Donald Olen Pickard, son of the late Chester Olen Pickard and Velma Simmons Pickard was born in Florence, Alabama on December 27, 1946 and departed this life surrounded by his loved ones, at his residence in Marble Hill, Missouri on March 1, 2024 at the age of 77.
Don joined the Missouri National Guard on the deferred entry enlistment plan, at the age of 17, in February 1964 and attended drills until he graduated from Bernie, Missouri High School. In August of 1964 he began six months of Army boot camp & Advanced Infantry Training in Fort Jackson South Carolina & Fort Dix New Jersey, Respectively.
In 1967 he optioned to join the US Navy Seabees & was assigned to Mobile Construction Battalion 4 and ultimately was deployed to Vietnam on February 14, 1968. As a result of that deployment, he was awarded accommodations for bravery while serving in combat zones beginning in Da Nang, at the start of the Tet offensive & north to within six miles of the DMZ. Awards included the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, a Certificate for Meritorious Service from General Creighton W. Abrams and Letter of Commendation from his Battalion Commander for his part in building a 20 mile pipe line along National Route One from Wunder Beach to Hi Lang, an area infested with & under constant harassment from the enemy. After his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1969, he joined the St. Louis City Police Department and also served honorably while receiving many accommodations before retiring after 20 years and ten months of service. He then joined the Division of Alcohol & Tabacco and served there until his final retirement in 2009.
He was united in marriage to Phyllis J. Emery in Maryland Heights, Missouri on February 21, 1970. Mrs. Pickard survives in their home in Marble Hill, Missouri.
Other survives include his two sons, Brian D. Pickard & wife Phyllis L. of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Mark T. Pickard & wife Hope of Malden, Missouri; by three grandchildren, Madalyn G. Pickard of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Ian T. Pickard & Payton H. Pickard of Malden, Missouri; by one sister, Shelby Palmatory of Farmington, Missouri; also by other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death other than by his parents, by three brothers, Chester Pickard, Billy Pickard & David Pickard; by three sisters, Infant Betty Lue Pickard, Betty Lue Kitterman & Willodean Kettering.
Friends may call at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, Missouri on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM. Funeral services will then be conducted at 1:00 PM in the Mathis Funeral Chapel in Bernie with Rev. Aulden LeBlanc officiating. Interment will follow in Bernie Cemetery with Full Military Honors.
Mathis Funeral Home of Bernie is assisting with arrangements.
Randy dedicated his career to helping others as a Level I Medical Aide at Ridgeview Assisted Living. His compassionate nature and unwavering commitment to care touched the lives of many.
Outside of his work, Randy found joy in simple pleasures. He loved music and was skilled at playing the guitar. The great outdoors called to him, and he found solace in hunting and fishing. However, above all else, Randy cherished spending time with his family, especially his children. His love for them knew no bounds.
In his passing, Randy leaves behind a legacy of love and fond memories. He is survived by his mother; three sons: Randy Oliver III of Bloomfield; Joey Oliver and David Oliver, both of Portageville, Missouri; as well as his brother Jason Oliver and sister Robin Polley, both of Dexter, as well as a host of family and friends.
Randy was proceeded in death by his father, and one niece, Emily Oliver.
Randy will be dearly missed by many nieces and nephews, extended family members, colleagues, and friends whose lives he enriched with his kindness and warmth.
Visitation services to honor Randy's life will be held on Friday, March 8, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Watkins Funeral Homes in Dexter. A Memorial Service will follow at the same location from 2:00 PM.
In the quiet moments when we feel his absence most keenly, let us remember Randy for the light he brought into our lives and the love that will continue to guide us. May he rest in peace knowing he was cherished beyond measure by all who knew him.
Bonnie Mae Bartlett, daughter of the late Ray White and Gladys Hutchason White, was born on May 16, 1927, in Sikeston, Missouri, and departed this life on March 1, 2024, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at the age of 96 years.
Mrs. Bartlett was a former employee of Hamra’s Department Store, Faye’s Bakery in Dexter, Missouri, and Shorty’s Café in Caruthersville, Missouri. She was a member of Sweet Prospect General Baptist Church in Dexter and a resident of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, formerly of Dexter, Missouri. She was a dedicated volunteer to Dexter Hospital Auxiliary and received The Modern Woodman Volunteer of the Year Award for donating over 2000 hours of her time to the organization.
In 1950, Piggott, Arkansas, she was united in marriage to Howard Bartlett. Mr. Bartlet preceded her in death in 1987.
She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Susan Bartlett of Cape, Girardeau, Missouri; by her sister, Jo Pankey of Dexter, Missouri; by two grandchildren, Leigh Havelick and husband David and Robert Bartlett and wife Amanda; and by four great-grandchildren, Abe, Gus, and Ben Havelick, and Addison Bartlett.
Other than by her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Randy Bartlett; and by three brothers, Ralph Eugene White, Durwood White, and Bobby Ray White.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Monday, March 4, 2024, from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home chapel on Monday, March 4, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Ray Rowland officiating. Interment will follow in the Essex Cemetery in Essex, Missouri.
Memorial donations may be made to the Sweet Prospect General Baptist Church, 1201 East Elk Street, Dexter, Missouri 63841. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter assisting with arrangements.
Gary Don Ross, a man who spent years behind the wheel, peacefully passed away on March 3, 2024, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He was born on January 16, 1951, in Parma, Missouri, to his loving parents William Oren and Pauline (Grubbs) Ross.
Gary dedicated much of his life to driving a truck until his retirement in 2016. He built many memories throughout his years and was known to have lived most of his life in the Stoddard County area. Gary had a passion for tinkering on tractors, fishing, mowing grass and watching westerns, and tending to his garden of flowers. However, above all else, he cherished the moments spent with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
In the hearts of those who knew him best, Gary will forever hold a special place. He is survived by his son Michael and wife Brandy Ross of Bloomfield; daughters Laura and husband Rick Sorbie of Farmington, Missouri, Tina and husband Kevin Mayabb of East Prairie; eleven grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; three sisters Pam Rowland of Bloomfield, Margaret Moore of Dexter and Rhonda Tong of Madison, Wisconsin;and his close friend Danny Leathers.
Gary Don Ross is preceded in death by his beloved wife Brenda Ross, son Gary Gene Ross, brothers Bill Ross and Dean Ross, as well as sisters Joyce Goodman, Dorothy Lawrence and Charlotte Ross.
The visitation and memorial service to honor Gary's life will be held on March 9, 2024, at Watkins Funeral Homes in Dexter. The visitation will take place from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM followed by the memorial service from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. with Pastor Tim Russell officiating.
Today we remember Gary not with tears but with smiles as we recall the joy he brought into our lives. His legacy of love and laughter will continue to live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him. Rest in peace, Gary Don Ross.
Wayne Owens, son of the late Rube Owens and Minnie Gordan Owens, was born in Danville, Kentucky on September 8, 1944, and departed this life on March 1, 2024, at Mercy Hospital Southeast in Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 79.
Mr. Owens enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his friends. He was a former truck driver for ABF and a member of the First Christian Church in Dexter.
On June 27, 1964, he was united in marriage to Barbara Jean Slaughter in Dexter, Missouri. Mrs. Owens preceded him in death on May 27, 2022.
He is survived by two sons, Ken Owens and wife Shannon of Dexter, Missouri and Brian Owens of Dexter, Missouri; one daughter, Kim Greer and husband Tracy of Sedalia, Missouri; one sister, Louise Wilson of Dexter, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Thad Owens, Spencer Owens, Jessica Greer, Jacqueline Greer, Olivia Johnson, Taylor Hutson, and Katelynn Owens; two great-grandchildren, Parker Greer, Lane Johnson, and one great grandchild on the way, Rowan Elizabeth Hutson.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri on Wednesday March 6, 2024, from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Funeral Services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday March 6, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Mindy Kiepe officiating. Interment will follow at Hagy Cemetery in Dexter, Missouri.
Mathis Funeral Home assisting with arrangements.
