Lester Fern Scowden, the son of the late Clinton and Ruth (McConnaughhay) Scowden, was born on February 21, 1944 in Grayridge, Missouri and passed away on March 31, 2025 at the age of 81 years old.
He lived most of his life in this area then moved to St Louis and lived there for 30 plus years. He was a high school graduate and then joined the US Navy in 1963, his length of service was 4 years and had an honorable discharge in 1967. He met and married Brenda (Lee) Scowden in Aquilla, Missouri on October 30, 1969. He worked at McDonell Douglas as an expediter and retired from there. He went on to enjoy fishing and hunting.
Surviving family include one son: Kevin and (Jennifer) Scowden, step grand-children Taylor and Payton Wagoner of Imperial, Missouri. Lester was preceded in death by his wife, Brenda, and one son, Eric Scowden of St. Charles, Missouri, one sister, Virgie Alexander of Dexter, Missouri, three brothers, George Scowden of Kennett, Missouri, Clinton Scowden of St. Charles, Missouri and David Hardin of Dexter, Missouri.
The funeral will be a graveside service held at the Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri, on Friday, April 4, 2025 at 1PM.
Karen Lee Baker was born May 11, 1946 in Wisconsin to the late Leroy and Esther (Anderson) Baker, and passed away on March 29, 2025, in Essex, Missouri at the age of 78 years old.
Surviving family include an ex-husband, Marvin Cooke, one son Chad and (Christine) Cooke of Wisconsin, 4 daughters: Cindy Cooke of Wisconsin, Naomi and Michael Sterling of Dexter, Missouri, and Maygin and Jason Pinkley of Essex, Missouri. She had also 3 sisters: Rita, Dorothy and Linda. She had 11 grandchildren that includes: Allison Cooke, Jeramy and (Sarah) Wesbecher, Kristen and (Mike) Dalton, Nicholas Thysson, Colton Thysson, Eric and (Ali) Sterling, Karra and (JR) Pregel, Katie and (Timothy) Spence, Elizabeth Pinkley, and JT and (Lillie) Pinkley, 13 great grandchildren and her best friend, Rhonda Barns of Essex, Missouri.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents, 8 siblings, a daughter Michelle and her granddaughter, Rachael Westbecher of Park Hills, Missouri.
Thomas Lee "T.L" Jarrell, of Dudley, Missouri, was born on February 22, 1925, in Dudley, Missouri to the late James and Evelyn (Hutchcraft) Jarrell, and passed away on March 29, 2025, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri at the age of 100 years old.
On August 9, 1943, T.L. Jarrell and Mildred Kennedy were united in marriage in Bloomfield, Missouri and she preceded him in death on February 2, 2015.
T.L. lived in Dudley his whole life, and was a founding member of Dudley Community Church. He was a Military Police Officer during his time in the United States Army, and served in World War II. T.L. was an extraordinary man, and was loved by everyone who knew him. During his life time, he served as both Mayor and Sheriff of the town of Dudley. He was an avid outdoorsman, and even shot a 9 point buck at the age of 80 years old. T.L. was the owner of T.L. Jarrell & Sons Saw Mill for 50 years before his retirement in 2015. His name was synonymous in the area with integrity, kindness, wisdom, and strength. T.L's love for Christ was a shining example for family, friends, and his entire community.
Surviving family include his children: Aaron (Susan) Jarrell, of Dexter, Missouri, Junior (Carol) Jarrell, of Dexter, Missouri, Carol Kirby of Pacific, Missouri, and Linda Orr, of Dexter, Missouri, 9 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, 1 brother, Dean Jarrell, of Dudley, Missouri, and 3 sisters, Dorothy Kinworhthy and Janice Patterson, both of Dexter, Missouri, and Melba Dewrock, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
T.L. was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mildred, a child, Patricia "Tweety" Kersey, a brother, JC Jarrell, and a sister, Louise Abbott.
The visitation will be on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, beginning at 1 P.M. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri.
The funeral will be on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, beginning at 2 P.M. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri.
Keith Stoelting son of the late Marion “Dode” Stoelting and Cecilia Ann Howard Stoelting was born on April 13, 1951, in St. Louis, Missouri and departed this life on March 29, 2025, at the Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 73.
Mr. Stoelting was the former treasurer and deacon at the Liberty Hill General Baptist Church. He helped start the Stoddard County Cowboy Church. He enjoyed being outside working in his garden, and deer hunting. He also loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and wife.
On May 28, 1999, he was united in marriage to Melanie Hanna Jackson in Puxico, Missouri. Mrs. Stoelting survives of their residence in Puxico, Missouri.
Other than by his wife he is survived by three sons, Scott Stoelting of Clarkton, Missouri, Michael Shane Stoelting of Cave Springs, Arkansas, and Nathan Jackson of Columbia, Missouri; by two daughters, Christy Stoelting of Ashland, Missouri, and Natalie Woodbury of Springfield, Missouri; by two brothers, Danny Stoelting of Camdenton, Missouri, and David Stoelting of Holcomb, Missouri; by eight grandchildren, Nicholas Keith Stoelting, Kesten Marsh, Kaiden Marsh, Harper Jackson, Remi Jackson, Stefan Jackson, Kellan Woodbury, and Kyan Woodbury; and by one great-grandchild, Lillian Stoelting.
Other than by his parents he was preceded in death by his first wife, Debbie Stoelting.
Memorials may be made to Liberty Hill General Baptist Church, Deacon Emergency Fund, 12760 County Road 420, Dexter, MO 63841 or Stoddard County Cowboy Church, 22790 County Road 295, Puxico, MO 63960.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri. Funeral services will then be conducted on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in the Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter, Missouri with Pastor Preston Owens officiating. Interment will follow in the Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Kennett, Missouri.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Teddy Joe Mills son of the late JR Mills and Olive Ferguson Mills was born on August 17, 1933, in Dunklin County, Missouri and departed this life on March 28, 2025, at the Prairie View Skilled Nursing Center in Bloomfield, Missouri at the age of 91.
Mr. Mills was a Veteran of the United States Air Force and served during the Korean War and the Cold War. Ted had worked for Chrisman LP and also at Texon Terminals as their general manager. He was a member of the Crossroads-Global Methodist Church in Dexter, and the Bernie Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and golfing. His favorite thing to do was travel with the love of his life, Barbara.
He was united in marriage to Barbara Brown on February 18, 1956, in Malden, Missouri. Mrs. Mills survives of Dexter, Missouri.
Other than by his wife he is survived by his daughter, Sharon Hill and husband Bruce of Bloomfield, Missouri; by two brothers, Darrell Mills and wife Elaine of Amelia Island, Florida, and Jerry Mills (Niki Depew) of Cherokee Village, Arkansas; by two sisters, Pat Summers of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Claudine Pinckley of Dexter, Missouri; by two grandchildren, Josh Hill of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Drew Hill and wife Chelsea of Hermitage, Tennessee; and by three great-grandchildren, Wesley Hill of Jefferson City, Missouri, and Oliver and Evelyn Hill both of Hermitage, Tennessee.
Other than by his parents he was preceded in death by his son, Bradley Fred Mills.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in the Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri. Funeral services will then be conducted on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in the Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter, Missouri with Pastor Michael Irvine officiating. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri with full military honors.
