CHESTER E. PERDUE Chester E. Perdue, 73, Strasburg, Missouri, passed away Sunday, March 25, 2001 at his home. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 28, 2001, at Wallace Funeral Home, Pleasant Hill. Burial will be in Strasburg Cemetery. He is survived by a son, Mark Perdue Strasburg; a daughter, Shelly Jones, Pleasant Hill; two brothers, Raymond Perdue, Pleasant Hill, and Bobby Perdue, Holden; two sisters, Dorothy Renick, Holden, and Gladys Jones, Butler; two grandchildren, Jessica and Braye Jones; and two step grandchildren, David and Angela. EMMETT BERNARD JOHNSTON Emmett Bernard Johnston, 92, passed away Monday, February 12, 2001 at Loretta's Shelter Care following a courageous 11-year battle with cancer. His family of three has continuously fought cancer in one of its members for the past 24 years. Bernard was born in Ravanna, Finney County, Kansas April 13, 1908, to Emmett Barnett Johnston and Bertie Mae Laughon Johnston. From age two months to 15 years, Bernard's family lived in Fortuna and Holden. Bernard, along with his parents and two sisters, moved to Roswell in June 1923. He graduated from Roswell High School with the class of 1925. He went to work at the Roswell Building and Loan (now Pioneer Savings Bank) and at Lowery Auto Company, while continuing to help his parents with the family farm. He attended Draughon's Business College in San Antonio. At the age of 18 in 1926, Bernard began his long public accounting career with the firm of Harrison and Bassett, which had bought the Roswell practice of Ralph A. Shugart, the first practicing public accountant in southeastern New Mexico, when Mr. Shugart moved his business to Artesia. In 1927, Bernard became the sole partner of J. Walden Bassett, establishing the firm of Bassett and Johnston. Bernard's name was part of the firm's name until 1970, when the firm of Johnston, Wilson, and England merged with the national accounting firm of Fox and Company. Bernard's firm built and moved into the building at 600 N. Richardson Ave., in 1956 and remained at that location until 1985, when Bernard retired from public practice at the age of 77. He continued accounting work for trusts and his extended family though December 2000, at the age of 92. Through the 1930s and 1940s, Bernard not only was a full-time partner in his own firm in Roswell, but also worked with Ralph Shugart in his Artesia office. Those were very busy years with much commuting between Roswell and Artesia. Certainly not knowing her future role in his life, Bernard first met his future wife in 1926, when he was 18 and she was 3. She was the daughter of Ralph and Rena Shugart. Bernard was an active member of the Lion's Club in Artesia and Roswell for many years, being a charter member of the Downtown Lions Club of Arteisa. He volunteered to leave his accounting practice to serve in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. He was a member of the Charles DeBremond Post No. 28 of the American Legion and was a great supporter of many other community organizations. April 10, 1948, Bernard married Jane Shugart in her parent's home in Artesia, after she returned there from serving as a missionary teacher of the Navajo Indians in Ganado, AZ. They lived in Roswell their entire married life and in 1951, their only child, Mary Ellen, was born: she survives both her parents at the family home. Jane passed away January 25, 1990 following a 13-year battle with cancer. Bernard was a Christian and a Methodist, having been a member of the First Methodist Church in Roswell since 1923. Over the years, he served that church as treasurer, administrative board member and financial secretary, Sunday School teacher, and choir member. He played an instrumental role in the building of both Aldersgate United Methodist Church and El Divino Pastor United Methodist Church in Roswell. He was a life member of the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International. He was a board member of the Roswell Girls' Club for several years. He served his family, clients and community in ways many would describe as "beyond the call of duty." Bernard traveled extensively with his wife and daughter; he visited 16 foreign countries and 45 states including Alaska and Hawaii. He loved history and genealogy hunting family "roots" literally all over the country. He also enjoyed spending as much time as possible at the family retreat in Ruidoso. In addition to his wife, Bernard was preceded in death by his parents and his older sisters, Roberta J. Grusendorf, all of Roswell. In addition to his daughter, Bernard is survived by one sister, Edwina J. Manning, of Roswell. Other survivors include nephews, Bob Manning and his wife, Dawn, of Henderson, NV; Stephen Shugart, Denver, CO; Paul Shugart and his wife, Linda, Evergreen, CO; nieces, Elizabeth Shugart Duncan and her husband, Robert, and Martha Shugart McCannon and her husband, Mike, all of Denver. He is also survived by 11 great nephews and nieces in Colorado and Texas, as well as many loving friends. He will be greatly missed by all because he was truly his best in the roles of loving and devoted son, husband, father, brother, uncle and friend. Funeral services were held Friday, February 16, 2001 at the First United Methodist Church in Roswell. Rev. Michael Brunk, of the church, Dr. Any Jamison, and Elton Dilbeck all officiated. Burial was at South Park Cemetery. Pallbearers were John Bassett, Jonathan Bodwell, Gordon Dickinson, Dr. Bill Greenhaw, Troy Hays, Ervin March and Leslie McPherson. Honorary pallbearers were Ben Bassett, Robert N. Bodwell, Robert D. Bodwell, Jeff Bodwell, Robert Borom, Brian Copple, Dr. James Castle, Dr. Fred French, Dr. Jack Graham, Chris Jamison, Cecil Lant, Clayton Meairs, Dr. Tom Ramage, Charles Shannon, Dr. Robert T. Smith, Paul Snead and Dr. Paul Whitwam. Those wishing to make contributions in Bernard's memory may do so to charities of their own choosing. Arrangements were all under the direction of Ballard Funeral Home, Roswell, Missouri. NANCY JANE SHIELDS Nancy Jane Shields, 62, Holden, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, March 20, 2001 at her home in Holden. She was born January 21, 1939 in Newton, Iowa, the daughter of Klause Robert and Helen Margaret (Davis) Peterson. Mrs. Shields had lived in Laurie, Missouri, before moving to Holden, 11 years ago. Mrs. Shields had worked several years for the Laurie Nursing Home in Laurie, Missouri. Upon moving to Holden, she became administrator for Holden Manor Care Center, where she worked for eleven years. She retired in 2000. She was a member of the Missouri League for Nursing, The National Association for Female Executives, the AARP, and the Republican National Committee. In addition to her close friends in Holden, she leaves behind a son, Spencer Ogden Shields II, Cheyenne, Wyoming; and a daughter, Tonya Renee Shields, Chilicothe, Missouri. Funeral services were held Friday, March 23, 2001 at Ben Cast & Son-Wood Funeral Home, Holden. Rev. Daniel Frazier and Rev. Bill Perkins officiated. Interment was Saturday, March 24, 2001 at Mountain View Cemetery, Des Arc, Missouri. JOHN FERGUSON John Ferguson, 70, Odessa, passed away Tuesday, March 20, 2001. He was born December 5, 1930 in Bates City, Missouri the son of Robert Wilson Ferguson and Ann Marjorie Burris Ferguson. On February 17, 1952 he married Sarah Lee "Sally" Sydenstricker in Odessa. She survives at the home. Since 1994 John was co-owner of Suburban Supply, Inc., Odessa. He started the Ferguson Plumbing and Excavating business in 1960 until 1996. John graduated from Odessa High School in 1948 and was former member of the Odessa Alumni Board. John served in the Army doing a tour in Korea with the 78th AAA Gun Battalion, receiving the Korean Service Medal w/three bronze stars, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal serving one year four months and 10 days overseas duty. John was a life member of Odessa VFW Post #5675, the American Legion Post #286, and the Moose Lodge #10, K.C. MO. John was a former member of the Odessa Volunteer Fire Department serving as rural chief, and the Port Aransas Texas Volunteer Fire Department. John was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Odessa and was an elder and on the new building committee. John has served on the former Farmer School District School Board and served as president. Survivors in addition to his wife, Sally, are two sons and spouses, Tom and Michelle Ferguson, Odessa, and Chuck and Teresa Ferguson, Fairway, KS; two daughters and husband, Melissa and Mark Lancaster, Odessa, and Phyllis Ferguson, Apple Valley, MN; six grandchildren; and one great grandson. Funeral services were held Sunday, March 25, 2001 at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Catherine Bogue officiating. Burial was at Mt. Tabor Cemetery, Odessa, under the direction of Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home, Odessa. Pallbearers were Arthur Steelman, Jr., John Steelman, Gordon Steelman, Ned Steelman, Robert Lewis Morehead, and Bob Green. Honorary pallbearers were E.L. Barker, Hollis Dyer, Raymond Manking, Buddy Pallette, and Orville Lee Day. The family requests memorial contributions to be made to the First Presbyterian Church building fund and/or American Cancer Society. EARL SECHREST Earl Sechrest, 66, Kingsville, Missouri, passed away Sunday, March 25, 2001 at Lee's Summit Hospital, Lee's Summit, Missouri. He was born October 14, 1934 in Kingsville the son of James Earl "Jennings" and Marie Riddle Sechrest. He graduated from Kingsville High School in 1952, and lived in the Kingsville community all of his life. On January 26, 1954 he married Louise Smith in Holden. Mr. Sechrest was a farmer. He also worked at the Town and Country Shoe factory in Odessa from 1953 until its closing in 1960. He was a heavy equipment operator at Lake City Ammunition Plant in Independence for 27 years and retired in 1992. He was a member and deacon of Forest Grove Baptist Church near Pleasant Hill and a member of the Warrensburg Camp of Gideon International. Surviving his passing are his wife, Louise, of the home; two sons, Darrell Sechrest and wife Patricia, Omaha, NE, and Danny Sechrest and wife Janet, Kingsville; his mother Marie Sechrest, Kingsville; three brothers, James and Joe Sechrest, Holden, and Clarence Sechrest, Pleasant Hill; three sisters, Ann Farris, Holden, Lillian Taylor and Goldie Mann, both of Kingsville; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father in 1980. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 28, 2001 at 2:00 p.m. at Forest Grove Baptist Church, Pleasant Hill, under the direction of Ben Cast & Son-Wood Funeral Home, Holden. Interment will be at Kingsville Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to Gideon International. HOWARD C. MARTIN Howard C. Martin, 75, Warrensburg, passed away Wednesday, March 21, 2001 south of Warrensburg. He was born Saturday, January 16, 1926 in Liberty, Missouri, the son of Earl William Martin and Nellie Floy Gardiner Martin. He had lived most of his life south of Warrensburg. Mr. Martin was an Army veteran of World War II serving in the Pacific theatre. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Eureka Odd Fellows Lodge No. 88 and Corinthian Lodge No. 265 A.F. & A.M., where he had been secretary, all of Warrensburg. He received his Bachelors degree in Mathematics and Masters degree in Administration from CMSU. He taught at Holden, Knob Noster, Leeton, Chilhowee, and Higginsville schools where he had been principal at Knob Noster and Superintendent at Chilhowee and Leeton. He was also a farmer and cattleman. He married Marilyn Edwards on December 21, 1951 in Warrensburg and she survives of the home. Also surviving are three daughters, Susan Northcraft, Lee's Summit, Sarah Endel, Sioux City, Iowa and Sherrilyn Hanna, Warrensburg; two sons, Jay Martin, Branson and Wesley Martin, Lee's Summit; eight grandchildren; one sister, Martha Henken, Tucson, AZ; and a brother, Russell Martin, Warrensburg. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Nathan Allen Endel and three brothers, Jay, Raymond and Kenneth Martin. Memorial services were held Saturday, March 24, 2001 at First United Methodist Church, Warrensburg, under the direction of Williams Funeral Chapel, Warrensburg. Rev. Scott Moon officiated. Music was by a quartet, Jan Powers, Cathy Abney, Stan Small and Norris Waller. Interment was at Sunset Hill Cemetery, Warrensburg, MO.