Derek Francis Fichtel, son of Genelle Williams Fichtel and Francis “Fritz” Fichtel of West Frankfort, Illinois, was born on April 17, 1971 in Anchorage, Alaska and departed this life on May 25, 2016 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 45.

Mr. Fichtel was a member of the St. Joe General Baptist Church in Bloomfield.  He worked as an engineer for the Missouri Department of Transportation and belonged to the United States Army-National Guard in Missouri and Illinois.

On September 6, 1999, he was united in marriage to Christina “Tina” Morris in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  Mrs. Fichtel survives of their residence in Dexter.

In addition to his wife and parents, he is survived by one son and one daughter, Luke Fichtel and Erin Fichtel of Dexter; by one brother, Stephen Fichtel and wife Treasa of West Frankfort, Illinois; and by one sister, Laura Bryant and husband Ronnie of West Frankfort, Illinois.

Funeral services will then be conducted in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with Rev. Greg Stevens officiating. 

Interment will follow in the Chalk Bluff Cemetery near Dexter

Pat Watkins, daughter of the late Perry Delmar and Bessie Lee Hendrick Daniel, was born in Dexter, Missouri on January 14,1931, and passed away at her home in Dexter, Missouri on May 25, 2016 at the age of 85 years 4 months and 12 days.

Pat lived all her life in Dexter. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Dexter Missouri and the Elks Lodge in Dexter.

On May 10, 1952 she married Earl N. "Ike" Watkins in Piggott, Arkanasas.

Surviving are her husband of 64 years, Ike Watkins of Dexter; one son and wife,  Stephen L. & Tracy Watkins of Dexter; two daughters and husband, Susan Staley of Gilbertsville, Kentucky, Carol & Treye Ward of Jackson, Missouri; six grandchildren & spouses, Sarah & Ty Ferrell of Sikeston, Caleb & Kayla Staley of Benton, Kentucky, Rachael Watkins of Dexter; Casey & Brian Lovett of Benton, Kentucky, Jacob Ward stationed at Ft. Drum, New York, Andrew Ward of Columbia; 6 great grandchildren, Mia Holden, Owen Staley, Lennon Ferrell, Evan & Aiden Staley & Mason Lovett; one sister, Inez Holder of Columbus, Georgia. Other relatives and many friends also survive.

She was preceded in death by five brothers, Burie Daniel, Earl Daniel, Dal Daniel, Perry Daniel, and Brad Daniel; three sisters, Lucille Biggerstaff, Delmar Melton, Rubye Daniel; one great granddaughter, Lillian Holden and daughter in law, Susan Watkins.

Friends may call on Friday, May 27, 2016, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday May 28, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Watkins and Sons funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri with Rev. Mike Williams of Dexter, Missouri.

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

Billy Lee Pippins passed away on May 24, 2016, at the Country Club Care Facility in Warrensburg, MO. Bill was born on August 10, 1930 in Bernie, MO, the son of Rube and Ruby Pippins. 

His wife of 65 years, Mary Ellen, preceded him in death as well as his brother, Charles Ray Pippins.  He is survived by 2 children, Bill Pippins and wife, Karen Marie Pippins of Stillwater,OK and Nancy Pippins Rogers and her husband Ivan of Warrensburg, MO.  He also is survived by 3 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Grandchildren include , Matthew Pippins and wife Hollie of Dexter, MO, Amanda Corbett of Warrensburg, MO and Matthew Rogers of Warrensburg, MO.  His great grandchild is Spencer Grace Pippins, daughter of Matt and Hollie Pippins.   He also is survived by many nieces and nephews.

Bill was a retired farmer.  He was a third generation farmer, having been given the gift of loving the land.  Bill farmed up until 2002 and retired to live in Dexter.

Bill served in the Army for 3 years and was in the National Guard for several more years.  Bill and several of his high school friends enjoyed their days drilling from the old armory in Dexter.  Bill had a love for auto racing from which included many trips to Nascar Tracks and modified dirt tracks in Missouri and surrounding states.  He and Mary Ellen still talked about their week in Daytona years ago.  

Bill was a member and past elder of the First Christian Church, in Dexter, as well as serving on the board for several years.  Bill was very proud to have been asked to farm the “Church Farm” SE of Dexter for many years.  Bill served on the Dexter School Board and the MFA Oil State Board for many years.  He was a very private man when it came to business but opened his heart to many people in the community.  He loved God, Family, his county and many friends.  He now has joined his bride of 65 years.

Funeral Services will be conducted at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home on Friday, May 27, 2016.

Visitation will be at 11:00 am with the funeral service at 1:00 pm.  Reverend Michael Williams of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will officiate. 

Burial will be at the Stoddard County Veteran’s Cemetery near Bloomfield following the funeral service.

The family wishes that any memorials be made to the Memorial Fund of the First Christian Church, 224 East Stoddard, Dexter, MO 63841 or Serenity Hospice, 1626 E. Elm Street Harrisonville, MO 64701.

CONSUELLA MAE ‘CONNIE’ GIER MICHAEL, Age 96, died Sunday, May 22, 2016, at her home in Charleston.

She was born December 9, 1919, at Brookfield, MO, to the late Artie Lawrence and Clessie Pearl Brown Gier, and lived in Brookfield where she was a member of the Bear Branch United Methodist Church. Her family left Brookfield in the Great Depression in search of work and, settled in Blodgett, MO, where she was a graduate of the Blodgett High School.

She had been employed with the Brown Shoe Company and then later as a representative with Tupperware. A member of the United Methodist Church of Charleston, she was 61 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star having been initiated into the organization on May 23, 1955. On June 29, 2005, she received her 50 year pin.

Active in all levels of the Eastern Star organization, she was a member of the Charleston, MO Chapter until its closing and then joined with Chapter 137 at Sikeston. She served as Worthy Matron numerous times, District Deputy, Grand Matron, Missouri Grand Representative of Kentucky in 1969, was named a Kentucky Colonel on May 27, 1971, a Duchess of Paducah on June 17, 1972 and the Missouri Grand Ruth in 1972.

On January 17, 1944, she married Max Lee Michael, Sr., who preceded her in death on December 30, 2012.

Surviving is two sons, Max L. Michael, Jr. and Ronnie Michael both of Charleston; 6 grandchildren and a number of great grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Harold Gier and Lawrence J. Gier.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 27, 2016 at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston where Eastern Star rites will follow. Don Merideth of Charleston will offer scripture and prayer.

Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com