Lula F. (Myers) Bench 1899-1984

Lula F. Bench, daughter of John and Lillie Gilbreath Myers was born August 3, 1899, in Pulaski County and departed this life August 22, 1984, in Springfield, Missouri at the age of 85 years.

Lula was married to Scott Bench October 15, 1919, in Cookville, Missouri, and to this union was born three daughters.

She professed her faith in Jesus Christ as a young girl, and has been a member of the First Baptist Church for many years.

Lula has owned and operated several restaurants in Richland, including the Gilmore Café. She retired from the shoe factory, where she was employed as a supervisor.

Those preceding her in death are her parents, six brothers, Claude, Chester, Raymond, Chris, Loren, and Clifford Myers, two sisters, Mary and Maggie Myers, and one daughter, Patricia Lodge, also one granddaughter, Deanna Sue Beasley.

She is survived by two daughters, Mary Francis Eldredge of Richland, and Marjorie Louise Smith of Louisiana; three sisters, Ruby Davenport of Laquey, Anna Hicks of Portland, Oregon, and Ethel Stewart of Tulsa, Oklahoma; a stepson Herbert Bench of Dallas, Texas; five grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Saturday, August 15, 1984 at the Colonial Funeral Chapel, Richland, with Pryor Ray Prewett officiating.

Music was provided by Rusty Shadel and Marcia Shadel.

Burial was in the Oaklawn cemetery with escorts: Barton Schaper, Jim Eldredge, John Eldredge, Jack Eldredge, Bill Schaper, Bob Schaper. Burial was under the direction of the Colonial Funeral Chapel, Richland, Missouri.

Clella Belle (Woody) Olney 1898-1984

Clella Belle Woody Olney was born September 30, 1898 in Pulaski County, Cookville, Missouri and passed away August 22, 1984 at 1:05 a.m. at Boone County Hospital, Boone, Iowa, at the age of 85 years, 10 months, and 22 days.

Clella was married to Charles Scott Bench in 1917 and to Levi Almon Olney in 1925.

Clella was the daughter of Wm. Henry and Lillie (Purdy) Woody and granddaughter of Robert H. and Sallie Ann (Cook) Woody and Lee V. and Nancy Ann (Killman) Purdy. They are all early Pulaski County pioneers near the old Cookville, Missouri. She graduated from St. Anne’s school.

Survivors include two sons: Herbert George Bench of Texas; H. Willard Olney of Ogden, Iowa; and one daughter: June Lee (Olney) Nelson of Ogden, Iowa; nine grandchildren; four great grandchildren; two nieces and many cousins in Missouri.

Services were held at Stark-Welin Chapel with Rev. Don Sondrol officiating.

Music was provided by granddaughters: Nora (Nelson) Seemann and Julie (Nelson) Earl.

Pallbearers were three grandsons: Rick Olney, Jeff Olney, Jim Olney and Rob Harris, Dave Anderson and Stan Anderson.

Walter Ray Bench 1904-1984

Walter Ray Bench, son of Lawrence and Glenora Hartsel Bench, was born August 8, 1904 at Brownfield, Missouri, and passed away May 27, 1984 in Florissant, Missouri at the age of 79 years, 9 months and 19 days.

Ray was raised in the Brownfield Community, later moving to Richland, Missouri.

He served four years in the United States Navy, and served on the U.S.S. Milwaukee.

Ray accepted Christ as his personal saviour and was baptized February 25, 1949. He was a member of Independence Baptist Church until his death.

He was united in marriage to hazel Marie Freeman, and to this union was born 2 daughters and 1 son. Hazel passed away in 1959.

He was united in marriage to June Rhodes Painter in 1960 and they resided in Hazelwood, Missouri. She passed away August 30, 1982.

He worked for several years as a carpenter for McCarthy Bros. Construction Co. from which he retired in 1972. He was a member of the Carpenters Local.

Others preceding him in death were his parents, 1 brother, Oscar Bench, 1 son, Howard Painter.

Those left to mourn his passing include three daughters, Beverly Prine of Pekin, Illinois, Phyllis Decker of Chico, California, Barbara June Painter of Hazelwood, Missouri, 1 son James Bench of Richland, Missouri, 1 brother Ralph, St. Robert, Missouri; 14 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, other relatives and a host of friends.

Services for Walter R. Bench were held at Colonial Funeral Chapel 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 31, 1984. Officiating at the services was Rev. Curtis Wilson. Burial was in the Oaklawn Cemetery. Escorts were: Larry Bench, Victor Bench, Don Hicks, Charlie Bench, Willard Nicks, and Kerry Brown. Honorary Escorts were: Earl Nicks. Under the direction of Colonial Funeral Chapel, Richland, Missouri.