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Obituaries |
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MOGenWeb Site, Johnna Quick -- Coordinator |
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Obituaries taken from various sources. Edith Swearingen Witt KILLED BY FALLING TREE From the Gainsville News 12 February, 1903. Mrs. Witt, wife of Thomas Witt, living eight miles east of town was instantly killed last Friday evening by a falling tree. Mrs. Witt had taken some drinking water to the field where Mr. Witt was at work cleaning some dead brush out of the field. She was picking up from under a large dead tree that was burning. The tree had been burning for some time and started to fall while Mrs. Witt was working under it, but Mr. Witt seeing her danger called to her when she ran for safety, but too late! The tree fell in the same direction she ran, and she just got far enough for the top of the tree, which was nothing but a blunt snag, to strike her on the head opening the skull killing her instantly. The remains were buried in the Luna cemetery Saturday evening. Deceased leaves a husband and seven children. Contributed by Jane Owens Fred Luther Owens From the Springfield News-Leader, 25 November 2004 Fred Luther Owens, 86, went to meet his Savior on Monday, Nov. 22, 2004. He was born Jan. 24, 1918, in Gainesville, Mo., the son of Charles and Lula Owens. Fred was a retired auto mechanic, Masonic mason, and a past deacon at the Center Point General Baptist Church. He was a loving father to four children and a pillar of strength to his brother and sisters. He enjoyed sharing his faith and stories of his grandchildren with others. Fred was preceded in death by his parents; former wife Donnie Owens; brother Leonard Owens; and sisters Edith Reynolds, Jewell Reynolds, and Maxine Lane. He is survived by his sisters, Marie Swearengin, Ava, and Jean Herd, Columbia; his sons, Doyle Owens, Sparta, Jerry Owens, Springfield, and James Merle Owens, Overland Park; and his daughter Patricia, Springfield; nine grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. Daddy, we'll miss you... but glad you made it home. Services will be held at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Gainesville on Friday at 1 p.m.; visitation at 12 noon. Donations to the Center Point Cemetery in Gainesville are appreciated. Contributed by Jane Owens Breeding, Benjamin Franklin Springfield Leader-Press 12 April 1957 Crash Injury Proves Fatal The first highway fatality in this area during April was reported at 11 p.m. yesterday when Benjamin Franklin Breeding, 69, Gainesville, who was injured in a two-vehicle accident near his home last Wednesday, died in St. John’s Hospital. Breeding was driving a 1951 Chevrolet pickup at the junction of Highways 5 and 160, two miles west of Gainesville, when it collided headon with a 1956 Ford pickup driven by James Elvie Biaf, 44, Dugginsville. Breeding suffered a skull fracture and severe lacerations on the top of his head. Biaf and his 45-year-old wife were treated at a Gainesville clinic after the accident for lacerations and bruises. Although this was the first April fatality for the three-troop, southwest Missouri highway patrol area, it was the 14th death of the year occurring in the Willow Springs troop area. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Clinkingbeard Chapel in Gainesville with the Rev. Willie Hillhouse officiating. Burial will be in the Center Point Cemetery, four miles west of Gainesville. Masonic rites will be held at graveside. Breeding is survived by his wife, Lois; two sons, Leslie of Woodland, Calif., and Benton of Gainesville; and two daughters, Mrs. Thana Mahan of Gainesville and Mrs. Donnie Owens of Ava. Contributed by Jane Owens Owens, Donnie Gertrude Breeding Springfield News Leader Donnie Gertrude Owens, Springfield, a homemaker, was born August 26, 1916 to Benjamin and Elois (Upton) Breeding in Locust, Mo. And died December 9, 2000, in Springfield Rehabilitation and Healthcare, Springfield. She was 84 years, 3 months and 13 days of age. She is survived by her children, Jerry Owens, Springfield, Doyle Owens, Sparta, and James Owens, Overland Park, Kansas; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and siblings Benton Breeding, Gainesville, Mo., Leslie Breeding, Denair, California, and Thana Mahan, West Plains, Mo. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 12, 2000, in Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, with Junior McGinnis officiating. Burial will be in Center Point Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jeff Owens, Zach Owens, Alex Menez, John Owens, Mike Breeding, Tim Owens, and Mike Keel. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home. She was born in Locust, Mo., way back when. Her parents name was Breeding, Elois and Ben. Their family, two girls and two boys They shared the work and also the joys. Her dad sold groceries, delivered mail and worked the farm To feed and keep the family safe and warm She grew tall like an oak tree Happy, loving, gentle and carefree. After some time she met a man Wasn’t long until he put a ring on her hand. Her heart was filled to overflowing with love The first baby, a son, came from Heaven above. After a few years, two more arrived Working and living on the far, they all thrived They left the farm with never a doubt But trouble was lurking all about. Things went from good to bad A divorce is always so very sad She had to pick herself up and go on Sold her home, moved into an apartment alone Worked amid the turmoil and strife Finally settled down to a more peaceful life Retired from work moved in with her son Became a babysitter for a little one Grandchildren adore and shower her with their love For her family, she thanks the good Lord above. Likes apples and enjoys a country music show Can’t sit still, is always on the go Loves the song “I’ll Meet You in the Morning.” Trusting in Jesus, she won’t be late The definition of a saint is a person the light shines through Donnie (my friend), that person is you. Love - Fonnie V. Oliver Contributed by Jane Owens From the Springfield News Leader: Mrs. Elois Breeding Gainesville--Services for Mrs. Elois Breeding, 86, Gainesville, will be at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Clinkingbeard Chapel here with the Rev. Wiley McGhee officiating. Burial will be in Center Point Cemetery near Gainesville. Mrs. Breeding died at 7:05 p.m. Saturday in Cox Medical Center, Springfield, after a long illness. She belonged to the Center Point General Baptist Church and Gainesville Eastern Star. Surviving are two sons, Leslie, of Del Mar, Calif., and Benton, of Gainesville; two daughters, Mrs. Thana Mahan, Gainesville, and Mrs. Donnie Owens, Kansas City, Kan.; one brother, Edward (Ted) Upton, Gainesville; 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. From the Springfield News Leader: Mrs. Charles Owens Ava--Services for Mrs. Lula Owens, 89, Ava, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Clinkingbeard Chapel in Gainesville with the Rev. Wiley McGhee officiating. Burial will be in Center Point Cemetery, near Gainesville. Mrs. Owens, formerly of Gainesville, died at 5:45 p.m. Monday in her home after a four-month illness. She was a member of the Christian Church at Gainesville. Surviving are her husband, Charles; five daughters, Mrs. A. K. Reynolds, Mrs. W. B. Reynolds and Mrs. Eldon Lane, all of Gainesville, Mrs. J. V. Swearengin, Seymour and Mrs. Amon Herd, Columbia, and Leonard, of Ava; a half-brother and two half-sisters, names and addresses unknown, 18 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson. From the Springfield News Leader: Archie K. Reynolds Gainesville--Funeral services for Archie K. Reynolds, 74, of Gainesville, were at 2 p.m. today in Clinkingbeard Funeral Chapel here. Burial was in Center Point Cemetery near Gainesville. Mr. Reynolds died at 9:15 p.m. Tuesday in his home after an illness of two years. He was a farmer and a member of the Church of Christ. Survivors include his wife, Jewell, of the home; two sons, Charles of Forsyth, Harold of Gainesville; a daughter, Mrs. Eileen Plemones of 1544 South Charing, Springfield; two brothers, Willard of Gainesville and Lemond of Harrisonville; one sister, Mrs. Eva Martin of Rogersville and five grandchildren. From the Springfield News Leader: Mrs. Edna E. Friend Gainesville--Services for Mrs. Edna E. Friend, 85, Gainesville, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Clinkingbeard Chapel here with the Rev. Bob Duckworth officiating. Burial will be in Friend Cemetery, Isabella. Mrs. Friend died at 12:13 p.m. Thursday at her home after a long illness. She was a member of General Baptist Church here. She is survived by a son, Ted, of Gainesville; two daughters, Mrs. Mary Bailey, Tulsa, Okla., and Mrs. Faye Cole, Taneyville; three brothers, Wade Kelley, Isabella, Louis Kelley, Squires, Bea Kelley, Dora; three sisters, Mrs. Faye McCullough, Brewster, Wash., Mrs. Marie Lambert, Shawnee, Okla., and Mrs. Charity Haskins, Peculiar; nine grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. From the Springfield News Leader: Ted R. Friend Gainesville--Services for Ted R. Friend, 62, of Gainesville, will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Clinkingbeard Chapel here. The Rev. Bob Duckworth will officiate, and burial will be in Friend Cemetery at Isabella. Mr. Friend died at 1:30 p.m. Monday after suffering an apparent heart attack at the home of a friend in Gainesville. He was a farmer and stockman and was a member of the Pentecostal Church. Surviving are his wife, Stella; two daughters, Mrs. Billie Marie Johnson, Gainesville, and Mrs. Ima Jo Hutton, Midway, Ark.; two sisters, Mrs. Fay Cole, Taneyville, and Mrs. Mary Bailey, Tulsa; and four grandchildren. The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 9 p.m. today. From the Springfield Leader-Press, 14 March 1956: Samuel Reynolds Samuel Homer Reynolds, 67, long-time Gainesville barber, died at his home last night after a short illness. His is survived by his wife Essie; two sons, Thayer of Jackson, Miss., and formerly of Springfield, and Aaron of Broken Arrow, Okla.; one daughter, Mrs. Elva Coffey of Wichita; four brothers, Harley, Archie and Willard, of Gainesville, and Lehman of Wichita; and one sister, Mrs. A. P. Martin, of Rogersville. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday in the First Baptist Church at Gainesville, with burial in the Center Point Cemetery, under direction of Clinkingbeard. Masonic rites will be conducted at graveside. From the Springfield News Leader: Mrs. Mattie Owens Mrs. Mattie Owens, 91, died yesterday at her home in Gainesville after a 9-day illness. A native of Ozark County, she is survived by four daughters, Mrs. Maude Ford, Mrs. Bertha Graves and Mrs. Tressie Rose, all of Gainesville, and Mrs. Nan Jones of Lutie; and four sons, Charles of Ava, H. T. of Springfield, Willie of West Plains, and B. Owens of Gainesville. Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon in the Christian Church at Gainesville, conducted by the Rev. Eddy Rittenhouse, Rev. Joe Deatherage and Doing Pitchford. Burial will be in Center Point Cemetery under direction of Clinkingbeard of Gainesville. |
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