Obituaries from December 2001

MOREHOUSE - Rita Myers, 41, formerly of East Prairie, died at 7 p.m. Dec. 1, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Jan. 31, 1960, in Cairo, Ill., daughter of the late Joe B. and Kathleen Couch Myers, she was of the Pentecostal belief...

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Freeda Crain, 91, formerly of Dexter, died Dec. 1, 2001, at the Lutheran Home. Born Aug. 26, 1910, in Diehlstadt, daughter of the late Perly and Laura Ann Hogg Collier, she had been employed by Elder Manufacturing in St. Louis and Dexter before retiring...

ORAN - Cornelius "Colonel" Dannenmueller, 82, of Scott City and formerly of Oran, died Dec. 1, 2001, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Nov. 10, 1919, in Oran, son of the late Albert and Rosalia Welter Dannenmueller, Colonel served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He retired as a machine operator for Florsheim Shoe Company in Cape Girardeau and was a retired carpenter working for Yant Construction Company in Sikeston...

SIKESTON - Dorothea "Dee" Sanders, 63, died Dec. 2, 2001, at her home. Born Sept. 30, 1938, in Syracuse, N.Y., daughter of Ruth Bryers of Syracuse and the late Karl F. Bryers, she was a member of Shady Acres Church of Christ and had been employed by Bell's Electronics...

PORTAGEVILLE - Richard George Scherer, 83, died Dec. 2, 2001, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Nov. 14, 1918, in Oran, son of the late Bernard and Mary H. Eftink Scherer, he was a member of St. Eustachius Catholic Church and served with the U.S. Army in the South Pacific...

SIKESTON - Alice A. George, 77, formerly of Bertrand, died at 10:05 p.m. Dec. 1, 2001, at the Clearview Nursing Center. Born Sept. 8, 1924, in Hot Springs, Ark., daughter of the late Clark Braden and Cora Broyles Spiller, she lived in rural Bertrand most of her life and was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church...

PORTAGEVILLE - Raymond Eugene "Ray" Taylor, 49, died Nov. 30, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Nov. 13, 1952, in Dayton, Ohio, son of the late Raymond Eugene and Elizabeth Taylor Sr., he lived in Missouri for more than 20 years. ...

DEXTER - Clifford Benjamin Boyce, 84, formerly of St. Louis and Bloomfield, died Dec. 2, 2001, at the Beverly Health and Rehab Center in Dexter. Born Jan. 4, 1917, in Bloomfield, son of the late Albert and Ada Mae Palmer Boyce, he was a retired machinist, U.S. Army veteran and member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars...

SIKESTON - Larry Hunt, 33, died Dec. 3, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center, where he was a registered nurse. Arrangements are incomplete at Ponder Funeral Home.

SIKESTON - Harry Barnes, 67, died Dec. 2, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Ponder Funeral Home.

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Ponder Funeral Home for Ada Jean Laird Armstrong, 69, who died Nov. 29, 2001, will be: Steve Lefler, Todd Lefler, Ron Stearns, Derek Lefler, Gary McWaters and Justin Hawkins.

DEXTER - Pallbearers at services conducted Friday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Thelma Mae Wamble, 86, who died Nov. 26, 2001, were: James Wamble, Michael Digna, Charles O'Dell, James O'Dell, Paul Robinson, D.J. Caldwell and Joe Murphy.

SIKESTON - Betty B. McFarland, 71, died Nov. 30, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born May 31, 1930, at Goobertown, Ark., daughter of the late August Martin and Luie Elmertie Shell McFarland, she owned and operated a child care business and was a member of Ladds Chapel Church...

SIKESTON - Mary Lucille Carson, 69, died at 2:07 a.m. Nov. 30, 2001, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born May 12, 1932, in Sikeston, daughter of the late Grover Cleveland and Magdalene Cantrell Heath, she was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and Daughters of Isabella Circle 768. She was personnel director for J.C. Penny's in Sikeston for seven years and had previously been employed by the Sterling Department Store in Sikeston...

NEW MADRID - Viola K. Arnold, 80, died at 12:15 p.m. Nov. 30, 2001, at the Beverly Nursing Center. Born Sept. 2, 1921, in St. Louis, daughter of the late August A. and Lucy Brown Zartt, she was a seamstress for Lighthouse for the bind in St. Louis and was a member of the United Methodist Church in New Madrid...

ADVANCE - Brenda Kay Pickett, 56, died Dec. 2, 2001, at her home. Born March 26, 1945, in Sturdivant, daughter of Mary Moore Hamlin of Sturdivant and the late Paul Hamlin, she was a registered nurse at the Advance Nursing Center. A 1963 graduate of Zalma High School, she served with the U.S. Naval Reserves for 14 years and had been a Girl Scout leader in Advance. She was a member of the Advance United Methodist Church...

ESSEX - Cloia Simpson, 85, died Dec. 3, 2001, at Three Rivers Healthcare South in Poplar Bluff. Born May 13, 1916, in Avery, Texas, daughter of the late David and Gertrude Goff Harvey, she lived in Wiener, Ark., for many years before moving to Essex in 1980. She was a member of the Cooper and Haynes General Baptist Church in Wiener...

SIKESTON - Beulah Mae Wheeler, 84, died Dec. 3, 2001, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete at DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville.

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Ella Mae Branum Wilkins, 97, formerly of Hornersville, died Dec. 2, 2001, in Cape Girardeau. Born Jan. 22, 1904, in Hornersville, daughter of the late William H. and Ruth Underwood Branum, she was a teacher for nearly 50 years in the area before retiring. She had taught in Sikeston, Campbell, Hornersville, Holland and Charleston...

SIKESTON - Harry W. Barnes, 67, died Dec. 2, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Aug. 17, 1934, in Henderson, Ky., son of the late Howard Barnes and Azillee Barnes Sweet, he served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He was a wrapper operator for Bunny Bread and was currently serving on the Miner City Council...

VANDUSER - Larry G. Hunt, 33, died Dec. 3, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born June 19, 1968, in Sikeston, son of Gaila Warren of Sikeston, he was a registered nurse at Missouri Delta Medical Center and a member of the Church of Christ...

SIKESTON - Harry W. Barnes, 67, died Dec. 2, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Aug. 17, 1934, in Henderson, Ky., son of the late Howard Barnes and Azillee Barnes Sweet, he served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He was a wrapper operator for Bunny Bread and was currently serving on the Miner City Council...

DEXTER - Virginia Featherston, 76, formerly of Butler County, died Nov. 29, 2001, at Missouri Southern Healthcare. Born April 1, 1925, in Aurora, Ill., daughter of the late Clyde Wilson and Helen Elizabeth Stratton Frazier, she lived in Dexter since 1986...

VANDUSER - Pallbearers at services scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston for Larry Hunt, 33, who died Dec. 3, 2001, will be: Stan Cook, Ken Robert, Brian Kiefer, Dickie Chance, Daniel Parden, Sam Kirk, John Kirk and Chad Pendergrass...

SIKESTON - Beulah Mae Wheeler, 84, formerly of Portageville, died Dec. 3, 2001, at her home. She was born May 7, 1917, at Ridgely, Tenn., she was the daughter of the late William and Kate Ferrell Burress. In 1931, at Portageville, she married William Wheeler who preceded her in death on June 24, 1972...

WYATT -- Catherine Padgett, 82, died at 8:45 p.m. Dec. 4, 2001, at a medical center in Durant, Okla. Arrangements are incomplete at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.

SIKESTON - Martha J. Kem, 79, died at 8:20 p.m. Dec. 4, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Blanchard Funeral Chapel.

SIKESTON - Ivie E. Lewis, 98, died Dec. 5, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Dec. 27, 1902, near Cumberland City, Tenn., son of the late Richard and Mary Jane Lewis, he was of the Methodist belief. He moved with his family from Indian Mound, Tenn., to Sikeston in 1918 and worked at the Sikeston International Shoe Factory for 15 years. Then he bought his farm and enjoyed raising crops for many years...

SIKESTON - Martha Jane Kem, 79, died at 8:20 p.m. Dec. 4, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born July 12, 1922, in Lilbourn, daughter of the late John and Inez Brown Hessling, she retired as a bookkeeper for National Lock and was a member of Calvary Temple in Sikeston...

SIKESTON - Doris Jean Hull Stokes, 43, died at 11:50 p.m. Dec. 5, 2001, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident near Vanduser. Born March 17, 1958, in Chaffee, daughter of Alene Randles Barlow of Chaffee and the late Russell Barlow, she owned and operated Heartland Trailer Manufacture and Sales Incorporated...

WYATT - Catherine Elaine Padgett, 82, died at 8:05 p.m. Dec. 4, 2001, at the Medical Center-Southeastern Oklahoma in Durant, Okla. Born Oct. 26, 1919, in Mississippi County, daughter of the late Mack Neal and Izora Forgey Corbitt, she lived in Wyatt most of her life where she was a member of the Wyatt Baptist Church and owned and operated Catherine's Beauty Shop until retiring in 1969...

LILBOURN - Ama Lee Morgan, 80, died Dec. 5, 2001, at Beverly Healthcare in New Madrid. Born Dec. 2, 1921, in Newsite, Miss., daughter of the late Jessie Washington and Mattie Osborn Horn, she was a member of the Unity Pentecostal Church in Lilbourn...

KELSO - Charles Frank Robert, 88, died at 8:45 p.m. Dec. 5, 2001, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Born March 6, 1913, in Kelso, son of the late Charles and Ida Hohmann Robert, he retired as a seam presser for Thorngate. He was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Kelso and Knights of Columbus Council 6420 of Scott City...

SIKESTON - Dorothea "Dee" Sanders, 63, died Dec. 2, 2001, at her home. Born Sept. 30, 1938, in Syracuse, N.Y., daughter of Ruth Bryers of Syracuse and the late Karl F. Bryers, she was a member of Shady Acres Church of Christ and had been employed by Bell's Electronics...

DEXTER - Matthew Allen Hanham, 24, died Dec. 4, 2001, at his home. Born Oct. 5, 1977, at Pontiac, Mich., son of Cathy Walker Hanham of Dexter and William John Hanham of Rochester, Mich., he was a graduate of Bernie High School. Survivors in addition to his parents include: two brothers, Michael Walker of Dexter and Johnny Lee Walker of St. Louis; two sisters, Terri Michelle Hanham of Warren, Mich., and Jennifer Lynn Hanham of Dexter; and his maternal grandmother, Jonelle Walker of Bernie...

LILBOURN - Pallbearers at services scheduled for 2 p.m. today at the Unity Pentecostal Church in Lilbourn for Ama Lee Morgan, 80, who died Dec. 5, 2001, will be: David Kimball, Billy Kimball, Billy Morgan, Terry Stevens, Eddie O'Guinn and Roger Garza...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel for Doris Hull Stokes, 43, who died Dec. 5, 2001, will be: Greg Curtner, Allen Barlow, Vergil Barlow, Jamie Barlow, Dana Vaughn and Rick Ramsey. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home...

CHARLESTON - Pallbearers at services scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Saturday at McMikle Funeral Home for Catherine E. Padgett, 82, of Wyatt, who died Dec. 4, 2001, will be: Michael DeMann, Steven Bailey, Michael Goodall, Mitchell Pullen, Van Padgett, Allen Padgett and Joe Goodall...

SIKESTON - Inez Prindle Dame, 89, died at 6:50 a.m. Dec. 7, 2001, at her home. Arrangements are pending at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel, where friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday and a prayer service is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Francis Xavier Catholic...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Ponder Funeral Home for Ivie Lewis, 98, who died Dec. 6, 2001, will be: Mike Guess, Steve Guess, William Lewis, Gerald Lewis, Jim S. Green and Charles Largent. Honorary pallbearers will be: Stanley Wilson, Sam Grace, Mike Perry, John Whitten, Emory Abbott, Rob Newman...

NEW HAMBURG - Sylvia Marie Glastetter, 88, died at 4:35 p.m. Dec. 6, 2001, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Born Nov. 1, 1913, in New Hamburg, daughter of the late Henry Jacob and Julia Marie Westrich Welter, she retired in 1973 from the housekeeping division of the Holiday Inn at Cape Girardeau. She was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church, St. Ann's Sodality and the New Hamburg Senior Citizens...

CHAFFEE -- Nathalie Margaret Hipes, 89, died at 1:10 a.m. Dec. 8, 2001, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born May 3, 1912, in Harrisburg, Ill., daughter of the late Joseph Warren and Florence Alma Wilhelm Bolton, she owned and operated Chaffee Floral Shop until she retired in December 1962. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Chaffee V.F.W. Post 3127 and Chaffee American Legion Post 389. She was also a member of the First Baptist Church in Chaffee...

SIKESTON - Inez E. Prindle Dame, 89, died at 6:50 a.m. Dec. 7, 2001, at her home. Born Feb. 23, 1912, in Oran, daughter of the late Ernest and Ida Pobst Prindle, she was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church where she was a member of the Altar Society and Daughters of Isabella...

NEW HAMBURG - Sylvia Marie Glastetter, 88, died at 4:35 p.m. Dec. 6, 2001, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Born Nov. 1, 1913, in New Hamburg, daughter of the late Henry Jacob and Julia Marie Westrich Welter, she retired in 1973 from the housekeeping division of the Holiday Inn at Cape Girardeau. She was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church, St. Ann's Sodality and the New Hamburg Senior Citizens...

NEW MADRID - Evelyn Roberts, 82, died Dec. 9, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born April 8, 1919, in Portageville, daughter of the late Bill and Nell Laws Hornburg, she was a factory worker for the New Madrid Garment Factory, had worked as an aide for the Beverly Health and Rehab Center and also owned a restaurant in New Madrid before retiring...

BLOOMFIELD - Roy Ashley Poe, 90, died Dec. 9, 2001, at Central Gardens in Dexter. Born Aug. 22, 1911, in Bloomfield, son of the late Terry and Cora Stacey Poe, he was a lifelong resident of Bloomfield and retired from Elder Manufacturing Company in 1975. A 50-year member and past master of Bloomfield Masonic Lodge 153 AF&AM, he was also a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Bloomfield...

CHARLESTON - Harold Riggs, 75, died at 11:33 p.m. Dec. 9, 2001, at the John J. Pershing Veteran's Administration Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Arrangements are incomplete at McMikle Funeral Home.

PORTAGEVILLE - Roy Fisher died Dec. 8, 2001, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at DeLisle Funeral Home.

SIKESTON - Lillian M. King, 79, died Dec. 8, 2001, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Jan. 2, 1922, in Decatur, Tenn., daughter of the late Robert and Hulda Cordle Harder, she was a farmer's wife, mother and grandmother. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Canalou and Henry Meldrum American Legion Post Ladies Auxiliary...

SIKESTON - Dorothy C. Merideth, 83, died at 12:30 a.m. Dec. 10, 2001, at Sikeston Health Care. Born July 12, 1918, in Kennett, daughter of the late Martin and Alvina Bles Menz, she was a lifelong resident of the Sikeston area. She attended North Acres General Baptist Church and worked in the Foster Grandparents Program in Sikeston for 16 years...

HAUGHTON, La. - Clinton Aslin, formerly of Bloomfield, Mo., died Dec. 9, 2001, at Haughton. Arrangements are incomplete at Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield.

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel for Dorothy C. Merideth, 83, who died Dec. 10, 2001, will be: Shannon Merideth, Mike Merideth, Marcus Merideth, Roy Dale Merideth, Robert Floyd and Steve Howell...

SCOTT CITY - Victor Henry Heise, 67, died at 1 a.m. Dec. 7, 2001, at his home. Born Dec. 26, 1933, in Cape Girardeau, son of the late Henry and Albertine Senn Heise, he had been an engineer for Ingram Barge Line, had worked for Bunny Bread in Sikeston and was a truck driver for Christian Salveson Transport. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he attended Father's Arms Fellowship...

SIKESTON - Billie Jean Tucker, 61, formerly of Blytheville, Ark., died at 4:42 p.m. Dec. 9, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Feb. 22, 1940, at Blytheville, daughter of the late George Clifton and Ardie Lucille Rhodes Tankersley, she was a resident of Hunter Acres Caring Center and had owned and operated a tavern in Blytheville...

SIKESTON - Freda F. Green, 60, died Dec. 10, 2001, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born May 5, 1941, in Sugartree, daughter of the late Jacob L. and Edna Marie Grubbs Williamson, she operated a daycare and was a machine operator for the Grove Company for eight years. She was of the Baptist belief...

SCOTT CITY - Delories A. Simmons, 65, died at 8:31 p.m. Dec. 9, 2001, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Sept. 9, 1936, in Fornfelt, daughter of Helen Margaret Stone Brant of Scott City and the late Hugh Alvida Spriggs, she retired as an arrhythmia technician at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was a member of VFW Post 6407 Ladies Auxiliary in Scott City and American Legion Post 0389 Ladies Auxiliary and CB'ers Club in Chaffee...

BERNIE - Bessie A. Noyes, 93, died Dec. 9, 2001, at Three Rivers Healthcare North in Poplar Bluff. Born Oct. 14, 1908, in Parma, daughter of the late Charles Plez and Amelia Nolan Bowman, she was a cook for Middlesmith School in rural Bernie and cooked for the Bernie School District until her retirement in 1973. She also ironed for several area residents and was of the General Baptist belief...

PORTAGEVILLE - Roy Fisher, 65, died Dec. 8, 2001, at his home. Born Dec. 28, 1935, in Portageville, he was the son of the late Cecil Clyde and Forrester Fisher. He was married to Bobbie J. Scott Lasky of Hermann who survives. Other survivors include: one son, Roy Thomas Fisher Jr. ...

NEW MADRID - Johnny Coleman "J.C." Walls, 49, died Dec. 9, 2001, at his home. Born Dec. 31, 1951, in Florence, Ariz., he was the son of Hester Walls of New Madrid and the late Johnny Walls. Survivors include: one son, Cory Daniel Walls, stationed with the U.S. Air Force in Georgia; four brothers, Estel Walls, Roger Walls, Buford Walls and Donald Walls of Portageville; three sisters, Evaline Henry of Casa Grande, Ariz., and Mary Lou Hart and Deloris Cook of California...

EAST PRAIRIE - Doris LaVerne McBeath, 73, formerly of Lilbourn, died at 1:50 a.m. Nov. 21, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born March 25, 1928, in Danville, Ill., she was the daughter of the late Oliver and Edna Cramer Schwanderman...

MALDEN - Evelyn Shelby, 91, died Dec. 10, 2001, at the Westwood Hills Care Center in Poplar Bluff. Arrangements are pending at Rainey Funeral Home in Bernie, where friends may call from 5:30 to 8 p.m. today and services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Burial will follow in the Bernie Cemetery...

CHARLESTON - Harold Lee Riggs, 75, died at 11:33 p.m. Dec. 9, 2001, at the John J. Pershing Veterans Administration Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Born Feb. 1, 1926, in Charleston, son of the late Lafe and Mae Bell Maxwell Riggs Sr., he lived in Charleston most of his life, where he owned and operated Riggs Garage until his retirement. A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, he was a member of Elm Street Baptist Church and Charleston VFW Post 4294...

CASCO, Wis. - Marie Delwiche, 78, died Dec. 9, 2001, at St. Vincent Hospital. Born April 21, 1923, in Red River, daughter of the late Louie and Adele Servais Vanness, she was a welder at Christy's Shipbuilding during World War II. She was later employed at Penning's Convalescent Home and Brown County Health Care as a cook. ...

POPLAR BLUFF - Evelyn Shelby, 91, formerly of Bernie and Malden, died Dec. 10, 2001, at the Westwood Hills Care Center in Poplar Bluff. Born Sept. 7, 1910, in Earle, Ky., to the late William Jackson and Mary Elizabeth Stanley Arnett, she was a member of the White Oak Grove General Baptist Church of rural Bernie...

HAUGHTON, La. - Clint Harold Aslin, 68, died Dec. 9, 2001, in Haughton. Born March 19, 1933, in Bloomfield, Mo., son of the late Ernest and Eva Aslin, he lived in Haughton for the past 25 years. After graduating in 1954 from the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he served in the Air Force ROTC, he was a pilot and command officer with various duties in the U.S. ...

SCOTT CITY - Maude Lee Kurtz, 97, died at 8:35 a.m. Dec. 12, 2001, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born March 9, 1904, in Esto, Ky., daughter of the late Dudley and Myrtie Hudson Grider, she was a riverboat cook and member of Illmo Baptist Church in Scott City...

DEXTER - Jerry L. Shipman, 81, died Dec. 12, 2001, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Feb. 3, 1020, in Dexter, son of the late John and Pearl Smith Shipman, he was a lifelong resident of Dexter. He was a retired truck driver and member of the First General Baptist Church of Dexter...

BENTON - Thomisa Louise Colbert, 68, died at 3:52 p.m. Dec. 11, 2001, at her home. Born Jan. 17, 1933, daughter of the late Carl and Florence Nightengale Nugent, she was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star at Grown Point, Ind. On Sept. 11, 1972, at Chicago, Ill., she married Sequoyah Colbert who survives of the home...

ST. LOUIS - Louis S. Coleman, 73, died Dec. 11, 2001, at New Haven Meadows Nursing Home in Florissant. Born Dec. 24, 1927, in Mound Bayou, Miss., son of the late Leroy and Lydia Spellers Gary, he had lived in Missouri for over 60 years. A graduate of Washington Tech High School in St. Louis, he was a concierge for a hotel and a member of Memorial Baptist Church, where he served as an usher...

EAST PRAIRIE - Mary Elizabeth "Lizabeth" Miller, 75, died at 6:20 a.m. Dec. 13, 2001, at the East Prairie Nursing Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Shelby Funeral Home.

SCOTT CITY - Michael Joseph Backfisch Sr., 53, died Dec. 13, 2001, at his home. Born April 26, 1948, in Cape Girardeau, son of the late Joseph Lawrence and Lucille Rose Halter Backfisch, he was service manager for Ford Groves in Cape Girardeau and a U.S. Army veteran. He was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in New Hamburg...

EAST PRAIRIE - Elizabeth Miller, 75, died at 6:20 a.m. Dec. 13, 2001, at the East Prairie Nursing Center. Born May 10, 1926, in O'Bion, Tenn., daughter of the late Newt and Myrtle Estes Brewer, she lived in East Prairie most of her life. She was a custodian for East Prairie R-2 Schools, retiring in 1995 and was a member of the Nelson United Methodist Church in East Prairie...

BUSHNELL, Fla. - Virginia Harris, 66, formerly of Dexter, Mo., died Dec. 11, 2001, at Citrus Memorial Hospital in Inverness. Born July 27, 1935, in Dexter, daughter of the late Everett Dennis Kinworthy and Hettie Marie Bacon Kinworthy, she was manager of a convenience store and affiliated with the Assembly of God Church...

DEXTER - Faye Bailey, 97, died Dec. 14, 2001, at Cypress Point Nursing Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey Funeral Home.

NEW HAMBURG - Michael Joseph Backfisch Sr., 53, died Dec. 13, 2001, at his home. Born April 26, 1948, in Cape Girardeau, son of the late Joseph Lawrence and Lucille Rose Halter Backfisch, he was service manager for Ford Groves in Cape Girardeau and a U.S. Army veteran. He was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in New Hamburg...

SIKESTON - Mildred "Dooley" Gilmore, 79, died Dec. 15, 2001, at her home. Born Feb. 19, 1922, at Charleston, daughter of the late Ward and Etna Hay DeField, she was a member of the First Christian Church in Sikeston. On Aug. 9, 1941, she married Weber Gilmore who survives of the home...

KANSAS CITY - Kenneth L. Mouser, 70, died at 3:25 a.m. Dec. 13 2001, at North Kansas City Hospital. Born Oct. 3, 1931, in Sikeston, son of the late Otis and Violet Westmoland Mouser, he was a truck driver and service station manager. On April 19, 1965, at Miami, Okla., he married Robert Wickham who survives of the home...

DEXTER - Faye Bailey, 97, died Dec. 14, 2001, at Cypress Point Healthcare. Born March 4, 1904, at Aid, daughter of the late Andrew Franklin and Effie May Anderson Lynn, she was a member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Dexter. She taught school for the Dexter, Bloomfield and Essex school districts before retiring and was a member of the Retired Teachers Association and Golden Age Club...

DEXTER - Branon Garrett, 78, died Dec. 14, 2001, at his home. Born Oct. 1, 1923, in Stoddard County, son of the late T.M. and Clyde Palmer Garrett, he was a retired truck driver and lived in Michigan before moving to Dexter 35 years ago. He was a member of the Second General Baptist Church in Dexter and served in the U.S. Army during World War II...

DEXTER - Charles Franklin Robertson Sr., 67, of rural Dexter, died Dec. 14, 2001, at Three Rivers Healthcare South in Poplar Bluff. Born Oct. 17, 1934, in LaValle, son of the late Oatley J. and Fannie Marie Davis Robertson, he was a farmer and veteran of the U.S. Navy...

DEXTER - Pallbearers at services conducted Friday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Jerry L. Shipman, 81, who died Dec. 12, 2001, were: Mark Putnam, John Shipman, Stewart Shipman, Dan Comte, Brandon Chapell, Dustin Young and Denny Putnam.

BENTON - Kelsi Marie Essner, 8, died at 9:05 p.m. Dec. 15, 2001, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Nov. 14, 1993, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Ronald Joseph and Laura Anne Riley Essner, she was a second grade student at St. Denis Catholic School. She was also a member of St. Denis Catholic Church in Benton...

EAST PRAIRIE - Glenda Rhae Brock, 55, formerly of Anniston, died at 7:25 a.m. Dec. 16, 2001, at the East Prairie Nursing Center. Born Nov. 29, 1946, in Cairo, Ill., daughter of Frances Nadine Calhoun Houser of East Prairie and the late Raythel Lee Brock, she lived in Anniston most of her life and was a member of the Anniston Christian Church...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services conducted at 10:30 a.m. today at the First Christian Church in Sikeston for Mildred "Dooley" Gilmore, 79, who died Dec. 15, 2001, were: Hugh M. Gilmore, Jon Gilmore, G.W. Gilmore, Boyd Green, Brian Green and Charles Atchison...

KELSO - Gladys Helen Diebold, 91, died at 11:21 p.m. Dec. 15, 2001, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born May 29, 1910, in Kelso, daughter of the late George and Caroline Lux Glueck, she was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church and St. Ann Sodality...

BENTON - Kelsi Marie Essner, 8, died at 9:05 p.m. Dec. 15, 2001, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Nov. 14, 1993, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Ronald Joseph and Laura Anne Riley Essner, she was a second grade student at St. Denis Catholic School. She was also a member of St. Denis Catholic Church in Benton...

SIKESTON - Cecil Crawford, 93, died at 10:15 p.m. Dec. 16, 2001, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center. Born June 14, 1908, in McCracken County, Ky., son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Crawford, he was a farmer. In May 1935, in Sikeston, he married Mary Lillian Westmoland who preceded him in death on May 14, 1989...

WASHINGTON, Mo. - Margaret "Marge" Reynolds Williamson, 81, formerly of Dexter, died Dec. 17, 2001, at St. John's Mercy Medical Center in Washington. Born Dec. 31, 1919, at Washington, daughter of the late Arthur and Laura Jasper Cierpiot, she was a member of Sweet Prospect General Baptist Church in Dexter and retired as secretary of Elder Manufacturing in Dexter...

MALDEN - Mary Ruth Hogeland, 60, died Dec. 14, 2001, at the Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Born March 24, 1941, in Dudley to the late Marvin and Genevieve Laramore Eagan, she was a member of the Second Southern Baptist Church of Malden. On Oct. 14, 1983, at Malden she married Harold Hogeland, who survives of Malden...

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Paul Ellis, 74, died Dec. 17, 2001, at Sunbridge Nursing Home. Born Aug. 25, 1927, at Risco, Mo., son of the late William and Pearl Dowdy Elllis, he was a retired pipe layer and had worked for McMullen Excavating for many years. He had lived in the Missouri towns of Catron, Bernie and Dexter before moving to Granite City three years ago...

SCOTT CITY - Stanley Jamito, 90, died at 8:15 p.m. Dec. 16, 2001, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born May 8, 1911, in Milwaukee, Wis., he was an elevator operator for the Edgewater Beach Hotel and Lion-Healey Company in Chicago, Ill...

CANALOU - Lila Mae Scott, 88, died at 5:22 p.m. Dec. 17, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born March 14, 1913, at Morley, daughter of the late William P. and Artie M Baughn Scott, she was a homemaker and of the Assembly of God faith...

TALLAPOOSA - Annie Northannie Swinford, 79, died Dec. 16, 2001, in Tallapoosa. Born Dec. 27, 1921, in Russellville, Ark., daughter of the late William McKinley and Ila Whitfield Carter, she was a member of the Oneness Pentecostal Church in Tallapoosa...

EAST PRAIRIE - William David "Duckie" Russell, 89, died at 10 a.m. Dec. 16, 2001, at his home. Born Aug. 23, 1912, in East Prairie, son of the late Elijah D. and Lula Brown Russell, he had lived in East Prairie most of his life. He was an Internal Revenue Service attorney and veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during World War II...

LILBOURN - Lydia Tillman, 84, died Dec. 17, 2001. Arrangements are incomplete at Ponder Funeral Home in Lilbourn.

SCOTT CITY - Donna Faye Mosier, 61, died at 12:28 a.m. Dec. 17, 2001, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Born May 21, 1940, in East Prairie, daughter of the late Paul and Florence Bibb Busby, she was a member of Gospel Assembly in Anna, Ill. On July 28, 1966, at Union County, Tenn., she married John Edward Mosier who survives of the home...

SIKESTON - Audie Davis Jr., 76, died Dec. 14, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born May 14, 1925, in DeKalb, Miss., to the late Audie and Geneva Alexander Davis Sr., he had lived in Missouri since 1946. A retired farmer, he was a member of the Pilgrim's Rest Missionary Baptist Church at Canalou and was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II...

CHAFFEE - Beatrice Keller, 83, died at 9:10 a.m. Dec. 18, 2001, at the Chaffee Nursing Center. Born June 8, 1918, at Parma, daughter of the late Clarence Henry and Lethie Marie Biby Nordin, she was a waitress and cook at the Copper Kitchen in Chaffee before retiring and was a volunteer for the Chaffee RSVP for 23 years. A member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Chaffee Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, she was a member of the Church of God Prophecy...

LILBOURN - Lydia Deborah Tillman, 84, died Dec. 17, 2001, at her home. Born Dec. 26, 1916, at Steele, daughter of the late John R. and Lydia Ann Thomas Crockett, she was a member of the Lilbourn United Methodist Church. On Dec. 22, 1936, in Steele, she married Howard Herndle Tillman, who survives of the home...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services conducted at 11 a.m. today at Blanchard Funeral Chapel for Cecil Crawford, 93, who died Dec. 16, 2001 will be: John Goggins, John Goggins Jr., David Negri, Mitchell Crawford, Joe Crawford and Christopher Crawford.

POPLAR BLUFF - Virginia Lee died Dec. 18, 2001, at Three Rivers North Campus in Poplar Bluff. Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey Funeral Home in Dexter.

CHAFFEE - Robert "Bob" Lewis Harris, 56, died Dec. 18, 2001, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Robert Lewis Harris, known to all of his family and friends as "Bob," was born Dec. 24, 1944, to Robert "Smokey" Harris and Marie Harris, he was the third of six children, the first of three sons...

SIKESTON - Perry Jolliff, 66, died Dec. 20, 2001, at his home. Born Feb. 12, 1935, at Rover, son of the late Aaron George and Nora Hamilton Jolliff, he was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church. For 35 years, he was superintendent at International Shoe Factory until its closing and owned and operated Jolliff Aviation...

DUDLEY - Virginia Lee, 81, died Dec. 18, 2001, at the Three Rivers Healthcare North Campus in Poplar Bluff. Born Sept. 29, 1920, at Ordway, Colo., daughter of the late Charlie and Zelma Dennington Chase, she was a member of the Dudley Community Church...

ESSEX - Dianne "Cissy" Crites, 60, died Dec. 19, 2001. Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey Funeral Home in Dexter.

PORTAGEVILLE - Donald Dell Rone Sr., 81, died Dec. 19, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Sept. 22, 1920, at Portageville, son of the late G.W. "Son" Rone Jr. and Dora Klopfenstein Rone, he was a member of the Masons for 50 years having obtaining a 32nd degree and was a lifelong farmer and landowner in the community. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Portageville...

DEXTER - Pallbearers at services conducted Wednesday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Paul Ellis, 74, who died Dec. 17, 2001, were: Paul Green, Keith Ellis, Jay Vickery, Brian Wicks, Kevin Cagle, Bill Hoskins, Gary Scroggins and Terry Scroggins.

NEW MADRID - Harold Leon "Cotton" Johnson, 77, died Dec. 19, 2001, at his home. Born Nov. 28, 1924, in New Madrid County, son of the late Mart and Glennie Depro Johnson, he was a farmer in the Kewanee/LaForge area and a former employee of the New Madrid County Sheriff's office. He was a member of the New Madrid American Legion Post No. 595 and the Church of the Bretheren in Farrenburg. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served during World War II...

MATTHEWS - Gladys Mae Noble, 68, died at 9:50 p.m. Dec. 18, 2001, at Sells Rest Home. Born Oct. 15, 1933, at St. Louis, daughter of the late Edward Elliott and Agnes Marie Sadler Wilhite, she was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Chaffee...

BLOOMFIELD - Johnnie Oliver, 57, died Dec. 21, 2001. Arrangements are incomplete at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter.

THOMASVILLE, N.C. - Elvis Joseph Gibbar, 78, died Dec. 21, 2001, at Sun Bridge of the Triad nursing home in High Point. Born May 23, 1923, at Lithium, Mo., son of Lemie and Lorene Henderson Gibbar, he was employed as a forklift operator for Motorola and was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during World War II. He was a member of the New Grace Baptist Church in Thomasville...

WAPPAPELLO - Bob Gramling, 68, died Dec. 21, 2001, at his home. Born Oct. 17, 1933, at Walcott, Ark., son of the late Estes and Cordie Mays Gramling, he lived in St. Louis before moving to Wappapello in 1986. He was employed by General Motors for 30 years and owned and operated Direct Advertising Publications in Wappapello. He was a member of the Shiloh Baptist Church in Shook, a third degree Mason and a member of the Eastern Star...

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Bonnie Geraldine Moxey, 73, died Dec. 22, 2001, at St. Francis Medical Center. Born Jan. 1, 1928, in St. Louis, daughter of the late Floyd E. and Clara Jane Laney Patton, she earned a masters degree in education from Texas Women's University. ...

BLOOMFIELD - Johnnie Lee "Big John" Oliver, 57, died Dec. 21, 2001, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Born May 24, 1944, in Canalou, son of Leora Brewington Oliver of Essex and the late Herbert Cecil Oliver, he lived in Bloomfield since 1977. He served with the U.S. Army in Korea and was a member of Mount Zion-Walker General Baptist Church near Bloomfield and the Dexter Elks Lodge...

DEXTER - Lorene D. Landers, 74, died Dec. 22, 2001, at her home. Born Aug. 23, 1927, at Hope, Ark., daughter of the late John Delbert and Lola Alexander George, she had been employed as a florist in Eureka, Calif., and was a member of the Friendship Baptist Church in Dexter...

BLOOMFIELD - Ollie Bea McRoy, 89, died Dec. 23, 2001, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Born Oct. 9, 1912, in Bloomfield, daughter of the late Clumb and May Hester Pruitt, she was a lifelong resident of Bloomfield and charter member of the First General Baptist Church in Bloomfield. She was employed by Peppers Bakery for 25 years and later worked for Dr. Beckett in Bloomfield...

SIKESTON - Gladys Marshall, 81, died at 1:35 p.m. Dec. 23, 2001, at Hunter Acres Caring Center. Arrangements are pending at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel, where visitation and services are tentatively set for Thursday.

PORTAGEVILLE - Marguerite A. Allen, 50, died Dec. 22, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Arrangements are incomplete at DeLisle Funeral Home.

SIKESTON - Perry Jolliff, 66, died Dec. 20, 2001, at his home. Born Feb. 12, 1935, at Rover, son of the late Aaron George and Nora Hamilton Jolliff, he was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church for 35 years and was superintendent at International Shoe Factory until its closing. He owned and operated Jolliff Aviation...

SIKESTON - Shirley Ann Lawrence, 45, died Dec. 24, 2001, at her home. Born June 7, 1956, in Moscow, Tenn., daughter of the late Willie and Dora Flower Lawrence, she was a graduate of Sikeston High School. She was employed by Jay's Krispy Fried Chicken for many years and a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church...

CHARLESTON - Col. Herbert Marshall Stone, 82, died at 12:40 p.m. Dec. 24, 2001, at the Charleston Manor. Born Sept. 10, 1919, near Charleston, son of the late Frank and Lyde Dunlap Stone, he lived in Charleston most of his life, where he was a member of the First Baptist Church...

SIKESTON - Anna Golightly Laseter, 78, died at 11:10 p.m. Dec. 24, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Arrangements are incomplete at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel.

WHITEWATER - Ernest Homer Poole Jr., 66, formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Dec. 25, 2001, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

DEXTER - Anna Voss, 76, died Dec. 25, 2001, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey Funeral Home in Dexter.

HOWARDVILLE - Willie B. "Sonny" Perry, 68, died Dec. 21, 2001, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Jan. 2, 1933, in Memphis, Tenn., son of the late Joe and Quincy Warr Perry, he lived in Louisville, Ky, where he was raised by his aunt, Cora Williams. A U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, he retired in 1993 from Noranda Aluminum, after 24 years of service and was of the Baptist belief...

SIKESTON - Gladys Elizabeth Marshall, 81, died at 1:35 p.m. Dec. 23, 2001, at Hunter Acres Caring Center. Born Jan. 19, 1920, in Charleston, daughter of the late William Earl and Beatrice Holley Trousdale Sr., she owned and operated the One-Hour Wardrobe Cleaners in Sikeston for many years. A former member and past worthy matron of the Order of the Eastern Star chapter in Greenville, she was of the Baptist belief...

ALLENVILLE - Hazel P. Walker, 79, died at 12:18 p.m. Dec. 24, 2001, at the Chaffee Nursing Center. Born Jan. 15, 1922, in Aberdeen, Ohio, daughter of the late Elza and Myrtie Denton Pott, she retired as a machine operator for the Florsheim Shoe Company in Cape Girardeau...

SIKESTON - Anna Helen Laseter, 78, died at 11:10 p.m. Dec. 24, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Sept. 23, 1923, in Charleston, daughter of the late Alton and Lydia Bobo Golightly, she was a member of the Miner Baptist Church. On Oct. 7, 1942, in Sikeston, she married Frank Laseter who preceded her in death on Aug. 30, 1983...

PARAGOULD, Ark. - Anna Marie Voss, 79, formerly of Dexter, Mo., died Dec. 25, 2001, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Born Nov. 19, 1922, in Kansas City, Mo., daughter of the late Pete and Mary Picaloe Farfalla, she was a former Red Cross worker in Paragould and was of the Catholic belief...

ESSEX - Doris Cain, 90, died Dec. 26, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Feb. 9, 1911, at Frisco, daughter of the late Gardner Alexander and Mary Alice Starks Ray, she had lived in Essex most of her life and formerly taught at the Hale School. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Dexter...

CHAFFEE - Pallbearers at services conducted at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee for Hazel P. Walker, 79, who died Dec. 24, 2001, were: Wesley Kinder Jr., Shawn Kinder, Lance Kinder, Chuck McCoy and the Rev. Don Leggett. She is survived by one daughter, Velma Jean Tucker Cox of Dayton, Ohio, whose name was incorrect in Wednesday's obituary...

MALDEN - Carel G. Perry, 78, died Dec. 26, 2001, at the Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Center in Malden. Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey Funeral Home in Bernie.

WHITEWATER - Ernest Homer Poole Jr., 66, died at 6 a.m. Dec. 25, 2001, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born June 26, 1935, in Ancell, son of the late Ernest Homer and Lillian Mae Gowins Poole, he retired as a truck driver for Wetterau Foods in Scott City. He was a member of Teamsters Local 574 in Cape Girardeau, where he had served as vice president and recording secretary...

BARLOW, Ky. - W.T. Thomas Colson, 76, died Dec., 20, 2001. Born Feb. 14, 1925, in Kentucky, son of the late Jr. and Ruth Wilkerson Colson, he was a retired farmer and a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the Eagles Club and American Legion Post 3...

PORTAGEVILLE - Marguerite A. Allen, 50, died Dec. 22, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born March 23, 1951, in Portageville, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Maggie Howard Allen Sr. Survivors include: three sons, John Allen and Anthony Allen of Portageville and Walter Allen Jr. of Columbia; and two sisters, Deloris Grant and Bertha Collier of Columbia...

BERNIE - Gene Leon Clark, 68, died Dec. 25, 2001, at the Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Center in Dexter. Born Sept. 5, 1933, in Bernie, son of the late Charlie and Vina Nelson Clark, he was a carpenter with Building Construction of Southern California before retiring. A U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, he was of the Baptist belief...

EAST PRAIRIE - Cheryl Ann Bowers, 46, died Dec. 26, 2001, at the home of her mother. Born Dec. 24, 1955, at Dexter, daughter of Virginia Louise Buckley Bowers of East Prairie and the late Johnnie M. Bowers, she was of the Baptist belief. In addition to her mother, survivors include: three sons, Billy Dickson of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Ed Williams and Robert Williams of East Prairie; two brothers, Jim Bowers of Sikeston and Glen Bowers of Gosnell, Ark.; three sisters, Janet Steere of Malden and Carol Jones and Melissa Winchester of East Prairie; and one granddaughter.. ...

BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. - Francis Hallene Partain, 85, died Dec. 25, 2001, in Bullhead City. Arrangements are incomplete at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie.

WYATT - Thelma N. Goodall, 82, died at 10:15 a.m. Dec. 27, 2001, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Dec. 18, 1919, in Mound City, Ill., daughter of the late William and Dora E. Baumunk Modglin, she lived in Wyatt most of her life...

BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. - Francis Hallene Partain, 85, died at 12:10 a.m. Dec. 25, 2001, at the Silver Ridge Village Nursing Center in Bullhead City. Born June 2, 1916, in East Prairie, Mo., she was the daughter of the late John D. and Grace Ellen Moore Metheny...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services conducted Thursday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel for Gladys E. Marshall, 81, who died Dec. 23, 2001, were: Kevin Marshall, Louis Cherry, Brian Seale, Alton Bohannon, David Tackett Jr. and Tom Nunnelee.

NEW MADRID - Freeman R. Hickman Sr., 53, died at 4:08 p.m. Dec. 24, 2001, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Born April 12, 1948, in Philadelphia, Miss., son of the late John and Margaret Lewis Hickman, he had been a farmer and was formerly employed by the Sikeston Coca-Cola Bottling Company...

BEMENT - Roy Edward Williamson, 59, died Dec. 27, 2001, at his home. Born June 7, 1942, in Charleston, son of the late Raymond Williamson and Christie Williamson Mott, he was a deckhand for the Walker Barge Lines and attended the Bement Baptist church...

BERNIE - Carel Glenn Perry, 78, died Dec. 26, 2001, at Beverly Healthcare in Malden. Born Oct. 7, 1923, son of the late Earl Foster and William Marie Perry, he was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and a member of the First Baptist Church at Powe...

BLOOMFIELD - Pallbearers at services conducted Thursday at Mount Zion-Walker General Baptist Church near Bloomfield for Johnnie Lee Oliver, 57, who died Dec. 21, 2001, were: Terry Lewis, Glen Chamberlain, Kenneth West, James West, Donald Bell, Harold Persfull, Harold Wheetley and Ron Hueneseld...

PORTAGEVILLE - Bonnie Odell Harrell, 77, died Dec. 27, 2001, at the Portageville Nursing Center. Arrangements are incomplete at DeLisle Funeral Home.

SIKESTON - Tracy "TC" Calvert, 38, died at 10:21 p.m. Dec. 28, 2001, in an automobile accident near Kewanee. Born Oct. 24, 1963, in Cape Girardeau to Kenneth Calvert of Metropolis, Ill., and Sharon Burns Calvert of Olive Branch, Ill., he was a former resident of Olive Branch...

KELSO - Bertha Clara Scherer, 92, died at 3:45 p.m. Dec. 30, 2001, in Advance. Born Aug. 12, 1909, in Chaffee, daughter of the late Anton and Regina Heuring Glastetter, she was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Kelso. On Oct. 20, 1932, at New Hamburg, she married Joseph Otto Scherer who preceded her in death on April 17, 1969...

ADVANCE - Irene Davis, 91, died at 1 p.m. Dec. 29, 2001, at the Advance Nursing Center. Born May 10, 1910, at Allenville, she was the daughter of the late John and Ella Suttles Jones. On Feb. 26, 1925, she married Clifton Hess, who preceded her in death. She and John L. Davis were married Jan. 27, 1930, and he died on Oct. 1, 1963...

SCOTT CITY - John C. Doll, 89, died at 2:25 p.m. Dec. 30, 2001, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. Born Oct. 30, 1912, in Kaskaskia, Ill., son of the late Carl and Mary Lusk Doll, he was a plasterer for the Drury Company in Cape Girardeau. He served with the 1st Infantry of the U.S. Army during World War II and was of the Catholic belief...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services conducted at 10:30 a.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel for Vreda Marcellia Shelby, 74, who died Dec. 28, 2001, were: Rick Ling, Randy Ling, Justin Ling, Christopher Ling, Rick Ling Jr., Greg Landers, Aaron Hammock and Andrew Hammock...

DEXTER - Emma Pearl Cathey, 95, died Dec. 29, 2001, at Cypress Point Healthcare in Dexter. Born Aug. 7, 1906, in Portageville, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Maude Funkhouse Adams. On Nov. 21, 1925, at New Madrid, she married Fred Monroe Cathey who preceded her in death on Feb. 6, 1991...

SIKESTON - Lexie Kincade, 62, died Dec. 29, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born May 7, 1939, in Morley, son of the late Connie and Beulah Mize Kincade, he retired in 1982 as a master sergeant with the U.S. Army. On March 9, 1976, he married Bonnie Travis who survives of the home...

NEW MADRID - Hester Walls, 88, died Dec. 28, 2001, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Aug. 6, 1913, in Blackrock, Ark., she was the daughter of the late Benjamin J. McFalls and Mary Magdeline Henshaw White. On Dec. 24, 1930, in Portageville, she married Johnny Walls who preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death were two daughters, Geraldine Ables and Joyce Jones; two sons, Landall Walls and J.C. Walls; and three grandchildren and one great-grandchild...

SIKESTON - Charles W. Tucker, 83, formerly of East Prairie, died at 5:30 a.m. Dec. 29, 2001, at the Clearview Nursing Center. Born July 20, 1918, in Farrenburg, son of the late Charles C. and Betty Lou Hazel Tucker, he was a retired security guard with the state of Missouri, a self-employed mechanic and a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in World War II...

PORTAGEVILLE - Bonnie Odell Harrell, 77, died Dec. 27, 2001, at the Portageville Nursing Center. Born Nov. 20, 1924, in Portageville, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Monroe and Coral Alexander Welch. On Aug. 2, 1958, in Taylor, Ill., she married Ernest W. Harrell who preceded her in death on June 2, 1990...

KELSO - Theon Michael Heisserer, 78, died at 7:48 a.m. Dec. 28, 2001, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Born June 20, 1923, in Kelso, son of the late Otto and Emma Scherer Heisserer, he was a self-employed farmer before retiring and was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Kelso...

DEXTER - Pallbearers at services conducted Friday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Doris Cain, 90, who died Dec. 26, 2001, were: Jeff Martin, Brad Wheeler, Scott Wheeler, David Wheeler, Randy Gilless and David Yarbrough.

SIKESTON - Vreda Marcellia Shelby, 74, died at 9:47 a.m. Dec. 28, 2001, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Feb. 23, 1927, in Portageville, daughter of the late John and Versie Rogers Ling, she had worked for International Shoe Company in Sikeston and was affiliated with the Baptist church...

BLOOMFIELD - William Lawrence Evans Jr., 74, died Dec. 28, 2001, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Born Jan. 7, 1927, at Fairview, son of the late William L. and Velma Mae Jackson Evans, he spent his entire life in Stoddard County. He was a retired employee of the Missouri State Highway Department, a member of the Fairview Methodist Church and a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in World War II...

BERTRAND - Mary Margaret Blackburn, 71, died at 1:55 p.m. Dec. 29, 2001, at the Bertrand Nursing Facility. Born June 30, 1930, at Collinwood, Tenn., to the late James Alonzo and Exie Marie Owens Martin, she had lived in Mississippi County most of her life. ...

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Ray Cleman Edmonds, 83, formerly of Charleston, died at 12:50 a.m. Dec. 30, 2001, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Born Oct. 14, 1918, at Commerce to the late Ulyess and Addie Sanders Edmonds, he had lived most of his life in Charleston where he was employed with the ASCS office, then as vice president and manager of the Production Credit Association until his retirement. ...