Bertram Porter Stewart

BERT PORTER STEWART Bert P. Stewart of Nixa, MO departed this life on his 89th birthday, August 30, 2007 at the St. John's Hospital in Springfield, MO Bert and his wife Lela had been resident of Christian Health Care of Nixa, MO for the past two years. Bert was born on August 30, 1918 at Halfway, MO the son of John M. Stewart and Cora B. Spray Stewart. He graduated from Halfway High School in 1937. On March 19, 1938 he married Lela Aspey at the home of Gene Brown in Halfway. Lela survives Bert. After their marriage they moved to St. Louis where they resided until 2005. Bert worked at Vittert Restoration Co. until he entered the U. S. Marine Corp in 1944. On April 11, 1945 Bert made the landing on Okinawa, where he was wounded twice, May 16, 1945 and June 15, 1945. He was hospitalized on Guam with a severe brain concussion before being returned to the states in November, 1945. He received an honorable discharge on April 11, 1946 at which time he was awarded a purple heart and a gold star. After being discharged Bert returned to St. Louis and was superintendent of a building restoration company until his retirement in 1992. Bert accepted Christ as his Savior at the Halfway Christian Church during a revival at the age of 16. He and Lela attended church regularly at the Dover Avenue Christian Church in St. Louis as long as their health permitted. He joined the Masonic Order in 1947 and was a faithful member as long as his health permitted him to do so. Bert was also a longtime member of the bricklayers union and was a 52 year member of the American Legion Post #338. Bert was preceded in death by his parents John and Cora Stewart, three sisters, Jewel Spray Wilson, Marie Spray Walsworth, Edna Spray Akers, and one beloved nephew Ralph Akers who gave his life in World War II in Germany on March 19, 1945. He is survived by his wife Lela (Aspey) Stewart to whom he was married 69 years, of the couples home in Nixa, MO; one sister, Gearldine Kelley of Cuba, MO; two nephews, Ron and John Walesworth, two nieces, Betty Akers Walther and Linda McColm Trollinger. Lela's niece Phyllis Roark and husband Jerry Roark, who lovingly cared for Bert in the last years of his life, for which his remaining family is grateful. Also surviving is a sister-in-law Opal Aspey of Bolivar, several of Lela's nieces, nephews, including Glen Aspey of Kansas City, MO; Clifford Aspey of Elkton, MO; Richard and Marilyn Aspey of grandview, MO; Norma Evans Pynaker and her husband Cornelis of West Covina, CA; Bill Hawes of Dallas, TX; Mary and George Phillips of Bay Point, CA; Peggy Hawes of Peoria, AZ, Bob Hawes of El Monte, CA; Ron and Barbara Aspey of El Centro, CA; and Don and Penny Aspey of Fort Bragg, CA. and a host of many friends. Visitation will be held an hour prior to services from 1:00 till 2:00 PM on Tuesday, September 4. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 at 2:00 PM in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Harold Hendrickson officiating. Burial was in the Reed Cemetery south of Halfway, MO under the direction of the Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar. Full military honors were conducted by the AMVETS Post # 114 Honor Guard-Flemington, MO. Friends may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

Bertram Porter Stewart

August 30, 1918 - August 30, 2007