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.

Lillian Frances Singleton, beloved by many, passed away on June 26, 2024 in Sikeston, Missouri. She was born to Guy W. and Maudie (Johnson) Jordan in Holladay, Tennessee on October 30, 1927. Lillian lived a life full of warmth, compassion, and service to others. 

Throughout her career as a loan officer, Lillian touched the lives of many individuals with her kindness and dedication. However, it was through her selfless acts outside of work that she truly shone. Lillian devoted over 20 years of her life to serving in the hospital auxiliary, taking on every position within the organization. Her commitment to helping others extended to volunteering at the Dexter Senior Citizen Center, afterschool programs, blood drives, and serving as a poll worker in Bloomfield, MO during elections. Lillian was a very active member of First Baptist Church of Bloomfield, MO. It was because of her devoted work that she was honored with the Senior Service Award from the Missouri Lieutenant Governor, Peter Kinder. 

Lillian's impact went beyond her professional and volunteer roles; it transcended into her personal relationships. She leaves behind a legacy of love and care that will be cherished by all who knew her. In this time of mourning, we remember Lillian for the love she shared and the lives she touched. 

Lillian was united in marriage to J.C. Singleton on June 28, 1947, in Piggott, Arkansas, and remained married until the time of his passing on February 7, 1998. 

Lillian is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one son, Dennis Michael Singleton, and two sisters, Nellie Jo Morris and Emma Lou Webb. 

She is survived by her son, Keith Singleton of Murfreesboro, TN, one daughter, Kelly Singleton Kincade of Jackson, MO, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, one sister, Mary Alice Douglas of Dexter, MO, a close family friend, Mike Yeakey of Bloomfield, MO, her church family from First Baptist of Bloomfield, MO, as well as a host of other family members and friends. 

Services to honor and celebrate Lillian's life will be held at Watkins Funeral Homes in Dexter, Missouri, with Charlie Robertson of Bloomfield officiating. A visitation will take place from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on July 2nd followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM. The interment will be held at Stanfield Cemetery in Clarkton on the same day. 

In memory of Lillian Frances Singleton, let us carry forward her spirit of kindness and service towards others. May she rest in peace knowing that she made this world a better place with her presence.

Lucas David Landewee, 31, of Delta, passed away on June 15, 2024, in Poland, while serving his country in the United States Army National Guard.  He was born in Cape Girardeau, to David and Sherry (Pridemore) Landewee, on September 15, 1992. Lucas was a 2011 high school graduate of Leopold High School. He obtained an Associate Degree in Industrial Arts at CTC, where he specialized in welding.

From Lego’s as a young man to vehicles as an adult, Lucas always had the desire to take things apart and rebuild them to understand how they functioned. He had the ability to fix just about anything he set his mind to. He enjoyed working on his truck and was very meticulous when he was working. 

A dedicated solider who proudly served his country, Lucas achieved many awards and medals during his time of active duty. He enlisted into the Missouri Army National Guard during his junior year of high school in 2010.  Upon graduating from High School in 2011, he attended 91B (Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic) AIT before reporting to the 1137th Military Police Company.  He served with the 1137th MP Company until 2018 as both a 91B and re-classifying to 31B (Military Police) for mobilization in support of Operation Enduring Freedom Guantanamo Bay (2017-2018). SSG Landewee served in FSC, 1140th Engineer BN from 2018 to 2022 when he joined the 1221st Transportation Company, Dexter, MO.  He served as the Unit Movement Officer and was instrumental in mobilization efforts both at home station and on ground in Poland.  His attention to detail and dedication to service were unmatched. SSG Landewee had a genuine care for others and often spent hours helping anyone in need, no matter the task or time commitment.  He mentored numerous new NCOs with a sense of humor that could brighten the dullest most stressful times. During his Service to the State of Missouri and His Country, SSG Landewee received the following awards: Army Commendation Medal, Posthumous (x2), Army Achievement Medal (x5), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (x4), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (x2), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device and Bronze Hourglass, Missouri Commendation Ribbon  (x2), Army Good Conduct Medal, Missouri National Guard 5-year Long Service Ribbon, Missouri National Guard 10-year Long Service Ribbon, Missouri National Guard Expeditionary Service Ribbon, Missouri National Guard State Emergency Duty Service Ribbon, Missouri National Guard Basic Training Ribbon, Combat and Special Skills Badge Basic Marksmanship Qual Badge, Bar, Weapon: Carbine (Sharpshooter), Right Side – Joint Meritorious Unit Award.

Lucas Landewee and Taylon Kennedy were united in marriage on September 22, 2018, in Cape Girardeau, at the Maple United Methodist Church. He and Taylon had three daughters: Kaylee, Caroline and Rowan Landewee, and resided in Delta, Missouri. 

He is survived by his wife: Taylon Landewee of Delta; daughters: Kaylee, Caroline and Rowan Landewee; his parents: David and Sherry Landewee of Leopold; two brothers: Jason (Neid) Brotherton of Doha, Qatar, Seth (Stacey) Landewee of Kelso; two sisters: Jennifer (Christopher Lee) Inman of Glennon, Caitlyn (Emmanuel) Landewee-Nsiah of Lexington, KY; nieces and nephews: Raelyn, Fisher, Shane, Presley, Shawn, Preston and Skyler; grandparents: John and Judy Reilly of Marble Hill, Clem and Mary Lou Landewee of Leopold, Joan Pridemore of Perryville; father in-law: James Kennedy of Advance; mother in-law: Lisa and Danny Boyer of Grassy. He was preceded in death by his grandfather: Jerry Pridemore.

Pallbearers: Seth Landewee, Jason Brotherton, Emmanuel Nsiah, John Bohnsack, Joe Trankle, Lance Seiler, Jurney Kennedy, Derek Landewee, Robert Brown and Carson Gemeinhardt.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 7, 2024, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at the funeral home. Parish Prayers led by Fr. Vincent Rathappillil and Rosary led by the Knights of Columbus Council #5898 will begin at 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, July 8, 2024, at 10:00 am, at St. John Catholic Church in Leopold, with Fr. Tomasz Wilk officiating.

Burial will follow at the St. John Cemetery in Leopold with full military honors. The Hutchings-Pendergrass Funeral Chapel will oversee arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions given for Lucas’ daughters education.

Arthur ‘Raymond’ Dye, 98, of Wappapello, Missouri passed away Saturday, June 29, 2024, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff.

He was born November 19,1925, in Kennett, Missouri, son of Arthur R. and Thelma Trout Dye. He and Margie Sue Pelts were married on July 19, 1947.  She preceded him in death on December 22, 2013.

Raymond attended school in Kennett and enlisted in the US Navy in 1943 and was honorably discharged in 1945. He primarily served in the South Pacific. Raymond became a diesel mechanic and worked at several places in St. Louis then later in Cape Girardeau. He and Margie moved to Jackson in 1976 and later in 2009 they moved to Wappapello.

Loving survivors include his four children, Myra Dye of Poplar Bluff, Arthur Richard Dye of Wappapello, Alan Bruce (Terry) Dye of Collinsville, IL and Ella Felty of Dardenne Prairie, Mo; five grandchildren, Adam (Catherine) Dye, Aaron (Michelle) Dye, Rachel Dye, Jonathan (Jessica) Dye, and Daniel (Rachel) Felty; nine great-grandchildren; and sister Helen Schleipman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and three sisters.

A graveside service with military honors will be on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at 10:30 am at Fairview Methodist Cemetery near Millersville with the Rev. Don Estes officiating.

The family suggests that contributions be made to the church or charity of your donor’s choice. 

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab above Raymond’s obituary at mccombsfuneralhome.com.

McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson is in charge of arrangements.