Vigil Service: Thursday June 3, 2004 at 7:00pm in the Chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth.
Funeral Services: Friday June 4, 2004 at 11:00am in the Chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth.
Stella Melinda Clements, Bowen, Valentine, Funk, Bachmann was born August 10, 1916 in Doyle MO daughter of Isaac and Betty Shipp Clements Stella died June 1, 2004 at Rosebud Health Care Center in Forsyth, MT.
Stella grew up in and around Doyle and Bixby area she attended school in Doyle. She married Raymond Bowen in 1933; one son was born of this union Glendal (Jerry) Bowen. In 1940 Stella moved to Salem MO she worked in many restaurants in the area. Where she met George Valentine, George and Stella were married in 1943. George and Stella traveled all over following Georges job in construction, including several foreign countries. Stella and George were on the first boat to travel thru the Panama Canal before it was officially open to the public; George had worked on the project. George and Stella enjoyed traveling, even through all the travels they maintained a home in Kansas MO. This was the home office for many years. Stella and George moved to Oakland AR in 1956 they operated Mountain Creek Resort on Bull Shoals Lake. In 1958 they opened Valentines Cafe across the lake. George passed away in 1970, Stella sold the caf and moved to Mountain Home AK were she worked in various restaurants. In 1985 Stella married Howard Funk known as Papa Howard to his family they made their home in Pontiac MO they enjoyed traveling to various states. Papa Howard and Stella were on one of their many travels, they traveled to Mackinac Island MI were Papa Howard passed away in 1989 of a sudden heart attack. Stella remained in Pontiac MO were she met Merrel Bachmann they were married in 1992 Merrel passed away in 1996 Stella moved to Forsyth in 2000 were she resided till her death. Stella was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and Catholic Church.
Stella is preceded in death by Raymond, George, Howard, Merrill. Her brothers George, Homer and Roman. Her sisters Maggie, Loraine, Bessie, Della and Hattie. And son in law James McKinnon.
Stella is survived by her son and daughter in-law Glendal (Jerry) Linda Bowen, of Forsyth, daughter Kathy McKinnon of Belleville IL, Sister Zola Crocker of Saint Louis MO, former daughter in-law Vicki O Neal. Grandchildren Nicki (Terry) Shry of Chapman KS, Lisa Juniper of Hemit CA, Rae Bowen of Forsyth, Ronda Wilhelm of Forsyth, Raymond (Linda) Jackson of Rosebud, Mary (Morse) Lienemann of Edwardville, ILL, James (Cathy) McKinnon of Duluth, MN, Christina (Roger) Bashaw Chesapeake, VA. 13 Great Grandchildren and 1 Great Great Grandson. Stella is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be on Friday, June 4, 2004 at the Chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth at 11:00 A.M. Burial will be in the family lot of Oakland Cemetery in Oakland, AR on Friday, June11, 2004. Visitation will be on Thursday, June 3, 2004 at 1:00 to 7:00pm in the Chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth. Vigil service will be held at 7:00pm in the Chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth.
Condolences can be sent to the Bachmann family at www.stevensonandsons.com
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth is in charge of the arrangements.
Lisa G Crocker says
My paternal grandmother Zola, was a sister to Stella. My dad was Oliver Crocker.
Very interesting that George worked on the Panama Canal and that he and Stella were on the first boat through the canal.
I saw a show on Quest recently regarding the isthmus of Panama and the building of the canal. The first boat thru was a towboat.