Obituaries Published in June 15 California Democrat

BROWN

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Billy J. Brown, 74, of California, Mo., passed away on Saturday, June 11, 2011 as a result of an accident in Russellville, Mo.

He was born on January 21, 1937 the son of Joseph and Valtie Brown, both of whom preceded him in death. He was married on December 2, 1966 to Elsie J. Twitchel, who preceded him in death on March 8, 2002.

He served in the United States Army in the Korean Conflict. He worked for over 40 years as a carpenter and maintenance person for both the Missouri National Guard and Roedel's Cleaning Service and Supplies. He was a member of Main Street Baptist Church in California, Mo.

He is survived by two sons, Thomas Brown and wife Laurie of California, and David Brown of Columbia, Mo., with fiancé Lindsey Simpson of Troy, Ill.; grandchildren, Leslie Simpson and husband Chad, Derek Brown, and Connor Hill; and great-grandchildren Madysen and Dylan Simpson. He was preceded in death by one brother, Leroy Brown.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Main Street Baptist Church. Burial will be in High Point Cemetery. Officiating will be Rev. Ken Mathes and Pastor Eddie Schoeneberg. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, California, Mo.

Memorials are suggested to either the American Cancer Society-Relay for Life or Main Street Baptist Church, c/o Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, 100 S. Oak, California, MO 65018.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, California, Mo.

JEFFERS

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Mary Belle Jeffers, 79, of Columbia, passed away Friday June 10, 2011 at her home.

Cremation has taken place and she will be placed at Higginsville Veterans Cemetery with her husband.

She leaves behind her sister Sue Stillwell, of Odessa, Mo., her daughters Trish Allen, of California, Mo., Wanda Mansfield of Fayette, Mo., and Donna Jeffers who lived with her in Columbia. She also leaves behind many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Yancy and Eva Mae Goodman, her husband Donald Jeffers, her siblings Charles Goodman, Shirley DeHaven and by her daughter Lela Connor.

She enjoyed Bingo and playing slots at the Casino. She will be missed greatly by all of her family and friends.

MERTENS

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Clement T. (C.T. or Bud) Mertens, 93, of California, Mo., passed away on Thursday, June 9, 2011 at Westphalia Hills Care Center in Westphalia.

Clement was born December 20, 1917 near St Thomas, Mo., the youngest of eight children of Theodore and Mary Mertens. He grew up on the family farm and received his education in a one-room school in the area. His dad died during the Depression and, after they lost the family farm, he moved with his family to Tipton, Mo., in 1934 to be closer to his oldest brother, Carl. He began his career as a trucker and operated a limestone pulverizer for the Moniteau County Agricultural Improvement Association. He hauled lime for the Association from 1938 (with breaks during and after WWII) until 1964. Clement served in the Army Air Corps from May 1942 until December 1945, achieving the rank of T/Sgt. He was extremely proud of his service in the Air Corps, where he learned that his talent was recognized, and he gained confidence in his leadership, organization and management abilities.

After his service, he met and married Ida Mae Stockman on November 9, 1946 in Wardsville, Mo. They built a house near Wardsville, and moved to Columbia, Mo., in 1950 to take advantage of an opportunity with Whitely Tire Co. In 1953, they moved to California, Mo., and he and Ida purchased their first farm three miles south of McGirk, Mo., in 1954. Over the next 20 years, they expanded their farm to 400 acres and developed a leading dairy operation of 60 milking cows. In the early years, Clement continued to haul lime, and also did custom hay baling, silage chopping and combining. Self-educated by diligent reading and obtaining information from the university, Bud adopted new ideas and technology quickly. He was one of the first in the area to grow alfalfa for his dairy herd, terrace the land to prevent erosion, use computerized record-keeping, record the milk production of individual cows, feed cows according to production, convert to free-stalls for the dairy cows, and design and build an elevated milking parlor. In 1971, Bud and Ida were honored for their dairy farming accomplishments by the Missouri Farm Management Recognition Program. After moving to town in 1978, they continued their involvement with dairying by working for the Dairy Herd Improvement Association to officially measure milk production of cows for dairy farmers in Moniteau and Cole counties. In 2003, he and Ida moved to a retirement center in Westphalia, Mo., the village to which his Mertens ancestors immigrated in the 1830s.

With the support of his wife and family, Clement actively participated in community activities while operating a dairy farm 24/7. He was vice-chairman and founding member of Public Water Supply District #2 that brought water to the rural areas east of California, Mo., member of the Rural Fire Department, chairman of the Jefferson City Dairy Council, district chairman of Mid-America Dairyman, Inc., board member and state delegate to the MFA Cooperative Association, chairman of the Extension Council, and member of the FmHA County Loan Review Board, American Dairy Association, Holstein Association USA, and Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders' Association.

During their retirement they traveled to see family and friends, and visited nearly every state. Bud was an avid reader of newspapers, magazines and thousands of books. He enjoyed learning by reading throughout his life. He was known by family and friends for his numerous informative and interesting letters. In his 60s, Bud began using computers and in his 70s wrote a 430 page book about his family and life called "My Story." In his book, he wrote about the philosophy of life he was given as a child: "No matter what task you do, always do your best . . ." It was a philosophy that Bud lived and passed on as his legacy.

Bud was an active member of Annunciation Catholic Church. He was Parish Council member for seven years and also served as lector, usher, and communion minister. He was a Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus and a charter member of the Annunciation Church Council of the Knights.

Clement is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years, Ida. He is also survived by his children; David of Belleville, Wis., Theodore (Ted) of Brodhead, Wis., Karen (Mertens) Gerke of Otterville, Mo., and Beverly (Mertens) Riley of Madison, Mo.; and by six grandchildren, two stepgrandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 13, 2011. Burial with full military honors was in Annunciation Catholic Cemetery. Officiating was Fr. Ed Schmidt.

Donations can be made in Clement's name to Hospice Compassus or to the American Red Cross for the people of Joplin, MO, c/o Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, 100 S. Oak, California, MO 65018.

Arrangements were under the direction of Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, California, Mo.