Obituaries

SUNSET HILLS, Mo. — Gail A. Giles, 80, of Sunset Hills, Missouri, formerly of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, passed away Friday, July 10, 2020, at de Greeff Hospice House, St. Louis. She was born May 11, 1940, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to the late Glen W. and Mildred (Jones) Anderson...

SIKESTON — Connie Sue Nickell Fodge, 68, died July 15, 2020, at her home in Sikeston. Born March 21, 1952, in Sikeston, daughter of Mildred Pixley Parks and the late Clyde Nickell, she and her husband owned and operated Carpet Connection in Cape Girardeau until they retired in 2016; they also owned Carpet Direct in Sikeston from its opening until 2003...

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio — Mary Ellen Underhill, 95, died July 11, 2020, at her home in Reynoldsburg. Born Dec. 28, 1924, in Sikeston, Mo., she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Maggie (Johnson) Wyatt. Mary was a loving devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd M. Underhill Sr.; 10 brothers and sisters.

ST. HELEN, Mich. — Gene Howell, 47, of St. Helen, passed away on July 8, 2020. Born Nov. 2, 1972, in Sikeston, Mo., he was the son of the late Virginia and Dennis Howell. He was married to Jennifer Howell on Oct. 16, 2015. Gene was a hard-working man, loving husband, son, father and brother. ...

SIKESTON —Chris Marter, 53, died May 27, 2020. Born Feb. 17, 1967, in Dexter, Mo., he was the son of the late Gregory and Jane Reheis Marter. Survivors include: one brother, Richard Marter of Troy, Mo., and one sister, Elizabeth Rasche of St. Peters, Mo...

MARSTON, Mo. — John Allen Brewer, 74, died July 12, 2020, at his home in Marston. Born Nov. 28, 1945, in Dyersburg, Tenn., he was the son of the late Margaret Pugh Brewer and Andrew Doyle Brewer, He was also preceded in death by one brother, Larry Brewer; and one sister, June Cooper...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Eva Jean Keith, 89, died July 13, 2020, in Portageville. Born Oct. 7, 1930, in Oxford, Ark., daughter of the late Lois Reid and Dale Smith, she was a member of the First Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school for many years. She co-owned and help her husband run Chuck’s TVs. She served as a Cub Scout leader for several years. She was an EMT for New Madrid County Ambulance Service for Portageville...

SIKESTON — Bertha Mae Taylor, 96, died July 7, 2020, at Sikeston Convalescent Center in Sikeston. Born Sept. 3, 1923, in Hazel, Ark., daughter of the late Louis and Eliza Williams, she later moved to Essex, Mo., and then to Oran, Mo., in 1965. She chopped cotton much of her early years and also worked as a Sunday school teacher at Mount Zion Church in Essex. In 1970, she worked at Oran Head Start as a teacher’s aide...

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Alexander Wilderness, 54, died June 30, 2020, in St. Louis. Born June 28, 1966, in Lilbourn, Mo., he was the son of Eddie “BoBo” Haynes and the late Geneva Wilderness Haynes. On March 12, 2010, he married Marsha Lynn Brown, who survives of the home...

SIKESTON — Daphna L. Dorrell, 91, died July 6, 2020, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Nov. 26, 1928, in Canalou, Mo., daughter of the late Grover T. and Helen Bean Drake, she worked as a licensed practical nurse before retiring. She is survived by two sons, James Evans Jr. and Carrell Gene Drake of Sikeston; one sister, Carolyn Graham of California; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — Dorothy Leigh Edwards Poore, age 79, of New Madrid, passed away on July 10, 2020 at New Madrid Living Center in New Madrid. She was born June 6, 1941, in New Madrid, Mo., to the late John H. and Dorothy Ullom Edwards Sr.. On Oct. 3, 1981, in New Madrid, Dorothy Leigh married Cloyce Poore, who preceded her in death on July 17, 2016...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — Robert L. Bierschwal passed away July 8, 2020, at Delta South Care Center in Sikeston at the age of 88 years. He was born Sept. 3, 1931, in Cape Girardeau, Mo., son of the late Robert H. and Mariana Lewis Bierschwal. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Madrid. ...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Press Berry Jr., 91, of Cape Girardeau passed away at his home on Monday, July 6, 2020. He was born Jan. 3, 1929, in Charleston, Missouri, son of Press and Crystal Reno Berry Sr.  He and Martha Kay Hartmann were married Oct. 4, 2008...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Mae Meunier, 85, died July 7, 2020, at her home in Cape Girardeau. Born Aug. 29, 1934, in Datto, Ark., daughter of the late Elmer and Hattie Bickford Moore, she was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Sikeston. She retired from International Shoe Company in Sikeston after 30 years.

BENTON, Mo. — Dennie Davis, 72, died July 7, 2020, at his home in Benton. Born Oct. 15, 1947, in Illmo, Mo., son of the late Cletis Davis Sr. and Sadie Velma Nance Davis, he was a 40-year member of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry Local 562 of the United States and Canada...

BERTRAND, Mo. — Helen Adams “Lucy” Knupp, 67, formerly of Wyatt, Mo., died July 6, 2020, at her home in Bertrand. Born April 5, 1953 in Cairo, Ill., daughter of the late Walter and Katie Woodruff Adams, she lived the first few years of her life in East St. Louis. Her family then returned to Southeast Missouri where she lived the remainder of her life. She was a member of the New Covenant Pentecostal Holiness Church in Wyatt...

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Mary L. Ellis-Harris, 62, died July 5, 2020, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo. Born Jan. 20, 1958, in Dundee, Miss., daughter of the Luebirda Lott and the late Wilburt Price, she was a graduate of Sikeston High School and continued her education at the Lincoln Vocational School in Sikeston where she earned a certificate of training as a certified dietician. ...

SIKESTON — George Baker III, 50, died July 2, 2020, at the Delta South Nursing and Rehab Center in Sikeston. Born July 7, 1969, in Sikeston, son of George and Lucy Baker Jr. of St. Louis, Mo., and Gloria Carrington of Evansville, Ind., he was a 1987 graduate of Sikeston High School and a 1991 graduate of Jordan College with an Associate of Arts in business administration. ...

CHARLESTON, Mo. — William Robert “Bob” Ritchey, 85, died July 5, 2020, at his home in Charleston. Born July 24, 1934, at Gideon, Mo., son of the late William “Bill” Ritchey and Iva Lape Ritchey Payne, he grew up in rural Stoddard County until moving to St. ...

SIKESTON — Cornelius “Neal” Brandy, 48, died May 31, 2020. Born Jan. 13, 1972, he was the son of the late Evelyn Marie Brandy. Survivors include: four sisters, Gwendolyn Chenet, Beverly (Michael) Baker, Cassandra Evans and Christine Hamilton; and two brothers, Tommie Lee Brandy and Steven Brandy...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — David Wayne “Spanky” Sprinkles, 60, died July 4, 202,0 at his home in East Prairie. Born Nov. 2, 1959, in Wyatt, son of Frankie Bernice Davenport Bisher of East Prairie and the late Earl Julian Sprinkles, he was employed in farming before his retirement and of the Baptist belief...

COLUMBIA, Mo. — LaJeanne Vick (Smith) Luker, 88, passed from this earthly life Tuesday, June 30, 2020, at
University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri. LaJeanne was born on Aug. 24, 1931, in Steele, Missouri, the daughter of Oscar Lensdy and Mildred Joyce (Vick) Smith and spent her early life in Caruthersville, Missouri. ...

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Luanne Staples Hill of St. Louis, Missouri, and formerly of Charleston, Missouri passed away at the age of 79 on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, in St. Louis.

SIKESTON — Robert “Dave” Guthrie, 61, died July 2, 2020, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Born April 18, 1959, in Augsburg, Germany, he was the son of Joy Layne Guthrie of Bowling Green, Ky., and the late William Robert Guthrie...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Theodore Joseph “Ted” Laux, 73, died June 30, 2020, her his home in Portageville. Born July 17, 1946, in St. Louis, Mo., son of the late Loretta Zwifel Laux and Theodore Laux, he retired from Noranda Aluminum. On July 30, 1966, in St. Louis, he married Frances “Nonnie” Morris, who survives of the home in Portageville...

TEMPLE, Texas — Samuel Clifton “Sam” Perry, 79, died June 29, 2020, in Temple. Born Oct. 28, 1940, son of the late Alford and Alberta White Perry in Crenshaw, Mississippi, he attended Bell City High School in Bell City, Missouri. He served and retired from the United States Army, receiving many medals and commendations. He worked for Scott and White Memorial Hospital in Temple for 20 years, retiring in 1982...

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Billy Eugene Glodjo Jr., 58, died June 28, 2020, in Eddyville. Born May 7, 1952, at Tacoma, Wash., to Doris Jean O’Guin Glodjo of Bowling Green and the late Billy Eugene “Bobby” Glodjo Sr., he had lived in the Western Kentucky most of his life...

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Geraldine "Jereline" Wright, 68, died June 28, 2020, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Dec. 18, 1951, in Sikeston, daughter of the late Nathaniel and Ethel Mae Fulton Wright, she was a 1972 graduate of Charleston High School in Charleston and former member of Holy Trinity Church of Deliverance in Charleston...

SIKESTON — Martin Alexander 'Alex' Roach, age 33, passed away Tuesday, June 30, 2020, at the family home in Sikeston, Missouri. He was born Dec. 3, 1986 in Sikeston, the son of Diane Martin Roach of Sikeston and the late Carl Roach. Alex had worked as an engineer for Cable One and was a member of the Sikeston Jaycees, a car enthusiast, a St. Louis Blues fanatic, computer geek, and a talented drummer...

BELLEVILLE, Ill. — Christian Jamar Durham, 11, died June 22, 2020, of injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Lyon County, Kentucky. Born Nov. 13, 2008, in Paducah, Ky., son of Jacqueline M. Fayne Lewis of Hazelwood, Mo., and Aaron Durham of Belleville, Ill., upon starting kindergarten, Christian also started learning how to play to piano at Skyline Academy in Marion, Ill. ...

LILBOURN, Mo. — Robert Allen Campbell was born Jan. 4, 1954, in Dell, Ark., to the late William Allen and Mary Lou Stout Campbell. He passed away June 27, 2020, at his home in Lilbourn at the age of 66. Robert was a beloved family man that loved to travel, hunt and fish. ...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — Mary Louise “Lou Lou” Booth, 80, died March 18, 2020. Born Oct. 18, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Minnie Lee Howard and Booker T. Jenkins. Her husband, Willie K. Booth, preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by one daughter, Elwanda Wright; two sisters, Bobie Gray and Pauline Starks; and one granddaughter...

SIKESTON — Thomas Edward Sanders, age 58, passed away Sunday, June 28, 2020, at his home in Sikeston, Missouri. He was born June 15, 1962, in Sikeston, son of Edward Sanders and the late Dorothea Ruth Bryers Sanders. He was a member of Living Waters Church in Sikeston, the Henry Meldrum American Legion Post 114, the American Legion Riders, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles 3319. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and had worked in the quality check department for Americold...

DEXTER, Mo. — Christy Lea Naile Ellis, 44, died June 27, 2020, at her home in Dexter. Born Oct. 18, 1975, in Cape Girardeau, Mo., daughter of Charles Naile of Farmington, Mo., and Barbara Turner Criss of Benton, Mo., she graduated from Kelly High School and went on to Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, pursuing a degree in criminal justice. ...

SIKESTON —Jessie Dean Cruse, 95, died June 30, 2020, at Delta South Nursing Care and Rehabilitation Services in Sikeston. Born Sept. 13, 1924, in Blodgett, Mo., she was the daughter of the late William Homer Kelley and Ida Myrtle Alexander Kelley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Berry Jefferson Cruse Jr.; one son, Billy Cruse; one daughter, Sharon Tanner; three brothers, Ted Kelley, David Kelley, William “Dub” Kelley; and one sister, Hope Kelley Nelson...

SIKESTON — Clarence “Cleveland” Mosby, 77, died June 19, 2020, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Aug. 10, 1942, in Tunica, Miss., he was the son of the late Tommy Mosby Sr. and Rosie McCray Mosby. His wife, Ruby Lee Mosby, preceded him in death...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Joyce “Ann” Brandenburg, 64, died June 29, 2020, at his home in Portageville. Born Jan. 9, 1956, Hayti, Mo., daughter of the late Mary Birdwell Miller and Harold Miller, she worked for many years at her store, “Ann’s Grocery” in Point Pleasant...

JOPLIN, Mo. — Cyril Dwane Crafton, 86, formerly of Marshall, Mo., died June 25, 2020, at Westgate of Wildwood Ranch in Joplin. Born March 12, 1934, in Hayti, Mo., son of the late Hugh Crafton and Pauline Adams Crafton, he was raised in Pemiscot County and was a 1952 graduate of Wardell High School in Wardell, Mo. ...

ROCKBRIGDE, Ill. — The Rev. John E. Haney, 87, died June 28, 2020. Born Oct. 25, 1932, in Commerce, Mo., son of the late Smith and Madge Phipps Haney, he served as a Southern Baptist pastor in Illinois and Missouri for 27 years. Prior to his ministry, he served in the Air Force and operated heavy equipment...

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Elaine Katherine Shead, 91, died June 22, 2020, at her home. Born April 2, 1929, in Galveston, Texas, daughter of the late Louis and Lillian Mickens, she was of the Jehovah’s Witnesses belief and a homemaker. She served as a pioneer in the Christian Congregation for 64 years...

LOWNDES, Mo. — Larry Hassell Scott, 75, died June 25, 2020, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Born Feb. 11, 1945, in Crowder, Mo., son of the late Earl Hassell Scott and Christine Cantrell Scott, he was a former cotton gin operator for Vanduser Gin Company for 34 years and veteran of the United States Army serving in the Vietnam War...

DESOTO, Mo. — Mary Elizabeth Shands, 86, formerly of East Prairie,Mo., died June 25, 2020, at the Hillcrest Nursing Center in DeSoto. Born April 29, 1934, in Ballard County, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late James Louis Knight Sr. and Willie Mae Peyton Knight. In 1960, she moved from Wyatt, Mo., to East Prairie where she spent most of her life. She was a beautician before retiring and was of the Baptist belief...

LIBERTY, Mo. — Orville Ray Krauss, 86 of Liberty, formerly of Cape Girardeau, Mo., passed away Wednesday, June 24, 2020, at Norterre Nursing Home and Rehab. He was born Aug. 3, 1933, in Miner, Mo., to the late Charles and Lois Rae Krauss. On April 13, 1958, in Advance, Mo., he married Delores Seabaugh. She preceded him in death Nov. 30, 2014. They raised one son, Eric, and four daughters, Carissa, Melissa, DeAnna and Cassandra...

SIKESTON — Michael Wayne Street, 61, passed away Wednesday June 24, 2020, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. He was born Jan. 8, 1959, in Poplar Bluff, Mo., to the late Curtis Wayne Street, and Nadine Griggs Street Wallace who survives of Sikeston.

SIKESTON — Richard Merrell Burton, 56, died June 23, 2020, at his sister’s home near Sikeston. Born Dec. 3, 1963, at Sikeston, son of Barbara Jean McClellan Burton and the late Alfred Merrell Burton, he was a 1983 graduate of Sikeston High School and had been employed with Plaza Tire a number of years.

SIKESTON — Jimmy Dale Alcorn, 82, died June 23, 2020, at the Clearview Nursing Center. Born Dec. 6, 1937, in Sikeston, son of the late Dale L. Alcorn and Elma Ann Hueiser Alcorn, he had lived in Sikeston his entire life.

LILBOURN, Mo. — Elizabeth Nesselrodt, 94, died June 23, 2020, at her home in Lilbourn. Visitation is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church in Lilbourn, where services will be at 1 p.m. Friday. Burial will follow in the Mounds Park Cemetery near Lilbourn...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — Betty Fowler Sweet, 85, died June 24, 2020, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born May 9, 1935, in New Madrid, daughter of the late Pearl Fowler and Burl Wilson, she had been employed at Wal-Mart for 15 years until her retirement...

FRIEDHEIM, Mo. — Orville Ray Blyzes, 65, died June 23, 2020, at Jackson Manor in Jackson. Born May 23, 1955, in St. Louis, son of the late Thurman and Mandy Hammontree Blyzes, he was a self-employed wood hauler and of the Baptist belief. Survivors include: two sons, Dino (Misty) Giardina of Perryville, Mo., and Michael (Lindsy) Blyzes of Friedheim; two brothers, Thurman Michael Blyzes and William “Willie” (Donna) Blyzes of Friedheim; one sister, Mary Belle Wright of Perryville...

HERRIN, Ill. —Micheline Sullivan, 96, formerly of East Prairie, Missouri, died June 22, 2020, at Shawnee Senior Living in Herrin. Born Aug. 21, 1923, in France, to Léon and Julie (Piètrois) Bezault, she worked as a private secretary in France. She and her husband owned Sullivan General Store in East Prairie...