Melba Jewel Harris

1926 - 2010

 Melba Jewel Watkins Harris passed away Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010, at Grandview Healthcare Center in Washington. 

Mrs. Harris was born Feb. 10, 1926, on a farm near Jonesburg the daughter of John Sutor and wife Leora, nee. Graue.

Melba attended Oak Grove Elementary School and graduated from Jonesburg High School in 1945, after which she spent two years teaching in a one-room schoolhouse in Warren County.

 On Dec. 23, 1946, she married Clifford Watkins and resided in Jonesburg where she was mother and homemaker and assisted at her mother's restaurant, the Granada Cafe. 

 After Clifford's untimely death in 1971, she worked at Nickerson Farms until her marriage to Harry Harris in April 1976.

They relocated to Omaha, Neb., where Melba worked at Keystone Drug and the Hallmark Card store until she retired in 1989. After a brief move to Concordia, they settled in Washington to be closer to family. Mr. Harris died in 1993, just three years after their move back home.

Mrs. Harris was a lifelong member of the Jonesburg Baptist Church where she was active in all aspects of church life. After her move to Washington, Melba joined the First United Methodist Church, UMW and the Faith Circle. She was faithful about visiting the infirm in their homes and in nursing homes with her famous muffins. Melba also was a 50-year member of the Jonesburg Eastern Star Chapter O.E.S., a member of the American Legion and an enthusiastic volunteer at the senior center in Washington.

 Mrs. Harris enjoyed gardening, quilting, traveling and being a "young and fun" grandma to her loving grandchildren, hosting them frequently for meals out, movies, sing-alongs and various adventures.

 She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, her brother and sister-in-law, Howard "Jack" and Lillian Sutor, her brothers-in-law, Leroy Watkins, and Forest Watkins, her sisters-in-law, Ruby Sutor, Martha Raccuia, Margaret Woods and Nellie Watkins.

Mrs. Harris is survived by one son, Bradford Watkins and wife Karen, St. Louis; one daughter, Deborah Fullerton and husband David, O'Fallon; four grandchildren, Graham Fullerton, Stephanie Fullerton Fetter and husband Eric, Jennifer Watkins and Craig Watkins; three great-grandchildren, Trenton, Keegan and Olivia Fetter; two brothers, Brooks Sutor, Palmyra; and, Kenneth "Slats" Sutor and wife Betty, Warrenton; one sister-in-law, Helen Watkins LaGree, Warrenton; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Visitation will be held Saturday, Sept. 4, at 10 a.m. at Harding Funeral Home, Jonesburg. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. with Joey Peyton, chaplain of Heartland Hospice, officiating. 

 Memorials to First United Methodist Church, 4349 St. John's Road, Washington, MO 63090, or Heartland Hospice, 615 Franklin Ave., Washington, MO 63090 are preferred. 

 The family extends special gratitude to the caring staff of Grandview Healthcare Center and Heartland Hospice. Condolences for the family may be made at www.hardingfh.com. 

 The family is being served by Harding Funeral Home, Jonesburg.

Reba Dean Wait

1932 - 2010

 Reba Dean Wait, 78, Jonesburg, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2010, at Jonesburg Nursing and Rehab. 

 Mrs. Wait was born Aug. 1, 1932, in Paragould, Ark., the daughter of Manley Bass and wife Dina, nee Eubanks.

 She  was united in marriage to Raymond Zebura. To  this union were born two children, Raymond L. and Patricia. Later she was united in marriage to Charles Wait.

Mrs. Wait was a field auditor for the Division of Employment Security for the State of Missouri for many years. She enjoyed bird watching, craft projects and playing cards.

 She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Raymond Zebura in 1988, her second husband, Charles Wait in 1998, one son, Raymond L. Zebura, and one brother, Sam Bass.

Mrs. Wait is survived by one daughter, Patricia Thomas and husband Darrell, Jonesburg; one brother, Ray Bass, Jonesburg; one sister, Martha Creason, Bellflower; two grandchildren, Diana Thomas and special friend Travis Adams, and Andrew Thomas and wife Stephanie; three great-grandchildren, Aiden, Nadine and Danielle Thomas; other relatives and many friends. 

 Memorial services were held Saturday, Aug. 28, at Martin Funeral Home, Warrenton.

Memorials to American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association in care of Martin Funeral Home, 510 E. Main St., Warrenton, MO 63383 are preferred. 

 The family was served by Martin Funeral Home, Warrenton.

Myrtle M. Bishop

1919 - 2010

 Myrtle M. Bishop, 90, Foristell, passed away Friday, Aug. 20, 2010, at her home with her family by her side.

 Mrs. Bishop was born Oct. 8, 1919, in Hyman, the daughter of Charles Lavalle and wife Sarah, nee McCubbins. 

 She was united in marriage to Glen O. Bishop on July 2, 1938, in Glenwood Spring, Colo. They celebrated 53 years of marriage. 

 Mrs. Bishop worked as a cook for Logan Chiropractic College in St. Louis for many years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Glen, on May 4, 1991, one daughter, Charlene Holmes, three brothers, six sisters, one granddaughter, Karen, and one grandson, Michael.

 Mrs. Bishop is survived by one son, Jack Bishop and wife Kathy, O'Fallon; one daughter, Glenora Mitchell and husband Henry, Foristell; one sister, Juanita Norrid and husband Warren, Holland; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends. 

 Services were held Wednesday, Aug. 25, at Martin Funeral Home in Warrenton. Burial was in the Warrenton City Cemetery. 

 Memorials to Alzheimer's Association in care  of Martin Funeral Home, 501 E. Main, Warrenton, MO 63383  are preferred.

 The family was served by Martin Funeral Home, Warrenton.

Norman Dale Ross

1930 - 2010

Norman Dale Ross, 80, Elsberry, passed away Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010, at Lafayette Regional Health Center in Lexington.

 Mr. Ross was born March 10, 1930, in Elsberry the son of John Druer Ross and wife Helen Ross, nee Reed.

After high school graduation and a semester of college at Cape Girardeau, he joined the Air Force. Following an 18-month tour of duty in Japan, he was stationed in England, the Azores, Greenland and Arizona. 

 Mr. Ross served in the 303 Division, Wing M SAC and 303 field maintenance squadron in Japan. He was with Air Sea Rescue. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

In Japan he played basketball on the base team which earned the division trophy. Four of the five players on that team continued their education at Southeast Missouri State College and remained friends throughout the years. 

 On May 22, 1955, he married Shirley Koelling of Wright City.

Completing his service with the Air Force, he continued his college completing a BS at Cape Girardeau and an MA at the University of Missouri. Mr. Ross taught in the Scott City and Centralia school districts and at the high school and Vo-Tech school in Lexington. Retirement didn't keep Norm busy so he worked at the local apple orchards as a U.S. government inspector for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Ross traveled often with many trips to visit friends in Texas and Colorado.

Mr. Ross was preceded in death by his father, J.D. Ross, his mother Helen Dickerman, his stepfather, Tony Dickerman and his son, Craig Alan Ross. 

 He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Shirley; two sons, Keith and wife Dianna, and Kevin and wife Evanie; seven grandchildren, Aaron Matthew, Andria Michelle and Ashley Kate and Cassandra Dean, Bianca, Toni Michelle and Jesse Boone; five great-grandchildren, Montgomery Lillian and Matthew, Anna Gail, Dewey Alan Ross, and Summer Ross; other relatives and many friends. 

 Funeral services were held Monday, Aug. 23, at Walker-Nadler-Fuller Funeral Home, Lexington. Burial was in Machpelah Cemetery in Lexington with military rites by Lexington V.F.W. Post 4052. 

 Memorials to the Margaret Gray Senior Center or the Lexington Garden Club are preferred. The family was served by Walker-Nadler-Fuller Funeral Home, Lexington.

Martin A. Barnes

1922 - 2010

Martin Andrew Barnes, 88, Warrenton, passed away Friday, July 29, 2010, at his home.

 Mr. Barnes was born July 20, 1922, in St. Louis, the son of Walter H. Barnes and wife Martha, nee Thorpe. He had been employed in the automotive industry.

Mr. Barnes served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps, during World War II. He was a survivor  of Pearl Harbor. He was a member of Florissant American Legion Post 444 and Warrenton American Legion Post 122 and a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Warrenton.

Mr. Barnes was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Irma Barnes.

 He is survived by one daughter, Marta Riedisser and husband Randall, Warrenton; two grandsons, David and Jonathan Riedisser; a dear uncle, cousin and friend; other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held Monday, Aug. 2, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Warrenton, with Deacon Ray Burle officiating. Burial was in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis.

 Memorials to Disabled Veterans of America in care of Pitman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 126, Warrenton, MO 63383 are preferred.

 The family was served by Pitman Funeral Home, Warenton.

Funeral services for Judy Aubuchon, 71, Truxton, were held Saturday, Aug. 28, at Pitman Funeral Home, Warrenton. 

Mrs. Aubuchon died Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010, at her home. 

She is survived by her husband, Claude Aubuchon; three sons, Kenneth Aubuchon and wife Janet, Robert Aubuchon and Michael Aubuchon and wife Kathy; one daughter, Lori Robinett and husband David; other relatives and many friends. 

The family was served by Pitman Funeral Home, Warrenton.

Visitation for Johnny B. Hampton, 55, Warrenton, will be held Thursday, Sept. 2, from 4-6 p.m. at Pitman Funeral Home, 904 S. Highway 47, Warrenton. Funeral services will follow at 6 p.m. at the funeral home. 

Mr. Hampton died Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010, at his home. 

He is survived by his wife DeAnn Hampton; one son, Brad D. Hampton; one daughter, Angela C. Turntine and husband Dale; other relatives and many friends. 

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