Paul Preston Beydler

Paul Preston Beydler, 85, El Dorado Springs, passed away Feb. 27, 2010. He was born Oct. 27, 1924, in Jerico Springs to Virgil O. and Naomi (Hutchinson) Beydler. He was the forth of five children growing up on the family farm near Jerico Springs and in Buffalo, WY.

During the Second World War he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard serving in the Pacific on Saipan and Guam.

Returning home, Preston married Cleola Mae Willhoite of Jerico Springs on Oct. 12, 1946. The young couple found work by migrating to the Kansas City area. Preston worked at Kansas City Power and Light as a Journeyman Instrument Relay Technician for 36 years. He then retired to El Dorado Springs and enjoyed fishing with family and friends in the area lakes.
Preston was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers - Byron, Stanley and Dwight; grandson, Andrew James Childress; and son-in-law, Phillip Childress.

Survivors include his wife, Cleola Mae; daughter, Terry Ann Childress; son, Paul Byron Beydler, and wife, Peggy Ann; sister, Kathleen Farmer; four grandchildren - Matthew Rardon, Joy Johnson, and husband, Mark, Kelsey Beydler and Dala Stevens; and five great-grandchildren - Logan Rardon, Nick Johnson, Cody Stevens, David Stevens and Ashley Stevens.

Visitation was from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, at Bland-Hackleman Chapel.

Services will begin at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 4, at Bland-Hackleman Chapel with Travis Bryson officiating. Brandon Watkins will provide music. Interment will follow in Brasher Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be: Paul Beydler, Greg Beydler, Randy Beydler, Matthew Rardon, Dee Skeeters and Kent Harvey.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Brasher Cemetery in memory of Paul Preston Beydler.

Rodney Earl Schnedler

Rodney Earl Schnedler, 45, Nevada, passed away on Feb. 27, 2010, at Freeman West Hospital, Joplin, following a short illness. He was diagnosed with an aggressive form of liver cancer 10 days before his death. He was born Sept. 5, 1964, to Robert Lee Schnedler and Mildred Evadyne Moore. His parents divorced in 1965.

When Rodney was three, his mother married Charlie Wales, formerly of Cedar County. Rodney grew-up in Nevada and graduated from Nevada High School in 1982. He lived in Dallas, TX, for 20 years working as a bookkeeper for a hotel management company. While in Dallas, he was a member of the Crossroads Community Christian Church and was active in the Diabetes Association and the Autism Program. 

He returned to Nevada in January 2009 to work for U.S. Bank. Rodney purchased his dream home, a stately mansion that was built in the early 1900’s. He and his sister, Connie Martin, enjoyed decorating the grand old home. It was placed on the “Tour of Homes” in Nevada in August 2009.

He was preceded in death by his father and two brothers, Roger and Richard.

Survivors include his mother, Mildred Wales, and stepfather, Charles Wales - Nevada; three sisters - Cheryl Lorenz - Fulton, Connie Martin – Columbia, and Sandra Pippin - Nevada; one brother, Robert Schnedler - Nevada; two step-sisters, Jackie Wales - Fortuna, CA, and Judy Nichols – Stockton; their spouses and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services were held in Nevada and internment was at Newton Burial Park, Nevada, on Wednesday, March 3. Those who wish may contribute to the American Diabetes Association in Care of Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

Mary Rachel (McKinney) Smith

Mary Rachel (McKinney) Smith, 83, Washington, D.C. passed away Feb. 24, 2010. She was born Jan. 19, 1927, to Harvey and Mary McKinney in Schell City.

Mary attended grade school and high school at Schell City.

She joined the Air Force in the spring of 1951 where she met her husband, H.J. Smith. They were married in June 1955.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Harvey and Mary McKinney; and four brothers – Joe, Roger, Dennis and Hugh McKinney.

Survivors include her husband of the home, two step-pdaughters, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and many friends. She will truly be missed.

Ruby May Barritt

Ruby May (Adams) Barritt, 99, El Dorado Springs, passed away Feb. 24, 2010, at Community Springs Healthcare. Ruby was born Dec. 21, 1910, in the home of her parents, E.R. and Gertrude Adams in Cedar County. She was the first daughter in a family of 10.

She attended grade school at Pleasant Ridge. Ruby was saved as a young girl and joined the Baptist Church. She attended as long as her health permitted.

On Dec. 25, 1931, Ruby married Lloyd Harold Barritt. They were blessed with four children - Howard, Vera, Wayne and Alice Geraldine who passed away at age two.

Ruby liked working in her yard and was always busy knitting, crocheting and making quilts.

In 1994 she lost her partner, Lloyd. She was able to live alone until Oct. 1, 2009, when she moved to Community Springs Healthcare Facility.

Preceding Ruby in death were: her parents, Eddie and Trudy Adams; baby daughter, Geraldine; two sisters, Elizabeth Schwalm and Virginia Carter; five brothers - Eugene, Floyd, James, Paul and Lawrence; and a grandson, Larry Barritt.

Ruby is survived by one sister, Muriel Hammer; one brother, Kenny Adams; two sons, Howard Barritt, and wife, Maxine, and Wayne Barritt, and wife, Vesta; and one daughter, Vera Whitesell; five grandchildren, some of which affectionately called her Me-Ma - Ronnie Whitesell and wife, Dana, Denny Whitesell and wife, Lisa, Tony Barritt and wife, Glenda, Cathy Barritt and Susan Elliott and husband, Tom; 14 great-grandchildren - Casie Broker, Christina Owen, Tate Whitesell, Kama Deschane, Adam Elliott, Matthew Elliott, Kelly Barritt, Dawn Todd, Colt Whitesell, Ace Whitesell, Kaylyn Whitesell, Faith Barritt, Donald Kelly and Melanie McWilliams; eight great-great-grandchildren; as well as extended family and friends.

Services were held Saturday, Feb. 27, 2009, at Bland-Hackleman Chapel with Brother Everett Smith officiating. Karen Rains provided music. Interment followed in Clintonville Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were - Ronnie Whitesell, Denny Whitesell, Tony Barritt, Tom Elliott, Don Sanders and John Broker.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Clintonville Cemetery.

Ernest Reginald Turner

Ernest Reginald Turner, 78, passed away Feb. 21, 2010, at his home. He was born Nov. 4, 1931, in Westfield, NJ, to Reginald and Marjorie (Comer) Turner.

On June 29, 1958, Ernest married Marjorie Highley in Montevallo.

Preceding Ernest in death were: his parents; one brother, Donald; two sisters, Mary May and Elizabeth Lyons; and one son Donald.
Ernest is survived by his loving wife, Marjorie, of the home; one son, Larry Turner, and wife, Rosemary; three daughters - Stephanie Newberry, and husband, Robert, Karen Pettit, and husband, Shannon, and Kelly Lapreze, and husband, Edward; four brothers - John Turner - Edison, NJ, Robert Turner - Marco Island, FL, David Turner - Cape Coral, FL, and George Turner - Freehold, NJ; three sisters - Barbara Scillitoe - Belvedere, NJ, Edith Balland - Georgetown, DE, and Margaret Langwasser - Middlesex, NJ; 20 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Ernest was a wonderful loving and caring man and will be greatly missed.

Services began at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, in Bland-Hackleman Chapel with Pastor Jim Davis officiating. Interment followed in Olive Branch Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Larry Turner, Joe Turner, Keith Turner, Steven Edwards, James Edwards, Chris Edwards and David Moore.

In lieu of flowers memorials contributions may be made to Montevallo Baptist Church or the March of Dimes.

Helen M. Skeen Perkins

Helen M. Skeen Perkins, 91, St. Joseph, formerly of El Dorado Springs, died Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010, at a local health care center. She was born Jan. 13, 1919, in Savannah, MO, the daughter of Algy and Enga (Atlakson) Skeen.

She married John L. Perkins on Oct. 4, 1947. He preceded her in death.

Helen was a member of the Christian Church in Roscoe. She enjoyed bowling and entertaining at home.
In addition to her husband, she was also preceded in death by her parents and six brothers and sisters.

Survivors include a sister, Anna Canchola (Gregorio) - St. Joseph; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services were held at Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory with interment in Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family suggests memorial gifts to St. Mary or St. Patrick Catholic Church parishes.

Theodore Rayford Thomas

Theodore Rayford Thomas, 77, Schell City, the only son of Victor Warren and Beatrice (Brown) Thomas, was born March 21, 1932, on a farm south of Schell City. He passed from this life at 11:52 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19, 2010, at the Ellett Memorial Hospital in Appleton City.

Ted grew up in the Schell city area and graduated from Schell City High School in 1950. He worked briefly as a farmhand before entering the United States Navy in February 1951. He was honorably discharged in 1955. During his service time, he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal, National Defense Medal and the United Nations Service Medal.

On Feb. 26, 1956, Ted was united in marriage to Norma Jean Goble and to their union four children were born. Ted and Norma made their home locally and for many years. Ted farmed and hauled livestock. Around 1970, Ted started operating the
Standard Service Station that he ran for about 13 years. While running the station, he also worked as City Marshall and was subsequently hired by the Vernon County Sheriff’s department as a deputy. He worked in law enforcement from 1983 to 1996, serving five and a half years as Vernon County Sheriff. After retiring, he continued to work part time transporting prisoners for the county as needed. He also ran the city road grader and volunteered countless hours on area improvement projects.

Ted was a member of the Harwood Baptist Church, Schell City Rural Fire Department, Schell City Lions Club, Schell City South Ward Alderman, Schell City Community Betterment, Missouri Sheriff’s Association, State Line Peace Officers Association and was a more than 50 year member of the Schell City Lodge #447 AF and AM joining in 1956.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents; one sister; and his daughter, Raejean, who passed away Nov. 30, 2002.

Survivors include his wife, Norma, of the home in Schell City; one son, Jerry Thomas, and his wife, Michelle – Hume; two daughters, Teri Thomas – Schell City, and Jackie McCammon, and her husband, Jason – Adrian; one sister, Edith McCoy, and her husband, Kenny – Schell city; 10 grandchildren – Christy Goodman, and her husband, Jared, Jeremy Maus, Becky Hill, and her husband, Nick, Brent, Travis, Kelsey and Brittany Thomas, Katelyn Johnson, and her husband, Chan, and Jordyn and Emily McCammon; seven great grandchildren - Cayla, Logan, Bryce and Jackson Goodman, Ethan Maus and Raeah and Raeleigh Hill.
Services were held Tuesday, Feb. 23, in the First Baptist Church in Schell City with Brother Doug Reynolds officiating. Musical selections were Life’s Railway to Heaven and Angels Among Us. Pianist was Winkie Smith.

Pallbearers were Tom Haddix, Paul Palmer, David Bell, Larry Dade, Kenny Hallam and Quentin Goodman. Honorary pallbearers were Ron Peckman, Chris Spratt, John Randall, John R. Hoagland, Jim Goodman, Drue Hoagland, Rex Diehl and Kenny McCoy.
Interment with military honors followed at the Green Lawn Cemetery in Schell City.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Schell City Community Building or the Schell City Rural Fire Department.
Arrangements for Mr. Thomas were entrusted to the Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home in Schell City.