Alvin Metz of Dexter, son of the late James Edgar and Laura Oralie Bascom Metz, was born in Parma, Missouri on May 24, 1927, passed away at the Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on April 13, 2019, at the age of 91.

Alvin had lived in Paragould, Arkansas and the last thirty years in Dexter. Alvin was a retired Steel Mill worker. He was a member of the Grace Fellowship Church. Alvin most enjoyed being active in church and eating.

On July 12, 2003 Alvin was married to Deanna Ott in Dexter, Missouri

Surviving are his wife Deanna Metz of Dexter, Three sons: Robert Metz of Dexter, Brenden Stevenson of Finley, Tennessee, Timothy Stevenson of Burksville, Kentucky. Two daughters: Mary Baxter of Viola, Arkansas and Alice Crites of Poplar Bluff, Missouri. One brother: Frank Metz. Several grandchildren and great grandchildren. Other relatives and friends also survive. He was preceded in death by ten brothers, two sisters and one son.

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 15, 2019 after 12:00 p.m., until time of services at 1:00 p.m. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter with the Rev. Bonnie Cannell of Dexter officiating.

Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery in Dexter with Watkins and Sons Funeral Home of Dexter in charge of arrangements.

Kenneth Dugger, son of the late William H. Dugger and Thelma Baltimore Dugger, was born on July 27, 1949 in Zalma, Missouri and departed this life on April 7, 2019 at NHC Healthcare in West Plains, Missouri at the age of 69 years.

Mr. Dugger was a veteran of the United States Marine Corp and the United States Navy, serving in Vietnam.  After his service in the military, he was a former maintenance tech in the aerospace industry.

He is survived by his son Brandon Dugger; and by two brothers, Dallas Dugger and Douglas Dugger, both of Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Roger Dugger, Mitchel Dugger and Ronald Dugger; and by his sister, Wilma Rosenthal.

A graveside memorial service will be held at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery on Monday, April 15, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.

Jerry L. Corlew, son of the late William Max Corlew and Altie Rose Corlew, was born on April 21, 1935 in Sugar Tree, Missouri and departed this life on April 12, 2019 at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 83 years.

Mr. Corlew was a former tow truck driver for Arvin Automotive and a resident of Dexter.

On January 7, 1967, in St. Louis, Missouri, he was first united in marriage to Connie Lee Corzine.  Mrs. Connie Corlew preceded him in death on November 21, 1989.  On October 12, 1991, in Malden, Missouri, he was then united in marriage to Mary L. Wood.  Mrs. Mary Corlew survives of their home in Dexter.

In addition to his wife, Mary, he is survived by his son, Kevin Glenn of Franklin, Tennessee; by his daughter, Katie Corlew Dailey of Indianapolis, Indiana; by three step-sons, David Wood and his wife Julie of Memphis, Missouri, Thomas Wood of Ashland, Wisconsin and Brian Wood and his wife Tammy of Eau Claire, Michigan; by his brother, Eddie “Bud” Corlew and his wife Shirley of Bonne Terre, Missouri; by his sister, Glenda Corlew of Henderson, Tennessee; by eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Besides his first wife, Connie, and his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Ed Glenn; by his brother, Billy Corlew; and by his sister, Artencie Satterfield.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Sunday, April 14, 2019 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

Funeral services will then be conducted in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel on Sunday, April 14, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Lonny Mittag officiating. 

Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.

Clarence Dale Smith, son of the late Louie Elbert Smith and Opal Snider Smith, was born in 1939 in Essex, Missouri, and departed this life on April 12, 2019, at the age of 79.


Mr. Smith grew up on his family farm in Essex, Missouri.  After graduating from Essex High School, he devoted his life to farming in Essex, Puxico, Dexter, and Dudley, Missouri.  Mr. Smith was a member of the First Baptist Church Dexter, Missouri, as well as a member of the Board of Directors at the Bank of Bloomfield/Mercantile Bank and the Southeast Co-op Board.  He enjoyed spending time duck hunting at the North Otter Slough Hunting Club in Dudley, Missouri.  Mr. Smith treasured the love of his family, the days farming beside his son, was generous to those in need, and lived life with the work ethic of a farmer.

On July 27, 1958, he married Linda Jean Hewitt in Essex, Missouri.  She survives at their home in Dexter, Missouri.

     Survivors include one daughter, Julie Smith Lancaster (Larry) of Dexter, Missouri; one son, Kip Colton Smith (Pamela) of Dexter, Missouri; by one sister, Wanda Smith Wethington, Essex, Missouri; also by three grandchildren, Lydia Lancaster, Columbus, OH, Ryan Lancaster (Allison), Fenton, Missouri, Sawyer Smith (Leeza Edmondson), Jackson, Mississippi/Columbia, Missouri, and two great grandchildren Charlotte and Gavin.  

He was preceded in death by one brother-in-law, Elzie Wethington.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Monday, April 15, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

Funeral services will then be conducted at the First Baptist Church in Dexter on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Mark Smith and Rev. Don Kennedy officiating. 

Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to 18 Fore Life, c/o Scott Kruse, 705 Laurie Circle, Dexter, Missouri 63841.

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.

Larry “Buck” Lewis, son of the late Joseph Lewis and Christine Hester Lewis, was born on March 26, 1947 in Bloomfield, Missouri and departed this life on April 12, 2019 at his residence in Wappapello, Missouri, surrounded by family and friends, at the age of 72 years.

Mr. Lewis was a Veteran of the United States Army.  He served in Vietnam and Desert Storm; and he retired after 29 years, 9 months and 9 days as Sergeant Major.  He was a member of the Wappapello VFW Post #3416 and the VFW Riders; and he was very active in Veteran service organizations.

On March 12, 1965, in Circle City, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Carolyn Chafin.  

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Lewis of Wappapello, Missouri; by two daughters, Jo-Linda Lewis and Bonnie Lewis, both of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; by two brothers, Chuck Lewis of Granite City, Illinois and Joe Lewis of New Madrid, Missouri; by two sisters, Martha Howard of Greenville, Missouri and Charlotte Bohnenstiehl of Jerseyville, Illinois; by three grandchildren, Kayla and Shawn Burns and Joshua Lewis, all of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; and by two great-grandchildren, Carson Ryder Burns and Alena Grace Burns, both of Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers; Terry Overbey and Kenny Lewis and by his sister, Lena Jean Cloninger.  

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

Funeral services will then be conducted in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Ben Higgins officiating. 

Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield.

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charges of all arrangements.