 The Holden Chamber of Commerce met at Strate’s Drive-Inn Thursday morning and learned that the Fall Fiesta, despite three days of rain, was considered a success.
Pat Zvacek reported that financially, the event broke even. Even though several children’s contests had to be cancelled, activities on the midway were curtailed, and several featured events were moved indoors to the Community Activity Center, enough people participated to make it a memorable event.
The rain dampened some participation but people came with and without umbrellas and wet or dry enjoyed the events.
Chamber President Jo Ann Alpert reported the Farmers’ Market in Nevada, Missouri has requested the Holden Farmers’ Market contribute a recipe to the book they plan to publish.
Dennis Mason said the Masonic Lodge is planning to place a bench in the downtown park.
City welcome signs are in place at the soccer field on State 58 East, 58 West, State Highway 131 at the Phelps farm and State Highway 131 near the Holden Manor. The only suggestion for improvement was that the blank sign facing drivers leaving town have a message urging visitors to return.
Mayor Mike Wakeman reported that street repair projects are finishing up before the winter weather sets in and preparations are now centered on building stocks of sand and salt.
Mike Ringen, Holden R-III School District superintendent, said MAP scores are anticipated at any time but preliminary figures show that Holden students have performed well.
Bill Dryer posed a question to members, asking if they had noticed any significant changes from the economic downturn. Wakeman said that collectively, sales tax revenues were holding steady. Diane Klossen thought people were holding their purchases to what they had to have. The members saw the situation as an opportunity to attract shoppers locally because of the high price of gas. Several members mentioned they thought there had been an increase in foot traffic at local businesses.
The Sesquicentennial Committee has planned a Veterans Day tribute to Holden veterans and service members. The committee reports they still have commemorative coins available and welcome suggestions as to how they should be used.
The next Chamber after Hours will be hosted by and located at Tiger Jack’s on Monday October 20 at 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Sadie Hawkins Halloween Dance will be October 25 at 6 p.m. at Holden City Hall.
The next meeting of the Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for November 6 at 7 a.m. at Strate’s Drive-Inn.
By Terri Vinck
Staff Writer
Holden R-III School District employees Sally Davidson and Gloria Trosper were recognized last week at the annual Fall Meeting of the Central Region of the Missouri State Teachers Association.
Davidson, a kindergarten teacher at Holden Elementary was honored as the Central Region Outstanding Elementary Educator of the Year, while Trosper, a library clerk at Holden Elementary, was honored as the Central Region Associate Member of the Year.
They were elected by their fellow teachers and members and were given their awards at the dinner and in-service education meeting of the MSTA Central Region held last Tuesday at the Best Western State Fair Motor Inn in Sedalia.
The Central Region of the MSTA consists of more than 90 public school districts. The awards were presented by past president Tonni Schmidt, also an educator with the Holden R-III district.
Davidson, a career teacher, has been in education for 24 years, while Trosper has been employed by the Holden district as a high school receptionist and an elementary/intermediate library clerk for 29 years.
In a letter from elementary principal Robyn Sisk, “Sally’s (Davidson) knowledge and expertise are highly respected among her colleagues. She continues to be a tremendous asset to the Holden school district.”
Speaking of her library clerk, Trosper, Sisk stated, “Gloria is a dedicated, loyal member of the elementary staff. She goes beyond her responsibilities in the media center to assist with the activities of the school.”
Francis Brillhart has moved his business, Brillhart Music, to a new location in Holden at 103 W. 2nd Street. He has been joined by his son Phil Brillhart, who brings his business Lighthouse Design Concepts to the same location.
The two will hold an open house on Saturday, November 1, where free hot dogs, nachos and other refreshments will be provided. Visitors will be entertained by two bands.
Brillhart Music has been in business since 1966 selling string instruments and musician accessories such as straps, picks, rosins, speakers, guitar stands. The store also carries drums.
Music lessons on string instruments are available from Doug “Sugarfoot” Elsloo, a professional musician who currently has about twenty-five students. The move has made it possible for Elsloo to conduct his lessons in a private studio area.
Phil Brillhart’s business, Lighthouse Design Concepts, provides graphic designs, memory videos and now coffee table books with collected vacation, school or life memories.
Phil Brillhart is currently producing a video for Fire Prevention Week featuring the Holden Fire Department and an “Angel Fireman”.
Lighthouse Design Concepts will convert 8mm film to VHS or DVD. They can scan and restore old photos. The business provides outdoor movie nights for the library and can show memory videos for private groups.
The businesses moved to their new location on September 14, and have seen an increase in business since the move. Phil Brillhart said; “We’re more visible here, there is more traffic. Lighthouse Design Concepts was previously located at 205 W. 3rd Street. Brillhart Music was at 404 W. 2nd Street.
The new location provides more room and opportunities for both. The business will be open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 6 pm and Saturday from 9 am until 3 pm.
By Terri Vinck
Staff Writer
Good tasting vegetables and beautiful flowers aren’t the only things area residents can find at Holden’s Sunshine Farm and Gardens. A true sense of generosity is also evident at the local business owned by Sue Huber and Betsy Ewall.
The farm’s owners recently donated produce and fresh cut flowers to an event to take place at the Johnson County Sheltered Workshop in Warrensburg which will feature local Johnson County businesses and foods.
It is part of a project hosted by three Johnson County CLIMB (Community Leadership and Involvement Means a Better Community) graduates to showcase JoCo agriculture and industry.
According to Ruth Anne Parrott, one of the graduates, “We’re trying to show how we can support our local Johnson County businesses and in turn impact our own economy. We have tried to serve only locally grown and manufactured foods at the luncheon and mostly we’ve done that.”
Huber, a 1988 graduate of HHS and a member of the state championship basketball team that year, said that she and Ewall started Sunshine Farm and Gardens in April 2007 after they moved here from Arkansas. The farm is not a certified organic venture, but the two use organic methods. “Betsy is a farmer and we both had worked on organic farms,” Huber stated. “We mostly grow speciality cut flowers and we sell them to people in Holden and also we have a booth at the Lee’s Summit Farmer’s Market where we sell the flowers and vegetables.”
She also said that she loves a job where she can be outside. “We also like to know where the food we eat comes from and the fact it hasn’t been sprayed with pesticides,” Huber continued. “We also want to thank the Holden community who has helped to support our farm and have brought us mulch and grass clippings we use. We also want sto invite everyone in the area to come by their farm on the corner of Clay and Elizabeth Streets in Northeast Holden, and see what they’re doing.”
Ewall is also a licensed massage therapist and gives therapeutic massages from their home.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
The Holden High School football running back one-two punch of Dennis Hutchings and David Lerda rushed for 185 and 162 yards respectively to lead the Eagles to a decisive 42-0 victory over Higginsville and set up a Missouri River Valley East Conference championship matchup with Carrollton Friday night at Eagle Stadium.
The eighth-ranked Eagles, now 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the conference with only one league game remaining, built up an insurmountable 35-0 halftime advantage then cruised in the second half with mostly junior varsity and reserves on the field. Carrollton is also 6-0 but only 1-0 in the MRVC East and after Holden will have three more league tilts to play. They have defeated Richmond, 20-0.
“This is where we wanted to be,” explained head Eagle coach Rich Johnson who will be trying for his 30th victory as the Holden head coach Friday. “We-re 6-0 and it feels good, but the most important part of the schedule now is the last four games. Our season so far has put us in position to be conference champions and if we win Friday we will have achieved that goal. After that comes district play. We’re where we want to be with the 6-0 start and now we just have to care of the rest, starting with a win over Carrollton and a first-ever MRVC East championship.”
According to the coach, defeating Carrollton won’t be as easy as the first six games. “This will be our toughest game so far,” he warned. “They have two good running backs, a good quarterback and a good receiver. They’re very athletic kids. They’re also 6-0 and they’ve only given up 24 points this season. They like to spread it out and run more than they pass, but they do have the ability to put it in the air.”
Asked if he would do anything different to contain the Trojan athletes, the coach replied, “No, we’ll continue to play fundamental football as we always do. We’ll block hard, run hard, tackle hard and try to hold on to the ball.”
Although Coach Johnson will spend the week getting his charges ready for their conference championship game, he had a lot of good things to say about their win over the Huskers Friday night.
“The game went better than I thought,” he explained. “They weren’t at full strength, but I don’t think it would have changed the outcome that much. We would have had to work harder to win as handily as we did. They had some good athletes.”
Offensively the coach was very pleased with the play of Hutchings and Lerda. “Hutch has nearly 1,200 yards and David, in excess of 600. We’re on track to have a 2,000 and 1,000 rusher in the same backfield,” he stated. “But they wouldn’t be getting those kinds of yards without the offensive line. Our O-line is improving every game and that’s big because they were one of our concerns at the beginning of the season.”
Coach Johnson also had praise for senior quarterback Aaron Ferguson who played his first game as that position in week one of this season. Ferguson completed a TD pass and ran for another in the Husker rout. “Aaron is becoming more comfortable and gaining confidence every week,” he said. Adept at throwing the ball early in the season. Ferguson is becoming more of a threat rushing, which gives the Eagles another offensive weapon.
Holden’s offensive prowess made itself evident early as Lerda took the handoff on the first play from scrimmage and raced 54 yards for the first score of the night. With only seven seconds gone, Holden was up 7-0. Kicking the extra point was Deron Binkley who was four of five on the night and 10 of 11 in his last two games.
After holding Higginsville to three and out, the Eagles struck again when Ferguson hit Hutchings with a pass in the flat and the senior took it in for a 19-yard TD. After Ferguson ran the ball in for a two-pointer, Holden took a 15-0 advantage. That wasn’t all the damage the Eagle offense was to do in the first quarter. One more time, Hutchings carried the ball to the endzone on a two-yard plunge to finish the first-period onslaught with a 21-0 lead. The offense struck twice more in the second quarter on an 11-yard keeper by Ferguson and a 60-yard run by Hutchings, giving him his third touchdown of the game. By the intermission, Holden held a 35-0 lead.
Early in the third quarter, with a running clock, Lerda raced over from 47 yards out for his second TD of the contest and gave the Eagles their winning margin of 42-0. The starters got a rest for the remainder of the game after that point and let the reserves finish. They didn’t score, but kept Higginsville out of the end zone to preserve the shutout.
Defensively, the Eagles were smothering. Higginsville only mounted two serious drives in the game which were aided by Husker quarterback Lace Kay’s scrambling abilities. The first in the second quarter was snuffed out by a Hutchings interception and the second in the third quarter by sacks.
Holden gave up only 36 yards passing and 111 rushing, allowing only five first downs.
“Hutch got his fourth interception of the season and Jake Reiman and David Carter led us again with tackles,” Coach Johnson said. “Binkley also had a good night. I think this was his best game of the season. Overall, I feel our defense played very well.”
Reiman had 12 tackles while Carter finished the night with nine. Lerda had seven, while Max Lloyd, Hutchings, Jared Anstine and Binkley were credited with six apiece. With five was Kevin Kephart. Andrew Wakeman totaled three and Billy McBride, Ferguson and Jacob Borgen tallied two, while Clayton Hill, Dalton Smith and Dakota Hutcheson ended with one apiece.
On special teams, once again, Binkley’s leg proved valuable. Outside of his 80 percent night kicking extra points, five of his seven kick offs landed inside the ten yard line, with the longest at 52 yards. Ferguson had one punt for 38 yards and no return.
Coach Johnson hopes to see a good crowd at Eagle Stadium Friday night at 7 p.m. as the Eagles play Carrollton for the conference championship. After that game, their will be one more home game, October 17 as Holden begins district play against Clinton. The last two games of the season will continue the district portion at Pleasant Hill, October 24, and Oak Grove, October 30.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
The beat goes on as the Holden High School Lady Eagle varsity volleyball team dispatched two more Missouri River Valley East opponents to stretch their league mark to 4-0.
With an overall record of 15-4-1, the girls started out last week with a 25-15 and 25-22 victory over the Higginsville Huskers who were undefeated at 14-0 and then ranked number one in the Missouri State Class 2 volleyball poll. The Class 3 eighth-ranked Lady Eagles came out strong in the first game and won a closer set in the second to secure the victory in two.
According to head coach Julie Carver, “We played a great match to defeat the highly-ranked Huskers. “We came out really strong in game one and played pretty much flawless volleyball. The second game, we missed three serves in the first eight points and that gave Higginsville momentum and confidence. From that point on we had to battle hard.”
The coach said that it was a huge win which will help to secure a conference title which is one of the team’s goals.
“Valerie Lambert and Jill Hutchings did a great job in serve receives tonight,” explained the coach. “Stacey Calhoun had a huge night with 18 assists, while Kelsey Carver led the way in kills with seven. Kelsey Holmes had six and Kelsey Whitehead finished with five. Calla Burden was really strong at the net with four blocks.
The coach awarded the entire team with the player of the game award and gave Calhoun the setter of the game honors.
Lady Eagles 25,25
Richmond 9,7
In the second match of the week, the Richmond Lady Spartans succumbed to the Holden attack.
“The kids came out tonight and played with a lot of energy,” Coach Carver added. “We pretty much dominated both games from start to finish.”
Burden and Carver led the team in kills with seven apiece, while Holmes finished with four and no attacking errors. Calhoun led the team in assists with 19.
After another MRVC game with Carrolton Tuesday night, the girls will entertain Knob Noster in a home contest beginning at 5 p.m. tonight (Thursday). Monday night, the will travel to Lexington.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
|
|
After an earlier season postponement, the Holden Invitational Cross Country Meet was run Saturday with good results for both the boys’ and the girls’ teams. The boys finished first taking the top four spots in their run and six of the top seven; and the girls took the second-place trophy placing four runners in the top ten.
“This is the first time the guys have had a perfect score of 15,” explained head HHS cross country coach Dale Wescott. “It was also the first time we had four boys run sub-18 minute races. Both teams had really good scores across the board.”
On the boys side, eight out of 11 runners in both varsity and junior varsity achieved their personal bests.
Taking first in the boys’ race was Justin Houser who broke his own school record in a time of 17:01. He was followed by freshman Keith Baker, second place, 17:30; sophomore Alec Morrison, third place, 17:43; junior Tyler Bruns, fourth place, 17:51; senior Josh Greer, sixth place, 18:30; junior Josh O’Hora, seventh place, 18:37; and sophomore Weston Farmer, 17th place, 20:10.
On the JV side, Spencer Shearer took first place with a time of 19:08, and was followed by Danny Tanksley, third, 20:28; Tommy Clark, fourth, 20:39; and Troy Lewman, 20:56, sixth.
In the girls race, the top Holden finisher was freshman Ashley Keller who ran a 21:03 and finished third in the meet. She was followed by Ashlee Fee, fifth, 21:18; Deanna Stevens, eighth, 22:05; Kerry Elbel, 10th, 22:13; and Ashley Shearer, 23:09 running her first race. Fee, Stevens, Elbel and Shearer all ran their personal bests.
“Ashley Keller and Ashlee Fee ran the two fastest times since I have coached here with the exception of Sandy Davidson,” praised Coach Wescott. “Keller is a freshman and she is doing an awesome job. She defeated an all-state participant this week.”
As a matter of fact, this was the fourth meet in one week that the teams have participated in. Due to weather delays, the teams not only ran at Holden, but at Marshall, Drexel and Cass-Midway last week.
Finishers in those meets include:
Cass-Midway Meet
The boys’ team took second at Cass-Midway.
Boys - Houser, third, 17:42; Morrison, eighth, 18:18; Baker, 11th, 18:22; Josh O’Hora, 18th, 19:10; Bruns, 19th, 19:18; and Shearer, 30th, 19:50.
Boys JV - Farmer, third, 19:38; Clark, 10th, 21:36; and Tanksley, 11th, 21:50.
Girls - Keller, fourth, 22:06; Fee, eighth, 22:37; Stevens, 10th, 23:04; and Elbel, 11th, 23:11.
Drexel Invite
Winning the meet was the Holden boys’ team while the girls’ team finished second.
Boys - Houser, first, 17:02; Baker, fourth, 17:52; Morrison, fifth, 17:53; Bruns, sixth, 18:04; Shearer, 14th, 18:57; Greer, 15th, 18:59; and O’Hora, 16th, 19:00.
Boys JV - Farmer, first, 19:26; Tanksley, fourth, 20:42; Lewman, fifth, 20:58; and Clark, sixth, 21:01.
Girls - Keller, fifth, 21:02; Fee, eighth, 21:46; Elbel, 11th, 22:26; Stevens, 12th, 22:54; and Jennings, 22nd, 26:35.
Marshall Meet
Both the Holden boys and girls’ teams finished fourth in the meet with several Class 3 schools.
Boys - Houser, seventh, 17:40; Morrison, 16th, 18:09; Bruns, 17th, 18:18; Baker, 21st, 18:26; O’Hora, 24th, 18:40; Shearer, 40th, 19:46; and Farmer, 46th, 20:15.5.
Boys JV - Greer, 18th, 20:12; and Tanksley, 37th, 21:55.
Girls - Keller, 15th, 22:15; Fee, 16th, 22:23; Elbel, 20th, 22:45; Stevens, 23rd, 23:44; and Jennings, 42nd, 26:55.
Coach Wescott expressed that he was happy where the teams were right now. “We’re in a good place that we might make some serious runs in post season competition.”
By Steve Sullins
Editor
Lady Eagle sophomore hurler Karley Kilgore pitched a no-hitter as the HHS softball team picked up their first shutout of the season blanking Hardin-Central, 11-0 Friday night in six innings.
Kilgore struck out six and walked only two in her six innings of work as the Lady Eagles won their second game of the season.
There was plenty of hitting action as well as freshmen Selena Gochenour and Hailey Johnson led the way with their bats. Gochenour cracked a home run and Johnson slammed two triples and a single in the rout. Senior Katey Jennings also had a good night at the plate with a triple and a single, while fellow senior Jenna Brockhaus and junior Kelci Moore each collected two singles apiece.
After ending their regular season with Lexington and Butler this week, the girls will face off against Warsaw in the district tournament at Boonville. The game will be played tonight (Wednesday) at 7 p.m.
Prior to the win over Hardin, the girls suffered two tough losses against Missouri River Valley Conference East opponents Richmond, 7-3, and Carrollton, 6-2.
In the loss to the Lady Trojans, the girls were tied 2-2 when errors quickly turn the game around. Kilgore pitched a great game only allowing five hits, three walks and fanning 10. Hitting for the Eagles were Gochenour with a triple, Johnson with two singles and Jennings and Moore each with a single.
In the loss to Richmond, the girls gave up three runs in the first inning and never could dig themselves out of the hole. According to head coach Allison Corwin, the rest of the game went really well.
Kilgore allowed seven hits and one walk while striking out eight and catcher Johnson did a great job behind the plate including a thor to Gochenour to cut down a runner attempting to steal second.
In the hit parade, Kilgore had a single and a double, Johnson collected two doubles, Jennings stroked one double and Gochenour, Rebecca Fisher and Moore each tallied a single.
“I am very proud of the improvement the girls have made over the season,” praised Coach Corwin. “As I told the girls, outsiders may look at the record and think differently, but they should be proud of this team and proud of our season. Switching to fall ball has been quite a change for us and it will take some time but we will be right in there with schools where softball is their number one sport for girls. We have to keep fighting and moving forward to get better.
By Steve Sullins
Editor
The Holden Eagles boys’ soccer team dropped a pair of games over the weekend, losing to Clinton in overtime and to Center Place Restoration of Kansas City.
In the Clinton matchup, Stephen Timmer assisted a Kevin Toole goal to send the game into overtime. The Eagles dominated play in the second half and both overtimes, nearly winning as a Timmer shot was saved on the goal line in the second OT. Clinton converted on three of five penalty kicks to finally win the game.
“Both games we started slow, making glaring marking errors that ended in goals,” explained head coach Chris Thompson. “Sadly the one Friday night cost us a win. We’ve got to find that physical edge and fly around to start games. This is part of the high school game that is unique from a recreational league or even club ball.”
Saturday Holden hosted the Eagles of Center Place Restoration. “They are one of the church schools that can now play public schools through MSHSAA’s new affiliate registration program. They entered the match with an impressive 18-1 record, including a thrashing of the defending Christian school state champions last weekend in St. Louis,” the coach said.
Center Place raced to a 3-0 lead after 10 minutes through a series of marking mistakes by Holden. Holden scored as Wes Conrad scored from a Kevin Toole corner kick. They game, though close to being statistically even, ended in a 5-1 loss for Holden.
“Center Place was possibly the best team we’ve played this year, very comparable to St. Paul’s Lutheran,” Coach Thompson continued. “The flow of the game and the fact that we scored and created chances throughout shows the improvement of the program in the past month. We played with three forwards Saturday and disrupted Center Place’s ability to build up their attack. Had we done that Friday night, it might have gotten us a couple of extra chances.”
The Eagle travel to Cole Camp tonight (Thursday) for a 4:30 p.m. game.
OBITUARIES
JOHN L. CLARKE
John Lorenzo Clarke, 84, passed away Monday September 29, 2008 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, MO.
He was born February 16, 1924 in Kingsville, Missouri, the son of John H. Clarke and Lola Edna Talley Clarke. He graduated from the Holden High School in 1942 and attended Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg. He served in the United States Army during World War II where he attained the rank of Master Sergeant. He served in France, Belgium and Luxemburg. He was wounded twice and was disabled during the Battle of the Bulge. John received two Purple Hearts as well as several other awards and decorations. Following his military service, he was united in marriage to E. Ruth Hancock on March 8, 1952 in Holden where he spent the majority of his life. He was employed with the Dunhill Shirt Factory at one time. Later, he did garden and lawn work for many years. John was a member of the Holden United Methodist Church, Munday-Hancock Post #90 of the American Legion and he was a life member of Disabled American Veterans for more than fifty years.
Survivors include two sisters, Edith E. Clarke of Lee’s Summit, Isabella Burns and her husband Bill of Monterey Park, CA, a sister-in-law, Lois Clarke of Holden, a niece, Mary Dodson of Independence, two nephews, James Clarke of Lake Tapawingo, MO and Stanley Clarke of Holden, three great-nieces; three great-nephews, two great- great nieces and three great- great-nephews. John was preceded in death by his wife Ruth on July 31,2001; both parents; a brother, James T. Clarke and a sister Narcissa M. Clarke.
Funeral services were held Thursday October 2, 2008 at Williams Funeral Chapel in Holden.
Pastor Pat Kelley of the Holden United Methodist Church officiated.
Interment followed in the Holden Cemetery with military graveside rites by Holden Veterans of Foreign Wars, Memorial Post #5844 and Munday-Hancock Post #90 of the American Legion.
Pallbearers were James Clarke, Stanley Clarke, Glen Gann, Herbert Gann, Duane Williams and Robert Stewart.
CARL EUGENE “BUD” GEARY
Carl “Bud” Geary, 83, Odessa, died Monday, October 6, 2008 at the New Haven Nursing Home in Odessa, MO.
He was born August 26, 1925 in the Magnolia community of Johnson County, MO outside of Holden, MO, the son of Harvie Ewing Geary and Barbara Anna Mason Geary.
On August 19, 1949, he married Mary Ann Fischer. She preceded him in death on February 4, 1980.
Bud worked for the Town and Country Shoe Factory in Odessa and then went to highway construction for the J.A. Tobin Co. and in 1966 went to work for Allis Chalmers Corp. at the combine plant in Independence, Mo and retired in 1988. Bud attended rural school in the Magnolia community outside of Holden. Bud was a member of the Odessa VFW Post #5675 and served in the Army from March 26, 1945 until receiving his honorable discharge on Nov. 15, 1946.
Survivors include three sons w/spouse, Donnie E. and Cathy Geary, Mayview, MO; Ronald L. and Sheryl Geary, Odessa; Darrel Geary, Odessa; brother, Reeves Geary, Holden, MO; two sisters-in-law, Cecelia Geary, Odessa; Lougene Geary, Gladstone, MO; brother-in-law, William L. “Sonny” Fischer, Odessa; six grandchildren, Bryant, Amber, Erin, Jacob, Joseph,
Anne, great-grandson Michael Goolsby, and two stepgrandchildren Vicki Marreale and Mike Shaw.
Deceased relatives, four sisters: Clara Geary, Minnie Fisher, Opal McCarty, Laura Carter; three brothers: Jack, Bill and Roy Dale Geary.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, October 10, at the Ralph O. Jones Chapel, with Ross Grumpke officiating. Burial in Greenton Cemetery, Odessa, MO. Military funeral honors will be presented by Odessa VFW #5675 at the Greenton Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m., Thursday at the Ralph O. Jones Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to Greenton Cemetery Association, Odessa, MO.
Pallbearers are Bill Salyer, Ron Hergemueller, Dean Rider, Harvey Geary, Tom Early and Gene Early. Honorary pallbearers are Hubert West, Joe Halsey and Ralph Barker.
LOHOMA DEAN HUFFMAN
Lohoma Dean Huffman, age 76, Warrensburg, Missouri, passed away Monday, October 6, 2008, in Pleasant Hill, Missouri, at the home of her son.
She was born September 1, 1932 in Diamond, Missouri, the daughter of Loren Orville and Floy Ann (Standridge) Bovee. On December 13, 1948 she married Clarence Edward Huffman, Sr. in Lordsbury, New Mexico. He preceded her in death February 3, 1981.
Mrs. Huffman lived in Pitcher, Oklahoma, Baxter Springs, Kansas, Holden and the past 12 years in Warrensburg. She had lived in Pleasant Hill for about two months. She was a member of Northside Christian Church in Warrensburg and had most recently worked as a receptionist for Experience Works, Warrensburg, MO.
She leaves three sons, Clarence Huffman, Jr. and wife, Jean, Llahlonega, CA, Autie Huffman and wife, Dixie, Holden, MO, and Randy Huffman and wife Patty, Pleasant Hill, MO; two daughters Lajhanta McDonough and husband, Joe, Warrensburg, MO, and Kahtonna Armstrong and husband, Tom, Dawsonville, GA; one sister, Delores Talicotte, St. Genevieve, MO; 14 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. A son, Spec. 4 Loren Michael Huffman, preceded her in death on July 25, 1970.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, October 9, 2008 at Northside Christian Church in Warrensburg, MO, officiated by the Reverend Matt Hunt.
Pallbearers will be James Huffman, Chris Huffman, Steven Huffman, Joseph Huffman, Jeremy Huffman and Billy Johnson. Honorary pallbearer will be Michael Shadrack Huffman.
Interment will be in the Holden Cemetery. Friends may call between 6 and 8 p.m., Wednesday, October 8, at Ben Cast & Son - Wood Funeral Home, Holden.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Show-Me Christian Youth Home, LaMonte, MO.
WALLACE H. MCMILLEN
Wallace H. “Wally” McMillen, 88, passed away Friday October 3, 2008 at the Holden Manor Care Center.
Wallace was born September 6, 1920 near Lebanon, MO to Samuel and Ella Jones McMillen. He enlisted into the United States Army Air Corps on December 8, 1941 and is a World War II Veteran of the China-Burma-India Theater. He married Antoinette C. “Ann” Lindenberger on August 3, 1946 in Kansas City. He retired from the Air Force in 1964. Later, Wally farmed, operated a service station and was a mail carrier in Holden. He was a member of New Hope Baptist Church in Holden. He loved God, his country and family and friends. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Survivors include his wife Ann; a daughter, Pat Wait and her husband Ralph of LaGrange, Ky; two sons, Jim McMillen and his wife Linda of Holden and Mike McMillen and his wife Susan of Seattle, WA; eight grandchildren, eleven great -grandchildren; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Ruth McMillen of Gresham, OR; Ginny McMillen of Mesa, AR, Kathy and “Deacon” Lindenberger of Hermitage, MO; Richard Wenzel of Modesto, CA and Gene Upton of Gardner, KS. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Wally was preceded in death by four sisters and eight brothers.
Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday October 7, 2008 at Williams Funeral Chapel in Holden, with Reverend Jeremy Redhair of New Hope Baptist Church and Reverend Bob Barker officiating.
Interment followed in the Holden Cemetery with military graveside rites by Holden Veterans of Foreign Wars, Memorial Post #5844, Munday-Hancock Post #90 of the American Legion and the Whiteman Air Force Base Honor Guard.
Pallbearers were Chris Wait, Jimmy Wait, Joel McMillen, Jeff McMillen, Russell McMillen and Steve McMillen.
DEBRA LEE O’REAR
Debra Lee O’Rear, 46, of Centerview, Missouri passed away Friday, October 3, 2008 at the Western Missouri Medical Center in Warrensburg.
Debra was born February 25, 1962 in Warrensburg, the daughter of Billy L. Wilson and Ina Ray (Woolfe) Wilson. She was a member of the Warrensburg High School graduating class of 1980. She married Duane O’Rear on April 4, 1981 in Warrensburg. The couple made their home in Centerview for 27 years. Debra was employed at the Crest Ridge High School for nearly 10 years. Her hobbies included scrapbooking and crafts. She was active in FFA at one time and the Crest Ridge High School Booster Club.
Survivors include her husband, Duane; two daughters, Tiffany Bauer and her husband, Matthew and Christina O’Rear, all of Centerview; her parents, Billy and Ina Wilson of Fair Play, Missouri; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Delbert and Diana O’Rear and a brother-in-law, Darren O’Rear, all of Centerview. Debra was preceded in death by a sister, Rhonda Jannette Reed and her maternal and paternal grandparents.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at Williams Funeral Chapel in Warrensburg with Reverend David Owens of the Centerview Baptist Church officiating.
Interment will follow in the Centerview Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Robert Wilson, Larry Parker Wilson, Dennis Wilson, David Clear, John Simmons and Greg Whitehead.
The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be left to the Debra Lee O’Rear Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net.
|