Obituaries from April 2024

Sergeant First Class (SFC) Michael L. Harwell, 82, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away March 31, 2024, at his home in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, surrounded by his family. Michael was born Aug. 14, 1941, to Edwin and Hallie (Witmer) Harwell. He married Sue Vinson Dec. 16,1966 in Poplar Bluff...

Terry Shewell, 76, of Puxico died Saturday, March 30, 2024.

“Grandmother” as she was lovingly called by all her grandchildren and great-grands, Shirley LaVerne Shemwell Virdon, 93, of Springfield, departed this life peacefully at home with her family by her side on Saturday, March 16, 2024 to be reunited in heaven with her beloved husband, William “Bill” Virdon, whom she missed terribly since his passing in November, 2021...

Kenneth Anthony Michel, 90, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Westwood Hills Healthcare. Ken was born Oct. 31, 1933, to Herman J. and Ida (Dietrick) Michel in St. Louis, Missouri. He married Rose Marie Freeman on July 23, 1955, in St. Louis. She preceded him in death in 2004. He later married Gloria Moore May 17, 2008, in Poplar Bluff...

Beverly Anne Atkinson, 74, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away March 30, 2024, at her home in Poplar Bluff . Beverly was born March 10, 1950, to John and Dorothy (Noah) Hilborn in Naylor, Missouri. She married Phillip Atkinson Sept.5, 1978. Beverly was a proud RN since 1971, a caregiver and worked as a private duty nurse for the last several years, she was a member of First Baptist Church, she was a sweet, loving soul and will be dearly missed by all who knew her...

Vicki Lynn Cato, beloved daughter of William Cole and Rose Ann Cole, was born June 18, 1970, in St. Louis, Missouri. She entered into eternal life March 31, 2024, at IU Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. Vicki graduated from Lindbergh High School in St. Louis and attended Meramec Community College where she received an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education...

Scharlene Joyce Tinnon, 79, of Campbell died Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Cypress Point Nursing Home in Dexter.

Tony Douglas Speer, 58, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away April 4, 2024, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. Tony was born Jan. 7, 1966, to Glen and Ruby (Medley) Speer in San Diego, California. Tony was a Christian that loved his church and family. ...

Ed Pope Sr., 86, son of the late Floyd Allen Pope and Katherleen (Smith) Pope was born July 1, 1937 in Durant, Mississippi and departed his life Monday, April 8, 2024 at the Cypress Point Skilled Nursing in Dexter, Missouri. Visitation will be from noon until 2 p.m. Thursday, April 11, 2024 at the Dexter First Assembly of God. Funeral services will then be conducted at 2 p.m. with Rev. Dale Jones officiating. Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery...

Ed Pope Sr., 86, son of the late Floyd Allen Pope and Katherleen (Smith) Pope was born July 1, 1937 in Durant, Mississippi and departed his life Monday, April 8, 2024 at the Cypress Point Skilled Nursing in Dexter, Missouri. Visitation will be from noon until 2 p.m. Thursday, April 11, 2024 at the Dexter First Assembly of God. Funeral services will then be conducted at 2 p.m. with Rev. Dale Jones officiating. Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery...

Duwayne Standridge was born to Millie King Standridge and Duel Standridge May 6, 1941 in Atkins, Arkansas. He was one of four children; Ilene, Cecil, Duwayne and Fib. Duwayne spent many years residing in California and Texas before moving back to Dexter. At one time, Duwayne owned his own Texaco Gas Station in Blythe, California and Papa DU’s Smoked Meat in Ripley, Mississippi. He also worked in mining, farming and construction over the years...

Brian Lee Coleman, 55, of Beebe, Arkansas passed away April 5, 2024. He was born in Poplar Bluff, Missouri Feb. 24, 1969 to Boyd Lee Coleman and Nettie Lou (Greer) Coleman. Brian is preceded in death by his brother, Christopher Coleman, and daughters, Jordin Coleman and Ashley Delight Coleman...

James “Jim” William Bassett, 75, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away Friday, April 5, 2024. Jim was born on July 19, 1948, to Charles and Vivian (Davis) Bassett in St. Louis, Missouri. He married Kimmie Hoskins in 1991 in Doniphan, Missouri. Jim was of the Assembly of God faith. ...

Ester Grace Asbell, 97, died April 7, 2024, at the Prairie View Skilled Nursing Home in Bloomfield, Missouri. She was born April 11, 1926, in Ezra, Illinois, and was the daughter of the late John Adams and Grace Strobel McCain Adams. Ester worked as a seamstress in the Elder Factory in Bloomfield for many years. ...

Victoria Ann (Pennell) Ross, 72, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed Sunday, April 7, 2024 in her home. She was healthy, active, and had no medical conditions until a silent, unexpected heart attack. She was called ‘Vicky’ and born Dec. 19, 1951, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to Ernest Edward Pennell and Betty Jo (Crain) Pennell. Vicky married Richard Lee Ross June 30, 1989 in Poplar Bluff...

Shelba Turner-Johnson, 83, was born in Naylor, Missouri April 13, 1940, to Daniel and Birdie Wertenberger. She departed for heaven April 10, 2024, at Oak Dale Care Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri where she had resided since she was severely injured in a car accident in 2017...

Esther M. Duckett, 78, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in St. Louis, Missouri with her loving son by her side. Esther was born March 28, 1946 in Poplar Bluff, to Ray Calvin Gilmore and Myrtle Viola (Breeden) Gilmore. Esther married John Duckett July 2, 1966 in Poplar Bluff...

Darin Gentles, 58, of Piedmont, Missouri, died Monday, April 8. Visitation is at 11 a.m., Friday, April 12, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont. Funeral will follow at 2 p.m. also in the Piedmont Chapel. Burial is in Forest Chapel Cemetery near Piedmont...

Nathan Rick Holden, 75 of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away April 10, 2024 at his residence. He was born May 29, 1948 at Caraway, Arkansas to the late Nathan Herman Holden and Darlene Marie Jenkins. On July 8, 1967 at Poplar Bluff he was married to Donna Hanner. She survives...

Michael Lee Nelson, 72, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away April 11, 2024, at his home in Poplar Bluff. Mike was born Sept. 12, 1951, to Chester and Nora Lee (Taylor) Nelson in Poplar Bluff. He married Kimberly Flagg Wolpers Feb. 5, 1972, in Poplar Bluff...

Stanley Whitmer, 81, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri died Thursday, April 11, 2024.

Dr. Terrell Allen Nixon Perry, 80, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri departed for heaven April 13, 2024. He was born in Poplar Bluff, July 2, 1943, to the late Fern Marie and Allen Perry. ‘Nick’, as he was known to most, was the middle child, having one sister and one brother.   ...

Virginia “Jenny” Phelps, 75, of Williamsville, died Thursday, April 11, 2024. Visitation is at 9 a.m., Wednesday, April 17, at Cool Springs Baptist Church, Williamsville. Memorial service following at 10 a.m., also at Cool Springs Baptist Church. Burial will be in Cool Springs Cemetery, Williamsville. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

Wilbur J. “Bud” Allen, 96, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, died Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at Cedar Gate Healthcare in Poplar Bluff.

Vernon Lee Weathers, 41, of Fisk, Missouri, died Thursday, April 11, 2024 at his residence.

Mike Mansker, 64, of Corning passed away April 16, 2024 at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis, Missouri Mr. Mansker was born May 28, 1959 in Corning. He was a farmer who loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed hunting, collecting guns, guns and more guns and was an avid reader. He was of the Baptist faith...

Roy Dwight Bedwell, 37, of Piedmont, Missouri, passed away, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Visitation will be at 5 p.m., Friday, April 19, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont Chapel. Memorial will follow at 7 p.m., also in the Piedmont Chapel. Online condolences:www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

Bud Barker, 71, of Naylor, Missouri passed away at his residence April 17, 2024. He was born Aug, 6, 1952, at Poplar Bluff, Missouri to Eugene Barker and Imogene Barker. He was married to Pam Day at Corning, Arkansas in 1970. She survives. Also surviving are two sons, Dewayne Barker and wife, Tara, of Dexter, Missouri and Marcus Barker and wife, Dana, of Naylor; his mother, Imogene Barker of Neelyville, Missouri, as well as four sisters, Barbara Perkins of Poplar Bluff, Kay Anderson of Neelyville, Brenda Morgan and Dora Daughhetee, both of North Carolina; one brother, Ronnie Barker of Poplar Bluff, and grandchildren, Randi, Cole, Shaye and Tye.. ...

Marie Chris Nichols, 78, of Farmington, Missouri, died Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in St. Louis, Missouri. Visitation is at 11 a.m., Saturday April 20, 2024, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont Chapel. Funeral service is at 1 p.m., also in the Piedmont Chapel. Burial following in Mt. View Cemetery, Des Arc...

Shirley Ann Schweitzer joined the angels Sunday, April 7, at the age of 86. She was born on June 8, 1937, in Ransom, Kansas. After marrying the love of her life, Darrel Schweitzer, she lived in many places in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri, then settled in southeast Missouri at Lake Wappapello. They called this home for 39 years and fell in love with the lake life of boating, fishing, (or reading for Shirley), enjoying sunsets, and entertainment...

Jesse Burnette Kirk was born Feb. 29, 1936, and passed from this earth April 17, 2024, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. He was the first child of Jesse F. and Lillian Kirk. He graduated from Fisk-Rombauer High School in 1954. He attended Southeast Missouri State College in 1954-55 and then worked at McDonnell Douglas before beginning his career as a breadman in 1959. ...

Diana LaJune Dye, 76, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away Thursday, April 18, 2024, at Oakdale Care Center. Diana was born June 10, 1947, to John and Katherine (Moore) Stovall in Poplar Bluff. She married Buford “Ray” Dye in 1969, also in Poplar Bluff...

Douglas Eric Dreyer, 62, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, died Saturday, April 20, 2024 at his residence. Mr. Dreyer was born Aug. 7, 1961, in St. Louis, Missouri, son of the late Carlin Godfrey and Janet Dreyer (née Rasmussen). Doug is survived by his significant other, Paula Edwards of Poplar Bluff; two children, Sacha Champion of Kentucky and Becky Dreyer of Poplar Bluff; two grandchildren, Charley March and Hailey Champion; and four siblings, Carlin Dreyer, David Dreyer, Paula Hildebrand, and Karen Dreyer, all of St. ...

Veda Elledge, 89, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, died Friday, April 19, 2024 at Oakdale Care Center in Poplar Bluff.

Charles Lindsey Rogers, 75, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away April 21, 2024 at his home in Poplar Bluff Charles was born April 30, 1948 to Clarence and Marie (Chesney) Rogers in Portageville, Missouri. He married Carolyn O’Hara Oct. 8, 1966. She survives...

Loyd Dale Conner, son of the late William “Dub” Conner and Eloise Causey Conner, was born Jan. 23, 1955, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri and departed this life April 19, 2024, in Ellsinore, Missouri at the age of 69. Funeral services were held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter April 22, 2024. Interment followed in the Dexter Cemetery...

Bonnie Mae Prewett Medley, born Jan. 4, 1930, in Dixon, Missouri to Mattie Gaddy Prewett and Richard Prewett, died April 21, 2024, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Bonnie was united in marriage to Luther Medley May 24, 1952, in Piggott, Arkansas. He preceded her in death Oct. 9, 2013...

Lori Mae Hunt, 57, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, died Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at her residence.

Robert “Leon” Wood, 89, of Greenville, died Monday, April 22, 2024, in Ellisville, Missouri. Visitation is at 5 p.m., Friday, April 26, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Greenville Chapel. Funeral service is at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 27, also in the Greenville Chapel. Burial following in Rucker Cemetery, Williamsville, Missouri, with full military honors...

Edna Jean Young, 71, of Poplar Bluff, transitioned Friday, April 19, 2024, in her home. Edna was born Aug. 22, 1952, in Catron, Missouri, to Roosevelt West and Thelma Thomas. Edna enjoyed volunteering at church, helping others, especially inner-city children, and watching TV and movies. She especially enjoyed spiritual programs. Her favorite past-time was ordering Chinese food and watching Bruce Lee karate movies. She enjoyed nature, reading, and sports, especially football...

Patricia Ann Johnson, 84, of Boonville, Missouri, passed away April 25, 2024, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, Missouri. She was born on March 3, 1940, in Fagus, Missouri, and was the daughter of Doyle and Edith (King) Moffitt. She was united in marriage to Jackie Delaine Johnson and to this union three children were born. He preceded her in death in 2018...

Ronald Hartwick, 79, of Campbell died Monday, April 29, 2024, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.