Obituaries from October 2003

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Ponder Funeral Home for Vivian Christine "Butchie" Ward, 65, who died Sept. 29, 2003, will be: Ray Allen Gill, Dan Jennings, Tom Jennings, Jeff Limbaugh, David Towe and Joe Towe.

CHARLESTON - Dora Forrester Goodale, 86, died at 7:45 a.m. Sept. 30, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Aug. 7, 1917, at East Prairie to the late Orb and Maude Farrow Forrester, she had lived in Mississippi County most of her life. Employed from 1950 to 1979 with the Brown Shoe Company as a cutter, she was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Charleston and the VFW Women's Auxiliary in Charleston...

DANVILLE, Ill. - Nina Wilder, 30, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died Sept. 29, 2003, in Danville. Born Sept. 19, 1973, she was the daughter of Gloria Wilder of Danville and graduated from Sikeston High School. Other survivors include: two brothers, Wayne Wilder of Florida and Jeremy Hunt of Sikeston...

ORAN - Hershal Ray Wagoner, 83, of Oran died Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003, at the family home in Oran. He was born in Blodgett, Mo., on Aug. 3, 1920, to the late Allen and Agnes Patton Wagoner. Hershal was a farmer and drove a bus for the Oran School District. He was retried from the Scott County Highway Department...

SCOTT CITY - Helen Louise Corvick, 74, died at 11:20 p.m. Sept. 29, 2003, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born April 13, 1929, in Illmo, daughter of the late Roscoe Webb and Vesta Rendleman, she was a laboratory technician for St. Francis Medical Center and Southeast Hospital...

PETERBOROUGH, England - Davie Gene Chism, 61, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died Sept. 18, 2003, in Peterborough. The son of the late Stoy and June Chism, he resided in Peterborough after retiring from the U.S. Air Force. Survivors include: two daughters, Joy and Melody of the state of Illinois; and four sisters, Lillian Tanner, Debra Webster of Phoenix, Ariz., Sandra Doleal of Houston, Texas, and Connie Riggs of Livingston, La...

PASS CHRISTIAN, Miss. - Ronnie Gene Long, 57, died Sept. 24, 2003, in Pass Christian. Born Sept. 3, 1946, in Charleston, Mo., son of the late John E. and Ethel A. Long Sr., he was a former resident of Sikeston, Mo., and graduated in 1964 from Sikeston Senior High School. He entered the U.S. Marine Corps in 1966 and retired as a master gunnery sergeant after 36 years of service and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, N.C...

PARAGOULD, Ark. - David Maddox Sledge, 87, died Sept. 28, 2003, at the Arkansas Methodist Hospital in Paragould. He was born April 6, 1916, in Damascus, Ark., to the late Peter and Susie Jane Waddle Sledge. On Nov. 4, 1998, he married Dorothy Marie Reece Sledge who preceded him in death...

CHARLESTON - Jerry Lynn Bone, 67, a resident of Charleston died at 4:20 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2003, at his residence. He was born Dec. 19, 1935, in Charleston to Helen Brown Bone, who survives of Charleston and the late Jack Bone. He had lived his entire life in Charleston where he was a member of the St. ...

BLOOMFIELD - Mary Marjorie Beatrice McMillion, 88, died Oct. 2, 2003, at the Advance Nursing Center in Advance. Born April 11, 1915, in Aquilla to the late Edgar and Eady Scism Harper, she spent her entire life in the Bloomfield community. A member of the Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church and the Rebecca Lodge at Bloomfield, she retired from Elder Manufacturing Co. in 1978...

MARSHFIELD - Nadine Richard, 76, formerly of Dexter, died Oct. 1, 2003, at the St. John's Hospital in Springfield. Born Jan. 16, 1927, in Stoddard County to the late Jesse and Hazel Dickerson Gaines, she was a retired licensed practical nurse at Dexter Memorial Hospital...

CHAFFEE - Adria Anne Meyr, 23, died Oct. 1, 2003, at Loudoun Hospital in Leesburg, Va. Born April 27, 1980, to Glen M. and Corliss Grossheider Meyr of Chaffee, she was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church at Chaffee where she was a member of the church youth group. As a youth she was active in Scouting, 4-H, school activities and community sports...

CHARLESTON - Jerald "Jerry" Washer, 55, died at 3:36 a.m. Oct. 3, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born March 22, 1948, in Wyatt to the late Charles Pope and Mattie Lou Barber Washer, he lived in Mississippi County most of his life. He was employed as a deck hand and was affiliated with the Baptist church...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Beatrice McClendon Holder, 86, died at 8:40 p.m. Oct. 2, 2003, at the East Prairie Nursing Center. Born Dec. 27, 1916, in the Pulltight Community near East Prairie to the late Arthur and Mary E. Greer McClendon, she lived all of her life in Mississippi County where she was a seamstress having sewn for several families. She was also a member of the First Church of God in East Prairie...

SENATH - Joe Wayne Thompson, 77, died Sept. 30, 2003, at the Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Born Aug. 17, 1926, in Bucoda, Mo., to the late Carl and Elizabeth McDole Thompson, he was a Navy veteran serving in World War II. He was a member of the Senath American Legion Post and of the First Baptist Church in Senath...

SIKESTON - William Jackson Sr., 83, died at 12:35 a.m. Oct. 4, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Nunnelee Funeral Home.

CHAFFEE - Leonard N. Carroll, 84, died at 6:15 a.m. Oct. 3, 2003, at his family home. Born June 14, 1919, to the late William and Loretta Carroll Miller, he was a retired self-employed farmer and carpenter. A veteran of the U.S. Army serving as a first lieutenant with the 1874 Engineers during World War II, he was a member of the St. ...

DEXTER - Darrell Young, 50, died Oct. 5, 2003, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

SIKESTON - Jacob "J.R." James, 85, died Oct. 6, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel.

SIKESTON - William Arnold Jackson Sr., 83, formerly of Paducah, Ky., and Denver, Colo., died at 12:35 a.m. Oct. 4, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Jan. 31, 1920, in Paducah, Ky., son of the late Ewen Owen and Edith Mitchell Jackson, he was a welder with Pipefitters Local 208 in Denver for 45 years until retiring in 1982...

LILBOURN - Francis Henry, 62, died Oct. 4, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Aug. 6, 1941, in Lamar, Ark., daughter of the late Lloyd and Leonna Madwell Harmon, she was a member of the First General Baptist Church of New Madrid...

SIKESTON - Lois Lavern Horn, 73, formerly of St. Louis, died at 6:05 p.m. Oct. 4, 2003, at the Clearview Nursing Center. Born July 6, 1930, in Risco, daughter of the late Benjamin and Linda Mae Blevins Sanders, she was a bookkeeper for the J.P. Bushnell Packing Company in St. Louis before retiring. She was of the Protestant belief...

SIKESTON - Jessie D. "Pete" Castleberry, 92, died at 7:50 a.m. Oct. 5, 2003, at the Miner Nursing Center. Born Feb. 7, 1911, in Pangburn, Ark., son of the late Clayton Carroll and Viola King Castleberry, he had been a meat cutter for the Learue and McKinnie Grocery Store in Miner. He was a 50-year member of Shady Acres Church of Christ where he served as an elder for 40 years...

BERNIE - Helen Lucille Gough, 85, died Oct. 4, 2003, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Born April 30, 1918, near Bernie, daughter of the late William T. and Addie Gillis Gough, she was a member of White Oak General Baptist Church near Bernie...

NEW MADRID - Alpha Fay Howard, 81, died at 4:45 a.m. Oct. 5, 2003, at Beverly Healthcare in New Madrid. Born Jan. 2, 1922, in Truman, Ark., she was the daughter of the late Rolla and Bessie Warren Perry. On March 15, 1941, in Wauseon, Ohio, she married James Raymond Howard who preceded her in death on May 7, 1981...

SIKESTON - Henry Mitchell "Beaver" Mathis, 38, died at 10 p.m. Oct. 5, 2003. Born July 31, 1965, in Turrell, Ark. he was the son of Jodie Freeman Sprous of Sikeston and the late Elbert Lee Mathis. Other survivors include: his stepfather, Bill Sprous of Sikeston; two sons, Scotty Mitchell Mathis and DeCoda Allen Mathis of Lilbourn; and two brothers, John Franklin Mathis and Hollis Lee Mathis of Sikeston...

LEAWOOD, Kan. - Lois Hedrick, 85, died Oct. 7, 2003, at Villa St. Joseph in Shawnee Mission, Kan. Ponder Funeral Home of Sikeston is in charge of funeral arrangements which are incomplete.

LILBOURN - Mavis Miller, 75, died Oct. 7, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Ponder Funeral Home of Lilbourn is in charge of arrangements which are incomplete.

ALLENVILLE - Henry F. Wolfe died Oct. 7, 2003, at Jefferson Barracks Veterans Administration Medical Center in St. Louis County. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee.

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Mary Louise Young, 82, formerly of Dexter, died Oct. 7, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

POPLAR BLUFF - Lena Klein, 76, died Oct. 5, 2003, at The Manor in Poplar Bluff. Born Dec. 21, 1926, in New Madrid County, daughter of the late Thurman and Sue Beatrice Haynes Rodgers, she was a retired registered nurse and member of Bluff City United Pentecostal Church...

DEXTER - Martha Henry, formerly of New Madrid, died Oct. 6, 2003, in Dexter. Arrangements are incomplete at Richards Funeral Home in New Madrid.

POPLAR BLUFF - John Kimbrel, 44, formerly of Dexter died Oct. 6, 2003, at Three Rivers Healthcare North Campus. Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

BERTRAND - Dorothy L. Middleton, 72, formerly of New Madrid, died at 12:20 p.m. Oct. 6, 2003, at the Bertrand Retirement Home. Born June 19, 1931, in Jackson, Tenn., daughter of the late Charlie and Vivian Wade, she lived in New Madrid most of her life. She was a certified nurse aide at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston for 15 years before retiring and was a member of Abundant Grace Church in Bertrand...

SIKESTON -- Delmar Alcorn, 82, died at 4:22 a.m. Oct. 7, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel.

DEXTER - Maudie Walker Grubbs, 92, died Oct. 6, 2003, at the Crowley Ridge Care Center. Born Jan. 17, 1911, in Dexter, daughter of the late Frank and Lora Bean Bell, she lived in Detroit and Rochester, Mich., and Grayridge before moving to Dexter in 1987. She was a member of the Church of God of Prophecy in Utica, Mich...

WADSWORTH, Ohio - Chloeta Fay McArthur Martin, 73, died Sept. 27, 2003, at Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital following a lengthy illness. Born March 11, 1930, in Dexter, Mo., daughter of the late William and Mabel Hudson McArthur, she lived in Wadsworth for 46 years. ...

ADVANCE - Donald Lee Kielhofner, 52, died at 9:30 p.m. Oct. 3, 2003, at his home. Born Nov. 8, 1950, in Cape Girardeau, son of Georgia Ann Bucher Kielhofner of Perkins and the late Albert Leo Kielhofner, he was a self-employed farmer and co-owner of Ever Ready Electric in Malden. A member of Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Oran, he served with the National Guard...

LEAWOOD, Kan. - Lois W. Hedrick, 85, formerly of Sikeston, died Oct. 7, 2003, in Overland Park. Born June 5, 1918, in her home in Ocean, Md., daughter of the late Isabella and Thomas Williams, she spent her youth in Cresaptown, Md., until graduating in 1935 from the Allegany High School in Cumberland, Md. ...

ALLENVILLE - Henry Franklin Wolfe, 80, died at 6:40 a.m. Oct. 7, 2003, at the Jefferson Barracks Veterans Administration Medical Center in St. Louis. Born Aug. 28, 1923, in Portageville, son of the late Charles Ernest and Mary Ann Ourth Wolfe, he was a retired carpenter and had been employed by the Jack Lopp Construction Company in Sikeston. ...

SIKESTON - Jacob Rance James Jr., 85, died at 7:45 a.m. Oct. 6, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born March 24, 1918, in Kennett, son of the late Jacob Rance James Sr. and Ella Mae Davis James, he graduated in 1938 from Kewanee High School. ...

DEXTER - Martha Elizabeth Henry, 73, formerly of Lilbourn, died Oct. 6, 2003, at the Cypress Point Health Care in Dexter. Born Sept. 20, 1930, at Kennett to the late Elijah and Zula Ursery Masterson, she was formerly employed at Beverly Healthcare in New Madrid...

MARSTON - Robert McKinney, 88, died Oct. 3, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Oct. 6, 1914, in Como, Miss., he lived in Missouri for more than 43 years. He was of the Baptist belief and a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Survivors include: two daughters, Lora Thomas of Lilbourn and Carol Triblett of Sikeston; two stepdaughters, Delores Burton of St. ...

POPLAR BLUFF - John David Kimbrel, 44, formerly of Dexter, died Oct. 6, 2003, in the emergency room of the Three Rivers Healthcare North Campus in Poplar Bluff. Born Aug. 15, 1959, at Dexter to Frances Lemons Montgomery of Dexter and William Kimbrel of Seneca, he was a truck driver for Heavy Duty Trux in Bloomfield and affiliated with the Baptist church...

SIKESTON -- Pallbearers for Lois Lavern Horn, 73, formerly of St. Louis, died at 6:05 p.m. Oct. 4, 2003, at the Clearview Nursing Center were: Jim Able, Keith Thompson, Kevin Taber, Gary Taber, Joseph McCoy, Mike Hovey and Charlie Brown. Services were conducted at 11 a.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Bill Meeks will officiate...

MARSTON - Mavis Virginia Miller, 75, of rural Marston, died Oct. 7, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Born June 24, 1928, in White County, Ark., daughter of the late Robert S. and Ophelia Key McWhirter, she graduated from Holcomb High School and was a member of the Lilbourn Church of Christ...

PORTAGEVILLE - Venus Lynn Kimball, 46, of Portageville died Oct. 7, 2003, at her home in Portageville. She was born Oct. 12, 1956, at Hayti to William Douglas who survives of St. Louis and J.D. and Dixie Chambliss Akins of Kewanee. On Oct. 27, 1972, at Lilbourn, she married Ronnie Dean Kimball, who survives of the home...

PORTAGEVILLE - Raymons R. Traughber, 60, died Oct. 7, 2003, at his home in Portageville. DeLisle Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, which are incomplete.

SIKESTON - Delmar H. Alcorn Sr., 82, died at 4:22 a.m. Oct. 7, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Sept. 18, 1921, in Pyletown, son of the late Ellis K. and Wrista Fulkerson Alcorn, he was a farmer and real estate broker. A member of Sikeston Masonic Lodge 310 AF&AM, he was a Shriner and member of the Moolah Temple in St. Louis and Semo Shrine Mounted Patrol. Also a member of Sikeston Eagles Aerie 3319, he was a former member of the Sikeston Elks Lodge...

SIKESTON - Jesse D. "Pete" Castleberry, 92, died at 7:50 a.m. Oct. 5, 2003, at the Miner Nursing Center. Born Feb. 7, 1911, in Pangburn, Ark., son of the late Clayton Carroll and Viola King Castleberry, he had been a meat cutter for the Learue and McKinnie Grocery Store in Miner. He was a 50-year member of Shady Acres Church of Christ where he served as an elder for 40 years...

SIKESTON -- Pallbearers for Henry Mitchell "Beaver" Mathis, 38, who died at 10 p.m. Oct. 5, 2003, will be: Jason Tomes, Archie Winfred, Jay Freeman, Paul Mathis, Joe Brothers and Jerry Sturgeon. Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel, where services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday...

PLAINVIEW, N.Y. -- Clyde R. Ledbetter, 88, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died Oct. 8, 2003, at Northshore University Hospital in Plainview. Arrangements are incomplete at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston.

RISCO - Ethel Hicks, 89, died Oct. 7, 2003, at her home. Born June 4, 1914, in Gideon, she was the daughter of the late Willis Sherman and Florance Etta Sturby Lott. On Feb. 26, 1935, at Gideon, she married Comer Hicks who preceded her in death on June 10, 1969...

SIKESTON - Magnolia Davis, 90, died Oct. 3, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Sept. 4, 1913, in Oxford, Miss., daughter of the late John W. and Rosie Lee Webb Simmons, she lived in Missouri for more than 70 years. She was a member of Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Canalou...

SIKESTON - Willie Evelyn Avery, 61, died Oct. 7, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born July 27, 1942, in Ridgely, Tenn., she was the daughter of the late Mary Ella Hopson and James Martin. In 1965, she married Lincoln Alfonzo Avery Sr. who preceded her in death on Dec. 16, 2002...

DEXTER - Pallbearers at services conducted Wednesday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Janece Wilson, 29, who died Sept. 17, 2003, were: Leslie Bolden, Becky Pylant, Johnny Wilson, Angie Suiter, Melody Beagles and Michael Davis.

SIKESTON -- Pallbearers at services conducted today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel for Henry Mitchell "Beaver" Mathis, 38, who died at Oct. 5, 2003, were: Jason Tomes, Archie Winfred, Jay Freeman, Paul Mathis, Joe Brothers and Jera Sturgeon. ---- Memorial contributions may be made payable to:...

DEXTER - Pallbearers at gravside services conducted Wednesday at the Dexter Cemetery for Maudie Walker Grubbs, 92, who died Oct. 6, 2003, were: Butch Wamble, Stan Burnett, Bill Wilmath, Cyril Marchant, Chum Marsa and Ulen Blocker. Watkins and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements...

VIENNA, Ill. - Opal F. Keeton, 93, died at 3:05 p.m. Oct. 7, 2003, at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah, Ky. Born July 28, 1910, in Johnson County, Ill., daughter of the late William Franklin and Lydia Mary Robinson Sullivan, she was a member and former Sunday school teacher at the Simpson Baptist Church...

PORTAGEVILLE - Raymond R. Traughber, 60, died Oct. 7, 2003, at his home. Born April 20, 1943, in Wardell, son of Rose Morgan Traughber of Portageville and the late Cecil Traughber, he retired from Noranda Aluminum and was a member of Water of Life Ministry in Lilbourn...

BETHPAGE, N.Y. - Clyde R. Ledbetter, 88, formerly of Matthews, Mo., died at 3:20 p.m. Oct. 8, at the Northshore University Hospital in Plainview. Born Feb. 15, 1915, in Wheeler, Miss., son of the late David and Fannie Bell Horton Ledbetter, he had been a farmer in Matthews. He was a machinist for the U.S. Blind Stitch Company in Plainview for many years before retiring in 1989 and was a member of the Plainedge Baptist Church in Bethpage...

BERNIE - Jackie Lee Hughes, 67, died Oct. 8, 2003, at his home. Born April 23, 1936, at Ann Arbor, Mich., son of the late Vernon and Mary Perry Hughes, he served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He worked in transportation and maintenance for Bernie Public Schools for 25 years before retiring Dec. 20, 2002, and was a member of Northside Baptist Church in Bernie...

SIKESTON - Jesse D. "Pete" Castleberry, 92, died at 7:50 a.m. Oct. 5, 2003, at the Miner Nursing Center. Born Feb. 7, 1911, in Pangburn, Ark., son of the late Clayton Carroll and Viola King Castleberry, he had been a meat cutter for the Learue and McKinnie Grocery Store in Miner. He was a 50-year member of Shady Acres Church of Christ, where he served as an elder for 40 years...

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Marlin Ulas Bird, 61, died Oct. 7, 2003, of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Born Oct. 29, 1941, in Tiptonville, Tenn., son of Ella M. Johns Bird of Cape Girardeau and the late Everett O. Bird, he moved to Cape Girardeau in 1966. He was employed by Southeast Missouri Hospital for 10 years and retired in 2001 from the City of Cape Girardeau Public Works Department after 25 years of service. He was of the Pentecostal belief...

SCOTT CITY -- Nellie Hanschen died Oct. 11, 2003. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

GREAT BEND, Kan. - Novella Lois Hinton, 86, formerly of St. Louis, Mo., died Oct. 7, 2003, at the Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center. Born Nov. 27, 1916, at Ardeola, Mo., daughter of the late Edwin and Stella Hopkins Stewart, she lived in Great Bend since August 1995, where she was a member of the First Christian Church and Women's Fellowship and Joy Group...

CHAFFEE -- Velda Marie Trapp, 89, died at 3:03 a.m. Oct. 11, 2003, at a family home. Born Jan. 14, 1914, in Perryville, daughter of the late Jesse and Loretta Grampp Tucker, she was a homemaker and member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Chaffee, where she belonged to the Daughters of St. Ambrose and the church choir. She was also a member of the Chaffee American Legion Ladies Auxiliary 389 and the Chaffee V.F.W. Legion Ladies Auxiliary 3127...

ESSEX - Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield for William "Bill" Tumbleson, who died July 28, 2001, at the age of 67. The Marine Corps League Honor Guard of Cape Girardeau will conduct full military honors at the service, which will be officiated by the Rev. Doyle Corlew of Dexter...

DELTA -- Teresa Gail Schearf Cooper, 42, died Oct. 10, 2003, at her home after a courageous battle with cancer. On Dec. 7, 1991, Teresa and Brent Cooper were married at their current home in Delta. Teresa was employed at U.S. Poly Enterprises as plant manager. She was also president and founder of Sundog Animal Sanctuary, the first no-kill sanctuary in Southeast Missouri. This was a dream come true for Teresa, as she had compassion and love for God's homeless pets...

BETHPAGE, N.Y. - Clyde R. Ledbetter, 88, formerly of Matthews, Mo., died at 3:20 p.m. Oct. 8, at the Northshore University Hospital in Plainview. Born Feb. 15, 1915, in Wheeler, Miss., son of the late David and Fannie Bell Horton Ledbetter, he had been a farmer in Matthews. He was a machinist for the U.S. Blind Stitch Company in Plainview for many years before retiring in 1980 and was a member of the Plainedge Baptist Church in Bethpage...

EAST PRAIRIE - Wayne Zook, 78, died Oct. 13, 2003, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.

ANNISTON - James B. "Huck" Bard, 69, died at 2:59 a.m. Oct. 12, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, following an extended illness. Born Nov. 30, 1933, near East Prairie, son of the late Carl and Mary Nell Tyner Bard, he lived most of his life in Mississippi and New Madrid counties and was a retired timber cutter and veteran of the U.S. Army...

BLOOMFIELD - Willa Chasteen died Oct. 12, 2003, at Beverly Healthcare in Bloomfield. Arrangements are incomplete at Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home.

BLOOMFIELD - Memorial services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dexter for the late twins Paul Wethington and Pauline Wethington Clanton. They were the children of the late Hudson and Bertha Wethington. Their brothers, Glenn Wethington and Russell Wethington, also preceded them in death...

ST. LOUIS - Addie Martin Linebaugh, 88, formerly of Charleston, died at 10:10 a.m. Oct. 11, 2003, at the West County Care Center in St. Louis. Born Oct. 27, 1914, in the Lusk Chapel community of Mississippi County, daughter of the late Charles and Clara Bell Brawner Martin, she lived in Charleston most of her life. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Charleston and was a teacher at the Lusk Chapel School before retiring...

CHAFFEE -- Velda Marie Trapp, 89, died at 3:03 a.m. Oct. 11, 2003, at her home. Born Jan. 14, 1914, in Perryville, daughter of the late Jesse and Loretta Grampp Tucker, she was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Chaffee, where she was a member of the Daughters of St. Ambrose and former member of the choir. She was also a member of Chaffee American Legion Post 389 Ladies Auxiliary and the Chaffee VFW Post 3127 Ladies Auxiliary...

BLOOMFIELD - Graveside services for Hal F. Robertson, 80, of Cape Girardeau and formerly of Sikeston, who died Sept. 7, 2003, will be conducted at 3 p.m. Friday at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield. VFW Post 3838 of Cape Girardeau and a Marine Corps League Honor Guard will conduct military rites...

SCOTT CITY - Nellie D. Hanschen, 86, died Oct. 11, 2003, at The Arbors of Cape Girardeau. Born March 12, 1917, in Fornfelt, daughter of the late Benjamin Franklin and Ruth Marie Clark Speak, she was a teacher from 1937-41 at Illmo Elementary School and from 1971-77 at St. Joseph Catholic School. She was a lifelong resident of Scott City where she was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Council of Catholic Women at St. Joseph and served as the church organist for 38 years...

CHARLESTON - Everett L. Holley Sr., 72, died at 5:50 a.m. Oct. 12, 2003, at his home. Born Oct. 26, 1930, in Patton, son of the late George and Mildred Meisser Holley, he lived in Charleston most of his life where he owned and operated Holley Electric and was a member of the First Baptist Church. He was a lieutenant colonel with the Missouri National Guard...

BILOXI, Miss. - Robert C. "Bobby" Wallace, 54, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died at 2:30 a.m. Oct. 14, 2003, at the Veterans Hospital in Biloxi. Arrangements are incomplete at Riemann Funeral Home in Biloxi.

BLOOMFIELD - A military funeral for Hal Robertson will be conducted at 3 p.m. Friday at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield on Highway 25 South, followed by a celebration of Hal's life from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Sikeston Country Club on Highway 60 East...

PIEDMONT - Rhoma Joyce Smith-Thompson, 63, died Oct. 12, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Aug. 26, 1940, near Piedmont, daughter of the late Ray Eads and Evelyn Melton Wischet, she was a line worker for Missouri Leather Products and of the Baptist belief...

BENTON - Bobby G. Beck, 67, died Oct. 14, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Benton.

PARMA - Dorothy Lowrey, 72, died Oct. 13, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Parma.

PUXICO - Truman Campbell, 79, died Oct. 13, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Puxico.

BLOOMFIELD - Willa Mae Chasteen, 83, died Oct. 12, 2003, in Bloomfield. Born Dec. 1, 1919, in Dexter, daughter of the late Fred and Canna Myers Dixon, she lived in the West Pleasant Valley community most of her life. A member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Bloomfield, she was also a member of the Dexter Hospital Auxiliary and Golden Age Quilting Clubs...

SIKESTON - Sheila Kay Williams, 39, formerly of Doniphan, died Oct. 13, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born July 21, 1964, in Thayer, daughter of Brenda Mae Lesley Wilson of Doniphan and the late Ronald Gale Wilson, she was a member of the Christian Tabernacle Church in Sikeston, where she was a Sunday school teacher...

CAIRO, Ill. - Margaret Berbling Bagby, 75, died at 2:16 a.m. Oct. 14, 2003, a Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston, Mo., is in charge of arrangements, which are incomplete.

PADUCAH, Ky. - Anna Lurine "Ann" Smith, 83, formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo, died at 12:33 a.m. Oct. 13, 2003, at Western Baptist Hospital. Born May 13, 1920, in Piggott, Ark., daughter of the late Lewis Monroe and Flora Emaline Jackson Shaw, she was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Poplar Bluff. She retired from the Poplar Bluff Regional Diagnostic Clinic and had also been a licensed practical nurse serving in private duty and sitting with patients before retiring...

CHARLESTON -- Wayne L. Zook, 78, died at 9:05 am. Oct. 13, 2003, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. Born July 21, 1925, in East Prairie, son of the late Willie W. and Lillie Mae Phillippi Zook, he had lived in the St. Louis area for many years, where he was employed with the McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft Corporation until retiring in 1985. He returned to Mississippi County six years ago and was of the Church of God belief. A U.S. Army veteran, he served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars...

EAST PRAIRIE - Ronald E. Williams died Oct. 14, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Shelby Funeral Home.

SIKESTON - Lila Mae Porter passed away Aug. 31, 2003, at her home. Born Sept. 1, 1929, in the Tanner community near Sikeston, she was the daughter of the late Ernest and Vielor Atnip Gray. She attended school at Tanner and graduated from Blodgett High School. After high school, she spent several years doing secretarial work...

BLOOMFIELD - Graveside services for Kathryn R. Etienne, 75, of Lilbourn, who died July 13, 2003, will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield. Richards Funeral Home of New Madrid is in charge of arrangements...

PARMA - Dorothy E. Lowrey, 72, died Oct. 13, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Nov. 10, 1930, in Houlka, Miss., daughter of the late Leonard and Nannie Mae Gilliam Lowrey, she lived most of her life in Parma where she was a retired postal service employee and member of the First Baptist Church...

BENTON - Bobby Gene Beck, 67, died at 6:55 p.m. Oct. 13, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Dec. 13, 1935, in Hayti, son of the late Raymond and Nellie Beck Darnell, he was a truck driver for ABF for 32 years before retiring in 1998. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, he was a member of Excelsior Masonic Lodge 441 in Jackson and life member of VFW Post 3838 in Cape Girardeau...

DEXTER - Mary Frances Bergen, 64, died Oct. 14, 2003, in Dexter. Born Dec. 24, 1938, at Clinton, Ark., daughter of Ressie Godfrey Yoder of Dexter and the late Elmer Yoder, she was a waitress at the Hickory House in Dexter for many years. She was affiliated with Faith Fellowship Church in Dexter...

PUXICO - Truman Boyd Campbell, 79, died Oct. 13, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Feb. 26, 1924, in Puxico, son of the late Hobert Roy and Ester Crews Campbell, he was a lifelong resident of Puxico. He had been an iron worker and over-the-road truck driver before retiring. A member of the First Christian Church of Puxico, he was also a member of VFW Post 7822 in Puxico and the Teamsters Union. He was a deep sea diver on a sub tender while serving with the U.S. Navy...

CAIRO, Ill. - Margaret Berbling Bagby, 75, died at 2:16 a.m. Oct. 14, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Born April 28, 1928, in Cairo, daughter of the late Carl Wolffe and Mary Magdeline Cordova Berbling, she lived in Cairo her entire life except during the time she spent dancing as a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, N.Y. ...

SIKESTON - John David Shaw III, 63, died Oct. 6, 2003, in the Forest Park Hospital in St. Louis. Born Aug. 8, 1940, in White Hall, Ill., son of Thelma Lillian Grittith of Austin, Texas, and the late John David Shaw II, he retired from Harris and Marriott Hotels in St. Louis. He was a member of the First United Pentecostal Church of Sikeston...

MOREHOUSE - Cordia E. Abernathy, 85, died Oct. 15, 2003. Born Sept. 8, 1918, in Morehouse, daughter of the late Charlie and Ardie Kirby Leffew, she was a resident of the Clearview Nursing Center in Sikeston and lived in Morehouse most of her life. She was a member of the First United Pentecostal Church in Morehouse and had worked with the Foster Grandparents Program...

DEXTER - Helen Louise Horton, 77, died Oct. 14, 2003, at her daughter's home in Poplar Bluff. Born Oct. 9, 1926, at Clay Center, Kan., daughter of the late Walter William and Mary Mayse White, she was of the Methodist belief. She was a former Ombudsman at Vintage Villa Nursing Center and Central Gardens Residential Care Center in Dexter...

BLOOMFIELD - Sylvia French, 90, died Oct. 15, 2003, at Cypress Point Health Care in Dexter. Arrangements are incomplete at Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home.

RIVERDALE, Utah - Chester "Marty" Ivester, 56, died Sept. 25, 1947, at the Dolly Varden Mine in Nevada. Born Sept. 25, 1947, in Poplar Bluff, Mo., son of Connie Ivester of Jackson, Mo., and the late Jewell Ivester, he served with the U.S. Army in Vietnam. He was a mechanical engineer for ATK Thiokol Propulsion...

SANDUSKY, Ill. - Joseiphine Merriweather, 73, died Oct. 14, 2003, at her home. Born Nov. 28, 1929, in Sunflower, Miss., daughter of the late Willie and Callie Rodgers Seals, she lived in Illinois for more than 55 years. She was a retired cook and member of Mount Tabor Missionary Baptist Church in Sandusky...

BILOXI, Miss. - Robert C. "Bobby" Wallace, 54, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died at 2:30 a.m. Oct. 14, 2003, at the Veterans Hospital in Biloxi. Born Nov. 25, 1948, in Clinton, Tenn., son of the late Robert Henry and Nola Wallace, he was of the Baptist belief...

PARMA - Pallbearers at services conducted Thursday at the First Baptist Church for Dorothy Lowrey, 72, who died Oct. 13, 2003, were: Bob Lowrey, David Lowrey, Matthew Lewis, Tommy Daniels, Danny Biggs and Jim Goforth. Watkins and Sons Funeral Home of Parma was in charge of arrangements...

ILLIOPOLIS, Ill. - Irvin Martin, 69, formerly of Scott City, died Oct. 17, 2003, at Memorial Hospital in Springfield. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

BENTON - Norman W. Brainer, 73, died Oct. 17, 2003, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Benton.

PUXICO - Pallbearers at services conducted Thursday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Truman Boyd Campbell, 79, who died Oct. 13, 2003, were: Bruce Campbell, Micky Williams, Randy Olmstead, Billy Bennett, Kirk Folge and Adam Fann.

LILBOURN - Patsy Ruth Schaffer, 72, died at 5 p.m. Oct. 16, 2003, at her home. Born March 27, 1931, in Sikeston, she was the daughter of the late Howard C. Scott and Marveline Hawkins Scott Campbell. She was a city clerk for Lilbourn for many years before retiring and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lilbourn...

LILBOURN - Dennis "D-Ray" Roberts, 29, died Oct. 15, 2003, at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah, Ky. Born March 3, 1974, in Hayti, son of Richard and Mary Moore Roberts of Lilbourn, he was a construction worker and member of the Hayward Pentecostal Church...

BLOOMFIELD - Sylvia Eula French, 90, died Oct. 15, 2003, at the Cypress Point Health Center in Dexter. Born June 15, 1913, in Stoddard County, daughter of the late John Wesley and Sadie Beal Sailors, she lived for many years in Bloomfield where she was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and was a member of Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 385 for more than 50 years...

BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. - Lisa Hope Ross Gribble, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., left this earth the join her Lord and Savior on Oct. 14, 2003, in Bethesda, Md. Lisa was given to Vester and Patricia Ross of Sikeston on May 19, 1965, to care for and love. Along with her parents, siblings LuAnn Elrod, Margie and Eddie Moore of Sikeston, Terri and Jack Hackney of Fort Worth, Texas, and Billy and Angie Ross of Holland, Mich., all survive. ...

TAMMS, Ill. - Earl Eugene Fox, 75, formerly of Scott City, Mo., died at 3:52 p.m. Oct. 16, 2003, at Union County Hospital in Anna. Born Dec. 26, 1927, in Thebes, he was the son of the late George and Minnie Mae Blythe Fox. Surviving are one brother, Ralph Fox of Scopus, Mo.; and one sister, Freida Lee Fox of Jonesboro...

PORTAGEVILLE - Elenora Holmes, 87, died Oct. 10, 2003, at Pemiscot Memorial Hospital in Hayti. Born March 29, 1916, in Wilson, Ark., daughter of the late Gent and Beulah Clark, she was a member of Zion Rock Missionary Baptist Church. Her husband, Sylvester Holmes, preceded her in death...

SIKESTON - Ronald Ervin Williams, 57, formerly of East Prairie, died at 8:50 p.m. Oct. 14, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Jan. 8, 1946, in Mississippi County, son of Alma Doris Edwards Williams of East Prairie and the late Cecil Ray Williams, he lived in Mississippi County most of his life. He was a truck driver for Hall Transport in Charleston and was of the Pentecostal belief...

ILLIOPOLIS, Ill. - Irvin Arnold Martin, 69, died at 12:17 a.m. Oct. 17, 2003, at Memorial Hospital in Springfield. Born Aug. 5, 1934, in Scott City, Mo., son of the late Edward Joseph and Ellen Virginia Smith Martin, he was a retail clerk for National Foods and veteran of the National Guard. He was a member of the Niantic Foursquare Church in Niantic...

SESSER, Ill. - Margaret Ann Elliott Little, 72, formerly of Charleston, Mo., died Sept. 26, 2003, following an extended illness. Born Feb. 26, 1931, in Paducah, Ky., daughter of the late Hillman and Owen Barrow Hendricks, she was raised by the late Stanley T. and Eva Pearl Elliott in Charleston. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Sesser and worked for the Lyn-Gai Garment Factory for more than 30 years before retiring...

BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. - Lisa Hope Ross Gribble, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., left this earth the join her Lord and Savior on Oct. 14, 2003, in Bethesda, Md. Lisa was given to Vester and Patricia Ross of Sikeston on May 19, 1965, to care for and love. Along with her parents, siblings LuAnn Elrod, Margie and Eddie Moore of Sikeston, Terri and Jack Hackney of Fort Worth, Texas, and Billy and Angie Ross of Holland, Mich., all survive. ...

SCOTT CITY - John "Buddy" Bethel, 63, died Oct. 17, 2003, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville.

BENTON - Norman William Brainer, 73, died at 12:45 a.m. Oct. 17, 2003, at his home. Born March 11, 1930, in Louisville, Ky., son of the late Clarence and Catherine Roehrig Brainer, he was a truck driver for Hedrick Concrete in Sikeston before retiring in 1992. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy...

ESSEX - Winford Lewis, 91, died Oct. 17, 2003, at Beverly Healthcare in Bloomfield. Born Feb. 21, 1912, at Flat River, son of the late James Samuel and Emma Leona Lee Lewis, he was a retired brick mason. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He was first married to Anna Mae Lee in 1935. In 1968, he married Lorene Delay who preceded him in death in 1992...

SCOTT CITY - John "Buddy" Bethel, 63, died Oct. 17, 2003, in Scott City. He was born Sept. 25, 1940, in Wardell to the late John Sydney Bethel and Pearl Muse Bethel. On March 31, 1987, in Nappanee, Ind., he married Phyllis Gale Finney, who survives of Scott City...

COLUMBIA, Tenn. -- Vera Ballard, 88, formerly of Fisk, Mo., died Oct. 18, 2003, at the Maury Regional Hospital in Columbia. Born Sept. 17, 1915, in Dyersburg, daughter of the late Nathan and Lilly Forrest Burchard, she had moved to Fisk in the early 1960s and to Columbia in March 2002. She was a member of the Liberty Full Gospel Church in Poplar Bluff, Mo...

RIVERDALE, Utah - Charles "Marty" Ivester, 56, died Oct. 12, 2003, at the Dolly Varden Mine in Nevada. Born Sept. 25, 1947, at Poplar Bluff, Mo., son of Connie Ivester of Jackson, Mo., and the late Jewell Ivester, he was a mechanical engineer for ATK Thiokol Propulsion. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served in Vietnam and was awarded the Silver Star...

KENNETT - Nona F. Woods, 86, formerly of East Prairie, died Oct. 19, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born June 23, 1917, in Greenbriar, Ark., daughter of the late Jesse and Rhena Mae Tullos Henderson, she had lived in Mississippi County most of her life moving to Kennett 11 years ago to live with her daughter. She was affiliated with the Methodist church...

SIKESTON - Elsie N. Wyatt, 86, died at 10:15 a.m. Oct. 18, 2003, at the St. Mary's Health Center in Jefferson City. Born Feb. 13, 1917, in Scott County to the late Walter and Ethel Duke Nelson, she was a homemaker and a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Sikeston...

SIKESTON - Everett "Candyman" Gentry Jr., 77, died Oct. 20, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Blanchard Funeral Chapel.

SIKESTON - T.J. LaPlant, 73, died Oct. 20, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Ponder Funeral Home.

DEXTER - Charles W. Churchill, 76, died Oct. 20, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services conducted at 10:30 a.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel for Elsie N. Wyatt, 86, who died Oct. 18, 2003, were: Tray Crider, Chris Carter, Allen Wyatt, Andrew Robinett, Chad Johnson, Josh Johnson and Bryan Daurelle.

SIKESTON - Everett "Candy Man" Anthony Gentry, 77, died at 6:25 a.m. Oct. 20, 2003, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston Born June 21, 1926, at Mound City, Ill., to the late Geneva Lewis and Everett A. Gentry Sr., he was employed by Proctor-Gamble in Kansas City as a warehouse worker for 30 years. ...

MARSTON -- Rhonda Marie O'Shea Dunn, 45, died Oct. 16, 2003, at her home. Born April 16, 1958, in St. Louis, she was the daughter of the late Ralph and Rose Mary Green O'Shea. She was married to Mike Dunn, who survives of Marston. Other survivors include: one daughter, Amanda Marie Dunn of Marston; two sons, Michael Tommy Dunn and Jeremiah Michael O'Shea of Marston; two sisters, Toni O'Shea and Rebecca O'Shea of St. ...

SIKESTON - Joe Daniel Hockett, 65, died Oct. 17, 2003, at his home. Born Feb. 1, 1938, in Tupelo, Miss., son of the late Lenard Mack and Ruby Robinson Hockett, he lived in Missouri for many years. He is survived by two sons, Michael Wyse of Chicago, Ill, and Charles Gaston of San Francisco, Calif.; and five daughters, Lawanda Clark of Sikeston, Sarah Hockett of Toledo, Ohio, and Carol Gaston, Quincy Gaston and Gloria Gaston of Murphysboro, Ill.; five sisters, Fannie Ward of Michigan, Lola Phifer of Bloomington, Ill., Racheal Hockett and Sara Dubois of St. ...

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Burford McArthur, 82, formerly of Vanduser, Mo., died Oct. 9, 2003, at Cheyenne Trace Retirement Center. Born Feb. 16, 1921, in Hornersville, Mo., son of the late William Verley and Mabel Gertrude Hudson McArthur, he was a 1939 graduate of Vanduser High School and a graduate of Draughon's Junior College in Memphis. ...

SIKESTON -- T.J. LaPlant, 73, died Oct. 20, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Jan. 23, 1930, in the Barnes Ridge community, son of the late John William and Anna Combs LaPlant, he was employed by Little Construction and was of the Baptist belief. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, he was a member of the Henry Meldrum American Legion Post 114 and Sikeston Eagles Aerie 3319...

DEXTER - Charles William Churchill, 76, died Oct. 20, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Sept. 29, 1927, at Stuttgart, Ark., son of the late Paul and Sybil Hale Churchill, he had owned the Churchill Nursery in Dexter for more than 50 years and was a member of Dexter Elks Lodge 2439...

CHAFFEE - Glenda Faye Hahn, 62, passed away peacefully Oct. 21, 2003, at her home. She was born on June 6, 1941, in Chaffee, daughter of the late Lawrence Joseph and Jessie Rozina Bailey Glency. Glenda was very active in trail riding and showed horses for many years. ...

PORTAGEVILLE - Ruby Withrow, 89, died Oct. 21, 2003, at the Portageville Nursing Center. DeLisle Funeral Home of Portageville is in charge of arrangements which are incomplete.

SIKESTON - Lillian Louise "Lil" Acord, 92, died Oct. 21, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Oct. 31, 1910, in New Madrid County, daughter of the late Robert "Bob" and Elizabeth Hawes Weaks, she was a member of the First Christian Church in Sikeston and had been a desk clerk at the Sikeston Bowling Alley for 20 years before retiring...

SIKESTON -- David M. Kelley, 82, died Oct. 21, 2003, from injuries sustained in a fire at his home. orn March 9, 1920, in Searcy, Ark., son of the late Homer and Myrtle Kelley, he served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He worked for the Associated Natural Gas Company in Sikeston for 10 years and for the Consumer Power Company in Lapeer, Mich., before retiring...

EUREKA, Mont. - Scott Jerls, 27, formerly of Bloomfield, Mo., died Oct. 19, 2003, in Eureka. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City, Mo.

CAPE GIRARDEAU - June Crenshaw, 62, died Oct. 21, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center. Born June 1, 1941, in Mesler, daughter of the late John L. and Irene Jones Davis, she was a machine operator for 20 years for Arvin-Meritor in Dexter. A member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Dexter, she was also a member of Local UAW in Dexter...

MATTHEWS - Ronald "Ronnie" Harris, 60, died Oct. 22, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Sept. 11, 1943, in Morley, son of Dolly Erladean Harris of Matthews and the late Levi Clifton Harris, he was a member of the Matthews Church of Christ. He was a farmer until retiring in 2002...

DEXTER - Pallbearers at services conducted Wednesday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Vera Ballard, 88, who died Oct. 18, 2003, were: Barry Ballard, Brad Ballard, Rob Tate, Larry King, Vernon Arnold and Robert "Bob" Pumphrey.

PORTAGEVILLE - Ruby Withrow, 89, died Oct. 21, 2003, at the Portageville Nursing Center. Born May 8, 1914, in Missouri, she was the daughter of the late John Amos and Senath D. Gourley Byrd. Her husband, Joe Withrow, preceded her in death in 1976. Survivors include: one son, Ronnie Withrow of Portageville; one brother, Elvis Earl Byrd of Scott City; two sisters, Edith Marie Woodham of Malden and Gloria Jean Hampton of DeKalb, Ill.; and four grandchildren and several great-grandchildren...

PORTAGEVILLE - Hattie Ludie Shearrill, 87, died Oct. 18, 2003, at Pemiscot Memorial Hospital in Hayti. Born June 4, 1916, in Carthage, Miss., daughter of the late Ed and Martha Walker Morris, she was a member of the Old Landmark Church of Christ Divine in Caruthersville where she served on the Mothers Board...

SIKESTON - Lillian Louise "Lil" Acord, 92, died Oct. 21, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Oct. 31, 1910, in New Madrid County, daughter of the late Robert "Bob" and Elizabeth Hawes Weaks, she was a member of the First Christian Church in Sikeston. She had been a desk clerk at the Sikeston Bowling Alley for 20 years before retiring and served on the Missouri Delta Medical Center Auxiliary for 50 years...

WILSON CITY - Bessie Beatrice Benford, 90, died Oct. 21, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Nov. 13, 1923, in Coahoma County, Miss., daughter of the late John and Elizabeth Fowlkes Peterson, she lived in Missouri for more than 78 years. She was a member of the Ollie Grove Missionary Baptist Church at Wilson City where she served on the Mothers Board...

EUREKA, Mont. - Scott W. Jerls, 27, formerly of Bloomfield, Mo., died Oct. 19, 2003, in Eureka of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Born Sept. 30, 1976, in Woodstock, Ill., son of Jerry Jerls of Puxico, Mo., and Mary Allen Kinder of Eureka, he graduated from Bloomfield High School and was employed with Chupp Concrete and Construction in Eureka...

LILBOURN - Jack Eakins, 49, died at 5:40 p.m. Oct. 23, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born March 11, 1954, in New Madrid, son of the late Rufus and Lillian Eakins, he was a farmhand for Dick Twitty in Lilbourn. His sister, Nellie Eakins of Evansville, Ind., survives...

SIKESTON -- Pallbearers at services scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston for Ronald "Ronnie" Harris, 60, of Matthews, who died Oct. 22, 2003, will be: John David Harris, Justin Harris, Clay Harris, Stan Harris, Cliff Harris, Scott Harris, David Mason and Rick Landers...

SIKESTON - Matthew Bond, 32, died Oct. 23, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Nunnelee Funeral Home.

SIKESTON -- Matthew Lee Bond, 32, died at 7:43 p.m. Oct. 23, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Dec. 15, 1970, in Sacramento, Calif., son of Joy Wall Bond of St. Louis and the late Danny Bond, he graduated from New Madrid County Central High School in 1990 and had been involved with the Special Olympics, where he played basketball. He was of the Baptist belief...

PORTAGEVILLE -- Gracie Alene Viverette, 47, died Oct. 24, 2003, at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Arrangements are incomplete at DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville.

SIKESTON -- Freda P. Becker, 82, died at 1:45 a.m. Oct. 25, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Visitation is planned from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel, where services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

SIKESTON -- David Farrell Williams, 53, died at 12 p.m. Oct. 24, 2003, at Clearview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Sikeston. Born March 18, 1950, in Morley, son of Esther O. Kell Williams of Sikeston and the late Tillman E. Williams, he had been an electrician with the Sikeston Power Plant. He served in the United States Navy, obtaining a rank of CM-2 construction mechanic and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints in Sikeston...

DEXTER -- Helen M. Moore, 74, died Oct. 24, 2003, at the Missouri Southern Healthcare Facility in Dexter. Born July 10, 1929, in Bloomfield, daughter of the late John Edward and Stella Mae Elmore Beyerbach, she had lived in Dexter since 1981, but was also a former resident of Fairmont City, Ill., for many years. She was a member of the Dudley Community Church in Dudley...

CHARLESTON -- Henry L. Swope, 72, died Oct. 21, 2003, at his home. Born July 28, 1931, in Charleston, he was the son of the late Larkin and Lillie Mae Roster Swope. Survivors include: three sons, Bobby Coleman of Chicago, Ill., Larry Coleman of Charleston and Henry Swope Jr. of Columbia; one daughter, Ethel Swope Brown of Columbia; one sister, Rena Swope of Charleston; eight grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Dorothy Coleman of Charleston...

PORTAGEVILLE - Gracie Alene Cato Viverette, 47, died Oct. 24, 2003, at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Born Nov. 30, 1955, in Gideon, daughter of Curtis Adams of Clarkton and the late Pearl Adams, she graduated from Clarkton High School and was a member of the Stanfield Baptist Church in Clarkton. She was a licensed practical nurse at Pemiscot Memorial Hospital in Hayti...

DEXTER - Tyrone Dale Hook, 41, died Oct. 26, 2003, at Three Rivers Healthcare North Campus in Poplar Bluff, Mo., of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Born May 15, 1962, in Michigan, son of Charles Hook of Webster, Fla., and the late Ann Wood Hook, he owned a salvage business. He was a trustee for Dexter Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 4062...

SIKESTON - Freda Pearl Murdock Becker, 82, died at 1:45 a.m. Oct. 25, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Oct. 18, 1921, in Maynard, Ark., daughter of the late Aubrey and Valda Kidd Templeton, she was of the Methodist belief. On July 15, 1974, in Sikeston, she married Artrue Becker who survives of the home...

SIKESTON - Thurman Beeson, 55, died at 7:25 a.m. Oct. 26, 2003, at his home. Born April 17, 1948, in Sikeston, son of Clera E. Littrell Beeson of Sikeston and W.T. Beeson, who preceded him in death on June 4, 1982, he had been a deputy with the New Madrid County Sheriff's Department and security guard for Noranda Aluminum in New Madrid County. He had owned and operated Thurman's MFA Station in New Madrid and was a member of Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church in Sikeston...

SAMBURG, Tenn. - Anthony Lewis Witherspoon, 63, formerly of East Prairie, Mo., died at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 25, 2003, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Union City. Born Sept. 8, 1940, in East Prairie, son of Ann Wolverton Witherspoon Edwards of Dixon and the late Herman Witherspoon, he recently moved to Samburg. He lived in Mississippi County, Mo., most of his life, where he was a real estate salesman and member of the East Prairie Masonic Lodge...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel for David F. Williams, 53, who died Oct. 24, 2003, will be: Ramsay Manning, Benjamin Ventura, Tim Jarrett, Jimmy Baker, Ed Boyd and Merlin Williams. The Missouri Military Funeral Honor Guard will conduct graveside rites at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sikeston...

CHAFFEE - Raymond Lee Ballard, 71, died at 3:10 a.m. Oct. 27, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee.

SCOTT CITY - Carol Ann Glastetter, 43, died at 5 a.m. Oct. 25, 2003, at her home. Born Dec. 30, 1959, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of John Zeno and Dorothy Elizabeth Vandeven Glastetter of Scott City, she was employed by VIP Industries. She was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Kelso...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel for Thurman Beeson, 55, who died Oct. 26, 2003, will be: Mike Tucker, Abe Maclin, Max Tucker, Roger Moore, Steve Sullivan and Marty Rogers. Burial will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston...

CHAFFEE - Clara Caroline Enderle, 88, died at 5:20 p.m. Oct. 27, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Feb. 12, 1915, in Chaffee, daughter of the late Killian and Ida Heisserer Glueck, she was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Daughters of St. Ambrose and VFW Post 3127 Ladies Auxiliary in Chaffee...

QUINCY, Ill. - Douglas "Bud" Endebrock, 67, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died at 9:27 p.m. Oct. 25, 2003, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield. Born Oct. 19, 1936, in Meredosia, son of the late Roy and Lucille Perry Endebrock, he was a branch claims manager for American States Insurance Company until retiring in 1992. ...

SCOTT CITY - Pauline Frederick, 65, died at 4 a.m. Oct. 23, 2003, at her home. Born May 24, 1938, at West Lebanon, Ind., daughter of the late Robert Myron and Nellie Margaret Kennedy Gore, she was a civil servant with the U.S. government. A member of the VFW Auxiliary for 40 years, she was a past president of the Pyramid Pals Club of Danville, Ill., treasurer for the NCO's club at New Ulm, Germany, served on the PTA board for Lion, Ill., and was a Girl Scout leader in Berkley, Mich...

CHICAGO, Ill. - Lucy Wilkins, 55, formerly of Haywood City, Mo., died Oct. 17, 2003, in a Maywood hospital. Born April 18, 1948, in Scobba, Miss., daughter of Martha Sheron of Sikeston and the late Jeffero Adams, she lived in Chicago since 1966. She was employed by the Motorola Company for 17 years and was a member of the United Baptist Church of Chicago...

CHAFFEE - Raymond Lee Ballard, 71, died at 3:10 a.m. Oct. 27, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born July 13, 1932, in Ridgeway, son of the late Raymond H. and Eula Kitchen Ballard, he retired as an engineer for the Burlington Northern Railway Company in Chaffee. A U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War, he was a member of the First United Methodist Church and VFW Post 3127 in Chaffee...

DEXTER - Hester E. Carter, 81, died Oct. 26, 2003, at Missouri Southern Healthcare. Born Nov. 18, 1921, in Bernie, daughter of the late Herman Dortha and Cordelia May Harvey Asher, she lived in Dexter for many years, where she served with the Dexter Nutrition Center, hospital auxiliary and American Legion auxiliary...

ST. ANN - James Winzelo Stull, 72, died at 12:35 a.m. Oct. 27, 2003, at St. John's Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis. Born Jan. 17, 1931, in Gideon, son of the late Elvis D. and Omaleen Havens Stull, he was a warehouse foreman at Hussman Refrigeration and for Emerson Electric in St. ...

MORLEY - Pamela Joy Ingram, 43, died at 5:25 p.m. Oct. 26, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Feb. 2, 1960, in Orlando, Fla., daughter of Quentin C. Ingram of Morley and the late Joyce Faye Delk Ingram, she was a supervisor for TWA at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport. She was a member of the New Life Christian Center at Morley...

SIKESTON - Lois Krauss, 87, died at 10:22 a.m. Oct. 27, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born March 12, 1916, in East Prairie, daughter of the late Rev. A.E. and Maude Owen Ray, she was a homemaker and charter member of Temple Baptist Church, where she had been a Sunday school teacher. Also a Sunday school teacher for Miner Baptist Church, she played the piano at religious services in several area churches throughout her adult life...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Nunnelee Funeral Chapel for Lois Krauss, 87, of Sikeston, who died Oct. 27, 2003, will be Ken Riddle Jr., Eric Krauss, Rowland McKinnie, Ken Lawrence, John Lawrence and Lynn McKinnie. Honorary pallbearer will be Ken Riddle. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery...

ST. LOUIS - Opal L. Hensley Jones, 94, died Oct. 28, 2003, in St. Charles. Born April 23, 1909, in Sikeston, she was the daughter of the late William and Katie Rogers Hensley. Her husband, Buford Jones Sr, preceded her in death. Survivors include: two daughters and one son-in-law, Loretta and Tommy Davis of Florissant and Frances "Fran" Roberts of St. Charles; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren...

ESSEX - Robbie Taylor, 92, died Oct. 30, 2003, at the Cypress Point Healthcare Facility in Dexter. Born April 26, 1911, in Giltedge, Tenn., daughter of the late George and Vera Turnage Odom, she lived in Essex since 1928, where she was a member of the First Baptist Church. She had been a cook at Essex and Richland schools before retiring...

OLIVER SPRINGS, Tenn. - Peggy Jean Seiber, 65, died Oct. 28, 2003, at the Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge. Born Jan. 26, 1938, in Portageville, Mo., daughter of the late Adolph and Emma Jane Northington Wilson, she lived in Oliver Springs since 1966. She was a member of the Bokerton (Mo.) Baptist Church...

SIKESTON - William C. "Billy" Melrose, 45, died at 10:48 p.m. Oct. 22, 2003, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Born Nov. 4, 1957, in St. Louis, son of the late Herbert and Bernice Johnson Melrose, he attended aircraft mechanic school in San Antonio, Texas, and was a heavy equipment operator. Before moving to Sikeston, he lived in the Houston, Texas, area for 22 years, where he was a member of the Woodforest Baptist Church...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Cecil Beeson died Oct. 30, 2003, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at the Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston.

SIKESTON - Addie Elizabeth Bixler, 89, of Sikeston and formerly of Canalou, died Oct. 29, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Oct. 20, 1914, in Braggadocio, daughter of the late Joseph and Effie Mae Ingram Hampton, she was a member of Murray Lane Baptist Church...

DEXTER - Infant Holden, daughter of Ryan and Sarah Watkins Holden of Dexter, died shortly after birth Oct. 27, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Survivors in addition to her parents include: paternal grandparents, Stephen Holden of Dexter and Sandy Cato of Cape Girardeau; maternal grandparents, Stephen and Susan Watkins of Dexter; paternal great-grandparents, Demp and Celeste Holden of Dexter and Ale and Betty Cato of Cape Girardeau; and maternal great-grandparents, Ike and Pat Watkins and Floyd and Irene Hoffman of Dexter.. ...

ST. PETERS - Helen Lucille Kassing Berry, 86, formerly of Sikeston, died Oct. 28, 2003, at Mount Carmel in St. Charles. Born Nov. 8, 1916, in Bertrand, daughter of the late Edward and Pearl Jackson Kassing, she graduated from Lafayette Grade School and had been employed by Bemis Bag...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Garden of Memories Cemetery for Addie Elizabeth Bixler, 89, who died Oct. 29, 2003, will be her grandchildren: Lisa Hardesty, Kim Schilli, Tom Dismuke, Bill Purdy, Vincent Bixler, Chuck McCann, Steve Hardesty, Ron Schill, Aladdin Khalousi, David Lashbrook, Anthony Schilli and Chanda Johnson...

BLOOMFIELD - Fridis Pierce, 92, died Oct. 30, 2003, at Beverly Healthcare in Bloomfield. Arrangements are pending at Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home, where visitation is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday. Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home...

EAST PRAIRIE - Cecil Beeson, 83, died Oct. 30, 2003, at his home near East Prairie. Born April 18, 1920, in Hattieville, Ark., son of the late Samuel Claude and Annie Tollison Beeson, he was a member of Barnes Ridge Baptist Church, New Madrid Masonic Lodge and the Scottish Rite. He served with the Army Air Corps during World War II and was a retired farmer...

SIKESTON - Taylor Barnett, son of Shaun and Teletia Cole Barnett, died shortly after birth Oct. 29, 2003, at St. Mary's Hospital in St. Louis. Survivors in addition to his parents include: one sister, Taydrianna Barnett of Sikeston; one brother, Malkia Barnett of Sikeston; maternal grandparents, Norman and Portia Cole of Sikeston; paternal grandparents, Joe and Lessie Barnett of Sikeston; maternal great-grandparents, Evelena Herrion and Elsie Cole of Essex; paternal great-grandparents, Joe and Almeter Marshall of Sikeston; and five uncles.. ...

SIKESTON - Juanita M. Queffenne, 62, formerly of Dexter, died Oct. 30, 2003, at the Colonial Manor in Sikeston. Born June 5, 1941, in Poplar Bluff, daughter of the late Charles and Mary A. White Queffenne Sr., she attended the Church on the Rock in Sikeston...

BLOOMFIELD - Opal Faye Summers, 65, died Oct. 29, 2003, at her home. Born Dec. 2, 1937, at Pacola, she was the daughter of the late Robert Luke and Iva Jackson Thompson. On Jan. 24, 1977, at Dexter, she married Coye Summers who preceded her in death on Oct. 6, 2000...

DEXTER - Courtney Paige Nelson, daughter of Charles Aaron Nelson and Mary Jane Caldwell, died at birth Oct. 29, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Survivors in addition to her parents include: paternal grandparents, Ed and Debbie Fleming of Dexter and Michael Stacey Nelson of Lemore, Calif.; maternal grandparents, Dallas and Linda Caldwell of Dexter and Doris Phillips of Hobbs, N.M.; paternal great-grandparents, Fern Nelson and Charles Nelson of Lemore and Lee and Juanita Smith of Avenal, Calif.; maternal great-grandmother, Phylis Murphy of Dexter; paternal great-great-grandmother, Ruby Lee Smith of Avenal; and maternal great-great-grandmother, Mary Davis of Dexter.. ...

BESSEMER CITY, N.C. - Virginia Lee Reed, 67, died Oct. 30, 2003, at the Alexandria Nursing Care Center in Gastonia. Born Dec. 29, 1935, in Gideon, Mo., she was the daughter of the late Oscar and Daisey Lee Young Eubanks. On Jan. 20, 1950, in Piggott, Ark., she married Leonard Junior Reed who preceded her in death on Sept. 24, 1999...