Missouri
Doug Broste
Died January 11, 2021.
Francis Howell School District, Charles, MO
Bus Driver
The family of Francis Howell School District bus driver Doug Broste, who died from COVID-19, said he had been diagnosed with a sinus infection.
He died a week later.
Darla Hollowood said her brother started feeling ill Monday, Jan. 5.
“He called in sick to work,” Hollowood said. “By afternoon he called his doctor and told him what was going on, and his doctor diagnosed him with a sinus infection and called in an antibiotic prescription. So, he was taking antibiotics all week and working with it.”
Hollowood said her brother did not get a COVID-19 test initially.
“No, he was told he didn’t need one because he had a sinus infection,” she said.
A week later, Monday, Jan. 11, Broste was transported to the emergency room.
“Before they moved him to the ICU, he called and said they told him he had COVID-19,” Hollowood said.
He died that same evening.
“Yeah,” she sighed. “He called me at 4:30 and less than six hours later he was gone. We were just blown away. Totally caught off guard. We had no idea.”
Hollowood said her brother’s death comes at an already difficult time for her family. Their mother has health problems after a house fire last year and Broste was caring for her.
Hollowood was asked if she is concerned that her brother may have been around children on the school bus while he had COVID-19.
“The symptoms hit him Monday, Jan. 5,” she said. “So, I hope not. He was one who was very serious about being cautious, because he was caring for my mom, who is high-risk. As a result, he always wore a mask. He always stayed at a distance. He always washed his hands. He told me the first two rows of the bus are empty.”
Francis Howell School District officials said no close contacts were identified as part of the district’s contact tracing process.
The district released the following statement:
“The Francis Howell community was saddened to learn of the passing of one of our own, Mr. Doug Broste, a member of our transportation staff who served the District for many years. He proudly dedicated his time and skills to safely transporting children to schools across the District and will be sorely missed by all those who knew and loved him. Our thoughts are with Mr. Broste’s family, colleagues, and the students on his bus route as they grieve this incredible loss.”
Family friends have set up a GoFundMe page to help with the care of Broste and Hollowood’s mother.
Deidre Moyers, 41
Died December 31, 2020.
Trojan Intermediate School, Potosi, MO
Sixth Grade
Deidre Lynn Moyers, 41, of Potosi, Missouri, passed away December 31, 2020. She was born October 16, 1979, in Farmington, Missouri.
Deidre was a member of Fellowship Freewill Baptist Church of Park Hills; a Sunday School teacher for 17 years; and she taught 6th grade at Potosi School for 4 ½ years. Her favorite things were spending time with her family and baking.
She was preceded in death by her father, Carl Moyers; and her grandparents, Milburn and Marquerite Horton, Arthur Moyers, and June Moyers White.
Deidre is survived by her mother, Joyce ‘Horton’ Moyers; sisters, Lisa McMillian and husband Rick, and Regina Moyers; brother, Jeff Moyers and wife April; nieces and nephews, Ryan Moyers, Bradley Moyers, Emily Moyers, and Izabelle Hill. Other relatives and friends also survive.
Visitation will be 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday January 7, 2021, at Fellowship Freewill Baptist Church in Park Hills. Visitation resumes 10 a.m. until time of funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday January 8, 2021, with Rev. Curt Gwartney officiating. The wearing of masks will be required. Donations may be made to the church. Burial at Hillview Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Farmington. Arrangements by Horton-Wampler Funeral Home in Park Hills.
David Tummons, 75
Died September 29, 2020.
Ash Grove R-IV School District, Ash Grove, MO
Bus Driver
David Arnold Tummons (1945-2020), of Bois D’Arc, Missouri, left this world for his eternal home on September 29, 2020 after a week-long battle with COVID.
David was boisterous. He had a zest for life, which he shared with all who knew him. He had hundreds of friends and never met a stranger. He found great joy in telling jokes, singing, and visiting with family and friends over a cup of coffee. David appreciated the small things in life, and he would get excited about even the smallest of victories. He only had one speed: full throttle. He ran 100% and 100MPH in everything he did. David approached life with unbridled optimism about the future; he lived deeply.
David dedicated his life to teaching youth. David was a science teacher, coach, pep club sponsor, and bus driver for 52 years, working in Mountain Grove (1968-1969), Miller (1969-1971), and Ash Grove (1971-2020) Schools. David invested his life in teaching kids. He valued hard work, honesty, and respect, and he held his students to a very high standard. He served as a project leader for Bois D’Arc Braves 4-H, Sunday School leader at Bois D’Arc United Methodist Church, and spent many nights and weekends driving the pep bus, chaperoning band trips and FFA events, and teaching driver’s ed/bus driving to everyone who asked. David hired youth each summer to help him with his custom hay operation, and his favorite part was teaching them how to operate and maintain equipment.
David was an avid agriculturalist. David grew up milking and showing Registered Shorthorn cattle at their farm in Willard. David milked cows while attending Willard High School (1963) and Southwest Missouri State University (BS Agriculture, 1967), then began working at the USDA Poultry Station Manager in Mountain Grove, Missouri. In 1970, David and Kay Ann moved to her grandparent’s century farm in Bois D’Arc, Missouri, where they raised hay, cattle, and kids. David was a tractor collector and loved his John Deere equipment. He took great pleasure in bringing bottle calves to elementary ag days, watching grandkids Sam and Sadie Tummons show their animals at the fair, and hosting hay rides on their farm. David was a charter member of the Ash Grove Young/Adult Farmers, the Ash Grove FFA Booster Club, and was a member of the Republic Steam Engine Association.
David was a man of action. David had a strong sense of right and wrong and acted quickly to help those in need. David was often the first to volunteer help neighbors and the community; no challenge was too great. In particular, David sought out youth who struggled in traditional school or who needed some extra help in life. He saw it as his duty to serve as mentor, life coach, and even second parent.
David was married for 53 years to Kay Ann (Buckler) Tummons, his high school sweetheart. Kay Ann and David enjoyed trips with family to Colorado and to the Gulf of Mexico. David is survived by Kay Ann and their two sons, Joe Bill Tummons of Bois D’Arc, and Dr. John David Tummons, wife Elizabeth, and grandkids Samuel and Sadie Tummons of Columbia. He is also survived by brother Richard Tummons of Columbia, sisters Kathy Wrinkle and Gale Jones of Springfield, and mother Martha Wommack Tummons of Willard.
David showed us how to savor each day, teach the next generation, find dignity in hard work, and take action on what is important. Acts 13:36
Visitation will be from 4:30PM-7:00PM, Friday, October 16, 2020 at Wilson-Griffin Funeral Home, Ash Grove. MO. Graveside services will be 10:00AM, Saturday, October 17, 2020 at Yeakley Chapel Cemetery, Springfield, MO. Masks and social distancing are appreciated.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to The David Tummons Dignity of Labor Legacy Scholarship. Checks payable to “Ash Grove FFA Chapter” with “Tummons” in the memo line. Donations may be left or mailed to the funeral home, PO BOX 217, Ash Grove, MO 65604.
James Coy, 71
December 3, 2020.
Capital City High School, Jefferson City, MO
Paraprofessional
James Curtis Coy, 71, of Jefferson City passed away on Thursday, December 3, 2020 at SSM Health-St. Mary’s due to complications from COVID-19. He was born April 29, 1949 in Jefferson City; a son of the late Curtis O. and F. Varine (Capps) Coy. He was united in marriage to Linda Amsbaugh on January 8, 1972 in Atchison, Kansas.
Jim attended St. Peter school and was a 1967 graduate of Helias High School and a 1971 graduate of St. Benedicts. Jim’s family owned and operated Coy’s Moving and Storage Company where he was the Vice President until his retirement in 2006. After retirement he found his true passion in life as a paraprofessional with Jefferson City Public Schools. He adored his students and was known for loading up on everyone’s favorite bubblegum flavors and getting extra desserts at lunch. His co-workers at school became his second family over the past decade and he loved them dearly. Jim’s greatest joy in life came from his family. He loved big and smiled even bigger. His wife, children, sons-in-law, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews and cousins meant the world to him. He was known for spoiling his children and that spilled over to his grandsons, who were his pride and joy. Jim was a faithful member of St. Peter Catholic Church.
Along with his wife Linda, he is survived by his three children: Alisande Rocha (Pedro) of Nashville, Tennessee, Christopher Coy of Jefferson City and Jill Duzan (Kelly)of Normal, Illinois; grandchildren Mason Coy, James and Everett Duzan; two sisters and one brother. Jim was preceded in death by grandson in his heart, Dylan Pirner and grandson Hayden Duzan.
Private family services will be held in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Special Education Department at Capital City High School.
Mary Smith, 49
Died December 7, 2020.
Fairview Elementary School, St. Louis, MO
Special Education
Mary Geralyn Smith, age 49, passed away Monday, December 7, 2020. She was born on June 3, 1971, to the late Richard and Margaret “Peggy” (Humphreys) Smith in St. Louis, Missouri.
Mary graduated in 1989 from Francis Howell High School. She went onto college and earned her Masters Degree in Special Education. Mary was a selfless individual; she found the most gratitude in life helping those in need. She worked as in a live-in caretaker at an Emmaus special needs home for over 10 years. Mary also loved children and had a career as a special education teacher for Special School District for 21 years in St. Louis County. In her final years she was a teacher at Fairview Elementary School, in the Jennings School District. Her students were her pride and joy, and she devoted her life to developing them. Additionally, Mary was the caretaker for her mother in the last years of her life. In Mary’s free time she enjoyed spending time with her family and her dog Bootsie. She also took joy in exercising, hiking, crafting, and venturing with friends.
Mary Smith is survived by her brothers: Stephen of St. Peters, Missouri; John (Kelly) of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Joseph (Kimberley) of St. Charles, Missouri; and her nieces and nephews: Julianna (Nicholas) of St. Peters, Missouri; Jessica (Michael) of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Anthony of Council Bluffs, Iowa; and Benjamin of St. Charles, Missouri; and a great-niece: Faith of Council Bluffs, Iowa; and by her little dog Bootsie.
The family will receive guests on Friday, December 18, 2020 from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm for a visitation at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals, and Receptions, 837 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Saint Peters, Missouri 63376. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at Newcomer Cremation, Funerals, and Receptions. A Christian Burial to follow at Our Lady Catholic Cemetery in Lake St. Louis.
Memorial contributions in Mary’s name may be made out to Emmaus Homes, 3731 Mueller Rd, St Charles, MO 63301