Mildred Francis Kreysar (Class of 1929)

Mildred (Francis) Kreysar passed away in her sleep on February 22, 2008, at the age of 90 at the Worthington Retirement Home in Fort Collins, Colorado.  She will be cremated - there will be no funeral service or memorial service.  Her twin daughters will bring her ashes to St. Louis and bury her with her husband Henry, son Mike, and her parents.

If anyone wants to send a sympathy card to her twin daughters, the address is: Nancy Cambon and Patricia Shaw, 3517 Canadian Parkway, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524-1368

Mildred Kreysar and Sally Hewlett
serving punch circa 1961.

Robert C. Skinner (Class of 1938)

Robert C. (Bob) Skinner passed away on Monday afternoon, March 12, 2007, during a nap.  He had a heart failure.

Editor's note: Click here for an eulogy of Robert C. Skinner..

Joseph Basta
Husband of Gloria (Kilian) Basta (Class of 1942)

Basta, Joseph, asleep in Jesus, Friday, May 18, 2007.  Beloved husband of Gloria A. Basta (nee Kilian); dearest father of Linda C. (Jerry) Bosch and James E. (Sandra) Basta; dearest grandfather of James M. (Kelley) Basta, Joseph E. (Elizabeth Wood) Ortbals, Christopher J. (Patricia) Ortbals, Dina M. (Bryan) Durnin, Bryan A. (Angela) Basta and the late Lauri A. Basta; great-grandfather of Katie, William, Bella, Ava, Atticus, Allison, Jordyn, Sydney and Calpurnia; brother of Natalie Basta, Ann Collora and the late Sam (Survived by Lois) Basta; our dear uncle, cousin and friend to all. Joe and Gloria were married for 59 years.  Joe worked 35 years for McDonnell Douglas (Boeing), was a member of St. Louis Bell Club and a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church (St. Charles).  Services: Visitation Sunday, 2-9 p.m. and Service Monday, May 21, 1:00 p.m. at COLLIER'S Funeral Home, 3400 N. Lindbergh Blvd. (Bridgeton).  Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice.

Published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch website on May 19, 2007.

Billie Blanche Moore (Class of 1945)

Billie Blanche (Ellis) Moore of Bellevue, Washington, passed away in Seattle on December 31, 2007, as result of pneumonia and heart attack.

Violet (Zirovich) Mueller, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away September 28, 2007, was surrounded by her family.  She was 78 years old.  She was predeceased by her husband, Roland.  She is survived by her sons, Ted (Michelle), Milan (Gail), Eugene, and John (Nina); and her grandchildren, Amanda, Lauren, Jacob, Serena, Megan, Julia, Sally and Tony.  Viewing at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, CA on October 3rd from 4 to 8 p.m.  Funeral on October 4th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in San Gabriel, CA

Published in the Los Angeles Times from 10/2/2007 - 10/3/2007.

Ronald J. Baity (Class of 1949)

Ronald J. Baity passed away on December 27, 2007.  He was a loving husband of Helen Baity (nee Ellis), dear brother of Lawrence (Sue) Baity; dear brother-in-law, uncle, great uncle, and friend to many.  The Stygar Family of Funeral Service is caring for Ronald's family at the Stygar Florissant Chapel, 13980 New Halls Ferry Road, St. Louis.  The funeral service will be 7 p.m. Sunday, December 30.  There will be a private interment.  Donations to The American Cancer Society will be appreciated.  The visitation will be on Sunday 3-7 p.m.

James D. (Jimmy) Kemper (Class of 1950)

James D. (Jimmy) “The Clown” Kemper, 76, of Anderson IN, died at his residence on  January 25, 2008.  He was born in Anderson on January 17, 1932.

He retired from May Supply.  He drove a delivery truck and worked for the Edgewood (IN) Police.

Jimmy was a clown for the Peru (IN) Circus for many years.  He was a member of the Circus Hall of Fame, Anderson Horse Patrol, the FOP, and the Deaf Club. He was a big sports fan of the Anderson High, the Indianapolis Colts, the Indiana Pacers, and the Indiana University Hoosiers.

Survivors include his brothers Merl Street (wife Velma), Jack Street (wife Marlene), Catherine Holford, David Johnson (wife Janet), Judy Brena, JoAnn Osborn; and several nephews, nieces, and cousins.  Also surviving are many special friends in the deaf community and neighbors.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred (Street) Kemper; and his parents, David and Gladys Kemper.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the south chapel.  Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Robert D. Loose Funeral Homes and Crematory, South Chapel, 200 W. 53rd Street, Anderson.  Burial will take place at East Maplewood Cemetery, Anderson.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Deaf Club, Circus Hall of Fame, or the Arthritis Foundation.

Note: This obituary was edited from the newspaper obituary published in The Herald Bulletin (Anderson IN) January 26-28, 2008.

Leland Hollis Warmack, Jr. (Class of 1956)

Hollis Warmack passed away on Tuesday morning, March 13.  He was First Vice-President and Life Member of the Deaf Action Center in Shreveport, LA.

The funeral plan is still pending, but there will be a memorial service on Friday, March 16, at 10:00 a.m., at First Baptist Church, 543 Ockley Drive, Shreveport, LA 71106.

If you want to send a sympathy card, the home address is:  The Leland Hollis Warmack, 8423 Kaw Circle, Shreveport, Louisiana 71107.

Obituary in the Shreveport Times:

SHREVEPORT, LA - A memorial service celebrating the life of Leland Hollis Warmack, Jr., will be held on Friday, March 16 [2007] in the Frost Chapel at the First Baptist Church of Shreveport at 10 am.  He made his special entrance into Heaven's gates from his home in Shreveport in the presence of his wife and children on March 13.  He was joined by his brother-in-law Peter O'Connor who passed away in his home in Little Rock at approximately the same time as Mr. Warmack.

Mr. Warmack was born in Hope, AR, on March 11, 1940, to Christine Warmack and Leland Hollis Warmack, Sr.  He is predeceased by his parents and uncle Webb Warmack.  He is survived by his beloved wife of 43 years Patricia Warmack.  His sons, Leland "Eddie" Warmack and his wife Robyn of Doyline, LA, and David Warmack of Shreveport.  Also left behind are six grandchildren, Chris, Joshua, Jada, Zack, Ryleigh, and Kenzie Warmack.  He is also survived by his sister Mary Elizabeth O'Connor, niece Marilyn Eagan and family, and nephew Kinney O'Connor and his family all of Little Rock, AR.

Mr. Warmack was retired from the United States Postal Service and was very active in his Church and the deaf community.  He was the first deaf deacon at the First Baptist Church of Shreveport and a lifetime member of the board of directors for the Betty and Leonard Phillips Deaf Action Center of NW Louisiana.  He was the longest standing president in the existence of the center and was currently First Vice-President.

The family would like to thank the many medical professionals that cared for him during his lengthy illness.  Special thanks are extended to Lori Staley with Northwest Regional Nephrology, Dr. Thomas Worgul, Billie Tipton with Hospice of Louisiana and Pastor Mike McKee who has not only been our pastor, but a dear friend as well.

Gracious at the time of his death as he was in life, Mr. Warmack chose to donate his body to the medical sciences in the hope that some young doctor can learn from him something that will prevent future generations from experiencing the illnesses he faced in life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Deaf Mission, Betty and Leonard Phillips Deaf Action Center of NW Louisiana, or NW Louisiana Nephrology and Transplant center.

Published in the Shreveport (LA) Times on March 15, 2007.

Sue Stoud Stech (Class of 1959)

Sue Stech, age 57, passed away on Wednesday, January 30, 2008.  Sue, the rock of her family and friends, especially to her loving husband, was extraordinary and heard everyone with her heart.  She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and sister.  She did it all - from being a capable Girl Scout leader and drama mama, to being an accomplished seamstress, gardener and talented craftswoman.  She loved all animals and dedicated her life to serving others.  Sue is survived by her beloved husband, Harold Stech; sons: Wesley Stech and wife, Toy; Bradley Stech and wife, Summer; daughter, Tammy Stech; grandchildren: Dakota Bryce Stech, London Jarrett Stech, Skyllar Rose Bippert and Jaylyn Lily Bippert; sisters: Charlyn Travers and husband, Glen; Anita Givens; Lynda Jacksoin and husband, Cliff; Patricia Baldwin and husband, Mark; brother, Gene Stroud and wife, Sherrie; stepmother, Marita Stroud and sister-in-law, Bonnie Stech.  She is preceded in death by her father, Charles Gene Stroud; mother, Kathryn Sanders; in-laws: Herbert Stech and Lillie; and brother-in-law, Leroy Stech.  Visitation will be on Sunday, February 3rd from 12:00 P.M. through 2:00 p.m.  Memorial service Sunday, February 3, 2008, 2:00 p.m. Porter Loring Chapel, 1101 McCullough Memorial.  Contributions may be made to the Animal Duration Fund at Animal Care Services, 4710 SH 151, San Antonio, TX 78227.

Published in the San Antonio Express-News from February 2, 2008 to February 3, 2008.

Alan Love (Class of 1962)

Alan Love passed away on Sunday, June 8, 2008.  Alan was born August 28, 1947 to Pauline Gross Love and Roy Love. He attended Central Institute for the Deaf in St. Louis, Missouri, and graduated from Bellaire High School and West Texas State University.  He formerly served on the Board of the Houston School for the Deaf, which is now the Center for Hearing and Speech.  He has also served on the National Board of the Alexander Graham Bell Foundation.  He is survived by his aunt, Florence Gross, and by cousins, Jack Helfman, Bill Helfman, Larry Gross, Steven Gross, and Carol Wilk, as well as his dearest friends, C.E. Cantrell, Helen Salmon, and Michael Montand.  The funeral will take place at the Beth Yeshurun Cemetery on Allen Parkway, Wednesday, June 11, 2008, at 5:00 p.m.  In lieu of flower donations, please make a donation in Allen's memory to Central Institute for the Deaf, 828 South Taylor Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri, 63110 or to the Center for Hearing and Speech, 3636 West Dallas, Houston, Texas, 77019.

 Published in the Houston Chronicle June 10, 2008.

Click here: Obituary of Alan Love in the Houston Chronicle
 

Ruth Anne Ramey Ellis
Mother of Linda Ellis Williams Cheatham (Class of 1964)

Ruth Anne Ramey Ellis, 85, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 23, 2008, at the Trager Pavilion of Jewish Hospital.  She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 53 years, Dr. Rudy J. Ellis. Dr. Ellis was a nationally known pioneer in Sports Medicine and the team physician for the University of Louisville athletic teams for 38+ years.  Mrs. Ellis and her late husband were inseparable and their love of Cardinal athletics took them all over the country, where she was a loud proponent of UofL Athletes, always telling them to "Put it in the Basket!", with her popcorn megaphone.  Dr. and Mrs. Ellis met while she was a student at the Deaconess Nursing School of the old Methodist Hospital and he was a medical resident at the University of Louisville.  They were married on September 12, 1944. Ruth Anne was born on November 28, 1922, in Harlan, KY, as the oldest child of seven to James White and Anna Mae Ramey.  She graduated from Broughtontown High School and the Deaconess School of Nursing, in Louisville, KY.  She served as a head nurse at Children's Hospital and she was a WAC Cadet Nurse.  She was a member of Christ Church United Methodist, a volunteer for the Louisville Deaf Oral School and Kosair Charities and a Kentucky Colonel.  She served on the Boards of the Jefferson County Medical Association Women's Auxiliary, the Fillies of the Kentucky Derby Festival, the Crescent Hill Woman's Club and the Downtown Woman's Club.  She was active in their community functions, theatrical performances and bridge groups.  She also belonged to the Louisville Boat Club and the University Club.  She was a very vocal member of the ULA's and loved her Louisville Cardinals.  Even in her declining years, she was most proud of her red jacket and her UofL Cardinal Bird pins.  Ruth Anne loved to attend sporting events, anything from little league to professional sports.  Her love of sports and the Cardinals helped her to develop many close friendships with people throughout the community.  She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Anna Mae Ramey; her sisters, Margarette Ramey and Faye Smith; and her oldest grandchild, Adam Wenger Williams.  She is survived by her four loving children, Linda Anne Williams Cheatham, Dr. R. John Ellis Jr. (Rita), Jim Ellis and Amy Ellis Smith (T.J.); her six grandchildren, Rudy John Ellis III, Meredith Anne Ellis, Amanda Anne Ellis, Chance William Smith, Zayne Edward Smith and Brock Alexander Smith; her sisters, Pearl Taylor, Louise Hammond and Rosemary Calhoun; a brother, Clyde Ramey (Loretta); and her housekeeper and friend for over 35 years, Cora Crowe; along with many nieces and nephews.  She leaves behind and expresses sincere gratitude to the many friends and neighbors who stopped by to see her and visit with her during her final years.  We would like to give special thanks to Suzi Graven, who became a caring, loving and supporting friend of Ruth Anne and the family.  Also special thanks to her loving care givers who gave unselfishly of their time and talents, to take care of her, especially Geri Marshall and her loving family, her daughter, Gericole Dale and all the other very special and talented caregivers who helped to make her final years as pleasant as they could be; Pat Martin, Casey Carroll, Sandy Galyon and Marie Shake.  Her funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Pearson's Funeral Home, 149 Breckinridge Lane, with burial in Cave Hill Cemetery.  Visitation will be held on Friday from 3-8 p.m. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, can be sent to the "Dr. Rudy J. Ellis Sports Medicine Scholarship Fund" at the University of Louisville; the Alzheimer's Association, 3703 Taylorsville Road, #102, Louisville, KY, 40212; the Louisville Deaf Oral School, 115 East Kentucky St., 40203; or Kosair Charities, P.O. Box 37370, Louisville, KY, 40233.

Published in The Courier-Journal from 1/24/2008 - 1/25/2008.

Dr. R.L. Gamewell, Jr.
Father of Robert Gamewell (Class of 1964)

Dr. Robert Lee Gamewell, Jr, age 87, of Murfreesboro died Thursday, November 16, 2006.  He was born in Birmingham, Alabama and was the son of the late Robert Lee Gamewell, Sr. and Aleta Belle Deas Gamewell.  He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Dr. Kitty McGuire Gamewell; daughter, Aleta Gamewell Tuma; son, Robert Lee Gamewell, III; grandchildren, Dr. Bob Tuma, Jr. (Claire), David C. Tuma (Mary) and Emily Tuma; great-grandchildren, Caroline and Anna Claire Tuma.

Dr. Gamewell was a beloved dentist in Murfreesboro for over 50 years. He was educated at Auburn University and received his dental degree at Emory University in Atlanta, where he met and married his fellow classmate "Dr. Kitty."  He served in the United States Army for three years during World War II as a Captain in the Burma India Theater where he commanded a mobile dental unit.  He may be remembered for his love and care of the family farm – Cedar Springs –a Tennessee Century farm in Barfield.

Dr. Gamewell was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Murfreesboro Lion's Club and the Murfreesboro Dental Association.

Visitation with the family will be 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday at Jennings and Ayers. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 20, 2006 at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Michael O'Bannon officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.  Friends and family will serve as active pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 265 W. Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro, TN 37129.

Everett P. Phillips, Jr. (Class of 1964)

Everett P. Phillips, Jr., suddenly died on Tuesday, April 24, 2007.  Beloved father of Rosemary (John) Boyd; dear grandfather of Sean Pippin; dear brother, uncle, cousin and friend.  Services: Mr. Phillips in state at Fey Funeral Home, 4100 Lemay Ferry Rd., south of Lindbergh, Saturday, April 28, 4-7 p.m. with Services following.  Mr. Phillips was a member of the St. Louis Bell Club.  Memorials may be given to the family.

Published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch from April 27 to April 29, 2007.

Betty Henderson Busby, passed away March 29, 2008, after a long and courageous 7 year battle with cancer.  She was born on May 18, 1952.  She was preceded in death by her loved father, James G. Henderson.  Left behind were her mother, Virginia Knight; husband Thomas Busby; brother, Jim Henderson; two sons, Dan and Bruce Busby, and their families.  Betty was a member of Kirby Woods Baptist Church in Memphis, TN, where she had her closest of friends and support.  Visitation will be at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery in Memphis, TN, on Monday 5-7 p.m. with funeral services starting at 7 p.m.  Burial in Shannon Cemetery.  Memorial Park Funeral Home 901-767-8930.

Published in The Commercial Appeal (Memphis TN) on March 31, 2008.

Sandy (Freeman) Hart (Class of 1972)

Sandy (Freeman) Hart, 46, died of bone marrow cancer in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Monday, January 8, 2007, after battling cancer for 15 years.  The funeral was held on Sunday, January 14, 2007, at Mount Sinai Memorial Park, 5950 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, CA.

Sandy was well known as one of the most formidable softball players in the National Softball Association of the Deaf (NSAD), having helped her team, Pierce Valley, win 3 national titles.  She was named in the NSAD’s Hall of Fame.  She was featured in the local papers in Los Angeles where she worked as an athletic trainer for Ulysses S. Grant High School, a local high school.

Sandy Hart lived in Los Angeles but flew to Little Rock for bone marrow transplant.  She died in Little Rock from complications associated with the cancer while in a hospital.

She attended California State University at Northridge (CSUN).

Ulysses S. Grant High School football website

T.L. Simmons
Father of Tadd Simmons (Class of 1982)

T.L. Simmons, age 62, of Edwardsville, died at 9:21 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 5, 2007, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville.  He was born on Aug. 30, 1944, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Albert and Kathryn Wilkerson Simmons of Des Moines, Iowa.  He married Sherry Milligan on June 28, 1982, in Collinsville. She survives. Also surviving are two sons: Ty Simmons and wife, Diane of Morrison, Colo., and Tadd Simmons and wife, Kara of Maryville; a daughter:  Terra Simmons of Edwardsville; five grandchildren: Haley, Trinity, Abby, Lily and Kade Simmons; a brother:  Tracy Simmons and wife, Janis of Des Moines, Iowa; and a sister: Trudy Dolezal and husband, Tom of Bend, Ore.  Mr. Simmons was an insurance broker for 23 years, and president of Simmco Group Inc. in Edwardsville.  Prior to his present employment, he worked for Front Runners Inc. and was a photojournalist for the Alton Telegraph and Metro East Journal.  His memberships included Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville and the KU Alumni Association.  Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8, at Weber and Rodney Funeral Home in Edwardsville.  Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 9, at Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Gary Galen, pastor, officiating. Memorials are suggested to the Terra Simmons Educational Fund.

Keith Coons
Father of Tommy Coons (Class of 1991)

COONS, Keith R., born June 2, 1942, in Mesa, AZ, passed away peacefully Tuesday, November 7, 2006, at home surrounded by family.  Beloved husband of Theresa Coons (nee Tommaney); dear father of Stacy (Jeff) Woodle & Tom (Elspeth) Coons; loving grandfather “Papa” of Baxter; dear brother of Ruby Sherman, Ercella Kading, Jane Jeffs & Wayne Coons & the late Athena Jolley & Elva Sherman; uncle to 30 nieces & nephews & dear friend to many.

Keith was an educator for 38 years & will be sadly missed by all.

Services: Funeral service from the SCHRADER Funeral Home, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, Friday 12:30 p.m. to Holy Infant Catholic Church, Ballwin, for 1:00pm Mass.  Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. If desired, contributions may be made to American Cancer Society.  Visitation Thursday 4-8 p.m.

Helen Woodward

SAVOY – Helen Woodward, 85, of Savoy died on November 21, 2006, at 12:45 a.m. at The Carle Arbours in Savoy, Illinois.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete at Morgan Memorial Home, 1304 Regency Drive West, Savoy.

Additional information

Helen died this morning (November 21, 2006) in The Carle Arbours, a long-term care hospital in Savoy, Illinois, where she had been taken a couple of weeks ago after breaking her hip.  She was about 86 years old.  Conforming to her wishes which she expressed repeatedly over the years, she was under hospice care aimed at alleviating her suffering rather than contriving to keep her alive.  For several years she had been frail  and feeble and suffering from advanced Alzheimer's disease.  Her remains have gone for medical purposes.  There will be no funeral as such, but a memorial service will be organized by her friends probably in January.

For the past few  years when she had not been able to care for herself,  a group of wonderful friends from her church connections in Champaign / Urbana had taken loving and caring interest in  her.  She had relatives here and there, but they expressed no concern for her.