Name of Deceased: Margie Fox Bailey
Date: May 14, 2004
Submitters Name: Kristy Fox

Obit: Margie B. Bailey age 72, died Friday evening at her home in Caney, Kansas.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of the United Methodist Church in Caney, Kansas with Chaplin Dois Nix of Hynes Memorial Hospice of Coffeyville, Kansas officiating. Services are under the direction of Walker-Brown Funeral Home.
Mrs. Bailey was born on October 31, 1931 in West Plains, Missouri to Lehman W. and Alice Mae (Nelson) Fox. She was raised in West Plains until the family moved to the Independence area in 1945. She attended school at Maple Grove and Independence High School graduating in 1949. She married Kenneth Knisley on January 29, 1949 in Salem, Arkansas. They were divorced in 1965. In 1967 she married Robert Bailey and they divorced in 1974. Margie resided in West Plains, Missouri in the early 70's then moved to Tulsa and was employed with Tulsa Screw Products as a machinist until 1989. She then was associated with St. Francis Hospital in the surgery department as a dispatcher. She then moved to Bartlesville in 1989 and then moved to Caney, Kansas in 2001 where she remained until her death.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Vickie (Knisley) and Fred Hindle of rural Caney, Kansas one grandson Fred Hinkle, II of rural Caney, Kansas, two brothers Robert Fox of Caney, Kansas and Jerry Fox of Marion, Indiana, three nephews Bob Fox and family of Pratt, Kansas, Jerry Fox and family of Copan, Del Fox of Dewey and two nieces Janet Hobson and family of Bartlesville and Kristy Fox of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

HENRY SANDERS BOTTOM
 Henry Sanders Bottom, son of Joshua C. and Sarah A. Bottom, was born near Bloomfield, Stoddard County, Missouri, December 31, 1849, and died at his home near Willow Springs, Missouri Tuesday, February 3, 1925, aged 75 years, 1 month and 3 days.
  Near the close of the Civil War he moved with his parents to Southern Illinois, living in Union and Johnson Counties till 1874.
  He married June 28, 1868 at Cape Girardeau, MO to Miss Hazy A. Spence.  To them one son was born, N. Ernest Bottom, who is now editor of the Caldwell County News at Kingston, Missouri, and pastor of the Federated Church at Kingston.
  In the spring of 1874 the Bottom families residing in southern Illinois moved to Brownville, Nebraska, then a flourishing county seat town, living there and on the Missouri side for about eighteen months.  In the fall of 1875 they moved in covered wagons to south central Nebraska, 150 miles west of Brownville, and H. S. and a brother homesteaded in Kiowa precinct, Thayer County, 12 miles west of Hebron, the county seat.  It was pioneer days in Neb. then, and the family faced the hardships incident to existence in a new country, but they saw the new country gradually develop into one of the best farming sections in the United States.  As all the farms around had been taken by foreigners, he sold his homestead in 1885 and bought a farm in Nuckolls County.  From the fall of 1889 to fall of 1891 he had a store at Smyrna, Neb. and was appointed postmaster while there.  He moved to Webster County the fall of 1891 and lived there about two and a half years.  Later he lived in Clay County and then moved to Nuckolls County again, settling near the place where he had lived some years before.  His wife, Hazy A. Bottom died July 2, 1907 and was buried July 4th.
  In 1909 he moved to Howell County, MO locating on a farm near Burnham.  On November 16, 1910 he married at Thayer, MO to Miss Margaret Stewart, who survives him.  They lived on the farm near Burnham for several years and then moved to Willow Springs, where they resided till the fall of 1922, when they purchased a country store and small farm about eight miles from Willow Springs.  They were residing there at the time of his death.
  While on the farm and at other times, he spent some years in practicing his profession, that of veterinarian.  From boyhood he was fond of horses and other stock, and just after the Civil War he had an opportunity to take a course in veterinary science under the eminent Dr. Mays, one of the leading veterinarians of that time.  He made the best of this opportunity, and became a noted judge of horses and remarkably successful in the treatment of their diseases.  He could have been eminently successful in this work, but lost interest in it and refused to follow it continuously.
  He was converted and joined the Church when a young man, and had a prominent part in the life and advancement of the work of the Church in the early days in Neb.  At that time when books were scarce in the western homes, he had a few of the great standard religious works and spent many winter days and evenings reading them aloud in the home.
  Prior to his death he had been failing rapidly for over a year, and had been confined to his bed for nearly two months.  When the time of departure came he simply ceased to breathe and fell asleep.  He leaves behind, the wife, the son, six grandchildren, three brothers and two sisters.  The brothers are Robert C. Bottom of Pomona, MO, Edward S. Bottom of Edgar, Neb. and Frank H. Bottom of Ong, Neb.  The sisters are Mrs. Emma Adams of Ruskin, Neb. and Mrs. Olive Spence of Arkinda, Ark.
  Funeral services were held at Burnham, MO on Thursday afternoon, February 5, 1925 conducted by Rev. Parrish of Willow Springs.  The body was laid to rest in Burnham Cemetery.
Submitted by: Anna Newel

ORRA ELTON BOTTOM
Services for Orra E. Bottom, 92, Winnebago, IL, formerly of Route 2, Box 129, Willow Springs, MO, who died at 3:30 PM Thursday (June 17, 1982) in Rockford Memorial Hospital after a short illness, will be Monday in Thertham-Burns Funeral Home, Willow Springs, Mo.  Burial will be in Howell Memorial Gardens, West Plains, MO.   Mr. Bottom was born Jan. 20, 1890 in Ruskin, Neb. , the son of Robert C. & Leonora Mark Bottom.  Lived in the Willow Springs area since 1911, and in Winnebago with his daughter, Mrs. Alice Nikodem since March.  Married to the former Grace I. Bryan in West Plains, MO June 29, 1912 who preceded him in death March 20, 1976.  During his retirement years, he was a cabinet maker.  Survivors include four daughters, Mrs. Earl (Marie) Bryan, Moline, IL; Mrs. Ormond (Iris) Mueller and Mrs. Harvey (Alice) Nikodem, both of Winnebago, IL; and Mrs. Jack (Edith) Lloyd, Rockford, IL.; two sons, Clinton (Bud) L. Bottom, West Plains, MO, and Elton D. Bottom, El Cajon, CA; 24 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren.  Preceded in death by a daughter, Lois Goyer, July 10, 1980.
Submitted by: Anna Newel

Name of Deceased: Maurice Elwood Bowen
Newspaper: The West Plains Daily Quill
Date: Oct. 6, 1982
Submitters Name: Cheryl King

Obit: Funeral services for Maurice Elwood Bowen, 72, West Plains, will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday in the Carter Chapel, West Plains, with the Rev. Dale Hopkins officiating.  Mr. Bowen died at 2:15 a.m. Tuesday at his home.  He was born Oct. 28, 1909, in Pittsburg, Kan., the son of the late William Guy and Dora Etta Brumer Bowen.  He was married Dec. 30, 1947, at Mtn. View to Ollie Brotherton Zeek.  Mr. Bowen was a member of the Christaian Scientist faith.  He was a veteran of the U. S. Army, having served during World War II.  Survivors include his wife, Ollie Bowen of the home; three daughters, Brenda Bowen, Ypsilanti, Mich., Oneta Causby, Waterford, Mich., Martha Ann Rowe, Flint, Mich.; one son, Ronny Zeek, Burton, Mich.; one brother, Robert Bowen, Cassville; two sisters, Maie Mellick, Lees Summit, Ruth McMillian, Gains, Mich.; eight grandsons and several nieces and nephews.  One brother, William Guy Bowen precedes him in death.  Burial will be in Howell Memorial Park cemetery under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, West Plains.

Name of Deceased: William Guy Bowen
Newspaper: West Plains Quill
Date: Mar. 15, 1945
Submitters Name: Cheryl King

Obit: Pvt. William Guy "Bill" Bowen, former West Plains high school student, was killed in action on Leyte Island on December 7, last, having been shot down by a Japanese sniper, after he had cleaned out two enemy machine gun nest with his pistol.  He was a son of Mrs. Etta Bowen, who lives in the Rudville community, six miles northwest of West Plains, and also was a brother of Mrs. Bill McMillin, of the Rudville community.  Young Bowen was a paratrooper with General Douglas MacArthur's forces.  He was with the 11th Airborn Division and had been in New Guinea before going to the Philippines for the invasion of Leyte.  The Bowen family moved to Howell county some ten or twelve years or ago from Coffeyville, Kans., and the father, Guy Bowen, died a few years ago.  Two of paratrooper Bowen's brothers also are in the armed forces, Sgs. Maurice Bowen being in the medical corps at Stark General Hospital, Charleston, S. C., while Pvt. Robert Bowen is with the army in Germany.  Also his brother-in-law, Bill McMillin, who is a grandson of the late William C. McMillin of West Plains, is now in training with the U. S. Infantry at camp Wolters, Texas.  He formerly was employed in the mechanical department of the Quill.

Name of Deceased: Amos E. & Ruby Brower-Bridges
Newspaper: West Plains Daily Quill
Submitters Name: Patti Hall-Smith

Obit: Mr. & Mrs. Amos E. Bridges
West Plains Daily Quill;September 14, 1977
Funeral services for Amos Ellsworth Bridges and Ruby Brower Bridges of Pomona were held Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Mt. Zion Church at Olden with the Rev. Bob Colbert officiating. Mr. and Mrs. Bridges died Saturday evening as the result of an automobile accident. Pallbearers were: Norman Burgess; Jim Tracy; Royce Hopkins; Jim Albin; Buck Burgess; Dene Robertson; Kenneth Coble; Bill Pruett; Gene Brower; Dale Collier; Orian Fine; and Darrell Burgess.
Persons attending from out of the area, included Mr. and Mrs. Jack R. Bridges and family; New Iberia, La., Mr. and Mrs. John Arnold and family; Carmi, IL.; Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Brower, Wichita, Ka.; Mr. and Mrs. Blaine Brower; Rolla; Mrs. Opal Byers; Mr. and Mrs. Sherd Hill, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Byers, Springfield; Mrs. Doris Todd, Mrs. Max Forsythe, Cabool; Mrs. Clara Loring, Mtn. Grove; Kathleen Montgomery and Willis Loring, Lebanon; Oscar Bridges, San Rafael, Calif.; Mrs.Glenn Vawter, Norwalk, Ca.; Delbert and Lola Brown, Chicago Heights, IL.; Mr. and Mrs. Howard Stephens, Schaller, IL.; Mr. and Mrs. James Tracey, Alexander, La.; Mrs. Nelson Olinger, daughter and grandson, Latour, Mo.; Orland and Alleen Fine, Nixa; G. W. Brotherton, Prosser, Wa.; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Christopher, Rockville, Mo.; Karen Brower Havens; Noble and Garnet Lewis; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Spence; Willow Springs; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Loring; Mr. and Mrs. Owen Reed; Marcella Brower McMurtrey; Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Courtney; Clifford Courtney; Verna Burgess; Gilbert Burgess; Ethel King; Ollie Brixey; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hopkins; Belva Bunch; Mr. and Mrs. Coy Burge; Gerald Bruner; Lon Fine; Opal Fine; Carl and Delia Turner; all of West Plains; Mr. and Mrs. Lester Burgess; Helen Brower; Bill Chritton; Mrs. Viola Green, Bessie Burgess; Mr. and Mrs. Bill Cantrell; Mr. and Mrs. Harlow Thompson; Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Williams; Edna Bennett; Mrs. Darrell Burgess; Adam Turner; Mr. and Mrs. Nick McMahan; Bun, Mary and Tom Brotherton; and Mrs. Bob Colbert; all of Pomona. Interment was in Mt. Zion Cemetery under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, West Plains

Name of Deceased: Donald William Brower
Newspaper: Springfield Missouri News leader
Submitters Name: Patti Hall-Smith
June 15, 2005

Donald William Brower, 81, of Willow Springs, Mo., passed away Tuesday, June 14, 2005, in the Willow Care Nursing Home.
He was born, May 22, 1924, in Olden, Mo., the son of Vachel Bradford Brower and Maude Pearl (Carver) Brower.
Don was married to Goldie Mae Stuart in September 1943. To this union two children were born, Gary Don Brower of Willow Springs, Mo.,
and Barbara Sue Hartgraves of Ozark, Mo. Those preceding Don in death were his parents; one brother, Vernon Brower; one sister, Blanche Thompson;
and one grandson, Billy Hartgraves. Don will be sadly missed by his wife, Goldie, of 61 years; two children; three granddaughters,
Celesta Hartgraves of St. Peters, Mo., Natalie Gomez and husband, Mark, of Ozark, Mo., and Kimberly Brower of St. Louis, Mo.;
one grandson, David Brower and wife, Erin, of Willow Springs, Mo.; three great-grandchildren, Hannah and Haden Gomez and Andrew Brower;
sister-in-law, Elizabeth and husband, Bill Little, of Albuquerque, N.M.; as well as several nieces and nephews. Don was a minister to Pomona Christian Church for five years, Houston Christian Church for 17 years, Pacific Christian Church for 14 months, Sullivan Christian Church for seven years, Hermann Christian Church for 11 years, and Willow Springs Christian Church for seven years after returning here to retire. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, June 17, 2005, in the First Christian Church in Willow Springs, Mo. Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight in Elliott-Gentry-Carder Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to Rock Garden Christian Service Camp. Arrangements are under the direction of Elliott-Gentry-Carder Funeral Home of Cabool, Mo. Interment in the Willow Springs Cemetery.

Name of Deceased: Dr. Herbert Brower
Newspaper: Local West Plains Newspaper
Submitters Name: Patti Hall-Smith
Obit: 22 October 1958
Dr. Herbert Brower Former West Plains Resident, dies at 74 Funeral services for Dr. Herbert H. Brower 74, curator of Central College at Fayette, formerly of West Plains, were held Oct. 24, at the Paul Linn Memorial Methodist Church on Central College Campus. Dr. Brower died Wednesday at his home following a heart attack. Dr. Brower served as a Methodist Minister exclusively in Missouri. He served pastorates at Lafayette Park Methodist Church, St. Louis and at Churches in Malden, Excelsior Springs and Mexico. He served as superintendent in the West Plains, Maryville and Fayette districts of the endowment fund for retired Ministers for the Missouri Conference of the Church.Just prior to his retirement from the active Ministry, last June, he was Missouri area director of town and country work for the Methodist Church. Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Lida Mason Brower; two daughters, Mrs. Eldon Hauser and Mrs. Witten Ledbetter; and two sons, Hollis H. and Dr. Thomas D. Brower. Burial was at Willard, Mo., Saturday.

Name of Deceased: James Eldridge Brower
Newspaper: The Kansas City Star
Submitters Name: Patti Hall-Smith
November 19, 1995

James E. Brower, 65, Excelsior Springs, MO, Passed away Thursday, November 16, 1995, at Western Missouri Medical Center, Warrensburg, MO. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday, November 20, at Prichard Chapel, Excelsior Springs; burial in South (Old) New Garden Cemetery, Excelsior Springs. Friends may call 1-2 p.m. Monday at the Chapel. Mr. Brower was born December 2, 1929, in Olden, MO. He was employed at General Motors, on the assembly line at the Leeds Plant in Kansas City, retiring in 1992. He served in the Army Air Corps. He was married to Rosemary Reffitt on June 16, 1953, in Oklahoma.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosemary, on May 16, 1995, and his parents, Vernon and Josephine (Jamison) Brower. Survivors include two daughters, Lora Blinn, Whiteman A.F.B., Knob Noster, MO, and Charlene Smith, Germany; four sons, Raymond D. Brower, Excelsior Springs, MO, James L. Brower, Pleasant Hill, MO, Jeffrey W. Brower, Lenexa, KS, and Terry Brower, Vibbard, MO; one sister, Phyllis Newman, Windsor, MO; 18 grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

West Plains, MO--JOHN PAUL BUCHANAN, SR., son of John Andrew and Catherine Buchanan, was born February 2, 1922 at Crab Orchard, KY and died at 5:16 pm Saturday, June 27, 1998 at Cox Medical Center South, Springfield, MO at the age of 76 years, four months and 25 days.
Mr. Buchanan received his education in the schools of Crab Orchard, KY and continued his education in the military.  On August 2, 1944 he was married at Hopkinsville, KY to Faye Day.
Mr. Buchanan served with the U. S. Army for twenty-four years beginning with World War II.  After his retirement, he worked for the military at Fort Knox, KY, retiring in 1973.  He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 23 of West Plains.  He enjoyed gardening, fishing, and country music.
Survivors include his wife, Faye Buchanan of West Plains; one daughter, Carol Keaton and husband, Virgil, West Plains; one son, John Paul Buchanan, Jr. and wife, Sherrill, West Plains; four grandchildren, Rebecca Brown and husband, Terry, and their children, Savannah, Dakota, Ian and Eric; one brother, Billy Buchanan, Columbia, SC; one sister, Ella Mae Siler, Stanford, KY; one brother-in-law, Clifford Day, Sr., Brandsville; two sisters-in-law, Gladys Dixon and husband, Paul, West Plains, and Ruby Jewell and husband, Ted, Thayer; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and four sisters.
Funeral services for John Paul Buchanan, Sr. were held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, 1998 in the Rose Chapel of the Robertson-Drago Funeral Home of West Plains.  Interment was in the Oak Lawn Cemetery under the direction of the Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  --Oregon County Times, July 2, 1998.
Submitted by: Anna Newel