Stephen H. Drysdale

Stephen H. Drysdale, age 97, of Barnett, passed away Friday, November 5, 2010, at the Good Shepherd Care Center in Versailles. He was born April 29, 1913, in Versailles, the son of the late Leonard and Mabel Williams Drysdale. On December 24, 1957, in Galesburg, Ill., he was united in marriage to Helen Lucille Emmett, who preceded him in death on February 15, 2005. He was a 1933 graduate of the Versailles High School, and attended Sedalia Business College and Northwestern and Butler Universities. Stephen served in the United States Army from 1941 to 1945, and then joined the Civilian Air Force. He was the Public Accountant for the Kansas City Water Division from 1945 to 1956. From 1956 to 1980, he was an accountant with the U.S. Department of Defense, Procurement and Auditing. After the death of his wife, Stephen was able to realize a wish he and his wife had, to donate a portion of their farm for a "Show Me Christian Home" for children in need of placement. The Drysdale Farm Home was completed in 2007, with an open house held on November 11, 2007. They also established scholarships for local students to attend college. Stephen attended the Trinity Southern Baptist Church in Versailles. He was also a member of the Versailles Masonic Lodge #320 A.F. & A.M., the Morgan County Historical Society, and the Versailles Chamber of Commerce. He is survived by four nieces, Sara Beth Canaday of Ithaca, N.Y., Karen Sue Thurlo of Brookfield, Jean Ann Ferguson of Hartsburg, and Ellen Hunt of Windsor; two nephews, Gary L. Norris of Blue Springs and Tom Tyhurst of Mexico; and many cousins, neighbors, and friends. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his sister, Marcella Harris. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. today, Sunday, November 7, at the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home in Versailles with the Reverend Chad Courter officiating. Interment will follow in the Versailles Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Show-Me Christian Youth Home, The Drysdale Farm Unit, P.O. Box 6, La Monte, MO 65337 or the Trinity Southern Baptist Church. Expressions of sympathy may be left online at www.kidwellgarber.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home of Versailles.