Mary Ruth Salisbury

Mary Salisbury

Mary Ruth (Millett) Salisbury, 92, passed away at her home in Unionville, MO, on Sunday, August 17, 2014.

Mary was born in Chilhowee, MO, on November 20, 1921, the daughter of Charles and Betsy Millett. The younger of four children, her two older sisters and brother helped her father raise Mary after her mother passed away when Mary was just twelve years old.

Mary moved to Kansas City after graduating from High School and worked at Forum Cafeteria where she met her future husband. She and Basil Salisbury were united in marriage in Kansas City, MO, on September 4, 1942. Basil enlisted in the United States Army shortly after their marriage and the couple moved to Louisville, KY, where their first child, Gary, was born. They moved to Unionville, MO, upon Basil’s discharge in 1946, and three additional children, Rand, Gloria, and Janet blessed their family.

Mary and Basil owned and operated a farm in the west end of Putnam County for 40 years. She later worked at McGraw Edison in Centerville, IA, and at Missouri Mining. Basil and Mary opened the Steer Inn Café in Unionville in September of 1981, fulfilling a dream of Basil’s that everyone should experience Mary’s talent for cooking. Anyone who worked at the restaurant became their immediate family. Mary forged lifelong friendships with the employees and customers, including a special friendship with Edith Sells. Basil passed away on March 13, 1995, and the Steer Inn closed the following year.

Mary was a member of the Ladies American Legion Auxiliary, Independence Club, a 4-H-Leader, and long-time member of the First Christian Church. Her hobbies were gardening, canning and cooking. She read the Unionville Republican faithfully and called it her “scandal sheet.” She enjoyed her lifelong conversations with dear friend Uarda Quint. Mary’s greatest joy was being involved with the activities of her children and grandchildren. She was a selfless woman, always putting others before herself.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her two sisters, Effie Higgins and Hazel Hurr, and her brother Russell Millet.

Mary is survived by two sons, Gary Salisbury of Cameron, MO, and Rand (Linda) Salisbury of Kansas City, MO; and two daughters, Gloria (Tom) Klingner of Unionville, MO, and Janet (Bob) Briggs of Knoxville, IA. Her nine grandchildren are Karrie (Russell)Webb, Mike (Ericka) Klingner, and Matt (Michele) Klingner all of Unionville, MO, Karla Klingner of Columbia, MO, Melissa Halterman of Excelsior Springs, MO, Travis (Linea) Salisbury of Colorado Springs, CO, Lisa Schlosser of San Diego, CA, Dena (Doug) Dussendack and Scott (Holly) Salisbury all of Kansas City, MO. Mary was blessed with 17 great grandchildren as well.

Funeral services for Mary Salisbury will be at Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, August 20, 2014. Interment will be at the Unionville Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Putnam County Fair which Mary looked forward to each year. These may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.