Estalee Culvey
Ava, MO

Estalee Culvey, 91 years, passed to heaven on March 31, 2011 at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare, Ava, MO with her family by her side.

Estalee was born March 31, 1920 in Keenes, IL to Ira and Clara (Shook) Bruce. She attended the Pine Knot school in Keenes, IL.

On June 18, 1937 Estalee and Merrill L. Culvey were united in marriage in Oregon, IL and to this union five children were born.

Estalee was a Clerk for Kopps Bakery for 10 years. She also had worked for J L Clark can factory. She enjoyed knitting, crochetting , baking, cooking, painting, flower gardening, camping and had traveled to 48 of the 50 states. She was a member of the Oak Grove General Baptist Church, Ava Art Guild and Women's Auxiliary of the Squires Fire Dept.

Estalee was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Merrill, one granddaughter,Colleen McCoy, one great grandson, two great granddaughters and an older brother, Clayton Bruce.


Estalee is survived by five children, Eileen McCoy & husband, Neil, Ava, MO, Marilyn Blake & husband, Robert, Frederic, WI, William L. and James Culvey both of Belvidere, IL and Daniel Culvey & wife, June, Marion, KY, 11 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, seven great great grandchildren, two brothers, Harold Bruce & wife, Anita, Bolivar, MO, Aaron Bruce & wife, Vern, Bluford, IL, two sisters, June Shreve, Cisne, IL and Jewel Darnell, Sandy, UT and a host of other relatives and friends.


Funeral services for Estalee will be Monday, April 4, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO with burial in the Girdner Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, April 3, 2011 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Officiating will be Rev. Dwain Moore and Pastor Charles McFarland. Memorials may be made to the Girdner Cemetery.