Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO
Local Obituaries for the Week of March 10, 2010



Richard Lynn Blakley

Richard Lynn Blakley of Viburnum, Missouri, originally of Riverton,
Illinois, was born on April 8, 1958, in Springfield, Illinois, to
Richard and Melba Kiska Blakley and passed away at Salem Memorial
District Hospital at 11:46 p.m. on Sunday, February 28, 2010 at the
age of 51 years.
Rich adored his nephews. He was a kind, generous, intelligent man
who loved to play pool. He received his Associate of Arts in
Business Administration in 1981 from Lincoln Land Community College
in Lincoln, Illinois. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Accounting
from the University of Illinois in Springfield, Illinois. Rich was a
tax auditor, Able data information and referral broker and he belonged
to numerous organizations including Illinois State Independent Living
Council, NCIL, APRIL, Adapt, GRO, 911 Commission, Missouri Quality
Home Care and many others. Most recently he formed an organization
called Mo Advocates for Independent Living (MAIL). He worked as the
executive director of Disabled Citizens Alliance for Independence
(DCAI) in Viburnum, Missouri for 10 years and was a tireless advocate
for people with disabilities. Rich was the core of DCAI and will be
forever a part of the Disability Movement and forever in their hearts
He is survived by his parents, Richard and Melba Blakley of Sherman;
one sister, Lori Blakley of Williamsville, Illinois; one uncle,
Dennis Conner; three nephews, Tyler, Landon and Jacob Nunez; other
relatives and friends.
A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 5, 2010, at
Staab Funeral Home, Springfield, Illinois, with Reverend Jonathan
Dixon officiating.
Burial followed at the Oak Hill Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois.


Margaret Edwon Cape

Margaret “Maggie” or Grandma Cape, as she was lovingly referred to,
was born on Thursday, June 1, 1911 in Cherry Valley Community near
Steelville, Missouri to Theophilus Hinch and Effie May Wilson Hinch
and passed away at her home in Steelville, Missouri on Monday,
March 1, 2010, at the age of 98 years and 9 months.
Margaret married James Hibler Cape on June 7, 1931 in Bourbon,
Missouri and to this union two sons were born.
They made their home in Steelville, Missouri until his death on
May 20, 1968. Margaret accepted the Lord many years ago and served
him faithfully through the years. She taught Sunday School and
Children’s Church for 33 years. She went on mission trips with the
most recent one traveling to Mexico at the age of 90 years old. She
was known as a prayer warrior. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, and
traveling.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Theophilus and Effie Hinch;
husband, James; brothers and sisters, Clyde (Helen) Hinch, Clarience
Hinch, Nona (Victor) Doerr, Agnes (James) Graham, and Alice (Mike)
De Ciechi; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Norman (Juanita) Cape,
Russell (Elaine) Cape, Gerald (Eileen) Cape, Burdette (Reba) Cape,
and Theresa (Ed) Schwieder.
She is survived by two sons, James Wilbur “Jim” (Darlene) Cape and
Jerry Joe (Lonnie) Cape, all of Cuba, Missouri; seven grandchildren,
Alan (Gail) Cape, Randy Cape, Scott (Genifer) Cape, all of Cuba,
Missouri, Marsha (Charles) Light of Steelville, Missouri, Michael
(Julia) Cape of Rolla, Missouri, Patty (Dan) Doyle of Holton, Kansas
and Ed (Tonya) Cape of Tecumsah, Kansas; two step grandchildren,
Darren (DeeAnn) Heaton of Cuba, Missouri and Karren (David) Hill of
Poplar Bluff, Missouri; 15 great grandchildren, six step great
grandchildren, and 18 great great grandchildren; other relatives,
and friends.
Pallbearers were her grandsons, Alan Cape, Randy Cape, Scott Cape,
Mike Cape, Ed Cape, Charlie Light and Darren Heaton. Honorary
pallbearers are her great grandsons, Michael Light, Joshua Cape,
Cylas Cape, Nathan Doyle, Caleb Doyle and Ben Doyle.
Visitation was Wednesday, March 3, 2010 from 4-8 p.m. at Hutson
Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri and funeral service was Thursday,
March 4, 2010 at 11 a.m. at Rivers of Life Fellowship, Steelville,
Missouri with Pastors Alan Franklin, Henry Copling, and Chuck
Whitmire officiating.
Burial was in the Steelville Cemetery, Steelville, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville,
Missouri.


Larry Alvin Eoff

Larry Alvin Eoff of DeSoto, Missouri, passed away March 4, 2010 at
Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Crystal City, Missouri at the
age of 58 years.
Larry was retired from Continental Boilers in St. Louis, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Hazel Gladeen Eoff.
He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Betty (Swaringam) Eoff of
DeSoto, Missouri; daughters, Lori Ann (Jared) Walters of Owensville,
Missouri and Natalie of Sullivan, Missouri; siblings, Norma (Jerry)
Davidson, Ronnie (Linda) Land, Patsy Coleman, Jerry Land, Brenda
(Fred) Heidiger, Gary (Sheila) Land, Jimmy Land, Theresa Swyers,
Lisa (Jeff) Girardier, Ron Harper, Sharon (Tim) Holler and Connie
(Joel) Bowman; grandchildren, great grandchildren; other relatives
and friends.
A memorial service will be held at Woodland Lakes Community Center,
Sullivan, Missouri, on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 3 p.m.


Patsy Jane Hendricks

Patsy Jane Hendricks of Steelville, Missouri, was born October 11, 1957
in St. James, Missouri to William Francis Ray and Rosa Elizabeth Brewer
and passed away Monday, March 1, 2010 at Missouri Baptist Hospital in
Sullivan, Missouri at the age of 52 years.
Patsy attended the Steelville First Assembly of God Church. She enjoyed
her dogs, but most of all loved taking care of her grandson.
She is survived by her two daughters, Brenda Baum and husband Michael
and Katherine Elwell, all of Steelville, Missouri; one son, Samuel
Francis Elwell; one grandson, Josiah Elwell; other relatives and
friends.
The family chose cremation.
A memorial dinner in honor of Patsy will be held Sunday, March 14, 2010
at 1 p.m. at the Steelville First Assembly of God Fellowship Hall.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of
Steelville, Missouri. 


Raymond McCormick

Raymond McCormick of Steelville, Missouri was born in St. Louis,
Missouri on Friday, September 18, 1942 to Raymond M. and Viola Marie
(Kay) McCormick and passed away on Friday, March 5, 2010 at the age
of 67 years, 5 months and 15 days.
Raymond married Grace E. Little on December 21, 1963 in Steelville,
Missouri and to this union three children were born.
Raymond was a painting contractor for many years. He worked as a
carpenter with Earl Midyett for several years. His hobbies were deer
and turkey hunting, fishing, trotlining for catfish, camping, jet
boating, and diving for treasures in the river.
Raymond started a tradition the day they opened “The Island” at
Maramec Spring. He would go there and camp on the gravel bar with his
buddies and later family. They would hunt turkeys in the spring, grab
for yellow suckers in the river and bow and rifle hunt for deer in
the fall. Raymond was respected for his knowledge of the river. He
assisted Water Patrol and outfitters by rescuing many people from
the river with his jet boat. He also enjoyed working with his son
Jason at Birds Nest Lodge and Meramec River Lodge. He enjoyed driving
a busload of floaters, visiting with the campers and taking care of
the campgrounds. Raymond and Grace were the biggest cheerleaders at
all of the grandchildren’s sporting events. He was a member of First
Baptist Church, Steelville and a faithful member of the adult choir.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Viola McCormick;
sisters-in-law, Mary Foley, Leona Little and Carol Little;
brothers-in-law, Perry Little, Wayne Little, Bob Copeland, Louie
Wiley and Howard (Essie Mae) Little.
He is survived by his wife, Grace; children, Jerry (Pam) McCormick,
Tammy (Bill) Oaker and Jason McCormick all of Steelville, Missouri;
sister, Judy Adams of Steelville, Missouri; brothers-in-law and
sisters-in-law, J.D. (Vi) Little, Dale (Ann) Wheeler, and John
(Jean) Young all of Marshfield, Missouri, Jack (Judy) Little of
Lockhart, Texas, Don (Barbara) Little of Avilla, Missouri, Leona
Wiley of O’Fallon, Missouri, Glenn (Bonnie) Little of Lebanon,
Missouri, Robert (Virginia) Little of Niangua, Missouri, Harry Foley
of Licking, Missouri and Verda Little of Omaha, Nebraska; seven
grandchildren, Andrew Oaker, Grant Oaker, Olivia McCormick, Alissa
McCormick, Alec McCormick, Tyler Ensor and Travis Ensor; other
relatives and friends.
Visitation was Monday, March 8, 2010 from 5-8 p.m. at the Hutson
Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri.
Funeral service at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at First Baptist
Church, Steelville, Missouri with Pastor Kevin Farr officiating.
Burial was at the Steelville Cemetery, Steelville, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville,
Missouri.


Emma Otto

Emma Otto formerly of St. James, Missouri, was born on April 22, 1920
in Royalton, Illinois, to Gustaff and Claria (Ruhl) Gabriel and passed
away Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at the Hermann District Area Hospital
in Hermann, Missouri at the age of 89 years, 10 months and 9 days.
She was united in marriage to Karl Otto in St. Louis, Missouri on
May 29, 1958.
Emma served in the Navy during WWII. She was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gustaff and Claria (Ruhl)
Gabriel; her husband, Karl Otto and one grandson, Michael.
She is survived by one daughter, Phyllis Boughan of Florissant,
Missouri; one son, Willis Hougland of St. Charles, Missouri; other
relatives and friends.
Visitation was held on Saturday, March 6, 2010 one hour before funeral
at the Jones Funeral Home Chapel in St. James, Missouri.
Funeral services were conducted at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 6, 2010
at the Jones Funeral Home Chapel in St. James, Missouri with Lynn
Huggins officiating. Songs were “In The Garden” and “Near My God To
Thee.”
Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in
St. James, Missouri.


Dale Smith

Dale Smith of Sullivan, Missouri was born at Drury, Missouri on
March 20, 1941 to Hobert and Arvilla (Dewitt) Smith and passed away
Thursday, March 4, 2010 at the age of 68 years.
He had lived in various parts of the country, the majority of which
was in the state of Missouri.
On February 1, 1964, he was united in marriage to Connie Dotson at
Cuba, Missouri. Dale was self-employed and operated a timber cutting
business. He had a passion for fishing and also enjoyed amateur radio.
His family, especially his grandchildren, were his greatest love and
pleasure. Dale was a member of the first Assembly of God of Leasburg
and honorably served his country with the National Guard from 1954 to
1962.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hobert and Arvilla Smith and
a sister Ethel Finley.
He is survived by his wife Connie of the family home; three sons,
Wesley Adair and wife Sheila of Cuba, Missouri, Terry Smith of
Bourbon, Missouri and Dale Smith and wife Sandra of Bourbon,
Missouri; one daughter, Teresa Slawson and husband Darrel of
Bourbon; two brothers, Daryl Smith of Licking, Missouri and Jay
Smith of Cuba, Missouri; one sister, Irene Stricklin of Cuba,
Missouri; 13 grandchildren; four great grandchildren; other
relatives and friends.
Visitation was held Saturday, March 6, 2010 from 10 a.m. until time
of service at noon from the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan. 
Funeral services were conducted at noon on Saturday, March 6, 2010
from the Chapel of the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri, with
Pastor Donald Vaughn officiating.
Interment was in Bourbon Cemetery, Bourbon, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home in
Sullivan, Missouri.


Opal Claudine Swyers

Opal Claudine Swyers, nee Stites of Steelville, Missouri, was born
September 11, 1916 to Walter J. and Maude Jane (Stroud) Stites in Lenox,
Missouri and passed away Sunday, February 28, 2010 at Gibbs Care Center in
Steelville, Missouri at the age of 93 years.
On December 24, 1931, she was united in marriage to Julius Warner Swyers.
Opal was a member of the Cherryville Baptist Church in Cherryville, Missouri.
She enjoyed gardening and spent many hours canning the results of her labor.
In her spare time she would fish, but what she enjoyed most was having
Sunday dinner for her family. Many times her home was the gathering place
for many children.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Maude Stites; her
husband, Julius; one daughter, Betty Ruth Swyers; two brothers, Minford
Stites, Winford Stites and wife Dovie, Lorraine Oxendine and husband James
and Bernice Stites and one brother-in-law, Euin Swyers.
She is survived by her two sons, Julius Swyers Jr. and wife Carol of Salem,
Missouri and Jerry Swyers and wife Donna of Warrenton, Missouri; two
daughters, Anna Marie Jacobs and husband Bill of Tucson, Arizona and Mable
Pyatt and husband Harry of Wentzville, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Ruth
Swyers of Steelville, Missouri; 10 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren;
four great great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was from 5-8 p.m. on Monday, March 1, 2010 at the Britton-
Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at the
Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Jerry Beers
officiating.
Early in the service, in honor of his great grandmother, Jonathan Pyatt
played a song that was written by him. Special music of “No More Night”
was sung by Harry Pyatt. Many special memories from the family were read
during the service.
Committal prayer and burial in the Cherryville Baptist Cemetery in
Cherryville, Missouri.
Casket bearers were Kyle Pyatt, Kenton Pyatt, Kevin Pyatt, Greig Swyers,
Michael Swyers and Mark Swyers. Honorary casket bearers were Keith Pyatt,
Linda Pittner, Shanna Foley, Sheri Rosequist and Kenneth Jacobs.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of
Steelville, Missouri.


Clyde Ellas Wilkinson

Clyde Ellas Wilkinson of Cherryville, Missouri was born November 9, 1933
in Davisville, Missouri to Laverne and Elsie (Brown) Wilkinson and passed
away Thursday, March 4, 2010 at his home at the age of 76 years.
On October 26, 1957 in St. Louis, he was united in marriage to Pat Vance.
Clyde worked for several years at Schnucks Bakery in St. Louis. He was a
past member of the Baker’s Union.
He raised chickens, pigs and loved animals. He enjoyed watching wrestling,
riding 4-wheelers and going to auctions with the neighbor. He also enjoyed
working on puzzles with Brenda and helping tack quilts.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Laverne and Elsie Wilkinson; two
brothers, Tim Wilkinson and Plas Wilkinson and wife Jean; brothers-in-law,
Loyd Hunter and James Osborn.
He is survived by his wife, Pat of Cherryville, Missouri; one son, Tom
Wilkinson of Cherryville, Missouri; two daughters, Brenda Kay Wilkinson
and Sharon Kay Dunn and husband Kenny, all of Cherryville, Missouri; two
brothers, Kenneth Wilkinson and wife Doris of Davisville, Missouri and Leon
Wilkinson of Cherryville, Missouri; three sisters, Juanita Pyatt and husband
Noah of Cherryville, Missouri, Lois Medlock and husband Rance of Davisville,
Missouri and Freda Hunter of St. Peters, Missouri; sister-in-law, Mary
Osborn of Dittmer, Missouri; dear friends, Kimberly Sue Smith of Cherryville,
Missouri and Linda Skaggs of Davisville, Missouri; other relatives and
friends.
Visitation was from 4-8 p.m. on Sunday, March 7, 2010 at the Britton-Bennett
Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 8, 2010 at the
Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri with Rev. John Slade
officiating, Rev. Michael Abbott reading the eulogy and prayer by
Rev. Harold Slade.
Special music of “Lord I’m Coming Home,” “At the Crossing” and “I Have
Returned” were sung by Phyllis Gibbs and accompanied on piano by Shirley
Brown.
Committal prayer and burial were in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Casket bearers were Gary Pyatt, Robert Pyatt, Mike Medlock, Tim Medlock,
Tom Gibbs and David Skaggs.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of
Steelville, Missouri.


Anna M. Wirfs

Anna M. Wirfs of St. James, Missouri was born in St. James, Missouri on
October 2, 1924 to Oldridge and Bessie (Martin) Matlock and passed away
March 3, 2010 at the Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla,
Missouri at the age of 85 years.
Ann Matlock was united in marriage to Thomas P. Wirfs Sr. on May 7, 1949,
and to this union four children were born. Ann and Tom celebrated nearly
40 years together before his death in 1989.
Tom, Ann and the children were fortunate to live in several different
states, traveling around the country as Tom’s job moved them around. Ann
was a homemaker who centered her life around her family. She enjoyed
reading and loved to cook for family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Oldridge and Bessie Matlock;
husband Tom; son, Thomas P. Wirfs Jr; one brother and three sisters.
She is survived by her children, Lynn Keithlin and husband Bill of
California, David Wirfs and wife Connie of Illinois, James Wirfs and
friend RoAnn Wilson of Rolla, Missouri; sister, Melba Holt of California;
five grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was Friday, March 5, 2010 from 5-7 p.m.
Funeral services were Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 11 a.m. in the St. James
Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary with Steve Barber officiating.
Interment in the Matlock Cemetery, St. James, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary.


Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the 
Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site.
<http://www.threeriverspublishing.com/>

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