Olive Adams
Olive Adams of Bonne Terre, passed away on
August 3, 1981, at Barnes Hospital, at the age of 69 years, 7 months and 16 days. She was
born on November 19, 1911, in Belgrade, Mo. She was the daughter of the late Francis and
Lucy (Maxwell) Adams. She was preceded in death by one sister, Frances. Surviving are
two nephews, Scott Ferguson of Singapore, and Leslie Ferguson of Oakview, California.
Several great nieces and nephews also survive. Olive devoted her life to teaching and
serving. Her dedication to the teaching profession and her willingness to serve and help
others stands as her memorial and an inspiration to all of us who remain. Past students,
friends, and relatives will miss her helping hands and her guiding words, but we are
thankful that she touched our lives. Services were Friday, August 7, 1981 at 1 p.m. at
the First Baptist Church in Bonne Terre with the Rev. Raymond Laramore officiating.
Interment was in Liberty Baptist Cemetery, Belgrade, Mo., under the direction of Sparks
Funeral Home in Bonne Terre.
[Source: The Lead Belt News, St. Francois, Mo., Aug. 13, 1981 - Submitted by Robert King]
Adeline Alexander
Mrs. Adeline Alexander, who was stricken with
apoplexy on the evening of April 17th, passed away on Monday afternoon at 12:50. The deceased
would have been 75 years old on the first day of May, 1926. Her husband, W. M. Alexander preceded
her in death nine years ago. She was laid to rest in April 20th in Germany Cemetery. She claimed
he Saviour as her own, having affiliated with the Germany Baptist Church over 40 years ago.
The deceased is survived by one brother 78 years old, two half brothers and a host of other relatives.
Funeral services in charge of J. Boyer of Leadwood, were conducted from the home of her niece Minnie Tetley.
[Source: The Bonne Terre Star News Register, St. Francois, Mo, Apr. 30, 1926 - Submitted by Robert King]
Louis Edward Ames
Louis Edward Ames, son of the late William and Anna Crump
Ames, was born on June 28, 1887, passed away at his home in Bonne Terre on May 26, 1953, aged 65 years 10 months 28 days.
He is survived by his wife and three children by a former marriage, Florence Ames, St. Louis; Cletus Ames, Cadet,
Mo.; and Mrs. Bessie Ringer, Bonne Terre; also five step-children, Albert T. Dodson, Bonne Terre; Ernest and Henry
Ames, Mrs. Julia Smith and Charles Dodson, all of St. Louis; and four brothers, Charles Ames, Flat River; Sam Ames,
Irondale; John Ames, Bonne Terre; and Ether Ames, Cantwell.
Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon May 28, at the Benham Funeral Home, conducted by Rev. Paul Brand,
assisted by Rev. Howard Hambrick. Burial was in Germania Cemetery.
[Source: Lead Belt News, Flat River, St. Francois, Mo., Friday, May 29, 1953 - Submitted by Melanie Rickmar]
Mary Anthony AuBuchon
On Wednesday morning, March 19th, Mary Anthony Aubuchon, eldest daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. George AuBuchon of this city, died at her home after a brief illness of Typhoid fever. Burial will take place from
St. Joseph's Catholic Church on Friday at 10 o'clock. "Anthy" AuBuchon, as she was commonly known among her host of friends,
was one of the community's most promising young ladies. She graduated from St. Joseph's School in 1918, after which she
attended the Bonne Terre High School for several years. During the past season she was attending the Ozark Business College
at Farmington. She was known among all with whom she associated as being a good hearted, gentle and courteous young lady.
By these qualities of character she had endeared herself to the entire community, which regrets losing such a member and
extends to her bereaved parents and sister it's sincerest sympathy, and trusts that their belief in an all-wise and good God
will comfort them in their hour of sadness. She was born Feb. 26, 1902.
[Source: The Star News Register, St. Francois, Mo, Mar 11, 1921 - Submitted by Robert King]
Alonzo W. Ballard
Alonzo W. (Cap) Ballard of Elvins, was born on July 21, 1874 in the state of
Kentucky and passed away on Thursday, January 29, 1970 at Benham Nursing Home, Elvins at the age of 95 years, six months
and eight days. Services were held at 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon in the chapel of Caldwell's Funeral Home by the Rev.
Harold Nance. Interment was in the Dent Cemetery at Bismarck with Caldwell Service.
[Source: The Farmington News, St. Francois, Mo, Feb. 5, 1970 - Submitted by Anonymous]
Rose Clementine (Rickmar) Bayless
Rose Clementine Bayless, nee Rickmar, was born in Collinsville, Ill., August 25, 1894, and
departed this life at the Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis, Sunday, August 5, 1945,
aged 50 years 11 months 10 days. She had been ill several weeks.
In 1910 she was united in marriage to Joseph Harvey Bayless, and they were the parents of five
children who survive: Nellie (Mrs. Hilton) Revelle of Desloge; Ruth (Mrs. Ellis) Moon of Bonne
Terre; Thelma (Mrs. Fred) Ash of Alameda, Calif.; Genevieve (Mrs. Marvin) Dawson of St. Louis;
and Gilbert Glen Bayless, who is serving with the U.S. Marines in the South Pacific.
She also leaves twelve grandchildren, two brothers, Frank and Henry Rickmar of Bismarck; three
sisters, Mrs. Nettie Strickland of Bismarck, Mrs. Jane Able of St. Louis and Mrs. Bertha
Fosnack of East St. Louis. A brother, Gilbert, preceded her in death.
Mrs. Bayless was converted and baptized in her youth and joined the First Baptist Church of
Bismarck and was a firm believer in God.
Funeral services were held at the Baptist Church in Bismarck, Wednesday afternoon, conducted
by Rev. R. L. Shell of Desloge. Interment was in the Masonic Cemetery at Bismarck. Boyer
Service.
[Source: LEAD BELT NEWS, Flat River, St. Francois Co. MO Aug. 10,1945, transcribed and submitted by Melanie Rickmar]
Elsie Bell
Elsie Bell of Rt. 2, Farmington, passed
away Monday, August 10 at Farminton at the age of 75. She was born October 23, 1905 at
Ruble, Mo., to the late Harry and Nettie (Howell) Helvey. She is survived by her husband
Iver R. Bell, Rt. 2, Farmington; one son, Perry W. Bell, Rt. 2, Farmington; one daughter,
Deloris (Mrs. Bill) Borden of St. Louis; three sisters, Muriel Milnie and Jessie Speck,
both of Lemay, Minnie Sanders of Ellington; 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Services were Wednesday, August 12 at 1 p.m. at Caldwell Chapel with Rev. Gary Petty
officiating, assisted by Dewayne Petty. Interment was in Helvey Cemetery in Ellington.
[Source: The Lead Belt News, St. Francois, Mo., Aug. 13, 1981 - Submitted by Robert King]
Walter William Bequette
Walter Wm. Bequette passed away suddenly May 13, 1978 at
DePaul Hospital in St. Louis at the age of 86.
He was a son of the late William Brown and Katheryn Poggermiller [sic Poggemoeller] Bequette and was born July
5, 1891 in Ste. Genevieve.
He was united in marriage on June 28, 1916 to Katheryn Myrtle Byington who preceded him in death February 8,
1969.
To this union fourteen children were born: Russell Bequette, St. Louis; Katheryn Doggett, Defiance, Mo.;
William Bequette, Robert Bequette, Esther Eaton, Helen Nunn, Richard Bequette and Mary Cunningham, St. Louis; and
Dorothy Messerly, TX; five children preceded him in death: Edward, John, Brownie, Petie, and Myrtle Bequette.
Also surviving are two sisters: Carrie Carrow, Bonne
Terre; Irene Doggett, French Village; one brother: Raymond
S. Bequette, Bay, Mo.; 57 grandchildren, 65
great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
Mr. Bequette was a builder by trade, a carpenter,
bricklayer and concrete mason. He was an employee of
several lumber companies and the State Hospital #4. He
retired in 1957, but remained active for 20 years.
A ho-down, a waltz, the old Missouri ballads or any other
request was the pleasure of Mr. Bequette and his beloved
fiddle. He entertained many people for many hours. He
last took up his bow on Wednesday morning.
Rosary was recited at Cozean's Chapel at 7:30 p.m. Monday
night.
Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, May 16, 1978, at
10 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
Interment was in Hillview Gardens.
[THE DAILY JOURNAL, Flat River, Missouri, submitted by B. Warner]
Louise Philomena Boyer
Louise Philomena Boyer of Desloge was born August
14, 1868, a daughter of the late John B. LaRose and Sophia Morice LaRose and died Dec. 11 at Desloge at
the age of 101. Surviving are the following grandchildren, Brennan Griffard of Desloge, Frances (Mrs. Vernon Govreau)
of Desloge, Rosemary Griffard of St. Louis, Patricia (Mrs. James Creglow) of Beatrice, Nebraska; a niece Hazel LaRose
of Washington, D. C.; 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a number of step grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Octave Boyer; one son Ernest Boyer; two daughters Genevieve Boyer and
Elva (Mrs. Mark Griffard). Rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. Friday at the chapel. Requiem mass will be 10:30 a.m.
Saturday at Immaculate Conception Church with the Rev. Ramatowski officiating. Interment will be in Immaculate
Conception Cemetery. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church. The body will be in state after 3 p.m.
Friday at the C. Z. Boyer and sons Chapel, Desloge.
[The Flat River Daily Journal, St. Francois, Missouri, Dec. 11, 1969, - Contributed by Robert King]
Hershel Buckner
Chapel service for Hershel Buckner
of Desloge will be 2 p.m. Friday with the Rev. Edwin Hunter officiating. Interment will be in
the Laurel Hill Memorial Gardens, St. Louis. The body is in state at the C. Z. Boyer and Sons
Chapel, Desloge.
[The Flat River Daily Journal, St. Francois, Missouri, Dec. 11, 1969, - Contributed by Robert King]
Michael Byington
Michael Byington of Bonne Terre was born in French Village
March 5, 1913 and died in Farmington on May 1 [1977] at
the age of 64. He was a son of the late Sam and Ida Byington.
Surviving are his wife, Freda McGraw Byington of Bonne
Terre; the following children, Howard Byington of
Washington; Mary Williams of Ore., Pat Delay of Alaska,
Joan Boyer of Irondale, Kay Parez of Birmingham, Ala.,
Steve Byington of Calif., Frank Short of Scott City,
Archie Byington of Valles Mines, Lucian Byington of DeSoto
and Sam Byington of Bonne Terre; five sisters, Christine
(Mrs. Firmin) Pettus of Bonne Terre, Bertha (Mrs. Gus)
Dixon of Pevely, Bessie (Mrs. Albert) Schaefer of
Weingarten, Ruth (Mrs. Paul) Casgrove of Great Falls,
Mont. and Anna (Mrs. Lee) Aubuchon of Pevely; 15
grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
[DAILY JOURNAL, Flat River, Missouri, submitted by B. Warner]
Minnie L. Callahan
MRS. WILEY CALLAHAN.
Mrs. Minnie Lee Callahan, daughter of Mrs. Jessie Merritt
and the late J. L. Merritt, was born April 24, 1908 and
passed away September 4, 1958 aged 50 years, four months
and ten days. Mrs. Callahan had been ill for several
years, but with her faith and determination she never gave
up.
On July 12, 1924, she was united in marriage to Wiley
Callahan, who with five children survive.
The children are: Marie (Mrs. Herman) Schaefer, of
Farmington; Dorothy (Mrs. Glenn) Dane, of St. Louis;
Lulubell (Mrs. Don) Cousins, of Hawthorne, Calif.; Mary
Ann, of the home; and Walter Callahan, of La Punte,
Calif.; also six grandchildren, her mother, Mrs. Jessie
Merritt, of Leadington; four sisters: Lottie (Mrs. Claude)
Winebarger, Glena (Mrs. Clarence) Marbery, both of route
three; Ruby (Mrs. John) Meyers of Flat River, Mrs.
Lawrence Horn, Jr., of Wentzville, and a brother, John M.
Merritt, of Farmington.
Funeral services were held Sunday, September 7th at 2:30
p.m. at the Genevieve Baptist Church conducted by the Rev.
O. E. Reeves. Interment in the church cemetery with
Miller Funeral Service in charge.
Raymond Carver
First in a series of tragic happenings in St. Francois County during
the holiday season was the deaths of Thomas Burr, 55, and Raymond Carver,
24, both of Bonne Terre, who were killed in a railroad crossing accident
Thursday, December 23, 1937, which happened about 7:30 p.m.
Charles Spradling of Bonne Terre, who was riding in Carver's automobile, was
injured. Freight train no. 95, involved in the accident, was switching on
the Missouri Illinois tracks and the engine with one coal car reached the
crossing and stopped to allow Brakeman Burr to alight from the train and
signal if the highway crossing was clear. He signaled to Engineer Sherman
to come ahead and stepped back on the footboard of the engine, where he was
standing when Carver's , coming out of Bonne Terre, struck the engine.
Carver, Burr and Spradling were taken from the wreckage and rushed to the
Bonne Terre Hospital, but Carver died before he reached the hospital and
Burr lived only a short while without ever regaining consciousness.
An inquest was held at the Benham Funeral Home that night at ten o'clock,
the jury leaving the verdict open, stating that Carver and Burr came to
their deaths as a result of a collision of an automobile and a railroad
engine.
The train crew was conductor, Ernest Larkin; engineer, William Sherman;
fireman, Sherman Turpin; and brakemen, Thomas and Sidney Long. Burr had
been with the railroad for more than thirty years.
Raymond Carver, second son of Calvin and Ollie Carver, was born in Reynolds
County, Mo., July 4, 1913, and died at Bonne Terre, Mo., Thursday, December
23, 1937, aged 24 years, 5 months and 19 days.
He was united in marriage to Miss Estella Easter of Bonne Terre, Mo.,
October 16, 1935. To this union one daughter, Elizabeth Laverne, was born
five month ago.
Surviving are his wife and young daughter, parents and four brothers:
Lilbern C., Charles, William [Willie] and Calvin Jr., all of Bonne Terre and
three sisters: Wilma and Thelma, who reside with their parents and Lucille
(Mrs. Larry Keel) of Ste. Genevieve.
Funeral services were held from the Carver residence Sunday afternoon at one
o'clock with L. E. Ketcherside officiating. Interment was made in the Bonne
Terre Cemetery with the Benham Undertaking Company in charge.
[Source: The Lead Belt News, December 31, 1937, Submitted by Ruth Carver]
Willie Pinkley Carver
William [Willie] P. Carver, 20, brother of Lilbern Carver of Bonne
Terre and son of Mr. and Mrs. Ollie Chilton [Calvin] Carver, 1414 South 13th
St., St. Louis, was drowned around 4:15 p.m. Monday at a place known as the
Point at North Big River, four miles from here.
At the time of his death, he and his mother were in Bonne Terre vacationing.
The family, originally from this community, have a home here.
Monday afternoon he had gone down to the river with two boys for a swim,
Calvin Bullock and Eugene Wells, both of here. At the time of his drowning
Calvin was on the opposite side of the river from him. Eugene was in the
water near him when he decided to get in the water. The boy gradually got
in and he immediately began to call for help. Eugene swam toward the boy,
where the water was 12 feet deep, and reaching him he tried to swim toward
the bank with him, but he had to let go of him, before he reached the bank.
At this time Harold Reynolds, who had just gone down to the river for a
swim, arrived and was able to rescue the boy. He gave him artificial
respiration, for about 30 minutes, down at the river, while the other two
boys drove in Reynold's car to Benham's Undertaking Parlor. The boy was
taken to Benham's and artificial respiration was continued for about 20
minutes more. His brothers stated that William's [Willie's] drowning must
have been the result of a heart attack or cramps since he could swim.
William [Willie] Carver was born on January 25, 1925, at Flat River, and
attended the Bonne Terre Public Schools. At the time of his death he was
employed at the Continental Boiler Company, 4389 Duncan Ave., St. Louis.
Surviving him are his mother and father, three brothers, Lilbern of here,
Junior and Charles of St. Louis, and three sisters, Thelma, Mrs. Frank Huff
of Mecca Calif.; Wilma, Mrs. Andrew Wilfong also of Mecca, Calif.; and
Lucille, Mrs. Larry Keel of Flat River.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday at the Three Rivers Cemetery,
with Benham Undertaking Service.
[Source: Bonne Terre Bulletin, July 12, 1945, Submitted by Ruth Carver]
Vernon R. Caviness
Vernon R. Caviness, 74, of Leadwood died Jan. 25 at Farmington Regional Medical
Center. He was born March 12, 1914 at Leadwood to the late William Caviness and Clevie McGee Caviness. He is survived by
his wife, Treva Caviness; one daughter, Brenda (Mrs. Gary) Jackson of St. Louis; one grandchild. Friends may visit after
4 p.m. today at the Bert Boyer Funeral Home in Leadwood. Services will be held Friday, 2:30 p.m. at the Bert Boyer Chapel with
Rev Dwight Bradley officiating. Burial will be at the Leadwood Cemetery.
[Source: The Flat River Daily Journal, St. Francois County, Missouri, Jan. 26, 1989 - Contributed by Robert King]
Hazel Center
Hazel Center, 80, of Normandy, formerly of this area, died Jan. 13, at St. Louis.
She was born Oct. 14, 1908 at St Francois County to the late Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Polk. She was preceded in death by one brother, Doyle Polk.
She is survived by her husband; Carroll Center of Normandy; one son; Robert Dale Center of Cincinnati, Ohio; two granddaughters; two
great-grandchildren; many friends and relatives. Visitation is today at the Drehmann-Harral Chapel of St. Louis, and Tuesday, from 3 to
9 p.m. at Caldwell Funeral Home. Services will be held Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. at Esther First Baptist Church.
Burial will be in the St. Francois Memorial Park Cemetery.
[Source: The Flat River Daily Journal, St. Francois County, Missouri, Jan.
16, 1989 - Contributed by Robert King]
Ada Coker
MRS. A. S. COKER DEAD.
Wife of Flat River Pastor Dies of Hemorrhage of the Brain
after a Few Hours' Illness.
Mrs. Coker, wife of Rev. A. S. Coker, pastor of the M. E.
Church South, at Flat River, died at her home there Monday
morning shortly after six o'clock after an illness of only
a few hours, hemorrhage of the brain causing her death.
Mrs. Coker was in good health up to the beginning of her
short illness, and the announcement of her death came as a
great surprise and shock to the community. Rev. Coker was
awakened about 1 o'clock Monday morning by his wife, who
complained of feeling badly. Dr. Barber was hurriedly
summoned and for a time she seemed to get better, but
later grew worse and quietly passed away as above stated.
The funeral was held Wednesday at Bonne Terre. Services
were conducted at the M. E. Church, South, there at 11
o'clock by the pastor, Rev. W. J. Heys, after which the
remains were interred in the Bonne Terre cemetery.
Mrs. Coker was formerly Miss Ada May Kirkpatrick, of Bonne
Terre, and was born near Irondale, May 21, 1869, but had
lived most of her life at Bonne Terre. She was married to
Rev. Coker June 4, 1908, and had resided at Flat River
since last September. She was president of the Woman's
Foreign Missionary Society and vice-president of the
Epworth League organization for this district and during
her entire life had been a great church and Sunday school
worker. Besides a bereaved husband she is survived by
three sisters and one brother. The sisters are Mrs. Josie
Scott and Alice, of Bonne Terre, and Mrs. Belle Austin of
Clarksville, Ark. The brother is Frank Kirkpatrick, of
Wichita, Kan. The News joins the community in extending
sympathy to the bereaved ones.
Note: The St. Francois County Cemeteries book has her date
of death as July 28, 1909. However, I think the correct
date may be June 28, 1909 instead since June 28, 1909 is
on a Monday and the obituary clearly states that she died
on Monday morning. July 28, 1909 falls on a Wednesday.
Does anyone know her correct date of death?
[submitted by B. Warner]
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