Erma Louise Coston and John Russell Bilby
JOHN RUSSELL BILBY was born May 13, 1915 in Skidmore, Nodaway, Missouri,940, 456 and died March 14, 1984 in Kansas City, Wyandotte, Kansas.456 He is buried in Fort Gibson National Cemetery, Muskogee County, Oklahoma.456
He married ERMA LOUISE COSTON on December 28, 1973 in Skidmore Christian Church, Nodaway County, Missouri,940, 5706 daughter of MABEL AUREL TAYLOR and FRANK MERLE COSTON. She was born October 24, 1921 in Skidmore, Nodaway, Missouri,940, 9696 and died October 6, 2012 in Maryville, Nodaway, Missouri.9438, 9696 She is buried in Fort Gibson National Cemetery, Muskogee County, Oklahoma.456
Education
Erma L. Coston
- graduated from Effingham High School, Atchison County, Kansas9696
- graduated from Dallas Christian College, Farmers Branch, Dallas, Texas with a A.B. degree5706
Marriage Announcements and News
Maryville Daily Forum, January 17, 19745706
Coston-Bilby Nuptials Held In Double Ring Ceremony
Miss Erma Louise Coston, daughter of Frank M. Coston, Skidmore, and Lt. Col. John Russell Bilby, Soper, Okla., exchanged wedding vows in a double ring ceremony held at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28 at the Skidmore Christian Church.
Charles Stillman, minister, officiated in a setting of an arch adorned with greenery and red bows, flanked with candelabras at the altar. The aisle was lined with Hurricane lamps accented with white candles and red ribbons.
Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a floor length gown of banded Chantilly lace fashioned with a wide midriff and high neckline edged with a tiny ruffle. The long sleeves, gathered at the wrist, featured ruffles which extended over the hands and the semi-fitted skirt fell softly to the floor. The bridal veil of nylon illusion was secured to a forward cap of organza flowers and braid touched with crystals. She carried a red rose corsage centered in an arrangement of white carnations and baby breath atop a white wedding Bible.
Nuptial music was provided by Mrs. Marty Coston, Skidmore, niece of the bride, organist; Charles Stillman, trumpeter; and Mr. and Mrs. George Peterson, vocalists, all of Skidmore.
Mrs. James Loehr, Kansas City, sister of the bride, was matron of honor. Her floor-length red velvet gown featured a white lace yoke and long sleeves trimmed in white lace. She carried a single Cinnamon white carnation.
Marty Coston, Skidmore, nephew of the bride, served as best man. Ushers were Bill Coston, Skidmore; Bob Coston, Maitland, brothers of the bride, and James Loehr, Kansas City, brother-in-law of the bride. Lighting the candles were Billy Vic Coston, Skidmore, and Randy Loehr, Kansas City, nephews of the bride.
Following the ceremony, a reception was held in the church dining hall. The serving table was laid with a white silk organza cloth which was covered with satin edged red net, caught in drapes, and held in place with white carnation nosegays and long red streamers. The table was centered with a four-tier wedding cake which featured eight Christmas ball cakes which formed the base, topped with Grecian columns centered with an electric fountain. The cake was accented with red roses and sugar bells and topped with two satin bridal bells with seed pearls and velvet blossoms. Crystal candelabras, with white tapers, decorated with red carnation nosegays, flanked the cake, which was baked and decoration by Mrs. Eldon Williams, Maryville. A white wedding candle, a gift to the couple, also adorned the table.
Miss Crystal Coston, Norfolk, Neb., niece of the bride, and Mrs Dorothy June Vest, Skidmore, cousin of the groom, poured the punch and coffee, respectively. Mrs. Bill Coston, Skidmore, sister-in-law of the bride, and Mrs. Earlene Markham, Albuquerque, N. M., sister of the bride, served the cake.
The bride attended Northwest State University, Maryville, Ozark Bible College, Joplin, and was graduated with an AB degree from Dallas Christian College, Dallas, Tex. She is a member of Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority and this spring will complete 18 1/2 years of teaching.
The groom started his 24-year Air Force service career with the royal Canadian Air Force. In 1942 he returned to the United States and served in World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He served in the following capacities: pilot training, fighter, bomber, cargo, test pilot, staff officer training, instructor pilot, civil training, and commercial pilot instrumentated.
Obituaries
St. Joseph News-Press, October 8, 20129696
Erma L. Bilby
1921-2012
SKIDMORE, Mo. — Erma Louise (Coston) Bilby, 90, Skidmore, formerly of Rosendale and Savannah, Mo., died Saturday, October 6, 2012, at the Nodaway Nursing Home, Maryville, Mo.
Erma was born October 24, 1921, in Skidmore, to the late Frank Merle and Mable Aurel (Taylor) Coston.
She was a graduate of Effingham High School, Effingham, Kan.; received an AB Degree from Dallas Christian College, Dallas, Texas.
She was united in marriage to Lt. Col. John Russell Bilby on December 28, 1973, in Skidmore.
Erma's memberships included: Skidmore Christian Church, Rosendale Garden Club, 50 year member Skidmore Order of the Eastern Star, The Retired Officers Association, DAV Commanders Club and past secretary of the Nodaway County Oates program.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lt. Col. John R. Bilby (March 14, 1984); two brothers, William F. and Robert V. Coston; and a sister Earlene Markham.
Erma is survived by one step-son, Larry (Monika) Bilby, Fairfax, Va.; one sister, LaVena M. (Jim) Loehr, Kansas City, Mo.; a sister-in-law, Kathryn Coston; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 10, 2012, at the Price Funeral Home, Maryville. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Fort Gibson National Cemetery, Fort Gibson, Okla.
Memorial: Deaf Missions, 21199 Greenview Road, Council Bluffs, Iowa. 51503.
Census Records
| Date | Location | Enumerated Names |
|---|---|---|
| April 2, 19303119 | Clay, Holt, Missouri | |
| April 30, 19403121 | Colfax, Daviess, Missouri |
|
