Virginia Craft, daughter of the late Rolla Whittenberg and Hynthia Jackson Whittenberg was born on June 26, 1941 in Como, Missouri and went home to heaven at SoutheastHEALTH in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on February 4, 2016 at the age of 74.
She had devoted her life to the Lord since she was eight years old. She loved the Lord and enjoyed worshipping Him through music. She was an excellent musician playing both the piano and organ in many churches throughout her many years. It was common to find her at a revival whenever possible.
She was an amazing cook and would cook at the drop of a phone call from any grandchild. She enjoyed spending countless hours sewing and making quilts and crafts for friends and family.
Survivors include: Three sons, Darrell Vails (Cape Girardeau), Dennis (Lisa) Craft (Cape Girardeau), David Craft (St. Louis); two daughters, Cindy Kile (Cape Girardeau), Melinda (Gary) Sprenger (Cape Girardeau).
Fourteen grandchildren: Jonathan (Jesse) Ferrell, Kenny Kile, Tyler Campbell, James Vails, Lora Vails (Corey) Schumer, Natalie Vails, Steven (Nikki) Hodges, Garrett Sprenger, Gregory Sprenger, Tyler Rhodes, Brian Rhodes, Christopher Craft, Alexis Craft, Hayden Craft.
Six great-grandchildren: Riley, Mason, Colton, Kayla, Kassie, Lily.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Pauline Davis, and one brother Dale Whittenberg.
Visitation will be held at Rainey – Mathis Funeral home in Bernie Missouri on February 13, 2016 at 11:00 AM with funeral services following at 1:00 PM with Rev Jack Owens officiating.
Interment will be in Bernie Cemetery.
Gene Allen Rowland, son of the late Marvin D. Rowland and Betty Estelle Bean Rowland, was born on March 19, 1947 in Dexter, Missouri and departed this life on February 3, 2016 at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 68.
Mr. Rowland retired from Corporate Express in St. Louis where he worked in sales.
Gene loved to travel. He traveled to many destinations all over the world, bringing home treasures that still decorate his home.
He was an avid gardener and enjoyed showing off his yards and gardens to anyone dropping by. He was a member and past president of the Master Gardner organization and was instrumental in bringing the Farmers Market to Dexter.
He was happiest when he was eating good food, enjoying good wine and spending time with good friends.
He is survived by one brother, Dennis Rowland of Dexter, Missouri; by two sisters, Karen Edwina Woolard and Marla June Buchanan, both of Puxico, Missouri; by nine nieces and nephews; and my friends too numerous to count.
Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Sunday, February 7, 2016 from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Kendall Melvin Miller, son of the late Stephen Edgar and Ruth Maugerite Williams Miller, was born on December 10, 1924 in Dexter, Missouri and departed this life on February 3, 2016 at the VA Medical Center in Marion, Illinois at the age of 91.
Mr. Miller served in the United States Navy during World War II. He sang in gospel group quartets and also was a square dance caller. He retired from Ford Motor Company as an electrician, painted flag poles and was also a steeple jack.
On September 14, 1946, he was united in marriage to Lorene Fisher. Mrs. Miller preceded him in death in 2015.
He is survived by two daughters, Loretta Gooch of Marion, Illinois and Karen Johnston of Florissant, Missouri; by one son, Kevin Miller and wife Kay of Marion, Illinois; by one sister, Eleanor Ezell of Maryland; by fourteen grandchildren, Ray Rehder and wife Holly, Steve Rehder and wife Nancy, Brandi Futrell and husband Chris, Dan Miller, Karla Rowell and husband Mike, Kenny Miller, Josh Miller, Matthew Miller, Adam Miller, Jimi Ballard, Stacy Johnston, Kris Miller, Katie Miller and Kevin Jacob Miller; and by eighteen great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Larry Miller and Kendall “Harpo” Miller; and by one grandson, Matthew Johnston.
Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Monday, February 8, 2016 from 12:00 Noon to 2:30 P.M.
Funeral services will be conducted in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel on Monday, February 8, 2016 at 2:30 P.M. with Rev. Buddy Heaton officiating.
Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.
Ivan L. "Bullet" Pulling of Parma, son of the late Henry Ward and Doris Eveline Snow Pulling, was born in Port Dickerson, New York on July 18, 1922, and passed away at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Missouri on February 3, 2016, at the age of 93 years, 6 months, and 16 days.
Ivan had lived in New York, lived in Essex from 1945 until 1959 when he moved to Parma. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Parma for 63 years and had served as church secretary for many years. He retired as a funeral director after 30 years at Watkins & Sons Funeral Service in Parma. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army 808th Tank Destroyer Battalion and served during WWII. He enjoyed working in his shop, driving big trucks, deer hunting, fishing and his dogs.
On August 7, 1943, he was married to Audrey M. Coffey in Piggott, Arkansas.
Surviving are his wife, Audrey Pulling of Parma, Missouri; one son & wife, Stanley & Tonja Pulling of Mountain View, Missouri; one granddaughter & husband, Kristy & Adam Howell of Bernie, Missouri; one great grandson, Christopher Sutton of Bernie, Missouri; and two brothers & wife, Ward & Norma Pulling of Binghamton, New York and Sid Pulling of Cedar Hill, Missouri. Other relatives and many friends also survive.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Lois Jacobs & Elsie Lobdell; and two brothers, Burr & Kenneth Pulling.
Friends may call on Monday, February 8, 2016, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 8, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. in the Watkins & Sons Chapel in Dexter, Missouri with Danny Talkington of Essex officiating.
Interment will follow in the Missouri Veteran's Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri with full military honors. Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter, Missouri in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, PO Box 188, Parma, MO 63870.
Watkins & Sons Funeral Service
www.watkinsfuneralhome.com
Mary M. Eads, daughter of the late Grover Cleveland Esterline and Cora Mae Wilkey Esterline, was born in Manila, Arkansas on November 22, 1931 and departed this life at her residence in Dexter, Missouri on February 4, 2016 at the age of 84.
Mrs. Eads was a homemaker and a member of the United Pentecostal Church of Bloomfield, Missouri.
She was united in marriage to Floyd Junior Eads in Piggott, Arkansas on December 2, 1950. Mr. Eads preceded his wife in death on January 22, 1993.
Survivors include one son, Michael Tim Eads of Dexter, Missouri; by three daughters, Nina Laing of Dexter, Missouri, Sherry Smith of Cape Girardeau, Missouri and Nelda Tinker of Branson, Missouri; by one sister, Laura Wright of Bernie, Missouri; by eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; also by other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death other than by her parents and her husband, by one son, Mark Dewayne Eads; by two grandson’s; by one great-granddaughter.
Graveside services will be conducted on Friday, February 5, 2016 at Bernie Cemetery starting at 12:00 Noon. Rev. Jim Traughber officiating.
Interment will follow. Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.
