Doris Ruth Chudomelka

Doris Chudomelka, a cherished wife, mother, and friend, passed away peacefully August 18, 2024. She was born in Valley Park, Missouri, on February 12, 1927, to Wilfred and Flora Henderson. Doris was one of four children in the Henderson family.

Growing up in Valley Park, Doris attended high school with Don Mottesheard, whom she married in 1947. The couple relocated to Columbia, Missouri, where Don pursued a degree in Veterinary Medicine while Doris worked as an Administrative Assistant to the President of Boone County National Bank. Their first child, Greg, was born in Columbia.

In 1952, Doris and Don moved to Marshfield, Missouri, where they established a successful veterinary practice. Doris took pleasure in assisting clients, managing the office, playing golf and bridge, and forming lifelong friendships through her sewing club.

The couple had two more children, Curt and Jo. Sadly, Greg passed away in 1969 after a six-year battle with kidney disease. Don later died of a heart attack in 1983.

In 1984, Doris married Jim Masters, an old high school friend, and relocated to Poway, California. Doris embraced her new community with enthusiasm, enjoying golf, daily walks with friends, and attending Padres and Chargers games. She was an active member of the Assistance League of Poway, serving one term as president. After Jim's death from lung cancer in 1998, Doris moved to Springfield, Missouri to be closer to family.

In Springfield, Doris renewed her friendship with Herschel Chudomelka, whose family had been close to hers and Don's. They married in June 2000 and lived in Ozark, Missouri where Herschel had his veterinary practice. As a member of St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, Doris was involved in church activities, including the crafts fair, garage sale, and Parish Council of Catholic Women. She also formed a lunch group, participated in quilting club, and attended weekly bible study. Doris enjoyed entertaining friends and family, reading, walking, and enriching the lives of those around her with her warmth and kindness.

Doris was preceded in death by her son, Greg; her first and second husbands; her parents; two brothers; and one sister. She is survived by her husband, Herschel; her son, Curt Mottesheard (Mary) of Marshfield; her daughter, Jo Lewis (Randy) of Germantown, TN; and her grandchildren: Ryan Mottesheard (Maria); Cody Mottesheard (Tiffany); Natalie Mottesheard (Melanie); Erica Perkins (John); and Evan Lewis (Megan). Doris is also survived by great-grandchildren Sofia Mottesheard, Victoria Mottesheard, Kallen Perkins, and Conner Perkins.

Doris loved her stepchildren as her own. She played a pivotal role in uniting three families into one through her grace, kindness, and love. She is survived by her stepson, Buzz Masters (Gere); stepdaughter, Susan Masters (Larry Schmidt); stepson, Tom Chudomelka (Joni); and stepdaughters Karen Anderson (Bruce), Julia Faber, Lynne Clemens (Peter), Ketta Kennedy, and Laura Samuel (Greg). Doris is also survived by 14 step-grandchildren and 12 step-great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.

Funeral services will be held Friday, August 30 at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Ozark, MO. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by Celebration of Life Mass at 11:00 a.m. The graveside service will be held at Marshfield Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. in Marshfield, MO.

Those who wish to make a memorial contribution in Doris' honor may do so by donating to Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri, a charity near and dear to Doris and her family.