Fern Bryant

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Fern Anselm Bryant, 92, died Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008, at her home in the Texas Bend community north of Charleston.

She was born Sept. 27, 1915, in Perry County, Mo., to the late Barney and Bena Unterreiner Anselm. She had lived in the Charleston area since 1920, and was a member of St. Henry Catholic Church where she was active in the Legion of Mary, St. Henry Quilters and St. Henry fundraising dinners. She was also a member of Texas Bend Extension Club.

She married Gilbert Oliver Bryant Nov. 26, 1936. He preceded her in death March 9, 1988.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Shirley Bryant of Charleston; three daughters and sons-in-law, Mary Alice and Bob Miller of Charleston, Maria and Arnie Lanners of Wright City, Mo., Tudy and Tim Kennedy of Prairie Village, Kan.; a brother and sister-in-law, Bernard "Sonny" and Helen Lucille Anselm of LaCenter, Ky.; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Margie Abner; a son, Matthew Oliver Bryant; and a sister, Virginia Bodkin.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston, where prayers will be recited at 6.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Henry Catholic Church, with the Rev. Scott Sunnenberg, pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in Texas Bend Cemetery north of Charleston.

Pallbearers will be Aaron Rapert, John Abner, Andy Bryant, David Slaughter, Bryant Slaughter, Kevin Kennedy, Tory Gunn and Joseph Rapert.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to St. Henry Catholic School or St. Henry Catholic Church, 306 Court St., Charleston, Mo., 63834.