Golus W. Smith

1944 - 2010

 Golus Wayne Dugan Smith, 66, passed away early Saturday, July 3, 2001, in McAllen, Texas, after a lingering illness.

 Mr. Smith was born Feb. 18, 1944, in Warren County.

Upon graduation from Warrenton High School, he attempted a career as a milling machine operator at Boeing Aircraft. Deciding further education was necessary, he attended Southeast Missouri State where he received some education in many varied disciplines. Some of the studies required living above the Last Chance Saloon where his research into human psyche and anatomy was helpful during his professional sales career.

During his career, he lived in St. Louis, Cleveland, Ohio, Oxnard, Calif., and Dallas, Texas. Business and vacation travel included Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, Colorado, Montana and Wyoming, mostly in pursuit of his passion of fly fishing. 

 In retirement, he lived for several years in a Mexican villa a few minutes walk from Zihuatanejo, a beach house in Vieques,  Puerto Rico, settling later years in McAllen, Texas.

Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his father, Golus John Smith, and his mother, Fern H. Koelling Fischer. 

 He is survived by one daughter, Julie Wynne Hudson and husband Ryan, Pensacola, Fla.; one grandson, Dirk Buchanan, Dallas, Texas; one sister, Cynthia Vaughn, Plant City, Fla.; one nephew, Curtis Vaughn and wife Ivy, and children, Bree, and C.J., Plant City, Fla.; one niece, Laura Fry, St. Charles; and her son, Nathan Fry, Plant City, Fla.; cousin, Mike Harbian and wife Sharon, St. Charles, cousin Barron Harbian, Granite City, Ill., and cousin Susan Harbian Winfrey, St. Charles; aunt Amanda Harbian, St. Charles; devoted caregivers Maria and Johnny DeLaDejera, McAllen, Texas; and many, many friends.

As Mr. Smith requested, the remains will be cremated with the ashes to be dispersed at a memorial service on a bluff overlooking Charrette Creek at a date to be determined.

 Memorials may be made to the Dirk Buchanan College Fund in care of Woody Nothstine, 20712 Charrette Creek Road, Warrenton, MO 63383.

Virginia Spradlin

1931 - 2010

 Virginia Eversmeyer Spradlin, 79, Troy, passed away Friday, July 9, 2010, at Lincoln County Nursing and Rehab in Troy. 

 Mrs. Spradlin was born April 7, 1931, in New Truxton, the daughter of Evermont Cope and wife Dorothy, nee Jurgesmeyer.

She was united in marriage to John Eversmeyer on Oct. 23, 1949, in Truxton. They celebrated 41 years of marriage. 

 Later she was united in marriage to Norris Spradlin in March 1992. They were married for 10 years.

 Mrs. Spradlin was a homemaker. She had worked as the postmistress in Truxton for many years. She was a member and played the piano and organ for Zion United Methodist Church in Truxton. She was also a member of the Hawk Point V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, John Eversmeyer, on Feb. 14, 1990, her second husband, Norris Spradlin, on Sept. 10, 2002, and one brother, Clifford "Kip" Cope.

Mrs. Spradlin is survived by three sons, Larry Eversmeyer and wife Leanna, Oklahoma state, Gary Eversmeyer and wife Toni, Warrenton, and John Eversmeyer, Truxton; two daughters, Mary Lou Kerpash and husband Bernard, Troy, and Deborah Wondel and husband Emory, Truxton; one brother, Paul Cope and wife Joan, Macks Creek; one brother-in-law, Jim Eversmeyer and wife Marie, Arkansas state; two sisters-in-law, Bernadine Cope, Warrenton, and Vira Jo Guemmer and husband Dave, Perryville; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 13, at Martin Funeral Chapel in Warrenton with the Rev. James Huffman officiating. Burial followed at Zion United Methodist Cemetery, Truxton.

 Memorials to Zion United Methodist Cemetery Fund or donor's choice in care of Martin Funeral Home, 510 E. Main St., Warrenton, MO 63383 are preferred. 

 The family was served by Martin Funeral Home, Warrenton.

Bobby G. Branstetter

1933 - 2010

Bobby Gene Branstetter, 77, Warrenton, passed away Friday, July 9, 2010, at his home. 

 Mr. Branstetter was born April 29, 1933, in Curryville, the son of William Henry Branstetter and wife Bernice, nee Jenkins. 

 He was united in marriage to Frances C. Orf on July 12, 1958, in St. Clement. They were approaching their 52nd anniversary.

 Mr. Branstetter was a retired general manager. He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church and a fourth degree Knights of Columbus Council 2341 in Warrenton. His favorite pasttime was being outdoors and exploring nature.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and three sisters, Maureen Reed, Sue Knox and Judy Eckels. 

 Mr. Branstetter is survived by his wife, Frances Branstetter, Warrenton; two sons, Steve Branstetter, Warrenton, and Douglas Branstetter and wife Susan, Davenport, Iowa; two daughters, Diane Hafner and husband Joe, St. Charles, and Donna Wade and husband David, Davenport, Iowa; six brothers, Richard Branstetter and wife Jean, Jefferson City, Brooks Branstetter, Vandalia, David Branstetter and Jack Branstetter, both of Bowling Green, Randall Branstetter, Fairview Heights, Ill., and Jim Branstetter and wife Carol, Ironton; eight grandchildren, Colby, Ashley, Jason, Andrew, Katelyn, Tony, Steve and Rachel; two great-grandchildren, Holden and Liam; other relatives and many friends. 

A funeral Mass was held Tuesday, July 13, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church with the Rev. William Thess officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. 

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

 The family was served by Martin Funeral Home, Warrenton.

Funeral services for Richard “Ric” David Walters, 59, Foristell, were held Wednesday, June 30, at Pitman Funeral Home, Wentzville. 

Mr. Walters died Thursday, June 24, 2010, at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center, Creve Coeur. 

He is survived by his wife, Jeri Halsey-Walters; three sons, Jesse Halsey, Denny Halsey, and J.D. Halsey; one daughter, Emi Walters; other relatives and many friends. 

The family was served by Pitman Funeral Home, Wentzville.

Funeral services for Patricia A. Firebaugh, 60, Wright City, were held Monday, July 12, at Pitman Funeral Home, Wentzville. 

Mrs. Firebaugh died Thursday, July 8, 2010, at Warrenton Manor in Warrenton.

She is survived by her mother, Betty Guinn, nee Jarred; her husband, Dennis Firebaugh; two sons, Larry Lange and Denny Firebaugh; one daughter Angie Phillips and George Griffith; other relatives and many friends. 

The family was served by Pitman Funeral Home, Wentzville.

Funeral services for John W. Dodge, 63, Fulton, will be held Thursday, July 15, at 10:30 a.m. at Martin Funeral Home, Warrenton. 

Mr. Dodge died Thursday, July 8, 2010. 

He is survived by one sister, Jan Shelton; other relatives and many friends. 

The family is being served by Martin Funeral Home, Warrenton

Funeral services for C. Curtis Bennett, 83, Warrenton, were held Monday, July 12, at Fellowship Baptist Church, Warrenton. 

Mr. Bennett died Thursday, July 8, 2010, at his home. 

He is survived by his wife, Jane Bennett; two sons, Mark Bennett and wife Sharon, and Gary Bennett; two daughters, Lillian Bennett, and Penny Boden and husband Robert; other relatives and many friends. 

The family was served by Martin Funeral Home, Warrenton.