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Helen Victoria Samsel joined her Heavenly Father on Saturday, October 24, 2020.  Helen’s final days were spent resting in her Springfield home with her family visiting on a daily basis.  Helen was born December 10, 1916 in Salina, Kansas to Victoria and Fernahand Kubitschek.  She was proud of the fact that she lived a wonderful life to the age of 103.  She was preceded in death by her husband, D. L. (Sam) Samsel after 67 years of marriage.  She was also preceded in death by her parents; her brother and sister-in-law, Ray and Leilla Kubitschek; and brother-in-law, Russ Ashenfelter.  Helen is survived by her sister, Marty Ashenfelter; Helen’s son and daughter and their spouses, Tom and Joyce Samsel, and Vicki and Dave LaHay; grandchildren, Scott and Jennifer Samsel, Jill (Samsel) Payne, and Amy LaHay; great-grandchildren, Jaclynn and Jarrett Payne, Jackson Samsel and several wonderful nieces and nephews.  The family is very grateful to Susan and Cecilia who provided loving care for Helen during her later years as well as Faith Hospice.

Helen’s positive attitude was an inspiration for everyone she touched.  Her spiritual life started as a student in the Catholic Schools in Salina, KS and continued as she attended Marymount College in Salina.  She then put her teaching talents to practice as she taught the fourth grade class at St. Joseph School in Springfield for 22 years.  Several of her students attended her 100^th birthday party.  She served as the treasurer for the Ladies Guild at Holy Trinity Church for many years.

Helen enjoyed many great motorcycle trips as she and Sam rode their Harley-Davidson cycle on road trips with their friends.  Helen and Sam were also very active in the Knights of Columbus and spent many nights playing bingo and going to dances.  She did think she might be a professional dancer in her early years.  If any family member needed prayers for anything, we always would go to “Pope Helen” since she had a great record of having her prayers answered.

Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at 10:00 am at Holy Trinity Catholic Church under the care of Gorman Scharpf Funeral Home.  Helen will be laid to rest at Missouri Veterans Cemetery.  No formal visitation is scheduled but friends may call after 2 pm on Tuesday in the funeral home.  Donations can be made to St. Joseph Catholic Academy, 515 W. Scott Ave, Springfield, MO 65802, or the charity of your choice.

Anna A. Vespa, age 91 of Springfield, passed away Wednesday, December 18, 2019, in her home.

Anna was born March 12, 1928, in Brooklyn, New York, to the late Lorenzo Di Bella and Lena Figlioli Di Bella.

She married the late Nickolas Vespa on September 19, 1953.  She and Nickolas have been Springfield residents for more than 40 years.

She was a devoted Catholic and a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

She is survived by her son and his wife Drs. Donald and Amy Vespa; two daughters, Laraine Mobley and Janet and her husband Alan Hoambrecker; eight grandchildren, Michael, Michelle, Courtney, Daniel, Thomas, Nickolas, Kasey & Brean.

Visitation and Prayer Service will be held Thursday, January 2, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Gorman- Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. Funeral Mass will be Friday, January 3, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. in Holy Trinity Catholic Church with the Rev. Patrick Ike Nwokoye and the Rev. Thomas E. Reidy concelebrant, under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel.  Burial will be in Missouri Veteran’s Cemetery.       

Phyllis Wilcox, 83, of Springfield, passed away on Thursday, November 21, 2019.

                She was a beloved member of the Springfield community for over 50 years. She was an active member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Her world revolved around her family and friends, faith and her deep devotion to God. She lived her life with zest and grace and will be missed by many.

                She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl L. Wilcox; daughter, Beth Wilcox Adamson; and son, William P. Wilcox.

                She is survived by her son, David Wilcox (Sue); son-in-law, John Adamson; two brothers, three sisters, and grandchildren, Emily Hunter Adamson (Lyndsey), Elaine Adamson, Billy P. Wilcox, Mary Frances Wilcox, Lauren Wilcox and Liam Wilcox.

Charleen Dorothy Leingang, 85, died peacefully surrounded by her children on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 in Springfield, Missouri.

She was born June 17, 1934 in North Dupo, Illinois, the daughter of Edna Sophie Schmidt and Charles Berghoefer.

She began her work life in a stenographic pool at Laclede Steel in Illinois, followed by St. Regis Paper Company, at which time she met her husband John Carl Leingang, who was the car pool driver. They spent two years living in Hawaii, ultimately married in 1964 and settled down in Rantoul, Illinois where they ran the famous Spudnut potato donut business and adopted their three children – John Charles, Jeffrey Charles, and Janet Charleen. Charleen became a Certified Professional Secretary and served as the executive assistant to the manager of Comb Laboratories in Rantoul. After moving to Springfield, Missouri in 1978, she worked at Drury College, taught sewing at Stretch and Sew, and ultimately was the executive assistant to four sequential presidents over a 19 year tenure at Litton Industries. Her cooking and baking skills were unlimited and she was a master seamstress, having created a made-to-fit tuxedo for her husband, prom dresses based on pictures from catalogues for her daughter, and innumerable beautiful clothes to adorn her entire family. In addition to the above and raising her children, she always remained active in her community and the Catholic Church. In these realms, she served as the President of the Rantoul Junior Women’s Club, served as a Eucharistic minister, and devoted herself for many years to singing in the Holy Trinity Church Choir and serving as a volunteer at the surgery waiting room desk at Mercy Hospital.

Beyond all of the above talents and, most important to her, was her role as mother, grandmother, and friend. Her devotion, commitment, support, and loyalty in each of these roles was unparalleled. She loved deeply, was deeply loved, and will be greatly missed.

Charleen is survived by her older son and his wife, John and Sundee Leingang of Rogersville; her younger son and his wife, Jeffrey and Kim Leingang of Leominister, MA; her daughter Janet Rucker, M.D. of New York, NY; her grandchildren, Jeffrey Leingang, Charleen Durand and her husband Nathan, Andrew Leingang and his wife Megan, Kelsay Wells and her wife Taylor, and Alexis Leingang; three great-grandchildren, Carter, Amora, and Sutton, and many other relatives and friends.

Margaret (Jane) Rand, 91, passed away peacefully of natural causes on March 3, 2019. 

Jane was born on September 20, 1927, in Springfield, Missouri to Brown and Mae McArtor. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, George Rand. She is survived by her brothers, James McArtor (Lucy) Kansas City, MO and Robert McArtor (Catherine), Spring Hill, TN. She is also survived by her four children, Mike Rand (Janet), Ozark, MO, Mary “Tish” Rand, Springfield, MO, Sally Evans (Roy), Kansas City, MO, and Tom Rand (Karen), Allen, Texas, as well as 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. 

Jane graduated from Pleasant Hope High School and attended what is now Missouri State University for one year. She worked for Southwestern Bell and AT&T for 33 years before retiring. She was a founding member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and volunteered at the Kitchen for many years. 

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am, Thursday, March 7, 2019 at Holy Trinity Church, 2818 E. Bennett St., Springfield, MO. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested you consider a donation in Jane’s memory to The Kitchen, 1630 N. Jefferson Ave., Springfield, MO 65803.

On Thursday, February 21, 2019, Gerald “Gerry” Weis Spalding passed away at the age of 43.  Gerry was born on January 8, 1976 in Hannibal, Missouri and was the first baby born in Monroe County for the bicentennial year. He attended Holy Rosary Catholic School and graduated from Monroe City High School in 1994. He attended Southwest Missouri State (now known as Missouri State University) where he was a member of Lambda Chi Fraternity.  Gerry made his home in Springfield, Missouri after college and worked at Chase Bank since 2004, where he was Employee of the Year in 2012.

Gerry is survived by his loving wife Cheryl, his parents Dennis and Kaye Spalding of Monroe City, his sister Hayley Painter (Steve) of St. Charles, Missouri, brother George (Aimie) of Hannibal, Missouri, his three children Sadie, Alexandra Bayer (Ray), Austin Goans, and numerous extended family and friends. Gerry is preceded in death by his grandparents George and Eva Jo Spalding of Monroe City, Missouri and Bob and Viola Weis of Moberly, Missouri.

Gerry was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was an avid fan of the Missouri Tigers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Saint Louis Cardinals. He will be remembered for his quick wit, love of his family, his love of travel, and his vivacious spirit.

A visitation will be held at 6:00pm on Monday, February 25, 2019 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with a rosary service preceding at 5:30 pm. Funeral proceedings will take place at 11:00 am Tuesday, February 26 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with a meal following burial.

In lieu of flowers, Gerry requested donations be made to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation or Holy Rosary Catholic School in Monroe City, Missouri.

Harold Kenneth Shy , age 86,of Springfield, MO died Monday, February 11, 2019 at the James River Care and Rehab Center. 

Harold was born May 5, 1932 in New Madrid, MO the son of Gordon Samuel and Helen (Cruchon) Shy. 

He was a retired Pharmacist and a U. S. Marine Veteran. 

Harold was preceded in death by his parents and six other siblings. 

Harold is survived by his wife of 58 years, Virginia of the home; two daughters, Nichole Shy of Springfield, MO; Theresa Hicks of West Virginia; two sons, Chris Shy, of Warrensburg, MO; Charles Shy of Alabama; nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren and many friends.To send flowers to the family of Harold Kenneth Shy, please visit Tribute Store.

Bettina J. Engle, age 95, passed into Gods Hands on February 8, 2019, and will be reunited with her husband Leonard, after suffering from the complications of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Bettina was born on December 1, 1923 in Jefferson, S. Dakota, the daughter of Arseme and Alida Bousquet. She was the youngest of eleven children. Betty lived on a farm by Jackson, Nebraska where she attended St. Catherine’s Academy. Eventually she met a neighboring farmer, Leonard Engle, and they married on June 22, 1943.

Betty and Leonard farmed for a few years while starting their family, then moved to Sioux City, Iowa. There they continued their family and in 1960 they moved to the Los Angeles area in California. They remained there as they raised their eight children.

Betty lived most of her life as a devoted wife, a wonderful mother and a tireless homemaker. As her children matured, Betty worked outside the home at an electronics company for several years. After retiring in 1987, Betty and Leonard moved to Springfield, MO. There they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary accompanied by some of their children and grandchildren. Leonard passed away on September 30, 2003.

Betty and Leonard left a wonderful legacy of eight children, thirteen grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren.

Betty will be remembered lovingly by all who knew her.

Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 am on February 15, 2019 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 2818 E. Bennett Street, Springfield, MO. with a Rosary Service to be held at 10:15 am. Mass of Christian Burial will follow the visitation starting at 11:00 am in the church. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Springfield.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to Ascend Hospice, 783 NE Anderson Lane, Lee’s Summit, MO. 64064.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home.

Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.

John Henry (Jack) Feuerbacher Jr., age 74, passed away at Cox South Hospital surrounded by his family on Sunday, December 23, 2018. He was born June 16, 1944 in St. Louis, MO. Jack graduated from Drury University where he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. He served his country as a sergeant in the United States Army from 1969-1971. Jack worked in St. Louis in sales and then returned to Springfield in 1976. He worked in fireworks distribution for Ingram Enterprises for almost 40 years holding titles of vice president and general manager; however, if you asked Jack what he did, he would say, “I sell firecrackers.”

Jack was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church. He was also a member of Hickory Hills Country Club, where in his younger years he enjoyed playing golf and tennis.  He was literally a “Jack” of all trades and you could always count on him. Jack retired in 2015. He loved spending time with his family and friends. Full of class and charm, he had a smile that lit up a room and an unforgettable laugh. He was extremely kind and always friendly to everyone he encountered. He will be dearly missed by many.

Jack is preceded in death by his parents John and Dorothy Feuerbacher. He is survived by his beloved wife of 36 years, Ann Marie (Hagale) Feuerbacher and his three sons Rob, Mark (Shawna) and Brad (Jen) all of Springfield, MO. Jack (Grandpa) will be fondly remembered by his seven grandchildren: Trent, Madison, Karson, Cole, Hayden, Hudson and Max. He is also survived by his sisters Joanne Howell of Springfield, MO and Nancy (Louis) Beasley of Orlando, FL. His brother, Robert (Lyn) Feuerbacher, resides in Weldon Spring, MO. Jack was also a favorite uncle to several nieces and nephews. 

A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 28^th at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 2818 E. Bennett St., Springfield, MO, under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. A private family burial will follow at Missouri Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Jack’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.