Norman B. Harty, son of the late Walter and Nellie Harty, was born in Puxico, Mo. and died at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. on Aug. 3, 2017, at the age of 81.

A well known local businessman, Mr. Harty owned N.B. Harty Contractors and a total of 10 branches of First Commercial Bank across southeast Missouri. Through his contracting industry, he conducted business on an international scale.

Norman graduated from Puxico High School in 1954 and later attended Southeast Missouri State University and Williams Baptist College, eventually earning a degree from Arkansas University.

On Jan. 22, 1966, he married Billie Lemons. After 47 years of marriage and a business partnership, she preceded him in death on June 21, 2013. Mr. Harty continued the Dexter-based business operations until his death.

Mr. Harty proudly served in the U.S. Army. He attended the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Dexter.

Norman and Billie never forgot their hometown roots, generously contributing to numerous local charities and organizations and other entities over the years.

He will be dearly remembered for his deep Christian faith and his generous community spirit.

Along with his parents and his wife, Billie, he was preceded in death by one brother, John Harty.

He is survived by one sister-in-law, Bonnie Harty; two nephews, John Harty and Jim Harty; a step-daughter, Sue Hisaw; and one step-grandson, Christopher Wilkerson.

Visitation for Norman B. Harty will take place Monday, August 7, 2017 from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Dexter's First Baptist Church at 11 W. Castor St., with funeral services following at 11 a.m.

Officiating will be Rev. Howard Fuller. Burial will take place in Dexter Cemetery.

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.

The family suggests any memorials may be made to Williams Baptist College, 60 W. Fulbright Ave., Walnut Ridge, Ark. 72476 or to the SoutheastHEALTH Building Fund, 1200 N. One Mile Rd., Dexter, MO 63841.

Freddy Akridge son of the late Hershel Akridge and Katherine Tanner Akridge was born on September 6, 1942 in Gideon, Missouri and departed this life on July 28, 2017 at Canalou at the age of 74.

Mr. Akridge was a farmer for Stanley Swiney Farms and was a resident of Parma.

He is survived by two sons, Freddie Akridge and Bryant Akridge, both of New Madrid; by one daughter, Brenda Flanders of Canalou; by one brother, Ricky Akridge of Hohenwald, Tennessee; by seven sisters, Geraldine Koidan of Oroville, California, Lola Barks of Dexter, Betty Lawson of Fordland, Missouri, Linda Parker of Independence, Missouri, Joyce Haddock of Waynesboro, Tennessee, Sherry Decker of New Madrid and Kathy Schaffer of Knoxville, Tennessee and by four grandchildren, Latashia Nacole Akridge, Anthony Guardado, Destiny Brant and Tex Flanders.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by three brothers, John Akridge, Kenny Akridge and Earshel Akridge; by two sisters, Stella Simmons and Joan Akridge and by two grandchildren, Desarae Guardado and Freddie Gene Akridge III.

Visitation at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter was on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 from 12:30 until 2:30 P.M.  

Funeral services were conducted on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at 2:30 P.M. in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter.

Interment followed in the Stanfield Cemetery.

Sherman L. Griffith, son of the late Virgil V. Griffith and Virginia Payton Griffith was born on March 31, 1953 in Dexter, Missouri and departed this life on July 28, 2017 at his residence in Bloomfield, Missouri.

Mr. Griffith was a former employee of the Texas Instruments in Dallas, Texas as an Electrical Engineer.

He is survived by two sisters, Pamela L. Roberts of St. Charles, Missouri and Beverly Holtzman of Foley, Missouri.  He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and a special cousin Paul Pratt.

He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.

Friends may call at the Rainey Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM.  

Funeral was conducted on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. with Bro. Gary Cooper officiating.  

Interment followed at the Harper Cemetery in Aid.

Loren Dale Sielert, son of the late Loren Sielert and Peggy Meeks Sielert was born on March 20, 1959 at Doctor Hospital in Poplar Bluff, Mo and departed this life at his residence rural Dexter, Mo at the age of 58.

Dale was owner and operator of Dale’s Floor Covering and Construction in Dexter, Mo.

On March 1st, 1978 he was united in marriage to Tammie Kester in Dexter, Missouri.  Mrs. Sielert survives of the home in Dexter.

Besides his wife, he is survived by one son, Jordan Sielert of Dexter, Missouri; by one daughter, Nicole Sielert of Dexter, Missouri; by two brothers David Sielert and Scott Sielert both of Dexter, Missouri; by by two grandchildren, Kasen Garrett Sielert and Alexis Riann Sielert.

He is preceded in death by his parents; by paternal grandparents, Carl & Opal Sielert; by maternal grandparents, Dewey Christian, and Willie Meeks and Mary Christian Meeks; by one sister Peggy Jean Sielert.

Friends may call at the Rainey Mathis Funeral Home on Thursday, August 3, 2017 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.  

Services will be conducted on Thursday, August 3, 2017 at 12:30 PM with Rev.

James Malloy officiating.  Interment will follow at the Dexter Cemetery.

Jimmy Ray Nix, son of the late James Nix and Vella Mae Watson Nix, was born in Winfield, Kansas on April 8, 1950 and departed this life in the ER room of Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County, Dexter, Missouri on July 29, 2017 at the age of 67. 

 

Mr. Nix had served in the United States Army.  After his service time he was a  Tanker Truck Driver.  He had worked for several different Gas Companies.  He was a member of  Okeena Assembly and a resident of Bernie.

 

He was united in marriage to Dortha Mae Callahan in Wagoner, Oklahoma on August 14, 1982.  She survives in their home in Bernie.

 

Other survivors include one son, Christopher Nix of Tulsa, Oklahoma; by two step-sons, Jerry Nichols of Wagoner, Oklahoma, Leroy Nichols of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; by  one daughter Ava Swimmer of Gore, Oklahoma; by two step-daughters, Marsha Thurston of Bernie, Missouri, Sharon Carpenter of Tulsa, Oklahoma; by two brothers, Randy Nix and Ricky Nix both of Tulsa, Oklahoma; by two sisters, Vicky Potter of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Linda Ayers of Denton, Texas; by 18 grandchildren and by numerous Great-Grandchildren.

 

He was preceded in death other than by his parents, by one son, Billy Ray Nix; by one step-son, Gary Nichols; by one step-daughter, Tracey Wamego.

 

Friends may call at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, Missouri on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.  

Funeral services will be conducted in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday morning at 11:00 A.M., August 2, 2017 with Rev. Phillip Bartholomew officiating.  

Interment will follow in the Bernie Cemetery.

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.