Obituaries for Thursday, January 7, 2010 Edition Gregory R. Coleman 1959-2009 Gregory R. Coleman, 50, Columbia, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, at his home. Mr. Coleman was born Jan. 20, 1959, in Troy, the son of George Coleman and wife Shirley, nee Cameron. Mr. Coleman was a truck driver. He was preceded in death by his father, George Coleman. Mr. Coleman is survived by his mother, Shirley Young, and friend, Glenwood Turner, Hawk Point; three daughters, Jennifer Miller and husband Travis, and Kassy Coleman, all of Big Springs, and Tabitha Simpson and husband Abraham, Wentzville; two brothers, Jeff Coleman and John Messina, both of Fulton; two sisters, Georgia Lindsey and husband Ron, Troy, and Glenda Coleman and friend David Marsch, Fulton; four grandchildren; uncles; aunts; other relatives and many friends. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Jan. 5, at Harding Funeral Home, Jonesburg. Memorials to the family in care of Harding Funeral Home, P.O. Box 186, Jonesburg, MO 63351 are preferred. Condolences may be made at www.hardingfh.com. The family was served by Harding Funeral Home, Jonesburg. Byron L. Miller 1966-2010 Byron Lester Miller, 43, Truxton, passed away at his home where he resided with his brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Lisa, and their children, Bill, Casey, Samuel, Jake and Carly, for 28 years, on Friday, Jan. 1, 2010. Mr. Miller was born May 16, 1966, in East Saint Louis, Ill., the son of Lester Miller and wife Margaret, nee Jones. He worked for TEMCO Sheltered Workshop for 15 years. He was a member of Warrenton Christian Church and the Discovery Plus of the Warren County Handicap Services. Mr. Miller was also involved in Special Olympics. He was preceded in death by his parents. Mr. Miller is survived by three brothers, Bill Miller and wife Lisa, Truxton, Robert Miller and wife Patricia, Pendleton, and Daryl Miller and wife Linda, Morrison; one sister, Dixie Ray, Fulton; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends. Visitation will be held on Saturday, Jan. 9, from 9-10: a.m. at Warrenton Christian Church, 1250 S. Highway 47, Warrenton. Funeral services will follow. Burial will be in Bethel Methodist Cemetery, Reads-ville. Memorials to the church or WCHS/Discovery Plus 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. James Benjamin Nelson 1925-2009 James Benjamin Nelson, 84, Albany, Ore., formerly of Jonesburg, passed away Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009. Mr. Nelson was born July 28, 1925, the oldest son of Benjamin H. Nelson and wife Arline M., in Jonesburg. On Dec. 28, 1947, in Jonesburg, he was united in marriage to Betty Jane Myers. They were married 61 years. Mr. Nelson served his country during World War II as an infantryman in the 75th Division, 289 Infantry of the American 9th Army, European Command. He received two Battle Stars and was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action. After his discharge from military service, he attended Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy, Rolla, on P.L. 16. He graduated in 1950 with honors and a B.S.M.E. in mechanical engineering. Mr. Nelson retired in 1991 from the Monsanto Company. He was an outdoorsman and loved to quail hunt in the fall. He was also very involved in the family farm and took an active part in its operation. Mr. Nelson was a member of Bonhomme Presbyterian Church in Creve Coeur for over 35 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife, Betty, who died July 18, 2009. Mr. Nelson is survived by one son, James Warren Nelson and wife Susie, House Springs; one daughter, Linda Jane Haralson and husband Joe, Albany, Ore.; three grandchildren, Jacob Patrick Nelson, Emily Jane Haralson and James Joseph Haralson; one brother, Clarence L. (Red) Nelson and wife Linda King, St. Charles; one brother-in-law, John B. Myers and wife Judy, Warrenton; nieces and nephews; cousins; other relatives and a host of friends and neighbors who mourn his passing. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan. 9, at 11 a.m. at the Jonesburg Methodist Church, Jonesburg. Interment with full military service will be held in the Jonesburg City Cemetery. Casket bearers will be Jacob Nelson, Joe Hadel, Eric Harness and Bob Baline. Memorials to Mennonite Village Foundation, 5353 Columbus St., SE, Albany, OR 97322, 1-541-928-7232, John Kollaer, director, www.mennonitevillage.org/foundation, or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, attn: Tribute Gifts, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 780, New York, NY 10008-0780, 1-800-708-7644, www.michaeljfox.org/help_honorMemoryGits.cfm are preferred. The family is being served by Harding Funeral Home, Jonesburg. Mary Ann Nissing 1937-2009 Mary Ann Nissing, nee Gatchell, 72, Webster Groves, passed away Monday, Dec. 21, 2009, after a brief hospitalization at St. Mary's Health Center, Richmond Heights. Mrs. Nissing was born on Sept. 11, 1937, the daughter of Charles Barnard Gatchell and wife Nellie Elizabeth. She grew up in Mountain Grove and graduated from Lindenwood College with a bachelor's degree in music education in 1958. In the same year, she moved to Webster Groves. Mrs. Nissing taught music in the Mehlville Public School District and gave private lessons in cello and piano. She played cello in community orchestras and chamber groups. Mrs. Nissing lived a lifetime dedicated to music. A member of Mu Phi Epsilon, International Professional Music Fraternity, for 54 years, she served in a variety of leadership roles, including national treasurer and national vice president in the early 1980s. She was a faithful member of the St. Louis Area Alumni Chapter. Beginning in 1978, she was also a loyal member of the Monday Club in Webster Groves and served as the longtime director of the chorus. In addition to her musical work, Mrs. Nissing worked alongside her husband, Burt, for almost 50 years in his private CPA practice. She served as treasurer at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Webster Groves in the 1970s. Together, she and Mr. Nissing welcomed many international students from Saint Louis University into their home. Mrs. Nissing was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Burton John Nissing, Webster Groves; one son, Douglas F. Nissing and his partner Daniel Kelly, University City; one daughter, Angela Nissing; two granddaughters, Alyssa Utochkin and Paulina Utochkin, both of Silver Spring, Md.; other relatives and many friends. Respecting Mrs. Nissing's wishes, no funeral or memorial service is planned. Burial will be private in St. Paul's UCC Cemetery, Marthasville. Memorials to Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation to be used for scholarships for music students and sent in care of the family at 360 Oakwood Ave., Webster Groves, MO 63119 are preferred. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.gerberchapel.com. The family was served by Gerber Chapel, Webster Groves. Frances Cecilia Mennemeier 1918-2009 Frances Cecilia Mennemeier, 91, St. Charles, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009, at Mount Carmel in St. Charles. Mrs. Mennemeier was born Feb. 6, 1918, in Josephville, the daughter of Fred Heppermann and wife Saloma, nee Rothermich. She was a homemaker and a member of St. Theodore Catholic Church and Ladies Sodality. Mrs. Mennemeier was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Chris Mennemeier, one son, Alois Mennemeier, four brothers, Gregory Heppermann, Victor Heppermann, Clarence Heppermann and Ambrose Heppermann, and five sisters, Antionette Peeper, Leoba Eusterbrock, Viola Gentemann, Barbara Krichoff and Clara Burkemper. She is survived by two sons, Ronald (Cathy) Mennemeier, Warrenton, and Thomas (Barbara) Mennemeier, St. Charles; two daughters, Virginia (Carl) Garrick, Wright City, and Mary (Gene) Zeisler, St. Charles; two brothers, Linus Heppermann, St. Paul, and Joseph Heppermann, O'Fallon; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends. Funeral services were held Monday, Jan. 4, at St. Theodore Catholic Church, Flint Hill, with the Rev. Gary Vollmer officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials to Macular Degeneration, American Diabetes Association or American Heart Association in care of Pitman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 248, Wentzville, MO 63385 are preferred. The family was served by Pitman Funeral Home, Wentzville. Funeral services for Richard A. Drey, 76, Warrenton, were held Tuesday, Jan. 5, at Martin Funeral Home, Warrenton. Mr. Drey died Friday, Jan. 1, 2010. He is survived by his wife, Margie Drey; one son, Richard Drey Jr.; one daughter, Amie McMullen; other relatives and many friends. The family was served by Martin Funeral Home, Warrenton. Funeral services for Lucile W. Kidd, 90, Bismarck, formerly of St. Charles, will be held Thursday, Jan. 7, at 11 a.m. at St. John United Church of Christ, Cappeln. Mrs. Kidd died Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009, at St. Clair Nursing Center, St. Clair. She is survived by one son, Glennon (Eileen) Kidd; two daughters, Darlene (Dale) Weber, and Elaine O'Leary; other relatives and many friends. The family is being served by Pitman Funeral Home, Wentzville. Funeral services for Roberta A. Soest, 73, Lake Sherwood, were held Tuesday, Jan. 5, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, New Melle. Burial was in Jefferson Baracks National Cemetery, St. Louis. Mrs. Soest died Friday, Jan. 1, 2010, at St. John's Mercy Hospital, Washington. She is survived by her husband Raymond Soest; four sons, Steve "Red" Soest, Tom Soest, Kenny Soest and Jeff (Tammy) Soest; two daughters, Nancy (Darin) Soest and Tracy Simonson; other relatives and many friends. The family was served by Pitman Funeral Home, Wentzville.