Gayle Henson was born on March 11, 1936, in Lavalle, MO to Ben and Gertie Henson. Gayle departed this life on September 1, 2023, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center at the age of eighty-seven. 

Gayle resided in Dexter, MO since the 1960's. She never married and lived with her sister and brother-in-law Ruth and Ike Griffey. Gayle was known for generosity and hard work ethic. She loved cooking, gardening, crocheting, and making doll house-size crafts from scrap tin. Through the years Gayle helped care for horses, cows, pigs, chickens, dogs, and cats. She loved being outside fishing, hunting deer, picking wild blackberries and polk, also going to the sale barn. She was always looking for a good bargain and most of the time found one.

Gayle was preceded in death by her parents and many siblings. She was also preceded in death by two nephews, Roger "Butch" Griffey and Terry Griffey.

Gayle is survived by one nephew Roy Don Griffey of Wappapelo, Rene Henson of Michigan; three great nieces Paula Griffey White of Wappapelo, and Angie Seabuagh (Matt Seabaugh) of Sikeston, MO, and Jessie Glander of Michigan; two great nephews Andrew Webster (Mindy Webster) of Kennett, MO, Chris Webster of Kennett, MO. Gayle is also survived by three great great nephews Ethan Kirkley of White Hall AR, JJ Seabaugh of Sikeston, MO, Raiden Webster of Kennett; two great great neices Ariel Webster and Tayzie Webster of Kennett, MO.

Through the years Gayle would find joy in assisting children with school supplies and attending her nieces' and nephews' 

sports and activities.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday September 5th, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Sadler Chapel Cemetery.  Rev. Jason Whitson of Boekerton Baptist Church in Portageville, MO will be officiating. 

Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.

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.