Obituaries

Edward K. Purcell, 84, of Brookings, S.D., died Monday, Aug. 25, 2008, at Brookview Manor.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at First Church of the Nazarene in Cape Girardeau.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

Memorials may be directed to Global Partners, the missions outreach of the Wesleyan Church.

Edward Kenneth "E.K." Purcell was born Sept. 18, 1923, in Broadhead, Ky., to Edward and Minnie Owens Purcell. Shortly after his birth the family moved to the Batavia, Ohio, area where he grew up.

He and Louella Marie Hahn were married Oct. 25, 1941.

Two years later he entered the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Bassett in the South Pacific during World War II. As a member of the Bassett crew, he was part of the rescue effort for the survivors of the USS Indianapolis.

After returning from the Navy, Edward continued his education, receiving bachelor of theology, bachelor of arts, master of theology and doctor of theology degrees.

Edward was ordained as a minister in the Pilgrim Holiness Church (now Wesleyan Church) in August 1949. In the mid-1950s he and Louella served as missionaries in Suriname, South America, and Curacao, Netherlands Antilles. After returning to the U.S., he pastored churches in Indiana, Michigan, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri.

He received many honors in his life, including being listed in Marquis' "Who's Who in Religion" and the American Biographical Institute's "Community Leaders and Noteworthy Americans."

Most important to him, however, was knowing that he was listed in God's "book of life."

Edward is survived by his wife of almost 67 years, Louella of Brookings; four children, Edward (Doris) Purcell of Olathe, Kan., Barbara (Frank) Crockett of Silvis, Ill., Minnie Martin of Topeka, Kan., Tim (Dawn) Purcell of Brookings; two brothers, John Purcell of Cincinnati, Glenn Purcell of Denver.; a sister, Sarah Culpepper of Batavia; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a host of other family and friends.

PERRYVILLE, Mo. — Gerald F. Stortz, 77, of Perryville passed away Aug. 26, 2008, at independence Care Center in Perryville.

He was born Dec. 18, 1930, the son of Fred F. and Pearl C. Smith Stortz.

He is survived by three daughters, Kay (Larry) Schindler, Linda (Jerry) Baughman and Sue Stortz; a sister, Sheila Martens; four grandchildren, Doug and Chris Schindler, Nicole Bilek, Tara Bruckerhoff; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Betty; and a grandson, Eric Bruckerhoff.

Mr. Stortz was a retired Missouri National Guardsman, serving over 20 years. He was employed by Roziers in their grocery department for over 19 years, following which he purchased the Big Star supermarket and operated it for 11 years. After leaving the retail grocery business he was a real estate agent with Kassel Realty for five years, following which he was affiliated with Miller Brokerage Co. of St. Louis as an account executive calling on major grocery buyers in parts of six states until retiring in 1992. Shortly thereafter he was employed by ConAgra Retail Companies as a prime time executive calling on key accounts in Missouri, Illinois and Arkansas until 1998, when he again retired permanently. He was also grand lodge master at St. Mary Masonic Lodge.

Mr. Stortz was one of the founders of the Perry County Sportsmans Club in 1959 and maintained his membership until his death. He was also a member of the Retired National Guard Association and the American Legion. He also was certified lay speaker in the Methodist Church and filled the pulpit on many occasions.

Mr. Stortz and his wife, Betty, loved to travel and did a lot of it during their younger years. They were in all 50 states and traveled in Europe several times and also to North Africa.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29, at Miller Family Funeral Home. A Masonic ceremony will be held at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, Aug 30, the family will be receiving friends at the United Methodist Church in Perryville from noon until service at 1 p.m.

Burial will follow in Home Cemetery with graveside military honors courtesy of the American Legion.

Lucille G. Steimle, 84, of Cape Girardeau, died Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008.

She was born Dec. 13, 1923, in Evanston, Ill., daughter of Julius and Sophie Grabowski Janicki. She and Joseph J. Steimle were married May 10, 1947, in Evanston. He died June 11, 1979.

Steimle was a registered nurse at Saint Francis Medical Center 40 years and worked for Dr. Edwards eight years. She was a member of Church Women United and St. Mary's Council of Catholic Women.

Survivors include two sons, Joe Steimle of Murphysboro, Ill., Bob Steimle of Austin, Texas; six daughters, Gina Steimle, Judy Bartnick and Mary Garrison of St. Louis, Barbara Wehner and Jane Frazier of Cape Girardeau, Pat Joyce of Jefferson City, Mo.; two sisters, Sally Pacek of Cottonwood, Ariz., Hattie Kuczek of Rolling Meadows, Ill.; 16 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son, two sisters and two brothers.

Friends may call from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Friday at Lorberg Memorial Funeral Chapel. Parish prayers will be at 7.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Cathedral, with the Rev. Thomas Kiefer officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Vin L. Owens, 74, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Aug. 25, 2008, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born July 11, 1934, in Jackson, son of Isac "Ike" and Erma Sides Owens. He and Judy K. King were married Oct. 30, 1965.

Owens attended school in Jackson.

He was a private first class in the U.S. Army from Aug. 22, 1952, to July 15, 1954, serving almost 18 months in Korea. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Star, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Good Conduct Medal and a Presidential Unit Citation.

Owens was a lifelong commercial painter with Local 1292 in Cape Girardeau. He was a member of VFW Post 3838 in Cape Girardeau and was formerly a Little League baseball coach in McClure, Ill.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Michael Owens of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, Vicky L. Owens of Cape Girardeau, Kathy Johnson of California; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a son.

A private service was held Wednesday at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson, with the Rev. Jim Matthews officiating. Burial was in Russell Heights Cemetery with military rites presented by VFW Post 3838 and full military honors by Delta Team of Cape Girardeau.

Imogene Sevella Brooks, 80, of Jackson died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008, at Monticello House.

She was born May 30, 1928, in Jackson, daughter of George and Ethel Nanney Schreiner. She and Melvin Brooks were married Nov. 18, 1944.

Survivors include her husband; a son, Ron Brooks of Phoenix; a daughter, Faye Hirsch of St. Louis; three sisters, Mary Long and Marie Newell of St. Louis, Karen Bowers of Millersville; a brother, David Schreiner of Manteno, Ill.; four grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by a brother.

Friends may call from 10 a.m. to service time today at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. today at the funeral home, with Dr. Barry Winders officiating. Burial will be in Russell Heights Cemetery.

Bertha R. Carr, 71, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson is in charge of arrangements.

Clarisse L. Chism, 87, of Cape Girardeau passed away Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008, at Arbors at Auburn Creek.

She was born Nov. 28, 1920, at Edina, Mo., daughter of Herbert and Adelaide Lueders. She and Dr. Harold E. Chism were married March 7, 1942, a union that lasted more than 50 years.

Clarisse was well-known to many families in Southeast Missouri as she worked alongside her husband in his dental practice at 1856 Broadway. For 35 years she filled a variety of roles from receptionist to office manager, dental assistant and lab technician.

She was also affiliated with Lueders Photographic Studio, established by her father, Herbert Lueders, and carried on by her brothers, Paul and John Lueders, until recent years.

In the early days before the introduction of Kodachrome color film, Clarisse used oil paints to hand color black and white photographs for the studio. Many of the studio's wedding photographs from the 1950 and early 1960s, as well as portraits of babies, children and adults were hand-colored by Clarisse and cherished by families in Southeast Missouri to this day.

Following the close of Lueders Studio in 1995, a vast collection of local photographs was donated to the archives at Southeast Missouri State University's Kent Library and made available for historic research.

Clarisse was a former member of Saint Francis Hospital Auxiliary and volunteered as a Girl Scout leader eight years. Clarisse and Harold enjoyed traveling in the western United States in their motor home, as well as fishing and boating at Kentucky Lake.

Following her husband's death, Clarisse and her brothers, John and Julius Lueders, rekindled their close family ties by tending to each other's needs, attending Mass on Sundays at St. Vincent's Church and enjoying lunch together on a daily basis. Clarisse's son-in-law, Donald L. Palmer, often referred to them as the "Three Musketeers."

Clarisse is survived by a daughter, Melissa A. Palmer (Donald) of Naperville, Ill.; four brothers, Herbert Lueders (Betty) of Lexington, Mich., John and Julius Lueders of Cape Girardeau, and Maurice Lueders (Dottie) of Hoffman Estates, Ill.

In addition to her parents, Clarisse was preceded in death by her husband; two brothers, Paul Lueders (Genevieve) of Cape Girardeau and Ralph Lueders (Mercedes) of Hinsdale, Ill.

The family will receive friends at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday. Parish prayers will be at 5:30. Sharing of memories will be most welcome at this time.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Old St. Vincent's Chapel of Ease at Main and William Streets. Entombment will be in Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Crown Hospice, 1353 N. Mount Auburn Road, Suite C, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63701; or the Alzheimer's Association; or a charity of your choice.

The Rev. Douglas Scott, 78, of Scott City died at Southeast Missouri Hospital, Aug. 24, 2008.

He was born March 31, 1930, in Ecorse, Mich., son of Douglas G. and Hazel Casler Scott. He married Dolores Russom Nov. 9, 1953, in Washington, D.C.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Greg Scott of Duncannon, Pa.; two daughters, Diane Hercher of Naperville, Ill., Cindy Busby of Maeystown, Ill.; two brothers, Harold Scott of Clovis, Calif., Gordon Scott of Covina, Calif.; two brothers-in-law, Junior Russom of Scott City, Jimmy Russom of Delta; three sisters-in-law, Wanda Rhymer, Brenda Morris and Linda Stevens, all of Scott City; and eight grandchildren.

Visitation will be today from 10 a.m. until time of service at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau.

The service will be at 11 a.m., with the Revs. Robert Buchanan and Karen Dumey officiating. Burial will follow at Lightner Memorial Cemetery in Scott City.

Virginia Lee Conley, 82, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Aug. 25, 2008, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

She was born Sept. 15, 1925, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Arthur J. and Ella Louise Schwab Job. She and Richard E. Conley were married July 20, 1949, in Cape Girardeau.

Conley was a former cook at Notre Dame Regional High School, retiring in 1986. She was a member of St. Mary's Cathedral, former 4-H leader and former member of St. Ann's Sodality.

She is survived by her husband; two daughters, Karen Mobley of Jefferson City, Mo., Janet (Danny) Freeman of Jackson; a daughter-in-law, Celia Conley of Chicago; six grandchildren, Travis Mobley, Kyla Shorter, Tara Conner, Toby Freeman, Richard W. Conley, Kenny Skippergosh; seven great-grandchildren, Logan Allee, Darra Mobley, Harrison Mobley, Camden Conner, Kalen Conner, Keilah Freeman and Aliyah Skippergosh.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Ronald W. Conley, on Feb. 28, 1993; a great-grandchild, Gavin Mobley; three brothers; and two sisters.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Parish prayers with a rosary will be at 7.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary's Cathedral, with the Rev. Tom Kiefer officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Sevella "Imogene" Brooks, 80, of Jackson died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008, at Monticello House.

McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson is in charge of arrangements.