Ruth Ann (Trask) Halbert

Ruth Ann Halbert, nee Trask, of Steelville, Missouri passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2022 in her home at the age of 86 years, 4 months and 13 days. She was born February 9, 1936 in Cherryville, Missouri to Clark Trask and Anna Sites Trask. Ruth Ann was united in marriage to Elmer Huggins in 1955 and to this union one son, Mitchell was born. She later was united in marriage to Dan Halbert on September 26, 1959 in Salem, MO who had a daughter, Debra and to this union two sons, Myron “Rastus” and Michael were born, so their family increased with a total of four children.

Ruth Ann grew up in Cherryville, graduating from Cherryville High School in 1954 as Valedictorian of her class. After graduation she attended Southwest Baptist College and then Southwest Missouri State College.

Ruth Ann taught school in Dillard, MO for a short time. She also worked in the billing department for the Telephone office in Steelville, MO. Ruth Ann was employed in Family Services working with child abuse and neglect in Dent and Crawford counties for the state of Missouri retiring in September of 1991 after thirty years. While working for DFS she became supervisor of all the programs. In the early 1970’s she was not only in charge of all the Crawford County programs but took over the child abuse and neglect hot line services for Crawford and Gasconade Counties. In 1989 Dent County was added to her work load. After retiring from DFS, Ruth Ann continued to work helping her husband with his auctioneer service. Not only was she a tireless worker outside the home she worked even harder making a home. Her house was always spotless, meals were cooked for every meal, uniforms were clean and ready for the next ball game, and she was always there for a kind word or when a kick in the pants was needed. 

She was a charter member of the Cherryville Baptist Church where she was the piano player and Sunday school teacher for many years. Ruth Ann later attended Davisville Community Christian Church.

She enjoyed playing the piano and organ, reading and working puzzles. Ruth Ann enjoyed watching local sport games along with St. Louis Cardinals and Mizzou Tigers.  Most of all she loved attending and watching her grandchildren play baseball and basketball. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clark and Anna Trask; one son, Mitchell Huggins; step-grandson, Jordan Turner; brothers, Billie Trask and baby brother, Clark Jr.; five brother and sister in-laws Estel, Everette, and Horace Halbert, Carmen (Mary) Halbert, Homer (Ethel) Halbert, Eleonor Halbert, Hallie (Mon) Martin, Bell (Ed) Ives, Nell (Walter) Hotchkiss and Ina (Clarence) Kreamalmyer.

She will be sadly missed by her husband of almost sixty-three years, Dan Halbert; two sons, Myron “Rastus” (Shari) Halbert and Mike (Joyce) Halbert all of Steelville, MO; one stepdaughter, Debra (Conrad) Culley of Cedar Hill, MO; eight grandchildren, Courtney (Ryan) Moreland, Alexis and Andrew Huggins, Kylee, Nolan, Gibson, Blanche and Ripken Halbert; great grandchildren Emma and Clark. two step-grandchildren, Shannon (Casey) Werley and Megan Turner; eight step great-grandchildren, Khloe, Grace, Journey, Cason, Dawson, and Nirvana. One brother, Robert (Lorene) Trask of Little Rock, AR; and sister-in-law Sharon Trask of Potosi, MO other relatives; and many friends.

The Family received friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 26, 2022 with Rev. Joe Eaton officiating. Special music of "A Mother's Prayer" and "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" was sung by Melissa Eaton, Rev. Joe Eaton with him on guitar and Marcus Mercer on piano.  Live Streaming was done on the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home Facebook page.

Committal prayer and interment were in the Cherryville Baptist Church Cemetery, Cherryville, MO.

Honored to be casket bearers will be Danny Brown, Gibson Halbert, Nolan Halbert, Ripken Halbert, Myron Halbert and Mike Halbert.

The Halbert Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

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