Mary Lou Kithcart

Mary Lou Kithcart, 86, was born Feb. 4, 1928, in Butler, Mo., the daughter of James W. and Crystal (Johnson) Sherman. She departed this life on Aug. 9, 2014, with her family at her bedside. She graduated from Butler High School in 1946. She was united in marriage to Melvin Kithcart on Nov. 16, 1946, to this union three children were born. For the next 65 years they were in business together in the Rich Hill area until Melvin's passing on Jan. 26, 2012.

Mary continue operating Kithcart Orchard until last fall when her health failed. She was also preceded in death by her son, Jim Kithcart, on Oct. 17, 2006; and three sisters, Benice Rogge, Ann McCoy, and Marvaline Schofield.

Mary is survived by her two daughters, Sharon Tourtillott and husband, Leonard, Rich Hill, Mo., and Donna Zeller and her husband, Gregg, Springfield, Mo.; daughter-in-law, Carol Kithcart, Raytown, Mo.; brother, Howard Sherman and wife, Barbara, Bolivar, Mo.; grandchildren, Jeff and Misty Tourtillott, Jimmy and Lindsey Kithcart, Richard and Karen Kithcart, Luke and Kiley Tourtillott, all of Rich Hill, Mo., Nicholas Zeller, of Kansas City, Mo., Elizabeth Zeller, of Springfield, Mo., Kim and Curtis Wilkie, of Kansas City, Mo., and Tonia and Brantley Highers, of Raytown, Mo.; great-grandchildren, Morgan, Ashley, Nate, Evan, David, Stachia, Jenavieve, Jak, Conner, Kyle, Andrew, Matthew, Mischka, and Brantley; and nieces and nephews.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Heuser Funeral Home, Rich Hill, officiated by the Revs. Mark Kailbourn and Bill Perkey, with burial in the Green Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m., Friday. Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers and music will be provided by Doug and Katie Abend.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Rich Hill Memorial Library, Heartland Hospice, or donors choice in care of Heuser Funeral Home.