RISCO -- Royce Wendell Fortner, 63, died July 30, 2008, at his home.
Born Jan. 21, 1945, near Gideon, to Beulah Francoy Robinson Fortner of Risco and the late William Montrose Fortner, he was a 1963 graduate of Risco High School. He attended both Southeast Missouri State University and Rolla, graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering. He was employed by Texas Instruments in Dallas.
In 1973, he moved to the Tallapoosa area where he farmed for 35 years. He received several farming awards including the Missouri State Fair Family Award in 1981 and the Outstanding Conservation Farmer Award in 1999. He was an active member, deacon and treasurer of Risco First Baptist Church, participating in a quartet and the choir. He was a long standing member of the Board of Directors at McCord Gin in Gideon and the Little River Water Drainage District.
On Aug. 29, 1964, he married Alice Stobaugh, who survives of the home.
Other survivors include: one son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Sara Fortner of Tallapoosa; two daughters and sons-in-law, Angie and Robert Miller of Risco and Betsy and Bryan Mays of Poplar Bluff; one brother, Bill Fortner of Risco; one sister, Mary Frances Shinall of Rogers, Ark.; and seven grandchildren.
Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. Saturday at Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden. Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Risco First Baptist Church with the Revs. Gene Lancaster and Lewis Scott officiating.
Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Malden.