Louise E. Davis

Louise E. Davis, 74, of Filer, ID, passed away Friday, Jan. 24, 2003, at Magic Valley Regional Medical Center following a short illness.

Louise was born March 13, 1928, in Taber, IA, the daughter of Floyd and Eula McMilin Tudor. On Dec. 24, 1945, Louise married Elmer "Mike" Davis in Twin Falls. He preceded her in death on Dec. 18, 1985. Louise worked for Asgrow Research Center in Filer for 15 years.

She is survived by three daughters - Judy (Don) Bolley - Filler, ID, Janet Phillips - Boise, ID, and Doris Davis - Buhl, ID; three sons - Ronald (Lana) Davis - Twin Falls, ID, Mike (Dianna) Davis - Filer, ID, and Rick (Susan) Davis - Filer, ID; one sister, Maxine Hartline - El Dorado Springs; one brother, Gene (Mona) Tudor - Kimberly, ID; 26 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and two grandchildren.

Graveside services were held Jan. 28, at the Filer Cemetery with Pastor Rick Brown officiating.

Shirley Joan Blanchette

Shirley Joan Blanchette, 62, Springfield, formerly of Stockton, was born on April 24, 1940, and was taken by the Lord on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2003, by a lingering illness at St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield. She was born in Jennings, KS, to Henry George Poppe and Minnie Huldah Wente.

She is survived by one daughter, Nancy Dempsey and husband, Scott, and granddaughter, Lacey Dempsey - all of Springfield; two sisters - Glenna West and Bonnie Williams and husband, Don - all of El Dorado Springs; a brother, Herbie Poppe and wife, Barbara - Joplin. Preceding her in death were both parents and two brothers, Donald and Gary Poppe.

She was a caring and loving mother, grandmother and sister and will be greatly missed.

Services were conducted by Brumback Funeral Home, with burial in Holsapple Cemetery, Collins, on Saturday, Jan. 25. Pallbearers were Scott Dempsey, Don Williams, Joe Don Hackett, Jerry West, John Adams and Lyle Adams.

J. Calvin Fox

J. Calvin Fox, 77, Schell City, passed away peacefully at his home Jan. 22, 2003. He was born May 9 1925, near Schell City to William and Cora Marple Fox. He married Bettie Wells in Schell City on Dec. 24, 1947.

His parents separated when he was very young. When his father's health began to fail, he went to live with the Ezra Onweller family in Blue Mound. He attended Flat Rock Grade School and graduated from Schell City High School in 1945. When Ezra became unable to continue farming, Calvin and Bettie took over the farm; a portion they still farm today. He was a member of the Schell City Christian Church. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.

Survivors in addition to his wife, Bettie of 55 years, include: two sons, Tommy Fox and his wife, Beth - Nevada, and Jimmy Fox and his wife, Cheryl - Schell City; one daughter, Connie Gerster and her husband, Harvey - Schell City; eight grandchildren - Timmy Fox, Kenny Fox and Cole Cumbie - Nevada, Joni Gerster and Jina Gerster and her fiancee, Travis Potter - Pittsburg, KS, Jordan Gerster, Sabrina Fox and Joshua Fox - Schell City; two sisters - Erma Licudine - Los Angeles, CA, and Wilma Hines - Wichita, KS; one half-brother, Arthur Rambo; two half-sisters - Dorothy Rambo and Frances Martin - all of the state of Louisiana; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by one son, Roger James Fox; three brothers - Joe, Jewell (Chig) and Casselle (Boulder) Fox; one half-brother, Frank Rambo; and two sisters - Carolyn Hinds and Freda Hamilton.

Services were held Saturday, Jan. 25, in Schell City Christian Church with Bro. Howard McPeak officiating assisted by Harry Wells. Musical selections of "In The Garden" and "The Old Rugged Cross" were provided by Angela Scotten and Diane Eslinger.
Pallbearers were Timmy Fox, Kenny Fox, Cole Cumbie, Joni Gerster, Jina Gerster, Jordan Gerster, Sabrina Fox and Travis Potter. Honorary pallbearers were John Carlton, Everett Prough, Ted Thomas, Cecil Prough, Jim Beaman, Dan Gayman, Floyd Johnson, Charles Hickman and Bill Bailey. Interment was in Green Lawn Cemetery, Schell City under the direction of Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home, Schell City. Memorial contri¬butions are suggested to Nevada Regional medical Center Hospice or the Show-Me Christian Youth Home.

Larry Eugene Breshears

Larry Eugene Breshears, 53, was born Feb. 23, 1949, and passed away Sunday, Jan. 19, 2003 at Lee's Summit Hospital due to complications following surgery.

Larry was born in Taberville, the son of Robert and Mary Breshears. He graduated from Raytown High School in 1967 and entered the Navy where he served overseas for four years as a Naval Aviation Electronics electrician. After his time in the Navy, Larry moved to Kansas City and worked as a UAW electrician for General Motors for 26 years.

Larry was a great outdoorsman, but his first love was always his family. Larry is survived by his wife of 31 years, Arlene Beydler Breshears - El Dorado Springs. During their engagement in 1970, Larry accepted the Lord as his personal savior. He is also survived by his son, Steven Breshears and his wife, Heather, and grandson, Harrison - Greenwood; daughter, Holly Braswell and her husband, Matt, and grandson Hayden - Belton; parents, Robert and Mary Breshears - Hermitage; brother, Bill Bres¬hears - Indianapolis, IN; sister, Teri Jackson - Blue Springs; mother-in-law, Virginia Beydler - El Dorado Springs; and a multitude of family and friends who will miss his strength, his infectious spirit and his sense of humor dearly.

Services were at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, Jan. 22, at the Langsford Funeral Home, Lee's Summit, with burial in the Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of the Langsford Funeral Home, Lee's Summit. Memorial contributions can be made to the Overland Park Regional Hospital Neonatal Unit.

Andy Wayne Dockery Jr.

Andy Wayne Dockery Jr., 20, Nevada, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2003, at Freeman Hospital, Joplin. Andy was born August 4, 1982, in Nevada to Andy Dockery and Wendy Dawson Dockery. He lived in Joplin for 19 years with his caregiver, Wanda Gooch.

He is survived by his father, Andy Dockery Sr. and step-mother, Polly - Nevada; his mother, Wendy Dawson - Pittsburg, KS; step-father, Fermon Brown - Nevada; two sisters - Lauren Dockery - Nevada, and Heather Blake - Springfield; two brothers - Jacob Brown and Drew Blake - both of Nevada; Paternal grandparents, Loren and Barbara Dockery - Sheldon; maternal grandparent, Sharon Dawson - Kansas City; great grandparents, Victor and Mildred Jacobs - Nevada; and Mary Pickerl - South Carolina; Wanda Gooch - loving caregiver and family - Joplin.

Graveside services were held under the direction of Hackleman and Sons Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, at St. James Cemetery, Milford, with Rev. Brent Bland officiating. Pallbearers were Bill Wilson, Michael Dockery, John Wilson and Fermon Brown.

William (Joe) Joseph Ellis

William (Joe) Joseph Ellis, 58, El Dorado Springs, passed away Friday, Jan. 17, 2003. Joe was born on Dec. 5, 1944, to Conia and Elizabeth (Winn) Ellis.

Joe will be missed very much by all of his many friends and family. We will miss all the joys of having him here, his loving care and thoughtfulness for everyone around him. Joe was a wonderful husband, father and friend.

Survivors include his loving wife of 29 years, Grace (Keith) Ellis of the home; his mother, Elizabeth Timmons and step-father, Claud Timmons - Wichita, KS; four children - Conia Ellis - Las Vegas, NV, Sarah Ford, Billy Joe Ellis and Tiffany Williams - all of El Dorado Springs; two brothers - Donald Ellis - Kansas City, and Edward Ellis and his wife, Edith - Memphis, TN; two sisters - Doris Jonas - Sioux Falls, SD, and Linda Watts and her husband, Chuck - Mt. Holly, NC; three grandchildren - Alexa Keith and Cheyenne Coale - El Dorado Springs, and Courtney Ellis - Las Vegas, NV; one great-grandchild, Molly Ann - Las Vegas, NV.
We all love you, Joe - your loving family.

I will love you forever, Joe - your loving wife, Grace.

The family received friends on Tuesday evening, Jan. 21, under the direction of Hackleman and Sons Funeral Home. No other services are planned.

James Russell Ball

James Russel Ball, 79, was born Nov. 28, 1923, to Virgil and Mary (Hall) Ball in Hardin. He passed away on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003, at Sac-Osage Hospital, Osceola.

Russel's family lived a pi¬oneer lifestyle during his early life. His father was a coal digger, so they would travel between northern Missouri and St. Clair County in a covered wagon. When he was a small boy, they traveled in a Model T Ford to Compton, CA, where he attended kindergarten and possibly first grade. They then returned to Missouri, where they ultimately settled just outside Osceola. Russel farmed with his parents and periodically worked at the meat packing houses in St. Joseph.

He was married to Rachel Loveall on May 21, 1960, at a little church near Stockton. To this union was born four sons - Warren, Daniel, Leon and James and one daughter, Diane. They also have a very special foster son, Lewis Cox. During their married life they were foster parents to many children.

Russel ran a small dairy farm after marrying Rachel. He later raised beef cattle, did hay baling, cut wood and made fence posts. Most Thursdays you could find him at the sale barn, buying or selling cows or just visiting with his buddies. He was good with sick cattle and treated many of his friend's cows.

Russel loved running his coonhounds and hunting with his friends and children. He looked forward to coon season each year.
Even after he was unable to hunt, he would sit out¬side and listen to the dogs as the boys hunted nearby.

His greatest joy in life was spending time with his children and grandchildren. Nothing pleased him more than having everyone at home at the same time.

Russel accepted Jesus Christ into his life around age 27 and attended the Lowry City Church of God (Holiness) as long as his health permitted.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers - Lester, Ray and two others who died in infancy; sisters - Lucille Collins, Eugenia Jones, Mildred Sweeney and Bessie Ball.

He is survived by his wife, Rachel, of the home; sons - Warren, Daniel and Leon - Osceola, James and wife, Lora - Deepwater, Lewis and wife, Lisa - Nevada; daughter, Diane Myers and husband Vance - El Dorado Springs; grandchildren - Bryant, Tyler, Daniel, Frankie, Camille, Dalton and Chandler Ball; Darcie, Krysta, Alyssa and Gabriel Myers; Lewis, Jessica and Kristopher Cox; one brother, Donald - Osceola and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and close friends.

Services were held Monday, Jan. 20, at the Lowry City Church of God (Holiness) under the direction of Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home with Rev. Steve Elsey officiating. Interment was at the Yeater Cemetery in St. Clair County.

Dick H. Elliott

Dick H. Elliott, 70, Gladstone, a retired law enforcement officer, passed away Jan. 15, 2003 in North Kansas City Hospital.

Services were held Sunday, Jan. 19, in the Sheldon-Goodrich Chapel, Osceola. Burial was in Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Osceola, under the direction of the Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home, Osceola.

Chester Clatus Esry

Chester Clatus Esry, 81, passed away Jan. 14, 2003, in Walterboro, SC. He was born June 1, 1921, to Flery Clatus and Mammie Ozella (Pruet) Esry of rural El Dorado Springs.

Chester attended grade school at Pleasant Ridge and later graduated from El Dorado Springs High School in 1940. In December 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy.

He was married to Vera Mae Craven on July 27, 1951. After his retirement from the Navy, they made their home in Walterboro, SC, near her family. To this union two children were born; a daughter, Kathryn Ann, and a son, Daryl Herschel.

Chester was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Vera; son, Daryl Esry; grandson, Rodney Allen Thompson; brothers - Harry, Archie and James Esry; and sister, Loetta Smith.

Survivors include: his daughter, Kathryn Thompson and her husband, Allen; three grandchildren - Angela and Allison Thompson and Lindsey Esry; many relatives and friends in the El Dorado Springs area.

Burial was in Pleasant Grove Cemetery near Walterboro, SC.

Richard Allen Graham

Richard Allen Graham, 41, returned to his Heavenly Father on Jan. 13, 2003, after a long battle with cancer. Rich was born March 2, 1961 to James Richard and Beverly (Winn) Graham in El Dorado Springs. He was a graduate of El Dorado Springs High School in 1979.

He was a hard working man who got his start in construction at age 19. He worked for The Industrial Company for 16 years working in Industrial and Mining construction in many states throughout the West. He started as a painter and worked his way up to Superintendent in a short time. He supervised on projects with contract values up to $100 million.

Rick gave up the traveling life in 1993 to settle in Salt Lake City. He co-founded Absolute Constructors with his two dear friends in 1998. For a fledgling construction company, Absolute is well respected in its industry for its integrity, quality and productivity, three characteristics that best describe Rick himself. Throughout his career he received many awards and accolades, none of which he was more proud of than receiving the Intermountain Contractors Award for Best Projects of 2001.

Rick met his sweetheart, Beth Keck, in 1990 and married her on March 14, 1993. Their marriage was solemnized in the Jordan River Temple on Oct. 13, 1994. Rick was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and dedicated his life to the Church. He was awarded "Best Party Giver" by his friends of the Midvale 2nd Ward. He was truly loved and adored by many.

Rick is survived by his wife, Beth, the sons he adored, Nick Allen Graham and Jake Calvin Ray Graham - Salt Lake City, UT; mother, Beverly Travitz; sister, Debra Hamilton; step-brothers - David, Greg and Kurt Morlan. He was preceded in death by his father and many other precious family members. Rick will be greatly missed by those lives he touched.

The family wishes to acknowledge their gratitude to the doctors, nurses, loving neighbors and friends who cared for him during his courageous battle with cancer.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Huntsman Cancer Institute at 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, in the El Dorado Springs City Cemetery under the direction of the Sheldon Furneral Home.

Frank Harold Gann

Frank Harold Gann, 77, Walker, was born on Dec. 3, 1925, in Greene County to Luther and Mable Gann. He passed away Jan. 13, 2003.

He was preceded in death by his father, Luther; his mother, Mable; two sons - Leslie Harold and Stanley Joe.

Survivors include one daughter, Sharon Louise Nolan - Phoenix, AZ; three sons - Leon Gann - Springfield; Douglas Leroy Gann - Springfield; and Don E. Gann - Springfield; one step-son, Stanley Medlock - Rogersville; and one step-daughter, Sandra Warren - Rogersville; 14 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; two brothers - Freeman Gann - Springfield and Vern Gann - Springfield; several nieces and nephews.

Frank moved to Colorado in the early 1950s and worked construction for many years. He returned to Missouri in 1972. He worked for Sac Osage Electric Cooperative from 1974 until he retired in 1987.

Frank enjoyed hunting, fishing, country music, auctions and his pets.

Services were in Brumback Funeral Home on Friday, Jan. 17. Burial was in Thorpe Cemetery, Conway.

Pearl Edith Haynes Bunker

Pearl Edith Haynes Bunker, 98, passed away Monday, Jan. 6, 2003 at a St. Joseph nursing home. She was born on April 23, 1904 in Cedar County, the daughter of James A. and Stella Edna Nicholas Haynes.

Edith married Omer J. Bunker on Sept. 12, 1922 and lived in the Hazel Dell area all of her married life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Omer, on Dec. 24, 1974 and both of her children, Jack Bunker on Dec. 19, 1985 and Berniece Bunker Plato on Jan. 20, 1995; four brothers and two sisters. She is survived by her sister, Mildred Haynes Freeman - St. Joseph; one granddaughter - Jaci Plato Maternowski - Menomonee Falls, WI; one great-grandson - Stephen G. Wheeler - Menomonee Falls, WI; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

In September of 1996, Edith moved to St. Joseph to live with her nephew, Robert Haynes and his wife, Judy. She later moved to a nursing home due to her health needs.

Edith taught school in the 1920's at several area schools - Cedar Springs, Johnson, Hazel Dell and Coal Hill. In 1942, she went to work at the State Hospital in Nevada retiring as a LPN in 1969. Edith loved animals of all kinds and never turned away a stray.

Services were held Thursday morning, Jan. 9, at the Hackleman Chapel with Bro. Everett Smith officiating. Musical selections were provided by Faith Trussell. Interment was in the Hazel Dell Cemetery under the direction of the Hackleman and Sons Funeral Home.

Ruben Burris Bishop

Ruben Burris Bishop, 76, Las Cruces, NM, departed from this life Jan. 1, 2003, in a San Antonio, TX, hospital. A memorial service was held in Las Cruces, NM.

Ruben was born Sept. 13, 1926 in El Dorado Springs, the eighth child of Marion Jackson and Ethel Harriet (Henderson) Bishop.
He was a graduate of El Dorado Springs High School. He worked for two brothers in the trucking business before he went to Kansas City where he was employed by Pratt and Whitney, who made engines for planes during WWII. Ruben had contacts with many truckers from coast to coast. He went back to El Dorado Springs to work in trucking. It was there that he met his wife, Frances S. Baker, of 55 years.

They lived in York, NE, where he attended York College. Their next move was to Lincoln, MO. From there they moved to McAllen, TX. He opened his office for a brokerage company and later they built a complex for Valley Brokerage, Inc., a western clothing store, Iron Skillet restaurant and Petro Service in Pharr, TX, naming it The Padera.

Ruben lived a faithful life having become a Christian by putting on Christ in baptism (Gal. 3:27) and was added to the church of Christ that Jesus died for (Acts 2:47.)

He was a generous person and always ready to help others. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was always ready to hear or tell a good laughable story.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Marion "Jack" and Ethel Bishop; four brothers - Alfred Jackson, Joseph Henderson, Paul Edgar and Ater August; one sister, Eleanor (Bishop) Vilhauer; and a nephew, Ronnie Paul Bishop.

Survivors include his wife, Frances S. Bishop; daughter, Robyn (Bishop) and husband, Michael Kinkade and their children, Jennifer Brooke and Heather - San Antonio, TX; son, Michael Bishop and his children, Tyler, Kyle and Scott - Oregon; daughter, Paula Burnett - California, and her daughter, Rachael Burnett - San Antonia, TX; two sisters, Sarah Jane Bishop - El Dorado Springs, and Ruth (Bishop) and her hus¬band, Raymond Rieder - Inde¬pendence; sister-in-law, Helen (Fortney) Bishop - El Dorado Springs; nephews - Gary Bishop - Nevada, Bill Bishop - El Dorado Springs, Gene Rieder - Independence, Gerald Rieder - Abilene, TX, Larry Rieder - Independence; nieces - Sue (Bishop) Thoreson - El Dorado Springs and JoAnn (Vilhauer) Burton - Fresno, CA; nine great-nephews; five great-great-nephews; nine great-nieces; three great-great-nieces; and many other relatives and friends.