St. Clair County Obits

"Z"

ZACHARY, Mildred Irene Schmitt
Mildred Irene Schmitt Zachary, 72, the daughter of Reuben O. and Bertha Mae Miller Schmitt, was born at Lowry City and passed away December 24, 1991, at the Golden Valley Memorial Hospital, Clinton. She had lived in Riverside, California, where she was a loan officer before moving to Henry County eight years ago after her retirement in 1981. She was a member of the Calhoun Baptist Church. She is survived by two sons, Kenneth D. Zachary and Keith Zachary, both of Riverside, California; one brother, George Schmitt, Cape Coral, Florida, and one sister, Dorothy Mayberry, Clinton. Graveside services were held Friday, December 17, 1991, at 11 a.m. at the Lowry City Cemetery with the Rev. Howard Cupp officiating. Services were under the direction of the Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton.

ZAISS, Raymond Michael
Kansas City Star, 12 March 2008
Raymond Michael Zaiss (Mike) died February 12, 2008. He was born August 25, 1938, to Raymond and Helen Zaiss in Kansas City, Mo., graduated in Albuquerque, N.M., and joined the Navy. He then went to work for McPike Drug Co. in North Kansas City before starting his own computer consulting firm, P.A.I., in Lee's Summit, Mo., where he lived until he retired. He then moved to a farm in Collins, Mo. He enjoyed boating at Lake of the Ozarks and working on his farm. He was a lifetime member of the VFW. He is survived by his wife, Suzanne; brother Terry of Grandview Mo.; one son, Michael of Lavergne, Tenn.; two daughters, Tina Tompson, Foristell, Mo., Angelia Davis, Texas; three grandchildren and one great grandchild. Cremation.

ZEILER, Bonnie Lee Bishop
Kansas City Star
Bonnie Lee Zeiler, 71, Kansas City, Mo., passed away Thursday, June 15, 1995, at Research Medical Center, Kansas City. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, June 17, at Carson Blue Ridge Chapel; burial will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday, at Osceola Cemetery, Osceola, Mo. Friends may call 7-8:30 p.m. Friday, June 16, at the chapel.Mrs. Zeiler was born June 25, 1923, in Appleton City, Mo. She moved at a young age to Vista, Mo., where she graduated high school in 1941. She married Ray Eugene Zeiler on June 28, 1943, and moved to Kansas City, Mo., which she has called home. She worked at Calmar Plastics in Lee's Summit, Mo., for 18 years, retiring at 68. Survivors include her husband, Ray Eugene Zeiler, of the home; daughter, Penny Lynn Staton, Lenexa, Ks.; son, Billy Ray Zeiler, Belton, Mo.; sister, Juanita Moore, Fort Collins, Co.; and four grandchildren, Brandon Zeiler, Bret Zeiler, Lance Barnes and Ashley Staton.

ZEILER, Brandon Eugene
St. Clair County Courier, Friday, January 11, 2008
Brandon E. Zeiler - Brandon Eugene Zeiler was born on May 11, 1971 in Kansas City to Billy Ray and Linda Lee [Livingston] Zeiler and passed away Jan. 3, 2008. Brandon grew up in the Kansas City area. He was an ironworker and a three year member of the Ironworkers Local #10 and then worked as a boilermaker. He moved to the Osceola area in 2001 and enjoyed hunting, fishing and country living. Brandon is survived by his daughter Breanna Lynn Zeiler; parents Billy and Linda Zeiler; one brother, Brett Zeiler, of the home, aunts, uncles, other relatives and many friends. Memorial services were Saturday, Jan. 5 at Sheldon-Goodrich Chapel. Officiated by Minister Greg Mangum. Final disposition was cremation. Arrangements were made by Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home, Osceola.

ZEILER, Charles R.
Clinton Daily Democrat, 13 April 1998
Charles R. "Jack" Zeiler, 85, Osceola, died Friday, April 10, 1998, at Truman Lake Manor, Lowry City. Mr. Zeiler was a retired livestock hauler.  He is survived by his wife, Jean, of the home; one sister, Mrs. Murl Bourland, Appleton City. Graveside services were Monday, April 13, at the Macedonia Cemetery in rural Osceola.

ZEILER, Emma Jean Davis
St. Clair County Courier, 22 December 2006
Emma Jean Zeiler was born on March 21, 1921 in Nevada, Mo., to Melville "Mev" and Mary Tabitha Chastain Davis and passed away on Dec. 12, 2006 at Willow Lane Nursing Home, Butler. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Melville and Mary Davis; three brothers, Tracy, Cleo and Jewell Davis; two great grandsons, Benjamin and Brandon Skaggs and two husbands, Glen Ralph Muchmore and Jack Zeiler. Jean is survived by one daughter, Elaine Neal, Grandview; three grandchildren, Deneice Garland, Atlanta, Ga., Allen Skaggs and Ronda Thomas, Butler; eight great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Services for Jean were Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Sheldon-Goodrich Chapel with Elaine Neal and Ronda Thomas officiating. Musical selections were "In The Garden", "How Great Thou Art" with Richard Sunderwirth, soloist and Gail Ingle, accompanist.
Casketbearers were Zachary Skaggs, Allen Skaggs, James Thomas, Jimmy Ray Skaggs, Kenny Brand and Deneice Garland. Interment was in the Macedonia Cemetery under the direction of Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home, Osceola.

ZEIELR, Herbert Dale
St. Clair County Courier, 4 May 2007
Herbert Dale Zeiler, Sr. passed away at his home in Loveland, Colo. on April 18, 2007 with his wife by his side. He was born Oct. 13, 1928 in Osceola to  Herbert H. (Brud) and Elizabeth Osborn Zeiler. He grew up in Osceola and graduated from Osceola High School. In 1950 he married his high school sweetheart, Helen Eunice Simmons. They then moved to Kansas where Herb graduated from McPherson College. He later attended Bethany Theological Seminary in Chicago, Ill., graduating in 1961. He served as a minister in the Church of the Brethren for over 50 years. His career spanned several professions including mechanics, maintenance, technical work, counseling and ministry. Herb served pastorates in Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma and Colorado. The Zeilers had three children over the years and their last move was from Iowa to Colorado in 1970. Herb's ministry helped form the Northern Colorado Church of the Brethren, where he was a member. He retired from Hewlett-Packard in 1986. Grateful for sharing Herb's life are his parents (deceased); his wife, Helen Eunice; his son, Dale; his daughter, Kathy Brungardt and her husband, Jay; and his daughter, Cheryl K. Watson (deceased); three grandchildren, Tammy Blood and her husband, Kenny; Jody Watson and Cheryl L. Zeiler; and three great grandchildren, Danielle, Simara and Autumn. Also sharing his life are a brother, Earle Zeiler and his wife, Evelyn; cousins; sisters-in-law; brother-in-law; nieces and nephews. The Viegut Funeral Home in Loveland, Colo. arranged cremation. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Osceola Church of the Brethren in Osceola on Saturday, May 5 at 2 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Church of the Brethren.

ZEILER, Margaret Joan
Margaret Joan Zeiler, the youngest of seven children of John W. Zeiler, Jr. and Lena Bell (Perkins) Zeiler, was born July 15, 1934, in Osceola and died October 8, 1995, at Truman Lake Manor in Lowry City at the age of 61 years, two months and 23 days. She lived in Appleton City all of her life. She was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Appleton City, but had attended the Church of God (Holiness) with her sister, Edith Crowder, husband, Haldor, and family for the past several years. She loved life and everyone. Her hobbies were doing needle work and word puzzles, and she enjoyed country music. She was especially fond of children and always ready to help someone else. After the death of her mother and father, she continued to live in Appleton City. She later chose to enter Truman Lake Manor in Lowry City after becoming ill and made that her second home. She loved it there and everyone loved her. She said, We will just take it one day at a time. Joan remained cheerful even up to the time of her passing. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Dorothy Zeiler and Helen Reasoner. Survivors include three sisters, Mrs. Haldor (Edith) Crowder of Appleton City, Mrs. Cecil (Bettie) Bolander of Osceola, and Mrs. Floyd (Martha) Thomas of Independence; one brother, Leo Roy Zeiler and wife, Marlene, of Puyallup, Washington; a number of cherished nieces and nephews, and a host of dear friends. Funeral services were at the Hill and Son Funeral Home in Appleton City Tuesday October 10, at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Brent Bland officiated. Organist Ida Vee Claiborne and vocalist Cynthia Compton performed a medley of songs. Pallbearers were Larry Bracher, Monty Garrison, Larry Kelly, Warren Love, Rick Reed and Darrell Thomas. Burial as in Landaker Cemetery in Lowry City.

ZEILER, Olen Lester
St. Clair County Courier, 23 January 1986
Olen Lester Zeiler, eleventh child of John W. and Sally A. (Hooper) Zeiler was born November 20, 1902, at Osceola, and departed this life January 16, 1986, at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital at Clinton. He grew to manhood in the Osceola area and was a barber for several years at Ballard. In 1928, he was united in marriage to Leota Taylor and to this union were born four children: Lester Gene, Barbara Dean, Marvin D. and Derrell Ray. Olen became engaged in farming and raised his family on the old Zeiler homestead on the bank of the Osage River, east of Osceola. In later years, he moved to Kansas City, where he worked as a maintenance man for Lakeside Hospital and Holiday Inn. He was united in marriage to Elma Kirby in June 1960. He and Elma became members of the New Apostolic Church, where they made many beloved friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elma, his parents, eight brothers, two sisters, two sons, one stepdaughter, and one grandson. Survivors are his daughter and husband, Barbara and Jim Littleton of Clinton, his son and wife, Marvin and Mary of Osceola, his stepdaughter and husband, Barbara and Clyde Smith of Kansas City, 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and his twin sister, Ola Shell of Athens, Georgia, nieces, nephews and many friends.
Funeral services were held Sunday, January 19, at 2:00 p.m. at the Goodrich Chapel with District Evangelist Beck officiating. Music was provided by Apostolic Choir. Casketbearers were: Clyde Smith, James Kroner, David Goeckler, Matthew Smith, John McBrotney and Steve Goeckler. Interment was held in the Osceola Cemetery under the Goodrich Funeral Home.

ZEILER, Ray Eugene
Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home
Ray Eugene "Bill" Zeiler was born August 18, 1923 in Osceola, Missouri to Orval and Stella [Dyer] Zeiler. He passed away September 17, 2008 at Western Missouri Medical Center, Warrensburg, Missouri. Bill was a Navy Veteran of WWII. He was a life member of VFW #4197 and American Legion Post 598 for 46 years. He was an ironworker and a member of Ironworkers Local #10, Kansas City, Missouri for 40+ years and a 50 year life member of the Masonic Temple Gate Lodge #299. On June 23, 1943, Bill was united in marriage to Bonnie Lee Bishop. To this union three children were born. Bonnie preceded him in death on June 15, 1995. In August 1995 Bill moved to Osceola where he resided until his failing health resulted in a move to the Veterans Home in Warrensburg, Missouri. Preceding him in death were his parents, infant daughter, Sondra Lee Zeiler, his sister Francis Zeiler and grandson, Brandon Zeiler. Bill is survived by his son, Billy Ray Zeiler and wife, Linda, Osceola, Missouri and daughter Penny Lynn Staton and husband, Steve, Overland Park, Kansas. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Lance Barnes, Brett Zeiler, and Ashley Staton; great grandchildren, Aaron Zeiler, Bayleigh Barnes, Jackson Barnes, Kaylee Clark, Misty Zeiler, Mackinzy Zeiler, Tyra Owen and Kendra Zeiler; other relatives and many friends. Bill loved the country life. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, having coffee and visiting friends at Joe's Market and visiting with friends at Krebs Trailer Park. Bill will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

ZEILER, Sally Alice Hooper
St. Clair County Courier, October 5, 1950
Sally Hooper Zeiler, 89, died at her home, Monday, Oct. 2. Despite her advancing years, Mrs. Zeiler had kept up her regular routine of a farm woman's life until recent weeks. She was born September 10, 1861, a daughter of Mary and Claiborne Hooper. She was united in marriage December 7,1879 to John W. Zeiler who preceded her in death 12 years ago. To this union 12 children were born, ten of whom survive. She accepted Christ at the age of 16 and remained a Christian the remainder of her life. Guests were always welcome at her home and Aunt Sally, as she was known, often rode horseback in her younger days to help out her neighbors in grief or sickness
Surviving her are two daughters, Ida M. York of Baxter Springs, Kansas and Mrs. Ola Shell of Wilmington, California; eight sons, Sidney of Adrian, Wes, Willie E., Herbert H and Orval E. of Osceola, Elmer of clinton, John W. of Appleton City and Olen of the home; 34 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon in the Osceola Baptist Church at 2 p.m., the Rev. Albert Gaston officiating. Burial was in the Osceola Cemetery, under the direction of Goodrich Funeral Home.

ZINK, Helen Hirni
Mrs. Helen Hirni Zink, 83, died Thursday, November 4, at Ellett Memorial Hospital in Appleton City. She was the daughter of E. F. and Mabel (Bradley) Hirni, and was born January 15, 1910 in Appleton City. She was baptized in the Presbyterian Church on April 1, 1923. In 1926 her family moved to Pittsburg, Ks. where she graduated from high school in 1927. She attended Kansas State Teacher's College in Pittsburg, Ks. and was awarded a BS degree in 1932. She taught school in McPherson, KS for five years. She was united in marriage to Troy D. Zink, Jan. 28, 1940, at her parents home in Pittsburg. To this union one son, Jack, was born. Mr. Zink did highway construction until Jack reached school age, then the family made Appleton City their permanent home. Mrs. Zink did substitute teaching over the years in Appleton City, Montrose, Ballard and Judson. Mr. Zink retired in 1970 and they spent three winters in Florida. Mr. Zink died of a heart attack on May 22, 1975. She transferred her church membership to the Appleton City Christian Church and for many years was a Sunday school teacher and was active in all church activities. She always loved young people and showed great concern and compassion for all youth. She was a charter member of the Prairie Queen Garden Club, and was an active member of the A. C. Community Club for many years and served in whatever capacity needed. She was selected as the Grand Marshal of the Appleton City Fair Parade in 1992. Mrs. Zink spent one winter as an assistant kindergarten teacher in the local school. She started work at the A. C. Journal in August 1878 as a part time employee and also worked at Wallace Casual Corner. She worked at the A. C. Journal until August 1984. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and one sister, Mrs. Mable Woody. She is survived by her son Jack and his wife Jan and two grandsons, Andy and Adam, who were her pride and constant joy, all of Appleton City, and one sister, Nadine Park , of Tulsa, Ok. Mrs. Zink enjoyed and appreciated a long-standing relationship with Troy (Skip) Burton and family of Butler, formerly of Appleton City. She hoped to be
remembered for her love of life, friends, love of nature and always looking on the bright side of every situation. In spite of many adversities she always strived to go "forward" with her life. Funeral services were at 2 p.m., Sunday, November 7, 1993 at Hill & Son Funeral Home, Appleton City, with Rev. D. Kent Deubner officiating. Burial was in Appleton City Cemetery. The family suggests any memorials go to First Christian Church or Shriner's Crippled Children's Hospital.

ZINK, Wilbur A.
Hill & Sons Funeral Home
Wilbur A. Zink, April 30, 1926 - September 27, 2010. - Visitation will be at Hill and Son Funeral Home on Saturday, October 2, 2010 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM. Services will be held at Hill and Son Funeral Home Appleton City, Missouri on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at 2:30PM. Interment is at Appleton City Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to Rockbridge Seminary in Springfield, Missouri. Wilbur A. Zink,84, son of Allen and Fern (Crowder) Zink, passed away on Monday, September 27, 2010 in Springfield, Missouri. Wilbur is survived by his wife Dixie, of the home; a daughter Susan Cooper of Bolivar, Missouri, a son David Zink and wife Cindy of Springfield, Missouri and three grandchildren Lauren Cooper, Lindsey Cooper and Anna Zink.

ZUBER, Sadie Marie Evans Galloway
Hill & Son Funeral Home
November 14, 1915 - September 3, 2003. Sadie Marie Evans Zuber, the daughter of Harrison Edwin and Pearl Octavia (Howard) Galloway was born in Monegaw Springs on November 14, 1915. She passed away at Lincoln Community Nursing Home in Lincoln, Missouri on September 3, 2003 at the age of 87 years. She moved to Kansas City and worked at the bomber plant making B-25 bombers during World War II. During this time she met Virgil Evans and they were married on January 10, 1943. They moved to a farm near Spruce, Missouri, then later to Butler and to Sweet Springs about 1953. She was employed by the International Shoe Factory in Sweet Springs and later at the Sweet Springs Nursing Home. After the death of her husband, Virgil, she moved to Lee’s Summit, Missouri where she worked at John Knox Village. After she met and married her second husband, Frank Zuber, they resided in Independence, Missouri. Sadie and Frank enjoyed several trips which they took throughout the United States. Following Frank’s death she returned to Lee’s Summit for awhile later moving to Lincoln, Missouri with her daughter. During her life Sadie enjoyed her family and friends. She enjoyed the lake and fishing. She was preceded in death by both of her parents; both of her husbands, Virgil Evans and Frank Zuber; three brothers, Harrison Jr., Cloyd and Allen “Bill” Galloway; two sisters, Betty Galloway and Lelia Swisher; two nephews, Eddie and Steve Galloway; and two great-nephews, Jason West and Alan Chamley. Survivors include one son, Estel Evans and wife Sandy of Sweet Springs, Missouri; one daughter, Sandra and husband George Jones of Lincoln, Missouri; four grandchildren, Scott Evans and wife Christy, Shannon Schelp, Angela and husband Shawn Schulte, Stacy and husband Russell Sims; three step-grandchildren, Dawn and husband Tim Wolleson, Brett Jones, Shelly and husband Pat Link; one brother, Howard Galloway of Harrisonville, Missouri; one brother-in-law, Estel Evans and wife Dorothy; three sisters-in-law Clara Galloway, Kathy Weeks and Velma Goforth; twenty great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

ZUHN, Ruby Ruth Akers
Ruby Ruth Zuhn, daughter of Myrtle Louisa (Holloway) and Liona Benjamin Akers, was born Jan. 4, 1903 in Magnolia, Mo. and departed this life Jan. 12, 1993 at Golden Valley Hospital in Clinton at the age of 90. Ruby lived in Holden until 1920 when she moved to Kansas City. She joined the Baptist Church in Holden at an early age. She was employed by Montgomery Ward in Kansas City from 1920 through 1924 as a bookkeeper. Ruby and Walter E. Zuhn were united in marriage Sept. 4, 1922 and to this union one son was born. Ruby moved to Appleton City in 1966 where she has remained throughout the rest of her life. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Olive Branch Chapter #157 in Appleton City. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1968, her parents, and five brothers and sisters. She is survived by her son, Walter Zuhn of Destin, Fl.; three grandsons, David of Huntsville, Al., Chris of the State of Virginia, and Gerald of Destin, Fl.; two great-grandchildren, and a niece, Betty Lamb of Deepwater. Funeral services were at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 20, 1993, at Eckhoff-Hill Funeral Home with the Rev. D. Kent Deubner officiating. Burial was in Appleton City Cemetery.

ZUMWALT, Gertie Mae Davis 
Unknown newspaper, February 1973
Gertie Mae Davis was born at Appleton City, Missouri on January 4, 18844, the daughter of Mack Davis and Abby Hopkins. There she lived until she was married to Manuel Davis on November 4, 1901 at Vista, Missouri. To this union seven children were born, all living except one son who passed away in August of 1966. She went to California where she was head cook at a girls school. She then returned to Clinton where she met and married Frank Zumwalt on April 7, 1951. They lived at 602 West Ohio Street. She was cared for by her husband except for the three weeks she was in the Golden Valley Home where she passed away. She is survived by her faithful husband and her children: Grace Richter, Weaubleau, Missouri, Lena McKee, Hammon, Indiana, Eula Landes, San Diego, California, Cleo Davis, Portland, Oregon, Leo Davis, Vandalia, Ohio, Emogene Thompson, Osceola, two step-children, James Zumwalt, Kansas City and Dorothea Birkenbine, Clinton, Missouri.

ZWONITZER, Rodney Alan
Columbia Daily Tribune, 12 February 2006
Rodney Alan Zwonitzer, 45, of Columbia passed away Friday, Feb. 10, 2006, at Boone Hospital Center.
Services will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbia with Dr. John Yonker officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Rodney was born on March 11, 1960, in Columbia to John and Helen Zwonitzer, and they survive. He married Kimberly Kay Shaw in 1986, and she also survives. Rodney was a lifelong resident of Columbia who graduated from Hickman High School in 1979. He worked for the Tribune and was also a member of First Christian Church. Rodney is survived by three children, Michael, Kayla and Kelsey, of the home; one brother, Mike Zwonitzer of Rockford, Ill.; and one sister, Libby Mechlin of Columbia. Rodney was preceded in death by one daughter, Crystal. Memorial contributions may be given to The Zwonitzer Children Trust Fund, in care of Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W., Columbia, Mo., 65202.