Holly Renee Kirkman, daughter of Steven Curtis Cobb and Joyce Kaye Patrick Boyer was born in Sikeston, Missouri on March 11, 1980 and departed this life in Bernie, Missouri on November 19, 2018 at the age of 38.

Ms. Kirkman was of Church of Christ faith and a resident of Bernie. 

Survivors include her father, Steven Curtis Cobb of Bernie, Missouri; by her mother, Joyce Kaye Boyer & husband Mike of Viburnum, Missouri; by one son, Ryder Dowdy of Dexter, Missouri; by one brother, Steve-o Cobb & wife Kim of Bernie, Missouri; by one sister, Sheri Patrick & husband Jorge Guzman of Dickinson, Texas; also by other relatives and friends.

Friends may call at Word of Faith Family Church in Rural Bernie, Missouri on Saturday, December 1, 2018 from 10:30 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. 

Memorial services will then be conducted at 1:00 P.M.   

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Charge of all arrangements.

Merlin Davis Rushing of Essex, son of the late Jefferson Dunlap and Mavis Louise Henry Rushing, was born on July 1, 1941, in Matthews, Missouri and passed away at the Clearview Nursing Home in Sikeston on November 17, 2018 at the age of 77 years, 4 months and 16 days.

Merlin had lived in Houston, Texas before moving to Essex fifteen years ago. He was a retired carpenter and was a member of the Westwood Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff.

On October 18, 1962 he was married to Lela Mae Daniels in Bloomfield, Missouri.

Surviving are his wife, Lela Mae Rushing of Essex; two sons, Thomas Rushing of Newport, Arkansas, Steve Rushing of Horn Lake, Mississippi; two daughters, Catherine Helenhouse of Mokane, Missouri, Cynthia Crossno of Jonesboro, Arkansas; ten grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; two brothers, J. E. Rushing of St. Charles, Misouri, Richard Rushing of Salem, Arkansas; and one sister, Shirley Horn of East Bangor, Pennsylvania. Other relatives and friends also survive. He was preceded in death by one brother, Clyde Rushing.

Visitation was held on Monday, November 19, 2018, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter.

Services was held Tuesday November 20, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. in the Watkins & Sons Chapel with the Rev. Larry Cockman of Doniphan officiating.

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

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 225 N Michigan Ave., FL 17, Chicago, IL 60601.

Steven Ray Scott, son of Linda Drysdale Scott and the late Donald Ray Scott was born on February 25, 1969 in Charlotte, North Carolina and departed this life on November 11, 2018 in Butler County at the age of 49 years.

Mr. Scott was a truck driver and was a resident of Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

On July 7, 2014 he was united in marriage to Rochelle “Shelly” Scott.  Mrs. Scott survives of the home.

Besides his mother, he is survived by five sons, Michael Somers and Caleb Somers both of Poplar Bluff, Nathan Burmeister, Matthew Scott and Justin Scott both of Poplar Bluff; one daughter, Jesica Somers of Poplar Bluff; one sister, Jayme Caplinger of Bloomfield; two brothers, Derrick Scott and Brooks Scott of Bloomfield; four step-children, Samantha, Ana, Cody and Arriel; many grandchildren, nieces and nephews and Bruce Hartline and family of Puxico.

Visitation was held on Monday, November 19, 2018 for visitation was from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

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

Bernie Lee Hawkey of Campbell, son of the late Harold Eugene and Karen Lanorah Schidler Hawkey, was born on April 8, 1962, in Rochester, Indiana and passed away at his home in Campbell on November 15, 2018 at the age of 56 years, 7 months and 7 days.

Bernie had lived in Indiana before moving to Campbell nineteen years ago. He enjoyed racing his corvette.

On June 9, 2001 he was married to Theresa Gill Decker in Campbell, Missouri.

Surviving are his wife, Theresa E. Hawkey of Campbell; three sons & spouses, Jody Pierce & Shelly Hart Young of Bloomfield, Dynomite & Trish Decker of Bloomfield, Justus Decker of Dexter; fifteen grandchildren; many great grandchildren; two brothers, Rodney Hawkey and Timmy Hawkey both of Indiana; one sister, Maria Bonnell of Indiana. Other relatives and friends also survive. He was preceded in death by one brother, David Hawkey.

Visitation was held on Saturday, November 17, 2018, at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri until time of services in the Watkins & Sons Chapel with Bro. James Hamlett of Risco officiating.

James “Keith” Miller, son of James Luther “Jim” Miller and the late Karen Sue Mann Miller was born on June 30, 1966 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri and departed this life on November 19, 2018 at his residence in Essex, Missouri at the age of 52 years.

Keith had farmed all of his life with his father, Jim and most recently farmed for Mayberry Farms.  He also worked as a welder for RETCO for a number of years.  He enjoyed going to truck pulls and mud races. In 1983, he was the FFA Recipient of Missouri State Farmer Award.  He was a loving husband, father, papa, brother and friend.  He was of Christian Faith and a resident of Essex.

On August 23, 1986 he was united in marriage to Pam Blaylock in Dexter.  Mrs. Miller survives of the home in Essex.

Besides his dad, Jim, and wife, Pam, he was survived by one son, Landon Miller and wife, Ashley of Dexter, Missouri; one sister, Lori Schiller and husband, Eric of Nashville, Tennessee; one grandson, Levi Miller; and by many family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Karen Mann Miller and by grandparents, Otis and Muriel Miller and Chester and Geneva Robinson.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home on Friday, November 23, 2018 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. 

Funeral services will be conducted on November 24, 2018 at 10:00 AM in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with Rev. James Malloy officiating. 

Interment will follow at the Essex Cemetery.