Dr. John D. Minton, son of the late Ray Shipman and Ruth Cook Shipman, was born on February 16, 1940 in Malden, Missouri and departed this life on February 25, 2019 at the age of 79 years.

Dr. Minton was a hometown dentist serving our community for forty years.  He was known for commitment to excellence, his fairness and his generosity.  He honored and valued all of his patients, and those relationships went beyond the dental chair.  After he learned cranial-sacral therapy, he was able to help many patients improve their quality of life.  

Dr. Minton was more than just a dentist; he was also a talented artist.  He had many artistic interests; he enjoyed watercolor painting, photography, and wood carving.  In addition to his creative pursuits, he walked on the wild side by learning how to sail and how to fly.  After obtaining his Master’s in History his took his passion for history to the classroom by teaching at a local community college.  He was an avid student with wide-ranging interests, and books were his constant companions. Learning brought him great joy, and he shared his extensive knowledge with enthusiasm.  

On June 5, 1966, he was united in marriage to Julia Ann Leverich in Caitlin, Illinoi.  Mrs. Minton preceded him in death on March 18, 2008. He is survived by: two daughters, Tina Bess (Dain) of Dexter, Missouri and Traci Minton, who currently resides in Connecticut; two brothers, Paul Minton of West Virginia and Charles Shipmas of Dexter, Missouri; by three sisters, Jean Silver of Nashville, Tennessee, Meredith Gray of Nashville, Tennessee, and Carol Rainey (Palastine) of Texas; by two granddaughters, Cassidy Paige Bess and Sydney Ann Bess, and many other relatives and friends.  Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by one brother, Roy Minton.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Thursday, February 28, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.  The funeral service will be conducted at 12:00 noon in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel on February 28, 2019 with Greg Mathis as speaker.  Interment will follow in Chalk Bluff Cemetery.  Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.

 In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: 18 Fore Life, ℅ Scott Kruse, 705 Laurie Circle, Dexter, Missouri 63841    

Earl N. "Ikie" Watkins of Dexter, son of the late Earl Lawrence and Eunice Ellene Marsh Watkins, was born in Cash, Arkansas on March 18, 1930, and passed away at the Saint Frances Medical Center, in Cape Girardeau on February 23, 2019, at the age of 88 years, 11 months and 5 days.

Ikie had lived in Dexter most of his life and was a member of the First Christian Church in Dexter Missouri. He was a member of the Elks Lodge in Dexter and had served in the US Marines during the Korean Conflict.

On May 10, 1952, he married Patsy "Pat" Daniel in Piggott, Arkansas. She preceded him in death May 25, 2016.

Surviving are one son, Stephen L.Watkins of Dexter; two daughters and husband, Susan Staley of Gilbertsville, Kentucky, Carol & Treye Ward of Jackson, Missouri; six grandchildren & spouses Sarah Watkins & Jeff Wellemeyer of Cape Girardeau, Caleb & Kayla Staley of Benton, Kentucky, Rachael & Michael Becker of Columbia, Missouri, Casey & Brian Lovett of Benton, Kentucky, Jacob Ward of Farmington, Andrew Ward of Columbia Missouri; seven great grandchildren, Mia Holden, Owen Staley, Lennon Ferrell, Evan & Aiden Staley & Mason and Madden Lovett. Other relatives and many friends also survive. In addition to his parents and wife he was preceded in death by one brother, Marsh Watkins, one great grand daughter, Lillian Holden, and one daughter-in-law, Susan Watkins.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home Dexter, Missouri.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday February 27, 2019 at 11:00 am in the Watkins & Sons Funeral Chapel Dexter, Missouri with the Rev. Mike Williams of Dexter officiating.

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

David Ray Denkins, 67 of Dexter, son of the late William Cletus and Julia Victoria Menley, was born and passed away in Dexter Missouri. David passed away peacefully at his home that he shared with his son Glyn Denkins on, February 22, 2019, with his family at bedside.

David lived in Dexter most of his life. He was a diesel mechanic for years before becoming disabled. David enjoyed spending time with friends & family, whether he was going fishing, camping, working together in the garden or flowers beds, as long as his loved ones were there he was a happy man.

Pappys grandchildren will always hold a special place in his heart. Emma Thorn, Ellie Thorn, Tex, Ritter, & Tesla Ritter; Danielle Whitaker, Tony Shaffer, Destiny Hicks, Emily Hicks, Samarah Hicks, Hannah Emory. Four great grandchildren with one more on the way.

Survivors include one daughter Julia Thorn of Bloomfield; two sons David Lee Peacock & Glyn Denkins; two brothers, Ted Denkins & Bill Denkins. Many relatives and friends also survive. He was preceded in death by three sisters; Betty Acton, Shirley Jeter, and Wilena Thompkins.

Visitations will be held on Monday February 25, 2019 from 5 pm - 8 pm at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri.

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

Wendell Hays Turner, son of the late Roy Cleo Turner and Opal Vivian Hays, was born in Clarkton, Missouri on February 27, 1942 and departed this life at his residence in Bernie, Missouri on February 21, 2019 at the age of 76.

Mr. Turner was a history teacher for 8th and 9th grade students at Bernie Public Schools, Coached Junior High Boys Basketball for 18 years and also Coached Girls High School Soft Ball for 12 years. He also was a farmer and an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Dexter, Missouri and a resident of Bernie.

He was united in marriage to Doris Ann Robinson in Bernie, Missouri on August 21, 1964. Mrs. Turner survives at their home in Bernie.

Other survivors include two sons, Marcus Turner & wife Renee of Crestwood, Kentucky and Kyle Turner & wife Stacy of Mt. Washington, Kentucky; by one brother, Dwight Turner of St. Louis, Missouri; by five granddaughters, Miranda Turner, Isabelle Turner, Lauren Turner, Emily Turner and Hannah Turner.

Friends may call at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, Missouri on Sunday, February 24, 2019 from 1:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M.

Funeral services will then be conducted at 4:00 P.M. in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with Rev. Steven Moody officiating.

Interment will follow in the Chalk Bluff Cemetery in Rural Dexter, Missouri. Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

In Lieu of flowers memorials may be made to:

Bernie Public Schools Athletic Department

Or to the History Program.