CHARLESTON - Joseph M. "Tud" Reeves, 82, died at 9:55 p.m. July 6, 2006, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.
Born Nov. 29, 1923, in Deventer to the late Oda A. and Mittie Lee Parker Reeves, he had lived in Mississippi County his entire life and was a member of the First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and had taught the Junior Boys Sunday School Class. A charter member of the Mississippi County Historical Society where he served on the board of directors for a number of years, he was a former member of the Charleston Lions Club.
In 1939, at the age of 15, he joined the 140th Infantry of the National Guard. In July 1940 he joined the Marine Corp and following induction in St. Louis, he joined the 108th platoon in San Diego, Calif. On Dec. 8, 1941 he joined the Second Defense Battalion and was in the first convoy of ships to leave the United States following the declaration of war. He returned to the United States in July 1943 and received his honorable discharge on Nov. 10, 1945.
On July 18, 1950 he married Daisy Florence Robertson who survives of the home.
Also surviving are one daughter and son-in-law, Florence and John Canepari of Chillicothe; one grandson, Clayton Joseph Canepari of Chillicothe; one brother, Byron Lee "Barney" Reeves of Charleston; and three sisters, Donna Morgan, Mildred Burnett and Frances Goldis all of Charleston.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three brothers, Odie Scott Reeves, Charles Frank Reeves and James Marshall Reeves.
Visitation is from 5 until 8 p.m. on Monday at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston. Funeral Services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church in Charleston with the pastor, the Rev. Michael Brewer, officiating.
Pallbearers will be Jim Burke, Taylor Burke, Ray Presson, Roy Presson, Al Cope and Fred DeField.
Honorary pallbearers will be Fred Moxley, Foide Williams, Bud Lough, Mark Rolwing, Bob Graham and Hugh Hunter Byrd.
Full military graveside rites will be conducted by the Missouri Military Honor Guard at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery.
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Memorial contributions
be made to the:
Missouri Veterans Home
2400 Veterans Drive
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701