Elsie Dearing

Elsie Juanita Dearing, 91, passed away at Truman Healthcare Friday, July 13. Mrs. Dearing was born August 19, 1926 to Clyde Raymond Metzinger and Carrie Matilda (Arner) Metzinger in Hockerville, Oklahoma. The family moved to El Monte, California during the depression. She and her brother, Carroll, lived with their grandparents, Frank and Sarah Arner, to help out on the farm in Oakton, Missouri for a time while in elementary school where she attended Rocky Mound. She graduated from 8th grade in El Monte. She moved to Lamar in 1950 and lived with her aunt and uncle, Frances and Bill Burch, where she met the love of her life, Sterling Dearing. They were married March 3, 1951 in Harrisonville, Arkansas and were married 44 years until he passed away in 1995. Elsie was a housekeeper at the old Barton County Hospital, a stay at home mom until her children started school and then worked in the Lamar School Cafeteria for about 20 years. She retired in 1976 to stay home and care for her grandchildren. She loved to work in her yard, crochet and embroider. Survivors include a daughter, Pam Caruthers and husband David of Lamar; a son, Dean Dearing and wife Cindy of Chattanooga, Tennessee, 5 grandchildren: Kristen Bishop and husband Kent of Lamar, Brice Caruthers and wife Kristi of Grain Valley, Missouri, Brenton Caruthers and wife Rachel of Kansas City, Megan Dearing, Chattanooga and Matthew Dearing, New York City; 3 great grandchildren: Emily Bishop, J.D. Bishop and Trey Caruthers as well as her brother, Carroll Metzinger, Granite Bay, California and a sister, Mary Hecox of Pomona, California. Elsie was preceded in death by her husband, Sterling; parents Clyde and Carrie Metzinger; her brother Frank Metzinger and sister, Nancy Thexton. Services will be at Konantz Warden Funeral Home Tuesday, July 17 at 2:00 p.m. preceded by visitation at 1:00 p.m. Pastors Robb Hodson and Mike Gage will be officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Lamar.