Benjiman P Vardell (Benny) of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, son of the late Brady B and Hazel M Vardell born on July 24, 1947 in Puxico, Missouri and passed away on January 26, 2022 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri of cardiac arrest at the age of 74 years.
Benjiman was a railroad engineer and a rancher until his retirement in 2008.
Benjiman is survived by two sisters Linda Vardell of Baldwin, Missouri and Kim (Bob) Lee of Puxico, Missouri; two nephews Stan (Lori) Vardell of Jonesboro, Arkansas and Tony (Ashley) Lee of Jackson, Missouri; three nieces Vicki (Brian) Stewart of Texarkana, Arkansas, Lisa (Callum) Reavey of Piedmont, Missouri and Amanda (Charlie) Kayser of Addis, Louisiana. He was preceded in death by his parents Brady and Hazel Vardell, two brothers Urah Vardell of Texarkana, Arkansas and Jarrell Vardell; one niece Amber Lee of Puxico, Missouri. A host of family and friends also survive.
Visitation will be held on Friday January 28, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Puxico, Missouri.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday January 29, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Puxico, Missouri with Rev. Callum Reavey of Piedmont, Missouri officiating and Watkins and Sons Funeral Home of Puxico in charge of all arrangements.
Bruce Gillespie, 65, passed away Monday, June 21, 2021, due to unexpected and unrelated complications following a stem cell transplant at Atrium's Carolinas Medical Center-Main in Charlotte, NC.
Bruce was born in Mt. Clemens, MI; the oldest child of Dale and Wava Gillespie. As a military family, they moved frequently during his childhood, and he eventually graduated from high school in Myrtle Beach, SC in 1974. Bruce then found his home and career in Charlotte, NC, where he thrived for more than 40 years in the commercial printing business. Bruce retired in 2019 after co-owning and operating City Graphics for 28 years.
He was a man of few words, but his actions spoke volumes for his character. He was trusted and respected in the business community, had an incredible work ethic, and was very loyal and dedicated to his family and friends. Bruce was mechanically gifted, a creative cook, and loved to be outside in the great outdoors. He enjoyed canoeing the NC rivers and streams with his brother Rodney, and recently took up working with stained glass again.
Bruce is survived by his wife Jane of Charlotte and daughter (his stem cell donor!) Anna of Washington, DC; his father Dale Gillespie (Dorothy) of Bloomfield, MO; brother Rodney (Karin) of Gastonia, NC; sister Gail of Dexter, MO; brother Kyle (Brenda) of Dexter, MO; father-in-law Rich Underwood of Rock Hill, SC, nephews Tyler (Danielle), Zack and Will; nieces Brooke, Rachel and Alex, and many dear friends.
His mother Wava preceded him in death in 2006.
For any who wish to honor Bruce's memory, please consider registering to be a bone marrow donor at bethematch.org or donating to aspca.com.
Gail Renae Gillespie-Conway passed away Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at her residence in Dexter, Missouri. Gail was born in Arlington, Texas, September 3, 1959, the third child of Dale and Wava Gillespie.
As a military family they moved several times across the United States and finally Gail graduated from high school in Sumter, South Carolina. After a tour in the United States Navy, she attended school at Oklahoma State Tech studying commercial art.
On December 14, 2021, she was united in marriage to Steve Conway in Dallas, Texas.
Besides her husband, she is survived by her father, Dale (Dorothy) Gillespie of Bloomfield, Missouri; by two brothers, Rodney (Karin) Gillespie of Gastonia, North Carolina, and Kyle (Brenda) Gillespie of rural Dexter, Missouri; and by her sister-in-law, Jane Gillespie of Charlotte, North Carolina.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Wava (2006) and her brother, Bruce (2021).
After suffering a 45-year fight with Crohn's’ disease, it took her life at age 62. Her wishes are that any memorial donations be given to the Crones Foundation in the study and hopeful cure of this dreaded disease. Crones Foundation, 733 Third Avenue, Suite 510, New York, NY 10017
A graveside service will be held at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield on Monday, January 31, 2021, at 10:00 a.m.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Alvin Smyth Jr., lifelong resident of Dexter, departed this life on January 21, 2022, at Capetown Assisted Living in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at the age of 97 years.
Alvin, the son of the late Alvin Smyth Sr. and Sarah Manion Smyth, was born on December 29, 1924, in Pyletown, Missouri. He graduated from Dexter High School. In June 1944, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served as an Engineer Electrician onboard the U.S.S. Prevail minesweeper in the South Pacific for 2 years during WWII.
After returning from the Navy, he attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. Following graduation, he returned to Dexter and farmed as well as taught Ag classes in the Bloomfield School District. He left Bloomfield to work for Doane Agricultural Services for 15 years and in 1964 he was transferred to the southern region in Memphis, Tennessee.
Missing his Missouri home, he returned with his wife and three daughters to Dexter. He attained his Real Estate Broker and General Real Estate Appraiser Licenses and he opened Alvin Smyth Realty, Inc. During this time, he also acquired several rental properties which he still owned.
Alvin served on the Dexter Memorial Hospital Board for several years. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Dexter.
Alvin enjoyed hunting and fishing with his many friends, spending time at lake homes at Wappapello and Kentucky Lakes and his condo in Perdido Key, Florida. But most importantly he loved spending time with family and friends.
On September 10, 1949, in Dexter, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Hilda Baker. Mrs. Smyth preceded him in death on January 6, 2006.
He is survived by three daughters, Vicki Waldrup (Butch) of Kansas City, Missouri, Beverly Good of Hayden, Colorado, and Susan Richmond (Ron) of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; by his brother, Michael Smyth (Beverly) of Meridian, Idaho, by eight grandchildren, by three great-grandchildren, and many special friends.
Other than by his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, John Smyth and Jim Smyth (Ann); and by two sisters, Mary Ellen Sisler (Jim) and Malinda Allen (Kenneth).
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Thursday, February 10, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, February 10, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. with Mark Snider officiating.
Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
Memorials may be made to 18 Fore Life, c/o Scott Kruse, 705 Laurie Circle, Dexter, Missouri 63841 or the Stoddard County Children’s Home, PO Box 164, Dexter, Missouri 63841.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Curtis Durrell Cooper of Gray Ridge Missouri, son of the late Charles Edward and Mae (Bradshaw) Cooper born on February 18th, 1936 near Sturdivant, Missouri passed away on January 21, 2022 in Sikeston, Missouri at the age of 86 years.
He lived in the Stoddard County area most of his life. Curtis enjoyed working outside in the woods, working as a saw mill operator for many years. Curtis was of the Christian faith.
Curtis is survived by his girlfriend and long time partner, Edna Elles of Dexter, Missouri; one son and two daughters; several grandchildren and many great grandchildren, as well as a host of family and friends.
Curtis was preceded in death by his parents, 4 brothers, and 6 sisters.
Graveside Funeral service and burial will be held at 2:00 P.M on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at Rock Point Cemetery near Swinton Missouri, with Brother James Malloy officiating and Watkins and Sons Funeral Home of Dexter in charge of all arrangements.
Watkins and Sons Funeral Service info@watkinsfuneralhome.com or phone 573-624-3548
