Obituaries from November 2021

Joan Whaley, 78, of Bonne Terre, Missouri, died Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, at her residence. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2, at Crossroads Baptist Church, near Greenville. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m., also at Crossroads Baptist Church...

Deborah J. (nee Jones) Burton, 66, of Poplar Bluff, peacefully passed away at her home Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, surrounded by her family after a brief battle with cancer. Debbie was born Nov. 7, 1954, in Cape Girardeau and is the daughter of Ronald and Joanna Jones of Jackson, Missouri. They survive...

Bonnie Lee (Elting) Stewart, 95, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021. She was born on June 16, 1926 to the late William and Lola (Piland) Elting of Graybill, Missouri. She was a longtime resident of Butler County. Bonnie was of the Episcopal faith...

FISK, Mo. — Crockett Lacy, 65, of Memphis, Tennessee, died Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021 at Saint Francis Medical Center in Memphis, Tennessee. Mr. Lacy was born July 3, 1956 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, son of the late Clarence and Bessie Lacy. On Friday, Aug. 9, 1996 he married Karen Payne. She survives...

NEELYVILLE, Mo. — Mary Jo Marler, 76, of Harviell, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, at the Oakdale Nursing Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Mrs. Marler was born on June 2, 1945, in Marshfield, Wisconsin. She had worked as a nurse for Kneibert Clinic and was a member of the Elks Lodge in Poplar Bluff, having been the first lady to hold an office within the lodge. ...

Eulane Buttrey, 86, of Fisk, died Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, at Oakdale Care Center. Mrs. Buttrey was born Dec. 3, 1934, in Malden, daughter of the late Walter and Evelyn Hampton. She was a charter member of Twin Rivers General Baptist Church. She enjoyed music and playing the piano and loved being with her family...

NEELYVILLE, Mo. — Eric Ward Abernathy of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away Oct. 29, 2021. He was born Sept. 6, 1977 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He spent most of his formative years in Jonesboro, Arkansas, but also lived in Clemson, South Carolina, Cincinnati, Ohio, Costa Mesa,...

Michael Ray Lemons, 79, formerly of Poplar Bluff, Missouri and Hornersville, Missouri, passed away Sept. 14, 2021 at his home in Orange, California. Michael married Connie Sue Branum March 9, 1963 at First Baptist Church of Hornersville. He was in the Air Force at the time, serving during the Vietnam War, stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base, working in the Titan Two Missile Silo. ...

Harry E. Taylor passed away peacefully Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, at Cypress Point in Dexter. He was 107 years old. Harry was born at home, on the banks of the St. Francis River in Fisk, Missouri, on Nov. 12, 1913, to Alice (Lee) and Zachary Taylor. He was one of nine children...

Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Absheer, 85, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, went to be with her Lord, family and friends Saturday, Oct. 30 after a short illness. She was born to the late Charles Robert and Cassie (Meador) Absheer Oct. 19, 1936, at home in Old Greenville, Missouri...

Alessa Louise Payne, 55, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Monday, Nov. 1, 2021. She was born Aug. 8, 1966, in Dexter. She was of the Pentecostal faith. She worked in the mailroom of the Daily American Republic for several years and more recently, as a housekeeper at Oakdale Care Center. Alessa was an avid reader and enjoyed coloring books. Cats were her passion and family her love...

Floyd Alfred Ray, 84, died Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Floyd was born March 24, 1937, in Poplar Bluff, to the late Alfred Ray and Cyless Wheelis. He was a life time resident of Poplar Bluff. He was a member of West Side Church of God...

DEXTER — Gary Leon Zimmerman, son of the late Basil Zimmerman and Vera Juanita Inman Schoolcraft, was born on Jan. 6, 1956, in San Marcos, Texas, and departed this life on Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, at the age of 65 years. He was a resident of Puxico...

Michael Joseph Stout, 71, passed Oct. 23, 2021. He was born March 6, 1950 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri to Vivian Arlene (Brannum) Stout and the late Edward Joseph Stout. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Linda (Cochran) Stout. Mike was a retired teacher for the Parkway School District. He was the proprietor of Mike’s Auto Sales and County Auto Sales for over 30 years...

Richard Carl Kearbey, 76, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, at his home. Richard was born on April 3, 1945, to Thomas and Leona (Hendrickson) Kearbey in Butler County, Missouri. Richard was a member of the United States Army and served in the Vietnam War. Richard was a motorcycle enthusiast...

VAN BUREN, Mo. — Thelma Hager, 78 of Van Buren passed away Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. She was born June 28, 1943 at Taft, Missouri. Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Eula Brannum, and husband of 55 years, Jimmy Hager...

Wilma Jean “Jeanie” Proffer of Poplar Bluff, Missouri met her Heavenly Father Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, at the age of 85, surrounded by family. Her faith and courage were an inspiration to many. Jeanie was born Mach 10, 1936, to William Elmer and Laura Scoggins Aud in Poplar Bluff. She married her high school sweetheart, Jerry Laverne Proffer, in Poplar Bluff. He preceded her in death on June 16, 2018...

FISK, Mo. — Mark R. Orton, 56, of Williamsville, Missouri, died Friday, Nov. 5, 2021 at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Orton was born on Feb.10, 1965 in Poplar Bluff, to Donald and Nickey (Parrish) Orton. He worked at Bluff Barbershop for 25 years, and later became the owner after his father retired. ...

Marilyn Armor Marilyn Sarah Armor, 78, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, died Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Armor was born Saturday, Nov. 6, 1943 in Flint, Michigan, daughter of the late Louie and Violet Snider. On Dec. 8, 1962 she married Loyde Dean Armor. He preceded her in death on Jan. 10, 1968...

Hazel Anderson Knox, 97, of Munford, Tennessee, passed away in her home Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021. She was born Dec. 4, 1923, to the late Floyd Anderson and Mabel (Woolsey) Anderson of St. Louis, Missouri. She was of the Lutheran faith. On Feb. 14, 1953, she married her lifetime love, Billy Knox, Sr. in St. Louis. He preceded her in death, Nov. 15, 2003...

FISK — On Feb. 11, 1934, in the hills of Tennessee, a star was born. There was no red carpet - no pomp & circumstance - no extravagant gifts brought when Dorothy Geneva Baugus was born to Frank & Edna Baugus. No one recognized on that day that Dorothy Baugus, who would later become Dorothy Goodrich in 1951 when she married BA Goodrich, no one recognized on that winter day in 1934 that she was a star. No one knew then just how brightly she would shine in the lives of so many people. But shine she did!!!. ...

FISK — Billy Wayne Goins, age 70, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, died Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Goins was born Dec. 8, 1950, in Saint Louis, Missouri, son of the late Herschel Goins and Charlotte Lloyd. Billy enjoyed music, painting, and woodworking. He also loved spending time with his many grandchildren...

Civic leader, business leader, and mentor, Evelyn Whitworth passed away Nov. 6, 2021. She was 93. She was born in Cairo, Illinois on July 19, 1928 to Frances Paris Cox and John Cox. She grew up in Charleston and Poplar Bluff Missouri, graduating from PBHS in 1946...

Geneva Maxine Speer, 96, of Gipsy, passed away Nov. 10, 2021 at the Puxico Nursing Center in Puxico, Missouri. She was born June 26, 1925 in McGee, Missouri, the daughter of Silas and Melvina Hefner Whitener. Geneva had worked at Blackburn Electrical in St. Louis. She was a member of Bright Prospect Church near McGee. She lived her life as a faithful Christian woman...

John Paul Kelley, 87, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. John was born on Oct. 3, 1934, to the late Paul and Madge Kelley in Annapolis, Missouri. He married Joetta King on May 22, 1953, in Poplar Bluff and recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary...

FISK, Mo. — Phillip Cannaday , 78, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, formerly of Fisk, died Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021 at The Springs of Jonesboro Health and Rehabilitation, in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Mr. Cannaday was born Jan. 21, 1943 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, son of the late Columbus Franklin and Verna Cannaday...

Wanda Joyce Brown, 82, of Campbell died Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

QULIN, Mo. — Sherry Flowers, 64, of Bear, Delaware, died Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021 at Christiana Hospital, in Newark, Delaware. Mrs. Flowers was born April 13, 1957 in Hayti, Missouri, daughter of the late Alvin and Dorothy Donahoo. She was retired from Farmers Insurance. She attended Love Of Christ Church in Bear, Delaware...

DONIPHAN, Mo. — Ronald L. Payne, 67, of Doniphan, Missouri, was called home Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He was born Aug. 4, 1954 in Poplar Bluff to Hubert and Eleanor (McClaren) Payne. Ron had retired from the Missouri Department of Conservation. ...

Johnny Douglas Webb, 76, of Poplar Bluff Missouri, died Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, at Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter, Missouri. He was born on June 13, 1945, to John Sherman Webb and Thelma Drew Webb in Poplar Bluff. Johnny was a 1962 graduate of Qulin High School. He worked on the family farm for several years and then was a truck driver/transport driver through 2020...

Scottie Eldon Pendegrass, 82, of Wappapello, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021, at his home in Wappapello. Scottie was born on May 13, 1939, to the late Alma and Elvie Pendegrass in Broseley, Missouri. Scottie is survived by his brother, Sonny Pendegrass; and the Bancroft family, Sandy Bancroft, Kara Little, Cherie Markham, Joe Bancroft, and grandchildren, Jared Hull, Josh Hull, Levi Little, Dustin Moore, Tyler Moore, Crystal Burkes, Shay Bancroft, and Jordan Bancroft...

Maxine Croy, 87, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, at her home in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Mac was born April 19, 1934, in St. Louis, Missouri. She married her childhood sweetheart Duke Croy Dec. 26, 1953. She was a graduate of Poplar Bluff High School. She worked in several different capacities for the Poplar Bluff School System (we always suspected it was to keep an eye on her two sons and keep them out of trouble. She was mostly successful)...

GREENVILLE, Mo. — Rebecca Tibbs, 56, of Clubb, died Sunday, Nov. 14, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis. Visitation will be at 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 18, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Greenville Chapel. Funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Friday, Nov. 19, also in the Greenville Chapel...

Larry McCann, 70, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away Nov. 16, 2021 at his home in Poplar Bluff. Larry was born Jan. 11, 1951 to William and Billie Sue (Thomas) McCann in Sikeston, Missouri. He married Vickie Brown April 14, 1979, in Millersville, Missouri. She preceded him in death...

FISK, Mo. — John Travis Maclin, 87, of Sikeston, Missouri, formerly of Bernie, Missouri, died Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021 at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Mr. Maclin was born May 31, 1934 in Keiser, Arkansas, son of the late Robert Arthur Sr. and Lula Bell (McPeak) Maclin...

SIKESTON, Mo. — Mildred B. Coursey, 83, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away on Monday, Nov. 15, 2021 at the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Mrs. Coursey was born in the state of Oklahoma on July, 3, 1938. She was married for over 50 years to the late Edward R. ...

Bennie David Foster, Jr., 55, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021. He was born Feb. 25, 1966 in Poplar Bluff to Rose Carol Shriver and the late Bennie David Foster, Sr. He was an avid fisherman in the local rivers and lakes. Bennie is survived by his mother, Rose Carol Shriver of Poplar Bluff; his stepmother, Peggy Foster of Lawton, Oklahoma; one brother, Brian Foster, Sr. ...

GREENVILLE, Mo. — Robert Libla Jr., 72, of Wappapello, Missouri, died Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Visitation will be held at noon, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Greenville Chapel. Funeral service will follow at 1:30 p.m., also in the Greenville Chapel. Burial will be in Greenville City Cemetery...

PIEDMONT, Mo. — Victoria “Vicki” Lynn Gordon, 53, of Piedmont, Missouri, died Tuesday, Nov. 16, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Visitation is at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 20, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont Chapel. Funeral service following at 2 p.m., also in the Piedmont Chapel. Burial is in Ellington Memorial Cemetery, Ellington...

Norma Stovall PIEDMONT, Mo. — Norma Jean Stovall, 56, of Clubb, Missouri, died Nov. 17, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Visitation is at noon, Sunday, Nov. 21, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont Chapel. Funeral service following at 2 p.m., also in the Piedmont Chapel. Burial is in Chapel Hill Cemetery, Williamsville...

Katherine (Katie) Knott Findlay passed away Friday, Sept. 29, 2021, in Poplar Bluff and her husband Floyd William Findlay passed away Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Findlay was born April 15, 1932, in Butler County. Her parents were Harold John and Ethel Loraine Club Knott...

PIEDMONT, Mo. — David Brewer, 73, of Annapolis, Missouri, died Thursday, Nov. 18, at Iron County Medical Center. Visitation is at 11 a.m., Monday, Nov. 22, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont Chapel. Masonic service will be held at 12:30 p.m. with funeral service following at 1 p.m., also in the Piedmont Chapel. Burial is in Annapolis Lewis Cemetery...

Vivian ‘Vicki’ Loraine Whited, 58, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, at her residence. Vicki, the daughter of Melvin and Helen Lewis (Bollinger) was born May 3, 1963, in Fredericktown, Missouri. She specialized in mental, behavioral health and counseling. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, doing crafts and helping with charities...

Peter Robert Zeien, 64, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Friday, Nov. 19, 2021. Service details to follow in Saturday’s paper.

James Dee Donaldson, 77, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. James was born April 23, 1944, to William and Dorothy (Starky) Donaldson in Hornsby, Tennessee. He married Mary Woolard-Waller Feb. 14, 2014, at Green Forest Church of Christ in Poplar Bluff...

(Nov. 2, 1946 - Nov. 21, 2021) KENNETT, Mo. — Paula Kaye Reeder, daughter of the late Paul Ray Seal and Berniece Wiley Seal, was born Saturday, Nov. 2, 1946 in Paragould and departed this life on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at Arkansas Continued Care Hospital in Jonesboro at the age of 75 years and 19 days...

ADVANCE, Mo. — Johnnie Marie Withrow, 69, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, passed away Nov. 18, 2021 at the Heartland Care and Rehab Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Jan. 23, 1952 in Advance, Missouri, the daughter of Richard and Betty Alton McCain...

Henry Arthur (Plook) Griffin Jr., 67, of Poplar Bluff left us on this side Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021. Plook was an entrepreneur serving Poplar Bluff and Dexter making sure businesses saw things clear (window washer). Plook enjoyed family, friends and always being a helping hand. Plook leaves many memories behind from each person he has ever met...

Truman Lee Morgan, 90, of Fisk died Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021, at Sunrise of Des Peres, in St. Louis. Mr. Morgan was born Jan. 2, 1931, in Shook, son of the late Byrd Elvis and Daisy Jane (Ruble) Morgan. He graduated from Fisk High School and went on to be a lifelong farmer. In 1951, he was drafted to the Army and served in the Korean War...

Karen Ann Moon-Soens, 67, died Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Karen was born Aug. 5, 1954 in Tampa, Florida, to Charles E. Sr. and Nell V. Moon. She served in the United States Army, Missouri Army National Guard. She loved cooking, camping, quilting with the First Baptist Church of Poplar Bluff quilters...

Peter Robert Zeien, 64, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Peter was born Nov. 2, 1957, to Henry Armon and Lottie May (Stevens) Zeien in Waterloo, Iowa. He married Charis (Griffin) March 30, 1988, in Savannah, Missouri...

Ronnie Lee Kirby, 81, of Jackson, Missouri, a former Poplar Bluff resident, died Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021, at his residence. He was born Oct. 22, 1940, in Brookport, Illinois, to the late Millard DC Kirby and Lee Helen (Davis) Wilson. On Sept. 9, 1961, he married Louise Kirby. They enjoyed 60 years of marriage...

Laymon S. “Joey” Bishop Jr., 58, died Nov. 10, 2021 in Senath, Missouri.

Robert ‘Rob’ L. Knowles, 62, of Poplar Bluff died Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. A full obituary will be published in Wednesday’s edition of the DAR.

PIEDMONT, Mo. — Billy D. “Bill” Townsend, 78, of Des Arc, passed away Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, at St. Mary’s Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec 1, 2021, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont, Missouri. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, also at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont. Burial with full military honors will be at Mt. View Cemetery, Des Arc, Missouri...

PIEDMONT, Mo. — Bryan Matthew Lunsford, 36, of Williamsville, Missouri, passed away Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021, at his residence. Private graveside services will be held at Black Creek Cemetery, Poplar Bluff, Missouri. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Bryan’s name to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or a charity of your choice...

Nadine Trobaugh, 96, of Malden died Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021.

Robert ‘Rob’ L. Knowles, 62, a life-long resident of Poplar Bluff passed away Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Rob was born to Herman and Bonnie (Absheer) Knowles Aug. 26, 1959, in Poplar Bluff. He graduated Poplar Bluff High School in 1978, and attended First Church of God most of his life...

KENNETT, Mo. — Laymon S. “Joey” Bishop Jr., 58, son of the late Laymon S. Bishop, Sr. and Virginia Dare Tipton, was born Sept. 2, 1963 in Cahokia, Illinois and died Nov. 10, 2021 in Senath, Missouri. Survivors include brothers, Wayne Bishop and D. L. ...