Virginia Cossey, daughter of the late Eddie and Edna Layton, was born May 23, 1941, in Bloomfield, Missouri, and died at her home in Dexter on July 20, 2012, at the age of 71.

Virginia was a homemaker, and worked for a short period as a nurse assistant. She was a member of the Living Water Worship Center in Bloomfield, Missouri.

Virginia was married to Odis Jerry Richard of Dexter and they had three children. He preceded her in death.

She later married Gary Wayne Cossey of Dexter, Missouri, on February 14, 1981, and he survives of the home. Virginia is also survived by her three children – Rhonda Seabaugh of Symsonia, Kentucky, Brad Richard of Paducah, Kentucky, and Jeri Ward of Dexter, Missouri; eight grandchildren – Natasia and Lester Tucker of Dexter, Missouri, Christian and Rachel Rea of Lexington, Kentucky, Nicole Ward of Idalia, Missouri, Hannah Ward and Samuel Ward of Dexter, Missouri, and Phoenix Richard of Paducah, Kentucky; and one sister, Dorothy White of Bloomfield, Missouri. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles Layton and Leoid Layton, and one sister, Connie Hankins

Visitation will be held at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 22nd. Funeral services will also be conducted at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 23rd. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri.

Jeff Lincoln of Leawood, Kansas passed away on July 13, 2012 at Menorah Hospital in Overland Park, Kansas. He was born on May 25, 1961 at Indianapolis, Indiana. He was a resident of Dexter, Missouri from 1961 to 1982.

He is survived by his wife, Susan, of the home. Also by two sons, Garrett and Dillon Lincoln and three step-daughters, Kelly Akers and her husband, Jim, Lauren Shay and Shelby Shay. His parents, Don and June Lincoln, his sister, Diana Lincoln, nephew Josh Jarrell, niece Kacy Pease, all of Dexter, and his in-laws, Ron and Judy Pearson, of Overland, Park, Kansas.

He attended the Dexter School System and graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in Health Service Management. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and is an Order of the Arrow member of the Boy Scouts. He was the regional manager of several residential care and independent living communities for the Tutera Family Group of Overland Park.

Jeff loved life and to be around him would lift your spirits. That is what his friends and family will miss most.

There was a Memorial Service held in Overland Park on Tuesday, July 17, 2012. Friends may call at the First Baptist Church in Dexter from 11:30 A.M. until to 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, July 18, 2012. Funeral services will then be conducted at 2:00 P.M. in the First Baptist Church with Rev. Don Kennedy and Rev. Amy Foley officiating. Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.

Jeff was an organ donor and the family strongly urges everyone to consider that option. We, the family, are proud of his commitment to that cause.

Memorials may be made to the Missouri Organ Donor Trust Fund, P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-0570.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

Gary Alan Fortner, age 69, passed away on July 4, 2012. He was born on July 13, 1944 in Detroit, Michigan to Louise and Norman Fortner.

He married his sweetheart, Linda Brother Fortner who passed away just two days after him. He is preceded in death by his father, Norman Thomas Fortner, a sister, Sherry Lynn Fortner and a brother, John Fortner. Gary is survived by his mother, Louise Waggoner, sister, Candy Waggoner Miller, brother, Norman Thomas Fortner II (Clipper), daughters Lori Fortner Hawkins, Shannon Fortner, Nikkco Fortner also by five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Gary served in the US Navy from 1962 to 1968, achieving the rating of Aviation Boatswain’s mate Fuels Second Class Petty Officer, receiving multiple decorations including Vietnam Service and Campaign Medals, Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, and the Navy Unit Commendation Medal.

He worked as a production Line Supervisor at Purolator and Primary Children’s Hospital Supply Department. Gary enjoyed fishing at Utah Lake with his wife, Linda and was an active member of the Canyon Baptist Church.

Gary’s wishes were to be cremated. His ashes will be sent to him hometown where he will be laid to rest with his family in Bloomfield, Missouri.

Raymond Duke, Jr., son of the late Raymond, Sr. and Oma Meredith Duke, was born on February 7, 1932, in LaForge, Missouri and passed away at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter, Missouri on July 15, 2012, at the age of 80 years, 5 months and 8 days.

Raymond had lived in Belleville, Illinois and New Madrid County most of life and recently moved to Bloomfield. He was a member of the Mormon Church. He had worked and retired from Riceland Foods in 1994.

On January 7, 1950, he married his life long love, Velma Carroll in Piggott, Arkansas.

Surviving are his wife, Velma Duke of Bloomfield, Missouri; two sons and spouses, James Ray & Linda Duke of Dexter, Missouri, Louis Wayne & Nancy Duke of Puxico, Missouri; eleven grandchildren; several great grandchildren; three sisters & spouses, Ann & Louie Papproth of Bowling Green, Kentucky, Anita & Bob Renard and Lillian “Tiny” Cross both of San Antonio, Texas. Other relatives and many friends also survive. He was preceded in death by one son, Roger Duke on October 21, 1999, and one daughter, Raymona E. Duke on December 19, 2011 and two brothers, David and Danny Duke.

Friends may visit on Thursday July 19, 2012, after 10:00 a.m. at the Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield.
Memorial services will be held on Thursday July 19, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at the Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield.

Interment will be in the Dogwood Cemetery in Dogwood, Missouri with Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

Rev. Doyle Corlew, son of the late William Chester "Bill" and Versie Helen Kimbrell Corlew, was born on June 18, 1919, in Essex, Missouri and passed away at the Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter, Missouri on July 15, 2012, at the age of 93 years and 28 days.

He had lived in Essex and Dexter all his life. He graduated from Oakland City General Baptist College and received a masters in Education and Counseling.  He was a retired counselor from the Richland R-1 School District and was a General Baptist Minister for over 60 years.  He pastored the Olive Branch General Baptist Church until shortly before his death.  He touched many lives through his years of service as minister and counselor in the Dexter and Essex communities.

He was first married to Vera Verneta Blevins on May 11, 1940 in Essex, Missouri.  She preceded him in death on July 6,1996. On September 2, 1998, he was married to Altha Hawley in Dexter, Missouri. She survives at their home in Dexter, Missouri.

Doyle is survived by his wife, Altha Corlew of Dexter, Missouri; two sons, Gary Corlew of Essex, Missouri, David and Norma Corlew of Essex Missouri; two stepdaughters, Karen Hartie of Brookline, Missouri and Melba Matthews of Springdale, Arkansas; three grandchildren, Shannon Nelson of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Stacie Palmer of Murray, Kentucky, and Jake Corlew of Dexter, Missouri; ten great grandchildren; one sister, Wanda Owens of Eldorado, Illinois. Many other relatives and friends also survive. He was also preceded in death by two daughters, Lana Jean Corlew and Doylene Corlew, one sister, Helen Crutcher, and one brother, Charles William Corlew.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Watkins and Sons Chapel in Dexter, Missouri.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 18, 2012, at the Watkins and Sons Chapel in Dexter, Missouri, with Rev. Kenneth Biggs of Dexter, Missouri.

Interment will follow in the Triplett Cemetery in Dexter, Missouri with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the Olive Branch General Baptist Church in Dexter, Missouri.