Eugene “Coke” Potthoff, the son of the late Leonard Henry Potthoff and Etta Justine Moeller Potthoff, was born Nov. 12, 1934, in Ladue, MO and died at his Dexter, MO home on Jan. 31, 2025, at the age of 90.
He was a proud military veteran, having served as a paratrooper in the US Army in the early 1950s. On Aug. 10, 1956, Gene married Carol Reiker in Cape Girardeau, MO. After 68 years of marriage, Carol survives at their home in Dexter. One son, Paul Potthoff (Mary Ann) of Springfield, MO, also survives.
Coke Potthoff spent nearly 40 years in the field of education, nearly all of which were at Dexter High School. He taught Industrial Arts and for many years headed up the Cooperative Education (COE) program, instilling both lifetime skills and a strong work ethic in his students. Coke will be remembered as a kindhearted gentleman who counted his faith, his family and his friends among his greatest gifts.
He was a longtime member of Dexter’s Faith Lutheran Church, where he devoted much of his time to the building and upkeep of woodworking throughout the church facility. When not tending to the church or his family, Coke could be found quail hunting or fishing the rivers and streams of southeast Missouri and beyond. He counted a day spent with Carol or with friends in a boat or in a canoe among the best of his days.
Along with his wife and son, he is survived by two brothers: Fred Potthoff (Rita) of Charlotte, NC; and Jerry Potthoff (Judy) of Kirkwood, MO. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Leonard Potthoff.
Visitation for Gene “Coke” Potthoff will take place from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, at Faith Lutheran Church in Dexter with services following at 1 p.m. Rev. Justin Sponaugle will officiate. Burial will follow at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
Memorials may be sent to Faith Lutheran Church, 1002 Saddle Spur Road, Dexter, MO 63841
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Sharron “Deana” Whittley, daughter of the late Konley Hawk and Oma (Owens) Hawk, was born on April 27, 1947, in Aid, Missouri. She departed this life on January 29, 2025, at her residence in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 77 years.
Mrs. Whittley was a 1965 graduate of Bloomfield High School. She was a cosmetologist and co-owner of Dee-Jay’s Beauty Salon in Essex, Missouri for many years. Deana was a member of First Baptist Church in Essex, Missouri. She enjoyed reading and was an avid reader of the Holy Bible. Deana loved spending time with her family and especially cooking for her children and grandchildren.
On May 6, 1983, in Dexter, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Gerry Whittley. Mr. Whittley survives of their home in Dexter.
Along with her husband, she is survived by two sons, Kevin (Peggy) Evans of Essex, Missouri, and James “JP” Evans, of Dexter, Missouri; by three sisters, Mary (Joe) Jackman of Dexter, Missouri, Betty Peterson of Dexter, Missouri, and Janis Robins of Prairie Grove, Arkansas; by five grandchildren, Kaleigh (Dillon) Cordia, Parker Evans, Krystal Evans, Raleigh Evans and Brailyn Evans; and by three great-granddaughters, Kennedy, Delaney, and Kolbey Cordia.
Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters, Thelbert Hawk, Delbert Hawk, Anna Hawk, Jim Hawk, and Shirley Tillmon.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri on Sunday, February 2, 2025, from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow and be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor James Malloy and Pastor Bobby Reynolds officiating. Interment will follow at Walker Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
John Alan Stephens, son of the late Noble Chester Stephens and Norma Ayers Stephens, was born on March 23, 1964, and departed this life on February 2, 2025, at Mercy Hospital Stoddard in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 60 years.
Mr. Stephens was a former English teacher at T.S. Hill Middle School in Dexter, Missouri for 18 years, prior to that he taught in Caruthersville for 12 years, and he was currently a receptionist for Saint Francis Healthcare Fitness Plus. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Dexter and a resident of Dexter. John wrote several plays for community entertainment, madrigal dinners and fund raisers for Boone Park. He was a 5th degree Master in Tae Kwon Do and he loved spending time with his grandson.
On July 26, 1986, in Herculaneum, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Joan Francis. Mrs. Stephens survives of their home in Dexter.
Along with his wife, he is survived by three sons, Jered Stephens (Shana Kight) of Dexter, Missouri, Jacob Stephens of Springfield, Missouri, and Greyson Stephens of St. Louis, Missouri; by two brothers, Michael Stephens of Tallahassee, Florida and Donald Stephens of Willard, Missouri; by his sister, Patricia Gray Skipper of Brooksville, Florida; and by his grandson, Jeremy Lee Stephens.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Vicky Lynn Stephens.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Thursday, February 6, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in Caroline Dowdy Cemetery in Dexter.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Susanne Jean Dalton, daughter of Barbara Robertson Dalton of Ellsinore, Missouri, and the late Lawrence “Pete” Dalton, was born on October 28, 1961, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and departed this life on January 29, 2025, at her residence in Ellsinore, Missouri, at the age of 63 years.
Ms. Dalton was a Veteran of the United States Air Force, and a registered nurse formerly working at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. She enjoyed boating on the lake, seasonal decorating, organizing family get-togethers and flower gardening.
She is survived by her daughter, Kelly Midkiff and husband Zach of Dexter, Missouri; by her long-time companion, Ken Pounders of Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas; by three brothers, Scott Dalton and Joe Dalton and wife Kathey all of Ellsinore, Missouri; and James Dalton and wife Peggy of Hernando, Mississippi; and by five sisters, Rebecca Tindall of Ellsinore, Missouri; Sharon Stratton and husband Ron of Erwin, Tennessee, Laura Chaligoj and husband Paul of Doniphan, Missouri, Deborah Pritchett and husband Mark of Ellsinore, Missouri, and Christy Bain and husband Lynn of Van Buren, Missouri.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Thursday, February 6, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. A memorial service will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Travis Lambert officiating. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Francis Elizabeth "Bess" Riggs was born March 23, 1927, in Stoddard County, Missouri to the late James and Leatha (Martin) O'Dell, and passed away on February 1, 2025, in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 97.
On September 6, 1968, Eldon Riggs and Elizabeth O'Dell were united in marriage in Scott City, Missouri and were married until his passing on July 12, 1999.
Elizabeth lived In Southeast Missouri for the majority of her life, and was of the Baptist faith. She enjoyed gardening, Making quilts, loved her grandchildren, and loved spending time with her family.
Surviving family include Kathy Simmons, of Advance, Missouri, 8 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, 12 great-great grandchildren, 2 brothers, James and Charles, 1 sister, Delisie Hessbein, and many nieces and nephews.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Raymon, her second husband, EK, two sons: Raymon Jr. and Ronald, her daughter, Linda, one granddaughter, Beth Ann Smith, and three sisters: Norma June, Freida Warren, and Katherine Robinson.
The visitation will be on Thursday, February 6, 2025, beginning at 11 A.M. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri.
The funeral will be on Thursday, February 6, 2025, beginning at 12 P.M. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri.
Interment will immediately follow at the Triplett Cemetery near Dexter, Missouri, with Pastor Mike Redman officiating.
Watkins and Sons is handling all arrangements.
