George Toops

GEORGE O. "BUD" TOOPS

George O. "Bud" Toops, age 71, of St. Francisville, MO, passed away Thursday, March 17, 2005 at his home.

He was born March 26, 1933 at Alexandria, MO, the son of Thomas Orin and Violet J.Karnes Toops.

He and Mary LeMaster were married May 14, 1954 at Wayland, MO, and had celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with friends and family this past May.

Survivors include his wife, Mary, of St. Francisville, MO; two sons: Mark Toops and his wife, Ellen, of Montrose, IA; and Tom Toops and his wife, Angie, of St. Francisville, MO; two daughters, Brenda White of Montrose, IA and Joyce Nye and her husband, Robert, of Argyle, IA; a son-in-law, Jerry Derr, of Argyle, IA;14 grandchildren: Janice Derr, Bradley Page, Steven Toops, James Michael Rhea-Toops, Brandy Carter, Joan Cartwright, Tiffiny Neves, Florence Piercy, Brandi and Ryan Toops, Robert Nye, Jr. and Michael, Justin and Lindsey Christy; also several great grandchildren; a sister, Deloris Laffoon and her husband, Howard, of Kahoka, MO; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Fred Estes of Freemont, IL, Gene Rampley of Quincy, IL, William and Mary LeMaster of Pensacola, FL, Velma and Edward Dickwisch of Keokuk, IA, Harold and Rose LeMaster of St. Francisville, MO, Vince Holtkamp of Luray, MO, Tom and Kathy LeMaster of Revere, MO, Janis and Dave Davis of Burlington, IA, Kenneth and Janice LeMaster of Revere, MO, Gary and Mary LeMaster of Alexandria, MO, and Marguerite LaMaster of Keokuk, IA; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Gary Toops on August 12, 2000; a daughter, Dianna Derr, who died earlier on the same day as her father (March 17, 2005); two grand-children, Gary Lee and Jason McVeigh; and, three sisters, Lois Siegrist, Jean Estes, and Penny Yost.

"Bud" was a graduate of Wayland High School and a Korean War Veteran. He had worked various jobs through the years and also worked in the timber and farmed at the same time to provide for his family. He retired from Sheaffer Pen in 1995. He loved the farm, his John Deere tractors, and gardening. He was an excellent mechanic who could fix anything. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing and had an "eagle eye" when it came to hunting for mushrooms. His family was very important to him and he was very proud of his children.

Funeral services will be held Monday, March 21, 2005 at 10:30 a.m. at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka with Rev. Dan Deatrick officiating. Burial and full military honors will be in Sand Cemetery at St. Francisville.

Friends can call after 8 a.m. on Monday at Wilson Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 8 a.m. until time of services.

Memorials are suggested to Blessing Hospice.