Shelia Elaine Brown, daughter of the late Freddie Leroy Kenshalo and Betty Sue Houltzhouser Kenshalo, was born on June 28, 1960, in Morehouse, Missouri, and lost her year-long battle with cancer on August 30, 2023, at Southeast Health in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at the age of 63 years.
Mrs. Brown was a former railroad transportation van driver. She attended the Bernie General Baptist Church in Bernie, Missouri and was a resident of Dexter, Missouri.
On February 14, 2004, in Scott City, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Richard Brown Jr. Mr. Brown preceded her in death on July 6, 2022.
She is survived by her son, Kelly Cagle of Dexter, Missouri; by her daughter, Brandy Cagle of Dexter, Missouri; and by four grandchildren, Payson Rose Cagle, Addisynn Tipton, Rylan Cagle, and Stetsen Collins.
Other than by her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Michael Kenshalo; and by three sisters, Terry Cobb, Brenda Williams, and Betty Fowler.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Steve Fitzpatrick officiating. Interment will follow in the Hagy Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
John Kester, son of the late Arthur Kester and Jessie Lee Cunningham Kester, was born on November 16, 1951, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and departed this life surrounded by his family on August 29, 2023, at Winchester Nursing Center in Bernie, Missouri, at the age of 71 years.
Mr. Kester was a former employee of Federal Mogul and Brown Shoe Company in Bernie and Charleston, Missouri. He enjoyed fishing and loved classic cars and RC Planes.
He is survived by two sons, Terry Kester and wife Rosetta of Dexter, Missouri and Phillip Kester of Bernie, Missouri; by two sisters, Judy Bryant and Donna Robinson both of Dexter, Missouri, and by six grandchildren, Zach Kester, Toby Kester, Warren Kester, Kaitlynne Raymond, Kenadie Simmons, and Kannon Whitney.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Crystal Kester Whitney; by his brother, Dale Kester, and by his sister, Maria Teets.
A memorial service is being planned for a later date.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Ella Marie Blankenship of Dexter, Missouri, the daughter of the late Chester and Catherine Isabell (Putney) Cook was born in Geary, Indiana, on December 3, 1941, and passed from this life in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, on August 24, 2023, at the age of 81 years.
Ella lived in the Southeast Missouri area most of her life, and was of the Christian Faith. Ella enjoyed cooking and baking and working as owner of Ella's Cafe in the Cottonbelt for numerous years. She had also cooked and served for many years prior to purchasing the restuarant when it was called Eastside Cafe. She enjoyed her work, word puzzles, speaking to everyone because she never met a stranger, but most importantly spending time with family and friends and spoiling grandchildren.
She is survived by five daughters, Rhonda (Randy) Manes of Sikeston, Missouri; Tammy Creg of Vanita, Oklahoma; Paula Sneed of Dexter, Missouri; Melissa (Marvin) Robinson of Poplar Bluf, Missouri; and Gwen Joyce of Marshfield, Missouri; two brothers, Jackie Cook of Sikeston, Missouri; and Jimmy Cook of Dexter, Missouri; one sister, Kay McEnaney of St. Charles, Missouri; nine grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; as well as a host of family and friends.
Ella was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Tony Gene Blankenship; one brother, Gary Cook and one sister, Joyce Limbaugh.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. untill 1:00 p.m at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Chapel In Dexter, Missouri, with funeral service to follow with Pastor Charles Robertson of Bloomfield officiating.
Interment will follow at the Hagy Cemetery in Dexter, Missouri, with Watkins And Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements.
Beverley J. Henderson, daughter of the late John Carlos Pflueger and Ora B. Condict, was born on November 11, 1949, in Clines Island, Missouri, and departed this life on August 25, 2023, at her residence in Bernie, Missouri, at the age of 73 years.
Mrs. Henderson was of the Baptist Faith and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
On October 14, 1967, in Malden, Missouri, she was united in marriage to James W. Henderson. Mr. Henderson preceded her in death on October 29, 2020.
She is survived by her daughter Toni Brigman and husband Guy of Altus, Oklahoma; by three sons, John Henderson and wife Trudy of Bernie, Missouri, Rob Henson and wife Tyra Gene of Dexter, Missouri, and Roy Boyce and wife Ashley of Bloomfield, Missouri; by three brothers, Paul Pflueger, Pete Pflueger, and Dwight Pflueger, all of Ellsinore, Missouri; by her sister, Betty Gifford of Arnold, Missouri; by eight grandchildren, Aeriel, Briana, Ashton, Clayton, Piper, Dakota, Skyla, and Illysa; and by six great-grandchildren, Christopher, Ellora, Marilee, Bjorn, Maverick, and Berkeley.
Other than by her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Ron Pflueger; and by two sisters, Aloma Drummond, and Janet Gottner.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Gary Dale Fuqua, son of the late Dale and Eva Kilmer Fuqua was born on April 4, 1962, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and departed this life on August 23, 2023, at his residence in Bloomfield, Missouri, at the age of 61.
Gary was a veteran of the United State Marine Corp, and a truck driver. He enjoyed fishing for catfish and hunting. He was in the honors band in high school that led him to an enjoyment of music. His true love was his wife, kids and grandchildren and he would do anything for all of them.
On April 7, 1994, he was united in marriage to Lisa Williamson in Dexter, Missouri. Mrs. Fuqua survives of their home in Bloomfield.
Other than by his wife, Lisa, he is survived by one son, Luke Fuqua and wife Alison of Bell City, Missouri; by four daughters, Jeri Ann Fuqua of Bloomfield, Missouri, Robyn Dellacca and husband Ben of Autryville, North Carolina, Angela Paige Fuqua of Zalma, Missouri and Lori Lee Robinson of Dexter, Missouri; and by nine grandchildren, Carson, Lennon, Zoey, Gracie, Dominic, Gavin, Jace, Laith and Preston.
Other than by his parents he was preceded in death by his brother, Michael Fuqua.
A memorial service will be held at the American Legion building in Dexter on Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri is assisting the family with arrangements
