Rachel Lee Applegate Owen

Rachel Lee Applegate Owen, 96, Schell City, was born Jan. 8, 1915, in Tiffin, the daughter of William Clay and Pernia Catherine (McKinley) Heath. She passed from this life on Sunday, July 24, 2011 at her home in Schell City

As a child, Rachel Lee along with her family, moved to Schell City where she attended school until the eighth grade. On Aug. 1, 1933, she was united in marriage to Emett Applegate until his death in 1985. To their union two children were born.

She and Emett began their married life in the same house that Rachel Lee called home for the rest of her life. What began as a two room house grew along with their family.

Rachel Lee was a true homemaker and mother. She took care of everyone. She was a longtime member of the Schell City Christian Church and the Belvior Club. She enjoyed painting, listening to her family play music, picking pecans and especially loved dancing, playing the harmonica and reading the Bible.

On Jan. 20, 1987, Rachel Lee married Don Owen and they enjoyed nearly 22 years together.

Larry’s tribute to Mom – Our mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Rachel Lee Applegate Owen was the best you could ever ask for. Her family came first. She loved each and everyone equally. She survived the hard times through thick and thin and the good times always outweighed the bad. As a son’s point of view, she was always there and if you ever thought you were ever pulling the wool over her yes “think again”. She loved the farm and the outdoors and was no stranger to hard work. If you ever came to her house, the first thing she asked you was if you wanted something to eat or drink and was kind of offended if you said no. Through 96 years of life she saw a lot of changes. Sometimes she would do without so someone else could have. If someone was in need of help she was one of the first to be there and the last to leave. Everyone that knew her was blessed and through her life she never met a stranger. She is in a better place now and Heaven’s assets have been increased, but she will be sadly missed by all. The last few months of her life were trying for both she and her family but she never complained and took it all in stride but without the help of Heartland Hospice, her caretakers and especially her granddaughter, Kristi, it would have been much harder. Our thanks go out to each and everyone. All were so patient and kind. She left her mark in this would and in our hearts and she planned on seeing all of us in Heaven. God bless you all.

Rachel Lee was preceded in death by one sister, Catherine; two brothers, Holbert and James; one great grandson; one great-great grandson; and both her husbands, Emett who passed away July 18, 1985, and Don who passed away Dec. 29, 2009.

Survivors include one son, Larry Applegate and his wife, Marla – Schell City; one daughter, Peggy Applegate – Great Falls, MT; one sister, Flora Bea Allison and her husband, Dale – Schell City; five grandchildren – Frank Carlton and his wife, Linda – Nevada; Fred Carlton and his wife, Veronica – Kingsville; Keri Hold and her husband, George – Nevada; Kristi Applegate – Schell City and Justin Applegate and his wife, Michele – Schell City; 14 great grandchildren; nine great-great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law,
Avelina Heath and Bertie Patrick; two brothers-in-law, Joe Owen and Art Owen; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and a host of friends.

Services began at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 27, at the Schell City Christian Church in Schell City with Bro. Marvin Jamison and Bro. Paul Thorade officiating. Musical selections were provided by Sharon Goodman, David Souza and Paula Gray. Pallbearers were Frank Carlton, Fred Carlton, Justin Applegate, Tyler Carlton, Aaron Carlton, Anthony Carlton, Weston Calton and Seth Carlton. Honorary pallbearers were Renn Corbin, Dennis Vantellman, Jim Goodman, Neal Gerster, Ervin Goodman and Sam Vantellman. Interment was in the Green Lawn Cemetery in Schell City.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Schell City Christian Church. Arrangements were entrusted to the Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home in Schell City.

Joseph Wood

Joseph William (Bill) Wood, 53, Lamar, passed away July 22, 2011, at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler, MO. He was born Jan. 1, 1958, in Illinois to John Wood and Betty Ann Dickerson.

He graduated from Turner High School in Kansas City, KS. After graduation Bill served in both the Navy and Army. After his discharge, he worked for a period of time as a CNA at area nursing homes.

Bill was preceded in death by his father and step-mother.

Survivors include: one daughter, Stacy Asten-Ross - Milo; one granddaughter, Allison, and another grandchild on the way; and many other relatives and friends.

Final disposition was cremation. A memorial service will be at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be left on our web site at: www.blandhackleman.com.

Barbara Morlan

Barbara Jo Morlan, 75, El Dorado Springs, passed away on Sunday evening, July 17, 2011, at St. Johns Hospital in Springfield.
She was born January 23, 1936, in Lamar, CO, the oldest of two children born to the union of Jesse F. and Thelma (Webber) Davis.

Barbara was previously married to Carl H. Schecker, who passed away in Nov. 1970. To this union two children were born - Craig A. Schecker and Cherylon G. (Schecker) Winningham.

On Nov. 2, 1972, she was married to Delbert Morlan who passed away on May 14, 2011. Barbara was previously employed as a teacher at Bronaugh, Walker, Sheldon and El Dorado Springs schools. The majority of her career she taught typing and business at El Dorado Springs High School from 1971 to 1991. After her retirement from teaching she worked part time at a local bank and attorney’s office.

Barbara enjoyed traveling with family and friends, sewing, quilting and spending time at their lake lot.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands and a daughter, Carlanne Schecker.
Barbara is survived by a son, Craig Schecker, and wife, Betty - Phoenix, AZ; a daughter, Cherylon Winningham, and husband, Mark - Carthage; three step-sons: David Morlan - Reno, NV; Greg Morlan and wife, Vickie - El Dorado Springs; and Kurt Morlan - El Dorado Springs; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; one sister, Darlene McAlexander - Kemah, TX; one nephew, Mitchell Sadler - Houston, TX; four sisters-in-law - Cloe Brandom - Stockton, Frances Pinkman - El Dorado Springs, Maybelle Preston ––Joplin and Ardeth Morlan - El Dorado Springs; and a host of other family and friends.

Services began at 10 a.m. Friday, July 22, at Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home. The family received friends on Thursday evening from 6-7 p.m. Rev. Brent Bland officiated. Interment followed in El Dorado Springs City Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Colin Schecker, Mark Winningham, Tyler Winningham, Brandon Musick, Gary Forest and Daniel Long. Honorary pallbearers will be Ed Morlan, Royce Anderson, David Cauthon, Ronnie Bland, Kyle Bland and Lyle Bland.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to CMH dialysis unit and left at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be left on our web site at: www.blandhackleman.com.

Velma Irene Smith

Velma Irene Smith, 95, El Dorado Springs, passed away on July 16, 2011, at Community Springs Healthcare. She was born Sept. 19, 1915, in Bourbon, OR, to Claude Neely and Jessie (Clopton) Neely.

She attended school at Cedar Springs. On Feb. 25, 1935, Velma married Everett Paul “Shorty” Smith in Fort Scott, KS and when he passed away, they had been married 52 years. To this union three children were born - Everett, Marcelle and Wayne.

Velma was a member of Concord Missionary Baptist Church in Cedar Springs. As a God fearing and family loving woman, the most important things in her life were her family and her church. Velma was proud of her children and was heard to say, “I have three kids - a preacher, a teacher and a banker.” Velma was a very talented lady. She enjoyed painting and gardening, but her special talent was poetry. Through the years she wrote many poems, several of which were published.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, two brothers and three sisters. She is survived by her three children -
Everett Smith - El Dorado Springs, Marcelle Goodwin - White Salmon, WA, and Wayne Smith - South Bend, IN; nine grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

Services began at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 21, at Concord Missionary Baptist Church, Cedar Springs. The family received friends from 5-6 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, at Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home. Bro. DeWayne Burdette will officiate. Interment will follow in Lebeck Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Mike Goodwin, Kevin Smith, William Smith, Aaron Smith, Nathan Wesley, Daulton Wesley, Josh Roudebush, Cade Shay and Tanner Smith.

Online condolences may be left on our web site at: www.blandhackleman.com.

Ruth Irene Skelton

Ruth Irene Skelton, 94, El Dorado Springs, passed away on July 16, 2011, in Springfield at Christian Healthcare Nursing Home. She was born on July 6, 1917, to Robert and Ora Mae Wallis at Big Rock, IL.

Ruth grew up and attended school in Sandwich, IL. After graduating from high school, she worked in various places including Chicago, IL, where she worked as a clerk. While in Chicago, she met and later married Vernon Skelton Sr. who was training for service in the United States Army Air Corp. They married in West Palm Beach, FL, on Aug. 20, 1942. Vernon and Ruth celebrated 50 years of marriage before Vernon’s death in 1991. Five children were born to their union - Vernon Jr. - San Francisco, CA, Robert - Independence, Roger - El Dorado Springs, Linda Donnelson - Battlefield and David - Warrensburg. One granddaughter, Ester Pedrino, was raised by Ruth and Vernon from infancy.

They lived in the Fort Myers, FL, area for many years until moving to El Dorado Springs. In addition to raising her own children,
Ruth cared for several other children as a child care provider.

Ruth loved gardening, caring for animals, cooking, and being active in church. She was a kind-hearted person always willing to help others. Ruth and Vernon were faithful servants of the Lord and helped build up a church in North Fort Myers, FL.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Skelton; her parents; four brothers - Robert, Dewey, Merle and Ivan; and one grandson, Travis Skelton - Independence.

She is survived by one brother, Ralph - Sandwich, IL; her five children; eight grandchildren; two step-grandsons; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Services began at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 20, in Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home. The family received friends prior to the service from 10-11 a.m. John Brooks officiated. Interment followed in Coal Hill Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Nathan Donnelson, Curtis Donnelson, Jace Donnelson, Tim Evert, Daniel Skelton and Matthew Skelton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Coal Hill Cemetery and left at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be left on our web site at: www.blandhackleman.com.

Paulette Gardner Doran

Paulette Gardner Doran, 63, was born in Springfield on Sept. 13, 1947, to Paul and Lorraine Gardner. She passed away suddenly on July 10, 2011.

Paulette is survived by daughters, Suzy Ridgway, and her husband, Randy, and Jill Baderdeen, and her husband, Sam; brothers - Gary Gardner, and wife - Jeanette, Rick Gardner, and wife- Sandy, Ron Gardner and Mike Gardner; grandchildren - Tera, Sharin, Randy, Stephanie, Stacie, Evan and Jenna; 16 great-grandchildren; a host of cousins, nieces and nephews, and her beloved babies, Spice and Sissy.

Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Friday, July 15, at Greenlawn North, 3506 North National, Springfield, followed by funeral services at 10 a.m., with burial to be in White Chappel Cemetery.

Wanda Pearl Price

Wanda Pearl Price, 97, El Dorado Springs, departed this life on July 9, 2011, at the Community Springs Nursing Home in El Dorado Springs. She was born June 2, 1914, in Primm, OK, to Leslie Burt Mitchell and Effie Merle (Palmer) Mitchell.

Wanda’s mother died when she was a baby and she was raised by her Uncle and Aunt Buck in Canton, OK. She graduated from Canton High School.

Wanda told her family about meeting Frank Joseph Gorham while he worked for the railroad and how athletic he looked. They started dating right away. He was over 6 ft. tall and she was only 4’ 11” tall. They were united in marriage in 1934.

To this union three children were born: Shirley (died at birth March 8, 1935), Connie and Carol. After their marriage, the family left Canton, OK, and moved to Portland, OR. The family again moved in the mid 50’s to Independence, MO, where Wanda went to work for AT&T. A few years later she and Frank divorced.

Wanda married Billy E. Price in 1961. After retiring from AT&T, they moved to El Dorado Springs. They enjoyed their new life and many new friends.

She was affectionately known to family and friends as “Granny.” Her hobbies included collecting dolls, playing cards and attending to the needs of her family.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Billy E. Price; two daughters: Shirley Sue Gorham and Connie June Gorham; and three grandchildren - Phillip, Susie and Billy Joe.

Wanda is survived by one daughter, Carol Sieler ,of Liberty; four grandchildren - Diane, Roger, Jimmy and Gary; 16 great-grandchildren and 17 great-great-grandchildren.

Services began at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 13, at the First Christian Church in El Dorado Springs. Rev. Dale Felder officiated and Ron Alumbaugh provided music. Interment followed in the El Dorado Springs City Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Bruce Rogers, Mike Tittle, Forest Troyer, Greg Beydler, Chuck Ashlock and Chris Vickers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Children’s Mercy Hospital and left at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be left at our web site at: www.blandhackleman.com.