LaVaughn Michael Korth

LaVaughn (Von) Michael Korth, age 84 of Bolivar, passed away at 5:45 PM Thursday, March 13, 2008 at the Parkview Healthcare Facility in Bolivar after a lingering illness. Mr. Korth was born on January 9, 1924 at Crofton, Nebraska to Martha Matilda (Pilger) Korth and Michael John Korth. The neighbors came to their rescue to dig out the snow packed driveway so the doctor could come. Vaughn started school at Crofton and then the family moved to a 160 acre farm near Plainview, NE when he was quite young. Vaughn helped his Dad with the farming, driving horses and part time on the tractor in the fields of corn. He helped milk cows, feed the pigs, and load hay into the barn loft. He grew up and attended country schools, walking the railroad tracks to a farmers home to catch a ride into Plainview to take his 8th grade exam in the middle of winter, as the side roads were packed with snow. He shared his wagon and bicycle with his sister Irene and sometimes the neighbor boy came over to play. They had a dog, a cat and a pet goat. In 1937 he and his family moved to Deepwater, Missouri where he helped his mother manage a filling station and a small cafe, while his Dad drove a Pepsi truck in the area. He helped his Dad deliver Pepsi products to several towns, miles away. Vaughn became a member of the Boy Scouts. They moved to Clinton where Vaughn graduated from Clinton High School in 1941 at the age of 17. Vaughn continued driving the Pepsi truck in the summer. He also had a part time job at Lindstrom Hatchery. After graduation, he went to work at Stewart Shoe Store before entering the military service. Vaughn served his country in the Navy from 1942-1945. He attended medical school and was in the 1st Marine Division as a medical corpsman. He served in the South Pacific, Guam and Iwo Jima for two years. Upon returning from the service he took a job with the J. C. Penny Co. in Clinton, MO in November 1945. On March 4, 1946, he married Elizabeth Maxine Fry. They lived next door from his parents home on North Main Street. They later had three children, Michael Vaughn, Marilyn and Deborah. Vaughn was transferred from the Clinton J. C. Penny to Independence, MO, then to North Kansas City, MO, then to Metro North, where he retired from the J. C. Penny Co. in 1989 after 40 years of employment. He and his family lived in Liberty, MO from 1960 until he moved to Bolivar in 1999, so he could be with his Daughter Marilyn following Heart By-Pass Surgery. Vaughn had been very active in the Liberty Christian Church and was a Scout Master for many years, receiving many awards and certifications before moving to Bolivar. Vaughn loved helping others when he was able and practically raised his daughter Deborah's two sons, Brandon and David, from birth. After moving to Bolivar, he attended the United Methodist Church and was active in the Rose Park Association and the Senior Center. He was preceded in death by his son Michael Vaughn in 1987, his wife Elizabeth Maxine in 1991, and his daughter Deborah in 1997, and son-in-law Ron Hendrickson in 2002. Surviving is his daughter Marilyn Hendrickson of Bolivar; 6 grandchildren, Kristi Proctor, Derek Hendrickson and wife Jennifer, Brandon Pierce, David Johnson, Michelle Morrison and husband Andrew and Jennifer Korth; 4 great grandchildren, Bailey Proctor, Molly Hendrickson, Will Hendrickson and Ava Morrison. 1 niece and 1 nephew. Also surviving is his sister Irene Graef and husband Corky of Urich, MO and a daughter-in-law Linda Thacker and husband Bob of Cartersville, GA. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 17, 2008 at 10:00 AM in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dan Adkison officiating. Musical Soloist will be Kevin Krueger with Carol Krueger as the pianist. Musical selections will be "Amazing Grace", "How Great Thou Art" and "In The Garden". Graveside services will be in the Englewood Cemetery at Clinton, MO at approximately 12:00 PM Monday March 17, 2008. Casketbearers will be Derek Hendrickson, Brandon Pierce, Eric Coburn, Gary Mashburn, Steve Graef and Norman Hutchison. A visitation will be before the funeral service on Monday from 9:00 AM till 10:00 AM at the Butler Chapel in Bolivar, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 4995, Springfield, Missouri 65808 or the Citizen's Memorial Hospice Program, 1500 N. Oakland, Bolivar, Missouri 65613. Friends may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

LaVaughn Michael Korth

January 9, 1924 - March 13, 2008