Merle Taylor, daughter of the late Thomas N. Smith and Dora Garner Smith, was born on November 27, 1923, near Dexter, Missouri, and departed this life on February 28, 2022, at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 98 years.
Merle attended Dexter Public Schools and graduated with the class of 1941. She was an active member of the Essex United Methodist Church, and of the Essex community. Merle was one of the organizers of the first Girl Scouts in Essex and a troop leader for many years. She was also a generous supporter of several charities. She proudly supported the Richland Rebels and enjoyed attending all her grandchildren’s activities.
On January 24, 1942, in the Methodist Church in Bloomfield, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Charles Taylor. Mr. Taylor preceded her in death on August 21, 2007.
She is survived by her son, Ronny Taylor and companion LaRhonda Gibson of Dexter, Missouri; by two daughters, Deena Kelley and husband Billy of Essex, Missouri, and Marsha Keller and husband Kenneth of Essex, Missouri; by eight grandchildren, Andy Kelley, Erik Kelley, Kurt Kelley, Leslie Haley, Josh Gibson, Carrie Wyman, Sarah Porter, and Rachel Dawson; and by fifteen great-grandchildren, Ryan Kelley, Drew Kelley, Kole Kelley, Charlie Kelley, Alyssa Thompson, Riley Moore, Jack Moore, Logan Haley, Morgan Haley, Kate Wyman, Joe Wyman, Alex Porter, Ava Porter, Adam Porter, Caroline Dawson and Ellie Dawson.
Other than by her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Arvel Smith and Otis Smith; and by three sisters, Irene Milley, Ruby West, and Wilma Prater.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Thursday, March 3, 2022, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, March 3, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Jayne Markin officiating. Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Essex United Methodist Church, PO Box 12, Essex, Missouri 63846; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38101; C.L.A.S.S, c/o Toni Pyle, 817 Bent Creek Est, Dexter, Missouri; or a charity of choice.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Barbara Carol Sontag Brown daughter of the late Dolan Sontag and Carol Putnam Sontag was born on January 21, 1946 in Pontiac, Michigan and departed this life on February 25, 2022 at Southeast Health in Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 76 years.
Mrs. Brown worked as a Certified nursing assistant, EMT for Stoddard County, and also at Browns Shoe Factory. She was a member of Fist Assembly of God church in Malden Serving as a Deacon and Sunday school teacher.
On June 26, 1962 in Pontiac, Michigan she was united in Marriage to Larry Brown. Mr. Brown survives of their home In Bernie.
In addition to her husband she is survived by one son; Jamey Brown and Tina of Dexter, one daughter; Yolanda Kincy of Bernie, seven grandchildren; Christina Brown of Dexter, Amanda Hopkins of Birmingham, Alabama, Laci Eaton, of Dexter, Steve Kirkpatrick, Ben Kirkpatrick, Jason Williams and Trevor Williams of Bernie, thirteen great – grandchildren; Payton Kirkpatrick, Piper Kirkpatrick, Jase Kirkpatrick, Rylee Eaton, Ryan Eaton, Brynlee Pence, Taylor Williams, Jaelyn Williams, Nicholas Williams, Nolan Williams, Nora Williams, Reese Williams, and Zayn Williams, one sister; Mona Cruz of Almont, Michigan.
Other than by her parents she was preceded in death by one son; Larry Wayne Brown Jr, one daughter; Carol Marie Williams, one brother; Terry Dolan Sontag, two Sisters; Princess Yambo, and Marguerite Clark.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie on Monday, February 28, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
Funeral Services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, February 28, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Mark Thrasher officiating.
Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Rosemary P. Walker was born on May 4, 1927 in Ripley County Missouri to the late Rev. Sam W. Pulliam and Georgia Ethel Cox Pulliam and passed away on February 24, 2022 at the age of 94.
She attended elementary school in Oxley, MO and Essex, MO before moving with her family to Bloomfield in 1941 where she graduated from Bloomfield High School with the Class of 1944. She attended college at Southeast Missouri State Teachers College for 2 ½ years and after earning a temporary teacher’s certificate, she began teaching typing and English at Bernie High School at the young age of 19. She returned to college during the summer terms to complete her education degree.
On May 28, 1950, she united in marriage to James Walker in Hornersville, Missouri. They shared 53 years together until the time of his death in 2004.
In 1952, Rosemary began teaching what she loved - high school business classes at Bloomfield High School. She spent the next 30 plus years teaching typing, shorthand, bookkeeping and secretarial practice. Her greatest pleasure in education came from watching the students in her secretarial practice class move on to good jobs or take their skills to college. Among her most memorable achievements during her years at BHS was establishing the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) organization with fellow business teacher Bill Wallace. Rosemary’s dedication to her career and her students is a legacy among those who were privileged to sit in her classroom.
Rosemary was a faithful member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Bloomfield, MO for over 70 years. She served in numerous capacities some of which included pianist/organist, choir leader, Administrative Council member, United Methodist Women, and Sunday School teacher. She was pleased to be instrumental and participate in the planning of the construction of the church’s current facilities in hope that the church would continue to be a vital part of the Bloomfield community.
After retiring from education, she obtained her realtor license and worked for Frank Sifford Real Estate in Bloomfield for several years. She was a charter board member of the Stoddard County Children’s home, delivered Meals on Wheels and worked diligently to promote progress in the Bloomfield community and school district.
She formed lifelong friendships while playing bridge with a special group of ladies. She was an avid reader, enjoyed working crossword puzzles, playing Scrabble, watching Jeopardy and St Louis Cardinal baseball.
Her life mantra was “Let me do all the good I can….To all the people I can….As often as I can…..for I shall not pass this way again.”
She left a legacy of love to her daughter, Jamie Jackson (Ken) of Dexter, Missouri and wonderful memories to two grandsons, Ryan Walker Jackson (Ashley) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri and Aaron Matthew Jackson (Whitney) of Jefferson City, Missouri. Four great-grandchildren, Ellie Ann, Kate Elizabeth, Emmy Rose and Luke Walker also brought her much joy.
Rosemary shared a strong family bond with her sister, Lillian Shublom of Kansas City, Kansas and her late brother, George Edwin Pulliam. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Frances Pulliam, of Bernie, Missouri and a brother-in-law, Wayne Walker, of Columbia, Missouri. Numerous nieces and nephews have also been beneficiaries of her love and support. She was preceded by two brothers, Earl Samuel and Joe Carl, who died in early childhood.
Visitation will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church in Bloomfield, Missouri from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 5, 2022.
Funeral services will immediately follow at 11:00 AM with Rev. Steve Koerner and Rev. Geoff Posegate officiating. Burial will be in the Bloomfield Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, PO Box 302, Bloomfield, MO 63825; Stars and Stripes Museum, 17377 Stars and Stripes Way, Bloomfield, MO 63825; or Stoddard County Children’s Home, PO Box 164, Dexter, MO 63841.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
LC Burchell was born on April 9, 1939, in Gosnell Arkansas, and passed away at his home in Holcomb Missouri, on February 23, 2022.
He loved fishing and hunting. His family was the most important thing in his life. He looked forward to the B&B reunion every year. LC proudly served in the Air Force from 1956 – 1960.
Burchell was preceded in death by his parents, Lindsay and Emily Burchell, his wife; Nola Chilton Burchell, two brothers; Carl Burchell and Burnett Burchell, four sisters; Leona Beasley, Viola Keeling, Pauline Beasley, and Paulette Prewitt, two stepsons; Daryl Chilton, and Dallas Chilton, and two stepdaughters; Kay Pike, and Robin Johnson.
He is survived by one daughter Lisa (Ben) Willyerd, one stepdaughter; Sherry Perry, one stepson; Douglas (Glenda) Chilton, five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; one sister; Doris (Charlie) Barnes, and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. at the Lynn Oak General Baptist Church in Clarkton, Missouri.
A graveside service will then be conducted on Monday, March 7, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield with full Military Honors.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Lonnie Elwood Marler of Perryville, Missouri, the son of Charley Elwood and Mary Hazel (Elledge) Marler was born in Puxico, Missouri on July 05, 1946 and passed away in his home on February 21, 2022 at the age of 75.
Lonnie was a veteran of the United States Navy. He was self employed as a pallet broker.
He was united in marriage to Mary Ann Morgan on September 20, 1969 in Collinsville Illinois.
Lonnie is survived by his wife Mary Ann Marler of the home, three sons Scott Marler of Navarre, Florida, Kevin Marler of Annapolis, Missouri and Kent Marle of Fredericktown, Missouri; one brother Perry Marler of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; one sister Linda Watson of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; three grandsons Garrett, Ethan and Connor Marler; two granddaughters Mackenzie Marler and Gracie Stair. A host of family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Charles Elwood and Mary Hazel Marler and one brother Louie Marler.
Visitation will be held on Saturday February 26, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Puxico, Missouri, with Funeral Service to follow with Pastor Doyle Mitchell of Dexter, Missouri officiating.
Internment will take place at Wappapello Cemetery in Wappapello, Missouri with Watkins and Sons Funeral Home of Dexter in charge of all arrangements.
Watkins and Sons Funeral Service
