Curtis L. Ware

Curtis Leo Ware, of Steelville, MO, was born on Monday, September 4, 1944, in Cherryville, MO to Franklin Leo Ware and Fannie Marie Ware, nee Lea.  He passed at Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan, MO on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at the age of 80 years, 2 months and 1 day.

Curtis grew up on the family farm and attended Cherryville School.  He had polio when he was 4 years old and never let that change his outlook on life.  He had accepted the Lord at an early age and was baptized in Cherryville.  Curtis met the love of his life, Grace Etta Young, and they were married on September 22, 1969 in Cherryville, MO, and to this union 7 children were born.  He and his family lived in St. Louis, MO for a short time while he worked for Coca Cola and Goodwill.  Then, they moved to Steelville, MO where he went to work as a custodian for Steelville Schools until retired.  During that time, he was always proud of his work on the gymnasium floors.  He also worked as a night watchman at Birds Nest Lodge for 15 years, where he earned the nickname, “Birds Nest Happy Guy”.  Curtis never met a stranger and had a fun and outgoing personality.  He always took the time to talk to those he knew and enjoyed spending time out in the community.  He once made the newspaper for driving his red lawnmower and wearing a sombrero in the Harvest Festival Parade.  He loved gardening and flowers, working on puzzles and watching the St. Louis Cardinals.  Curtis was a proud member of the Steelville Fire Department Auxiliary where he enjoyed spending time parking cars for the local rodeo and various other events.  Curtis was always willing and ready to lend a helping hand.  Most of all, Curtis loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.  He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Franklin and Fannie Ware; parents-in-law, Conn and Pansy Young; brother, Leonard Ware; brothers-in-law Robert Young and James "Jim" Young; daughter-in-law, Kimberly Ware; grandson, Jacob Ware; nephew Paul Young and niece, Betsey Young.

Curtis is survived by his wife of 55 years, Grace Ware of Steelville, MO; children, Curtis Lee Ware of Cuba, MO, Scot (Sandy) Ware of Cherryville, MO, Shawn Ware of Steelville, MO, Mike (Theresa) Ware of Arnold, MO, Randy Ware of Steelville, MO, Crystal (David) Foster of St. James, MO and April Blossom Bunton of Steelville, MO; siblings, Judy Loveless of Cuba, MO, Virvine Ware of Cherryville, MO, Bill (Marilyn) Ware of Steelville, MO and Loyd (Jackie) Ware of Cherryville, MO; brothers-in-law, Lee (Eula) Young, Dale (Dottie) Young both of Steelville, MO and Glenn (Barb) Young of Cuba, MO; sister-in-law, Geneva Young of Steelville, MO; grandchildren, Trenton Ware, Triston Ware, Austin Ware, Dustin (Savanna) Ware, Justin (Rena) Ware, Blake (Hanna) Ware, Brianna (Dwight) Ware, Cara (Brandon) Crider, Ryan Ware, Christopher Ware, John (Shelby) Foster, David Foster, Cristin Foster, Caressa Foster, Hailie Bunton and Amber Gogel; great grandchildren, Kimber, Jakub, Amelia and Redmond Ware, Lily and Natalie Foster, Grayson and Baby H on the way; special friend, Dave Hall of Steelville, MO; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation was from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM on Monday, November 11, 2024 at Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO.  Funeral Service immediately followed at 1:00 PM with Pastor Ronnie Dean Raven officiating and was live-streamed on Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, MO's Facebook Page.  Burial was at the Ware Family Farm in Cherryville, MO.  Memorials were suggested to the family for final expenses or to the Steelville Fire Department for Fire Prevention Week.

Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO.

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