William Eugene Stewart 1930-1986

William Eugene Stewart, of Waynesville, Missouri, was born the son of Horace and Elizabeth (Burleson) Stewart on June 5, 1930, at St. Louis, Missouri, and departed this life Tuesday, September 23, 1986, at the age of 56 years, three months and 18 days.

He married Lillian L. (Lou) Heffernan on September 20, 1952, and to this union five children were born.  Bill and Lou shared 34 years of love and devotion together.  He served briefly in the National Guard and U.S. Naval Reserve before joining the United States Air Force, for a total of 28 years, eight months and 22 days, a period which spanned both the Korean and Vietnam wars.  He was stationed overseas in Vietnam and in Italy, and served with a devotion to duty which was typical of his integrity and loyalty to his wife, friends, and country.  He distinguished himself at all time, as was evidenced by many awards and service medals.  After retirement from the military, he and his family lived in Germany before making a home in Waynesville.

Bill was an avid fisherman, boatsman, and enjoyed the outdoors.  He was active in various Masonic Bodies: home Lodge, Texas 8, San Antonio, Texas; past master and life member of Aviano Lodge 643, Italy; member, Two Bridges Lodge, Zweibruecken, Germany; member of Moslah Shrine Temple; member of York Rite, Frankfurt, Germany; member of Eastern Star, Faith Chapter 19, Pirmasens, Germany.  William was past chairman of the Forest Hills Homeowners Association, volunteer financial counselor for the Army Community Services on Fort Leonard Wood, and sponsor and committee member of Ducks Unlimited.

He is survived by his wife, Loy, of Waynesville; his mother, Elizabeth Ray of Cuba, Missouri; one son, Bill, of Austin, Texas; four daughters: Sherri Stewart and Susy Claborn, both of Los Angeles, California; Shelly Bertrand, of Austin, Texas; and Sandy Stewart of Arlington, Virginia; three brothers: Bob and Cliff, both of Cuba, Missouri, and Chuck of Rolla, Missouri; two sisters, June Albrecht of Cuba, Missouri and Nancy Fisher of Niceville, Florida; one grandson, Billy Claborn of Dallas, Texas, and many other relatives and friends.  He will be greatly missed by all of them.  William was preceded in death by his father.

A memorial has been suggested by the family to the American Heart Association.

Funeral services were held Friday, September 26 at 11:00 a.m. at the Main Post Chapel, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, with Chaplain Robert R. Davidson officiating.

Music was provided by organist, Dorothy Moore.

Escorts were: Ray Kidd, Chuck Stewart, Cliff Stewart, Bob Stewart, Bill Stewart, and Charles Bertrand.

Honorary escorts were: Billy Claborn, Tom Claborn, Bill Albreckt, Herman Ray, Don Fisher, and John Stevens.

Interment was in the Waynesville Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of the Waynesville Memorial Chapel. 

Sarah Elizabeth (Gan) Stewart 1928-2007

Sarah Elizabeth Stewart, born September 4, 1928, was one of four children born to the union of the late James Franklin and Amanda (York) Gan, near Bloodland, Missouri.

Elizabeth departed this life the morning of July 21, 2007 in the Phelps County Regional Medical Center of Rolla, Missouri at the age of 78 years, 10 months and 17 days from congestive heart failure and several surgeries and infections.

Elizabeth's mother, Amanda, passed away January 16, 1936 with cancer. She is buried in the Old Friendship Cemetery of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and so is her father "Little Frank", as he was fondly called. Frank died in a car accident on November 17, 1965.

Elizabeth's father married Edith Campbell, after the death of Amanda, and brought the family back together. They lived near Bloodland, Missouri until the family was forced to move to make way for Fort Leonard Wood, to train soldiers for World War II. They moved to the Northwest part of Pulaski County to the community of Turkey Ridge near Waynesville. Elizabeth attended Bloodland School and Turkey Ridge School.

Elizabeth was united in marriage to Robert M. "Bob" Stewart, a World War II veteran, on January 12, 1947 and they had just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They shared four children: Sandra, William Robert (Billy Bob), Marlena and Richard.

Elizabeth and Bob lived in Rolla, when Bob was attending the Missouri School of Mines. They lived in East Peoria, Illinois while Bob worked for Caterpillar and in the fall of 1950, they moved back to Waynesville when Bob was employed at Fort Leonard Wood. Bob went to work in Rolla at the U.S.G.S. in January 1957. He retired in May of 1981. Elizabeth was very busy with caring and being there for their children and being a good loving wife. She was a very good seamstress and sewed many clothes.

Elizabeth and Bob loved to travel and camp, which they combined when they started their craft shows all over Missouri and many other states. Their last shows featured beautiful, "Plenty Pockets Purses", made from "pre-loved" jeans which Bob cut and Elizabeth sewed. They called their business "Stewart's Denim-ite Designs."

Elizabeth and Bob are currently attending Community Christian Church of Rolla, Missouri and have attended Ridgeview Christian Church of Rolla, MO and First Christian Church of Waynesville, MO.

Elizabeth and Bob loved their children and grandchildren and made many trips to visit them.

Elizabeth will be greatly missed by her loving husband, Bob and the children: Sandra Gass and her husband John of Burlington, IA, W.R. (Billy Bob) Stewart and his wife, Tracy of O'Fallon, IL and Marlena Jones and her husband Terry of Rolla, MO; step-son: Richard Stewart of Morton, IL; step-sister: Frieda York of Waynesville, MO; 13 grandchildren and several great grandchildren; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents; 2 step-brothers: John and Jim Campbell; step-sister: Imogene Reeves; 2 sisters and their husbands: Lettie Baranowski and Joe, Mary Bell Booker and Bud; one brother: Lee Otis Gan and wife Edna (Jefferies); daughter-in-law: Gloria Stewart; and infant grandson: Jeremy Jones.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, July 24, 2007 in the Waynesville Memorial Chapel with Pastor Dale Wands officiating. Sarah Wands read a beautiful poem in honor of Elizabeth. The song "Forever and Ever Amen" was played and Soloist Becky Lercher sang "The Old Rugged Cross". Serving as escorts were Leonard Atterberry, Larry Baranowski, Francis Barnes, Jerry Avery, James Baranowski and James Booker. Serving as honorary escorts were Dwight and J.R. Baranowski.

Burial followed in the Idumea Cemetery of Laquey, Missouri. Services were under the direction of Waynesville Memorial Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Elizabeth Stewart to the Idumea Cemetery Fund and may be left at Waynesville Memorial Chapel.

Angela Marie “Angie” (Hall) Gibson 1974-2011

Angela Marie “Angie” Gibson, passed away Friday, October 14, 2011, near the community of Sleeper, Missouri in Laclede County, at the age of 37 years, 1 month and 3 days.

One of three children and the only daughter of the union of Frank E. Hall and Anne (Stewart) Hall Cooper, Angie was born September 11, 1974 in Pekin, Illinois.

Angie grew up and attended school in Pekin, before moving to the Laquey, Missouri area where she graduated from Laquey High School, Class of 1992. As a child she enjoyed taking family vacations to Missouri; spending much time at Barlow’s Ford River floating and laying in the sun tanning.

For the last six years, Angie worked as a housekeeper for the lodging department on Ft. Leonard Wood. Angie loved watching her son Logan play soccer and listening to her son Billy’s music.

Angie accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized when she was a young girl. In recent years, she re-dedicated her life and became a member of Buckhorn Baptist Church. Angie loved the Lord and her church family very much. It was extremely important to Angie that Billy and Logan have a relationship with the Lord and attend church.

Angie will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by her sons: Billy Joe Gibson and Logan Wade Gibson both of the home; the boys’ father: Tracy Gibson of Laquey; Angie’s parents: Frank Hall (Valerie) of North Pekin, Illinois and Anne Cooper (Thomas) of Laquey; Angie’s beloved companion: Earl Crossland; grandmother: Mavis Stewart of North Pekin, Illinois; two brothers: David of North Pekin, Illinois and Frank F. Hall, II (Yalonda) of Pekin, Illinois. She also leaves many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Angie was preceded in death by grandparents: Winfield “Buster” Stewart, Frank Hall and Helen Whitty and two uncles: Johnny Stewart and Mike Hall.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 18, 2011 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert with Rev. Larry Atkins and Zandy Vandall officiating. Angie’s son, Billy Joe Gibson, played a beautiful song on his guitar. The songs “My Heart Will Go On”, “Sissy’s Song” and “Marvelous Light” were played. Serving as escorts were David Hall, Mark, Collin, Troy, Jason and Jimmy Stewart, Randy Crossland, Larry and Austin Hunter, Jason Beauchamp, James and John Smith, Earl Crossland, Tracy Gibson and Shane Stewart.

Burial followed in the Idumea Cemetery of Laquey, Missouri. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Angie Crossland and can be left at the funeral home.

James Joseph “J.J.” Stewart 1987-2011

James Joseph “J.J.” Stewart, of Dixon, was born June 5, 1987, in St. Louis County, Missouri, a son of James Marvin and Christina Marie (Viola) Stewart, and departed this life Friday evening, November 18, 2011, as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident near Dixon. J.J. had attained the age of 24 years, 5 months, and 13 days. 

J.J. was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Norbert Thomas “Tom” Stewart on May 5, 2010; his paternal grandmother, Betty Lou (McKnolly) Stewart on November 20, 2009, and one uncle, Thomas Norbert Stewart on October 1, 1996.

He was baptized as an infant and was a member of the Catholic faith. J.J. had attended the Dixon public schools and was a 2005 graduate of the Dixon R-1 High School. He was employed as a laborer in construction.

Those left to mourn the passing of J.J. include: His father, James Marvin “Runt” Stewart, Barnhart; his mother, Christina Marie “Chrissy” Stewart, Dixon; his fiancée, Jamie Lynn Becker, Dixon; one son, James Ryan “J.R.” Stewart, Dixon; one daughter, Kirstun Jewl Stewart, Dixon; one step-son, Cole Douglas Beckler, Dixon; one step-daughter, Abigail Lynn Becker, Dixon; one brother, Robert Anthony Stewart, Dixon; one sister, Debra Marie Stewart, St. Louis; one nephew, Robert Thomas Howe, Dixon; two nieces, Alesha Nichole Barton and Isabella Marie Howe, both of Dixon; maternal grandfather, Larry Viola, St. Charles; maternal grandmother, Patricia Bozderh, Arnold;and many other relatives and friends.

Memorial funeral services were conducted for J.J. at 7:00 P.M., Tuesday evening, November 22, 2011 in the Dixon Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes with the Rev. Mike Hurtgen, pastor of First Baptist Church, Vienna, officiating. Four vocal selections, “When I Get to Where I'm Going”, “In Color”, “Freebird” and “If I Die Young” were played for the service.

A private family gathering was held on Wednesday, November 24, 2011, in the West Fairview Cemetery near Dixon. All arrangements were under the direction of the Dixon Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes.

Memorials are suggested to the J.J. Stewart Memorial Fund c/o Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box EE, Dixon, Missouri 65582

Betty L. (McKnolly) Stewart 1934-2009

Betty L. Stewart, of Dixon, was born on November 20, 1934, in Maries County, a daughter of Robert Roy and Louise Anna (Newberry) McKnolly, and departed this life at 12:45 P.M., on Friday, November 20, 2009, at her residence. Mrs. Stewart had been in failing health since February 2009 and had attained the age of 75 years.

Mrs. Stewart was united in marriage on February 18, 1953, at Maplewood to Norbert Thomas Stewart, and to this union five children were born. She was preceded in death by her father on February 23, 1985; her mother on August 31, 1997; and one son, Thomas Norbert Stewart on October 1, 1996.

Mrs. Stewart accepted Jesus Christ as her Personal Lord and Saviour and followed her Lord in baptism early in life while attending the Santee Community Church near Dixon. She was a housewife and homemaker throughout her working life and was always diligent in providing for the needs of her family.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mrs. Stewart include: her husband, Tom Stewart, of the home near Dixon; two sons, Robert Stewart and wife Kim, Arnold; and James “Runt” Stewart, Dixon; two daughters and sons-in-laws, Jenny and Tony Becker, St. Louis; Debbie and Steven Klahs, Arnold; eleven grandchildren, Charly, Tami, Tara, Tiffany, Stephani, J.J., Deborah, Robert A., Christopher, Mandy, and Robert; ten great-grandchildren, Devon, Conner, Emily, Asia, James, Alesha, Robert, Isabella, J.R., and Kirsten; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted for Mrs. Stewart at 11:00 A.M., November 25, 2009 in the Dixon Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes with Rev. David Vanzant, Sheppard Baptist Church, Dixon, officiating.  Three special musical selections “Precious Memories”, “He Stopped Loving Her Today” and “It’s a Wonderful Life”, were played for the funeral service.

Interment was in the West Fairview Cemetery under the direction of the Dixon Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes. Pallbearers for Mrs. Stewart were Bob Stewart, Runt Stewart, J.J. Stewart, Tony Becker, Rob Stewart, and Christopher Becker. Honorary Pallbearers were Charly McCoy and Donnie Wylde.

Memorials are suggested to the West Fairview Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund or the American Cancer Society with envelopes available at the Dixon Office of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes.

Glen Truman Stewart 1907-1984

Glen Truman Stewart, son of William O. and Esther Mitchell Stewart was born August 19, 1907 in Lucas County, Iowa and departed this life May 22, 1984 at the Harry S. Truman V.A. Hospital in Columbia, Missouri at the age of 76 years, 9 months and 3 days.

Glen married Ada Lea Green who survives. To this union four children were born. Glen and Ada shared 54 years together.

About four years ago Glen was converted and baptized. He attended the New Hope Freewill Baptist Church. He served to defend his country in World War I in the European theatre as a PFC in the artillery.

Glen was employed by the Caterpillar Company in Peoria, Illinois for many years before retiring to a farm near Brownfield, Missouri, later moving to Richland.

He is survived by his loving wife Ada of the home, one son Donald and wife Shirley of E. Peoria, Illinois, three daughters, Elva Lea Henson and husband Wayne, Ella Mae Crossland and husband Kemmel, Gladys Crossland and husband Dexter, all of Richland. Eighteen grandchildren, and twenty seven great grandchildren, stepmother, Minnie Stewart of Buckhorn, sister, Elva Hutton, Buckhorn, half brother Robert of Rolla, two half sisters, Betty Pritchet and Hazel Grifin of Buckhorn. A number of nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Services for Glen T. Stewart were held at Colonial Funeral Chapel 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 26, 1984. Officiating at the services was Rev. Jim Bench. Music was provided by Rusty Shadel, soloist; and Marcia Shadel, organist. Burial was in the Idumea Cemetery. Escorts were grandsons.

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.