Derrossett, Frieda Wilhelmina Gebhards was born to John and Ada (Hinrichs) Gebhards on January 14, 1913 in the German farming community of Langdon near Rock Port, Missouri. She was the 8th of ten children and often helped her father and older brothers in the fields. To all her relatives, Frieda was known as “Fritzy”-a name given to her by her brother Bill.

Frieda attended school in the Langdon District. As a young woman, she loved to dance and attended many social dances in the area. At one such dance, she met her future husband Glen R.E. Derrossett. Because Glen was too shy, he had a friend ask her to dance for him. Frieda accepted, a romance blossomed, and they were married April 20, 1935.

On March 25, 1952, Marion Glen Derrossett, their only child was born. In later years, Frieda played a very active role in the lives of her son Marion, his wife Camilla, and her two grandchildren Alexis and Andrew.

Frieda was also active in the Rock Port First Lutheran Church—a church that Glen helped to build. She volunteered countless hours at the Rock Port Nutrition Center. She and Glen always had a large vegetable garden, and she loved canning her home-grown fruits and vegetables. Her passion, however, was making quilts. She insisted her beautiful quilts weren’t just to be admired--they were to be given as gifts, and used, as well. Frieda also loved rides in the country and playing cards with her very social Gebhards family. She maintained close relationships for her siblings and her many nieces and nephews. In later years, she enjoyed dressing up for Halloween—many times as a gun slinger.

Glen worked as a carpenter in the Rock Port area and Frieda worked in the toy and fabric department of Place’s for 17 years. After Glen’s death in 1988, Frieda remained in the Rock Port community until selling her home in September 2006. She has lived full-time with her son and his family in Parkville, Missouri since then, attending the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.

Frieda was quiet, private, very level-headed, and practical. Her daughter-in-law Camilla never heard her say anything negative about anyone. Her memory was phenomenal, even to the very end of her life. She was a great resource for both Rock Port history and family history. She could tell you the exact date that her granddaughter Alexis had her first baby shot and could recall the smallest details from recent and long past family milestones. Besides her mental acuity, Frieda’s physical condition was also sound. She enjoyed helping out with household chores and managed stairs until very recently.

Because of her mental and physical agility, Frieda experienced a beautiful, natural death. Frieda passed away quietly and painlessly in her son’s home in Parkville, on December 12, 2007, enveloped in the sweet refrain of music, with her son and daughter-in-law by her side, at the age of 94 years. In her room, she felt the close presence of loved ones long gone. She knew she was dying and had time, and thankfully, the presence of mind to prepare. Frieda was at peace with herself, those around her, and her world in general. She had said her goodbyes, thank-yous, and was ready to go. She simply surrendered, and gently, delicately—effortlessly--let go.

Frieda is preceded in death by her husband Glen and her brothers and sisters- Herb Gebhards, Anna Ingram, Ben Gebhards, Margaret Gebhards, Reka Erdman, Rosa Andermann, Bill Gebhards, Lula Walters, and Matie Sutter. She is survived by her son Marion and wife Camilla of Parkville, Missouri, her granddaughter Alexis of East Lansing, Michigan, and grandson Andrew of Warrensburg, Missouri.



Burial: Hunter Cemetery, Rock Port


Services directed by Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.

Dewey, Byron Edwin, the son of Fred Eugene and Nellie (Ackley) Dewey, was born September 30, 1913 in Jamesport, Missouri. He attended school in the Maysville, Missouri area.

On March 11, 1936 he was united in marriage to Alice Allene Bonham, at the Maysville Methodist Church Parsonage. They made their home near Maysville and farmed. From 1937 until 1968 they made their home and farmed in numerous Northwest Missouri communities. In 1968 they moved to Rock Port where Byron became employed by Rock Port Plumbing. In 1970 he began working for the Rock Port Board of Public works. In 1976 he retired from the Board of Public Works, but continued to work as a self employed plumber. Byron enjoyed woodworking, building plant stands, bird houses and chairs for his family and others in the Rock Port community. He also worked tearing down old houses, and barns. In 1997 they moved to Fair Oaks housing in Rock Port. Alice passed away January 21, 1999. Byron passed away Saturday, October 27, 2007 at Pleasant View Nursing Home, Rock Port, at the age of 94 years.

Byron was a member of the United Methodist Church, Rock Port. He enjoyed his family, gardening, fishing, playing pitch, bingo, yahtzee, and helping prepare the seniors potato soup supper at the church.

Besides his parents and wife Alice, Byron was preceded in death by one daughter, Carolee Stewart, February 25, 2002, one brother Harold Dewey, one sister Irene Sherard and step-mother Belle Dewey. Survivors include one son Byron Louis Dewey and wife Patty, Cambridge, Minnesota; one daughter, Betty Jean Stoner, and husband Jim, Rock Port; one son-in-law, Clarence Stewart, Bennettsville, South Carolina; nine grandchildren, Kathy Hough and husband Lee, David Dewey and wife Maureen, Allen Stewart and wife Margo, Myron Dewey, Mark Dewey and wife Jennifer, Eric Dewey and wife Suzi, Shelley Kerns and husband Greg, Teresa Mertens and husband Scott, Gary Stoner and wife Carrie; 27 great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandsons


Burial: Hunter Cemetery, Rock Port

Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port

Douglas, Susan, 56, died Friday, March 7, 2008, at Heartland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 11, at the Fairfax Baptist Church with Rev. Rob Lilly officiating. Interment was made in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Donations may be sent to Susan B. Komen for the Cure, 5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250, Dallas, TX 75244.
Arrangements were under the direction of Schooler Funeral Home, Fairfax.

Driskell, Lelia Lorene Shipley was born April 22, 1926, in Dora, Missouri, the daughter of Alfonso and Martha (Freeman) Shipley. In her early years, she attended rural schools in the Dora community.

On June 16, 1944, Lorene was united in marriage to Virgil Driskell in Bird Springs, Missouri. Virgil owned and operated a mechanic shop and also farmed in the area. In 1948, they moved to the Tarkio, Missouri, community where they continued to farm and rear their family. In the late 1950's, they moved into Tarkio. Lorene was a wonderful homemaker, wife and mother. She was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Tarkio and the Women's Missionary Society. She served as one of the first directors for the Northwest Missouri Learning Center.

Virgil passed away in 1986. Lorene continued to make her home in Tarkio.

She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Jerry and Nora Driskell, and John and Debbie Driskell, all of Tarkio; five daughters and sons-in-law, Rose Mary and Brian Owen, and Roberta and Harvey Bennett, all of Tarkio; Judy and John Webster, Rock Port, Missouri, and Debbie and Richard Tullis and Ronda Driskell, all of Tarkio; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; three brothers; and three sisters.

Besides her parents and husband, Virgil, Lorene was preceded in death by grandson, Richard Tunnell; two brothers; and two sisters.

Services were held at 1:00 pm, Monday, August 21, 2006 at the Assembly of God Church, Tarkio, with interment at Home Cemetery, Tarkio. Memorials may be directed to the Lorene Driskell Memorial Fund.

Davenport, Nina M. Hughes - Nina M. (Hughes) Davenport, 81, Tarkio, Missouri, passed away Monday, March 15, 2010 at Tarkio Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, Tarkio.

Burial in Center Grove Cemetery near Westboro, Missouri. Service provided by Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio, Mo.

Davis, Donald Reid - Donald Reid Davis, the son of Thurman Lee and Geneva (Walker) Davis, was born October 18, 1922 in Fairfax, Missouri. Don attended Daleview country school in rural Fairfax and Fairfax Public Schools. Don worked with a custom harvesting crew for a short time.

On December 3, 1942 Don entered the United States Army, serving his country overseas as a paratrooper, during World War II. He received his honorable discharge, on October 19, 1945.

On November 11, 1945, Don was united in marriage to Lou Ella Miller in Hiawatha, Kansas. They made their home in Fairfax, Westboro, and Tarkio, Missouri, and Nebraska City, Nebraska, where Don was employed for area grain elevators. They then moved to Marienthal, Kansas, where Don owned and operated the Snow Flake Popcorn Company. Following retirement, in 1988, they moved back to Tarkio, where they lived to the present time. Don passed away Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at Community Hospital-Fairfax, at the age of 86 years.

Don was a member of the Allen-Schiffern American Legion Post #199, Tarkio, the Tarkio United Methodist Church, and the Leoti, Kansas, Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Besides his parents, Don was preceded in death by three brothers, Cliff, Jerry and Paul, and five sisters, Thelma, May, Lucile, Margaret and Helen. Survivors include his wife Lou Davis, Tarkio; one son Jim Davis, New York, New York, one daughter, Sue Davis, Tarkio; two granddaughters, Katy Moore and her husband Justin and Elizabeth Powers and her husband Steve, all of Springdale, Arkansas; five great-grandchildren; one brother, Richard Davis and his wife Franki, Fairfax, and one sister, Irene Mather, El Dorado, California; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Burial later. Service provided by Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio, Mo.

Davison, Harold Stewart - Harold Stewart Davison, the son of John H. and Vertie (Stewart) Davison, was born in Clarinda, Iowa on October 6, 1915. He attended several schools in Missouri, Iowa and Kansas where he lived as a child.

On July 7, 1939, Harold was united in marriage to Mildred Lorene Bowland in Adrian, Missouri. They moved to Tarkio, Missouri in 1940.

During World War II, Harold built a new home in Tarkio, and the family moved in in 1946. Harold worked as a tractor mechanic for International, and started Davison Equipment Service, working on heavy equipment, in 1949. In 1956, he started digging basements until retiring in 1980.

Harold was a former member of the Tarkio Volunteer Fire Department, serving as Chief for a short time. He enjoyed restoring antique cars. Harold passed away November 13, 2008 at the Northview Manor Care Center in Tarkio at the age of 93 years.

Besides his parents, Harold is preceded in death by his wife, Lorene and two sisters, Irene Chestnut and Amy Spangler. He is survived by his son, Gary Davison and his wife Lana, Tarkio; granddaughter, Dana Skeed and her husband Phil, Lee’s Summit, Missouri; two great grandsons, Blake and Brady Skeed; brother, Dennis Davison, Bloomington, California; two sisters, Crystal Patterson, St. Joseph, Missouri and Edith Sarcio and her husband, John, Apple Valley, California; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Burial in Home Cemetery, Tarkio, Missouri. Service provided by Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio, Mo.

Davison, Lana Jean Barrett - Lana Jean Davison, the daughter of Arley True and Gwendolyn Marie (Hopkins) Barrett, was born August 19, 1947, in Maryville, Missouri. She graduated from high school in Westboro, Missouri in 1965, and then graduated in 1966 from Caster Beauty Academy in St. Joseph, Missouri.

On June 22, 1968, Lana was united in marriage to Gary Lee Davison at the Westboro United Methodist Church, and became the parents of one daughter Dana. They made their home in the Tarkio, Missouri area their entire married life. Lana passed away Saturday, January 2, 2010, at Kansas City Hospice House, Kansas City, Missouri at the age of 62 years.

Lana was employed in Mary Parr’s beauty shop for several years and then for the Tarkio United Methodist Church, as the church secretary. She later worked for Steve Prather at Prather Standard Oil and for the last 27 years as a bank teller at what is now called the US Bank in Tarkio.

Lana was a member of the Tarkio United Methodist Church, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and was on the committee that created the Tarkio Centennial book.

Besides her parents, Lana was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Rick Barrett. Survivors include, husband, Gary Davison, Tarkio; daughter Dana Skeed and her husband Phil, Lee’s Summit, Missouri; two grandsons, Blake and Brady Skeed, Lee’s Summit; sister, Nancy Barrett, Tarkio and brother, Bill Barrett and his wife Judy, Sidney, Iowa.

Burial in Center Grove Cemetery near Westboro, Missouri. Service provided by Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio, Mo.

Deines, Maxcine Helen Maupin Slemp - Maxcine Helen Maupin was born December 24, 1917, the daughter of John and Gertrude (Hays) Maupin. She spent her childhood and attended school in Watson, Missouri.
Maxcine was united in marriage to Forrest Slemp, and to this union Robert Lee and Corkey were born. She and Forrest spent many years in Watson and developed many good friendships there. Maxcine’s door was always open to one and all; and especially to a little neighbor boy who would stop in during hot summer days to visit and get cooled off. He was so very special to her. Maxcine, Tom, and his dog, “Boy” spent many hours together. She was always there for the sick and needy, or if someone needed a ride, or wallpaper hung or a room painted. Maxine worked with her Mother, Gertrude, in the Watson Post Office for many years.
In 1962, Forrest and Maxcine moved to Loveland, Colorado. Forrest passed away in March 1976. On September 3, 1977, she was united in marriage to Paul Deines and they spent several years together. They loved to dance and entertain guests in their home in Loveland. Paul later passed away. She was employed at Hewett Packard, in Loveland, for many years until her retirement. In 1999, Maxcine moved to Nebraska City, Nebraska to be near family. Maxcine passed away on Thursday, July 2, 2009 at Golden Living Center, Nebraska City, at the age of 91 years.
Besides her parents and husbands, Forrest and Paul, Maxcine was preceded in death by a grandson, Ryan Lee Peeler; a brother, Charles Maupin and his wife, Katie.
Maxcine is survived by her son, Robert Lee Slemp, Wheatland, Missouri; daughter, Corkey and her husband, Max Peeler, Rock Port, Missouri; granddaughter, Conda; three great grandsons, Jeremy, Christopher and Michael Peeler, also of Rock Port; aunt, Bonnie Johnson, St. Joseph, Missouri; nephews, Max Maupin and wife, Beverly, Hamburg, Iowa, Maurice Johnson and wife, Karen, St. Joseph; nieces, Marlene Wilson and husband, Lloyd, St. Joseph, and Jerre Robertson, and husband, Mike, Columbia, Missouri; and many cousins and friends.

Burial in High Creek Cemetery near Watson, Missouri. Services provided by Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port, Missouri.

Derrossett, Gerald Leo "Gerry" - Gerald Leo “Gerry” Derrossett, the son of Charles Leo and Eula Francis (Blunk-Derrossett) Perry, was born in Watson, Missouri on February 22, 1941. He began his early education at Watson public school and then attended high school in Rock Port, Missouri. His love was football until he broke his leg as a junior. He also loved working on and restoring cars; stating that Chevys were the only cars or pickups to own.

He met Lois Marie Barnett on a street corner in Rock Port, and Lois thought, he was the best looking man she ever saw. They became inseparable and 3 1/2 months later, on June 28, 1961, were united in marriage. It was love at first sight.

They made their home in Tarkio Missouri. The next year, they had a little girl and named her Toni Lynn, she was the light of their life. In two years, Todd Darrell was born and they thought their family was complete. Then came Trudi Ann (her Daddy's favorite!!). When Trudi was 3 months old, they found out they were having another baby. Traci Lea was born one year and four days later. She was a surprise to everyone.

The family lived in Tarkio while Gerry worked on the construction of Interstate 29. He also was a mechanic at the Ford Garage, and built homes, which he loved the most. He later worked for Eaton Corporation, Shenandoah, Iowa until 1982, when they moved to Washington State, where he was employed by the oil refineries. In 1995, they moved back to Missouri and made their home in Fairfax, to help care for their two grandsons.

Gerry returned to building homes until March 2008 when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He had surgery and started his journey to recovery.

Their first grandson, Tanton Nicholas Ray was born March 27, 1989, followed by Tristan Earl Ray, October 29, 1994, Kolbe Layne Cooper, June 26, 1998, Markus James Derrossett, October 10, 1998, Hannah Ruth Solwold, May 1, 1999, Kilea Marie Cooper, November 7, 2001, Kaden Alan Cooper, November 11, 2002, and last of all, Haylea Marie Solwold, October 23, 2003. They were the love of their lives.

Gerry was a member of the Eagles Club, the JJ Cruisers Car Club and the International Union of Petroleum Workers.

Gerry lost Lois, the love of his life, on June 4, 2009. He died of a broken heart, longing to be with his “Pretty Women” as he so often referred to her, on Wednesday, September 23, 2009, at his home in Fairfax. He joined Lois three and a half months after her death. They were destined to be together

Gerry is preceded in death by his loving wife Lois, his parents and step-father Charles Perry. Survivors include his four children, Toni Ray, and her husband, Morris, Fairfax, Todd Derrossett, and his wife, Melody, Burlington, Washington, Trudi Solwold, and her husband, Brad and Traci Cooper, all of Fairfax; 8 grandchildren, Tanton and Tristan Ray, Markus Derrossett, Hannah and Haylea Solwold and Kolbe, Kilea and Kaden Cooper; brother and sister-in-law, Chuck and Beth Derrossett, sister and brother-in-law, Kay and Bud Harger, all of Rock Port; numerous nieces, nephews and wonderful friends.

Burial in Home Cemetery, Tarkio, Missouri. Services provided by Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port, Missouri.