Obituaries

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Jo Ann Seal, 79, died Dec. 11, 2018, at Stones River Assisted Living in Murfreesboro. Born April 30, 1936, in Osceola, Ark., she was the daughter of the late Lonnie and Mary Dillard Price. Her husband, Ronald Seal, preceded her in death in 2004...

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Jean Westerfield-Bodine, age 88, passed away peacefully on Dec. 12, 2018, at the Arkansas Hospice Inpatient Facility in Hot Springs. She was born March 9, 1930, in Henderson, Tenn., to the late Landreth Lee and Ida Mae Renfroe Crawford both of TN...

SIKESTON — William Myron Vanover, age 81, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018, at his home near Sikeston. He was born Feb. 4, 1937, in Sikeston, son of the late Lester "Buddy" and Virginia Metcalf Vanover, he was a lineman for the Sikeston Board of Municipal Utilities, veteran of the U.S. Navy, of the Baptist faith, a member of the Henry Meldrum Post of the American Legion and Fraternal Order of Eagles...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Marjorie Faith “Rorie” Jolly, 6 months, died Dec. 12, 2018, at Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis. Born June 8, 2018, in St. Louis, she was the daughter of Samantha Jolly of Portagaville. In addition to her mother, survivors include: one brother, Jackson Jolly of Portageville; one sister, Morgan Rivers of Poplar Bluff; her grandparents, James and Regina Jolly of Portageville; and aunts and uncles, Stephanie Turner of Portageville, Zachary (Candace) Jolly of Bay, Ark., Timothy (Val) Jolly of Charleston, James Jolly Jr. ...

JACKSON, Mo. — Alfred E. Baker, 82, formerly of Marion, Ill/., passed away Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, at Monticello House in Jackson. He was born Sept. 18, 1936, in Mississippi County, son of Lindsey G. and Opha Mae Kennedy Baker.  He and Jackilyn Sims were married Jan. 27, 1955. ...

LILBOURN, Mo. — Iva Jane Owens, 74, died Dec. 11, 2018, at her home. Born May 24, 1944, in Leachville, Ark., daughter of the late James Lierd and Mary Ada Thomas Ervin, she was a member of the First Church of God in Lilbourn. Survivors include: two daughters, Mary Randolph of Wills Point, Texas, and Sarah Rudd of Lilbourn; two sons, Hubert Nelson of Dexter and Cordie Farmer of Marston; five sisters, Sharon Mimms of Grayridge, Alice Brown of Hayti, Joyce Ann Scallion of Newport, Ark., Beatrice Staffey of Lodi and Rose Martin of Malden; two brothers, Claude Ervin of Grayridge and Sonny Ervin of Lilbourn; and 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.. ...

BENTON, Mo. — Ann Hendrix Grimes, 76, died Dec. 11, 2018, at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis.  Born May 21, 1942, in East Prairie, son of the late James Willis and Mamie Claurie Moore Hendrix, she was a homemaker. Survivors include: one son, Jeff Grimes of Benton; three daughters, Tammy Mathews of North Augusta, S.C., Angelia Walker of Benton and Denise Kettles of Jefferson City; a brother, Don Hendrix of St. ...

CHAFFEE, Mo. — Michael J. Armitage, 30, died Dec. 11, 2018, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Born July 5, 1988, in Rome, N.Y., son of James Armitage of Chaffee and Hope Wills of Verona, N.Y., he graduated from Chaffee High School where he played football. He was of the Christian belief. ...

DELTA, Mo. — Warner R. “Bud” Diggs, 84, died Dec. 11, 2018.  Born Nov. 9, 1934, in Denton, Texas, son of the late Rev. Arthur Cecil and Ola Mae Finney Diggs, he worked for Todt Sheet Metal as parts manager for 19 years and was self-employed until his retirement in 1997. A member of Full Life Fellowship, Church of God of Prophecy of Delta, he served in the U.S. Navy...

BENTON, Mo. — Donald Joseph Cook, 79, died Dec. 12, 2018, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.  Born April 7, 1939, in Venice, Ill., son of the late Donald and Dorothy Goodrich Cook, he was a maintenance supervisor for the casino. On Feb. 1, 1969, he married Shirley Felter, who survives of the home in Benton...

CAMDEN, Ala. — Meredith Halbrook Powers, 87, died Dec. 10, 2018, at Vaughn Regional Medical Center. Born Oct. 22, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Gerald and Pearl Halbrook. Her husband, Jackie Darrel Powers, preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by one daughter, Lori Ann Duncan; two brothers, Rayburn Halbrook and Tommy Halbrook; and a sister, Clelia Simpson...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Snowdie Howard Farrar, 78, formerly of Charleston, died Dec. 9, 2018, at her home. Born Feb. 29, 1940, in Charleston, daughter of the late Bob Howard and Ardessie Kirkwood Howard, she was a Christian and member of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in rural Charleston where she sang in the choir until she relocated to Cape Girardeau. ...

SIKESTON —Lindon Winford Duncan, 82, of Sikeston passed away Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, at the family home.He was born on Oct. 23, 1936, in Matthews, to the late Orril William and Lema Mae Holland Duncan. On Aug. 19, 2003, he married Jackie Sue Wagoner, who survives of the home.  Lindon was a retired troubleshooter/lineman for Ameren UE. He was a member of Sikeston Masonic Lodge 310 and a member of St. Louis Scottish Rite-Valley St. Louis Orient of Missouri. He also was a member of the Shriners International Club in Springfield– Adou Ben Adhem Shrine.

BONNE TERRE, Mo. — Mae Lorene Parker McMillen, 89, died Dec. 8, 2018. Born Dec. 19, 1928, in the Wolf Island Community of Mississippi County, daughter of the late James William “Tubby” Parker and Ora Mae Poyner Parker, she lived in the Florida Keys a number of years before moving to Bonne Terre in 1992...

SIKESTON — James S. Ahern, 83, died Dec. 7, 2018, at Kindred Hospital at St. Anthony's in St. Louis.  Born Sept. 1, 1935, in Keokuk, Iowa, son of the late James and Blanche Sandidge Ahern, he was retired from Noranda Aluminum.  Survivors include: his wife, Earnestine Hathcock Ahern of Sikeston; one son, Dewayne Ahern of Memphis, Tenn.; and two sisters, Mary Wilkins of Austin, Texas, and Sylvia Goodale of Colorado Springs, Colo...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — Glennette Rene Manning Wilson, 54, died Dec. 10, 2018, at her home in East Prairie. Born June 20, 1964, at East Prairie, daughter of Glenn Ray Manning of East Prairie and the late Bonnie Jean Bolden Manning, she was a member of the Gospel Assembly Church in East Prairie and had been employed with the Head Start Program...

SIKESTON — Paulette Mather Boardman, age 56, passed away Dec. 10, 2018, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center in Sikeston. Born May 21, 1962, in Parkersburg, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late Robert H. and Mary Meier Mather. On Nov. 26, 1986, in Sikeston, she married Marc Boardman, who preceded her in death on June 10, 2008...

BERTRAND, Mo. — Marty Eugene Hayden, 49, died Dec. 6, 2018, at Baptist Heathl in Paducah, Ky. Born Sept. 23, 1969, at Charleston, son of Lloyd Eugene “Lowell” Hayden and Carolyn Louise Wells Hayden of Bertrand, he had lived in Mississippi County most of his life and was a singer for numerous groups and musical events...

DEXTER, Mo. — Thurman “Mike” Almond, age 76, passed away on Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, peacefully at his home in Dexter. Mike was born on May 29, 1942, in Aid, to the late Thurman Autie Almond and Mamie Juldene Long Almond. 

FRANKLIN, Ind. — Todd Irwin, age 46, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died Dec. 6, 2018, at his home in Franklin. He was born Sept. 9, 1972, in Oran, Mo., the son of his mother, the late Donna Irwin Gilliland, his stepfather, Hank Gilliland, who survives of Morley, Mo., his maternal grandfather, the late Richard Irwin and his maternal grandmother, Juanita Irwin who survives of Oran...

SIKESTON — Tony O’Hara, 66, died Dec. 6, 2018, at his home in Sikeston. Born Nov. 24, 1952, in Rumbar, son of the late Anthony O’Hara and Thelma Venable O’Hara, he was a veteran of the United States Army and worked as a truck driver. On March 17, 2000, in Benton, he married Annette Ward, who survives of the home...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — Clifton Paul Shipman, 60, died Dec. 6, 2018, at his home in East Prairie.  Born April 17, 1958, in Los Angeles, son of the late Alonzo Paul and Wilma Babb Shipman, he had been employed for many years at Noranda Aluminum.  Survivors include: two sons, Casey Paul Shipman and Zachary Blake Shipman of East Prairie; and two sisters, Suzette Shipman and Jill Armstrong of East Prairie. ...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Louie M. Griffy, 95 years old, died Dec. 5, 2018, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau, where he had resided since November 2017. Friends may call at the Richards Funeral Home, 436 Main St., in New Madrid at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Mounds Park Cemetery at New Madrid...

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Germane Ulmer Sr., 43, died Nov. 25, 2018, in Evansville, Ind. Born June 6, 1975, in Charleston, son of John Hightower and Josephine Ulmer Hightower of Charleston, he was a 1993 graduate of Charleston High School. In addition to his parents, survivors include: his wife, Kathy Sargent Ulmer of Herrin, Ill.; one son, Germane Ulmer Jr. ...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Clara Frankum, 92, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Sikeston, was escorted by angels to her Heavenly Father, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, at Southeast Hospital. She was born Feb. 16, 1926, to William Carroll and Nora Dove (Inman) Turnbo...

CHAFFEE, Mo. — Janet Rae Sullivan, 76, died Dec. 4, 2018, at her family home. Born Sept. 23, 1942, in St. Louis, daughter of the late Roy and Myrtle Chappel Steger, she was a retired dispatcher for the Chaffee Police Department in Chaffee and a member of First Christian Church in Chaffee. She was a member the Chaffee Ladies Elks...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. — It is with great sadness that the family of Duane Schiferl, of Marble Hill, announce his passing on Dec. 2, 2018. Adored father, son, brother and friend, passed away at his residence from a cardiovascular event at the age of 52. Duane was born in Trenton, N.J., to Richard M. Schiferl and Mary A. (Hileman) Cook on Jan. 12, 1966. He graduated from Sikeston High School in 1986 and served a brief stint in the Air Force...

CHARLESTON, Mo. —Terri JoAnn “Terrann” Lawrence, 56, died Nov. 29, 2018, at her home. Born Aug. 4, 1962, in Wyatt, daughter of the late Thomas Williams and the late Verlene Lawrence, she was a 1981 graduate of the Charleston High School. She attended Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in education. ...

SIKESTON — Tony Duncan, age 67, died Dec. 3, 2018, at his home in rural Sikeston. He was born Aug. 8, 1951, in Peach Orchard, to the late Paul and Bernice (Morlan) Duncan. Tony had worked for Malone & Hyde in the Quality Control Department and was also a self-employed asphalt truck driver before retiring...

SIKESTON — Lula Belle Robinson, 95, died Nov. 28, 2018, at Sikeston Convalescent Center in Sikeston.

LILBOURN, Mo. — Barbara Mauk Ervin, 77, died Dec. 1, 2018, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born May 23, 1941, in Watsonville, Calif., daughter of the late Samuel F. and Rosa Mauk, she was a retired school teacher and member of First Baptist Church of Lilbourn...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — On Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, Sharon (Puckett) Maben went to her eternal rest peacefully surrounded by her children and grandchildren.  She was born Feb. 8, 1951, in Marmaduke, Ark., to Chester and Velma (Marler) Puckett. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Alvin (Dee) Wilson, William (Debbie) Puckett and Paul (Judy) Puckett; one sister, Brenda (Rondo) Nelson; and a grandson, Robert Law Jr. ...

CONRAN, Mo. — Howard Crockett Tillman, 81, died Dec. 1, 2018, at his home in Conran. Born Sept. 24, 1937, in Steele, son of the late Lydia Crockett Tillman and Howard Tillman, he grew up in Lilbourn and graduated from Lilbourn High School. He attended the University of Missouri and graduated from Memphis State University with a bachelor of science degree in accounting and business administration. ...

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Daren Kevin Bewley, 53, died Nov. 15, 2018, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Born Dec. 8, 1964, in Sikeston, he was the son of Shirley Trail Bewley and the late Hubert Bewley. Other survivors include: one son and daughter-in-law, Shane and Heather Bewley of Farrenburg; one daughter and son-in-law, Shanan and Kevin Sturgeon of New Madrid; two brothers, Bruce Bewley of Rockaway Beach and Farrel Bewley of Matthews; two sisters, Darlene Settles and Jennifer Morgan of Sikeston; and four grandchildren. ...

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Wanda Lee Roper Wallace, 79, formerly of East Prairie, Mo., died Nov. 17, 2018, at her home in Riverside.   Born Nov. 10, 1939, in Talbot, Ind., daughter of the late Reese Lee and Frances Carver Roper, she was a graduate of East Prairie High School and worked as office manager for 33 years at Skip Fordyce Harley Davidson Motorcycle Dealership in Riverside until her retirement...

MINER, Mo. — Joseph Franklin “Joe” Riley, 78, formerly of Wyatt, died Dec. 3, 2018, at the Miner Nursing Center. Born Nov. 7, 1940, in Birds Point Community, son of the late Frank Riley and Mary Nolen Riley, he had lived his entire life in Mississippi County where he was a farmer and of the Catholic belief...

CHAFFEE, Mo. — Alfred Ernest “Tom” Wolfe, 96, died Dec. 2, 2018, at Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. Born March 21, 1922, in Portageville, son of the late Charles and Mary Ourth Wolfe, he was a retired in-seamer for Sports Specialty Shoe in Chaffee. ...

NEW HAMBURG, Mo. — Frances “Francy” Cecelia Scheeter, 90, died Dec. 2, 2018, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Born May 20, 1928, in St. Joseph, Tenn., daughter of the late Frank and Monica Reischmann Kluesner, she was a retired cook for Kelso C-7 School in New Hamburg and also worked as a florist for Paradise Express in Scott City. She was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in New Hamburg and belonged to the St. Anne’s Sodality...

PARMA, Mo. — J.C. Leonard, 75, died Dec. 1, 2018, at his home near Parma. Born Nov. 13, 1943, in Portageville, son of the late William Monroe and Opal Lee Redman Leonard, he was a retired nuclear engineer and member of the First Baptist Church in Parma. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a pilot...

DEXTER, Mo. — Brenda Tucker Williamson, 72, died Dec. 1, 2018, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born March 13, 1946, near Puxico, daughter of the late R.C. and Mildred Duckworth Tucker, she had lived in the Bloomfield and Dexter areas all her life. She was a member of the New Bethel General Baptist Church in Dexter and served on the Stoddard County Fair Board for many years...

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Shirley Ann Owens, 67, died Nov. 30, 2018, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Dec. 12, 1950, in St. Mary, Penn., daughter of the late Francis “Butch” and Audrey C. Dinsmore Bauer, she lived in St. Mary until 1973 when she moved to Charleston where she had worked as a bartender at the V.F. W. Post 4294 and then as a cashier at Boomland, Pilot Flying J Travel Center and Flag Stop...

SIKESTON — Jerry Wayne White, age 86, passed away on Nov. 29, 2018, at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis. Born June 13, 1932, in Sikeston, son of the late Charlie and Nancy Turner White, he was a member of Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Miner, where he served as a deacon, superintendent and a member of the church choir. ...

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Charles Hoover McGaughy, 61, formerly of Homestown, died Nov. 21, 2018, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. Born Sept. 15, 1957, in Chciago, son of Ruthie Mae McGaughy Malone of Chicago and the late Charles Hubert Simmons, he was raised in St. Paul Baptist Church in Homestown. He was employed as a truck driver for Citizen Gin in Wardell before relocating to Columbia. He also worked for Loxscreen...

MOREHOUSE, Mo. — Charles Marion Shirkey, 81, died Nov. 29, 2018, at Life Care Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Oct. 1, 1937, son of the late Chester and Etta Emmogene Miller Shirkey, he was a member of the First General Baptist Church in Morehouse and retired from the United States Army as a master sergeant on April 1, 1989...

CLEVER, Mo. — Shirley Marie Waddle, age 65, of Clever, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018.  She was born May 18, 1953, in Sikeston, the daughter of Albert and Margaret (Schoen) Seiler. She graduated from Sikeston High School.  On April 16, 1982, she and Boyce Waddle were married. ...

SIKESTON — Raymond E. "Ron" James, 72, died Nov. 25, 2018, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born July 24, 1946, in Gideon, son of Mary Newcomb James Lameer of Crystal Lake, Ill., and the late Jack James, he was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and an over-the-road truck driver...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — Eva Lorene Sides, 97, died Nov. 27, 2018, at New Madrid Living Center in New Madrid. Born Nov. 14, 1921, in Powe, daughter of the late Tom and Lottie Philpott Sides, she was employed as a secretary until her retirement. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in New Madrid...

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Aileen Copman Surface, 102, formerly of Delta, died Nov. 27, 2018, at Luther Manor in Hannibal. Born April 19, 1916, in Brownwood, daughter of the late Edward and Emma Maag Copman, she was a homemaker and was a babysitter. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Delta where she taught Bible school and Sunday school classes...

VALLEY PARK, Mo. — Betty Beardsley, 85, formerly of Circle City, died Nov. 23, 2018, at her granddaughter’s home in Sullivan. Born May 19, 1933, in Sikeston, daughter of the late Elvis Alfred and Emma May Brown, she had lived in the Circle City and Canalou communities and in Valley Park before moving to Sullivan. She worked in customer service at Grandpa Pigeons until her retirement. She was of the Baptist belief...

PERKINS, Mo. — Roger Darrel Dugger, 63, died Nov. 27, 2018, at his family home. Born Aug. 3, 1955, in Waukegan, Ill., son of the late William and Thelma Baltimore Dugger, he was a disabled veteran and served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War...