Lela Plaster

Lela Merle Plaster, age 93, of Columbia, died Saturday, April 30, 2011, at Columbia Healthcare Center. She was born in Boone County on February 26, 1918, to Lincoln Nichols and Effie Crump Nichols. She was married on May 8, 1936, in Jefferson City, to Elbert F. Plaster, who preceded her in death. She had worked at Oberman Garment Factory and Tweedies Shoe Factory in Jefferson City and as a telephone operator for The Ashland Telephone Office in Ashland. She retired from Restwell Retirement Lodge, Columbia. She was a quilter and an avid bowler into her late 80's. She was a member of the Bowling Hall of Fame in Columbia and the Five Hundred Club and acquired many bowling trophies. She was a member of the Goshen Baptist Church, Wilton, and the Southern Boone County Senior Center in Ashland. She is survived by two daughters, Rachel Martin (Eddie) of Ashland, and Peggy Griggs of Bunceton; one son, E.L. (Buck) Plaster (Sallie) of Jacksonville, Fla.; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and 14 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; five brothers, Aubrey, Dorsey, Edward, Ross and Richard Nichols; two sisters, Hazel Holton and Nathalie Richardson; and one granddaughter, Julie Plaster. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m., Wednesday, May 4, at Nilson Funeral Home, Columbia. Graveside services will be Wednesday, May 4, at 12 noon at New Salem Cemetery, Ashland. Memorials may be sent to the Southern Boone County Senior Center, 406 Douglas Drive, Ashland, Mo., or to the Goshen Church Cemetery.