Dr. Merrill Moses Townley, age 78 of Chamois, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, at the University Hospital in Columbia.
Dr. Townley was born September 12, 1934, on the family farm near Chamois which has been in the family since 1832. He was born in the house where he later raised his family and where he lived until the house burned on July 28, 2012. He was the son of Moses William and Hanna Augusta (Wiele) Townley.
He graduated from the University of Missouri- Columbia in 1960 with a BS degree in Agriculture and from the University of Missouri-Columbia’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1963 with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Townley was united in marriage to Norma Jean Pardun of Gilman City, Mo., on July 20, 1963. They raised three children: Greg, Bruce, and Brenda. Merrill and Norma Jean have had a wonderful life as they worked together in business and in service to their community. They enjoyed travel to every state in the nation and to all but two continents.
Merrill was a devoted Christian, husband, father, farmer, veterinarian, legislator, church deacon, Soldier, author, 4-H leader and community leader. He was baptized at a young age and lived his whole life with a strong faith which he carried and shared until his final day.
Merrill raised hogs and cattle as he worked his way through college and continued to raise cattle as he practiced veterinary medicine throughout his career in Osage, Gasconade, Cole, Miller, Callaway, Moniteau, Montgomery and Maries counties.
His military service began with his enlistment in the Army Reserve in 1957. He served in the field artillery and as the state veterinarian for the Missouri National Guard where he conducted food inspection for Guard posts in the state. He also participated in Medical missions to Guatemala and Bolivia. He completed a total of 24 years in the Army Reserves and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.
He served in the Missouri Legislature as a State Representative for 20 years during the period of 1982 to 2004.
Dr. Townley’s dedication to the greater good of society was demonstrated through his leadership in organizations such as the Chamois Lions Club, Osage County Ambulance Board, Chamois School Board, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, MFA, Missouri Farm Bureau, American Legion, and the Osage County Historical Society.
He was a friend to anyone he met. Even when a salesman or veterinary client showed up at supper time, he insisted that they come in and eat supper with the family. He loved to stop at coffee shops frequently when traveling the countryside so that he could “get the news”.
Survivors include his wife of 49 years; his 3 children and their spouses; and his 12 grandchildren: Greg Townley and his wife, Janet, of Prairie City, Iowa (Andrew, Jenny, Megan, and Hanna); Bruce Townley and his wife, Elisabeth, of El Paso, Texas (Zhenya, Alisa, Andrei, Caleb, Abbie, and Steven); and Brenda Tilawen and her husband, Jeremy, of Kansas City, Mo., (Devin and Katrina). He was preceded in death by his parents and one grandson, Timothy.
Visitation was held on Sunday, Nov. 11, at the Chamois High School Gymnasium with Masonic and Scottish Rite services.
An additional visitation was held Monday, Nov. 12, at the Fairgrounds Road Church of Christ in Jefferson City with funeral services at 11 a.m. Friends and family gathered at Morton Chapel in Chamois at 3:00 p.m. Interment followed in the Townley Cemetery near Chamois.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to Fairgrounds Road Church of Christ, Townley Cemetery Fund, or the Dr. Merrill Townley Scholarship Fund.
Arrangements are under the direction of Morton Chapel, Chamois, MO. (763-5522).
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Dolores Marie Grotewiel, 84, of Rhineland, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012 at University of Missouri Medical Center in Columbia.
Mrs. Grotewiel was born in Starkenburg, Missouri on April 26, 1928, the daughter of the late Adolph L. and Olivia (Elsenraat) Eldringhoff.
She was the widow of Chester Grotewiel. They were married May 2, 1953 at Starkenburg. He preceded her in death on January 24, 1974.
Dolores was a member of Church of the Risen Savior in Rhineland. She devoted her life to her family, work and church. She worked at Peoples Savings Bank of Rhineland and Hermann for 41 years
Dolores is survived by her children, son Steve Grotewiel and wife, Joni, of Osage Beach, son Michael Grotewiel and wife, Brenda, of Rhineland, son Bryan Grotewiel of Rhineland and daughter Annette Berkley of Columbia; two sisters, Irene Van Booven and husband, Gene, of O’Fallon, and Anna Marie Mazzola and husband, Harry, of Surprise, Ariz.; a brother Anthony Eldringhoff and wife, Wanda, of Rhineland; two sisters-in-law, Carol Kruse of St. Paul, Mo., and Vera Metzler and husband, Valerian, of Fenton, grandchildren Andy Lenger and wife, Cara, of Columbia, Tyler Grotewiel and wife, Teresa, of Rhineland, Libby Grotewiel of St. Louis, Morgan Grotewiel of Kansas City, Mo., Lauren Grotewiel of Dallas, Texas and Evin Grotewiel of Rhineland; and by two great-granddaughters.Taylor Grotewiel of Rhineland, and Brighton Lenger of Columbia.
Visitation was Tuesday, Nov. 20, at Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home, Hermann.
Funeral services will be held at Church of the Risen Savior, Rhineland, at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 21, with Father Bill Debo officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Rhineland.
The family requests memorials to Our Lady of Sorrows Shrine at Starkenburg or St. Joseph Cemetery, c/o Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home.
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Michael Gerard Koenig, 52, of Hermann passed away on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012 at his home.
Mr. Koenig was born in Washington on November 22, 1959, son of the late George L. and Barbara Ann (Weiser) Koenig.
He was the husband of Cindy (Price) Koenig. They were married August 8, 1981 at St. George Church. Cindy survives in Hermann.
Michael is also survived by two sons, Craig Koenig and wife, Cara, of Ozark, Mo., and Nick Koenig of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; a sister Anette Bellmore of Red Oak, Texas; two brothers Mark Koenig and wife, Marilyn, of Hermann, David Koenig and wife Marti of Greenville, Texas; and a sister, Cheryl Temme and husband, Ray, of Hermann; his father and mother-in-law, Bill and Jackie Price of Hermann; a sister-in-law Cathy Landolt and husband Mark of Marine, Ill.; a brother-in-law, Bill Price, Jr. of Hawk Point, Mo., and by many nieces and nephews.
He was a member of St. George Church, the Knights of Columbus, a former board member of River Bluff Industries and a former member of the band Voyage.
He was an assistant basketball coach at St. George School for several years. He enjoyed sports, fishing, BBQing, spending time with his family and playing the drums in the band Voyage.
He worked for several companies in the Hermann area, including Blanke Plastics and CFV Plastics.
Visitation was Monday, Nov. 19, at Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home, Hermann.
Funeral services were held at St. George Church, Hermann, on Tuesday, Nov. 20, with Father Bill Debo officiating. Burial was at St. George Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to Hermann Area Crusade Against Cancer, St. George School or St. George Church, c/o Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home.
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Mildred Koepke, 92, of Hermann, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012 at Frene Valley Health Care in Hermann.
A complete obituary will appear in next week’s Advertiser-Courier.
Go to www.baue.com for funeral arrangements.
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LaValle J. Menke, 81, of Rosebud, passed away on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at Frene Valley Health Center South in Owensville.
Mrs. Menke was born in Berger on June 6, 1931, the daughter of the late Irvin J. and Evelyn M. (Willimann) Diederich.
She was the wife of Melvin H. Menke. They were married January 24, 1953 at St. Louis. Melvin survives in Rosebud.
LaValle is also survived by a daughter, Cynthia L. Wehmeyer and husband, Charles, of Rosebud; a son, James I. Menke and wife, Wanda, of Bland; and a daughter, Christina “Tina” E. McCurry and husband, Douglas, of Rosebud; a brother, Norman Diederich and wife, Mae Jean, of New Haven; a sister Elaine Asami and husband, Richard, of Fresno, Calif.; six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded by a daughter-in-law, Annette Menke, and a brother, Larry Diederich.
She was a member of United Methodist Church, Rosebud, and she was a homemaker. LaValle played the organ and piano at many churches and gave piano lessons to many children. She was a seamstress for many years and made a lot of wedding dresses for people.
A funeral service was held at Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home in New Haven on Friday, November 16, at 11 a.m., with Pastor Bill Hafley officiating.
Burial was at St. John’s Cemetery, Berger.
Memorials may be given to New Haven Music Booster, c/o Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home.
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Nicole Jo Williams, 20, of Chamois, passed away on Thursday, November 15, 2012 at University of Missouri Medical Center in Columbia.
Miss Williams was born in Washington, Mo., on July 25, 1992, the daughter of Terrence Williams and Keva (Romaker) Williams.
She was affiliated with St. Paul U.C.C, Hermann.
Nicole is survived by her father, Terrance Williams of Hermann; her mother, Keva (Romaker) Williams and special friend, Larry Tune, of Chamois; three brothers, Donny and Carl Williams of Hermann and Michael Williams of Gasconade; her grandmother, Leona Romaker of Hermann; her God parents, Joseph and Debbie Korman of Bay; and by many aunts and uncles.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Carl and Lorene Williams, and grandfather Nicholas Romaker.
Graveside services were held at Loutre Island Cemetery, McKittrick, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 17, with Rev. James Elliott officiating.
Memorials may be given to families choice, c/o Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home.
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