Clyde Withouse

Clyde Withouse was born October 18, 1927 near Belle, MO and passed away at Gasconade Manor Nursing Home in Owensville on March 21, 2022 at the age of 94 years 5 months. Clyde was the 6^th of 7 children born to Alfred and Dora (Glover) Withouse. In 1938, the family moved to a farm north of Bland. Clyde lived on that farm from age 11 to age 93.

Through the 8^th grade, Clyde and his younger sister Gladys walked to and from the Barbarick School, a one-room schoolhouse about a mile and a half from their home. Clyde graduated from Bland High School in 1946. He worked for a short time at International Shoe Company in Bland, then enlisted in the Army. He went to Electrician’s School at Ft. Belvoir, VA, and was attached to the 50^th Engineering Company. Their job was construction, and he spent several months at Ft. Lewis, WA, and 18 months stationed near Fairbanks, AK at Eielson AFB. This was during the early Cold War days, and his unit installed anti-aircraft defenses.

Clyde was honorably discharged from the Army in late 1951, and returned home to Bland. For a time, he worked various road construction and factory jobs in northwest Missouri, Iowa, St. Louis, and locally. He returned home nearly every weekend when working away. In January 1956, he went to work for Anna Ruskaup at her International Harvester dealership in Owensville, MO. Clyde became a skilled and respected mechanic on trucks, tractors, and all types of machinery. He was known to be particularly good with sensitive and finicky twine knotters on hay balers. He spent many hot summer afternoons in hayfields so that farmers could get their hay baled. Clyde went on to be a part owner of the business, and later worked for Schaeperkoetter’s at their Case-IH dealership in Owensville. Clyde retired from full time work in 1992, after a 37-year career.

He continued to do repair work for others in his home shop for many years, well into his late eighties. In 1994, he went to back work part-time for Maries County R2 School as their school bus maintenance mechanic. He again retired in 2001. Clyde was also a cattle farmer his entire life, even operating two beef herds on two farms with his brother Oliver. He was a founding member and active in the Gasconade County Livestock Improvement Association for many years.

On April 2, 1966, Clyde and Judith Marie Ritterbusch were married. One son, John, his pride and joy, was born in 1968. Clyde was completely devoted to his family and church.  He served for 45 years as an elder of the Bland Christian Church. He taught Sunday School, and attended every service and board meeting. Clyde and Judy held Bible Study groups in their home in later years. He spent many hours helping to build the current church building in the early 1980’s.

Despite being continually busy with work and farming, Clyde loved to garden, and planted a huge one every year. His specialties were strawberries, tomatoes, sweet corn, and cantaloupe. Many family and friends benefited from his generosity and big garden.

Clyde is survived by his son John Withouse and wife Danielle of Bland, grandson Tony Withouse of St. Louis, and many nieces and nephews. Clyde was preceded in death by his wife Judith, parents, brothers Austin, Oliver, Larry, Gussie, and Joe, and sister Gladys Golden.

Visitation will be held at Sassmann’s Chapel in Bland, Thursday March 24 from 4:00PM to 7:00PM, and the funeral service will be held at Bland Christian Church Friday, March 25 at 10:30AM, with interment to follow at Bland Union Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Bland Christian Church, or the Alzheimer’s Association.