today's record

Births

Bryce Jeremy Goins

Dustin and Jamie Goins, Joplin, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Bryce Jeremy Goins. Bryce was born at 11 p.m. on July 1, 2004, at Freeman Hospital, Joplin. He weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce, and measured 20 inches. Paternal grandparents are Donnie and Diane Goins, Walker. Maternal grandparents are Roger and Tammi Beach, Nevada, and Frank and Brenda Bowling, Denison, Texas. Paternal great-grandparents are Glen and Jean Francis, Nevada, Buck and Martha Kirtley, Excelsior Springs and the late Marshel and Maxine Wilkins, Walker. Maternal great-grandparents are Martha Beach, Osceola, Christine Wood, Springfield, Daryl and Sue Wood, Osceola, Roy and Joy Taylor, Nevada, Don Bowling, Sherman, Texas and Brenda Buchanan, Texas. Paternal great-great grandparent is Gertrude Roof, Nevada. Maternal great-great grandparents are Ruth Beach, Lincoln, Mo., Virginia Bull, Osceola and the late Neva Tillotson, Osceola.

Derick Mikel Fleeman

Tony and Audra Fleeman are proud to announce the birth of their son, Derick Mikel Fleeman. Derick was born at 8:36 a.m., on Aug. 25, 2004. He weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces, and measured 21.25 inches. He joins a brother, Treyton Fleeman. Paternal grandparents are Tony W. and Diana Fleeman, Fort Scott, Kan. Maternal grandparent is Terri Starbuck, Walker. Maternal great-grandparents are Bonnie Beisley, Sheldon, and Herbert Beisley, Milo.

Kaden Michael Padgett

Monte and Kristy Padgett, Nevada, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Kaden Michael Padgett. Kaden was born at 2:27 p.m., on Aug. 25, 2004, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He weighed 6 pounds, 8 ounces, and measured 19 inches. He joins a sister, Mikena Padgett. Paternal grandparent is Merilee Padgett, Webb City, Mo. Paternal great-grandparents are Merle and Betty Matney and Velma Lore, all of Osawatomie, Kan. Maternal grandparents are Kenny and Bobbie Barbour, Walker. Maternal great-grandparents are Cecil and Lola Mae Barbour, Walker.

Brielle Lyn Cartwright

Mr. and Mrs. Tim Cartwright, Nevada, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Brielle Lyn Cartwright. Brielle was born at 1:02 a.m., on Aug. 24, 2004, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. She weighed 8 pounds, 12 ounces, and measured 21 inches. She joins two siblings, Baylee and Brycen Cartwright. Paternal grandparents are Ken and Rhonda Cartwright. Paternal great-grandparent is Jesse Cartwright. Maternal grandparents are Jerry and Diane Gilmore. Maternal great-grandparents are Bob and Ila Conner and Harold and Marjorie Gilmore.

Deaths

Gary Lynn Gammon

Gary Lynn Gammon, 49, died Aug. 25, 2004. Services were held at Beeny-Ferry Funeral Home on Aug. 31, 2004, at 10:30 a.m., with Boyce Mounton officiating. Musical selections were "How Great Thou Art," "The Dance" and "The End." Interment was in Sheldon Cemetery, Sheldon. Arrangements were by Beeny-Ferry Funeral Home.

Deaths

Ratanben Patel

Ratanben Patel, 85 of Nevada, died on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2004, at the Nevada Regional Medical Center. She was born in Surat, India, and lived in Bagumra, India, prior to coming to Nevada in 2001 to live with her grandson.

She is survived by three daughters, Dhaniben Patel of Los Angeles, Calif., Hansaben Patel, of India, and Chandedben Patel, Sarasota, Fla.; 16 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and three sisters. She was preceded in death by her husband, one son and one daughter.

Funeral services were be held at 10 a.m., today, Aug. 31, 2004, at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

Eunice Hicks Durnell

Eunice Hicks Durnell , 81, Moundville, died Sunday, Aug. 29, 2004, at her home in Moundville. She was born May 2, 1923, in New Castle, Wyo., to Oscar Allen Hicks and Ruth Crites Hicks. She married Fred T. Durnell on July 22, 1944, in Independence, Kan., and he survives of the home.

She moved to Cabool, Mo., when she was 17 years old. She went to high school in Cabool her senior year, attended college and taught two years at a country school called Ozark. Following her marriage, she helped on the Durnell family farm before moving to Knox, Ind., in 1947 where she worked for eight years on a dairy farm. Then she moved to Moundville in 1955 where she helped her husband on the farm. She also worked for a short time as a cook at Cottey College and a nurse at the Nevada State Hospital. She was a member of the Moundville Methodist Church.

Survivors include her husband Fred of the home; one son, Fred A. Durnell, Moundville; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lois Smallwood, Big Bear City, Calif., and June Gordon, Fort Scott, Kan. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Oscar "Bud" Hicks and Claude Hicks.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2004, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with John Swatosh and Kim Osborn officiating. Interment will follow in Deerfield Cemetery, Deerfield. Friends may call now and until the hour of service and the family receives friends from 7-8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Roger Eldon Mather

Roger Eldon Mather, 53, Sheldon, died Monday, at his home in rural Sheldon. Family information and funeral arrangements will be announced later by Ferry Funeral Home.

Bernice M. Rice

Bernice M. Rice, 88, died Aug. 27, 2004, at the Willow Lane Care Center in Butler. She was born on July 1, 1916, in Darlington, Mo., the daughter of Thomas and Betty (Green) David. She was married to James Harrison Rice.

She was the owner and operator of Mom's Diner in Kansas City, Mo. She also worked as a cook at the Spofford Home in Grandview, Mo. She moved to Rich Hill in 1992.

She is survived by two daughters, Dolah Jean Edwards, Rich Hill, and Dixie Frazier, Kansas City, Kan.; three sons, James L. Rice, Kansas City, Kan., Jerry Rice, Lansing, Kan., and Johnnie Rice, Rich Hill; also several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and one daughter, Betty June Rice.

Services were held at Heuser Funeral Home on Monday, Aug. 30, 2004, at 2 p.m., with Bill Perkey officiating. Organist was June Yarick. Musical selections were "Old Rugged Cross," "Sweet By and By" and "Will the Circle be Unbroken." Pallbearers were George Thompson, Phillip Rogers, Randy Rice, Christopher Thompson, Dale Elinger and Rick Pow. Interment was in Rouse Cemetery in Darlington, Mo., on today, Aug. 31, 2004, at 11 a.m. Arrangements were by Heuser Funeral Home in Rich Hill.

Edna Blanche Smith

Edna Blanche Smith, 91, died Aug. 26, 2004. Services were held at Ferry Funeral Home on Aug. 30, 2004, at 10 a.m., with John Nichols officiating. Soloist was Rhonda Bailey. Musical selections were "In the Garden" and "How Great Thou Art." Organist was Betty Seitz. Pallbearers were Don Smith, Todd Smith, Mike Smith, John Smith, Mark Padilla, Richard Smith and Charles Smith. Interment was in Large Cemetery, Garland, Kan. Arrangements were by Ferry Funeral Home.

Anna Rose (Eccher) Foster

Anna Rose (Eccher) Foster, 95, died Aug. 25, 2004, at Willow Lane Care Center in Butler. She was born Sept. 7, 1908, at Panama, near Rich Hill, the daughter of John and Emilia (Zotteie) Eccher. On Aug. 11, 1933, she married Bud Edwin Foster in Butler. She spent most of her life in the Rich Hill area. She was baptized on June 12, 1909, at St. Bridget's Catholic Church in Rich Hill.

She is survived by two sisters, Della Luna, Springfield, and Emma Lou Tobias, Massachusetts; nieces; and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; four brothers, Don, Richard, John and Elbert Eccher; and one sister, Mary Nairn.

Mass of Christian Burial was performed on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2004, at 10 a.m., at St. Bridget's Catholic Church in Rich Hill with Anthony Pileggi officiating. Denise Sloniker was the organist. Pallbearers were Nancy and Randy Sobba, Maggie and Hugh Corry and Jean, Dale and Amy Miller. Interment was in Green Lawn Cemetery in Rich Hill. Arrangements were by Heuser Funeral Home, Rich Hill.

Robert "Robbie" F. Cope

Robert "Robbie" F. Cope, 55, Rich Hill, died Aug. 26, 2004, at the VA Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. He was born on March 24, 1949, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Robert and Annabelle (Fitzpatrick) Cope. He graduated from Rich Hill High School in 1967. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army. He was a member of the Rich Hill First Christian Church. He served as alderman on the Rich Hill city council and later served as mayor.

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by aunts, uncles and cousins.

Graveside services were held on Monday, Aug. 30, 2004, at 11 a.m., at Green Lawn Cemetery with Bill Perkey officiating. Pallbearers were Clifford Smith, Bobby Smith, Paul Droz, Bill Lyons, Denny Williams and Bill Davis. Military rites were performed by American Legion Post No. 67 from Rich Hill. Interment was in Green Lawn Cemetery in Rich Hill. Arrangements were by Heuser Funeral Home in Rich Hill.

Ralph (Possom) Leroy Nation

Ralph (Possom) Leroy Nation, 79, Rich Hill, died Aug. 25, 2004, at his home. He was born Oct. 3, 1924, in Metz, to Robert and Maude (Thomas) Nation. He was a lifelong resident of the Metz-Rich Hill area.

He graduated from Metz High School in May 1942 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in March 1943. He was a staff sergeant in the 751st tank battalion. He was awarded four bronze stars and a medal for good conduct. On March 5, 1951, he married Darlene L. Lewis. he worked for the Missouri State Highway department for 34 years, retiring as crew chief in 1986. He was a member of the First Christian Church.

He is survived by his wife, Darlene; two daughters, Jeanette Doty, Rich Hill, and Marietta Swarnes, Nevada; five grandsons; one granddaughter; 11 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Frank Nation, Cheyenne, Wyo. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services were held at Heuser Funeral Chapel on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2004, at 10 a.m. Military rites were performed by V.F.W. Post No. 1894. Pallbearers were Jeremy Swarnes, Doug Doty, Joseph Swarnes, Jeff Doty, Jerald Swarnes, Richard Chargois and Clint McKinley. Honorary pallbearers were Frank McGee, Kerry Jenkins, Bob Black, Clifford Smith, Bruce Buckner, Bob Wingate and Don Swope.

Peggy (Tourtillott) Westerhold

Peggy (Tourtillott) Westerhold, 68, Rich Hill and Metz area, died Aug. 30, 2004.

She is survived by her husband, Wayne Westerhold, of the home; two daughters, Tammy Forkner, Richards, and Terry Logan, Sheldon; one son, Denver Westerhold, Rich Hill; six grandchildren; one great-grandson; two sisters, Irene Negley, Canton, Ill., and Patty Dallefeld, Avon, Ill.; three brothers, Everett Tourtillott, Rich Hill, Raymond Tourtillott, Fort Scott, Kan., and Jewell Tourtillott, Rich Hill.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, Sept. 2, at 2 p.m., at the Rinehart Christian Church with burial in the Greenlawn Cemetery, Rich Hill. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 7 to 8 p.m., at the Heuser Funeral Home in Rich Hill. The family suggests memorial contributions to McGennis Youth Center or the Vernon County Youth Fair in care of the funeral home.