Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of March 2, 2011 Virginia Lois Conaway Virginia Lois Conaway, 52, of Pevely, Missouri was born July 23, 1958 in Steelville, Missouri to Floyd Bradford and Pearl Beers Coplin and passed away Thursday, February 17, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 52 years. Virginia grew up in the Shoal Creek area and graduated from Viburnum High School. She attended the Lookout Assembly of God Church in Davisville for many years. She enjoyed fishing and watching the “Cooking Channel”, “Nancy Grace” and “The Young and Restless.” She loved the companionship of taking care of her dog, “Smoky.” She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Pearl Coplin; sister, Linda Mae Coplin and brother, Donald Coplin Sr. and wife Betty. She is survived by her one son, Chris Conaway and fiancé Courtney of St. Clair, Missouri; special niece, Nicole Coplin of Pevely, Missouri; five brothers, Lonnie Coplin and companion of Steelville, Missouri, Herbert Coplin and wife Dodie of Pevely, Missouri, Homer Coplin of Gorham, Maine, Larry Coplin and wife Darlene of Farmington, Missouri and Lester Coplin and wife Jean Ann of Valley Mines, Missouri; three sisters, Janet Coplin of Pevely, Missouri, Irma Jones and Lora Eaton and husband John, all of Steelville, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Memorial service was held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at the Lookout Assembly of God Church in Davisville, Missouri with Rev. Ronnie Chandler officiating. Inurnment was in the Skaggs Cemetery at Shoal Creek, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. Billy Charles Cook Billy Charles Cook was born December 23, 1930 at Senath, Mo. and passed away February 19, 2011 at Salem, Mo. at the age of 80 years. On April 17, 1962, Billy was united in marriage to Jane Penrod. Bill enjoyed singing, playing the guitar, and gardening.  He was an avid lover of sports and he enjoyed watching the Salem Tigers and the St. Louis Cardinals. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hiram James and Icie Lou (Kaiser) Cook; one son, Dennis Cook; two brothers, H.J. Cook and Bobby Cook; four sisters, Brenda Kinnard, Betty Shrum, Joyce Cox, and Earlene Arnold. He is survived by his wife, Jane Cook of Salem, Missouri; his children, Kenny Cook of Salem, Michael Cook and wife Joyce of Hinesville, Georgia, Gary Cook and wife Gail of Cuba, Missouri, Ronald Cook and wife Dottie of Rolla, Missouri  and Larry Cook and wife Debbie of Salem, Missouri; one brother, Joe Cook and wife Hope of Kennett, Missouri and one sister, Glenda “Tootsie” Cook of Kennett, Missouri; 10 grandchildren; five step grand- children; four great grandchildren;  12 step great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Funeral service was February 23, 2011 in the Wilson Mortuary (Salem) Chapel with Bro. Stanley Cook and Bro. Lyndell Decker officiating. Music was by Joe and Stanley Cook. Pallbearers were Wendell Schmitt, Chris Kympton, Bradley and Brandon Cook, Marshall Hagler, Preston Cook and Mike Haggard. Honorary pallbearers were Kenny, Michael, Gary, Ronald, Larry and Jonathon Cook. Interment was in the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Wilson Mortuary. Bryan Dean Hays Bryan Dean Hays was born August 7, 1966 to Winferd Hays Jr. and Mary Camille Crouch and passed away at his home in Duncanville, Texas on Wednesday, February 23, 2011, at the age of 44 years. Bryan graduated from John F. Hodge High School in St. James in 1983. Bryan worked at the Hays family business St. James Auto Salvage before moving to Dallas in 1994, where he worked for Cardone Int’l. He enjoyed coaching and supporting his children’s sports activities. Bryan was a devoted Christian who read the Bible daily. He enjoyed fellowship with many church friends. Always a sparkle in his eye, Bryan had a quick wit and “never met a stranger.” He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Winferd and Nancy Hays and William and Mary Felty and his first wife, Kelly Ridenhour Hays. He is survived by his wife, Gwendolyn Freeman Hays; three children, Whitney, Micah and Joshua; grandson, Karsten; brother, Dan and wife Shelly; half-sister, Amy Morrison; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held Monday from 5-8 p.m. on February 28, 2011 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Funeral service was conducted at 1 p.m. on Tuesday March 1, 2011 at the First Baptist Church in St. James with Jerry Bauman officiating. Burial was in the St. James Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. DeWayne W. Martin DeWayne W. Martin of Cuba, Missouri was born on August 21, 1921 in Cherryville, Missouri to William Madison and Mary Taylor Wisdom Martin and passed away at Phelps County Regional Medical Center on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at the age of 89 years, 6 months and 2 days. He served his country honorably in the United States Army during WWII in the South Pacific. He married Lena M. Blake on May 10, 1946 in Salem, Missouri and to this union three children were born. He worked and retired after 25 years for National/Great Plains Propane Co. He was an active member of the Cuba Christian Church and served at one time as church treasurer. His hobbies were farming, gardening, cutting wood and mowing grass. He also enjoyed working on old cars, and even restored two ‘57 Chevys. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary Martin; wife, Lena; granddaughter, Julie Koch; brothers and sisters, Geraldine Martin, Perle (Perry) Scott, Orene (John) Eaton, Trenton (Bessie) Martin, Daphue (Everett) Gahr, Lida (Arthur) Hendrix, Kenneth (Delma) Martin, and Juanita (Marrlan) Morgan. He is survived by his children, Woodrow (Debbie) Martin of Cuba, Missouri, Barbara (Stanley) Helvey of Strafford, Missouri and Shirley (Jerry) Hendon of E. Ellijay, Georgia; brother-in-law, Robert (Jeanie) Donley of Texas and sister-in-law, Icolene Witkus of Belleville, Illinois; eight grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; other relatives and friends. Visitation was Friday, February 25, 2011 from 5-8 p.m. and funeral service Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 11 a.m. at the Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri with Pastor Dennis Gray officiating. Burial was at the Meramec Hills Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri with full military honors. Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri. Bholabhai Harjivandas Patel Bholabhai Harjivandas Patel of Cuba, Missouri was born on Wednesday, April 10, 1935 in Paliyad, India to Harjivandas and Amthiben Patel and passed away on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at the age of 75 years, 10 months and 13 days. In the past, Bholabhai owned and operated several motels. His hobbies were reading and listening to music. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Puriben Patel and two brothers Prahaladbhai Patel and Amartbhai Patel. He is survived by his sons, Vinodbhai (Kokilaben) Patel of Junction City, Kansas and Kirit (Gita) Patel of Cuba, Missouri; one daughter, Bhanuben (Ashokbhai) Patel of Cincinnati, Ohio; sisters, Kantaben Patel and Shakriben Patel of India; sister-in-law, Jadiben Patel of India; seven grandchildren; six great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Funeral service was Friday, February 25, 2011 at 2 p.m. at the Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri with Priest Praveen Bhatt officiating. Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri. Woodrow E. Payne Woodrow E. Payne, formerly of Leasburg, Missouri, was born on June 10, 1930 in Bourbon, Missouri to Edgar O. and Margaret A. (nee Wilson) Payne and passed away in Hermann, Missouri, Saturday, February 19, 2011, at the age of 80 years. He honorably served his country in the US Army and married Margie A. Witt on March 6, 1954 and to this union they had two boys. Woodrow worked for 18 years at Wagner Electric and then at the Sullivan City Hall as a custodian.  He also worked for Crawford County R-I School in the kitchen.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing, but mostly spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Margaret Payne and a son, Allen Payne. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Margie; a son, Rick Payne and wife Josie Gonzales, all of Hermann, Missouri; a daughter-in-law, Sherry Horn and husband Mason of Sullivan, Missouri; two brothers, Billy Joe Payne of St. Louis, Missouri and James Payne of Sullivan, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Allen Lee, Robert, J.R., Mike, Matthew, Ryan and Lindsay Payne; three great grandchildren Allison, Jarod and Connor Payne; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 in the Chapel of the Eaton Funeral Home with Pastor Terry King officiating. Interment followed in the Crossroads Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, Missouri. Joseph Allen Powers Joseph Allen Powers of Cuba, Missouri was born May 7, 1990 at Phelps County Hospital, Rolla, Missouri and passed away Sunday, February 20, 2011 at Cuba, Missouri at the age of 20 years, 9 months and 13 days. Joseph graduated from Cuba High School in May, 2008. He was baptized at the Holy Cross Catholic Church of Cuba. Joseph enjoyed riding 4 wheelers, hanging out with his friends, swimming and boating. He loved working and making money to buy his nice car. He enjoyed fast cars, trucks and motor- cycles. He went deer hunting, his first season was with his dad and he got his first deer. He truly loved spending time with his sister Jenna. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Alfred C. and Lola L. Pilz, James Everett and Myrtle Lula Powers; uncle, John Haden Powers; other relatives and friends. He is survived by his mother, Sherri and husband David Padilla of Cuba, Missouri; father, Joseph E. and wife Phyllis Powers of Davisville, Missouri; sister, Jenna Powers of Cuba, Missouri; half-sister, Sonya Powers of St. Charles, Missouri; step brother, Bryan Medley of Bixby, Missouri; two half-sisters, Laurie and husband Brian Tibbetts of Fort Worth, Texas and Diona Josh Asher of Davisville, Missouri; step grandparents, Filimon and Elfriede Padilla of Columbia, South Carolina; uncles, Bill and wife Denise Powers of Cherryville, Missouri, James McDonald of Ballwin, Missouri and Johnney Padilla of Columbia, South Carolina; aunt, Helen Mills of Columbia, South Carolina; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held Thursday, February 24, 2011 from 5-8 p.m. at the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 25, 2011 at the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Paddy Sigler Paddy Sigler of Steelville, Missouri was born Saturday, April 15 1922 in West Hartlepool, England to Herbert Sharland and Elsie Outhwaite Craine and passed away Monday, February 21, 2011 at the Gibbs Care Center in Steel- ville, Missouri at the age of 88 years, 10 months and 6 days. Paddy married Arthur Vincent Sigler in Miami Beach Florida in 1945, where they met when working at the USO. Paddy accepted the Lord many years ago and she and Arthur attended the Steelville Presbyterian Church. She was a graduate of Hickey’s Business School in St. Louis, Missouri and worked a number of years as a legal secretary for G.C. Beckham, Attorney at Law in Steelville, Missouri. Paddy and Arthur owned and operated the Western Auto Store in Steelville, Missouri from 1970 until 1981. She called and taught square dancing at the local resorts, but mainly Eagle Hurst Resort. She taught tap dancing, ballet and gymnastics in Steelville, Cuba, Bourbon, Sullivan, and St. James, Missouri. Paddy however, could never teach Arthur to dance, because as she said, “he has two left feet.” She enjoyed sewing and working around the house. She was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Elsie Craine; sister, Marjory Pape; brothers-in-law, Robert (Edna) Sigler and John (Thelma) Sigler. She is survived by her husband, Arthur of Steelville, Missouri; daughter, Jill Sigler Barr of Columbia, Missouri; grandchildren, Brian (Nichole) Earls of Columbia, Missouri and Heather (Kevin B.) Barr Bean of Steelville, Missouri; four great grandchildren, Ashley Michelle, Kyle Vincent, Logan Bon, and Paige Marie Bean of Steelville, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Private family viewing and funeral service was Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 11 a.m. at the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Delmar B. Hutson officiating. Cremation to follow. Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri. Martha Jane Stroud Martha Jane Stroud of St. James, Missouri was born September 19, 1950 in St. Louis, to George and Charlotte Goetteman Falkner and passed away Thursday, February 24, 2011 at the Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla, Missouri at the age of 60 years, 5 months and 5 days. She is survived by her husband, Johnny Martin Stroud of St. James, Missouri; one son, Johnny A. Stroud and wife Schalyn of St. James, Missouri; daughters, Anna Walls and husband Kevin of St. James, Missouri, Kerry Barthacyre of St. James, Missouri and Amy Wyatt and husband Patrick of St. James, Missouri; brother, Allen Faulkner and wife Donna of Pennsylvania; sisters, Barba Ellis and husband Roger of St. James, Missouri, Peggy Reed of Sullivan, Missouri, Linda Wethy of St. James, Missouri and Sandra Johnson and husband Randy of St. James, Missouri; 10 grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was at the Jones Funeral Home on Saturday February 26, 2011 from 10 a.m. until the funeral time at 1 p.m. with Steve Barber officiating. Burial was in the St. James Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Philip Vianney Werner Philip Vianney Werner was born March 24, 2009 in Crawford County, Missouri to Terry and Sharon Werner and passed away Thursday, February 17, 2011 at the age of 1 year, 10 months and 24 days. He is survived by his parents, Terry and Sharon Werner; three brothers, Nicholas Andrew, JohnPaul Casey, Louis Nathaniel Werner; three sisters, Caeli Regina, Maria Victoria and Kyra Hope Werner; grandparents, Robert and Donna Wulff of Springfield, Missouri and Geraldine Hawkins of St. Louis, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 5-7:30 p.m. on Monday, February 21, 2011 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri. Funeral mass was held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. James, Missouri with Father Charles Pardee officiating and assisted by Father John Westmore and Father Dave Veit. Music was provided by Estelle Grotha as pianist and Debbie Priesmeyer, Tess Hamacher and Margaret Hamacher as singers. Serving at the altar were Philip’s brothers, Nicholas Andrew, JohnPaul Casey and Louis Nathaniel and serving as gift bearers were his sisters, Caeli Regina, Maria Victoria and Kyra Hope. Committal prayer and burial were in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Steelville, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. Pearl “Jack” Ora Woods Pearl “Jack” Ora Woods of Steelville, Missouri was born February 25, 1914 in Crawford County, Missouri to Thomas and Mattie Ora (Halbert) Luck and passed away Saturday, February 19, 2011 at the Meramec Nursing Center in Sullivan, Missouri at the age of 96 years. She was united in marriage to Estel Bert Woods. Pearl “Jack” worked in St. Louis as a machinist for several years and was known as a great cook when she owned the Ranch House Restaurant in Crawford County in the 60’s and 70’s. “Jack” also worked for Al’s Cafe for several years. She was a very talented seamstress, quilter and loved to crochet. She enjoyed the St. Louis Cardinals and was one of their biggest fans. However, her biggest enjoyment was all of her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Mattie Luck; her husband, Estel Bert Woods in 1977; three brothers, Clyde Luck, Thomas Luck and John Luck; three sisters, Mary Gregory and husband Rainey, Daphna Ramori and husband Domenic and Hazel Richardson Harmon and husbands Hershel Richardson and Sam Harmon. She is survived by two sons, Lewis Woods of Steelville, Missouri and Noah Thomas Woods and wife Charlotte of St. Louis, Missouri; one daughter, Wilma Kreamalmeyer of Naples, Florida; one sister, Ada Schwent and husband John of Cuba, Missouri; seven grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri. Funeral service was held at 1 on Thursday, February 24, 2011 at the Britton- Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating. Special music of “Old Rugged Cross,” “Who Will Sing for Me” and “Go Rest High” was played. Committal prayer and burial were in the Liberty Cemetery. Casket bearers were Steve Woods, Mike Woods, Ron Woods, Robert Woods, Tom Woods and Ben Gregory. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. Tunney L. Yardley Tunney L. Yardley was born April 22, 1929 in Winona, Missouri to Robert and Naomi (Conelley) Yardley and passed away February 23, 2011 at Cuba Manor in Cuba, Missouri at the age of 81 years. He served in the Navy during the Korean War. He worked 35 1/2 years for McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis, Missouri and retired to Indian Hills in Cuba, Missouri. He enjoyed fishing, working with wood and doing yard work. Most of all he loved spending time with his friends and family. He married Mettis Louise Douglas on April 26, 1951 in Salem, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Naomi Yardley; three sisters; two brothers; one daughter, Sandy Yardley. He is survived by his wife, Louise of Cuba, Missouri; two daughters, Jane Cook of Jonesburg, Missouri and Dawna Yardley of Cuba, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.org/mo/mofiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWebArchives by: Winnie Brooks