Manuel L. Johnson

1932 - 2010

 Manuel Leon Johnson, 78, New Florence, passed away Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010, at St. Joseph Hospital West in Lake Saint Louis. 

 Mr. Johnson was born July 24, 1932, in New Florence, the son of Wesley Johnson and Floy, nee Johnson. 

 On Sept. 1, 1951, he was united in marriage to Shelia Neubauer in New Florence, where they made their home.

Mr. Johnson owned and operated dump trucks and was an over-the-road truck driver for many years. He also owned and operated a gas station in New Florence and later an auto parts store in Montgomery City.

 Mr. Johnson belonged to many clubs in the New Florence area including the New Florence Lions Club. He was a member of the New Florence Methodist Church and at one time was the marshal of New Florence. His favorite pastime was fishing. He was a very dedicated husband, father, grandpa, brother and uncle. He loved spending time with his family.

Mr. Johnson was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Dale Johnson, and one sister, Norma Johnson.

 He is survived by his wife, Shelia Johnson, New Florence; one son, Tom Johnson and friend Adell Jonas, New Florence; one daughter, Debbie Shoemaker and husband Dan, St. Charles; two granddaughters, Erin Vidra and husband Ron, St. Charles, and Amy Kowitz and husband James, Wentzville; five great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Mikayla Vidra, and Austin, Karlie and Danny Kowitz; one brother, Everett Johnson and wife Peg, Jacksonville, Ill.; two sisters, Carol Grady and husband Gene, Jacksonville, Ill., and Lena Garrett, Warrenton; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.

A memorial service was held Wednesday, Aug. 11, at the New Florence Community Hall in New Florence. 

 Mr. Johnson was cremated. Condolence to the family may be made at www.hardingfh.com. 

 The family was served by Harding Funeral Home, Jonesburg.

Bernice Marie Swaim

1927 - 2010

 Bernice Marie Swaim, 82, Wright City, passed away Friday, Aug. 6, 2010, at her home.

 Mrs. Swaim was born Nov. 23, 1927, in De Soto, the daughter of Riley Ray Rogers and wife Edna Lue, nee Crossman.

 She was united in marriage to Harold Edward Swaim Jr. on Sept. 29, 1962, in St. Johns. They celebrated 47 years of marriage.

Mrs. Swaim was retired from Bell Telephone in Overland and St. Louis. She was a member of the Southwestern Bell Pioneers and a member of Warrenton Baptist Church.

 She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Eugene Rogers.

Mrs. Swaim is survived by her husband, Harold Swaim Jr., Wright City; one brother, Harold Rogers and wife Norma, Wright City; one sister, Juanita Twitchel, Warrenton; one sister-in-law, Vera Rogers, Wright City; nieces, nephews; other relatives and many friends. 

 Visitation will be held Friday, Aug. 13, from 4-8 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home, 510 E. Main St., Warrenton.

Funeral services will be held at Warrenton Baptist Church on Saturday, Aug. 14, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Dr. Richard Bollinger officiating. Burial will be in the Warrenton City Cemetery.

 Memorials to Warrenton Baptist Church in care of Martin Funeral Home, 510 E. Main St., Warrenton, MO 63383 are preferred. 

 The family is being served by Martin Funeral Home, Warrenton.

Visitation for James Paul Layne, 27, Foristell, will be held Thursday, Aug. 12, from 1-3 p.m. at Pitman Funeral Home, 909 Pitman Ave., Wentzville. Funeral services will follow at 3 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mr. Layne died Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010, at his home.

Burial will be private. 

He is survived by his parents, James and Kathleen Layne, nee Hensley; his wife, Tina Layne, three sons, Tyler Layne, Zachary Layne and Bryce Layne; other relatives and many friends. 

The family is being served by Pitman Funeral Home, Wentzville.

Funeral services for Marvin Otis Stemler, 75, Warrenton, were held Tuesday, Aug. 3, at Pitman Funeral Home, Wentzville. 

Mr. Stemler died Wednesday, July 28, 2010, at his home.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Stemler, nee Fahey; two sons, William Stemler and wife Linda, and Joseph Stemler and wife Tracy; other relatives and many friends. 

The family was served by Pitman Funeral Home, Wentzville.

Funeral services for Willard Robert VanPelt, 86, Foley, were held Friday, Aug. 6, at Pitman Funeral Home, Wright City. 

Mr. VanPelt died Feb. 2, 2010, in Kingman, Ariz.

He is survived by his wife, Mary VanPelt; one son, John VanPelt; two daughters, Sue Ellen VanPelt and Lina J. Adams and husband Kevin; other relatives and many friends. 

The family was served by Pitman Funeral Home, Wright City.

Funeral services for John William Raines, 59, Lake Ozark, will be held Thursday, Aug. 12, at 10 a.m. at Pitman Funeral Home, 1545 Wentzville Parkway, Wentzville. 

Mr. Raines died Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010, at his home. 

He is survived by two sons, Doug Raines and wife Heather, and Jason Raines and wife Mary Ellen; other relatives and many friends. 

The family is being served by Pitman Funeral Home, Wentzville.

Funeral services for Mildred Schnarre, 97, Foristell, were held Tuesday, Aug. 10, at St. John’s United Church of Christ, Cappeln.

Burial was in the church cemetery. 

Mrs. Schnarre died Friday, Aug. 6, 2010, at New Florence Nursing Home in New Florence.

She is survived by three sons, Neal Schnarre and wife Linda, Keith Schnarre and wife Sandy, and Brian Schnarre and wife Fran; other relatives and many friends.

The family was served by Pitman Funeral Home, Wentzville.