Leo Russell Bray
Born November 16, 1938 - Died September 4, 2022
Leo Russell Bray was born November 16, 1938, to Clyde and Pearl (Russell) Bray in Lowry City, Missouri. He fought a valiant fight against Mesothelioma for the last four years but passed away peacefully, at the age of 83 years old, on September 4, 2022, at his home in Independence, Missouri, with his wife, Alice and his beloved dog Sam at his bedside.
Leo attended a one room country school during his grade school years then went to the Lowry City Highschool. He was involved in school choirs and was a High Jump Track star who was granted a scholarship to college. He graduated in 1956, and chose to go straight to work in Kansas City, Mo. He worked very hard to support his 4 children at the following jobs: Sears Corporation, Braniff Airlines, Ford Motor Company and then he worked 30 years for Armco Steel and worked his way up to being one of their accountants. After retirement, he worked six more years for Enterprise Rental Cars delivering cars across the city.
Leo had a passion for music, he had perfect pitch and could play any instrument he picked up, including plucking a branch off a tree limb and making a whistle. For 37 years, he was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Independence, Missouri and held the office of Elder and Trustee. He thoroughly enjoyed singing in the church choir for 35 years. He also sang with the Declarations of Independence for many years.
Leo enjoyed traveling the United States, Mexico, Bahamas, Hawaii several times and his all-time favorite to Australia and New Zealand.
Leo was multi-talented and had many hobbies including his love of cars. He kept a running list of (over 90) cars he owned in his lifetime. He loved all living plants and animals. He had a green thumb and could make anything grow, including his banana tree. He loved feeding and watching the birds in his yard and dearly loved his dog, “Sam 3” who will grieve him always. He loved to read and kept his reading materials by his favorite chair. Leo loved antiquing and you could see him all over town at estate and garage sales asking prices and requesting if they could be reduced (even if it was only a $1.00). He was a talented woodworker who enjoyed finding antique tables and refurbishing them back to their natural beauty. He modeled for a modeling company in Kansas City, Missouri that produced advertisements for local magazines. He even played a part, as an extra, in the movies “Truman” and “Kansas City.
Leo loved his coffee buddies from Armco Steel and Denny’s, that met for coffee daily - 365 days a year, Including Christmas Breakfast at Leo, and Alice’s home. He also had coffee with his Hub Motorcycle Shop group that met every Tuesday. These men were dear friends.
Leo served on many Boards throughout his life. He was on the Election Board and was the Executive member who had to deliver ballots. He served on The Independence Housing Authority Board, and United Consumers’ Credit Union Supervisory Board for many years.
Leo is survived by his loving wife, of 50 years, Alice (Bellew) Bray; Sheryl Rohrman, their daughter, Independence, Mo.; his daughters: Paula (Bray) Brown (Steven), Osage Beach; Dana (Bray) Barbo (Gino), Springfield, Mo.; Kayla (Bray) Hogue (Pat), Harrisonville, Mo.and his son, Greg Bray, Osceola, Mo.; Goddaughter: Renada Rasmussen (Tracy), Madison, WI. Grandchildren: Matthew Brown; Derek Brown (Kyla); Jessica (Brown) Nigro (Tommy); Zachary Brown (Kassi); Brandon Bray (Brittany); Crystal Bray (Russ); Russell Bray; McKenzie Barbo, Garrison Barbo, Remington Barbo, Nathan Hogue and Nicholas Hogue; Great-grandchildren: Moxie Brown, William Brown, Adaline Brown, Gabriel Nigro, Gracelyn Nigro, Luca Nigro, Blakely Brown, Quincy Brown, Lola Jane Bray, Clementine Bray, many nieces, nephews, family members and friends.
Leo was preceded in death by his father and mother, Clyde and Pearl Bray, his brother, Woodrow Bray, his sisters Lyla (Bray) Jones and Lucille (Bray) Donnell.
Leo was saved and had an eternal experience of salvation on Monday night, December 27, 1954, at Lowry City Baptist Church, in Lowry City, Mo. He was baptized at Muddy Creek in Lowry City, Mo., January 23, 1955.
Memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Independence, Missouri, Saturday, September 17th, at 1:00 pm with a Visitation/Reception to follow. On October 1st, at 1:00 pm there will be a graveside service internment at Iconium Cemetery, 12770 NE Highway C, Osceola, Missouri.
There will be a gathering at Iconium General Store following.the service. Come enjoy a peach float and something to eat.
In lieu of flowers, Leo asked if contributions were made in his memory, that they be given to two families in need. To honor his request, Memorial contributions to Leo Bray Memorial, has been set up at Blue Ridge Bank and Trust: 4200 Little Blue Parkway, Independence, Missouri, 64057.
Leo will be greatly missed by those that loved him. Even though we are deeply saddened, we rejoice with great happiness because we know he is dwelling in Heaven singing with the heavenly choirs, and we will gather there with him for all eternity to hear his sweet voice again.
Nova June
Petentler, Srader, Carleton
Nova June Petentler, Srader, Carleton, age 92, of Leesville, Missouri passed away June 6th, 2022 while visiting Texas. She was born May 14, 1930 in Independence, Mo, the only child of John and Thelma Petentler.
Nova Graduated from William Chrisman High School, Independence, in 1948. Nova was married to Richard D. Srader for 25 years until his death in 1974. They had 4 children, Dixie Smalley (deceased), John Srader (deceased), Bobby Srader (deceased) and Terri Moon of Yantis, Tx.
In 1978 Nova married Bobby Carleton of Leesville, MO. They were married for 41 years, until his death in 2019. He had 2 children, Rick Carleton (deceased) and Deanne Hill (deceased).
Nova gave 42 years of her life working for H&R Block. She loved collecting sea shells while vacationing, fishing, rodeo’s, mushroom hunting, but she especially loved spending time with family and friends. To know her was to love her. She was the epitome of strength, patience, and grace, and would always greet you with a smile and a hug. This tiny lady was truly an “Angel on Earth”.
Nova leaves behind 6 Grandchildren, Hannah & Haley Hill, Dan Smalley, Stacey Taylor, Echo Burkhart and Becky Moon, 5 Great Grandchildren, Bryan, Brittney, Kaenan, Kaleb, and James and 4 Great-Great Grandchildren, Paisley, Serenity, Chase, and Aurora, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 24th at Tebo Baptist Church in Leesville, Mo at 2:00 p.m. with burial to follow at Tebo Church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Tebo Baptist Church, 39 SSR-PP Hwy, Clinton Mo, 64735
Freda Maud
Cobb Osborn
Freda Maud Cobb Osborn went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at The Arbors at Glendale Gardens in Clinton, Missouri with her daughter at her side.
Freda was born in Branch, Missouri to Maro (Huber) Cobb and Edgar Cobb on April 15, 1935. She was raised in Branch and graduated from Macks Creek High School in 1952. She worked as an accountant at AE West Petroleum Company from 1952 until 1973 when she became a stay at home MOM. She loved to garden, do yard work and be with family, either at home or at their cabin at Lake of the Ozarks. She was the best cook and could make a meal out of anything.
Freda married her high school sweetheart, Kenneth Osborn on September 4, 1953 in Audra and Dorothy Osborn’s living room in Kansas City, Missouri. They married on
Friday night of Labor Day weekend so they could have a short honeymoon before going back to work on Tuesday. Brother-in-law, Keith McClanahan gave them the keys to a brand new 1953 Pontiac to use that weekend as they didn’t have a car.
Freda is preceded in death by her husband, son-in-law, David Knifong, great grandson, Samuel Scoles, her parents, her sisters, Maxine McClanahan, Glenda North, and her brother, Fred Cobb.
She is survived by her daughter, Janet Knifong of Clinton, Missouri, four grandchildren; Jennifer Scoles (Tielor) of Clinton, Missouri, Jeff Knifong of Columbia, Missouri, Mekayla Martin (Bryce) of Fulton, Missouri and Mack Kelley of Fulton, Missouri, seven great-grandchildren; Owen, Wyatt, Julia Grace and Dillon Scoles, Ethan Watson, Harper Kelley and Wade Martin and a plethora of nieces and nephews. Special shout outs to her brother-in-law Jerry Osborn, who called her every week and held a special place in her heart. Her nieces; Diana Osborn Frank, Jennifer North Kincheloe and Christina North Gomez, along with Mary and Jimmy Knifong who were always checking on her and loving her. It meant the world to her and Janet Kay.
Graveside services were held August 11, 2021 in Hopewell Cemetery, Tunas, Missouri with Tyler Scoles officiating.
Services were under the direction of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri.
Helen Marie
Snyder
Helen Marie Snyder, age 65, passed away on Saturday, September 3, 2022 at her home in Deepwater, Missouri.
Helen was born in Kansas City, Missouri to the late Peggy Elliott and Paul Jett. She graduated from Deepwater High School in 1975 and her class was the last to graduate from Deepwater before they consolidated with Lowry City. She lived most of her high school years with George and Rosa Vogel and family.
Helen’s nickname was “Aunt Silly” to so many children she cared for. She loved babies and children dearly as she was unable to have children herself. She kept track of many and loved to watch them grow through the years. She also loved her dogs Beckett, Brittany, and Bridget along with a horse named Bell.
Helen and Tom have been together for some 40 years. She loved to go on vacation and trips, traveling was one of her passions. If it wasn’t Tom she traveled with, it was her dear friends “The Bitch Club” and that would be Lisa, Sylvia, Cindy, Barbie, Sherry, and Kanalee. Those girls went to many parts of the United States and loved every minute of it.
She worked many places: Casey’s, Kerr McGee, Break Time, Sluggers, Clinton Country Club, Westwood Nursing Home, and Jim Raysik, Inc. Helen also volunteered at Golden Valley Hospital where she worked with dear Aunt Sharon and cousin Diane McClure. She loved Golden Valley Hospital as that is where our mother retired from as a nurse.
Helen is preceded in death by her mother and stepfather, Peggy and Frank Elliott, her father Paul Jett, nephew Jack Crawford, and brother-in-law Bob Biles.
She is survived by Tom Biles of the home, sister Gail and husband Jerry Short, sister Kathy Harrelson and Charles Poisson, brother Bruce and Kelly Bates, sister Shirley Gowin, brother Robert Elliott and Linda Rice, sister Tracy Green, brother Paul Jett, mother-in-law Raydona Biles, sister-in-law Mert and husband Mark James, nieces and nephews; David James, Ocean Sisney, Matthew, Amy, Teagan, Derek, Lilly, Brandon, Kristin, Justice, Gauge, Jaxon Harrelson, Nate Bates, Jessica and Dan Mason, Dillon, Emma Rose, Sophia Marie Silkwood, Justin, Josh, Niki, Haylee, Mekena, Landon, Cassandra, Candace Elliott, Ashley Birt, and Sam, Ben, Zac Crawford.
Funeral services were held September 9, 2022 at Vansant-Mills Chapel, Clinton with Rev. David Mills officiating. Special music included “Turn the Page, Only God Knows Why and Hello.” The casket bearers were Josh Elliott, Christopher Hill, Jimmy Phillips, Mike Faught, James Lee Howell and Jason Wirsig. Brandon Harrelson was an honorary bearer. Interment followed in Deepwater Cemetery, Deepwater, Missouri.
Services were under the direction of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, Missouri.
Freddie Anderson
Freddie Anderson, age 71, of Clinton, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, July 12th, 2022 after a hard fight of a 7 year battle with illness. A private ceremony for Freddie will be held at a later date per his wishes. In lieu of flowers please consider donating in Freddie’s name to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (http://lbda.org), Parkinson’s Foundation (http://parkinson.org) or American Cancer Society (http://cancer.org). Memorials can also be left in Freddie‘s name in care of the funeral home.
Son of Clifford and Leona Anderson of Clinton, Freddie farmed and ranched his entire life. He owned and operated a dairy farm for several years before moving to beef cattle and row crops. He enjoyed spending time with family, visiting with neighbors and friends while he was making his daily rounds checking crops and cattle, and operating the farm. He won many trophies over the years for his skill at billiards but also loved horses and spending time on the lake. Freddie could fix almost anything and didn’t understand the word “quit”.
He was preceded in death by his brother Jackie, a son Nathan Anderson and a daughter Stacy Welch.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years Tina Anderson, sons Tim Anderson (Tracey) of Wildwood MO, and Vince Freemyer (Jody) of Harrisonville MO, daughters Jennie Moore (Jon) of Clinton MO and Jaclyn Wilson of Overland Park KS, sisters Barbara Flint and Gayle Nichols and he greatly enjoyed his fourteen grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
The family would like to thank all of his longtime friends and others in the community for their support over the last several years.
Services were under the direction of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, Missouri.
