Obituaries from September 2002

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Hazel L. Davis, 92, died Aug. 31, 2002, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

SIKESTON - William L. Bohannon Jr., 78, died at 7:08 p.m. Aug. 30, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Sept. 19, 1923, north of Sikeston, son of the late William Lee and Iva Mae Gray Bohannon Sr., he lived in Scott County most of his life. On Nov. 16, 1946, in Sikeston, he married Willa "Billie" Menz who survives of the home...

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - Millie Bratton, 92, formerly of Dexter, died Aug. 28, 2002, at the Guinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville. Born Nov. 28, 1909, at Mount Carmel, Ill., daughter of the late Joseph and Laura Kolb Moeller, she was a member of St. Edward's Episcopal Church in Lawrenceville. She was a dress designer before retiring and former member of Faith Lutheran Church in Dexter...

ADVANCE - Lesa J. Blankenship, 42, died Aug. 29, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Sept. 12, 1959, in Sikeston, she was the daughter of Mary McMillion Thompson of Advance and the late Charles "Sonny" Thompson. On Sept. 27, 1980, at Advance, she married Harold Blankenship who survives of the home...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers for services conducted for William Pruitt Sr., 78, who died Aug. 29, 2002, were: Elliott Pruitt, Rich Groseclose, John Whitten, Jason Whitten, Tracy Bowman, Larry Beckham and Johnny Wright. Services were held Aug. 31 at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel. Burial followed at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery...

EAST PRAIRIE - Bobby Owens, 69, died Aug. 31, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Visitation is scheduled for 5 p.m. Monday at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie. Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Shelby Chapel.

SIKESTON -- Marilyn "Gail" Sexton, 56, died Sept. 2, 2002, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Arrangements are incomplete at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel.

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services conducted at 11 a.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel for William L. Bohannon Jr., 78, who died Aug. 30, 2002, were: Ben Bohannon, Justin Bohannon, Philip Bohannon, Mike Bohannon, Randy Bohannon, Jeff Bohannon, Gary Bohannon and Greg Moore...

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Hazel L. Davis, 92, formerly of Commerce, died Aug. 31, 2002, at her home. Born July 7, 1910, in Cape Girardeau County, daughter of the late Roy "Price" and Rozena Jane O'Guin Knight, she was a cook on a Marquette Cement Company riverboat and member of Bethany Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau...

DYERSBURG, Tenn. - Rosemary Millar, 58, formerly of Portageville, Mo., died Aug. 30, 2002, at the Dyersburg Methodist Hospital. Born July 11, 1944, in Sikeston, Mo., daughter of the late John and Mary Francis Welsh Hooper, she was an educator for years before being employed as a juvenile officer by the State of Tennessee...

EAST PRAIRIE - Bobby C. Owens, 69, died at 6:30 a.m. Aug. 31, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Dec. 1, 1932, in Mississippi County, son of the late George Holloway and Virgie Mae Husk Owens, he lived in Mississippi County most of his life and was a member of the First Baptist Church in East Prairie. ...

BENTON - Shirley Clara Klipfel, 63, died at 6:20 a.m. Aug. 31, 2002, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Born Jan. 16, 1939, in Kelso, daughter of the late Marcus and Clara Johanna Compas Schaefer, she was a self-employed crafter. She was a member of St. Denis Catholic Church and St. Ann's Sodality...

ARNOLD - Wilma Lee Rayburn, 55, formerly of Sikeston, died Sept. 2, 2002, at her home. Born Nov. 18, 1946, in Essex, daughter of the late Eli Franklin and Ida Fields Payne, she was a nurse aide at Missouri Delta Medical Center and lived in Sikeston for 35 years before moving to Arnold in April...

SIKESTON - Lowell E. Webb, 91, died Sept. 1, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born May 30, 1911, in Hartville, he was the son of the late Jesse F. and Bertha Webb. The Webb family moved to New Madrid County near Parma in 1922 and he served in the U.S. Navy from 1930-1934...

MORLEY - Charles C. McCann, 71, died at 3:02 p.m. Aug. 31, 2002, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Jan. 20, 1931, in Sikeston, son of the late Tricie and Edna Counsil McCann, he retired as a mechanic for the Scott County Highway Department in Benton...

WYATT - Thelma Louise Murphy Litchford, 77, died at 10:45 p.m. Aug. 31, 2002, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Aug. 29, 1925, in Mississippi County, daughter of the late Tandy Baxter and Elsie Mae St. Clair Murphy, she lived in Mississippi County most of her life and was a member of the Wyatt Baptist Church. ...

SIKESTON - Marilyn Gail Sexton, 56, died at 1:32 a.m. Sept. 2, 2002, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Born Dec. 3, 1945, in East Prairie, daughter of the late Leamon "Bud" and Opal Lyons Markland, she was a waitress for area restaurants in Sikeston and had also been associated with the Meals on Wheels Program. She was a member of Living Grace Fellowship Church in Sikeston...

POCAHONTAS - Dorothy Mae James, 70, formerly of Bradley, Ill., died at 9 a.m. Sept. 3, 2002, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Dec. 13, 1931, at Randles, daughter of the late John Henry and Rose Emily Breese Bonds, she retired as a sewing machine operator for Thorngate Ltd. in Chaffee and was a member of the First General Baptist Church in Chaffee...

SIKESTON - Lowell E. Webb, 91, died Sept. 1, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born May 30, 1911, in Hartville, he was the son of the late Jesse F. and Bertha Webb. The Webb family moved to New Madrid County near Parma in 1922 and he served in the U.S. Navy from 1930-1934...

JERSEYVILLE, Ill. - Roger Blake White, 35, formerly of Dexter, Mo., died Sept. 3, 2002, at the Arbor Place Residential Care Center in Dexter. Born Sept. 3, 1967, at Columbus, Ga., he was the son of Linda Faye Tilley White of Dexter and the late Roger Dale White...

SIKESTON - Landon Christopher White, son of Dwight and Cindy Hampton White, died shortly after birth Aug. 29, 2002, at Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis. Survivors in addition to his parents include: one sister, Abby White of the home; paternal grandparents Bill and Mary White of East Prairie; and maternal grandparents, Ronald and Lois Hampton of Sikeston...

SIKESTON - Mabel Louise Hunter, 87, died at 8:20 p.m. Sept. 4, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel.

SIKESTON - Bobby Ables, 73, died at 10:30 p.m. Sept. 4, 2002, in Memphis, Tenn. Arrangements are incomplete at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel.

SCOTT CITY - Eugene Ivan "Gene" Holder Sr., 73, died at 12:05 a.m. Sept. 4, 2002, at the Chaffee Nursing Center. Born March 30, 1929, in St. Louis, son of the late James Tipton and Elsie May Taylor Holder II, he was a riverboat engineer and member of the Apostolic Lighthouse Church in Scott City...

BERTRAND - Mary Sue Medlin Stevens, 66, formerly of Dexter and Benton, Ky., died at 7:42 a.m. Sept. 4, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born June 20, 1936, in Bernie, daughter of the late James Henry and Sarah Elizabeth Boyt Stephens, she was employed by Elder Manufacturing in Dexter for many years and retired as a restaurant cook for the Gaslight Square. She was a member of Pleasant Hope Baptist Church in Benton, Ky...

DONIPHAN - William Adam "Billy" Cook, 18, died Sept. 1, 2002, of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Born March 6, 1984, in Barnhart, son of George Cook of St. Louis and Scott and Maria Griffard of Doniphan, he was an apprentice with Tank Tech...

CHARLESTON - Velma R. Butler, 82, died 1:22 a.m. Sept. 5, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Jan. 17, 1920, in Hope, Ark., daughter of the late James Henry and Mittie Jackson Spray, she lived in Charleston most of her life. She was a cook for Sands Cafe and then Bessie's Restaurant for more than 60 years before retiring in 1994. She attended the Church of Christ in Charleston...

CHARLESTON - Bobby Lynn Hughes, 59, died at 2:30 a.m. Sept. 4, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born July 29, 1943, in Gideon, son of Mary Louise Powers Taylor of Gideon and the late William Herschel Hughes, he lived in Charleston most of his life and was a member of the Lynn Oak Baptist Church in Clarkton. He owned and operated the Bertrand Service Station and Convenience Store since 1990 and had also worked in construction...

DEXTER - Pallbearers at services conducted Thursday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Wilma Lee Rayburn, 55, who died Aug. 2, 2002, were: James Eli Payne, Kenny Payne, Timmy Payne, Jimmy Payne, Patrick Hinshaw, Bobby Rayburn, Benji Rayburn, Mike Nelson and Donnie Nelson...

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - Vera L. Jones, 74, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died Aug. 29, 2002, in Salt Lake City. Born April 28, 1928, in Searcy, Ark., she was the daughter of the late James P. and Lillie Mae Ellenburg Saulter. In January 1946, she married Lloyd A. Jones who preceded her in death in July 1958...

HOUSTON, Texas - Leslie Caroline Austin-Flores, 30, died Sept. 2, 2002, in Houston. Born Jan. 3, 1972, daughter of Carolyn Bowers and Jim Austin of Houston, she was raised in Memphis, Tenn., where she graduated from White Station High School. As a child, she was a champion swimmer and an honor student. ...

SIKESTON - Bobby Dean Ables, 73, died at 10:30 p.m. Sept. 4, 2002, at her daughter's home in Memphis, Tenn. Born April 25, 1929, in St. Louis, daughter of the late George and Mary Bell Woolford, she was a licensed practical nurse for 21 years at Missouri Delta Medical Center and a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Sikeston...

SIKESTON - Mabel Louise Hunter, 87, a member of a pioneer Southeast Missouri family, died at 8:15 p.m. Sept. 4, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Mrs. Hunter, of Oakwood Farm in Sikeston, was born Dec. 8, 1914, in Benton, daughter of the late William J. ...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Monday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel for Bobby Dean Ables, 73, who died Sept. 4, 2002, will be: Jonathan Lim, David Lim, Aaron Boyce, Bill Boyce, Don Ables, Zachary Tow and Geary Yant. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery...

BERTRAND - James Aubrey Shaw, 94, formerly of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., died Sept. 6, 2002, at the Bertrand Nursing Facility. Born Sept. 18, 1907, in Columbus, Miss., son of the late James Benjamin and Jimmie Shelton Shaw, he was an electrical lineman and was also proprietor of the Lusk Chapel Grocery Store near Charleston. A 60-year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and 50-year member of Charleston Masonic Lodge 407 AF&AM, he was of the Protestant belief...

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Anna "Virginia" Eachus, 87, died at 1:45 a.m. Sept. 6, 2002, at the Riverview Manor Nursing Home in Ste. Genevieve. Born June 1, 1915, in Hayti, daughter of the late Arthur Virgil and Amanda Polk McDonough, she was a clerical worker with the U.S. Civil Service in St. Louis and a member of the Morley Baptist Church...

ADVANCE - Anna Jenkins Bidewell, 93, died Sept. 5, 2002, at the Advance Nursing Center. Born March 21, 1909, near Advance, daughter of the late William and Maude Helderman Jenkins, she was a member of the Advance United Methodist Church, where she had been a Sunday school teacher and youth director. ...

LILBOURN -- Mary Smith died Sept. 5, 2002, at the Portageville Nursing Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Ponder Funeral Home in Lilbourn.

MINER -- Mary Jolene McIlroy, 88, formerly of Bertrand, died at 1:23 p.m. Sept. 8, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Dec. 4, 1913, in Bertrand, daughter of the late Grady and Lena Winslow McAdoo, she was residing at the Miner Nursing Center but had lived in Bertrand most of her life and 18 years in Gary, Ind. She was a member of the Bertrand United Methodist Church and was a foster grandparent with the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston...

SIKESTON -- William "Harold" Huggins, 69, died Sept, 7, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Blanchard Funeral Chapel in Sikeston.

SIKESTON - Hazel DuFaux, 79, died Sept. 6, 2002, at the Hunter Acres Caring Center. Born Sept. 8, 1923, in Augusta, Ark., she was the daughter of the late Luther and Hazel Zapf Latner. On Sept. 7, 1977, she married Alphonse DuFaux who preceded her in death...

GLENDORA, Calif - Viola Irene Luber, 87, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died Sept. 8, 2002, at the Bella Vista Nursing Home in Glendora. Arrangements are incomplete at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston.

SIKESTON -- Peggy Sue Wells, 66, died Sept. 6, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Blanchard Funeral Chapel in Sikeston.

HANNIBAL - Mary F. Gentry, 75, died at 11:05 a.m. Sept. 9, 2002, at the Hannibal Regional Hospital. Born Feb. 6, 1927, in Lamar, Ark., daughter of the late Fred and Alberta Bradley Harmon, she graduated from Oran High School, received her degree from Culver-Stockton College at Canton and was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Iota Chapter. ...

SIKESTON -- Peggy Sue Fletcher Wells, 66, died at 8:02 p.m. Sept. 6, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born July 27, 1936, in Missouri, she had lived in Sikeston most of her life and was of the Baptist belief. On Dec. 18, 1965, in Bloomfield, she married William Cecil Wells who preceded her in death on Feb. 6, 1985...

PORTAGEVILLE - Mary E. Smith, 89, died Sept. 5, 2002, at the Portageville Nursing Center. Born June 9, 1913, in Russellville, Miss., she was the daughter of the late Henry and Minnie Mosby. Also preceding her in death were one daughter, three aunts and two uncles...

SIKESTON - William Harold Huggins, 69, died Sept. 7, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born May 2, 1933, in Greenville, Tenn., son of the late Talma Huggins and Ethel Richmond Huggins Garner, he worked for a fertilizer and feed plant in Sikeston and had been a machine operator for the Anchor Toys factory in Sikeston. He was of the Baptist belief...

NEW MADRID - Lucille Patterson, 87, died Sept. 10, 2002, at her daughter's home in New Madrid. Born April 1, 1915, in Lamar, Ark., she was the daughter of the late George Washington and Margaret Burton Reynolds. She was a homemaker and member of the First Baptist Church in Lilbourn as well as an avid and talented quilt maker...

DEXTER - Thelma Carroll died Sept. 10, 2002, at the Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter. Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston is in charge of arrangements which are incomplete.

HAYTI - Willie Mae Brown, 93, formerly of Charleston, died Sept. 2, 2002, at Pemiscot Memorial Hospital in Hayti. Born Dec. 9, 1909, in Mississippi, she lived in Missouri for more than 50 years and was of the Baptist belief. She is survived by nieces, nephews and other relatives...

KANSAS CITY - Chester Lewis Pulliam, 91, died Sept. 9, 2002, at the New Mark Care Center. Born June 10, 1911, in Doniphan, son of the late Lewis and Flora Pulliam, he was a minister from 1945 until retiring in the early 1980s, during which time he had served as pastor of several churches. He was a past minister of the Missouri East Conference of the United Methodist Church...

NEW MADRID - Lucille Patterson, 87, died Sept. 10, 2002, at her daughter's home in New Madrid. Born April 1, 1915, in Lamar, Ark., she was the daughter of the late George Washington and Margaret Burton Reynolds. She was a homemaker and member of the First Baptist Church in Lilbourn as well as an avid and talented quilt maker...

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Dorothy L. Tibbles, 81, died Sept. 9, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center. Born April 11, 1921, in St. Louis, daughter of the late John Paul and Louise Dorothy Messmer Weis, she graduated in 1939 from Beaumont High School in St. Louis. ...

BLODGETT - Zelma Christine Carroll, 83, died at 10:10 p.m. Sept. 10, 2002, at the Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter. Born Dec. 15, 1918, in Neelyville, daughter of the late John Wesley and Cora Murrell Strayhorn and a member of the Blodgett Baptist Church, she was a housewife and homemaker...

SIKESTON - Troy Wayne Boshears, 47, died Sept. 11, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel.

EAST PRAIRIE - Richard Bright, 86, died at 10:15 p.m. Sept. 12, 2002, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Shelby Funeral Home.

BROWNWOOD - Harold D. Portlock, 72, died Sept. 11, 2002, at his home. Born Jan. 29, 1930, in Sikeston, son of the late Walter and Gladys Mietg Portlock, he was a retired farmer and U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. His wife, Glonda Ladd Portlock, preceded him in death on April 1, 1996...

SIKESTON - The Rev. Troy Wayne Boshears, 46, died at 8:20 a.m. Sept. 11, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Oct. 9, 1955, in Blytheville, Ark., son of Irene Brewer Boshears of Morehouse and the late Fred Boshears, he had been employed by Tetra Pak in Sikeston and was assistant minister of Beulahland General Baptist Church...

MOREHOUSE - Cleddis Huffman died Sept. 13, 2002, at the Clearview Nursing Center in Sikeston. Arrangements are incomplete at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Morehouse.

ZALMA - William "Bill" Shirrell, 71, died Sept. 12, 2002, at his home. Born Aug. 21, 1931, at Zalma, son of the late Phynnie and Dovie Hedrick Shirrell, he was a retired sawmill worker. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and was of the Baptist belief...

BLOOMFIELD - Dorothy Link, 76, died Sept. 11, 2002, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Oct. 26, 1925, near Aid, daughter of the late Walter A. and Armitte Wren Shrum, she was a lifelong resident of Stoddard County and member of the Church of Christ...

ONTARIO, Canada - Viola Irene Luber, 87, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died Sept. 8, 2002, at the Bella Vista Nursing Center in Ontario. She was born Nov. 10, 1914. On Dec. 16, 1938, she married Henry John Luber who preceded her in death on Feb. 13, 2001...

MOREHOUSE - Cleddis Huffman, 80, died Sept. 13, 2002, at the Clearview Nursing Center in Sikeston. Born Sept. 23, 1921, at Senath, son of the late Martin H. and Maudie M. Goldsmith Huffman, he was a contract driver for the U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Army veteran of World War II...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Rev. Amel Shibley, 73, died Sept. 14, 2002, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at Richards Funeral Home in New Madrid.

EAST PRAIRIE - Richard Bright, 86, died at 10:16 p.m. Sept. 12, 2002, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center. Born July 1, 1916, near East Prairie, son of the late Henry P. and Annie Jackson Bright, he lived in Mississippi County most of his life and was of the Protestant belief. He worked in the Missouri Concentration Camp in Sikeston during World War II and was a sawmill edger and carpenter before retiring...

MORLEY - Jerry T. Crites, 61, died Sept. 12, 2002, at his home. Born Oct. 10, 1940, near Sturdivant, son of Emerson B. Crites of Puxico and the late Hazel Cooper Crites, he was a 1958 graduate of Puxico High School. He earned a bachelor of science and master of arts degree in counseling education from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. ...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services conducted Saturday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel for the Rev. Troy Wayne Boshears, 46, who died Sept. 11, 2002, were: Bobby Sloan, Allen Rhymes, Jason Powell, Danny Battin, David Malloy and Kevin Randolph.

DEXTER -- Pallbearers for services held Saturday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter for Dorothy Link, 76, who died Sept. 11, 2002, were: Jonny Schulte, Kevin Mangrum, Jake Byas, Tim Winegardner, Doug Limbaugh and Billy Bradley.

SIKESTON - Herbert Jackson "Stub" DeProw, 92, died Sept. 12, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Aug. 12, 1910, in Malden, son of the late Mitchell and Molly Craig DeProw, he was a member of the Bricklayer Union No. 1 in St. Louis and the Pentecostal Church in Tallapoosa. He was also a U.S. Army veteran of World War II...

MOREHOUSE - Cleddis Huffman, 80, died Sept. 13, 2002, at the Clearview Nursing Center in Sikeston. Born Sept. 23, 1921, at Senath, son of the late Martin H. and Maudie M. Goldsmith Huffman, he was a contract driver for the U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Army veteran of World War II...

SCOTT CITY -- Alma I. Lynn, 84, died at 9:05 a.m. Sept. 13, 2002, at her home. Born June 19, 1918, at Illmo, daughter of the late John Crawford and Addie Leora McLane Dillow, she was a homemaker and attended the Assembly of God Church in Scott City...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Rev. Amel Shibley, 73, died Sept. 14, 2002, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at Richards Funeral Home in New Madrid.

EAST PRAIRIE - Richard Bright, 86, died at 10:16 p.m. Sept. 12, 2002, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center. Born July 1, 1916, near East Prairie, son of the late Henry P. and Annie Jackson Bright, he lived in Mississippi County most of his life and was of the Protestant belief. He worked in the Missouri Concentration Camp in Sikeston during World War II and was a sawmill edger and carpenter before retiring...

SCOTT CITY -- Alma I. Lynn, 84, died at 9:05 a.m. Sept. 13, 2002, at her home. Born June 19, 1918, at Illmo, daughter of the late John Crawford and Addie Leora McLane Dillow, she was a homemaker and attended the Assembly of God Church in Scott City...

IMPERIAL - James David Taylor Jr., 64, died at 6:10 p.m. Sept. 14, 2002, at the Monticello House in Jackson. Born March 13, 1938, at LaForge, son of the late James David and Emma Alice Pugh Taylor Sr., he was employed by the Brady Drake Company in St. Louis and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy...

CAPE GIRARDEAU - The Rev. Amel A. Shibley, 73, formerly of New Madrid, died Sept. 14, 2002, in Cape Girardeau. Born March 5, 1929, in New Madrid, son of the late Gabriel and Merym Samaha Shibley, he was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Shibley attended St. Louis Preparatory Seminary and the Kendrick Seminary in St. Louis and was ordained on March 25, 1962, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Madrid...

SALEM - Anita Geary, 83, died Sept. 14, 2002, at the Salem Nursing Center. Born Dec. 23, 1918, in Ackerman, Miss., she was a former resident of Bird's Corner and Dexter and was of the Protestant belief. On March 2, 1935, in Osceola, Ark., she married Jesse Geary who preceded her in death on June 22, 1985...

BELL CITY -- Johnny Clay Dover, 51, died Sept. 14, 2002, at his home, following an extended illness. He was born Aug. 17, 1951, in Sikeston to the late J.C. and Orena "Renee" Duke "Dover. He was a 1969 graduate of Bell City High School and was a member of the Bell City United Methodist Church, where he was serving as president of the church administrative council. ...

EAST PRAIRIE - Christopher Johnson, 26, died Sept. 15, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Arrangements are incomplete at Shelby Funeral Home.

DEXTER - Alzie Gromer, 94, died Sept. 14, 2002, at her home. Born Dec. 7, 1907, in Vandalle, Ark., daughter of the late Henry and Ella Mason, she was a former resident of the Hill's Store Community and was a member of Sweet Prospect General Baptist Church in Dexter...

OAK RIDGE - Eulalia McCanless, age 69, died Sept. 14, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Sept. 26, 1932, at Landers Ridge, daughter of the late George and Flora Asher Volz, she was a member of Caney Fork Baptist Church near Oak Ridge where she sang in the choir and had taught Sunday School and Bible School. A loving and devoted mother, she was also an accomplished artist and especially enjoyed painting rural, nature and animal scenes. She also played the organ...

MORLEY -- Henrietta Conyers, 80, died Sept. 15, 2002, at the Chaffee Nursing Center. Born Jan. 13, 1922, in Scott City, daughter of the late Charles and Emma Jaco Eastwood, she was a member of the Morley General Baptist Church and had worked for Brown Shoe Company in Charleston until her retirement in 1962...

SIKESTON - Lorene Helen Kearbey, 78, died Sept. 14, 2002, at her home. Born July 28, 1924, in Salcedo, daughter of the late Sherman and Verbal Lands Turley, she had been employed by the International Shoe Factory and later worked for the Sikeston Laundry before retiring...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Inez Hunter Grissom Fent, 86, formerly of Midlothian, Ill., and East Prairie, Mo., died at 6:45 a.m. Sept. 15, 2002, at the Imperial Manor Convalescent Center in Madison. Born April 9, 1916, in East Prairie, daughter of the late Charles and Lizzy Terry Grissom, she lived in Midlothian for 53 years where she retired as a social worker for the State of Illinois and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...

OVERLAND - Herman McRoy died Sept. 16, 2002, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield.

BERNIE - Max Lynn Putnam, 63, died Sept. 15, 2002, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Born May 16, 1939, in Dexter, son of Vivian Perry Putnam of Bernie and the late G.E. Putnam, he had been a truck driver and was presently employed by the Southeast Co-op in Dexter...

HAWK POINT - Margaret A. Hornburg died Sept. 14, 2002, in St. Louis. Her husband, Murchel Hornburg, survives of the home. Other survivors include: four sons and two daughters-in-law, Michael and Linda Hornburg of Canada, James Hornburg of Kansas City, David Hornburg of St. Louis and Joseph and Rebecca Hornburg of O'Fallon; two daughters and one son-in-law, Jane Rund of St. Louis and Rose and Andrew Bingham of St. Louis; and eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild...

PARMA - Edna Boone, 84, died Sept. 16, 2002, at the Beverly Healthcare Center in New Madrid. Born Aug. 25, 1918, in Blue Ridge, Ga., she was the daughter of the late Norman R. and Para Lee Anderson Garland. On Sept. 28, 1944, at Piggott, Ark., she married Samuel Lewis Boone who preceded her in death on July 31, 1966...

DEXTER - Bradley Lee Palmer and Brandon Dale Palmer, twin sons of Bobby Dale Palmer and Maggie Alena Chafin of Dexter, died shortly after birth Sept. 15, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Survivors in addition to their parents include: one brother, Ameal Manuel Chafin of Dexter; paternal grandparents, Joe and Teresa Cecil of Dexter and Ronald and Carolyn Palmer of Bernie; maternal grandparents, Jimmy and Barbara Hill Chafin of Grayridge and Lisa and Anthony Pafford of Camden, Tenn.; paternal great-grandparents, Bobby and Margaret Adams and Ronald Palmer Sr. ...

EAST PRAIRIE - Christopher Lee Johnson, 26, died at 8:30 p.m. Sept. 15, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Dec. 20, 1975, in Charleston, son of Jimmy Fenton and Barbara Sue Floyd Johnson of Sikeston, he lived in Mississippi County most of his life. ...

FARMINGTON - Jacob Andrew Kristian Killion, 13, died Sept. 16, 2002, of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Cozean Memorial Chapel in Farmington. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at the Memorial United Methodist Church in Farmington...

DEXTER - Pallbearers at services conducted Tuesday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Alzie Gromer,, 94, who died Sept. 14, 2002, were: Glen Gromer, Mark Gromer, Kevin Gable, Michael Edwards, Roger Gromer, Tony Allen, Terry Mason and Bill Mason.

DEXTER - Pallbearers at services conducted Tuesday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Anita Geary, 83, who died Sept. 14, 2002, were: Zack Geary, Gary Dale Williams, Johnny Geary, Charles Donaldson, Arlie Joe Donaldson and Randy Knight.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - James Lee Roach, 77, formerly of Charleston, Mo., died at 2:21 p.m. Sept. 17, 2002, at the Richland Beanblossom Nursing Center at Ellettsville. Arrangements are incomplete at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.

OVERLAND - Herman Hoover McRoy, 73, died Sept. 16, 2002, at his home. Born July 7, 1929, at Aid, son of the late Alex and Oma Mae Boman McRoy, he had spent most of his life in the St. Louis community and was retired from Cyclone Fence Company. He attended the Breckenridge Assembly of God Church...

FARMINGTON - Jacob Andrew Kristian Killion, 13, died Sept. 16, 2002, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Born July 7, 1989, at Sikeston, son of Dr. Karl and Jacqueline Kelley Killion who survive of the home, he was an avid soccer player and he collected John Deere tractors as a hobby. A member of the Memorial United Methodist Church, he attended Farmington Middle School where he was in the seventh grade...

SCOTT CITY - Harry Curtis Carbaugh Jr., 58, died Sept. 19, 2002, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

DEXTER - Pallbearers at graveside services conducted Wednesday at the Chalk Bluff Cemetery near Dexter for Bradley Lee Palmer and Brandon Dale Palmer, who died Sept. 15, 2002, were Jimmy Chafin Jr. and Ronald Palmer.

PARMA - Pallbearers at graveside services conducted Wednesday at the Parma Cemetery for Edna Boone, 84, who died Sept. 16, 2002, were: Sam Walker, Lisa Johnson, Sharon Adams, Jane Boone, Harold Boone and Carmen Meszaros.

SIKESTON - Maurice Laverne "Vern" Rigsby, 74, died at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18, 2002, at the Clearview Nursing Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Blanchard Funeral Chapel.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - James Lee Roach, 77, formerly of Indianapolis and Charleston, Mo., died at 2:21 p.m. Sept. 17, 2002, at the Richland Beanblossom Nursing Center in Ellettsville. Born June 25, 1925, in Charleston, son of the late James O. and Fannie Holder Roach, he was a World War II veteran of the U.S. ...

MOUNT JULIET, Tenn. - Ronald Lynn Jones, 40, formerly of Bertrand, Mo., died at 11:40 a.m. Sept. 18, 2002, at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. Born Feb. 4, 1962, in Sikeston, Mo., son of Jim and Nellie Jones of Bertrand and Betty Sloan and Bill Holland of Arbyrd, Mo., he was a 1980 graduate of Charleston (Mo.) High School. He moved to Tennessee in 1987 and was a block plant manager for the Lojac Material Company in Lebanon...

SIKESTON - Bill D. Looney, 65, died Sept. 18, 2002, at his home. Born Nov. 13, 1936, in Kennett, son of the late Howard and Bessie Gabriel Looney, he had owned and operated B&C Enterprises and was employed by Noranda Aluminum before retiring. On May 26, 1957, at Peoria, Ill., he married Carolyn Barnes who survives of the home...

SCOTT CITY - Harry Curtis Carbaugh Jr., 58, died at 3 a.m. Sept. 19, 2002, at his home. Born Nov. 23, 1943, in Cape Girardeau, son of Louise Letempt Carbaugh of Jefferson City and the late Harry Curtis Carbaugh Sr., he attended Christian Faith Fellowship in Cape Girardeau. ...

BELL CITY - Lula Bell Bess, 64, died Sept. 19, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Dec. 21, 1936, in Advance, daughter of the late Rosewell and Mona Mae Bess, she worked in the fitting department for the Inland Shoe Company in Advance for 30 years. She was a member of the General Baptist Church in Bell City, where she taught Sunday school and was a member of the Ladies of Aid...

SIKESTON - Stephen Skalsky, 46, died Sept. 20, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center, following an extended illness. Arrangements are incomplete at Ponder Funeral Home.

SIKESTON - Clark Wallace, 61, died Sept. 20, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Ponder Funeral Home.

SIKESTON - Maurice Laverne "Vern" Rigsby, 74, died at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18, 2002, at the Clearview Nursing Center. Born Feb. 26, 1928, in Indiana, son of the late James and Gertrude Rigsby, he was a member of the New Hope Baptist Church. A retail store manager, he had owned and operated dimestores in Dexter and Bloomfield. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War...

DEXTER - Walter H. Johnson, 73, died Sept. 20, 2002, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born July 12, 1929, in Flint, Mich., son of the late Harry Marshall and Lorene Stevens Johnson, he was a lifelong resident of the Dexter area and retired as a city mail carrier. ...

SIKESTON - Clark Walter Wallace, 61, died Sept. 20, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Feb. 15, 1941, in Shannon County, son of the late Walter Lee and Gertrude Clark Wallace, he was a member of Local 27 Boilermakers of St. Louis and was of the Baptist belief...

COLUMBIA - Stephen Skalsky, 46, formerly of Sikeston, died Sept. 20, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, following an extended illness. Born Feb. 12, 1956, in Sikeston, he is the son of Orville Skalsky of Sikeston and the late Norma Jean Parker Skalsky. ...

CHAFFEE - Charlie Lee Prater, 82, died at 11:10 a.m. Sept. 20, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born April 29, 1920, at Nashville, Tenn., son of the late Will and Lena M. Brewington Prater, he was a retired machine repairman for Lone Star in Nashville. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served during World War II...

SIKESTON - Ira Merideth died at 7:50 p.m. Sept. 20, 2002, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. Monday at Ponder Funeral Home where services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday.

SIKESTON - Amos Lamar Scott, 75, a resident of Sikeston, died at 5:40 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, 2002, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. He was born Feb. 24, 1927, in Russellville, Ark., to the late Bleve and Ruth Morphis Scott. He had lived in Sikeston most of his life and was employed with ABF Trucking Co. of Cape Girardeau until his retirement in 1985. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, member of the Sikeston Masonic Lodge 310 AF&AM and was of the Protestant belief...

CANALOU -- Armetta Faye Basinger, 61, died Sept. 22, 2002, at her home. Born March 8, 1941, in Meta, Ky., daughter of the late Howard and Hazel Smith Chapman, she was a member of Big Ridge General Baptist Church in Matthews. On April 2, 1958, at McAndrews, Ky., she married J.D. Basinger who survives of the home...

DEXTER - Pallbearers at services held Sunday at the Dexter Cemetery for Walter H. Johnson, 73, who died Sept. 20, 2002, were Kelly Tucker, Tim Chamberlain, Dennis Reel, Steve Fish, Richard Hodder, Shane Bess, Pete Snider, Steve Comfort, Bob Coffey and Glen Tucker...

CANALOU -- Armetta Faye Basinger, 61, died Sept. 22, 2002, at her home. Born March 8, 1941, in Meta, Ky., daughter of the late Howard and Hazel Smith Chapman, she was a member of Big Ridge General Baptist Church in Matthews. On April 2, 1958, at McAndrews, Ky., she married J.D. Basinger who survives of the home...

PRUDENVILLE, Mich. -- Millie E. Head, 83, died Sept. 16, 2002, at Genesy Health Park. Born Sept. 18, 1918, in Painton, Mo., daughter of the late William and Winnie Barker Lagrand, she had lived in Flint for 40 years and 12 years in Prudenville. In 1942, she married John W. Head who preceded her in death in 1977...

GROVE, Okla. -- Sue Tyson Scronce, 69, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died Sept. 17, 2002, following a brief illness. Born Jan. 6, 1933, daughter of the late Margaret Walker Atchley and Clyde E. Tyson, she owned and operated a tri-state cleaning service in Grove with her husband, Donald Scronce who survives of the home...

SIKESTON -- Kenneth Scheeter, 61, died Sept. 23, 2002, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel.

BERNIE -- Kamie Lynn Glass, 13, died Sept. 22, 2002, at Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center at Kennett. Born March 6, 1989, at Poplar Bluff, daughter of Tim and Kimberly Allen Glass of Bernie, she was a student at Bernie High School and was a former student of Dexter Middle School. She attended Word of Faith Christian Center and the First Assembly of God Church in Bernie...

CHAFFEE - Grace Mae Ourth, 80, died at 11:15 p.m. Sept. 23, 2002, at the Chaffee Nursing Center. Born March 31, 1922, in Parma, daughter of the late Robert William and Blanche Elizabeth Knupp Biby, she retired as a machine operator for the Florsheim Shoe Company in Chaffee. She was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church and Daughters of St. Ambrose in Chaffee...

BLOOMFIELD - Josephine Ruth Sommers, 60, died Sept. 22, 2002, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Born Dec. 17, 1941, at Jerusalem, Ark., daughter of the late Fred and Cordia Macom Sommers, she was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Dexter. She had worked as a dietary aide for the Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Center in Bloomfield...

SIKESTON -- Kenneth Herman Scheeter, 61, died Sept. 23, 2002, at his home. Born Nov. 2, 1940, in New Hamburg, son of the late Charles Otto and Mayme Westrich Scheeter, he graduated in 1958 from Kelly High School in Benton and had worked for 27 years for Homestead Distributing Company in Sikeston. A U.S. Army veteran, he had been a maintenance worker for Sikeston Public Schools for nine years and was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Sikeston...

SIKESTON - E.L. Barnes, 78, died Sept. 24, 2002, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at Ponder Funeral Home.

EAST PRAIRIE - John L. Gifford Jr., 77, died at 8:55 a.m. Sept. 24, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Nov. 7, 1924, in Tomato, Ark., son of the late John L. and Sarah McGaugh Gifford Sr., he lived in East Prairie most of his life where he was a retired farmer. He was a member of St. James General Baptist Church in East Prairie...

NEW MADRID - Charlotte Basham, 71, died Sept. 25, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Arrangements are incomplete at Richards Funeral Home.

SIKESTON - Billie Garner, 88, died at 10:50 p.m. Sept. 25, 2002, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel.

NEW MADRID - Cora Irene White Issacks, 86, died Sept. 25, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Jan. 22, 1916, in New Madrid County, she was the daughter of the late Edgar and Clara Gardner Sweet. She was first married to Claude Heath who preceded her in death. Following the death of her second husband, Allen White, she married Monroe Issacks who also preceded her in death...

SIKESTON - Virgie Dale Bledsoe, 73, died Sept. 25, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Dec. 10, 1928, in Center Ridge, Ark., daughter of the late Ira and Ella Clowers Jordan, she was a homemaker and member of Shady Acres Church of Christ. In 1942, at Matthews, she married Leaston Bledsoe who preceded her in death on Feb. 4, 2002...

AUSTELL, Ga. - James Hall, 49, formerly of New Madrid, Mo., died Sept. 18, 2002, in Austell. Born Feb. 10, 1953, in Cape Girardeau, Mo., he was the son of the late Arnold Elmo and Mary Alice McGill Hall. Survivors include: four sisters and two brothers-in-law, Mary and Robert Smith of Hattiesburg, Miss., Jerri and Terry Theofrastou of St. ...

SIKESTON - Elmer L. Barnes Jr., 78, died Sept. 24, 2002, at his home. Born April 17, 1924, in St. Louis, son of the late E.L. and Etta Mae Elliott Barnes Sr., he was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He graduated from Kennett High School and attended the University of Missouri. ...

SIKESTON -- LouEtta McFall Webb, 87, died Sept. 27, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Nov. 7, 1914, in Idalia, daughter of the late George and Edna McFall and an active member for over 60 years at the First United Methodist Church and a 50-year member of the Sikeston Chapter 137 Eastern Star, she was a worthy matron of the Eastern Star in 1958 and a district deputy in 1968. ...

BELL CITY - Gene Wheeler, 83, died Sept. 26, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Morgan Funeral Home in Advance.

ORAN -- Christine Ann Miller-Kincaid, 50, died at 1:50 p.m. Sept. 26, 2002, of injuries sustained in an automobile accident near Oran. Born June 29, 1952, at Topeka, Kan., she was the daughter of Max Robert and Colleen L. Alsup Miller of Sikeston, she was a former teacher at Scott County Central High School in Sikeston. ...

SIKESTON - Glenn Edward Nicholson, 89, died Sept. 26, 2002, at his home. Born June 1, 1913, in Sikeston, he was a lifelong resident of the Sikeston area. A 1932 graduate of Sikeston High School, he owned and operated Nicholson Tire Service for 51 years before retiring in 1985. He was a member and Sunday school teacher at the First Baptist Church in Sikeston and member of Sikeston Masonic Lodge 310 AF&AM and Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 137...

POPLAR BLUFF - Flossie Mae Shoffner, 78, formerly of New Madrid, died Sept. 24, 2002, at Lucy Lee Hospital in Poplar Bluff. Born Dec. 26, 1923, in Ridgely, Tenn., daughter of the late George and Victoria Palmer Ivory, she lived in Missouri for more than 60 years and was of the Baptist belief...

LILBOURN - Charlotte Basham, 71, died Sept. 25, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Dec. 20, 1930, in New Madrid, daughter of the late Horrell Henderson and Willia D. Richardson Townsend, she was a member of the Lilbourn VFW Ladies Auxiliary and the United Methodist Church in New Madrid...

PUXICO - Vida Scott, 55, formerly of Dexter, died Sept. 26, 2002, at Three Rivers Healthcare North Campus in Poplar Bluff. Born April 28, 1947, in Pontiac, Mich., daughter of John Hagy Sr. of Dexter and the late Beatrice Scott Hagy, she had lived in Illinois for many years. She was a member of the Link Full Gospel Church near Bloomfield...

CHARLESTON - Girl Lee Howard, 90, died Sept. 24, 2002, at the Charleston Manor. Born Feb. 22, 1912, in Greenwood, Miss., she lived in Missouri for over 80 years. She was a member of St. Matthews Missionary Baptist Church in Charleston, where she served as an usher and treasurer of the Usher Board. She retired as a cook for Head Start after many years of service...

SIKESTON - Billie Garner, 88, died at 10:50 p.m. Sept. 25, 2002, at her home. Born Oct. 28, 1913, in Huffman, Ark., daughter of the late William Blan and Anice Elizabeth Shorte Loflin, she was a farmer. A founding mother of the Sikeston Little League Association, she served as secretary and treasurer of Little League, Babe Ruth League and the Connie Mac Baseball League. ...

PORTAGEVILLE - Brendalyn Smith, 41, died Sept. 27, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Arrangements are incomplete at DeLisle Funeral Home.

NEW MADRID - Bill Lilly, 97, died Sept. 27, 2002, at a family home in Steele. Arrangements are incomplete at Richards Funeral Home in New Madrid.

SIKESTON - Virgie Dale Bledsoe, 73, died Sept. 25, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Dec. 10, 1928, in Center Ridge, Ark., daughter of the late Ira and Ella Clowers Jordan, she was a homemaker and member of Shady Acres Church of Christ. In 1942, at Matthews, she married Leaston Bledsoe who preceded her in death on Feb. 4, 2002...

MELBOURNE, Fla. - John Richard "Jack" Ripley, 78, died Sept. 25, 2002, at his home. Born Sept. 5, 1924, in Chicago, Ill., son of the late John and Helen Slater Ripley, he grew up in Chicago where he attended St. Mel's High School. He graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. ...

POPLAR BLUFF - Flossie Mae Shoffner, 78, formerly of New Madrid, died Sept. 24, 2002, in Poplar Bluff. Born Dec. 26, 1923, in Ridgely, Tenn., daughter of the late George and Victoria Palmer Ivory, she lived in Missouri for more than 60 years and was of the Baptist belief...

SIKESTON - LouEtta McFall Webb, 87, died Sept. 27, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Nov. 7, 1914, in Idalia, daughter of the late George and Edna McFall and an active member for over 60 years at the First United Methodist Church and a 50-year member of the Sikeston Chapter 137 Eastern Star, she was a worthy matron of the Eastern Star in 1958 and a district deputy in 1968. In 1934, she and her husband moved to Sikeston and founded Webb Electric which they owned until retiring in 1970...

DEXTER - Pallbearers at services conducted Saturday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Vida Scott, 55, who died Sept. 26, 2002, were: Willie Hagy, Darby Hagy, Carl Wayne Hagy, B. Earl Hagy, L. Earl Hagy, Johnny Hagy, Joe Hagy and Tommy Hagy.

SIKESTON -- Pallbearers for services conducted Sunday at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston for Glenn Nicholson, 89, who died Sept. 26, 2002, were: Charles Chaney, Steve Huffstuttler, Jim Barnes, Jim Leigh, Jim Barber and Tommy Brack.

NEW MADRID -- William "Bill" L. Lilly, 97, died Sept. 27, 2002, at his daughter's home in Steele. Born Sept. 15, 1905, in Tamms, Ill., he was a lifelong resident of New Madrid and a commercial fisherman in New Madrid. He was married to Frances Lilly who preceded him in death on Feb. 3, 1981...

ADVANCE -- Jerry Arnold, 53, died Sept. 28, 2002, at his home after an extended illness. Born March 27, 1949, in St. Louis, son of the late William and Naomi Gibson Arnold, he had worked as a custodian at The Bank of Advance for over 20 years. He was a member of the Christian Fellowship Church in Advance...

BLOOMFIELD - George L. Pullum, 75, died Sept. 28, 2002, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Oct. 21, 1926, at Idalia, to the late William and Anna Triplett Pullum, he had lived in Bloomfield all his life. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he was a retired carpenter and a member of the Beech Grove General Baptist Church...

COMMERCE -- Mary Helen Vetter, 59, died at 1:50 p.m. Sept. 28, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Nov. 2, 1942, in Kaskaskia, Ill., daughter of the late Clarence and Llolav Summers Biri, she was a member of the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary Post 6407 in Scott City and the Commerce Better Community Club. A homemaker, she attended Commerce Baptist Church...

BERTRAND -- Willie Morrow Fletcher, 87, died at 6 a.m. Sept. 30, 2002, at the Bertrand Retirement Facility. Born April 24, 1915, in Red Bay, Ala., daughter of the late Robert and Sarah Belle George Morrow, she had lived in Scott and Mississippi Counties most of her life and had been employed with the Buckner Ragsdale Store in Charleston before her retirement. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bertrand...

AID - Elbert Leander Sadler, 81, died Sept. 29, 2002, at his home. Born May 8, 1921, in Bernie, son of the late Richard L. and Lily Ramsey Sadler, he had lived in the Aid community since 1949. He was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church and was a U.S. Army World War II veteran...

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Margy Huggins, 69, died Sept. 27, 2002, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Born July 15, 1933, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of the late Hayward Joseph and Verna Ussery Poe, she was a member of Word of Faith Fellowship in Cape Girardeau where she was the church pianist. A graduate of Scott City High School, she worked for the International Shoe Company in Cape Girardeau for eight years and later in Chaffee for four years...

SCOTT CITY -- Lula Novella Corn, 90, died at 9:45 a.m. Sept. 28, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Jan. 7, 1912, in Swinton, daughter of the late Melton John and Lilly Bell Moore Phillips, she had been a seamstress for Ely Walker Co. in Scott City...

BELL CITY - Marion Eugene "Gene" Wheeler, 83, died Sept. 26, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Jan. 16, 1919, in Bell City, son of the late Claude and Myra Harvey Wheeler, he was a rural mail carrier for many years and a U.S. Army veteran of World War II...

KELSO - Theon Lawrence Scherer, 79, died at 3:15 p.m. Sept. 28, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born April 23, 1923, at Kelso to the late Charles Adam and Irene Rose Enderle Scherer, he was a farmer and a member of the St. Augustine Catholic Church. A World War II veteran of the U.S. Army serving in D-Day at Normandy, he was a member of the Scott City Veterans of Foreign War Post 6407...

OCALA, Fla. - Elizabeth Addie Cappel, 88, died Sept. 28, 2002, at Ocala Health and Rehab. Born Sept. 15, 1914, in Fulton, Mo., she was the daughter of the late Charles M. and Claudia Tranbarger Ashworth. She moved to Ocala from Tampa in 1984 and was of the Episcopal belief...

NEW MADRID - William Andrew "Sonny" Perry, 74, died Sept. 30, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Aug. 20, 1928, in Pascola, son of the late George and Ivy Perry, he was a member of the New Madrid Eagles Club, New Madrid County Civil Defense, New Madrid City Auxiliary Police Department and the New Madrid City Fire Department. He worked as a custodian and night watchman for the New Madrid Public Schools before retiring...

SIKESTON - Jesse Whittley Jr., 52, died at 2:25 a.m. Sept. 30 at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston.