He was raised in Southeast Missouri, had lived in Colorado, New Zealand and California before moving to St. Louis five years ago. He was an animal lover, and helped rescue cats, and was a supporter of the Street Outreach Program for the homeless in St. Louis. He had worked as a server for several restaurants and was a licensed tattoo artist and graduated from Coleman College in San Diego, California as a computer graphic designer.
Surviving are his mother, Vickie Sue Heuring of Scott City, Missouri; his father, Dennis Spradling of Fisk, Missouri; and many aunts and uncles. Other relatives and friends also survive.
Graveside funeral services will be held on Friday, September 18, 2015, at 3:00 pm at the Missouri Veteran's Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri with Rev. Jeff Roth of Dexter officiating.
Interment will be in the Missouri Veteran's Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri with full military honors. Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter, Missouri in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.watkinsfuneralhome.com
Watkins & Sons Funeral Service - P O BOX 96 - DEXTER MO 63841
info@watkinsfuneralhome.com or phone 573 624 3548
Clyde Adolph Vaughn, Dexter, Missouri, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on September 9, 2015, at his home at the age of 94. He was born July 17, 1921, to the late William J. and Mary Alice (Bobbitt) Vaughn in Dexter, MO. He was a direct descendent of one of the oldest families in Stoddard County dating to around 1837. He grew up in a tightly knit family of six sons and one daughter and was the last surviving member. His mother, Mary Alice Vaughn, was a four star mother during World War II. On September 13, 1945, he married Lois M. Launius, Bloomfield, MO, who survives at the home.
Clyde graduated from Dexter Senior High School in 1940. He was co-captain and quarterback of the football team which won the 1939 Southern Conference Championship. Shortly before graduating from Dexter High School, he joined the Dexter Missouri National Guard Unit, which was Company L, 140th Infantry. He was mobilized in December 1940 and served on Active Duty until June 27, 1945. During World War II, he attained the rank of Platoon Sgt. and fought in Italy as an infantry soldier in Company F, 2/351st Infantry, 88th Infantry Division. Like many of his generation, he did not talk about his wartime experiences. He was quite modest in this regard. Yet, he fought in three Italian Campaigns (earning three Bronze Stars for Rome-Arno, North Apennines and Po Valley) and also received the Silver Star, Bronze Star for Valor and the Purple Heart. He also was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) and the Presidential Unit Citation. Upon receiving the Silver Star, The Fifth Army issued the following News Release:
“Technical Sergeant Clyde A. Vaughn of Dexter, Missouri, recently was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action with Lieutenant General Mark W. Clark’s Fifth Army in Italy. When his company suffered heavy casualties, among them some of the officers, at the beginning of an assault Vaughn volunteered to lead one platoon on the attack. When the squad was fired upon by Germans using tracer ammunition, due to poor visibility, Vaughn was able to locate the hostile positions.
He moved ahead, throwing hand grenades, and personally knocked out three machineguns, killed seven Germans and forced another machinegun crew to surrender. Although he was severely wounded, Vaughn continued to advance, firing a German automatic pistol as he went. He refused medical aid and evacuation as he led his men on until he was finally forced to drop prone due to loss of blood and exhaustion.
“Such gallantry and heroism in the face of almost certain death is displayed only by the bravest of soldiers,” stated the citation with the award. Vaughn is a member of the 351st Infantry Regiment, 88th “Blue Devil” Division of the Fifth Army” (Fifth Army News Release, Nov. 6, 1944).
His Silver Star was awarded for his gallantry in the Mt. Capello battle, one of the four bitterest battles of the entire Po Valley campaign. The 2/351 Infantry received the Presidential Unit Citation as the result of this battle.
After the war ended, he attended the University of Missouri-Columbia. He then returned to Dexter and to the Missouri National Guard where he continued to serve the nation. Upon retirement, he had achieved 38 years of military service. During this time, he gained a commission, attained the rank of Captain, and retired as a CWO4. His last assignment as a full time technician for the Missouri National Guard was as the Command Administrative Officer for the 1140th En Bn (Cbt), Cape Girardeau, MO. During his time as a Captain, he commanded Company L, 140th Infantry, which was the same unit he was mobilized with for WWII in 1940. He was the last living commander of a Dexter infantry unit.
Clyde was married to the love of his life for nearly 70 years and together they had four children of which three survive: LT GEN (r) Clyde Alan Vaughn and his wife Carol, Winchester, VA; Susan Lynne Vaughn, Jefferson City, MO, and Dwight Thomas Vaughn, Nashville, TN. One child, Harold Dean, died in infancy. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Kristi and her husband Dr. Robert Meltvedt, Front Royal, VA, and LtCol Chad Vaughn and his wife Jenn, Yuma, AZ, and four great-grandchildren: Drew, Parker, Jeb, and Kaylee Lou.
Like many returning WWII veterans, he committed himself to providing for, and raising a family, while actively supporting the community. He served as scoutmaster for many young men, and was a lifelong member of the Dexter First Christian Church, American Legion, VFW, DAV, and Toastmasters of Cape Girardeau. He enjoyed fishing, planting trees, raising blackberries, hunting quail, football and the St. Louis Cardinals.
His attributes were many, but those that knew him and his background, will tell you of his great physical and mental courage, strength, perseverance, and “never ever quit attitude.” His influence will live on in the lives of all those he touched. He will be fondly remembered and his family will miss him deeply.
In addition to his parents and infant son, he was preceded in death by his brothers Ben, E.R. “Dutch”, William J. “Bill”, Joe, and Lowell “Cotton”, and his sister, Louise Vaughn Bailey.
Visitation will be from 12:00noon--2:00pm, Monday, September 14, 2015, at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home, Dexter, MO, with services at 2:30pm in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery located at 17357 Stars and Stripes Way, Bloomfield, MO. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Stoddard County Children’s Home, The Ben Kruse 18 FORE Life Foundation or charity of choice.
Margaret "Peg" Charlotte Bruyette, daughter of the late George C. Fischer and Margaret Mueller Fischer, was born on April 17, 1937 in Brooklyn, New York and departed this life on September 8, 2015 at SoutheastHEALTH in Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 78.
Mrs. Bruyette was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dexter. She had previously worked in retail for Jamesway Corporation and was a resident of Dexter.
On March 31, 1956, she was united in marriage to Edric “Ed” Bruyette in Delanson, New York. Mr. Bruyette survives of the home.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by four sons, Mike Bruyette and wife Fran of Temple, Texas, Doug Bruyette and wife Judy of Dexter, Missouri, Guy Bruyette and wife Lorraine of Round Top, New York, and Mark Bruyette and wife Stacy of Cobleskill, New York; by one daughter, Michele Coward and husband Todd of Port Charlotte, Florida; by nine grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren.
Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Friday, September 11, 2015 from 9:00 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.
Funeral services will then be conducted at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 10:30 A.M. with Father David Dohogne officiating.Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery.
Sharon L. Longarini (nee Smith), age 73, a resident of Naperville, Illinois since 1978, passed away Saturday, September 5, 2015 at Edward Hospital in Naperville. She was born September 10, 1941 in Bakersfield, CA.
Prior to her retirement, Sharon had done clerical work for both Sears and Spiegel in the transportation department. She was devoted to her family and was an avid reader in her spare time.
She is survived by her husband Edmond “Ed” Longarini, children Kevin Unsell, Tony (Mary) Unsell, Tim (Amy) Unsell, Mark (Renee) Longarini and Linda (Aram) Kalashian; grandchildren, Austin and Anna Marie Unsell, Jayke and Olivia Longarini, Jimmy, Joey and Ike Unsell and Aram Kalashian; siblings Dr. Donald C. (Joyce) Smith and Frances Ann (Douglas) Alderson, many nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. to 8: 00 p.m. at the Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Homes and Crematory, 24021 Royal Worlington Drive, Naperville; with a brief prayer service at 7:00 p.m.
An additional visitation will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2015 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home, 125 West Stoddard St., Dexter, MO. A graveside service will follow at the Dexter Cemetery.
Memorials in Sharon’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P. O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908.
Born on October 12, 1936 in Ridgeway, IL, to the late Clifford Keasler Morris and Eva May Ellen Justice Morris. He was a 1954 Sikeston High School graduate.
Dr. Morris graduated in May 1960 from the University of Missouri – Columbia earning his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.
David and Nannette Kay Richter were united in marriage on June 1, 1960 in Columbia, MO. He began practice of Veterinary Medicine in Marceline, MO before returning to Sikeston to a location on N. Kingshighway. In 1961 Dr. Morris moved his practice to the “Fairview School House” on Highway 61 South where he treated both large and small animals. In 2001 he moved his practice into Sikeston to a new facility on Brunt Blvd. Licensed in both Missouri and Kentucky, he continued to treat animals until May of this year.
Dr. Morris was a lifetime member of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association and a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Other memberships include: SEMO Veterinary Association, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association and a Lifetime Sikeston Optimist Club Member. He served on the Missouri Veterinary Licensing Board and the Southern Scott County Ambulance Board.
After practicing veterinary medicine for over 50 years, “Doc” was inducted into the Missouri Veterinary Medical Foundation’s Veterinary Honor Roll of Missouri April 2014. This honor is given to MVMA member veterinarians who have demonstrated leadership in their community and/or profession.
David Morris played an active role in the community, co-founding (and coaching) the Girls City Softball League in Sikeston and developing the BMX Track at the Recreational Complex. He was a charter member of the Sikeston High School Science Fair, where he judged projects for 40+ years. Starting as chairman of the Sikeston Optimist Club Christmas Shoe project, he expanded the project over the past 45 years where annually over 300 pairs of shoes and socks are put on children.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church.
David’s hobbies included driving his orange lucky number “7” dirt track race car and playing racquetball. More recently, he spent time on his Kentucky Cattle Farm, enjoying nature, gardening, working his cattle and spending time with his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one son, Steven Franklin Morris.
He also was preceded in death by four sisters and two brothers: Carrie Raben, Ruby Lankford, Opal Nicholson, Pearl DeBoard, Clifford B Morris and R.L. Morris.
In addition to his wife and dog Millie, survivors include: three daughters and three sons-in-law, Allegra Anne and Steve Stroder of Jackson, MO; Tammy Lynn and Steven Burch of Sikeston; Michelle Renee and Tim Martin of Bernie, MO . Also surviving are three grandchildren, Bailey Nicole Martin and Shelby Renee Martin of Columbia, MO and David Morgan Burch of Winston-Salem North Carolina; one brother, Edgar Lee Morris (Norma) of Mobile, AL and one sister-in-law Carol Morris Whitler of Jackson, MO along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Sept. 11, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Ponder Funeral Home.
The funeral services will be held Saturday, Sept., 12, at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jennifer Bell Moxley, associate pastor, and Rev. Mike Wondel, pastor officiating.
Burial will follow in Sikeston Memorial Park Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Bill Raben, Jim Raben, Jim Morris, Gene Morris, Dr. Cliff Morris, Ken Morris, Lee Morris, Charles Morris and Dennis Morris.
Honorary pallbearers will be Rob Branom, John Barnett, Lee Shell, Murray Sullivan, Mac Wheetley, Dr. Chris Shew, Dr.Brian Heuring, Dr. Joe Baker, Ron Elliott and Mark Deane.
The family requests memorial contributions to be made to:
First United Methodist Church of Sikeston
PO Box 682
Sikeston, MO 63801
Missouri Delta Medical Center Foundation
1008 N. Main
Sikeston, MO 63801
Missouri Veterinary Medical Foundation
2500 Country Club Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
