Starling Guinn, son of the late Charles Guinn and Erdie McCastlin Guinn, was born on April 29, 1924 in Senath and departed this life on January 27, 2015 at Dexter at the age of 90.
Starling was known as a man of honesty and integrity. His word was his word. He was respected for his common sense and sound advice.
A member of the First Baptist Church, Dexter, for 60 years, he served as a Deacon and taught Sunday school for over 35 years. He has been described as someone who embodied the phrase "walking his talk". He believed in serving others and (even into his 80's) could be found volunteering at Small Wonders Pre-School. He was generous but preferred his kind acts to be anonymous.
Starling served in the Air Force during WW II and the Korean Conflict. His story was chronicled in "Hometown Heroes". He once said his most valuable possession was his draft card because it allowed him to attend and graduate from Oklahoma A & M (now Oklahoma State University).
He had a passion for fishing and knew all of the best spots at Wappapello Lake. He and his wife had a cabin there for many years and was known for their fish fry events and hospitality.
His legacy will be the values and wisdom he shared with his family and friends.
On February 7, 1974, he was united in marriage to Betty Collins in Dexter. Mrs. Guinn survives of their residence in Dexter.
Besides his wife he is survived by four daughters and their spouses, Sharon Chase of Avon Lake, Ohio, Debbie and Charles Kennamer of Avon Lake, Ohio, Pamela and Ron Kingston of Euless, Texas, Sherry and Jim Paules of Grapevine, Texas; by one brother, Verlis Guinn of Paragould, Arkansas; by one sister, Georgia Scherer of Benton, Missouri; and by three granddaughters, one grandson and four great-grandsons.
Besides his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles Guinn and E. J. Guinn and by two sisters, Cynthia Starnes and Sue Johnson.
Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Thursday, January 29, 2015 from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.
Funeral services will then be conducted on Friday, January 30, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with Rev. Don Kennedy officiating. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that all donations be made to the Stoddard County Children’s Home, Memorial Tribute Fund, P.O. Box 164, Dexter, Missouri 63841.
Dolly had worked for many years as the house parent at the Stoddard County Children's Home. She had attended the New Life Full Gospel Church in Dexter.
On November 15, 1947, she married Lonnie E. Taylor in Piggott, Arkansas. He preceded her in death on February 27, 2007.
Surviving are four sons & spouses, Dennis & BarbaraTaylor of Bloomfield, Missouri, Bruce & Yvonne Taylor of Wappapello, Missouri, Steve & Karen Taylor of Huntsville, Texas, Mark & Sandy Taylor of Neosho, Missouri; eleven grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; one sister, Nancy Simmons of Peoria, Arizona; four brothers, Gene Pearcy of Ponca City, Oklahoma, Rudy, Marrion & Darrell Pearcy all of Phoenix, Arizona. Many other relatives and friends also survive.
Friends may call on Thursday, January 29, 2015, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, January 30, 2015, at 10:00 am at the Watkins & Sons Chapel in Dexter.
Burial will be in the Bloomfield Cemetery with no graveside services. Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter, Missouri in charge of arrangements.
Memorials are requested to the Stoddard County Children's Home, P O Box 164, Dexter, MO 63841.
Watkins & Sons Funeral Service
www.watkinsfuneralhome.com
Fred “Buddy” Ward, son of the late Cary Ward and Nanny Jeter Ward was born on March 24, 1911 in Brownsville, Tennessee and departed this life on January 26, 2015 at the Golden Living Center in Dexter at the age of 103.
Mr. Ward was a veteran of the United States Army and served in WW II. He was in the American Calvary in the late 1920’s stationed out of Fort Bliss, Texas. Mr. Ward was of the Baptist faith and a resident of Dexter.
On August 10, 1957, he was united in marriage to Ida Hough in Corinth, Mississippi. Mrs. Ward survives of Dexter.
Besides his wife he is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Charlotte and Rod Vaughn of Dexter and Judy and John Bradshaw of St. Peter’s, Missouri; by one brother, Roy Ward of Bloomfield; by three sisters, Katherine Williams of Dexter, Katie Scism of St. Louis, Missouri and Joy Oliver of Festus, Missouri; by two grandchildren, Nick Hutchison and Christy Sachs and by five great-grandchildren, Ayden Hutchison, Gracie Sachs, Grant Sachs, Will Sachs and Blake Sachs.
Besides his parents he was preceded in death by five brothers, Bob Ward, Matt Ward, Jack Ward, Hunter Ward and Finis Ward and by two sisters, Kitty Welch and Leone Bolton.
Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Thursday, January 29, 2015 from 1:00 P.M. until 2:00 P.M.
Funeral services will then be conducted on Thursday, January 29, 2015 in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with Rev. Kenneth Biggs officiating.
Interment will follow in the Gravel Hill Cemetery.
Jackie Leo Duffie, son of the late Doyal Leo Duffie and Jackie Louise Jenkins Duffie was born on April 27, 1948 in Dexter and departed this life on January 22, 2015 at the St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri at the age of 66.
Mr. Duffie was a Veteran of the United States Air Force having served in the Vietnam War. After his years in service, he was an aircraft mechanic for numerous private aviation companies. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, classic rock and flying RC airplanes.
He is survived by two daughters, Michelle Scheer of Viola, Kansas and J. Camille Duffie of San Antonio, Texas; by one sister, Stephanie Dailey of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; and by three grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 from 1:30 P.M. until 3:00 P.M.
Funeral services will then be conducted on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at 3:00 P.M. in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel.
Interment will follow in the Hagy Cemetery.
Jerry had lived in the Dexter area most of his life. He had worked at Purolator and had run a trash business.
Surviving are two sons, Jerry Don Heflin, Jr. of Dexter, Allen D. Heflin of Highland, Illinois; one daughter, Jennifer "Jenny" Iberg of Highland, Illinois; and two grandchildren, Justice and Dylan Heflin both of Dexter. Other relatives and friends also survive.
Friends may call on Friday, January 30, 2015, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter.
Services will be held on Friday, January 30, 2015, at 1:00 pm at the Watkins & Sons Chapel in Dexter with Stephen Watkins of Dexter, Missouri, officiating.
Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery in Dexter, Missouri with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter, Missouri, in charge of arrangements.
Watkins & Sons Funeral Service
www.watkinsfuneralhome.com
