 The Holden Branch of Trails Regional Library has been notified of a bequest from John E. Martin, formerly of Holden, Missouri.
Mr. Martin named the Holden Public Library as a recipient in his will and recently the library received a check for $30,000 from Mr. Martin’s estate. Karen Hicklin, director of Trails Regional Library, stated “Mr. Martin surely enjoyed the Holden Library while living here and wanted to recognize the service provided by the terrific staff.” Mr. Martin’s gift may be used to purchase new furnishings or to add to the library’s collection. Discussion for usage is currently underway with Jeannae Dickerson, Holden branch manager, and the Trails Regional Library Board to determine an appropriate use for the funds.
Harrisonville native Chris Benjamim announced that he is returning home to run for the 31st State Senate District after switching parties and becoming a Democrat. From 2005 until December, 2007, Benjamin served as chief of staff to Republican Speaker of the House Rod Jetton.
“I am running because I love this community, and I want to help bring about change in Jefferson City. I am running as a Democrat because I believe that the Democratic party best represents the economic interests of working people and continued support for our public schools,” said Benjamin.
State Senator Chris Koster, former State Senator Harold Caskey and Cass County Presiding Commissioner Gary Mallory joined Benjamin as he kicked off his campaign in a four county tour of the 31st Senatorial District. After a morning stop at the courthouse in Johnson County, the group attended an event on the square in Harrisonville where Benjamin grew up. Benjamin then traveled to meet with supporters at the Bates County Courthouse in Butler and the Vernon County Courthouse in Nevada.
“Chris is an exceptional young man whom I am proud to stand with today as he announces his candidancy for the Democratic nomination for the 31st Senatorial District,” said Senator Caskey.
“Given his small town values and his commitment to public education and the working families of this state, Chris will make an outstanding Senator that Democrats, Independents and Republicans throughout the 31st can be proud of,” said Senator Koster.
“I am proud to stand with Senator Koster and former Senator Caskey today to make my announcement. They are both outstanding public servants, and we share the same commitment to our communities,” said Benjamin.
Benjamin chose to run as a Democrat after discussing with friends, family and Democratic officials such as Caskey, Koster, Mallory and Congressman Ike Skelton.
“The courage he has shown in making this decision to run as a Democrat speaks to his values and principles. We need more leaders like Chris in Jefferson City. On behalf of the Democratic caucus, we are excited about his candidacy,” said State Senator Maida Coleman, Senate Democratic Leader.
The campaign kick-off tour will begin at 8:30 a.m. Monday, January 7 at Johnson County Courthouse, 300 North Holden, Warrensburg, MO. At 11 a.m. the tour will be at Pearl Street Grill, 207 East Pearl Street, Harrisonville, MO; at 1 p.m. at Bates County Courthouse, 1 North Delaware, Butler, MO; and at 3 p.m., Vernon County Courthouse, 100 West Cherry, Nevada, MO.
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OBITUARIES
LILLIAN CHRISMAN BRAY
Lillian Chrisman Bray, age 96, of Kingsville, MO passed away December 28, 2007 at John Knox Village Care Center, Lee’s Summit, MO.
She was the daughter of Claude Chesney Chrisman and Nancy Anna (Zumualt) Chrisman, born September 27, 1911 in Waverly, MO. She attended school at Rural Hazel Hill and Waverly High School. In 1917 the family moved to “Oakwood” farm and orchard where she was raised with her siblings, Henry Randolp Chrisman, Lewis Chesney Chrisman, and Virginia Lee Chrisman.
On September 29, 1929 Lillian and Harry Tubman Bray were married in Waverly, raising three daughters and a foster son.
In 1947, the family moved to Kingsville, MO in the Basin Knob area to farm and raise registered Aberdeen Angus cattle.
Lillian was a member of the Waverly United Methodist Church, a wife, homemaker, and mother. She was active in church and community clubs. Her sewing kept her busy in later years by making quilts and potholders that everyone enjoyed. She has also collected thousands of birthday, anniversary and all-occasion napkins.
She was preceded in death by her siblings, her husband who passed away December 28, 1973; a granddaughter, Barbara K. Gard (1952-1994) and a foster son, Jack Sprinkle (1924-2000).
Lillian is survived by three daughters, Grace Ann (Jack) Gard and Katheryn Lee Billings of Kingsville and Nancy Sue (Gene) Bradford of Archie, MO; grandchildren, Jackie Ann (Steve) Hall, Kelly Lynn (Mark) Corn, Jeffrey Dwayne Hobbs, James Harry (Kim) Billings and Daniel Wayne Billings; great-grandchildren, Russel Hough, Jamey Ann Hough, Donald Billings, Douglas Billings, Peyton Hobbs and Lucas Hobbs.
Lillian is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews who have always been attentive. Each person, family member, neighbor and friend were special to her.
The family wishes to thank you for the kindness, love and prayers expressed over the years and days for Lillian. She will be missed.
Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, December 30, 2007 at Williams Funeral Chapel in Holden, MO with the Reverend Allen Gatewood, hospice chaplain, officiating. Interment was in Waverly Cemetery, Waverly, Missouri.
Pallbearers were Daniel Billings, James Billings, Russel Hough, Mark Corn, Jeffrey Hobbs and Steve Hall.
Honorary pallbearers were Mr. and Mrs. Kenyon Snow, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Fisher, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Schillo, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Prigel, Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Gard and Mr. and Mrs. Bill Norris.
The family received friends Sunday at Williams Funeral Chapel, one hour prior to service.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Mt. Hope Cemetery, Waverly, MO or Village Hospice.
Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net.
SARAH ELIZABETH BYRUM
Sarah Elizabeth Byrum, age 96, Kingsville, MO, passed away Saturday, December 29, 2007, at Wilshire at Lakewood, Lee’s Summit, Missouri, where she had lived the past 11 months.
She was born November 9, 1911 in Clifton Hill, Missouri, the daughter of Clarence and Salli (Cobb) Sears. She married Thomas Edwin Byrum, Sr. on October 1, 1932. He preceded her in death in December, 1999. Mrs. Byrum was an office secretary for Orscheln Brothers Trucking Company in Moberly, MO for 30 years. She had lived in McAllen, Texas, Moberly, Jefferson City and Kingsville before entering Wilshire. She was a member of Memorial Baptist Church in Jefferson City.
Surviving her passing are one son, Tom Byrum, Parkville, MO; one daughter, Elizabeth Sefrit, McAllen, TX; five grandchildren; and several great and great-great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Byrum will be cremated under the direction of Ben Cast & Son - Wood Funeral Home, Holden, MO.
WILLIAM A. DOUTT, JR.
William A. Doutt, Jr., age 85, Holden, Missouri (formerly of Lone Jack and Independence), passed away Saturday, December 29, 2007, at home.
He was born December 5, 1922 in Independence, Missouri the son of William A., Sr. and Opal (Dodson) Doutt. His early education was in Independence after which he graduated from University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg with a bachelor’s degree in education. He then completed a master’s degree in fine arts at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. It was in Greeley that he met Dorothy Jacobson, whom he married on August 21, 1954 in Pueblo, Colorado.
Mr. Doutt taught industrial arts, math and science for a few years in the Oak Grove School District and several years in the Kansas City School District. The family moved to Holden in 1964 where he farmed and he owned and operated the Holden Grain Elevator for a few years in the 1980s. He was an Army veteran of World War II and served in the South Pacific theater of war.
He leaves his wife, Dorothy Doutt, of the home; one son, Bill Doutt, Holden, MO; two daughters, Brenda Rahm, Warrensburg, MO, and JoAnn Janes, Holden, MO; two brothers, James Doutt and Donald Doutt, both of Independence, MO; three sisters, Helen Nichols and Mary Ellen Bloomquist, both of Independence, Mo, and Joann Horn, Pleasant Hill, MO; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, John and Sam Doutt; and a sister, Ruth Ingertson.
Following cremation, the family received friends from 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, January 1, 2008, at Ben Cast & Son - Wood Funeral Home, Holden, MO.
Memorials may be given to the Holden Senior Center.
RICHARD SPENCER HODGES
Richard Spencer Hodges, age 89, passed away Thursday, January 3, 2008, at Lee’s Summit Hospital, Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
He was born near Holden, Missouri on October 21, 1918, the son of John R. and Laura (Garrett) Hodges. He graduated from Holden High School in 1936. He farmed with his father until enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1941. He was a radio operator in Northern Africa for three years during World War II and was discharged as a staff sergeant in 1945. On March 28, 1948 he married Betty Jo Brown in Holden.
Mr. Hodges was a welder at the General Motors Fairfax Plant from 1949 until retiring in 1979. He had moved from Holden to Kansas City, Missouri in 1961, and to Lee’s Summit in 2002. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Holden, the United Auto Workers Union, and American Legion Post 61 in North Kansas City, Missouri.
Surviving his passing are his wife, Betty Jo Hodges, Lee’s Summit, MO; one son, Brent Hodges, Overland Park, KS; two daughters, Hope Hayzlett, Oregon, MO, and Alice Graham, Kansas City, MO; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Geraldine Clemens and Helen Tevis; and by one granddaughter, Tara Forbes.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, January 7, 2008 at Ben Cast & Son - Wood Funeral Home, Holden, MO.
The family received friends from 10-11 a.m. Monday, at the funeral home.
Pallbearers were Dennis Law, Ryan Crews, Ray Bergman, Carl Ewing, Taylor Graham and Tyler Graham.
Interment was in Holden Cemetery, Holden, MO with military honors by Holden VFW and American Legion Posts.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Diabetes Association.
INEZ BERNICE PRICE
Inez Bernice Price, age 73, Galt, California, passed away Wednesday, December 26, 2007 at Beverly Living Center Royal Oaks in Galt.
She was born October 27, 1934 in Montserrat, MO the daughter of Willie Joe and Sara Olivia (Caldwell) Goodwin. Inez graduated from Hubbard High School in Sedalia, MO. On April 6, 1954, she married Edward Willie Frazier in Parkville, MO. He preceded her in death on August 27, 1986. On September 4, 1987, she married Elmer J. “Willie” Price in Warrensburg, MO. He died December 20, 1991.
Inez had lived in Kansas City, Holden and Warrensburg before moving to Elk Grove, California in June, 1986. She had worked for Royal Industries in Holden, Allis Chalmers in Kansas City, and Stahl Specialty Company in Kingsville. She was a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Warrensburg. She served on the senior usher board and in the kitchen ministry for many years. She had also served on the Holden City Council.
Inez leaves two sons, Joe Frazier, Elk Grove, CA, and Steven Frazier, Holden, MO; three daughters, Queenia Swartz, Blue Springs, MO, Julie Frazier, Clinton, MO, and April Stout, Holden, MO; two foster children, Deloris Moultrie, Buffalo, NY, and Merita Stevens, Warrensburg, MO; three brothers, William Goodwin, Omaha, NE, Thomas Goodwin and Finis Goodwin, both in Kansas City, MO; 15 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a son, George Frazier; a brother, Robert Goodwin; and two sisters, Ethel Goodwin and Joanna Smith.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 5, 2008 at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Warrensburg, MO with Pastor Daniel P. Frazier officiating. The family received friends from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, at the church.
Pallbearers were Joseph “Jody” Frazier, Jr., Steven Frazier, Jr., Daniel Frazier, Andrew Stout, Kenny Goodwin and Terry Riley.
Honorary pallbearers were Queenia Swartz, Joseph Frazier, Steven Frazier, Julie Frazier, April Stout, Merita Stevens and Deloris Moultrie.
Interment was in Sunset Hill Cemetery, Warrensburg, MO.
Arrangements were under the direction of Ben Cast & Son - Wood Funeral Home, Holden, MO.
ELLOREE ANN SHULER
Elloree Ann Shuler, age 74, Pleasant Hill, MO passed away December 31, 2007 at Lee’s Summit Medical Center after declining health for the past several months.
She was born May 28, 1933 to Harold Huckleberry and Leona Huckleberry. On May 26, 1956 she married Robert Jewell Shuler in Versailles, MO. He preceded her in death in June, 1995.
Mrs. Shuler attended Jamesport High School. She was a homemaker and a member of Blue Ridge Baptist Temple in Kansas City, MO.
She was also preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Howard Huckleberry and Phillip Huckleberry; and one sister, Lelia Scrivner.
She is survived by two sons, Danny Shuler, Holden, MO, and Scott Shuler, Pleasant Hill, MO; two sisters, Alice Howlett of Lawrence, KS, and Ozella Scholl of Trenton, MO; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Saturday, January 5, 2008 at 1 p.m. at McWilliams Funeral Home in Jamesport, MO with the Reverend Kyle Beverlin officiating. Burial followed at Jamesport Masonic Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Phillip Huckleberry, Jason Shuler, Larry Dunfee, Gordon Hale, Steven Painter and David Vyrostek.
ALICE Y. WALTERS
Alice Y. Walters, age 85, Harrisonville, MO passed away Friday, December 28, 2007 at Crown Care Center in Harrisonville.
She was born November 23, 1922 in Evergreen, Alabama the daughter of William Henry and Ida Lorraine (Dearman) Shaver. She had lived in Kansas City, Missouri, in Holden, Missouri 23 years, five years in Garden City, Missouri and in Harrisonville the past five years. She was married to Donald Lee Walters. He preceded her in death in 1970.
Mrs. Walters worked in homecare as a certified nurse’s aide at Ridge Crest Nursing Center in Warrensburg, Missouri. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Holden, and of Holden VFW Auxiliary #5844.
She leaves four sons, Walter Donavan Lester, Little Rock, AR, William Frederick Cobb, Garden City, MO, George Thomas Cobb, Kansas City, KS, and Robert Norman Cobb, Kansas City, KS; one daughter, Shirley Ann Smith, Dickenson, TX; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Also preceding her in death were three children, Rhonda Jean Heran, David Lee Cobb, and Debra Lynn Cobb; a grandson, Bradly Walker; and a great-grandson, Larry Wayne Riggs.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, December 31, 2007 at Ben Cast & Son - Wood Funeral Home, Holden, MO with Preacher Shane Hall officiating. Musicians were Yvonne Coselmon, accompanist; vocalists, Kathy McCoy, Shane Hall and Yvonne Coselmon.
Pallbearers were her grandsons.
Interment was in Oaklawn Memorial Gardens, Olathe, KS.
CLAUDE B. JONES
Claude B. Jones, of Garden City, Mo. was born August 14, 1929 in Holden, Mo. the son of Clyde Morris and Mattie Pearl (Bourland) Jones. He departed this life Sunday, December 30, 2007 at the Golden Valley Memorial Hospital, Clinton, Mo. at the age of 78 years, four months and 16 days. On February 14, 1954, Claude was united in marriage to Betty Irene Metcalf in Cole Camp, Mo. Claude was employed as a lineman for the Missouri Public Service, Clinton, Mo. serving the communities of Blairstown, Chilhowee, Urich and Creighton, Missouri until his retirement in 1991. He was a 1947 graduate of the Blairstown High School.
Claude was a Navy veteran of the Korean War, a Scoutmaster in Clinton and Blairstown and an Honorary Warrior in the tribe of Mic-O-Say. He was a member of the Index Masonic Lodge #54 A. F. & A.M., Garden City. Claude loved to fish, hunt Indian artifacts and make homemade wine. Claude was a lifelong Blairstown area resident until he moved to Garden City in 2007. He enjoyed spending time with his family and was a good father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jones on March 25, 2007 and a brother, Clyde Morris Jones, Jr.
He is survived by a son, James Keith Jones and wife Jennifer, Garden City, Mo.; a grandson, Kyle Jones and wife Tonya; a great-grandson, Kale Jones; a brother, Thomas Jones, Dallas, Tx.; a sister, Linda Quick, Latour, Mo.; other relatives and many friends.
A memorial visitation was 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Thursday, January 3, 2008 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Garden City, Missouri with a Masonic Service at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
Family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Missouri Masonic Home, Raytown, MO and may be left at the funeral home. |