Steve Bess

SIKESTON - L. Steve Bess, 59, died at 3 a.m. May 15, 2006, at his home.

Born Oct. 4, 1946, in Ardeola, to the late Rosewell and Mona Sitz Bess, he graduated in 1964 from Bell City Schools, and in 1968, he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Art from Southeast Missouri State University. He served in the United States Army during Vietnam, taught Art for 28 years in the East Prairie R-2 School District and was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

On Jan. 18, 1969, in Sikeston, he married Jane Oldham who survives of the home.

Other survivors include: one daughter and son-in-law, Emily and Kyle Schott of Cape Girardeau; one brother, Earl Bess of Cape Girardeau; six sisters, Barbara Hoosier of Dexter, Vera Mason of Sikeston, Glenda Seagraves of Rector, Ark.; Wanda Rayles of Kokomo, Ind.; Dorothy Phegley of Perkins, Colene McCormack of Xenia, Ill.; and one granddaughter, Bailey Elizabeth Schott of Cape Girardeau.

In addition to his parents, one brother, William Joseph Bess; and three sisters, Virginia Allen, Lula Bell Bess and Remona Sue Bess also preceded him in death.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., with prayer services to be held at 7:30 p.m., today at the Nunnelee Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Francis Xavier Church. The Rev. Scott Sunnenberg, pastor, will officiate.

Burial will follow in the Garden of Memories Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Mike Miller, Dennis Deere, Dr. Bill Boyce, Dr. Michael Chouinard, Neil Ables and Chesley Bess.

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Memorial contributions

may be made to:

St. Francis Xavier School

106 N. Stoddard Street

Sikeston, MO 63801