Ralph Elkins Sr.

DEXTER - The Rev. Ralph W. Elkins Sr., 83, died Dec. 6, 2003, at the John J. Pershing Veteran's Administration Medical Center in Poplar Bluff.

Born July 4, 1920, at Anna, Ill., to the late James T. and Dovie Merriman Elkins, he was a former resident of Chicago, Ill., and the state of Michigan but had lived in Dexter for the past 30 years. He served in the U.S. Army and was a member of the Church of God of Prophesy.

On Dec. 6, 1945, at Piggott, Ark., he married Beulah M. Mitchell, who survives of Dexter.

Also surviving are: three sons, Ralph W. Elkins Jr. of Eau Claire, Mich., Joseph W. Elkins Sr. of Ward, Ark., and James O'Dell Elkins of Dowagiac, Mich; one daughter, Shirley Diane Bockelman of Cabot, Ark.; two brothers, Donald Elkins of Mystic, Conn., and John Elkins of Anna., Ill.; one sister, Mildred Dunham of Ballwin; and 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter where services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday. The Rev. Jim Eskew of Bertrand will officiate.

Burial will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Malden with full military honors conducted by the Veteran's Honor Guard of Poplar Bluff.