Lois Marjorie Launius Vaughn, 95, passed away peacefully on September 22, 2019, after a short illness, at Heisinger Bluffs, Jefferson City, MO.
She was born March 9, 1924, to Dwight Thomas Launius and Elma Ada Aslin in Bloomfield, MO. She was united in marriage to Clyde A. Vaughn September 13, 1945, at First Christian Church in Dexter, MO. He preceded her in death 2015. Together they had four children: LTG(r) Clyde Alan Vaughn (Carol), Winchester, VA; Susan Lynne Vaughn, Jefferson City, MO; Dwight Thomas Vaughn, New Orleans, LA., and Harold Dean Vaughn, who died in infancy. She is also survived by two grandchildren: Kristina Meltvedt (Robert), Front Royal, VA and LTC(P) Chad Vaughn (Jennifer), Kailua, HI; and four great grandchildren, Drew, Parker, Jeb, and Kaylee Lou.
Lois was a devoted mother and grandmother who never failed to attend football games, graduation ceremonies, concerts, and recitals near and far, as well as events in support of her husband, who was a member of the Missouri National Guard. She was an integral part of her grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s lives who will forever have great memories of card games, fish fries, and her many stories. She was a member of the Dexter American Legion Auxiliary; VFW; and Dexter First Christian Church.
She could out fish anyone and was known for her sharp business sense, quick wit and fiery personality. She enjoyed history, genealogy, and embraced new technology and kept in touch via social media.
Lois is survived by her children and grandchildren, and one sister, Ruth Ann Fritsen, Hamilton, MT, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by siblings: Lillian Skelton, Louise Halstead, Russell Launius, Kent Launius, Doy Launius, and Doyle Launius.
Visitation for family and friends will be from noon until 1:30 p.m. Friday, September 27, 2019 at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.
A celebration of life service will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to: The Ben Kruse 18 FORE Life Foundation, c/o Scott Kruse, 705 Laurie Circle, Dexter MO 63841; The National Stars and Stripes Museum and Library, PO Box 1861, 17377 Stars & Stripes Way, Bloomfield MO 63825 or the Stoddard County Children’s Home Tribute Fund, PO Box 164, Dexter MO 63841.
Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.
Ira “Conway” Leathers, son of the late Lewis Bill Leathers and Susie Absher Leathers, was born on October 11, 1947 in Dexter, Missouri and departed this life on Monday, September 23, 2019 at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Missouri at the age of 71 years.
Mr. Leathers was a veteran of the United States Army and a member of the First Pentecostal Church in Dexter. From 1974 to 1995, he operated the can presser for Purolator in Dexter and from 1996 to 2003, he was a cabinet maker for W. W. Wood Products in Dudley. He loved Jesus, his family and the St. Louis Cardinals.
On November 6, 1968, in Dexter, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Jennolia Ann Shipley. Mrs. Leathers survives of their home in Sikeston.
In addition to his wife, Jennolia, he is survived by his son, Cory Leathers and wife Kim of Chantilly, Virginia; by his daughter, Gloria Young of Bernie, Missouri; by two brothers, James Leathers of Elsberry, Missouri and Danny Leathers of Dexter, Missouri; by his sister, Patty Leathers of Dexter, Missouri; and by two grandchildren, Austin Leathers and Dylan Young.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Todd Young, by two brothers, Bill Leathers and Larry Leathers; and by two sisters, Christine Tibbs and Geraldine Warren.
Friends may call at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Wednesday, September 25, 2019 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, September 25, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Jeff Wells officiating.
Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, with full military honors.
Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.
Jimmy Ray Smith departed peacefully from his life and entered the gates of Heaven on September 20, 2019, at the Southeast Heath Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
Jimmy was born on March 28, 1949 to the late Ray Smith and Arvella Brown Smith. He was united in marriage to Charlotte Westrich on July 26, 1969 in Chaffee, Missouri. Mrs. Smith survives of the home in Chaffee and had recently celebrated a beautiful milestone of 50 years together as husband and wife.
Jimmy was a 1967 graduate of Chaffee High School. While attending, He excelled as a left-handed pitcher for the high school baseball team. Jimmy was an avid St. Louis Cardinal Baseball and Kentucky Wildcats Basketball fan. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Chaffee, having served as a past deacon, and was a United States Veteran of the Vietnam War. He retired with Craftsman Independent Union as a pipefitter, a very proud grandpa to his two grandchildren, and a resident of Chaffee.
Besides his loving wife Charlotte, survivors include one daughter, Kimberly Pennington (Ryan) of Chaffee; grandson Trenton Pennington (Jessica) of Chaffee; granddaughter, Kylea Pennington of Chaffee; one sister, Cathy Imhoff (Harry) of Chaffee; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Elmer and Janet Schaefer of Oran, and father-in-law and mother-in-law Charles and Marcella Westrich of Chaffee, along with several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother-in-law, Elmer Trost.
Friends may call at the Amick-Burnett Funeral Home from 9:00 until 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, September 25, 2019. Funeral services will then be conducted on Wednesday at 11:00 A.M. in the Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel with Rev. Phil Berry officiating. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery with full military honors.
Maxine Daniel of Dexter, daughter of the late Leslie Harrison and Frona Francis Stuart, was born in St. Louis, Missouri on March 24, 1924, and passed away at the Winchester Nursing Center in Bernie on September 19, 2019, at the age of 95 years, 5 months and 26 days.
She had lived in Dexter most of her life. She had worked as a bank teller and Bookkeeping Dept. Supervisor and as a caseworker with the Stoddard County Family Service office. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Dexter where she had taught youth and adult Sunday School, sang in the choir, and was a member of the Christian Women's Fellowship, Church Women United and the second woman elected to serve as an Elder at the church. She had also served on the Keller Library Board for nine years and was a member of Chapter CP B.P.O. She enjoyed cooking and entertaining her friends and family, painting, needlework, word games and crossword puzzles.
On October 25, 1945, she married A. Bradley Daniel in Dexter, Missouri. He preceded her in death on January 16, 1998.
Surviving are one son and wife, Jon & Jo Daniel of Fredericktown; two grandchildren and spouses, Aaron & Lori Daniel of Fulton, Rebecca & Bill Hampton of Springfield; two step-grandchildren, Matthew & Amy Worley, David Worley all of Dexter; four great grandchildren, Emma & Liam Hampton of Springfield, Asher & Benjamin Daniel of Fulton; three step-great grandchildren, Jack, Cooper and Luke Worley all of Dexter. Other relatives and friends also survive. She was preceded in death by one sister, Betty Young and a beloved daughter in law, Cheryl Caudle Daniel.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2019, after 10:00 a.m. at the Watkins & Sons Chapel in Dexter until time of services at 1:00 p.m.
Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery in Dexter, Missouri with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church Building Fund, P O Box 295, Dexter, Missouri 63841.
Drake James Guffey, 14 of Puxico, Missouri died September 14, 2019 in the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis Missouri.
He was born March 1, 2005 in Poplar Bluff to Brian and Jessica Guffey.
Drake was a freshman at Puxico high school. He was a member of the F.F.A (Future Farmers of America), F.B.L.A. (Future Business Leaders of America), F.C.C.L.A. (Family Career and Community Leaders of America). He excelled at basketball and baseball and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed competing in the Wappapello Bass Circuit and Angler’s Choice and Bass Tournament.
Drake was an ambitious young man and It was evident after sustaining his injuries how much the community loved him and how much of an influence he had on countless people during his young life. Several communities across the nation lifted him up in prayer during his valiant fight. The city and outlying communities are in mourning along with Drake’s family.
At an early age, Drake understood God’s love for him. He accepted Jesus as his personal savior and was Baptized at 9 years old on March 30, 2014.
Along with his father, Brian Guffey (Heather Allen) and mother Jessica Fleeman (Phillip), Drake is survived by one sister Shelby Bollinger (A.J.); grandparents Jim Nelson and Kathy “Gig” Nelson and Marilyn Fox; two special cousins Morgyn Nelson and Austin Harbin; Along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and friends.
Complete funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be released in short order.
