Gary “Skeeter” Lee Fowler, son of JoAnn Fowler of Dexter, Missouri and the late Robert Van Fowler, was born on January 30, 1959, in Essex, Missouri, and departed this life on March 12, 2024, at his residence in Bloomfield, Missouri, at the age of 65 years.
“Skeeter” was a heavy equipment operator. He enjoyed playing bass guitar with his band and he loved fast cars.
Along with his mother, he is survived by his longtime partner, Donna Gregory of Bloomfield, Missouri; by his son, Tyler Fowler (Jordan Jacobs) of Lawrence, Kansas; by his daughter, Christi Moore (Jesse) of Dexter, Missouri; by two brothers, Bill Fowler (Sheryl) of Dexter, Missouri, and Alan Fowler (Barb) of Dudley, Missouri; by his sister, Patty Noe (Tim) of Lilbourn, Missouri; by six grandchildren, Shaylin, Kylie, Milli, Luna, Reny, and Asher; and a special family friend, Judy Evy.
A graveside service is being planned for a later date.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
David Allen Vinson, son of the late Joe and Carol Vinson, was born June 15, 1962, in Poplar Bluff, MO, and departed from this life March 12, 2024, at his home in Dexter, MO.
In his childhood, David enjoyed spending time at the family pool in Essex, MO, hunting with his dad and family. He was also an avid film enthusiast who was especially fond of Disney.
David attended the University of Missouri and, afterward, returned to Dexter, MO, where he, like his father before him, joined the family business, Chrisman Art Gallery and Frame Shop, later branching out to open the Metro Video Store. It was at the family business in Cape Girardeau, MO, where David met his future wife and best friend, Victoria. The two continued working alongside each other, eventually opening their own companies, Mr. Peacock's Emporium and commercial real estate group, Peacock's Investment.
David had many interests and was passionate about art, traveling to meet many artisans and craftsmen throughout his life, from North Carolina to Santa Fe. David took pride in collecting furniture and artwork that made his home a peaceful respite that reflected the works he most admired. When not delving into the history of various craftsmen and artists, he enjoyed spending time with and cooking for his family alongside his wife. David was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Dexter both as a child and throughout his adulthood.
David is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Victoria; his sister, Sherri Burleson and husband Terry of Dexter, MO; his nieces and nephews: Claire Hazlett and husband, Eric, of Memphis, TN; Jacob Watson of Virginia Beach, VA; Kaitlin Smith and husband, Colby, of Dexter, MO; and Justin Viers of Dexter, MO. He also is survived by his great-nephew and great-niece, Harrison Hazlett and Elyse Smith.
That's all folks!
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Saturday, March 16, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. A memorial service will then be held in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 12:00 p.m.
Billy Joe Gilmore Sr., son of the late Marvin Gilmore and Opal Barthol Gilmore, was born on August 6, 1950, in Charter Oak, Missouri, and departed this life on March 8, 2024, in Bernie, Missouri, at the age of 73.
Mr. Gilmore was a resident of Sikeston, Missouri, and he was a former factory worker.
He is survived by his son, Billy Joe Gilmore Jr. of Punkin Center, Missouri; by his daughter, Karin Moore of Malden, Missouri; by four brothers, Ricky Gilmore of Bernie, Missouri, Bobby Gilmore of Oran, Missouri, Wayne Gilmore of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Roger Phillips of Tennessee; and by many grandchildren and many great grandchildren. He loved his family and will be greatly missed by all.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Sue King and Peggy Phillips.
A memorial service will be planned at a later date.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter assisted with arrangments.
Carroll Neuman Robinson, son of the late Neuman Lee Robinson and Myrtie Elizabeth Patterson Robinson, was born on August 21, 1932, near Bloomfield, Missouri, and departed this life on March 11, 2024, at the age of 91 years.
Caroll accepted Christ at an early age and remained a member of West Pleasant Valley Church in Bloomfield all his life. After graduating high school and briefly working on the family farm, Carroll joined the United States Air Force in 1952 and proudly served for four years, as a Radar and Electronics Instructor. On October 4, 1954, he married the love of his life, Patsy Gillespie. He and Patsy lived in California until he left the Air Force in 1956, when they returned to Missouri. Carroll went to work for McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Corporation as an Electronics Tech Rep, working on the Demon F3 and Phantom II F4 fighter jets.
McDonnell Douglas moved the family many times, first to southern California, where Carroll worked with the U.S. Navy. He also spent six months in Thailand working with the Air Force. The family then lived in Virginia for a year before moving to England for three years where he worked closely with the British Royal Navy. After returning briefly to San Diego in 1971, Carroll and Pat decided to move home to Missouri. They purchased the Western Auto store in Dexter, which they operated for over eleven years. During that time, Carroll was a member of the Dexter Rotary Club. After selling the store, Carroll worked at the Daily Statesman and was their lead pressman in Kennett, Missouri for several years before retiring at 62. Over the next 25 years, he and Pat traveled extensively in their RVs, and enjoyed visiting their children and grandchildren around the country.
Carroll was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2020, but refused to let the disease and dialysis rule his life, gardening and remaining as active as possible until very recently.
Carroll is survived by his wife of 69 years and a large family: two sons, Jerry (Melinda) Robinson of Lebanon, Ohio, and Kenny (Dawn) Robinson of Hope Mills, North Carolina; by two daughters, Audrey (Dean) Swearingen of Dexter, Missouri; and Sharon (Rodger) Cox of Bloomfield, Missouri; by thirteen grandchildren: Sara (Andy) Clinch of Seattle, Washington; Mary (Michael) Sofferin of Olathe, Kansas; Lisa (Joe) Lombardo of Olathe, Kansas; Grace Robinson of Nashville, Tennessee; Robyn (Lance) Hardin of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Matthew Swearingen of Denton, Texas; Jacob (Jodi) Cox of Wichita, Kansas; Elizabeth Cox of Bloomfield, Missouri; Madison (Brandon) Siler of Bloomfield, Missouri; Garrett Cox of Hannibal, Missouri; Heath (Heather) Cox of San Antonio, Texas; Zachary (Jasmine) Robinson of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; and Alex (Kasey) Robinson of Clayton, North Carolina; and by seventeen great grandchildren: Elsa and Myles Clinch; Patrick and Declan Sofferin; Jack, Eddie, and Cece Lombardo; Myla, Ava, Nora and Judah Hardin; Adelyn and Olivia Cox; Henry, McKenna and Brady Cox; and Liam Robinson.
Other than by his parents, Carroll was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Sandra Faye, by two sisters, and by five brothers.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Friday, March 15, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, March 15, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Neil Durner officiating. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
The family requests memorials may be made to the American Kidney Fund (kidneyfund.org) or the National Kidney Foundation (kidney.org).
Gene Cooper, son of the late M. L. Cooper and Lula Moore Cooper, was born on July 23, 1934, in Stoddard County, Missouri, and departed this life on March 3, 2024, at Mercy Hospital Stoddard in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 89 years.
Mr. Cooper was a Veteran of the United States Army. He had worked in the tree service industry in the state of Washington. He was a member of the First General Baptist Church in Dexter, Missouri and was a resident of Dexter.
He was first united in marriage to Betty Zimmerman. Mrs. Betty Cooper preceded him in death in 1953. In 1965, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Olson. Mrs. Dorothy Cooper preceded him in death on March 27, 2001.
He is survived by his brother, Kenneth Cooper of Dexter, Missouri; by his sister, Joann Bowman of Bernie, Missouri; by his daughter, Sandra McCoy of Spanaway, Washington, by his grandchildren, Anthony Cooper of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Dawn Ramsey (Fred) and their children, Jesse and Bailey of Tacoma, Washington, Angela McCoy and her daughter, Samantha of Spanaway, Washington, Larry McCoy of Spanaway Washington, and Alicia Dawley and her children of Kansas; by several nieces and nephews; and by other grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Other than by his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Steve Cooper, and Mike Olson; by his grandson, Jeremy Cooper; by his daughter, Barbara Dawley; and by three brothers, Marcus Cooper, Jim Cooper, and Jackie Cooper.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Graveside services will be held at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
