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Submitted: 5/10/19 • Approved: 3/16/22 • Last Updated: 3/19/22 • R819235-G819235-S3
Louise
Oct 31, 1928
Nov 1, 2021
Claude
Aug 21, 1926
Mar 6, 2019
Ruth Louise (Hanks) Gauldin, a lifelong resident of Willow Springs, passed away Monday, November 1, 2021 while at Willow Care Nursing Home. She was born October 31, 1928 to Clyde and Ruby Hanks in Howell County. She was 93 years old.
Louise married Claude Leroy (Butch) Gauldin on April 21, 1953 in West Plains, MO and they enjoyed 66 years together. They loved and raised 5 children: Rhonda Gately and her husband, Dean of Edgar Springs, MO; Leroy Gauldin and his wife, Debbie of Willow Springs; Vicki Kanne of Marionville, MO; Nita Ray of Rolla, MO; and Gwen Parker of Edgar Springs. She also loved her 9 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She is further survived by her sister, Mildred Simkins of Springfield, MO.
Louise was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her sister, Mary Poppitz; two brothers: Neil Hanks and Rex Hanks; son-in-law, Kenneth Parker; sister-in-law, Helen Hanks; 3 nephews and 1 niece.
She was very thoughtful, loving, and had a heart full of sweetness for everyone. She had many interests in life. She was an accomplished seamstress who made all the clothing for her children and many for her grandchildren as well. She enjoyed bowling, golfing, playing softball, gardening, and canning. She also loved playing cards, especially “Pitch.” She was also well-known for selling Avon for over 35 years, making many friends, and making all the women in the area feel pretty. Her children were blessed with a stay-at-home mom who was always there for them and for which they are still grateful. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Willow Springs and loved teaching Sunday School to children. She felt it was very important for her children as well as those she taught to know about Jesus. She will be dearly missed by her family, her friends, and all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in her memory to the Benevolence Fund at First Baptist Church, which may be left at the church or the funeral home.
A funeral service for Louise Gauldin will be held on Friday, November 5, 2021 at the First Baptist Church at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor Joel Hinds officiating. Interment will follow at the Willow Springs City Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Willow Funeral Home, LLC. Online condolences may be left at www.willowspringsfuneralhome.com
Claude L. “Butch” Gauldin, a resident of Willow Springs, passed away early Wednesday morning while at his residence. Born August 21, 1926 to Edmund and Lucy (Boulware) Gauldin in Ashland, MO, he was 92 years old.
Claude grew up in Willow Springs and attended the local schools. He graduated from Willow Springs High School in May of 1944. He began working with the Postal Service while he was still in school. In August, 1944 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and proudly served his country until he was discharged in July, 1946. When he returned home, he resumed working for the U. S. Postal Service and retired in 1981 as Postmaster after 38 years of service. He was married to Louise Hanks on April 21, 1953 in West Plains, MO. To this union, five children were born. He and Louise were long-time members of the First Baptist Church in Willow Springs. Claude, or “Butch” as he was known, served in many capacities; he was a 61-year member of the Ingomar Lodge No. 536 A.F. & M. in Willow Springs where he was a 32nd degree Mason, a member of the Scottish Rite, and the Shriners. He served on the School Board in Willow Springs; he obtained his pilot’s license and he loved to scare his children with his acrobatics. He was well known in the area as a farmer and would willingly spend his time on his tractor on the farm and was always eager to lend a helping hand to a neighbor. He raised Hampshire show hogs; and was so proficient at it that he and Louise, along with Bob and Jackie Hinds, traveled to Japan to promote Hampshire hogs. The Japanese farmers also visited here to learn more about the show hogs. It has been said that the most important part of Mr. Gauldin’s life was his love of family and spending time with them. His children agreed that he was a great father. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers; Edmund Gauldin, Jr. and Robert Gauldin.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years; his children, Gwen Parker of Edgar Springs; Nita Ray of Rolla; Vicki Kanne of Marionville; Leroy Gauldin and his wife, Deb of Willow Springs; Rhonda Gately and her husband, Dean of Edgar Springs; nine grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Further survivors include two sisters; Marguerite Wehmer and Betty Stringer both of Willow Springs and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Mr. Gauldin will be held Monday, March 11, 2019 at 1:00 P.M. at the First Baptist Church of Willow Springs with Pastor Joel Hinds officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Claude’s memory be made to: Mark Hinds Benefit and may be left at the funeral home or West Plains Bank. Arrangements are under the direction of Willow Funeral Home, LLC. On-line condolences may be left at www.willowspringsfuneralhome.com
Contributed on 5/10/19 by mjrwag
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Record #: 819235