Virgil Lawrence Wethington, son of the late Virgil and Elsie Johnson Wethington, was born on August 24, 1935, in Stoddard County, Essex, Missouri, and departed this life on July 6, 2024, at his residence in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, at the age of 88 years.

Mr. Wethington was a Veteran of the United States Air Force, retiring as a Master Sergeant after 22 years of service. He was the former owner of Prairie 204 Video Store in Bloomfield, Missouri and he enjoyed coin collecting.

On August 16, 1958, in Canastota, New York, he was united in marriage to Elsie Ann Bowman. Mrs. Wethington survives of their home in Poplar Bluff.

Along with his wife, he is survived by his daughter Kathy Conner of Knob Noster, Missouri; by his son, Doug Wethington and wife Cheryl of Ellsinore, Missouri; by his son-in-law, David Marler of Williamsville, Missouri; by his brother, Bill Wethington of High Ridge, Missouri; by three sisters, Charlene Klien of Bay, Missouri; Anna Bohrisch of Thayer, Missouri, and Judy Florida of Windsor, Missouri; by three grandchildren, Taylor Wethington and wife Diane, Austin Wethington, and Brent Evans; and by three great-grandchildren, Derek Wethington, Harper Wethington, and Raelynn Wethington.

Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Carol Marler; by his son-in-law, Claude Todd Conner; by his brother, Herbert Wethington; and by his sister, Linda Colberg.

Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Graveside services will then be conducted at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. with Larry Evans officiating.

Memorials may be made to the Missouri Veterans Cemetery – Bloomfield Assistance League, 17357 Stars & Stripes Way, Bloomfield, Missouri 63825.

Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.

Vera Ann Gilbert, daughter of the late Ira C. Taylor and Robbie Odum Taylor, was born on June 2, 1947, in Essex, Missouri, and departed this life on July 6, 2024, at Winchester Nursing Center in Bernie, Missouri, at the age of 77 years.

Mrs. Gilbert was a former clerk for TG&Y and a homemaker for VNA. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Essex, Missouri, and a resident of Essex. She enjoyed shopping, loved her dogs and spending time giving and doing for others.

She is survived by two sons, Gary Gilbert and wife Stephanie of Dexter, Missouri, and Larry Michael Gilbert of Essex, Missouri, by two daughters, Tracy Azure and husband John “Jay” of Bloomfield, Missouri; and Jamie Kimbrel (Dale Dodson) of Essex, Missouri; by thirteen grandchildren, Joshua Gilbert, Lindsay Boxdorfer, Megan Gilbert, Aaron Gilbert, Ryan Gilbert, Samantha Azure, Tino Azure, John Azure III, Cody Ritch, Nicholas Azure, D.J. Kimbrel, and Kelsey Kimbrel; and by nineteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Thursday, July 11, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Gary Gilbert officiating.

Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.

Darrell Wayne Green, son of the late Kenneth Lee Green and Cletis Marie Simpson Green, was born in Bernie, Missouri on October 13, 1946 and departed this life at his home in Bernie, Missouri on July 3, 2024 at the age of 77.

Mr. Green was a truck driver, having driven for Owens Brothers, Tilmon Trucking and PTI. He was a resident of Bernie.

He is survived by his caregiver, Carol Ann Green of Bernie; by two sons, Kevin Green and Shane Green both of Orland Park, Illinois; by three grandchildren, Lainey Green, Malley Green and Avery Green; also by other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death other than by his parents, by one son, Shawn Green; by one brother, Donald Greer; by one sister, Cathie Dennington.

No services are being planned. Mathis Funeral Home of Bernie is assisting with arrangements.

Samuel Doran Vancil’s story began on May 15, 1934, at 444 N. Walnut St. and at the age of 90, he departed this life surrounded by his loved ones, on July 2, 2024, in his home at 422 N. Walnut St. in Dexter, Missouri.

Doran was born in his family home now fondly called the Sally House, to the late Ralph and Virl “Sally” Vancil, in Dexter Mo. Doran graduated from Dexter High School in 1952, and married the love of his life Wanda Louise Vancil, on June 6, 1954. They shared 69 years of beautiful marriage. Wanda went to her Heavenly home in January of 2023. Doran and Wanda had 4 beautiful children Bruce Vancil, John Vancil, Wade Vancil and Angela Vancil. John, Bruce and Wade left this world prior to Doran and Wanda. What a beautiful reunion that must have been.

Doran was a lifelong citizen of Stoddard County. He joined the Army National Guard in 1953, he was in the 140th infantry. In April 1967, he was honorably discharged from service as Master Sergeant over Weapons. During his lifetime in Dexter MO, he was a City Alderman, Elks Lodge member, member of Hidden Trails Country Club, MHCA member, and a devoted member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dexter. Doran worked for over 30 years at Lucas Florist on Walnut Street and then went into long-term care. He opened 37 nursing homes in his 40-year career as a nursing home administrator. He became Owner and Operator at Gideon Care Center, in Gideon Missouri in 1990. Nursing Care was a way of life for Doran and has since become the same for his family as the Legacy he built, brought them into the business as well. Doran cared for every resident, employee, and resident family member as if they were his own. You knew when you entered his facility that you were at home. In 2006, Doran opened Winchester Assisted Facility, in Bernie MO. Being able to bring the level of exceptional care into another town that truly needed it brought him such Joy. At 85 years old, Doran did what others might have thought was a little crazy. He built and opened Winchester Skilled in Bernie MO, next to his Assisted Living Facility. It is a stunning forty bed facility and he overseen the entire process of building and opening. He wanted it perfect for his residents. Not only did it do amazing after they opened, but he also filled every bed and had a waiting list within 3 months. He retired in 2022, at the age of 88.

Doran was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Virl “Sally Vancil”; his wife, Wanda Louise Vancil; his three sons, John, Bruce and Wade; his brothers, John A Vancil and Ralph Vancil; and his sisters, Evelyn Jean Vancil and Marta Jo Dunlap.

He is survived by one daughter, Angela Jones and husband Don; Daughter in law, Kathy Vancil (married to the late Bruce Vancil); Daughter in law, April Vancil (married to the late Wade Vancil); Grandchildren, Matthew Vancil and wife Faith Vancil, Jeffery Hull, Ashley Vancil, Bailey Sells, Ben Sells and wife Leigh Sells. As well as by his great grandchildren, Clayton McGowan, Aidan McGowan, Liam McGowan, Aubrey Sells and Nora Sells.

Doran is leaving a Legacy of love, compassion, care and strength for all those he left behind. May we find peace in knowing he was reunited with many loved ones who went before him and is dancing with his sweet Wanda Lou again in the Heavenly sky.

Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Friday, July 5, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dexter on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. David Coon officiating. Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.

Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.