Clyde Allen Dixon 73, well known area educator, school administrator, and auctioneer, died peacefully at his home on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, surrounded by the family he so loved.

Clyde was born in Dexter, Missouri on May 20, 1945, the son of Clyde Curtis Dixon and Ella Mae McKee Dixon.

On August 28, 1965, Clyde married Melinda Gaines in Dexter.  The two shared 53 years of marriage.  His wife survives, along with their children Dr. Nancy (John) Langley of Essex, Missouri, Cathy (Dr. Michael) Clippard of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, John (Lecia) Dixon of Bloomfield, Missouri, and six grandchildren: Sarah Catherine Langley, Noah Joseph Langley, Anna Catherine Clippard, William Andrew Clippard, Eli Jacob Michael Dixon, and Owen Lane Dixon. 

Also surviving one brother, Robert (Kay) Dixon of Springfield, Missouri, sister-in-law, Betty Dixon of Jackson, Missouri, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Clyde was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Dexter where he served as a deacon and part of the church’s media ministry.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Kenneth Dixon and Darrell Dixon.

He began his education at Greenwood School before the local schools consolidated.  After graduating from Dexter High School in 1963, Clyde earned his BA, MA, and Ed.S from Southeast Missouri State University.  

His first teaching position was at East Prairie Junior High where he taught Math and Special Education.  He also was the Assistant Coach of High School Basketball.  He then moved to Dexter to teach Junior High Math and was Assistant Football Coach to Clyde Vaughn.  His first administrative position was at Bloomfield High School, followed by being Principal at Richland Elementary.  Clyde completed his 34 years in education serving as Principal at Southwest Elementary School in Dexter.  After retirement, he continued to operate Dixon Auction Service for many years.  Pursuing his goal to “make memories”, Clyde enjoyed cruising with his wife and close friends, Bev and Roy Darter, and spending time with family.

Clyde Dixon was a giant of a figure, literally and figuratively, standing at about 6 foot, 4 inches and with a trademark blaze of red hair.

In his final days, Clyde was asked how he would like to be remembered.  He considered his response only briefly and said, “I hope I’m remembered as a fair man- in education and in business.  I always tried to treat everyone fairly.”

Generations of children would benefit from Clyde’s fair treatment, his wisdom, and his ability to bring the best out in every student.  His genuine concern for the safety and well-being of all those under his care will not soon be forgotten.  

Visitation will take place at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri on Saturday, March 9, 2019 from 5:00 p.m until 7:00 p.m.  A Memorial Service will be held in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel on Sunday, March 10, 2019 at 2:00 p.m, with Pastor Mark Smith and Pastor Don Kennedy officiating.  Burial will follow in Dexter Cemetery.  

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Media Dept., 11 W. Castor St., Dexter, Mo 63841.

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

Michael Duane Barnes, son of Irene Barnes was born in Dexter, Missouri on November 3, 1971 and departed this life at St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri on March 4, 2019 at the age of 47.

Mr. Barnes was a resident of Parma, Missouri.

Survivors include his mother, Irene Barnes of Parma, Missouri; by one daughter, Mendy Henderson-Morrow of Champaign, Illinois; also by other relatives and friends.

Friends may call at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, Missouri on Sunday, March 10, 2019 from 11:00 A.M. Until 12:00 P.M. 

Funeral Services will then be conducted at 12:00 P.M. in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Bernie with Rev. Alvin Hightower officiating. 

Interment will follow in Macedonia Cemetery, Malden, Missouri. 

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

James (Jimmy) Ray Riddle, son of Betty Taylor Riddle and the late Orville James Riddle, was born on July 5, 1950 in Holcomb, Missouri and departed this life on March 6, 2019 at his residence in Wappapello, Missouri at the age of 68 years.

Mr. Riddle was a line worker for Emerson Electric in Kennett, Missouri.

He is survived by his mother, Betty Riddle of Holcomb, Missouri; by one daughter, Cindy Wamble and husband Ryan of Holcomb, Missouri; by one brother, Jeff Riddle of Dexter, Missouri; by one sister, Brenda McCain and husband Carl of Gideon, Missouri; by two grandchildren Leah Robey and husband Drew and Myca Sutton; also, by other nieces and nephews.  

Other than by his father, he was preceded in death by one brother, Billy Riddle.

A memorial service is being planned for a later date.

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

John Steinmann Jr. was born on January 29, 1939 in Keokuk, Iowa to the late John F. Steinmann Sr. and Lavinnea Adaline Willis Steinmann and departed this life on March 3, 2019 at the Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 80.

Mr. Steinmann grew up in Kahoka, Missouri where he and his brother George became the owner operators of the Kahoka Cheese Company established in 1936 by their father. The cheese factory provided a source of employment for the small town for almost 50 years making 1,000 pounds of cheese daily which was distributed throughout the country.  Mr. Steinmann was an active citizen of Kahoka and member of the United Church of Christ.

John Steinmann graduated from the University of Missouri at Columbia and entered the Navy as a commissioned officer during the Cold War serving as a ship navigator.  He participated in the Cuban Missile Crisis blockade. While in the Navy he married Charlotte Hein in 1961 while stationed in California and together they raised their three children in Kahoka Missouri. He was a lover of history and earned his Master’s degree in history from Truman University in Kirksville, Missouri where he lived prior to coming to Dexter.

Survivors include one son, John F. Steinmann III (Barbara) of Chapman, Nebraska,; two daughters, Lynda Jo LaFrenz (Steve) of Kearney, Missouri and Jana Flannigan (Charlie) of Dexter, Missouri; by one brother, George Steinmann of Springfield, Missouri; three sisters, Margaret Willis of Camp Pointe, Illinois; Schatzi McMillen of Door County Wisconsin and Mary Rowe of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin; by eight grandchildren, Kaitlyn LaFrenz, Aaron LaFrenz, John Steinmann, Jordan Steinmann, Jenae Steinmann, Adam Flannigan (Toni), Alan Flannigan, and Selana Flannigan; also by one great-grandchild, Persephone Flannigan.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife Peggy Estes Steinmann of Kirksville, Missouri.

Memorial service will be conducted on April 19, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri with Rev. Ron Beaton officiating will full military rites. 

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

William Roy Absher, son of the late Roy Marteen and Vernace P. Tweedy Marteen was born on December 2, 1943 in St. Louis, Missouri and departed this life on March 1, 2019 at his residence in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 75 years.

Mr. Absher worked as a U S Geological Mapping Surveyor.  He was a former line worker at the Purina Factory in Bloomfield.  He was a member of the Risen Church in Dexter and was also a resident of Dexter.

On April 23, 1983 He was united in marriage to Carla Sue Jackson in Dexter, Missouri.  Mrs. Absher survives of the home in Dexter.

Besides his wife, Carla, he is survived by two step-sons, Samuel Aaron Davison of Bloomfield, Missouri and James Richard Davison of St. Joseph, Missouri; one step-daughter, Amanda Davison of Dexter, Missouri; two sisters, Brenda Roberts of St. Louis, Missouri and Beverly Brown, Dexter, Missouri; five grandchildren and many relatives and friends.

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