Dr. Drura Claiborn d. 30 December 1959

Dr. Drura Claiborn Dies, Ex-Mayor of Big Timber

Big Timber- (AP) A former mayor of this Sweet Grass County seat, Dr. Drura Claiborn died Wednesday of a heart ailment at the age of 84.

He had practiced medicine in Big Timber for 52 years and was a longtime president of the Citizens Bank & Trust Co.

Claiborn was a physician in his native Waynesville, Mo., from 1898 to 1907 when he moved to Big Timber.

Survivors include the widow, Stella, and a son, Dr. Louis N. Claiborn, Hamden, Conn.

The Independent-Record
Helena, Montana
3 January 1960, Sunday
Page 1

Transcribed by Laura (Abernathy) Huffman

Raymond Herbert Biddle d. 1 November 1959

Raymond Herbert Biddle, 61, foreman for the Debo Construction Company of Waynesville, died Sunday at his home near Waynesville.

His only survivor is his wife, Mary. The Hedges Funeral Home of Waynesville will send the body to the Parker Funeral Home at Joplin for services and burial in Forest Park Cemetery Wednesday.

The Springfield News-Leader
3 November 1959, Tue

Transcribed by Laura (Abernathy) Huffman

Joyce Elaine Carroll d. 11 September 1959

Funeral services for Joyce Elaine Carroll, 3, who suffocated in an abandoned ice box at Waynesville, will be held at 1:30 p.m. today in the Waynesville Baptist Church. The Rev. Cleveland Horne will officiate. Burial will be in Needmore Cemetery near Waynesville under direction of Hedges.

Survivors are the parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Richard Carroll, of Waynesville; a brother, James Richard and sister, Mary Mragaret, of the home; the maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Brady Feltner, and paternal grandmother, Mrs. Silas Hamilton, Waynesville, and the paternal grandfather, Jack Carroll, Nevada.

Springfield Leader and Press
13 September 1959, Sun.

Transcribed by Laura (Abernathy) Huffman

Miss Genevieve White d. 29 August 1959

Funeral services for Miss Genevieve White, 17-year-old Waynesville girl who shot herself to death Saturday afternoon at her home, will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the post chapel at Fort Leonard Wood with the Rev. J. C. Summers officiating.

Burial will be in Fort Wood Cemetery under direction of Hedges of Waynesville.

Members of the family said the girl apparantly took her own life after becoming despondent over her twin brother's enlistment in the Army.

Survivors include her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wesley R. White; the brother, Guy; and two sisters, Elizabeth and Francoise.

Springfield Leader and Press
31 August 1959, Mon.

Transcribed by Laura (Abernathy) Huffman

John M. Crutsinger d. 3 August 1959

Funeral services for John M. Crutsinger, assistant St. Louis county highway engineer, will be Thursday at 9 a.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Church, 243 West Argonne drive, Kirkwood. Burial will be in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

Mr. Crutsinger, who was 63 years old, died yesterday of a liver ailment at St. Mary's Hospital. He lived at 321 West Essex avenue, Kirkwood. He was county highway engineer from 1933 to 1940. In 1940 he moved to Waynesville, Mo., and began operating a motel. Later he returned to St. Louis and was appointed assistant highway engineer in 1957.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Florence Habert Crutsinger, his mother, Mrs. Bertha Crutsinger, and two brothers, Harry M. Crutsinger and R.M. Crutsinger.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch
4 August 1959, Tue

Transcribed by Laura (Abernathy) Huffman

Harry T. Martin d. 3 August 1959

Harry Thomas Martin, 85, a retired farmer and former city marshal at Waynesville, died Monday at his Waynesville home.

Survivors are his wife, Myrtle; a son, Clarence, Kirkwood; a daughter, Mrs. Maxine Burnette, Austin, Tex,; a foster daughter, Mrs. Maude Hodges, Kansas City; a brother, William, Denver; 10 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Waynesville Baptist Church with the Tev. Cleveland Horne officiating. Burial will be in Mitchell Cemetery near Waynesville with Hedges of Waynesville in charge.

Springfield Leader and Press
4 August 1959, Tue.

Transcribed by Laura (Abernathy) Huffman

Arthur Benjamin Cohn d. 7 November 1959

Arthur Benjamin Cohn, 79, of Waynesville, died Saturday morning in Waynesville General Hospital.

Mr. Cohn came to Waynesville in 1941 from Collinsworth, Ill., and operated a jewelry store.

He was a member of the Abou-Ben Adhem Shrine Temple of Springfield, and a member of the Springfield and Waynesville Masonic Lodge.

Surviving are his wife Louise, and two sons, Henry J., and Arthur B., Jr., both of Waynesville; three brothers, three sisters, and two grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday from a Waynesville church, with burial in Waynesville Memorial Cemetery under direction of Hedges of Waynesville. Masonic rites will be conducted at the graveside.

Springfield Leader and Press
Springfield, Missouri
8 November 1959
Page 55

Marion Henderson Vaught d. 4 September 1959

Marion Henderson Vaught, 87, a retired farmer and school teacher, died Friday afternoon at his Waynesville home.

He is survived by his wife, Matilda Ann; two sons, Reevil W., of Camdenton and Temple W., of Washington D.C.; three daughters, Mrs. Floy Wilson, Iberia, Mrs. Opal Bloehs, St. Louis, and Mrs. Georgia Mihan, St. Louis; two sisters, Mrs. Lucy Clark, Richland, and Mrs. Elvia Davis, Sedeborg, and four grandchildren.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in the First Baptist Church at Waynesville, with the Revs. Virgil Manes and Cleveland Horne officiating. Burial will be in Waynesville Memorial Cemetery under direction of Hedges of Waynesville.

Springfield Leader and Press
Springfield, Missouri
5 September 1959
Page 5

Samuel Roberson 1892-1959

Sam Roberson, Local Citizen, Succumbed From Heart Attack

Sam Roberson, who for a numbers of years, operated a service station in Waynesville, died Monday at his home, victim of an apparent heart attack.

Mr. Roberson was a life-long resident of this community.

Funeral services for Sam Roberson, 52, who died, Monday at his home in Waynesville, were held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday in the Mt. Gibson Baptist Church near Waynesville, with the Rev. Ferrell Hutsell officiating.

Burial was in the church cemetery under the direction of the Hedges Funeral Home of Waynesville.

Mr. Roberson, a farmer, and a lifelong resident of Pulaski County, is survived by his wife, Lena; four sons, Leland (?) of St. Louis, Dale, Bobby, and Jerry, all of Waynesville; daughters, Mrs. Laura Flesch__ and Mrs. Mary Lea Flesch___, both of St. Louis; three brothers, Ralph, Los Angeles, _____of Alton, Illinois; and Roy of Waynesville; two sisters Mrs. ___la Davis, Alton, Illinois, and Hazel Higgs of Richland, and 15 grandchildren.

(Handwritten note: Samuel Roberson: 1892-1959. Wife Lena: 1900-1981)

Dwight Rench 1885-1959

Funeral Services Held Sunday For Dwight Rench, Prominent Devils Elbow Business Leader

Dwight Rench, 74 years old, resident of Devil’s Elbow, and who for the past number of months had been in failing health, passed away at the Phelps County Hospital in Rolla last Friday. Mr. Rench had been an engineer of the State Health Department for ten years, but had resigned recently due to ill health.

Possibly a few men in Pulaski County had as many close, personal friends as did Dwight Rench, who through his courteous and kindly manner made friends wherever he went. He was born in Christian County, Illinois, August 30, 1885. On December 23, 1904, he was united in marriage to Bertha Higgins of Edinburg, Illinois, and to this union three children were born, Myron Rench of Competition, Harry Rench of Devil’s Elbow, and Mrs. Paul Landers of near Dixon. Three grandsons, Larry and Bruce Alle Rench, and Terry Landers, and one granddaughter, Beverly Ann Rench Strub, one brother and six sisters, two daughters-in-law, Jessie Rench and Pearl Rench, and one son-in-law, Paul Landers, also survive.

Mr. and Mrs. Rench moved to Devil’s Elbow in 1927 and established a fishing lodge on the Big Piney River.

Dwight was a public spirited man and gave much of his time to public improvements in his community, count, and state, he has been a member of the board of directors of the Laclede Electric Coop since it was founded…
death, having been elected every three years and attended his last meeting at Lebanon only a few days before his death. He was a member of the Waynesville Lodge No. 375 AF & AM, Houston Lodge, Order of Eastern Star, and the Rebekah IOOF Lodge at Crocker. He was an elected member of the Pulaski County Health Center since its organization and was always a faithful member of his lodges and other organizations.

At the time of his death he was a member of the Sheppard Baptist Church near Dixon, he was converted in 1904 and joined the Baptist Church at Edinburg, Illinois and lived a consecrated Christian all his adult life.

Funeral services for Mr. Rench were held Sunday afternoon at the Gilbert Funeral Chapel in Dixon with Rev. Gomer Wright officiating. Members of the Waynesville Lodge attended in a body and Masonic rites were given. Interment was in the Hooker Cemetery under direction of Gilbert Funeral Home of Dixon.

(Handwritten Note: Born 30 Aug, 1885 Died 27 Nov, 1959)

Wade Columbus Hamilton 1878-1959

Wade Columbus Hamilton was born near Dixon June 19, 1878 and departed this life on December 23, 1959 at his home near Waynesville at the age of 81 years past.

On October 1, 1899 he was united in marriage to Cerena Jane Christeson and to this union four children were born. They reared their family and lived their entire married life on the farm where passed away.

Those left to mourn his passing are one son, Columbus, one daughter, Miss Cloa Hamilton of Waynesville; three brothers, Charley of Farmington, Tom and Virgil of Dixon; a sister, Mrs. Ettie Powell of Springfield. Also surviving are one grandson, Ricahrd, and a granddaughter, Jeanette Hamilton of Waynesville. He had been in failing health for a number of years.

In 1921 he was converted and united with the Waynesville Methodist Church and retained membership there until his death. For the past 40 years he had been a member of the Modern Woodman’s Lodge of America.

Funeral services were held Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at the Waynesville Methodist Church with Rev. Vernon Schmidt officiating. Burial was in Turpin Cemetery under direction of Hedges Funeral Home of Waynesville.

Pallbearers, all nephews, were Paris Claiborn, Chester, Harold, Ralph, and Childs Hamilton, and Orville Stone.

John Livingston Bandy 1878-1959

Funeral services for John Livingston Bandy were held Saturday, December 5 at 2:00 p.m. at the Waynesville Baptist Church with Rev. C.R. Horne and Rev. A.J. Johnson officiating. Burial was in Waynesville Memorial Cemetery under direction of Hedges Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Ernest Cox, Virgil Long, John Threlkeld, Arlo Brown, Roy Adkinson, and Wayne Keith.

Honorary pallbearers were Ora Anderson, Carl Anderson, and V.V. Long.

John Livingston Bandy was born September 28, 1878 in Hawkins County, Tennesse, and departed this life December 3, 1959 at the age of 81 years, 2 months and 4 days.

In the year 1901 he was united in marriage to Mattie Davis at Aurora, Missouri. He was ordained to preach August 17, 1910 and had served as preacher and evangelist in Oklahoma and Missouri and leader in the Missouri Baptist Convention. He also served on the executive board of the Oklahoma Baptist convention and the executive board of the Missouri Baptist convention. Brother Bandy pastured the Waynesville Baptist church from 1938 to 1946.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by four sons and one daughter: Rev. Glen R. Bandy of San Antonio, Texas, Houston Bandy of Walters, Oklahoma, Rev. Merle Bandy of Neosho, Missouri, Rev. Kenneth Bandy of Lebanon, Missouri, and Mrs. Francis Till of St. Paul, Minnesota. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren and a number of other relatives and friends.

*J.L. Bandy passed away while in the care of State Hospital #3 in Nevada, Vernon County, Missouri 

Margaret Ellen (Hedrick) Rose 1892-1959

Funeral services for Margaret Ellen Rose were held Thursday, October 29 at 2:00 p.m. at the Gasconade Baptist Church with Rev. Bob Wilmoth officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery under the direction of Hedges Funeral Home of Waynesville.

Pallbearers were Fred Holtsman, Dove George, Hubert ___lier, Verdant Atwell, ____ Hicks, and Dean Doyle.

Margaret Ellen “Hedrick” Rose was born near Crocker, August 28, 1892 and died at the Pulaski County General Hospital October 28, 1959 at the age of 67 years and two months.

She was married January 9, 1910 to Milam Rose. To this union twelve children were born. They lived their entire married life in this community. For the past ten years Mrs. Rose had been in failing health.

Survivors are her husband, Milam of the home; five daughters: Mrs. Gladys Hamilton and Mrs. Wanda Adkins of Waynesville, Mrs. Dorothy Williams of Kansas City, Mrs. Helen Berquist of Portland, Oregon, and Mrs. William Keeth of Dixon; five sons: Pearl and Everald of Dixon, Drew of St. Louis, John of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Marvin of the home; four sisters: Mrs. Sadie Hancock of Dixon, Mrs. Gertrude Johnson of St. Louis, Mrs. Charlotte Beecher of Arnold, Missouri, Mrs. Olive Maples of Rolla; two brothers: Floyd A. Miller of St. Louis and E.P. Miller of Crocker. Also surviving are 26 grandchildren and two great grandchildren and a number of other relatives.

Card of Thanks

Our sincere thanks to those who helped in any way at the death of our beloved wife and mother. We especially wish to thank the minister and his wife, those who sent flowers and food, the doctor, nurses and the hospital, those who opened the grave and the undertaker and all who helped in any way. Your kindness will always be remembered.

The Rose Family

Rolla Evans Wells 1915-1959

August 11, 1915-November 22, 1959


Rolla E. Wells, 44, a rural mail carrier at Crocker for the past 13 years, died Sunday in the Pulaski County General hospital.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; his father, T.H. Wells of Crocker; three sons, Rolla Eugene, Gary Lee, and Randy Dale, and one daughter, Cynthia Lynn, all of the home; five brothers, Clarence of Lenox, Missouri, Raymond of Devil’s Elbow, Missouri, William of Kenner, Louisiana, Arthur of Chico, California, and Avery of Crocker, and four sisters, Mrs. Glen Ray of Uravan, Colorado, Mrs. John Garten of Anioka, Minnesota, Mrs. Melvin Neely of La Marque, Texas, and Mrs. George Rowden of Crocker.

Services were at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday in the Crocker Baptist church with the Revs. Joel Alexander and Dan Cochran officiating. Burial was in Crocker Memorial cemetery under direction of Hedges of Crocker.

Katie May (Stewart) Thomson 1899-1959

Katie May Thomson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Stewart, was born near Hooker March 1, 1899 and died at her home near Laquey May 16, 1959 at the age of 60 years, past.

On August 20, 1916 she was married to Franklin M. Thomson. To this union eight children were born. They had been married 43 years and had lived in the Laquey community the entire time.

Left to mourn her death are her husband Franklin, of the home; four daughters, Mrs. Clara Kinsworthy, Mrs. Lillie Vaughn, Mrs. Annie Hill and Mrs. Bessie Peterson, all of Laquey; four sons, James, William, and Charles of Laquey, and Oliver with the U.S. Army in Germany; a brother, Glen Stewart of Hooker, 30 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and a number of other relatives.

When a young girl she was converted and later united with the Buckhorn Christian Church. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends.

Funeral services were held Thursday, May 19 at 2:00 p.m. at the Buckhorn Baptist Church with Rev. Byron Clark, Jr., officiating. Burial was in Buckhorn Cemetery under the direction of Hedges Funeral Home of Waynesville.

Pallbearers were Harbor L. Gladden, Louis and Dorsey Rayl, George Lane, Jr., Clyde Wheeler, and Ewell Johnson.

George T. Hoops 1898-1959

Death Claims George T. Hoops, Prominent Merchant Of Crocker

George T. Hoops, prominent Crocker, Missouri merchant, and a brother to Paul Hoops of Waynesville, passed away at his home in Crocker last Sunday, following a heart attack. Mr. Hoops, who had been in ill health for some time, had planned to retire from business after the first of the year.

Mr. Hoops was one of the leading business men in Pulaski County and had been in the General Mercantile business all his life, having been manager of the J.L. Hoops and Sons store, which was founded by his father.

Mr. Hoops was an ardent hunter and fisherman, and only last fall spent some time in Wyoming hunting deer. His untimely death will be felt by the hundreds of friends and neighbors.

George T. Hoops, son of J.L. and Vivian Tallman Hoops, was born in Crocker March 20, 1898. He died December 27, 1959 at his home in Crocker where he spent his entire life.

George was owner of J.L. Hoops and Sons Store which was established by his father, J.L. Hoops in 1896.

On November 12, 1922 he was married to Effie Krause of Crocker. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Effie Hoops, two daughters, Mrs. Jimmie Eads of Iberia, and Mrs. Gene Densmore of Somerset, Kentucky, and a son Randy, of the home ; two granddaughters, Judy and Karen Eads of Iberia, and a grandson, David Densmore of Somerset, Kentucky, a sister, Mrs. Wilson Hall of Jefferson City, and a brother, Paul, of Waynesville, and his stepmother, Mrs. J.L. Hoops of Crocker. He is also survived by two nieces and a nephew.

In his youth he was united with the Crocker Presbyterian church, and was a member of this church at the time of his death.

Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 29 at the Crocker Presbyterian church with Rev. B.A. Meeks officiating. Burial was in the Crocker Memorial cemetery under direction of Hedges Funeral Home of Crocker.