Service to others is a trait shared by many members of the Stone family in Callaway County.
Barbara Stone of Stephens is proud of the service her family provides to Callaway County residents.
She has four members of her immediate and extended family serving in U.S. armed forces, four volunteer firefighters, one registered nurse and one deputy sheriff.
"I grew up near the Stone family. They are wonderful people. They are always doing something to help others," said Shelia Logan of Williamsburg.
"It's amazing what they do in service to not only their nation but to the people of Callaway County," Logan said.
Stone's grandson, Mathew Stone, is now serving in the Army in Afghanistan.
Mathew returned home for leave this month and is now back in Afghanistan. He enjoyed spending time with his wife Kelsey, who is a full-time student at Westminster College in Fulton, and other members of his family
Military service is nothing new to the Stone family.
Stone's son, Michael, is the father of Mathew. Michael served in the Navy during Desert Storm in 1991, the battle that occurred in Kuwait after Iraq had invaded that Middle Eastern nation.
Michael's sister, Carol Ussery, who now lives in Frisco, Texas, also served in the Army during Desert Storm at the same time her brother Michael served in the Navy. "They both were in the military services at the same time during Desert Storm," Stone said.
"Carol's daughter is now in the Navy," Stone said. "They all were interested in the military for training and a way to help achieve a college education."
Michael is now working at True Manufacturing Inc. in Mexico, Mo.
It isn't just military service that occupies the Stone family's time. They also are active volunteers in the North Callaway Fire Protection District.
Volunteers at the North Callaway Fire Protection District include Michael and two younger sisters, Rebecca Stone and Lana Stone Karhoff.
Lana's husband, Jackie Karhoff, serves as a Callaway County deputy sheriff. He also volunteers as a fireman at the North Callaway Fire Protection District.
Lana's full-time job when she isn't volunteering also is service related. She is a registered nurse who supervises the evening shift for emergency room services at University Hospital in Columbia.
Stone said when her children were growing up, they received no special motivation for service to others. "They just went to school and worked hard. We have a small farm. They hauled hay and cut wood to stay busy," Stone said.
"I'm proud of what my children have accomplished and their service to others," Stone said. "We've got quite a group going."