Hattie Mae Pilcher

Hattie Mae Pilcher, age 94, of Hope, Kansas passed away Sunday, February 05, 2012 at the Medicalodge in Herington, Kansas.

She was born February 10, 1917 on a farm near Coffey, Missouri, the daughter of Everett and Mary (House) Read. 

She graduated from Gilman City High School in 1935 and from cosmetology school in Kansas City.

On October 6, 1940 she was united in marriage to Glen W. Pilcher at Glen’s parent’s home. They lived on a farm near Bethany, Missouri until 1966 when they moved to Bentonville, Arkansas.  She moved to Jamesport, Missouri in 1992 and following a brief illness, moved to Hope, Kansas in 2010 to be near her son.

She was preceded in death by her husband Glen in 1989, a son Roger in 1987, her brothers Lewis, Loren, Lee, Ivan, and Jesse; one sister Marie Pixley, and a great grandson Ty McKinzie.

Hattie is survived by one son James W. Pilcher and his wife Gail of Hope, Kansas; a daughter-in-law Carolyn Cox and husband Ken of Liberty, Missouri; five grandchildren Jamie Hilt and husband Mark, Sean Pilcher and wife Heather, Brandee Gentz and husband Jason, Debra McKinzie and husband Michael, and Douglas Pilcher; seven great grandchildren Aidan and Landen Pilcher, Maycee and Kallee Hilt, Maddox Gentz, and Tanur Pilcher.

Hattie loved playing pitch and cooking.  She was a member of the Jamesport United Methodist Church in Jamesport, Missouri and belonged to various organizations throughout her life. 

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Tuesday with the family receiving friends from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  The family requests no flowers and memorial contributions may be made to the Dickinson County Hospice.

Funeral services will be held at the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Liberty, Missouri on Thursday, February, 9, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.  Her final resting place will be in the Fairview Cemetery in Kearney, Missouri.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mbcfh.com

Robert Bryce (Bob) Anthony 1924 - 2012

Robert Bryce (Bob) Anthony, 87, New Hampton, passed away Wednesday, February 1, 2012.

He was born September 29, 1924 in Harrison County, MO, the son of Almon C. and Laura E. (Ebersole) Anthony.

On December 2, 1944, he married Juanita Thorne in Belfort, NJ.  She survives at the home.

He was a farmer and also a sheep shearer.  He also was an auctioneer. Bob was a member of the United Methodist Church of New Hampton.

Survivors in addition to his wife are a son, Bobby (Cindy) Anthony, New Hampton, MO; daughters, Dawn (Rex) Stevens, New Hampton and Loretta (Larry) Winemiller, Blockton, IA; 6 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 sisters, JoAnn, an infant, and Marilyn and sister, Mardele Luck; brother, Morris and sister-in-law, Helen Rhinehart-Anthony.

Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 4, at the Roberson Funeral Home., Bethany, MO.  Burial with military rites in the Kidwell Cemetery, Martinsville, MO. The family will receive friends from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home where friends may call after 4:00 p.m. Friday.

Memorial contributions may be made to United Methodist Church of New Hampton, MO  and\or Kidwell Cemetery of Martinsville, MO in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 46, Bethany, MO.

Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com

Dean Williams

Olin Dean Williams 98, Ridgeway, passed away Feb 3, 2012 at Crestview Nursing Home, Bethany after a lengthy illness.

Dean was born to Isaac Talton and Laura Jane (Edson) Williams, October 26, 1913, Ridgeway. He was the sixth of eight children. He graduated from Ridgeway R-V. He was a child member of Ridgeway Methodist Church and when his children joined Kirkley Chapel Church in 1959, he moved his membership there.

He married Ella Maxine Polley on May 1, 1946. Dean and Maxine was a devoted couple for over 65 years. After living in the Ridgeway Hotel for a few months they moved to the family farm on the edge of Ridgeway. His family and he moved there when he was six months old and he remained there for 80 years. They moved to their present home in Ridgeway in the 90’s. He remained there until entering Crestview Nursing Home in 2009 after suffering a stroke. From this union were born two daughters: Rita Kay Tuggle and Rebecca Jane Harding.

Dean and Maxine farmed until 1970 when he placed most of the farm in CRP. He also worked as manager of the Agriculture Coop, Ridgeway from 1960-1965. The Coop included a grocery store, feed, seed, gas station, bulk plants of gas-oil-propane, fertilizer,

and tank wagon service. He later, worked as a carpenter, mason, electrician, plumber and painter. His white van and later his old green truck were always full of tools ready to repair or build anything at any time. Dean with the help of two other men build a church, many new homes from the ground up and remodeling many old houses in the surrounding community. He built his daughter Becky’s home and helped Rita with her home addition in Florida, Virginia and current new home in Bethany. He help build on the additions to Kirkley Chapel Church from moving the old school room for additional class rooms, and building the kitchen/restrooms addition. His motto was: if one nail was good then two was better.

Dean served as a board member for Kirkley Church and cemetery for a number of years. He help incorporated the cemetery association and help raise a Trust fund for its upkeep.

Dean served on the Ridgeway School board 1948-1959 serving as President his final six years. In 1950, Dean and several men went to Quincy, IL., to move a boathouse back for a community building.  That year the school burnt and Dean helped complete the boathouse to become the current field house for the school to use as a gym. He helped raise money for lights and a new baseball field. He was honored as the oldest living graduate attending Ridgeway R-V at the alumni reunion in 2010.

Dean was appointed by Governor Hearnes to the Harrison County Missouri Welfare Board, and served as its chairman for four years. He served on the Ridgeway Improvements, Inc.board, was a founding member and Chairman for 14 years of Ridgeway Rental Housing Corp, was chairman of Crestview Nursing home board for 24 years. He also, served as Township Democrat Committeeman for many years.

Dean has been a member of the Ridgeway Lions Club since 1946. During those years, he held offices of President, Secretary, Finance Chairman and Membership Chairman. He served as Zone 2 Chairman, Deputy District Governor of Region 2 and Governor of the 26-F Lions District.

Dean loved sports. He read the paper every morning and followed the local teams including the Royals and Kansas City Chiefs. He refereed basketball games for 38 years. He helped with Little League and help Becky coach his granddaughters’ summer league softball team. He loved watching his daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports. It was nothing for him to get a family game up at the bottom of the yard on Sunday afternoons.

He and Maxine were avid bowlers for many years. They also loved square dancing and helped host many dances at the field house and Lion’s hall.  He helped at the Ridgeway Fair for many years raising money and working at the eat shack.

Dean had a clever sense of humor and never met a stranger. He was always the first to volunteer to help anyone or any organization. He grew a big garden and shared it with everyone right up to the summer he had a stroke. He was truly a hardworking man and loved his family, friends, and community. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great grandfather. He leaves behind, wife: Maxine; daughters: Rita (Bob) Tuggle, Bethany, Becky (Everett) Harding, Ridgeway; grandchildren: Anthony (Lisa) Tuggle, Richmond, Virginia, Janie Selby, Rhonda (Wes) Booth, Tim (Sheila) Harding and Tom (Karen) Harding all of Ridgeway; 11 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren; Brother: Russell Williams, Gilman City; numerous nieces and nephews and a multitude of friends.

Besides his parents: Isaac Talton and Laura Jane (Edson) Williams, he was preceded in death by his grandson: Jeff Tuggle; five sisters: Jewell Nelson, Ruby Burnette, Opal Foutch, Ocy Buchner, Arlyne Strait; brother: Kenneth Williams.

Funeral services were 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 6, at Ridgeway Methodist Church, interment at Kirkley Chapel Cemetery, Ridgeway.

Memorial contributions maybe made to Ridgeway Lions Club and/or Kirkley Chapel Cemetery in care of Bethany Memorial Chapel, Bethany.  Tributes maybe left at www.bethanymemorialchapel.com

Hazel Lucile Agee

Hazel Lucile Agee, 79, Denver, Colo., passed away January 20, 2012 after a brief illness. Services were held on January 25 in Thornton, Colo.

Hazel was born in Bethany, Mo., on July 16, 1932 to Golda Sanders and William Benton Gard. She married Johnny Le Agee on March 12, 1951 in San Antonio, Texas. They moved their family to Denver, Colo., in 1957 and she lived in the family home until her death.

Survivors are daughters, Marsha (Steve) Schuyler and Colleen Agee; son, John (Cris) Agee Jr.; four grandchildren; nine great grandchildren and numerous other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Johnny; infant son, Jerry Lynn; parents; brother, Donald L. Gard.

Burial in Highland Cemetery, Thornton, Colo.

Stephen Lewis Sanders, 1921 – 2012     

Stephen Lewis Sanders, 90, Bethany, MO passed away Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at a Cameron, MO hospital.

He was born September 28, 1921 in Leon, Iowa the son of Henry William and Glada Fern (Warnstaff) Sanders.

Stephen served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1940 to 1946 in the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters. He farmed and retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1986 as Superintendent-Of-Postal-Operations after over 34 years of government service.  He was a member and Elder Emeritus of the First Christian Church of Bethany and the VFW Post #2176.  He had also served on the Martinsville School Board.

On January 26, 1944, she married Leona Darby in Norfolk, Virginia.  She survives of the home.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers; and son-in-law, Paul Beydler.

Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Leona, of the home; 2 daughters, Stephenie Beydler, Grant City, MO and Cathy Coble, Ft. Worth, TX; sister-in-law, Cleta Sanders, Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren, Ronette (Roger) Sherman, Gallatin, MO, Reggie Runyan, Martinsville, MO, Sabrina (Dustin) Ellis, Bethany, Stephen, Daniel and Morgan Totton and Hannah Coble all of Ft. Worth, TX; great-grandchildren, Coltin and Callie Smith, Riley Hagan, Torrie Runyan and Izabella Leona Ellis; a special dog, Copper; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.

Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 3, at the Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, MO.  Burial with Military Rites will be in the Kidwell Cemetery, Martinsville, MO.   The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home where friends may call after Noon Thursday.  Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church of Bethany in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 46, Bethany, MO  64424.

Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com

Harold Arthur Doty

The life of Harold Arthur Doty began on November 4, 1917,in Tyrone, Oklahoma, and at 94 years of age, it ended January 15, 2012, in McAllen, Texas.

March 27,1935, he married Doris L. Craig in Twin Falls, Idaho. The couple was married for 72 years.  To this union two children were born:  Harold LeRoy Doty, deceased, and Marjorie Allene Doty David, who was with him at the time of his death.   In 1947, he moved his family to Harrison County, Missouri, where he was regarded as a progressive, hardworking, successful farmer for 40 years.

He is preceded in death by his wife Doris, his parents Thomas and Ethel, his son LeRoy, his sister LaVone Porter, a brother Thomas Doty, and two nieces.  He is survived by his sister Georgia Doty Krahn, and her husband John of Birmingham, Alabama, and the wife of Thomas Doty, Donna Faye Phillips Doty of Cainsville, Missouri, and a dear friend Joan Hollenbeck of Pharr, TX. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Valerie Cummins of Ft. Collins, CO, Lance Doty of Bethany, MO, Brad David, Craig David, and Tamara David Herman, all of Columbia, MO.  He is also survived by eight great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

There will be a private memorial service on March 27, 2012 in Pharr, TX, and then the ashes will be transported to Glaze Cemetery in Harrison County, Missouri. 

Nadine E. Gutridge

Nadine E. Gutridge, 89, of Lee’s Summit, Mo passed away Jan. 27^th, 2012 at ST. Luke’s East Medical Center. Visitation will be Feb. 3^rd, 2012 from 4-6pm at Langsford Funeral Home ins Lee’s Summit, Mo. Born April 7, 1922 to Bonnie and Leland Buntin.  She graduated from Eagleville, Mo high school.

Jim and Nadine celebrated 70 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on July 3, 2011.  Residing in the Marlborough area of Kansas City, Mo for 16 years, she worked as the school secretary at Center Elementary for 7 years.  Relocating to Lee’s Summit, Mo in 1966 she continued to provide her school secretarial services to what was at the time, the only Lee’s Summit middle school.  Nadine loved to share many memories over the years with stories about growing up in Brooklyn, Mo and the surrounding area.  Known for her expertise as a seamstress, Nadine provided joy for many of those whom were recipients of her creations.  In later years quilting became her passion and each of those close to her heart received a hand-made, treasure that will ensure her memory lives on.

Grandma Nadine will be missed by her five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.  She is survived by her children: Marilyn Hamner (husband Don) of Shawnee, Ks; James (wife Rae) of Louisburg, Ks; Sisters: Erma Dunlap, Joan Wilson of Bethany, Mo brothers Keith Buntin of Creighton, Mo and Jack Buntin (wife Dorothy) of Stanberry, Mo.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.Langsfordfuneralhome.com

ORAN KENNETH JOHNSTON

Oran Kenneth Johnston, 93, Bethany, passed away January 29^th, 2012.

He was born March 26, 1918 in Harrison County Mo., the son of Samuel & Eva (Kinder) Johnston.

He was married to Thelma Huitt on July 6, 1939 in Bethany.

Oran spent most of his life as a farmer near Hatfield Mo and also owned a plumbing business. He enjoyed fishing with his grandkids and other kids in the neighborhood. He also enjoyed hunting & gardening. A favorite pastime of he and Thelmas was camping. Many of those camping trips included her brothers and sisters where they spent many hours playing cards & sharing stories around the campfire. Oran only had an 8^th grade education but loved to read educational material such as the entire encyclopedia, which he read in one winter and the National Geographic Magazines. He kept up with current events and could talk for hours with anyone who had time to visit with him. When he lived in Eagleville he enjoyed riding his golf cart to the Square Meal for coffee and to City Hall to visit with Joy Ragan. Oran had many friends that will miss him including the residents and staff at Crestview Home in Bethany where he lived almost 4 years.

Oran was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma; his parents; one brother, Everett; sisters, Lottie Snead and Lola Johnston.

Those left to cherish his memory are: his sister, Sylvia Sweeney, of Bethany; son, Ronald (Evelyn) of Hatfield Mo; son, Gary (Dorothy) of Burleson, TX; daughter, Patricia (Lonnie) Cook of Muscatine, IA; 11 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 14 great great grandchildren.

Oran attended the Eagleville Christian Church when he resided in Eagleville and was baptized while living at Crestview.

Memorial services were Wednesday, February 1^st at the Eagleville Christian Church with Pastor Royce Smith officiating. Memorials may be given to Payne Cemetery or Harrison County Hospice in care of Evelyn Johnston, 14224 W. 131^st, Hatfield, MO 64458.

Dorothy Hazel Wilson

Dorothy Hazel Wilson, daughter of Claude Ivan and Mabel Dorothy (Houston) Miller, was born in Farnam, Nebraska, on January 9, 1930, and passed away on January 26, 2012, at Pearl’s II Eden for Elders in Princeton, Missouri, at the age of 82 years.

Dorothy lived most of her childhood in Atkinson, Nebraska, where she attended school. On May 16, 1952, she was united in marriage to Charles Henry Chuck Wilson in Plattsmouth, Nebraska.

She and Chuck moved to Mercer County, Missouri, in December of 1969 and made their home east of Mercer. Chuck preceded her in death on February 11, 2004. She was also preceded in death by her parents; a grandson, Nathaniel Wayne Wilson; three brothers, Robert, James, and William Miller; and by three sisters, Helen, Ruth, and Ruby. She is survived by her five daughters, Deborah Lee Michaelis (Terry Shaffer) of Dallas, Texas, Rebecca Sue Martin (and her husband, Kenny) and Valerie Kay Martin (and her husband, Jim), all of Mercer, Missouri, Patricia Lou Stark (and her husband, Ron) of Princeton, and Sharon Larice Stephens (and her husband, Scott) of Chillicothe, Missouri; her three sons, Robert Charles Wilson (and his wife, Mary) of Mercer, Randall Wayne Wilson (and his wife, Jennifer) of Princeton, Missouri, and Pastor Timothy Scott Wilson (and his wife, Wendy) of Gilman City, Missouri; two brothers, Walter Miller (and his wife, Marge) of Ralston, Nebraska, and Keith Miller (and his wife, Marilyn) of Stanberry, Missouri; 20 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; and by other relatives and friends.

Dorothy was a devoted homemaker for her family and for her extended family which included several foster children she raised in her home as a licensed foster parent, and many other children who needed a place to stay. She also worked as a waitress in restaurants in Mercer County, Missouri, and Wayne County, Iowa. She enjoyed riding horses and baking, and was well known for her cinnamon rolls.

Dorothy was a member of the Mercer, Missouri, Baptist Church.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, January 29, 2012, at 3:00 P.M. at the Baptist Church in Mercer, Missouri, with Pastors Tim Wilson and Ron Helton officiating, under the direction of the Greenlee-Middleton Funeral Service of Princeton, Missouri. Burial will be in the Early Cemetery in Mercer.

The family requests memorial contributions to Pearls II Eden for Elders, in lieu of flowers. Contributions may be mailed to Pearls II Eden for Elders, 611 N. College, Princeton, MO 64673.

Georgianna Miller, 90, Albany, (formerly of Pattonsburg, MO) passed away Monday, January 23, 2012 in Albany, MO.

She was born May 24, 1921 in Daviess County, MO, the daughter of David T. and Nettie Leona (Dilley) Nalle.

Georgianna was a hairdresser and a member of the Red Hat Society.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Ray and Junior and nephew, Jimmie Nalle.

Survivors include nephews, Dave, Danny, Doug, Matt, Kenny, Bradley, Justin, Bryson, Cole, Riley, Henry, Bryan, C.J., Jimmy and Andrew Nalle.

Graveside Services and Burial will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 26, at the Savage Cemetery, Pattonsburg, MO. The family will receive friends from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Thursday, at Roberson Funeral Home, Pattonsburg, MO, where friends may call after 8:00 a.m. Thursday.

Memorial contributions may be made to Savage Cemetery in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 152, Pattonsburg, MO 64670. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com

Neil Albert Norris, 1918 – 2012

Neil Albert Norris, 93, Bethany, passed away Saturday, January 21, 2012 at a Liberty, MO hospital.

He was born August 2, 1918 in Gilman City, Missouri, the son of Leroy Albert and Cliva Cornelia (Black) Norris.

He married Mary Sallee.  She preceded him in death on May 18, 1994.

Neil worked for Townsend Wholesale and the Places' Corporation.  He also was a Kirby sweeper sales and repairman.  He loved bowling was an avid bowler.  He was a member and served faithfully at the First Christian Church, Bethany, MO.

Survivors include a dear friend, Moneta Selby, Bethany, MO; niece, Linda Small, Denver, CO; family friend, Deb (Bill) Graham, Bethany, MO; and several other nieces and nephews.

He also was preceded in death by his parents; son, Michael; sisters, Lorine Miller, Alene Herring, and Mildred Christopher; and brother, Kenneth.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 25, at the Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, MO.  Burial with military rites in Sharon Chapel Cemetery, Mt. Moriah, MO.  The family will receive friends from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home where friends may call after 1:00 p.m. Tuesday.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church and\or Bethany Public Library in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. box 46, Bethany, MO  64424.  Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com

Dorothy Elaine Baxter 1921- 2012

Dorothy Elaine Brinigar, the daughter of William Bryan and Helen Lindrose Brinigar, was born August 31, 1921 on a farm just south of Blythedale, Missouri.

As a girl, Dorothy enjoyed many happy days growing up with her older sister, Virginia.  When she was 13, her brother Bryce was born.  They remained a close knit family through the years, living only a short distance from each other.

Dorothy attended Shawnee School and Blythedale High, where she excelled in basketball and played the trombone, graduating in 1939.  On April 20, 1940 she was united in marriage to Richard Wayne Baxter.  In 1941, they bought the Highview Ranch a half mile east of Blythedale where they were to spend the remainder of their lives.  Three children blessed the union: Larry Neil, Joy Anne, and Tony Roe.

Dorothy and Wayne were together for 67 years until his death in 2007.  Dorothy thought farm life was the only life worth living.  Working in the garden and yard was her passion.  Until just recently, she mowed the grass and cared for her beautiful roses.  Summer and fall were spent harvesting the rewards of her labors.  She was an unequaled cook and no one could make better meals for their family or farm workers.

Dorothy was involved in every aspect of farming, including working in the fields, milking the cows, and caring for her chickens.  She loved horses and never tired of working with them, always believing the old ways were best.  She was an avid reader and especially loved poetry and American history.  Her knowledge of Harrison County history had no peer.  She lamented the loss of the railroad in her beloved Blythedale, and the town's subsequent decline.  She possessed a spry sense of humour, a remarkable will, and yearned to “keep things going”, such was her love of her heritage.  Family was a priority for Dorothy.  She adored her grandchildren and cherished their summertime visits to the Blythedale Fair.  Dorothy was an active member of the Blythedale Methodist Church; she also belonged to the Homemakers’ Club, with her sister.

Health problems hampered the last years of her life, but the family farm remained her home until her death.  She departed this life on January 17, 2012 at the age of 90 years, 4 months, and 17 days, leaving two sons Larry and wife Lucy Baxter; Tony and wife Patricia Baxter, all of Blythedale; daughter Joy and husband John Linville of Kansas City.  And eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, two step grandchildren, three step great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents; one sister, Virginia; one brother, Bryce; daughter-in-law, Karen Thrailkill Baxter; brother-in-law, Jack Sturdevant. She will be sorely missed by family and friends.

Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 21, at Roberson Funeral Home, Eagleville, MO.  Burial in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Blythedale, MO. The family will receive friends from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Saturday, before the service, at the funeral home where friends may call after 4:00 p.m. Friday.

Memorial contributions - Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and\or Cedar Hill Cemetery in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 46, Eagleville, MO 64442.  Online condolences - www.robersonfuneralhome.com