On June 20, 2024, at the age of 88, Ernest Oliver Hill departed from our lives, surrounded by loved ones, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and wonderful memories. Born on November 5, 1935, in Essex, MO, Ernie lived a life characterized by his youthful spirit and deep connection to family and friends. He was the son of the late James “Jim” L. Hill and Irma Naomi (Alsup) Hill.

Ernie grew up on a farm just outside of Idalia, Missouri where he and his first cousins, Jim and Joe Mayo, created many adventures out of everyday rural life. Ernie attended Bluff School through 8th grade, where his grandmother, Ada Bolin Alsup, was one of his teachers. His freshman year, he began attending Bloomfield High School and was a graduate of the class of 1954. While in high school, Ernie enjoyed playing basketball and baseball which cultivated his never-ending passion for sports and camaraderie.

Ernie married his high school sweetheart, Sylvia Yvonne Bess on April 21, 1954. Although they were already good friends, one of their high school teachers liked to take credit for getting them together their junior year by pairing them as the bride and groom in the school play, “A Hillbilly Wedding.” However, we all know it was a match designed by God as they enjoyed 70 wonderful years of marriage filled with love and laughter.

Ernie and Sylvia moved to Malden shortly after they married, where he worked for a lumber company and then a gas company. He applied for a lineman position with Southwestern Bell through the Cape Girardeau office, but was told he was too short to be a lineman. However, a friend told him that they would hire him in the Kansas City office, so they moved to Independence where Ernie started his 43-year career with Southwestern Bell. Through the years, he worked as a stockman, lineman, installer, repairman, and a cable splicer. He was a dedicated employee with a strong work ethic and made lasting friendships with his coworkers (who were known to enjoy a little arm wrestling and other competitive games of male prowess).

Ernie was a life-long member of St. Joe General Baptist Church in Idalia where he served faithfully as a Sunday school teacher and a trustee for many years. Ernie loved his Lord and was always humbled that Jesus died for him and he never took the Lord’s sacrifice for granted. Ernie’s genuine love for his church family and his ability to make people feel special further underscore the impact he had on those around him.

Ernie had a playful nature and was especially well known for his firm handshake. What would start out as a simple handshake would often turn into a friendly scuffle.

In a moment's notice, the living room at Ernie and Sylvia’s home could transform into a miniature gym filled with wrestling matches, acrobatics, exercises, and “horse rides” on Pawpaw’s back, all with lots of fun and laughter.

Ernie was a kid at heart, always joking around and making people smile. Sylvia often told how when they first got married, the young children in the neighborhood would come and knock on the door asking if Ernie could come out and play. Ernie enjoyed playing softball, basketball and racquetball, but for years refused to play golf because it was an “old man's game.” When someone finally convinced him to try golf, he was hooked and never put down his clubs (except to bowl on days when there was snow on the golf course!)

Ernie was loved by everyone, but especially his family. He and Sylvia have four children, Bruce (Sharon) Hill, Chris (Curt) Hillis, Bryce (Cara) Hill, and Beth (Bill) Poyner; ten grandchildren, Alana (Josh) Dowdy, Josh Hill, Kristen (Salvatore) Gazzia, Shane (Jaime) Hillis, Chelsie (Ben) Eaton, Drew (Chelsea) Hill, Bradley Poyner, Brittany (Blake) Brown, Christopher (Hunter) Poyner, and Seth (Baylee) Hill; seventeen great grandchildren Wesley, Isaac, Alesia, Ellie, Rylie, Ben, Carter, Layla, Halle, Maggie, Renner, Emmett, Lily, Ember, Everett, Oliver, and Evelyn; and two great-great grandchildren Ray and Theo. Ernie also leaves behind a dear brother John (Susan) Hill and sister-in-law Lin (Wayne) Baker; cousins Jim (Sue) Mayo, and Brenda (Bob) Noyes, as well as many other cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Ernie was preceded in death by a sister Patricia Elaine Hill, and two special cousins Joe G. Mayo and Barbara Bounds. Ernie leaves behind many beloved friends including his church family and his bowling and golfing buddies.

Please join us in celebrating the life of Ernie on Monday, June 24, 2024, at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, visitation is from 9:00 a.m. until to 11:00 a.m. with the funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in the Bloomfield Cemetery.

The family requests that donations may be made to St. Joe General Baptist Church, Building Fund, 17537 State Hwy FF, Bloomfield, Missouri 63825 or Stoddard County Children’s Home, PO Box 164, Dexter, Missouri 63841.

Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.

Marion Thompson, son of the late John Edgar Thompson and Lizzie Miller Thompson, was born on May 10, 1935, in Scotland, Arkansas, and departed this life on June 14, 2024, at The Arbors at Dunsford Court in Sullivan, Missouri, at the age of 89 years.

Mr. Thompson was a former employee of Tetra Pak in Sikeston, Missouri and a resident of Dexter, Missouri. During his time in Sikeston, Mr. Thompson was honored to have served as Councilman and Mayor.

He is survived by two daughters, Tonia Thompson Sayre and husband John of Flemingsburg, Kentucky, and Rissa Thompson Hartman and husband James of Cuba, Missouri; by his brother, Bill Thompson of Texas; by his sister Ruth Bradley of Conway, Arkansas; by his granddaughter, Mahrysa Harmon and husband Mike; and by four great-grandchildren, Kyle Killeen, Max Harmon, Hattie Harmon and Kadence Harmon.

Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers: Otis, Edgar (Dean), Oral, Joe, and John (Jay).

Graveside services will be held at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Scotland, Van Buren County, Arkansas on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.

Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.

Darren Dixon, son of the late Donald Dixon and Evelyn Smith Dixon, was born on August 2, 1976, in Cahokia, Illinois, and departed this life on June 21, 2024, at his residence in Advance, Missouri, at the age of 47 years.

Mr. Dixon was a Corporal with the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, the owner of Triple D Woodworking, and an Emergency Medical Technician. He loved the outdoors and spending time with his grandchildren.

On January 4, 2020, in Malden, Missouri, he as united in marriage to Cortne Cornelison. Mrs. Dixon survives of their home in Advance.

Along with his wife, he is survived by three sons, Gregory Sherman, Dakota Dixon and Ethan Hilderman of Mexico, Missouri; by four daughters, Madison Dixon (Cain Lusk) of Malden, Missouri, Hannah Dixon (Andrew Winn) of Malden, Missouri, Brianna Magee (Austin) of Piggott, Arkansas, and Kendal Hilderman (James Branson) of Mexico, Missouri; by two brothers, Darrel Dixon (Debbie) of Cahokia, Illinois; and Jamie Schatz of Dexter, Missouri; by two sisters, Kim James (Kevin) of Campbell, Missouri; and Melissa Hillis (Raymond) of Malden, Missouri; and by five grandchildren, Hensley, Oakley, Ruby, Graycen, and Ellie.

Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Phoenix Davidovich officiating. Interment will follow in the Rosewood Cemetery in Malden, Missouri.

Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.

Ronald Gene Palmer Sr., son of the late John Wesley Palmer Jr. and Dorothy Beatrice Robinson Palmer, was born in Bernie, Missouri on April 2, 1942 and departed this life at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri on June 14, 2024 at the age of 82.

Mr. Palmer was in the United States Navy, serving his country for 21 years. Following his retirement he Owned and Operated, Palmer’s Auto Salvage in Bernie, Missouri. He was a resident of Bernie.

Survivors include two sons, Ronald Gene Palmer Jr. & wife Carolyn and by Jason Blair Palmer & wife Kristie all of Bernie, Missouri; by three brothers, Larry Palmer of Bloomfield, Missouri, Johnny Palmer & wife Sheri of Bernie, Missouri and Randy Palmer & wife Vivian of Tampa, Florida; by four sisters, Linda Fay Merritt, Sandra Kay Cryts and

Sally Cloninger all of Bernie, Missouri and Brenda Smith & husband Larry of Bloomfield, Missouri; by eight grandchildren, Shawn Embrey, Ronald Palmer III, Bobby Dale Palmer & wife Erin, Tiffany Faye Glass, William Holden Robinson, Samantha Nichole Palmer, Rachel Murphy & husband Dalton and Justin Stanfield; by numerous great-grandchildren and numerous great-great-grandchildren; also by nieces, nephews, family and friends.

He was preceded in death other than by his parents, by his step-mother, Annie Lee Farr Palmer; his daughter, Rhonda Ann Palmer; by one brother, Jackie Wayne Palmer Sr.; by three sisters, Rita Burch, Linda Jane Ford and Debra Kay Palmer in infancy.

Friends may call at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, Missouri on Monday Morning, June 24, 2024 from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm. Funeral Services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Chapel in Bernie at 1:00 pm with Rev. Ivan Mekan officiating. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri with Full Military Honors. Mathis Funeral Home of Bernie is assisting with arrangements.