Doris Jane (Friemonth) Wilmesher

Doris Jane (Friemonth) Wilmesher, passed away in her sleep the morning of October 31, 2022 at the age of 99 years.  She was a long time Manchester, Missouri resident.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John William Wilmesher on October 14, 2005 and a brother, Clarence R. Friemonth on January 1, 1976.

Doris is survived by her sister, Wilma Geraldine (Friemonth) Gamm; her three sons, John (Heather), James (Kay) and Joseph (Jaqueline); grandchildren, John, Meghan, Melanie, Shana, Bryan and Jason and great grandchildren, Colin, Allysa, Ryder and Cambell.

She was born in Glasgow, Missouri on July 19, 1923 to Clarence Henry and Wilma (Rodgers) Friemonth.  She spent the first seven years of her life on the Missouri river on steamboats of which her father was the Master and her mother the cook. She left river life at the age of seven and moved with her parents to New Haven, Missouri where she attended grade school and high school.  After graduation she attended Miss Hickey’s School where she learned office and managerial skills and upon graduation went to work for the Hasse Corporation in St. Louis. 

She met her future husband, John, at the county fair in Washington, Missouri at the age of 15 and married him June 30, 1956. They both loved travel and traveled across Europe before moving to Manchester, Missouri and raising a family. They raised three boys and while the kids grew up they incorporated them into the fledgling family business. That business, Hi-Way Motors, served the New Haven-Washington area for nearly 30 years.

Doris continued to travel throughout her life and with her family in-tow she traveled extensively across the states covering the country to all 4 corners.  She particularly loved the white sand beaches of Clearwater, Florida.  Doris also loved music and played the piano regularly along with tending a small flower garden and gorgeous dogwood and redbud trees.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Barry Community Care Center, in Barry, Illinois where she received care in her later years of life. A viewing and remembrance are planned for Monday, November 7th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home, New Haven,  followed by her burial at New Haven Cemetery.