Ruth Townsend, daughter of the late Clyde Burke and Bertha Triplett Burke was born on February 1, 1931 in Dexter and departed this life on April 2, 2017 in the Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau at the age of 86.

Mrs. Townsend had worked at the Brown Shoe Company and International Shoe.  She was an avid Cardinal fan, who lived long enough to see the Cardinals win their opening night game against the Cubs.  Her family invites everyone to dress in their favorite Cardinal gear, for her services on Wednesday.

On December 20, 1957, she was united in marriage to Clifford Townsend in Dexter.  Mr. Townsend resides of their home in Dexter.

Besides her husband, she is survived by one son, John Alan Mince of Titus, Alabama; by two daughters, Connie Wills of Cape Girardeau, Missouri and Linda Klaproth of Jackson, Missouri; by one brother, Earl Burke of Six Lakes, Michigan; by two sisters, Mable Deno of Burton, Michigan and Velma Glenn of Davison, Michigan; by seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Paul Burke, Burl Burke and James Burke, and by two sisters, Thelma Sullivan and Martha Burke.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Wednesday, April 5, 2017 from 10:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. (Noon).

Funeral services will then be conducted on Wednesday at 12:00 P.M. (Noon) in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter with Rev. James Malloy officiating. 

Interment will follow in the Triplett Cemetery.