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Obituaries

Mary Fern Crawford

Mary Fern Crawford, age 94, passed away Saturday, Aug. 21, 2004, at Moore-Few Care Center following a brief illness. She was born Dec. 25, 1909, in Nevada, to Rush Wagner Crawford and Ada Beatrice Holland Crawford.

She graduated from Nevada High School and Cottey College in Nevada. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Missouri State College in Springfield. She did graduate work at University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo., and at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and received her Master of Arts in Education from the University of Missouri in 1948.

Mary Fern had a varied and full career in education. She taught elementary school in Missouri for ten years. In 1940 she began teaching kindergarten in the Des Moines public schools and completed 20 years in that field. She was then asked to open the first school in the Des Moines district for the mentally handicapped students from seven to 15 years of age. She was very successful in this new field, and she continued teaching handicapped students for another 20 years until her retirement. Miss Crawford served on the summer school faculty of Drake University where she instructed public school teachers.

Mary Fern Crawford was very active in church work and gave outstanding leadership in many areas at the local, state and national levels. In 1965 she was awarded a Citation by the American Baptist Board of Education and Publication honoring her for Outstanding leadership and singular achievement in the field of Christian education both in her home church and on the national level. She was lauded for her teaching skills and for initiating and promoting classes for the mentally handicapped. She was recognized as a creative author of articles in the Baptist Leader and other national publications. As Chairman of the Children's Work Committee, Department of Christian Education of the lowa Baptist Convention, Mary Fern was responsible to give guidance to vacation church school workshops, to represent Iowa Baptists, at national conferences for workers with children, and to lead in the selection of teams of workers with children for state demonstration schools and clinics.

In addition to her teaching responsibilities and church commitments, Mary Fern maintained many friendships and pursued the hobbies of quilting, genealogy, antiquing and bridge. She kept busy during her retirement helping her family and continuing to reach out to those in need.

She is survived by her brother, Burl David Crawford; and her sister, Earlenne Stout; and many nieces and nephews.

Graveside services were be held Monday, Aug. 23, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Moore Cemetery, Nevada, with John Nichols officiating. Interment was in Moore Cemetery in Nevada. Arrangements were by Ferry Funeral Home.

Deaths

Edward Spencer

Edward Spencer, 83, El Dorado Springs, died Aug. 22, 2004, at his home. He was born on Aug. 31, 1920, in Dunnegan, Mo., the son of Fred and Ada (Long) Spencer. On July 12, 1943, he married Cleo Frances Vickers and she preceded him in death. On Aug. 1, 1960, he married Clara Jane Matthews.

He served in the U.S. Army. He was a postal carrier for the U.S. Post Office in El Dorado Springs for 32 years. He retired in 1976.

He is survived by his wife Clara, of the home; six sons; three daughters, 11 grandchildren; 12 step grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 13 step great-grandchildren; two brothers; and one sister.

Services will be held at 11 a.m., on Aug. 25, 2004, at Park Street Christian Church in El Dorado Springs with Matt Neal officiating. Interment will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in El Dorado Springs. Pallbearers will be Jerry Dill, Tim White, Brian Summer, Jeff Owens, Robert Gibbs, Daniel Sumner, Curtis Matthews and Nick Matthews. Honorary pallbearers will be Darrin Matthews, Charlie Sumner, Michael Snyder, Mike Whitesell and Randy Spencer. Family visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m., today at Park Street Christian Church in El Dorado Springs.

Nadine (Dean) Bennett

Nadine (Dean) Bennett, 92, Independence, Mo., died Saturday, Aug. 21, 2004. She was born in Webb City, Mo.

She is survived by two daughters, Patricia Bennett and Jacqueline Schelp, both of Independence, Mo. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted; a daughter, Barbara Jean Krueger; two great-grandchildren; and five siblings.

Visitation will be on Aug. 25, 2004, from 6 to 8 p.m., at D.W. Newcomer's Sons Floral Hills Chapel in Kansas City, Mo. Services will be held at D.W. Newcomer's Sons Floral Hills Chapel in Kansas City, Mo., on Aug. 26, 2004, at 12 p.m. Interment will be in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens in Kansas City, Mo.

Memorials may be sent to the North Kansas City Hospice or the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are by D.W. Newcomer's Sons Floral Hills Chapel.

Victor P. Lawson

Victor P. Lawson, 74, Nevada, died Saturday, Aug. 21, 2004, at Moore-Few Care Center, Nevada, following a long illness. He was born on Jan. 11, 1930, in Ravenwood, Mo., to Rufus H. Lawson and Nellie F. Comer Lawson. Victor attended school in Ravenwood, and joined the U.S. Army and served in Japan from 1948 to 1950. He was a long haul truck driver for most of his life.

Survivors include two daughters, Vickie Ruth Lachmiller and Constance Hirschmugle, both of Novato, Calif.; one stepdaughter, Jan Verden, Las Vegas, Nev.; and one stepson, Rocky Herring, Nevada. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Nellie F. Lawson; and his son Victor Paul Lawson Jr.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2004, at the Oak Lawn Cemetery in Ravenwood, Mo. Friends may call now and until 9 a.m. on Thursday at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

Murle Walter McNeece

Murle Walter McNeece, 54, of Lockwood, died on Aug. 19, 2004, in his home. Private family services will be held at a later date. The family will receive friends Sunday, Aug. 29, 2004, in the home of Bonnie Pickens. Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Services were under the care of Lockwood Funeral Chapel.