survived by her son, T. Polk (Jan) Davison; a daughter, Kate (John) Ives; a brother, N. Dana (Harriet) Crosby; grandchildren David (Stacie) Lipscomb and Erin Davison; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held Oct. 23 at Bopp Chapel in Kirkwood, with funeral services Oct. 24 at Grace Episcopal Church. Private burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on Oct. 25.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Kirkwood Historical Society, P.O. Box 3702, Kirkwood, 63122 or Unity Health Hospice, 1000 Des Peres Road, St. Louis, 63131.
Jeanne L. Dennis of Kirkwood died Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2002.
Mrs. Dennis attended Ursuline Academy and Webster College. She was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Kirkwood and the Catholic Daughters of America.
She was the wife of William E. Dennis; mother of David Dennis, Ruth Dennis and Richard Schattman, and Bill M. and Minerva Dennis; grandmother of Rachel and Caitlin Schattman, Matthew and Frank Dennis, and Bobby and Lazaro Lozano; great-grandmother of Krystal Lozano; and sister-in-law of Edna May Cardwell and Bernice Dennis.
She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Jeanne Renee Dennis; a brother, James Devaney; sister- and brothers-in-law Olivette (Dennis) Devaney, William and Pauline (Dennis) Young; Clarence Dennis, Frank W. and Mildred Dennis, August Dennis and Melvin Cardwell.
A funeral Mass was held Nov. 23 at Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Webster Groves. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one's choice or to Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital.
Bette Digby, 78, died peacefully in her home in Ashland, Wisc., on June 7. She was a former Kirkwood resident.
She is survived by nine children, 15 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, two sisters, nieces, nephews, friends and a very old Border Collie.
She returned to her hometown following the death of her husband, Noel, in 1975.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 6, at 1 p.m. at Victory Fellowship, 9820 E. Watson Road.
Rosemary Agnes Dietz, of Webster Groves, died Sunday, March 17, 2002. She was 72.
Mrs. Dietz was the dear wife of the late Robert Louis Dietz; mother of Richard (Michelle) Dietz, James (Danette) Dietz, Nancy (the late James) Krawiecki, Thomas (Mary) Dietz, Judy (Steve) Stark, Michael (Kevin Morris) Dietz and the late Carol (Ed) Ferder; grandmother of Christine, Jason, Timothy, Jennifer, Anthony, Matthew, Theodore, Jacqueline, Stephen, Robert, Jeffrey and Kevin; great-grandmother to Steven.
Interment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Village of the Blue Rose, a community for special adults, 12533 Hwy. 79, Clarksville, Mo., 63336.
Louis Dinzebach, a 48-year resident of Webster Groves, died Saturday, Aug. 17, 2002. He was 80 years old.
Mr. Dinzebach was born Jan. 9, 1922 and attended Mason Elementary School and Southwest High School, graduating from Hadley Technical School in 1940. For the next two years, he worked as a printer for Bechtold Book Binding.
From 1942 to 1945, Mr. Dinzebach was in the employ of the United States Navy, working at Mare Island Naval Base on the Ship Recovery Unit (S.R.U.). After the war, he returned to his printing job.
Beginning in 1950, Mr. Dinzebach worked in sales for the Harry Meyer Beauty Supply Company. From there he went on to hold management positions with Sears Roebuck and Company and Swope Shoes.
In 1974, Mr. Dinzebach began an 18-year career with Washington University in the Department of Physical Facilities, where he served as director. He retired from that position in 1993. He also worked part-time for the Clean Tech Company from 1979-2001.
Mr. Dinzebach is survived by his wife Betty (nee Chora), and his two daughters, Debbie Dinzebach-Dietiker and Judy Rayborn. He has one sister who lives in California. He was preceded in death by his son, David.
Mr. Dinzebach was a grandfather, uncle, great uncle and great-great-uncle. He loved boats and sports, his favorite team being the St. Louis Cardinals.
Visitation was held Tuesday, Aug. 20, at Gerber Chapel in Webster Groves. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Aug. 21, with interment at New St. Marcus Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Carroll E. Maas of Webster Groves died Thursday, Oct. 23, 2003.
Mr. Maas was the husband of Vera Maas, and the father of Charles and Joseph Maas. He was the son of the late Charles F. Maas and Elizabeth Kutz.
Funeral services were held Oct. 27, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Webster Groves. Interment, Memorial Park, Normandy, Mo. Arrangements by Gerber Chapel, Webster Groves.
James Charles Marden, of Kirkwood died Monday, March 3, 2003.
Mr. Marden was a former commander of Illinois VFW Post 2149, and a former commander of St. Louis China, Burma, India Association.
He was the husband of Olga Anne (nee Leho) for 55 years; father of Judith (James) Jones, Jeffery (Marsha), Anne (Dale) Sandell, Cecilia (Philip) Leslie, Michael (Francoise), Patricia (Howard Smith), Gregory (Anna), James (Margaret) and Mary (Todd) Westphalen; grandfather of 14 and the late Tommy Marden; brother of Lynette Ibsen and the late Gabrielle Katovich.
Funeral services will be held Friday, March 7, 9:30 a.m. from Bopp Chapel, 10610 Manchester Road in Kirkwood, to Ste. Genevieve duBois Church for 10 a.m. Mass. Interment, St. Peter Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Peter Church Building Fund or the charity of one's choice.
Martha Mason (Donaldson) McIntyre of Mason, Texas, formerly of Kirkwood died Wednesday, June 25, 2003.
Mrs. McIntyre taught physical education at Kirkwood High School during the 1950s, and science at North Middle School during the early 1960s. She and her husband, Raymond "Mac" McIntyre lived in Kirkwood's Bedford Oaks when their daughters Diane and Susie were attending Kirkwood High School.
Mrs. McIntyre is survived by her two daughters, Diane Jo Evans of Mason, Texas, and Susie Hall of Dunwoody, Ga., and their husbands; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two stepgreat-grandchildren. She will be interred on July 5, in Jefferson City, Mo., next to her husband, Mac.
