John Laster

CHARLESTON -- John Junior Laster, 78, died at 2:24 a.m. Aug. 20, 2005, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.

Born April 2, 1927, in Deventer, to the late Herman H. and Goldie Groves Laster, he had lived most of his life in Charleston, where he and his wife were co-owners and operators of J&L Upholstery until their retirement in 2000. He was of the Baptist belief.

On July 21, 1945, he married Laura Leona Cockrum who survives of the home.

Other survivors include: one son, John Laster of Miner; one daughter, Georgia Russell of Cunningham, Ky.; two brothers, Albert Laster and Julius Laster of Bertrand; four sisters, Ruby Wyatt of Troy, Ill., Ida E. Hunsperger of Warrenton, Rosetta Christian of St. Louis and Mary Martin of Cedar Hill; and five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Two brothers, Marshall Laster and Joseph Laster; and two sisters, Reba McClure and Joann Tinker, preceded him in death.

Friends may call from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston, where services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday. The Rev. Donald Thoms, pastor of the Southside Baptist Church, and the Rev. Mitch Jackson, pastor of the Miner Baptist Church, will officiate.

Burial will follow in the IOOF Cemetery.