June DuLaney

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- June Etta DuLaney was born June 21, 1920, at her parents' farm home near Lutesville, Mo. She passed away at Hill Crest Care Center in De Soto, Mo., Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, at the age of 89.

Her father, Samuel M. DuLaney, was a rural schoolteacher and Methodist minister. Her mother, Bertha S. Shrum, was a young lady from Graniteville in Iron County, Mo., who was getting used to life on the farm.

June was the second daughter of a family of four children. The first child was a boy who passed away at age 3.

June attended several rural schools before entering high school in 1933 at Lutesville, where she graduated with honors as valedictorian of the class of 1937. She always wanted to excel in everything she did, so she spent much time in hard work and study.

June always liked music, so we were always glad that we had a piano and parents who were interested in music. June began playing by ear at an early age. She was so gifted that she could hear anything a few times and learn to play it really well.

After high school she attended Cape Teachers College for a while before being employed by Bollinger County Farmers Home Administration at Bollinger County Courthouse. From there she was promoted to their office in St. Louis.

About this time her father passed away and her mother and sister moved to Marble Hill. Soon after that June and her sister, Wanda, joined the United Methodist Church and were baptized by the Rev. Fred Shrum and became active members. June taught a Sunday school class and was also a leader among the Young People's Group. She often spoke of Shirley VanMatre, Kenneth Shrum, Bobby Seabaugh, Nancy DeWitt and others she remembered.

She moved to St. Louis before long and remained in her work for the FHA until retirement. As she continued in this work, she was classified by the government and paid according to the grade of work done. During the time of her stay she was promoted to a Class 13 and paid accordingly. This was the highest grade a woman had ever reached at that time.

She traveled by bus for several years to visit relatives in Marble Hill, Lutesville and Poplar Bluff, Mo. She continued to attend family gatherings and always remembered nieces and nephews on birthdays, Christmas, graduation and other special days. She will always be remembered by family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, mother and young brother, Udell; a great-niece, Kimberly Stone; and a great-great-nephew, Casey Stone.

She spent her latter days in Hill Crest Nursing Center in De Soto, where she received excellent care.

She leaves behind two sisters, Ferneita Hahn of Cape Girardeau and Wanda Tilman of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; five nieces, three nephews, and their families, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Michael Lockhart officiating. Burial will follow in Dry Creek Cemetery.

See online obituaries at www.lileyfuneralhomes.com.