June Blakeney Manlove passed away Monday, September 7, 2020. She was born June 15, 1922 in La Veta, Colorado. She is survived by five sons, Dexter, Clifford, Mark, Jon and Kirk and one daughter, Donna McGhee. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren, Clifford III, Bill, Erica, Scott, Elise, Todd, Shelby, Cameron, Kaitlyn, Hunter and Lindsey and five great-grandchildren, Bella, Carter, Fisher, Luke and Reid.
She was raised by her Mother, Blanche and stepfather, Diamond Blakeney in Dexter, Missouri. In 1938, June was crowned Miss Dexter. She also met her husband to be, Clifford T. Manlove in Dexter. They went on to marry March 16, 1942 at the height of World War II and remained married for 73 years until Clifford’s passing in 2015.
June met the demands of being a military wife by raising children while moving across the country and around the world. It started with two toddlers while moving to Panama and adding a third while there. From there she moved the growing family to Texas while Clifford attended university. After that was a move to Ohio and the family grew to four. She then packed the family again and moved on to the Netherlands. After the Netherlands, it was off to Missouri with an additional toddler in tow, five boys in total.
That wasn’t the end of the travels by any means from, there it was back to Ohio and then off to the Philippines. Finally, after dropping 3 sons off at colleges along the way, it was back to Dexter, Missouri for retirement and adding Donna to the family.
She spent her entire life in service in one form or another, whether it was her family or others in need. She spent 30 years working with the Red Cross helping those less fortunate than herself. Even in retirement her and Clifford took in foster children helping them find a permanent place to live.
She also enjoyed life and there wasn’t a week that went by when she didn’t have a bridge club meeting at the house with at least 4 tables playing. She lived life to the fullest and rarely compromised on what was important. Family was at the top of the list for June and she made sure all felt welcome in her house.
There will be a private family service with her burial following. Please keep June in your remembrances.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.
Faith Anne Blake, daughter of the late Thomas McGinnis and Eva Duemmel McGinnis, was born on November 27, 1956 in Rochester, New York, and departed this life on September 13, 2020 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri at the age of 63 Years.
Mrs. Blake was a former cosmetologist. She attended the Bernie Church of Christ and was a resident of Dexter, Missouri.
She was united in marriage to Melvin Blake in 2011. Mr. Blake preceded her in death on August 26, 2020.
She is survived by her son, George Dawson & wife Ashley of Dexter, Missouri; by two daughters, Rosemary Papalia & husband Anthony of Ruskin, Florida and Crystal Dawson & husband Nicholas of Kansas City, Kansas; by her step-son, Kenneth Turner & wife Carol of Campbell, Missouri; by her step-daughter, Beth Blake of Bernie, Missouri; by her brother Thomas McGinnis & wife Patty of Rochester, New York; by four sisters, Cindy McGinnis, Hope McGinnis, Tracy Rendsland, and Tammy Parker & husband Cliff, all of Rochester, New York; by sixteen grandchildren, Richard James Brown Jr, Paul Arlo Brown, Aniya Rose Brown, Madison Rose Papalia, Timothy Roe, Elizabeth Roe, Jonathan James, Zachary McDonald, Hailey McKuin, Joseph Marines, Loukas Marines, Raychel Robison, Elyzabeth Robison, Kylee Hurdle, Damian Hurdle, and Seth Dawson; by 6 step-grandchildren; and by many nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Other than by her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Julie Hooverson; by her niece, Bryanna; and by her uncle, Howard “Sonny” McGinnis.
Friends may call at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 from 11:00 P.M. to 1:00 P.M.
A memorial service will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Chapel on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at 1:00 P.M. with Stan Dauck Officiating.
Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie is in charge of all arrangements.
Tom “Sonny” Meritt, son of the late Roy “Poss” Meritt and Pauline Barfield Meritt, was born on November 13, 1937 in Gray Ridge, Missouri, and departed this life on September 9, 2020 at his residence near Essex, Missouri, at the age of 82 years.
Mr. Meritt was a Veteran of the United States Army, serving in a Field Artillery Unit. He was a former farmer and a member of the Olive Branch General Baptist Church near Essex.
He was united in marriage to Gayle Ott on July 25, 1958 in Circle City, Missouri. Mrs. Meritt preceded him in death on December 22, 2019.
He is survived by his son, Darin Meritt of Essex; by his sister, Joan Peters of Dexter; by his granddaughter, Victoria Meritt; and by several nieces, nephews, relatives and close friends.
Other than by his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Meritt and his sister, Marjorie McGuire.
Friends may call at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Saturday, September 19, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Chapel at 12:00 p.m. with Rev. Dudley Hamilton officiating.
Interment will follow in the Chalk Bluff Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.
Thomas “Sunnie” McClard Sr., son of the late Samuel Andrew McClard and Myrtie Rose McClard, was born on October 9, 1938 in Bloomfield, Missouri, and departed this life on September 9, 2020 at his residence in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 81 years.
Mr. McClard was a Veteran of the United States Marine Corp, serving in Vietnam. He was a former painter for McDonnel-Douglas in St. Louis, Missouri, and he was a member of the Dexter VFW Post #2659, Kenady-Hanks American Legion Post #59, and Dexter Elks Lodge #2439.
He was united in marriage to Ruth Halley on November 9, 1982 in Bloomfield, Missouri. Mrs. McClard preceded him in death on August 24, 2002.
He is survived by his son, Thomas McClard Jr. of Fremont, California; by three daughters, Jeanith McClard of Escondido, California, Myrtie Levesque of Nashua, New Hampshire, and Andrea Poggione of Reno, Nevada; by his brother, Sammie McClard of Bloomfield, Missouri; by his cousin, who was more like a brother, Bob Ellis of St. Charles, Missouri; by nine grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren; and by his devoted nephew, Andrew McClard.
Other than by his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Jerry McClard and Harold McClard.
By his wishes, no services will be planned.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.
Larry B. Stanfield, son of the late Rondell Stanfield and Ruby Fralick Stanfield was born in Bernie, Missouri on July 5, 1941 and departed this life at General Baptist Nursing Home in Campbell, Missouri on September 10, 2020 at the age of 79.
Mr. Stanfield was a Veteran of the United States Army, had worked in Maintenance and Plumbing at Housing Units.
He was united in marriage to Lois W. Barber. Mrs. Stanfield preceded her husband in death.
Other Survivors include his sister, Elaine Hemker of Sesser, Illinois; also by other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death other than by his parents and his wife, by two sons, Larry Allen Stanfield and James Ronnie Stanfield.
Friends may call at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, Missouri on Saturday, September 12, 2020 from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M.
Funeral Services will then be conducted at 1:00 P.M. in the Mathis Funeral Chapel in Bernie with Rev. Steve Fitzpatrick officiating. Interment will follow in Bernie Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home of Bernie in charge of all arrangements.
