James L Darby, 95, formerly of Dexter, passed away on Thursday, December 22, 2022 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. James was born near Essex on January 14, 1927 to Grace M. Grim Darby and John “Albert” Darby.
James graduated from Essex High School then served in the Army from 1945-46. He married Margrite Moore on January 31, 1947 and she preceded him in death on October 14, 2001. He later married Pansy Link on January 18, 2003. Pansy died on April 17, 2020.
He had worked at many jobs over the years, but he officially retired after 25 years at International Hat Factory. After retirement he enjoyed doing various odd jobs for people.
He loved to go fishing and camping, especially at Clearwater. Before the nursing home he loved playing Dominos with family and friends. At the Veterans Home he enjoyed Bingo and very seldom missed a game. He seemed to always be lucky and would brag about how much he won.
James attended New Bethel General Baptist Church in Dexter
Survivors include son, Jerry Darby of Malden, daughter, Paula (Richard) Holekamp, of Jackson, MO, one sister, Virginia Weiher of St. Charles and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wives, his daughter in law, Susan Darby and his sister, Dorothy Farrar.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with the funeral following at 11:30 with Rev. Jerry Darby officiating. Burial will be at Essex Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Missouri Veterans Home Foundation, 2400 Veterans Memorial Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 to their activities/bingo fund.
Fritz Asher Whitmer, son of the late Fritz Whitmer and Gertrue Raines Womble, was born on June 29, 1942, in Butler County, Missouri, and departed this life on December 21, 2022, at his residence, at the age of 80 years.
Mr. Whitmer was a former owner and distributor for Interstate Battery for 26 years. He attended the Lake Wappapello United Methodist Church, and he was a member of the Hidden Trails Country Club. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding motorcycles and traveling.
On March 6, 1998, in Jackson, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Cynthia Ham of Sikeston, Missouri.
In addition to his wife Cynthia, he is survived by his son, Fritz Whitmer Jr. and wife Cynthia of Springfield, Missouri; by his daughter, Debbie Brunk of Fredericktown, Missouri; by his brother, Chester Whitmer of Fredericktown, Missouri; by two grandchildren, Sarah Groves, and Joey Brunk; and by two great-grandchildren, Mae Lou Watson, and Samantha Watson.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Larry Brunk.
No services are currently planned.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Thomas Jearl Dement, son of the late Oscar Lee Dement and Georgia Deroush Dement, was born on October 20, 1954, in Dexter, Missouri, and departed this life on December 20, 2022, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at the age of 68 years.
In his high school years, Mr. Dement was a stand-out high school wrestler and football player for the Dexter Bearcats. He held many jobs throughout his lifetime, but was most notably known for his work as a self-employed cabinet builder and owner of Dement’s Custom Cabinets. It was in his cabinet shop where many apprenticed and learned the trade under him. For a time, he even taught a building trades class for a not-for-profit organization. Besides cabinet building, Mr. Dement loved his time as an over-the-road truck driver where he was able to see so much of the country. He would take his camera with him and loved to share his experiences with anyone who had the time to sit a while, especially while sharing a cup of coffee. While passionate about many things, including Honda Gold Wing Motorcycles, nothing held a candle to his love for Jesus. Mr. Dement was a gifted teacher of the Word of God and loved to share his redemption story. He had a passion for helping others, especially when teaching a new converts or overcomers class at his church, Lighthouse Christian Church in Dexter, Missouri.
Mr. Dement is lovingly survived by his three children. He is survived by two daughters Heather Vaughn and husband Richard of Bloomfield, Missouri, Jennifer DeVore and husband Chris of Bloomfield, Missouri, and one son, Thomas Allen Dement of Dexter, Missouri; by four brothers, David Dement of Bartlett, Tennessee, Mike Dement of Peru, Kansas, Bob Dement of Dexter, Missouri, and James Dement of Dexter, Missouri; and by four grandchildren, Bailey Vaughn, Bryant Vaughn, Andrew Devore, and Emma Devore.
Visitation will be held at the Lighthouse Christian Church in Dexter on Monday, December 26, 2022, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted at the Lighthouse Christian Church on Monday, December 26, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. with his best friend and long-time pastor, Rev. Tim Russell officiating. Interment will follow in Hagy Cemetery in Dexter.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Scotty David Ray of Puxico, Missouri son of Dava Ray was born on July 19, 1971 in St. Louis, Missouri, passed from this life on December 20, 2022 at Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 51.
Scotty lived most of his life near Puxico, Missouri. He was of the Christian Faith. He liked to fish, enjoyed woodworking and was the type who never met a stranger. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
Scotty was preceded in death by one daughter McKayla Dawn; his grandparents Dave and Tennia Ray; one aunt Debbie Alaniz.
Scotty is survived by his mother; one son Gatlin Ray of Puxico, Missouri; one daughter Emily Ray and Fiancé Lance of Puxico, Missouri; one aunt Vicky Parker of Wichita, Kansas; three grandkids Paisley, Winston, Wrenley as well as a host of family and friends.
A visitation service will be conducted on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at the Watkins And Sons Funeral Chapel in Puxico, Missouri from 10:00 A.M. till 11:00 A.M. with a memorial service to follow with Brother Chuck Clark Officiating. Watkins And Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements.
Pauletta Darlene Beck, daughter of the late Paul Teets and Jewel McCain Teets, was born in Bloomfield, Missouri on May 10, 1949 and departed this life at Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County, in Dexter, Missouri on December 14, 2022 at the age of 73.
Mrs. Beck was a ordained minister, having performed marriages for all her grandchildren, was a Children’s Author, Artist and a Bible teacher at the Nursing Home. She had attended Nazarene Church and First Assembly of God Church in Bernie.
She was united in marriage to Barry Van Beck in Malden, Missouri on October 24, 1970. Mr. Beck survives in their home in Bernie.
Other survivors include one son, Kevin Beck of Bartlett, Tennessee; by three daughters, Michelle Beck and Jayme Beck both of Bernie, Missouri and Cheryl Bates of Wappapello, Missouri; by six grandchildren, Renee Willis, Randy Kelm, Greg Zimmerman, Christopher McKuin, Dustin Bates and Abigail Bates; by nine great-grandchildren, Justin Willis, Tori Sides, Seth Zimmerman, Scyler Zimmerman, Connor Shell, Chandler Bates, Cheyanne Kelm, Jackson Kelm and Aria McKuin; by two great-great-grandchildren, Jaxton Willis and Weston Sides; also by other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and by three brothers and one sister.
Friends may call at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, Missouri on Monday, December 19, 2022 from 11:30 A.M. until 2:00 P.M.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Chapel in Bernie at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Dale Hartle officiating.
Interment will follow in Bernie Cemetery. Mathis Funeral Home of Bernie is assisting with arrangements.
