MARYVILLE, Mo. – Wanda Wyatt Gray, 88, passed away Friday, September 5, 2014, at her home in Maryville.
Wanda was born March 6, 1926, in Barnard, Mo., to Nial and Alice Buie Wyatt.
She and Edward Robinson Gray were married June 1, 1946, in Maryville.
Wanda was a 1943 graduate of Maryville High School and also a graduate of Northwest Missouri State College. She worked as a secretary with her husband at Gray Insurance Agency of Maryville.
Wanda was a member of the Maryville First Christian Church and had recently celebrated her 50 year anniversary as a member of Chapter HT P.E.O.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Ed; and brother, Donald Wyatt.
Wanda is survived by her daughter, Gretchen Doran and husband Mark, Vermilion, Ohio; son, Edward Wyatt Gray and wife Nikki, San Diego, Calif.; five grandchildren, Ryan Doran and Danielle, Raveena, Ohio; Jeremy Doran and Lauren, Columbus Ohio; Robert Doran and Kristyn, Chesapeake, Virginia; Leah Gray, Nelson Gray and Casey, all of San Diego; brother, Gary Wyatt and wife Jean, St. Joseph;
sister, Darlene Wyatt Jackson, Maryville, Mo.; brother-in-law Ron Gray, Dana
Pointe, Calif.; and five great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., Friday, September 26, 2014 at the First Christian Church in Maryville, with a Celebration of Life following at 11 a.m.
Inurnment will occur following the service at Oak Hill Cemetery, Maryville. Flowers are appreciated; however, due to the family living out of state, they request donations to the First Christian Church and the Maryville Public Library.
www.pricefuneralhomemaryville.com
ST. JOSEPH – Robert D (Bob) Newcom, 87, died Saturday, September 6, 2014. He was born August 30, 1927 in East St. Louis, Ill., and was adopted by Clasky and Rosa Newcom at the age of 3 in Marissa, Ill.
Bob enlisted in the United States Navy and later the United States Air force where he received two honorable discharges. He was a WWII veteran and was proud to have served his country. He loved sharing stories with other veterans.
He married the love of his life Joyce J. (Haefner) Newcom on October 16, 1948 and spent 63 glorious years together. Joyce preceded him in death in 2011. Bob was a purchasing agent for Massman Construction Company and Traylor Brothers Construction Company, which required him to move around the country whenever a lock and dam or a bridge was completed. No matter where he moved his family, Bob and Joyce always made their house a home.
The biggest joys of Bob’s life were his children and grandchildren. He loved life and felt it was a gift. Bob, being adopted himself had a special place in his heart for children in need. He loved driving the children to the Shriner’s Hospital in St. Louis. Bob wanted every child to have a fighting chance because someone gave him a chance a very long time ago. He wanted to somehow give back what he had received. Bob also donated time to Camp Quality.
Bob was a Master Mason, member of the York Rite, Scottish Rite, Moila Shrine Temple, High Twelve, the Commandry, Order of Constantine, Royal Order of the Eastern Star, where he served as Worthy Patron and a member of Ashland United Methodist Church.
Bob won First Place in the state of Illinois playing the coronet. He enjoyed all sports, squirrel hunting, fishing and mushroom hunting. He also loved the stock market where he spent endless hours studying companies.
Survivors include daughters, Susan Newcom Campbell, St. Joseph, and Nancy Alsup (James) Plano, Texas; grandchildren, Sarah Elizabeth Campbell (fiancé, Benjamin Rops) St. Joseph, and Margaret Paig Alsup, Plano; and his little dog, Missy. Bob also leaves behind his best friends, Dick and Clara Albus of St. Joseph. There are also several nieces and nephews by marriage.
Special thanks to Country Squire, Helping Hands from the Heart, Hands of Hope Hospice and LaVerna Village. He loved each and every one of you.
Services: 1 p.m., Thursday at Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Flowers are appreciated or donations can be made in his name to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
ST. JOSEPH – Mathew Smiley, 92, died Saturday, September 6, 2014 at his home.
He was born March 18, 1922 to Matthew and Mary (Dorsey) Smiley in McGee, Ark.
He married Willie Mae Davis on October 25, 1947. She preceded him in death on May 21, 2006.
He retired from Rockwell International. Mr. Smiley attended Mt. Union Baptist Church and was a founding member of the Club 500. He enjoyed raising hogs and was a man of very few words.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Willie Mae Smiley; two sisters; and one brother.
Survivors: Children, Robert F. Davis, Sr., John Henry Davis, Sr. (Doris) and Billie Williams; seven grandchildren; and numerous great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Services: 10 a.m., Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory, where friends may call after 5 p.m., Friday. The family requests contributions to be made to Ebenezer A.M.E Church. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
ST. JOSEPH – Ronald J. Prawitz, Sr., 77, passed away Saturday, September 6, 2014 at his home surrounded by family.
Ronald was born on November 27, 1936 in St. Joseph to Louis A. and Sylvia (Smith) Prawitz, Sr. Ronald attended Christian Brothers High School in St. Joseph. He worked as an Auto Body Technician for Prawitz-Bayer and later for DH Schmidt Carriage for over 47 years.
Ronald served in the Air National Guard for nine years. He was an active scout leader for Pack and Troop 47 and a member of Tribe of Mic-O-Say; Ronald was also a member of Knights of Columbus #5067, where he was past deputy grand knight, a member of St. Joseph General Assembly #569, a member of Cathedral of St. Joseph Catholic Church and was awarded the Bishop’s Recognition Medal for Volunteerism. Ronald enjoyed being with his family and wood working.
Ronald was preceded in death by his parents. He married Sue Schott in St. Joseph at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in 1962. She survives of the home.
Additional surviving family includes sons, Ronald J. Prawitz, Jr. (Melody), of St. Joseph; Tim (Jan) Prawitz, of Kansas City, Mo.; Steve (Christine) Prawitz, of St. Joseph; daughters, Judie (Kent) Townsend and Kathie (Mike) Stroud, both of St. Joseph; brother, Louis A. Prawitz, Jr., sisters Marilue Absher and Patricia Stock; grandchildren, Lindsay, Aaron, Joshua, Ashley, Rachael, Amanda, Courtney, Austin, Lauren, Brandon, Chelsea, Andrew and Allison; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial 10 a.m., Wednesday at Cathedral of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Interment Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Parish Rosary 6 p.m., Tuesday at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel.
Visitation will begin after 9 a.m., Tuesday at our chapel, where the family will receive friends following the Rosary until 8:30 p.m., Tuesday evening.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Cathedral of St. Joseph School, Food Pantry or Bishop-LeBlond High School.
