today's record

Births

Kiera Dawn Stafford

Kaila and Dustin Stafford, Nevada, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Kiera Dawn Stafford. Kiera was born at 8:16 a.m., Aug. 4, 2004, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. She weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces, and measured 21 inches. She joins two siblings, Treyton and Katelin Kimberlin. Paternal grandparents are Mary and Randy Greenhagen, Nevada, and Steve Stafford and Frankie Davis, Milo, and Gregg and Karen Short, Nevada. Paternal great-grandparents are Thorton Spencer, Nevada, and Joanne Stafford, Arcadia, Ohio. Maternal grandparents are Gerald and Kelli Jones, Richards. Maternal great-grandparents are Mary Jones, Richards, Sharon Mitchell, Walker, and Larry Mitchell, Joplin. Maternal great-great-grandparents are Albert Fassel, Walker, and Josephine Fassel, Nevada.

Mazie Elizabeth Bogart

Marklee Bogart and Rachelle Schnedler, Nevada, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Mazie Elizabeth Bogart. Mazie was born at 8:36 a.m., on Aug. 5, 2004, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. She weighed 5 pounds, 4 ounces, and measured 19 inches. Grandparents are Carey and Meshele Crooks and Linda and Robert Schnedler. Great-grandparents are Shirley Bogart, Shirley Barnes and Mildred and Charlie Walest.

Obituaries

Elsie Hartley Lower Forgey

Mrs. Elsie Hartley Lower Forgey, age 99, of Fair Play, Mo., passed away at 8:52 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2004, at the Parkview Healthcare Facility in Bolivar after a brief illness.

Mrs. Forgey was born on Aug. 19, 1904, in Cedar County Missouri the fourth of 11 children born to John Edward Hartley and Fannie Mayse Hartley.

Elsie married Jesse A. Lower on Dec. 24, 1921, in Fair Play, Mo., and to this union 10 children were born.

She was proceeded in death by her parents; 10 brothers and sisters; an infant son on March 16, 1929; and Jesse Lower on Aug. 23, 1985. Also preceded her in death was Luther Forgey, who she married on Aug. 2,1987.

She was a homemaker and a member of the Fair Play Baptist Church and attended as long as her health permitted. She also enjoyed attending the Woodlawn Club when her health permitted. She enjoyed the many years she helped at the Lower Greenhouse as she dearly loved flowers. She spent much time piecing quilts and crocheting. She received a number of ribbons on quilts at the Ozark Empire Fair.

Surviving are four daughters and their spouses, Beulah and Billy Watkins of Bolivar; Bertha (Roberts) and Everett Periman of Nevada; Betty Lou Sexton of Overland Park, Kan.; and Carol Ann and Robert Hewes of Tallahassee, Fla.; also her five sons and their spouses, William Bernard and Helen Lower and Fred Leonard and Wilma Jean Lower all of Fair Play; John Benton and Claudia Lower of Morrisville, Mo.; James Richard "Dick" and Anna Lee Lower of Stockton; and Larry Joe and Gerry Martin of Baltimore, Md.; a sister, Ruth Daley of Apple Valley, Calif.; 19 grandchildren, Dr. Jesse A. Roberts, A. Hardy Roberts, Bill Lower, Sam Lower, Linda Hall, Cathy Whaley, Jim Lower, Andrew Lower, Dana Lower Smith, Kira Bradley, Leisa Lower, Dr. Brent Lower, Mark Sexton, Kirk Sexton, Neal Sexton, Lori Finley, David Cupp, Douglas Cupp and Deanna Brown. 5 step-grandchildren, Chris Robinson, Jay Robinson, Bonnie Lipscomb, Matthew Hewes and Allen Hewes. 23 great-grandchildren, Jessica Lower, Tyler Lower, Meghan Hall, Ellana Hall, and Kara Hall, Caleb Whaley, Elisabeth Whaley, Hannah Whaley, Lindsey Lower, Luke Lower, Evan Smith, John Bradley, Kaylee Lower, Jayden Lower, Mollie Sexton, Katie Sexton, Natalie Sexton, Andrew Finley, Kimberly Finley, Malissa Finley, Tyler Finley, Reagan Brown, Delaney Brown; five step great-grandchildren, Tom Johnson, Becky Gillam, Tennyson Lipscomb, Madeleine Lipscomb, Elliot Robinson; one great-great-granddaughter, Lilia Hopper; and two step great-great-grandchildren, Gage Gillam and Blaise Johnson.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Aug. 7, at 10 a.m. in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. David Stunkel and the Rev. Bill Tatom officiating.

Casketbearers were Jess Roberts, Sam Lower, Brent Lower, Kirk Sexton, Hardy Roberts, Andrew Lower, Mark Sexton, David Cupp, Bill Lower, Jim Lower, Neal Sexton, and Doug Cupp. Burial was in the Barren Creek Cemetery west of Bolivar under the direction of the Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Fair Play Baptist Church or the Fair Play Alumni Scholarship Association in care of Butler Funeral Home, P.O. Box 11, Bolivar, MO 65613.

Deaths

Jerald Dean Cooper

Jerald Dean Cooper, 34, died Aug. 6, 2004. Services were held at Richland Cemetery on Aug. 9, at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Bill Smith officiating. Pallbearers were Dennis Fritter, Ray Hoskins, Steve Houston, Kent Longstreth, Jeff Keith and Bill Keith. Honorary pallbearers were Russell Budd and Jim Keith. Interment was in Richland Cemetery, Richland, Mo. Arrangements were by Ferry Funeral Home.

Martha Ann (Wille) Gregory

Martha Ann (Wille) Gregory, 38, Houstonia, Mo., died Aug. 6, 2004, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, Mo. She was born on Jan. 30, 1966, in St. Joseph, Mo., the daughter of Vernon W. and Mary J. Kneller Wille. On Sept. 3, 1994, she married Michael Gregory in Sedalia, Mo., and he survives of the home.

She graduated from Liberal High School in 1984. She then graduated from Missouri Western State College in St. Joseph, Mo. She received her masters degree from the University of Missouri Kansas City. She was working on her Ph.D. at University of Missouri in Columbia. She worked at State Fair Community College as Director of Tech Prep and Coordinator of the A Plus Program. She attended First Christian Church. She was active in the Lion's Club. She participated in Relay for Life.

She is survived by her husband, Michael Gregory, of the home; two daughters, Hanna Lynn Gregory and Emily Ann Gregory, both of the home; one brother, William Wille, Salina, Kan.; one sister, Mary Lynn Wille, Nevada; and mother, Mary J. Wille, Nevada. She was preceded in death by her father, Vernon W. Wille.

Services were held at First Christian Church in Sedalia, Mo., today at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Susan Barton officiating. Pallbearers were Chris Edwards, Robert Edwards, Joe Horecek, John Michael, Dean Spease and Charles Smith. Honorary pallbearers were Lisa Hathaway, Melinda Liles, Lynda Edson and Sheri Gregory. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery in Sedalia, Mo. The family suggests memorial contributions to the scholarship fund for her daughters or to the donor's choice in care of the funeral home.

Carl Hauf

Carl Hauf, 56, Nevada, died Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004, at his residence following an illness of several months. He was born July 7, 1948, in Burke, S.D., to Albert Jacob Hauf and Irene Lena Wolf Hauf. He was married May 30, 1970, to Karen F. Kuhl Hauf, who survives of the home.

As a child, Carl and his family moved to Marceline, Mo., where he met his wife Karen. He attended Marceline High School before entering the U.S. Army in 1965, where he served a tour of duty in Germany with the Corp of Engineers. He came to Nevada in 1971 and started farming. He also owned and operated Hauf Trucking and H&A Bin Sales. He also did contract labor for Virgil Ast.

Along with his wife Karen, survivors include one son, Paul Kuhl, Nevada; his father, Albert J. Hauf, Nevada; and mother, Irene L. Downs, Washington, Ind.; two brothers, James Hauf and Mark Hauf, both of Nevada; two sisters, Sharon Crouse, Nevada and Maryellen Williams, Plainville, Ind.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one brother, George Hauf; and one sister, Ann Hauf.

Family visitation will be held between 6 and 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 10 at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada. Friends may call from now and until 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

The family suggests that memorials may be made to either the Lamar Humane Society or the Midwest Dachshund Rescue Inc., both in care of Ferry Funeral Home; 301 S. Washington; Nevada, MO 64772.

Ethel Ione McComas

Ethel Ione McComas, 92, Nevada, died Sunday, Aug. 8, 2004, at Christian Health Care in Nevada. She was born Nov. 16, 1911, in Horton, to Guy E. Dean and Ula Mae Martin. She married Floyd McComas in Kansas City, Mo., in 1935 and he survives of the home.

She was born and raised in Vernon County and graduated from Nevada High School. She worked as a secretary at Butler Manufacturing in Kansas City for 25 years. She returned to Vernon County in 1974 and has resided here since. She was an active member of the Vernon County Historical Society.

Survivors in addition to her husband Floyd include one grandchild, Tony Carpowich, Lancaster, Calif. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Debbie Jaramillo; two brothers, Harry and Gene Dean; and one sister, Pauline Long.

Graveside memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 12, at Newton Burial Park, Nevada, with Steve Dean officiating. Friends may call now and until 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

Those who wish may contribute to the Vernon County Historical Society or McGennis Youth Center in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

Mary Helen Oyler

Mary Helen Oyler, 68 of Kansas City passed away Sunday, Aug. 8, 2004.

She was born Oct. 15, 1935, to Loren and Fay (Cline) Rinehart, and lived in the Kansas City area since 1954. She was a member of Filiehart Christian Church and the Teamsters Retiree Club.

She was preceded in death by her husband Glenn D. Oyler and is survived by her son Mike Oyler of Buckner, Mo.; daughter Marsha Sellers of Kansas City, two sisters, Maxine Robertson of Richards and Marjorie Pryor of Higginsville, Mo.; four grandchildren; and one great grandson.

Graveside services will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 12, in Newton Burial Park, Nevada, visitation will be Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at the Park Lawn Chapel, Kansas City, Mo. The family suggests contributions to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are by Park Lawn Funeral Home (816) 523-1234.

Betty L. Bates

Betty L. Bates, 76, died Aug. 5, 2004. Services were held at Walnut Hill Cemetery on Aug. 9, at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Dr. Michael Shy officiating. Interment was in Walnut Hill Cemetery in Cotter, Ark. Arrangements were by Ferry Funeral Home.

Harry Allen Wood

Memorial services for Harry Allen Wood, 77, Nevada, will be held on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2004, at 1 p.m., at the All Saints Episcopal Church in Nevada.

Betty Ann Riggs

Betty Ann Riggs, 74, Nevada, died Monday, Aug. 9, 2004, at St. John's Regional Medical Center, Joplin, following a lengthy illness. She was born Dec. 2, 1929, in Fort Scott, Kan., to Robert Lee Overton and Anna Maude Duke Overton. She married Herbert Riggs on June 1, 1947, in Nevada, and he survives of the home.

Betty was raised in Nevada, and spent virtually her entire life here. She graduated from Nevada High School. She worked for many years in food service at both Nevada Country Club and Nevada State Hospital. She was a Methodist, a member of the VFW Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary and a former member of Elks Does and Eagles Lodge.

In addition to her husband Herbert, she is survived by one son, Jerry Riggs, Nevada; one daughter, Brenda Hoselton, Nevada; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one great-grandson, Brett Hoselton; and one sister, Carol Forgey.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 12, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with John Nichols officiating. Interment will follow in Moore Cemetery, Nevada. Friends may call now and until the hour of service at the funeral home.

Those who wish may contribute to the Arthritis Foundation in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

Loren Clarence Davenport

Loren Clarence Davenport, 85, died Monday, Aug. 9, 2004, at Moore-Few Care Center, Nevada. Funeral services and family information will be provided by Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

Lucille Butner

Lucille Butner, 86, Nevada, died Aug. 10, 2004, at Moore-Few Care Center. Family information and services will be announced later by Evergreen Memorial Chapel.