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Thomas C. “T. C” Harris, Sr., age 73 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Thursday, March 24, 2011 at his home after a long battle with cancer.
T. C. was born June 9, 1937 in Cooper County, Mo. the son of James O. and Eula K. Odil Harris. He was married on November 5, 1975 in Jefferson City, Mo. to Norma Houchins.
A lifelong resident of the central Missouri area, T. C. served in the United States Marine Corps from 1954 until 1957.
He was employed as a maintenance supervisor with Von Hoffman Press for thirty years prior to his retirement in 1999.
T. C. was a member of the First Baptist Church of Elston, Mo. and enjoyed working puzzles and watching bull riding. Most importantly, he loved spending time with his family and grandchildren.
Survivors include: his wife, Norma Harris; four sons, Chuck Houchins and his wife Karla of Jefferson City, Mo., Thomas Harris, Jr. and his wife Tammy of Burleson, Texas , Scott Harris and his wife Janet of Jefferson City, Mo., and David Harris and his wife Sherry of Smithville, Mississippi; three daughters, Kathy Blakely and her husband Win of California, Mo., Donna Neely and her husband Nathan of Centertown, Mo., and Renee Griffith of Jefferson City, Mo. ; one brother, James Elliott, Jr. and his wife Debbie of California, Mo. ; two sisters, Mildred Hampsten and her husband Ron of Texas and Elsie Burks and her husband Bob of Wichita, Kansas; sixteen grandchildren, Audrey Houchins-Thoenen and her husband Kevin, Danielle Houchins, Sarah Neely, Jennifer Neely, Erin Neely, Cory Blakely and his wife Katie, Ryan Harris, Zachary Beeler, Austin Harris, Heather Harris, Brandon Harris, Lacy Griffith, Candice Harris, Kerry Griffith, Victoria Harris, and Gabe Harris; and five great grandchildren, Lili, Railen, Scialus, Cortez, and Willow.
He was preceded in death by his parents; five sister; three brothers; and one great grandchild, Isabelle Blakely.
Visitation will be held at the First Baptist Church of Elston from 5:00 until 8:00 PM Friday, March 25, 2011 and from 10:30 AM until 11:30 AM Saturday, March 26, 2011.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:30 AM Saturday at the First Baptist Church of Elston with the Reverend Kenneth Campbell officiating. Graveside services and entombment with military honors will be held at the Mausoleum of Hawthorn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, SSM Hospice, or the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.
Dr. Donald E. Modesitt, age 74 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., formerly of Rolla, Mo., passed away Monday, March 28, 2011 at Capital Region Medical Center.
Don was born on October 14, 1936, in Richmond, Indiana, a son of Chester “C. K. ” and Lorene May Modesitt. He was married on October 10, 1959 in Des Plaines, Illinois to Linda Rogers.
Don graduated from Hannibal LaGrange High School in Hannibal, Mo. He received his bachelors of science degree in civil engineering and masters in environmental engineering from the University of Missouri – Rolla. He later received his PhD from Oklahoma State University in Civil Bio-Environmental engineering.
While at the University of Missouri – Rolla, Don served in the ROTC program and later as a commissioned officer in the United States Army. He was employed as a professor of civil engineering in waste water management with the University of Missouri-Rolla, currently known as Missouri University of Science and Technology. He later moved to Jefferson City where he was employed as a consultant with the Department of Natural Resources until his retirement.
Don loved teaching at the University and always cared for his students. He also enjoyed the outdoors and spending time with his family.
Survivors include: his wife, Linda; their three sons, Brian, Keith and Paul Modesitt; sister, Jan Modesitt; brother, Kenneth Modesitt; and three grandchildren, Tabitha, Russell and Kyle Modesitt; and a niece, Kamarie Livingston.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Don Modesitt Scholarship Fund for Civil Engineers at Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.
Mrs. Karen Sue Lairmore, age 66 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., died Monday, March 28, 2011 at her home.
Karen Sue was born March 22, 1945 in Jefferson City, Mo. the daughter of Rudolph R. and Annabelle Mantle Nolte. She was married on June 22, 1968 in Jefferson City, Mo. to Larry Jimmy Lairmore.
A lifelong resident of the Jefferson City area, Karen Sue was a 1963 graduate of Jefferson City High School.
A homemaker, Karen Sue attended the First Baptist Church of Elston, Mo. She enjoyed fishing, camping, sewing, crafts, playing cards, going to rummage sales and loved to dance. Most importantly, she enjoyed spending time with family.
Survivors include: her husband, Larry Jimmy Lairmore; four children, Jody Lairmore and his wife Brenda of Holts Summit, Mo., Larry Lairmore and his wife Shannon of Lohman, Mo., Terrie Sue Kraus and her husband Tony of Boonville, Mo. and Robert Lairmore of Elston, Mo. ; six grandchildren, Amanda Lairmore, Sarah Lairmore, Dakota Broeker, Andrew Kraus, Robbie Lairmore and Kaylee Lairmore; two step-grandchildren, Richard Snow and Mitchell Snow; five great-grandchildren, Garrett Snow, Landon Snow, Josie Snow, Austin Wilson, Zane Jackson and one great-grandchild on the way, Dustin Wayne Lairmore; one brother, Wayne Nolte and his wife Josephine of Jefferson City, Mo. ; two sisters, Marlee Green of New Bloomfield, Mo. and Judy Goff and Ralph Hutinger of Holts Summit, Mo. ; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one nephew, five sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law.
Visitation will be at the First Baptist Church of Elston from 5:00 until 8:00 PM Wednesday, March 30, 2011.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Thursday, March 31, 2011 at the First Baptist Church of Elston with the Reverend Kenneth Campbell officiating. Interment will be at the Elston Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Karen Sue Lairmore Memorial Fund.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.
Carol Harris Crawford Phillipson, of Jefferson City, Mo. and Sarasota, Florida, passed away Monday, March 28, 2011 at the Capital Region Medical Center.
Mrs. Phillipson was born December 9, 1934 in Deerfield, Mo. the daughter of Oran Wayne and Mona McLean Harris. On June 8, 1957, she was married to Robert W. Crawford who preceded her in death on February 20, 1991. On January 18, 1995, she was married to Dr. David Phillipson who also preceded her in death.
In 1952, Mrs. Phillipson graduated from Nevada High School in Nevada, Mo. In 1956, she was a honor graduate from Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo., receiving a B. S. in Education degree.
She was an English teacher in the public high schools of both Nevada and Jefferson City. During the years that she resided in the Washington D. C. area, she was employed by the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association. She had also been employed as a legal assistant with a Jefferson City law firm prior to her retirement.
Mrs. Phillipson has served on the Board of Directors for Central Trust Bank since March, 1994. She was a member and past president of Chapter JB of the P. E. O. Sisterhood, the Century Study Club, the Memorial Community Hospital Auxiliary and the Alpha Delta Pi Alumnae. She served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Friends of the State Archives and the Board of Governors of Capital Region Medical Center. She was a member of the Capital City Council for the Arts, the First United Methodist Church, and the Jefferson City Country Club. In Florida, she was a member of the Corinthian Society of Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation and the Meadows Country Club.
Survivors include: one daughter, Elizabeth Susan Crawford Bockius and her husband Mark of St. Louis, Mo. ; one granddaughter, Paige Harris Jacoby of St. Louis, Mo. ; one grandson, William Crawford Jacoby of St. Louis, Mo. ; and son-in-law Jonathan Jacoby of St. Louis, Mo.
She was preceded in death by one daughter, Jennifer Crawford Jacoby on March 12, 2009.
Visitation will be at Freeman Mortuary from 4:00 until 7:00 PM Thursday, March 31, 2011.
Private graveside services and interment will be conducted on Friday, April 1, 2011 at the Newton Cemetery in Nevada, Mo.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Jefferson City Rape and Abuse Crisis Service or to the United Way of Central Missouri.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.
Mr. Randal K. McKnight, age 73 years, of Jefferson City, Mo. passed away Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at Villa Marie.
Mr. McKnight was born on September 6, 1937 in Osage County, Mo. a son of Buel and Lavora Thompson McKnight. He was married on October 27, 1990 in Holts Summit, Mo. to Lillian McKinney.
A lifelong resident of the central Missouri area, Randal graduated from Chamois Public High School in Chamois, Mo. He loved going back to Chamois and always referred to the town as home.
Randal was employed with the Missouri Highway Department in bridge construction for over nine years and later worked as a firefighter with the Jefferson City Fire Department for fifteen years retiring in 1987.
He was a member of First Assembly of God. Randal enjoyed fishing and being outside, but most importantly, he loved spending time with his family. Survivors include: his wife, Lillian McKnight; one daughter, Terra Lynn McKnight of Kennesaw, Georgia; and one son, Kent McKnight of Savannah, Georgia.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Carleen B. “Corky” Frey, on January 17, 2010.
Visitation will be held at Freeman Mortuary from 9:00 until 10:00 am Saturday, April 2, 2011.
A funeral service will be conducted at 10:00 am Saturday in the Freeman Chapel with the Reverend Lowell Perkins officiating. Graveside services and interment will be held at Deer Creek Cemetery in Chamois, Mo.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to First Assembly of God or the American Heart Association.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.
Mr. Virgil Edward Stiffler, age 69 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Thursday, March 31, 2011 at his home.
Mr. Stiffler was born on April 12, 1941 in Springfield, Mo., a son of Thomas and Berniece Kirk Stiffler, both deceased. He was married on June 11, 1965 in Pleasant Hill, Mo. to Frances Wilt, who preceded him in death on September 21, 1998. On February 9, 2002 in Jefferson City, Mo. he married Alvia Apperson George.
Ed graduated from Pleasant Hill High School, Pleasant Hill, Mo., and from the University of Missouri-Rolla with a degree in civil engineering.
A resident of the central Missouri area since 1970, Ed was employed as a civil engineer with the Federal Highway Administration for thirty-seven years, retiring in 2004.
He was a charter member of Southridge Baptist Church, where he served as deacon and chairman of the building committee. He was also a member of the Federal Employees Retirement Organization. Ed was known for his great sense of humor and being a compassionate person in every aspect of his life: church, family, and work. He was also very artistic and excelled in ceramics. He loved to travel and spend time with his family. Most of all, he was known for his faith in Jesus Christ.
Survivors include: his wife, Alvia Stiffler; two sons, Jeff Stiffler of Jefferson City, Mo. and Ryan Stiffler and his wife Mechelle of Russellville, Mo. ; two daughters, Angela Stiffler of Independence, Mo. and Laurel Stiffler of Shawnee, Ks. ; one brother, Darrell Stiffler of Plano, Texas ; one sister, Sharon Deonier of Liberty, Mo. ; and eight grandchildren, Bailey, Malik, Stiven, Klara, Xavier, Aubrianna, Cael and Destiny.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 7:00 PM Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at Freeman Mortuary.
A funeral service will be conducted at 10:00 AM Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at Southridge Baptist Church with the Reverend Ryan Stiffler and the Reverend Ron Zamkus officiating. Graveside service and interment will be conducted at 3:30 PM Wednesday at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Pleasant Hill, Mo.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Southridge Baptist Building Fund.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.
Mrs. Lorene A. Buckley, age 91 years, of Jefferson City. Mo., was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at St. Marys Health Center.
She was born December 16, 1919 in Vichy, Mo. the daughter of Ray and Lucy Riley Nelson. She was married on January 25, 1941 in Waynesville, Mo. to Edward Lawrence Buckley who preceded her in death on March 28, 1974.
A lifelong resident of the Central Missouri area, Lorene graduated from Vienna High School, Vienna, Mo. Until her retirement, she was employed in several restaurants in Jefferson City and loved to cook.
She was a member of the First Church of God of Jefferson City. Lorene loved working at the church and especially playing dominoes with the JOY group. She loved gospel music especially listening to the Gaither’s. She was an avid quilter and enjoyed making quilts for the new babies at church as well as spending time with family and friends.
Survivors include: two daughters, Barbara Criswell and Tom Criswell of Kansas City, Mo. and Frances Buckley of Jefferson City, Mo. ; one son, Tom Buckley and his wife Beverly of Jefferson City, Mo. ; one daughter-in-law, Laurie Mills of Jefferson City, Mo. ; two sisters, Nina Rieks of St. Louis, Mo. and Marie Jordan of St. Louis, Mo; one brother, James Nelson of Ashland, Mo. ; five grandchildren, Chris Criswell, Russell Criswell and Carla Ingeborg, Kim Veit and her husband Mike, Bruce Buckley and Laura Heck, and Heather Buckley, five great grandchildren, Jessie Sage and her husband Matt, Sarah Werdehausen and her husband Scott, Patrick Staab, Abby Bryant, and Riley Mosley and one great great grandson, Braydyn Sage.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one son, Lawrence Buckley on August 7, 1981, and two sisters, Ruth Jones and May Trout.
Visitation will be at Freeman Mortuary from 5:00 until 7:00 PM Tuesday, April 5, 2011.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 AM Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at the First Church of God with the Reverend Rob Kespelher officiating. Interment will be at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the youth group at the First Church of God.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.
Mrs. Ellen Jean Smith, age 76 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., died Sunday, April 3, 2011 at the Capital Region Medical Center.
Jean was born December 6, 1934 in Maples, Mo. the daughter of Ilaff Shervin Wallis and Pearl Kirk Banks. She was married on August 18, 1951 in Salem, Arkansas to Donald L. Smith.
A lifelong resident of the central Missouri area, Jean attended school in Salem, Mo.
She was employed as a retail clerk for eighteen years with the S & H Green Stamps and for eighteen years at Tolson’s Drug Store in their gift store where she was known as the “Doll Lady” retiring in 2002. Jean was a member of the First United Methodist Church and was a Worthy Advisor with the Rainbow Girls in Salem, Mo. in 1951.
Most importantly, Jean loved spending time with her family and cherished moments with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed listening to country and religious music. Survivors include: her husband of fifty-nine years, Donald L. Smith; three daughters, Diana Jenkins and her husband Jim of St. James, Mo., Brenda Maley and her husband Randy of Jefferson City, Mo., and Sarah Smith of Columbia, Mo. ; one son-in-law, Michael Mertens of Edwardsville, Illinois; one sister, Nadine Banks-Fowler of Sylacauga, Alabama; five grandchildren, Matthew Jenkins and his wife Tracy, Megan Nieland and her husband David, Rebecca Bristow and her husband Lance, Rachel Wiegand and her husband Micheal, Jared Maley; and two great grandsons, Logan and Ty Jenkins; two nephews and one niece; and six great nephews and one great niece.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Linda Mertens; one sister, Reba Kay Banks; and one brother, Clyde Marvin Banks.
Visitation will be at Freeman Mortuary in Jefferson City, Mo. from 4:00 until 6:30 PM Wednesday, April 6, 2011 and at the Dent County Memorial Chapel in Salem, Mo. from 12:00 Noon until 1:00 PM Friday, April 8, 2011.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 PM Friday, April 8, 2011 at the Dent County Memorial Chapel in Salem, Mo. with Ken Fiebelman officiating. Interment will be at the Cedar Grove Cemetery in Salem, Mo.
Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Assn. or the American Heart Assn.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.
