Merle A. Stewart, age 89, of Carrollton, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, November 9, 2004 at Carrollton Life Care Center, Carrollton, Missouri.  He was born January 28, 1915 in Carroll County, Missouri, the son of William and Rose Smith Stewart.  He graduated from Tina High School, Tina, Missouri.  On May 11, 1935, he married Doris Irick in Carroll County, Missouri.  She preceded him in death on February 14, 1971.  To this union, two sons were born, Ronnie L. and Dwane Stewart.  He married Jean Melvin in Omaha, Nebraska on October 23, 1971.  She also preceded him in death on June 9, 1996.  Merle was a farmer all his life.  He was a member of the DeWitt Baptist Church, DeWitt, Missouri and the Bosworth Masonic Lodge.  Merle is survived by one son, Ronnie L. Stewart and wife Mary, Bosworth, Missouri; one brother, Marion W. Stewart, Cameron, Missour; one sister, Avon Hudson, Bosworth, Missouri; two granddaughters, Tammy LaVerentz and Jennifer Baldwin; three great grandchildren, Jake LaVerentz, and Trevor and Taylor Baldwin; and a very close friend, Ruby Mayden, Carrollton, Missouri.  His parents, two wives and one son, Dwane Stewart, who passed away on November 1, 1958, preceded him in death.  Funeral services were at 1:30 p.m., Friday, November 12, 2004 at Gibson Funeral Home, Carrollton, Missouri with Reverend Ken Randolph officiating.  Burial was in Wharton Cemetery, Bosworth, Missouri.  Visitation was from 7-8:30 p.m., Thursday, November 11, 2004 at Gibson Funeral Home, Carrollton, Missouri.  The family suggests contributions be made to the DeWitt Baptist Church or the Carrollton Senior Center in memory of Mr. Stewart.  They may be left at or mailed to Gibson Funeral Home, 201 S. Main, Carrollton MO 64633.

Clara Marie Grimes, age 93, of DeWitt, Missouri, passed away Thursday, November 11, 2004 at Carroll County Memorial Hospital, Carrollton, Missouri.  She was born June 7, 1911 in rural Wakenda, Missouri, the daughter of Joseph B. and Maude May Henderson Bargold.  She attended Green Bud Grade School and graduated from Carrollton High School in 1929.  On October 26, 1936, she was married to Albert Sanford Grimes by Reverend G. L. Bush.  Albert preceded her in death on June 11, 1989.  Clara was a housewife and mother.  She joined the Miami Christian Church at the age of twelve and was currently a member of the Wakenda Baptist Church.  She was also a member of the Amigo Club and the Peavine Club.  Clara is survived by one son, Bob Grimes and wife Donna, DeWitt, Missouri; three grandchildren, Tammy Kipping, Carrollton, Missouri, Cathy Benson and husband Greg, Carrollton, Missouri and Billy Grimes, DeWitt, Missouri; four great grandchildren, K. C. and Kaylee Kipping and Wyatt and Cole Benson.  Two sisters, Ruth and Josephine Bargold, also preceded Clara in death.  Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, November 14, 2004 at Gibson Funeral Home, Carrollton, Missouri with Reverend Pat Gorsett officiating.  Burial was in Pleasant Park Cemetery, Carrollton, Missouri.  Visitation was from 7-8:00 p.m., Saturday, November 13, 2004 at Gibson Funeral Home, Carrollton, Missouri.  The family suggests contributions be made to the Pleasant Park Cemetery in memory of Mrs. Grimes.  They may be left at or mailed to Gibson Funeral Home, 201 S. Main, Carrollton MO 64633.

Chester Ronald Zimny, age 65, of Brookfield, Missouri and formerly of Triplett, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, November 17, 2004 at the Pershing Memorial Hospital, Brookfield, Missouri.  He was born June 10, 1939 at Chicago, Illinois, the son of Edward P. and Virginia M. Zimny.  He served his country as a member of the US Air Force from 1960-1964.  He married Cheryl Edna Wright on April 24, 1976 at Triplett, Missouri.  He was a retired auto mechanic and was a past Mayor of TRiplett, Missouri.  He was a former member of the Rucker-McAllister Post #7 American Legion at Brunswick, Missouri.  He is survived by his wife Cheryl, Marshall, Missouri; two daughters, Gina Grossman, Mendon, Missouri and Diane Zimny; one son, Steven Zimny; one step-daughter, Jody Falke, Carrollton, Missouri; one step-son, Brian Wright, Bosworth, Missouri; his father, Edward Zimny, Kenosha, Wisconsin; one sister, Leona Lauckason and one brother, Robert Edward Zimny, both of Kenosha, Wisconsin; and four grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his mother and one son, Chester Ronald Zimny, Jr.  Graveside services will be at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, Higginsville, Missouri, on Monday, November 22, 2004 at 11:00 a.m., with Reverend Wendell Turner officiating.  The family suggests contributions be made to the family's choice in memory of Mr. Zimny.  They may be left at or mailed to Gibson Funeral Home, 207 W. Broadway, Brunswick MO 65236.

Frieda D. Winfree, age 90, of Higginsville, Missouri and formerly of DeWitt, Missouri, passed away on Thursday, November 18, 2004 at the Meyer Care Center in Higginsville, Missouri.  She was born on May 3, 1914 at Miami Station, Missouri, the daughter of John and Carrie Hattabaugh Rucker.  She married Ned Winfree on December 4, 1929 at Carrollton, Missouri.  Ned preceded her in death in 1968.  Frieda and Ned had owned and operated the Winfree's Grocery Store at DeWitt, Missouri.  She enjoyed quilting and was a member of the DeWitt Christian Church.  She is survived by her brother, John David Rucker of Novato, California.  She was also preceded in death by her parents and one daughter.  Funeral services were held at the Gibson Funeral Home, Brunswick, Missouri on Monday, November 22, 2004 at 2:00 p.m., with Reverend Lanny Lybarger officiating.  Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery, DeWitt, Missouri.  The family suggests memorials be made to the DeWitt Christian Church in memory of Mrs. Winfree.  They may be left at or mailed to Gibson Funeral Home, 207 W. Broadway, Brunswick MO 65236.

Frances Maryan Bricken, age 96, formerly of Waverly, Missouri, and residing at John Knox Villiage, Higginsville, Missouri, passed away Thursday, November 18, 2004 at Meyer Care Center, Higginsville, Missouri.
She was born June 24, 1908 in Waverly, Missouri, the daughter of George Warren and Minnie Ann Walton Groves.  She graduated from Waverly High School in 1927.
On December 26, 1932, she married Richard W. Bricken in Carrollton, Missouri.  He preceded her in death on December 3, 1991.  Mrs. Bricken was one of the last decendants of four pioneer Missouri families.  On the maternal side, the Richardsons who came to Macon County, Missouri from Shelby County, Kentucky in 1821 and the Waltons to Waverly in 1849.  On the paternal line, the David Groves family from Sumner County, Tennessee to Lafayette County in 1835 and the Warrens from Mercer County, Kentucky in the late 1830’s to Dover.  She had made her home in Waverly until moving to John Knox Village East, Higginsville, Missouri on February 16, 1989.    Mrs. Bicken owned and operated the Waverly Times from 1941 to 1974 and sold insurance from 1946 to 1991.  She was baptized July 16, 1923 and joined the Waverly Christian Church Disciples of Christ.  She had been involved in many organizations including: Anthony Thomas Chapter D.A.R., Betty Shelby U.D.C., Colonial Dames of the 17th Century XVII, Colonial Wars, Sons and Daughters of Pilgrims where she had served as the former Governor of the State Organization, Kensington Club and the Waverly Garden Club.  She was a charter member of the Lafayette County Historical Society and a charter member since 1934 of the KPMTN, a member of the Carroll County Historical Society, Higginsville Women’s Club, and a Charter member in 1932 of the Lafayette County Women’s Jefferson Club.
Survivors include one sister, Geraldine Groves Pittsenbarger, Everett, Washington; four nephews, Richard Pittsenbarger, Chehalis, Washington, Robert Pittsenbarger, Lynnwood, Washington, James W. Pittsenbarger, Granite Falls, Washington and Russell B. Wheeler, Ocean Grove, New Jersey.
She was also preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Eileen Groves Wheeler.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, November 27, 2004 at the Waverly Christian Church, Waverly, Missouri with Lou Vellia officiating.  Burial will be in Waverly Cemetery, Waverly, Missouri.
Visitation will be from 12-1:15 p.m., at the church prior to the service.
The family suggests contributions to the Frances Groves Bricken Scholarship Fund or the charity of one’s choice.  They may be left at or mailed to Gibson Funeral Home, 201 S. Main, Carrollton, MO 64633.

Scott Lehner Claerhout, age 39, passed away Friday, November 19, 2004 at this home in Carrollton, Missouri.
He was born September 23, 1965 in Unionville/Seibwing, Michigan, the son of Larry and Marilyn Jacobs Claerhout.  He attended Union,Seibwing area high schools in Michigan.  He attended the University of Michigan, Rosscommon, Delta University and Saginaw State University.  He was in the United States Army, C.I.O. Command during Desert Storm.  He was self-employed in construction.  He had worked as a Youth Counselor in Saginaw, Michigan, Deputy Sheriff in Detroit, Michigan, Saginaw and  Unionville-Seibwing, Michigan, Camden County, Camdenton, Missouri, Morgan County, Eldon, Missouri, Polaski County, Fort Riley, Kansas and the Department of Mental Health, Laurie, Missouri.  He had been in law enforcement eighteen years; working as S.W.A.T., Drug Task Enforcement Agency, Recreational Officer.  He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and attended the Catholic Church in Unionville/Seibwing, Michigan.  He was a member of the Missouri Deputy Sheriffs Association, had coached 5th and 6th grade football where his team had won the 2004 championship, and a member of the American Bow Association.
On November 16, 2003, Scott married Tammy Kaye Newton in Carrollton, Missouri.  She survives at the home.
Scott  is also survived by his mother and step-father, Marilyn and Howard Holt, Reese, Michigan; four children of the home, Dustin “Wade”, Christian, Iloe and Terry; one sister, Alecia Hill and husband Steve, Reese, Michigan; and one brother, Guy Holt and wife Jennifer, Bay City, Michigan.
Scott was preceded in death by his father, Larry and his maternal and paternal grandfathers.
Memorial services will be held at 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 26, 2004 at the Southside Baptist Church, Carrollton, Missouri, with Reverend Ken Prewitt officiating.
The family suggests contributions be made to the family’s choice in memory of Mr. Claerhout.  They may be left at or mailed to Gibson Funeral Home, 201 S. Main, Carrollton MO 64633.

Russell Smith, age 71, of Norborne, Missouri, passed away Friday, November 26, 2004 at Carroll House in Carrollton, Missouri.
He was born August 1, 1933 in Carroll County, Missouri, the son of Frank and Sarah Johnson Smith.  He attended rural schools.  He was in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.  Russell retired from Ray-Carroll Coop as an Elevator Operator.
Russell is survived by several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Edna Agnes Duff.
Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 2, 2004 at Oak Hill Cemetery, Carrollton, Missouri.  Military services will be provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Pence-Lovell-England Post #1773, Carrollton, Missouri.
He will lie in state at Gibson Funeral Home in Carrollton from 8:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Thursday.
The family suggests contributions be made to the family’s choice in memory of Russell.  They may be left at or mailed to Gibson Funeral Home, 201 S. Main, Carrollton MO 64633.

Martha L. Wilson Summers, age 92, went home to be with the Lord November 28, 2004 at Independence Regional Hospital.
Martha had been a resident at Regency Care Center in Independence, Missouri for the last seven years.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Hadley P. Wilson and Emmett Summers, five children, two daughters-in-law, and one grandson, Gary L. Wilson, and one great grandson, Terry Ray Wilson.
Survivors are one daughter, Naoma Wilson Flake and husband Pete Flake, Independence, Missouri; also one half brother, and one step sister, both of Eureka, California; many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, all of whom were very important to her and she loved all of them very much.
Martha was a member of the South Avenue Church of Christ in Blue Springs, Missouri.  Her church family was a very important part of her life and she loved each and every one of them.  The family thanks all of them for their care and support during
Visitation will be on Friday, December 3, 2004 from 1-2:00 p.m., at Gibson Funeral Home in Carrollton, Missouri, followed by graveside services at Willis Chapel Cemetery east of Carrollton, Missouri.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Willis Chapel Cemetery Fund in Martha’s memory.  They may be left at or mailed to Gibson Funeral Home, 201 S. Main, Carrollton MO 64633.