Steven Ware

Steven Ware, 63, Sheldon, died Monday, March 21, 2005, at his residence. He was born June 22, 1941, in Stotesbury, Mo., to Edward A. Ware and Effie Irene Hawkins Ware. He was married in San Bernardino, Calif., to Anita Liveley Ware. She survives of the home.

Steven grew up in the El Dorado Springs area. As a young man he worked for Howard Benjamin at Benjamin's Stable near Kansas City, and only gave up his love and ownership of horses in 1990. As a young adult he moved to California, raising his family in the San Bernardino area of Southern California. At one time he was an owner-operator of two Freightliner cab-overs. Steve spent 35 years as a truck driver, driving both eastern and western states. He returned to Missouri in 1990 with his wife Anita and aging mother Effie Pittman, who passed away in 1994. He spent the past 15 years enjoying being near his sisters and brothers and their families. He also enjoyed many years and miles of open road, riding his motorcycles with good friends. At the age of 60, he road his favorite Honda VTX with family members to the "Honda Hoot" in Knoxville, Ind. It was a dream fulfilled. He was so proud of all his grandchildren, with his grandsons, Tim, serving a tank command in Iraq; and Steven, an engineer in training in Georgia, preparing to go to Iraq.

Survivors in addition to his wife, Anita, include one son, Layton J. Ware, Monett, Mo.; one daughter, Sheila Snow, Fredricktown, Mo.; four step-sons, Lance Ebarb, Brea, Calif., Mike Ebarb, state of Texas, Ronald Hatcher-Welch, Yucaipa, Calif., and Eric Hatcher, Nevada; one step-daughter, Brenda Star Hughes, state of Georgia; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild; two brothers, Bill Ware, Grain Valley, Mo., Layton E. Ware, Sheldon; two sisters, Wilma Williams, Sweet Springs, Mo., and Mary Price, Sheldon. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Edward Ware.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, March 25, at Sheldon Cemetery, Sheldon, with Wayne Dipman officiating.

Friends may call from now and until 1 p.m. Friday at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

The family suggests that memorials be given to the American Cancer Society in care of the funeral home.