Melbalene Bell of Puxico, Missouri, daughter of the late Floyd E. and Cora F. (Beal) Clinton was born on July 5, 1935, in Puxico, Missouri, and passed from this life on April 2, 2023, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at the age of 87 years.
She lived in Southeast Missouri all of her life. She loved to drive, liked bird watching, she was a loyal member of the Sammy Kershaw Fan Club. She loved spending time with family and friends, especially spoiling her grandchildren. A lady who enjoyed working but the greatest thing she truly loved was her passion for cooking. Melba had worked in numerous restaurants but she was most noted for owning and operating the restaurant that became an icon in Puxico, Missouri known as Mels Diner for 23 years. A restaurant where everyone, customers and employees were treated as her family. Melba was a member of the First Baptist Church of Puxico.
She is survived by four sons; Charles (Gail) Trout of Bloomfield, Missouri; Randy Trout of St. Charles, Missouri; Jim (Shelly) Trout of Puxico, Missouri; Dennis Trout of Wappapello, Missouri; one daughter Nicole (Jeff) Holloway of Puxico; two brothers, Ronnal Clinton of Puxico and Doug (Anita) Clinton of Senath, Missouri; two sisters, Phyllis (Ted) Pederson of Farwell, Minnesota; Shirley Duer of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; a lifelong close personal friend Charlotte Sifford.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother Wendall Clinton; three sisters Elois Young, Merlyn Cummings and Bonnie June Clinton.
Visitation Service will be held on Friday, April 7, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. until time of Service at 1:00 p.m. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Chapel with Pastor Doug Clinton officiating.
Interment will follow at Duck Creek Cemetery near Puxico with Watkins And Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements.
In memory of Larry & Kathy, and their daughter, Sara, as well as for all who’ve battled cancer themselves or have fought alongside a family member or friend.
The Larry & Kathy Jones Family H.O.P.E. Campaign Annual Fish Fry will be held on Friday, April 14, 2023 at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Bloomfield, Missouri.
The church is located at 704 West Missouri Street.
The event will be from 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. and they are currently pre-selling tickets. Cost is $15 for adults, $10 for children 10 and under. To go order will also be available. Maggie thorn will be the entertainment!
T-shirts are also available for purchase.
This is their small way of giving back! We celebrate H.O.P.E. ~ Healing, Optimism, Prayer and Example.
Since March of 2011, this charity has raised over $154,000 for area cancer warriors and individuals faced with life-threatening illness.
The H.O.P.E. Campaign is a division of 18 FORE Life, a 501(c)(3) charity, with a shared mission of benefiting area cancer warriors and individuals faced with life-threatening illness.
To date, 18 FORE Life has sent out $3.4 Million in love offerings to families all over Southeast Missouri and beyond. The generous donations and support to the charity have truly made a difference. But, there’s “more work to do!”
You may e-mail them with questions at larrybjoneshopecampaign@yahoo.com or find them on fb @ fb.com/larrybjoneshopecampaign
Stephen R. Underwood, son of the late Roy E. and Norma Davis Underwood, was born on January 1, 1955 in Bloomfield, Missouri. He departed this life on March 31, 2023, at Southeast Health Center, Dexter Missouri, at the age of 68 years.
Mr. Underwood was a member and retiree of the St. Louis Carpenters District Council of St. Louis, Missouri as a carpenter and millwright. He and his wife, Joyce, also raised registered beef cattle. He was a member of St. Joe General Baptist Church at Idalia, Missouri. Hobbies he enjoyed throughout his life included boating, fishing, motorcycling and woodworking. He was a lifelong resident of the Bloomfield Community.
On May 24, 1974, he was united in marriage to Joyce Pullum. She survives of the home in rural Bloomfield.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his nieces and nephews: Ritchie Wilson (Laveice) of Risco, Troy Underwood, Kim Underwood of Cape Girardeau, Ron Underwood (Linda) of Sikeston, Dennis Underwood (Donna) of Cape Girardeau, Karen Ziegenhorn (Dennis) of Sikeston, Rick Morrow (Loretta) of Dexter, Tammy Harris (Chris) of Dexter, Dana Tellman of Dexter, Jessica Hawkins (Mike) of Bloomfield, Jamie Schuchart (Danny) of Bloomfield, and T.J. Davis (Chelsey) of Puxico.
Many other relatives and friends mourn his passing, including Angie Thurston (Jamie) of Dexter, Juston (Kristin) Jarrell of Bloomfield, Leagh Willis (Chris) of Dexter and Tracey Robison (Bill) of Bloomfield.
Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers: John Underwood, Elmer Underwood, and Delmer Underwood; by his sisters: Frances Berry, Wilma Morrow, and Geneva Grim; by his nieces: Sandra Harty and Cassidi Davis; by his nephews: Randy Wilson, Dale Underwood and Donnie Underwood.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Monday, April 3, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, April 3, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow in the Bloomfield Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Gateway Chapter, 10900 Manchester Road, Ste 206
Kirkwood, MO 63122 or the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Teresa Kay Freeland, daughter of the late Bonard Newell and Mary Katherine Graue Newell, was born on July 15, 1955, in Arkansas, and departed this life on March 30, 2023, at her residence in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 67 years.
Mrs. Freeland worked as an in-home care aid for A Plus and she was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Dexter.
On November 21, 1979, in Sikeston, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Edward Lee Freeland Sr. Mr. Freeland preceded her in death on January 19, 2012.
She is survived by her son, Edward Lee Freeland Jr. of Dexter, Missouri; by her daughter, Sharon Renee Weyand-Starr of Dexter, Missouri; by two brothers, David Newell of Perryville, Missouri, and Randy Newell of Sikeston, Missouri; by her sister, Sandra Hendrix of Dexter, Missouri; by five grandchildren, Brittney Cheyenne Freeland, Lee Marsh, Chelsie Montano, London Shroyer, and Cierra Weyand; and by three great-grandchildren, Damari Patton, Alijah Shroyer, and Greyson Shroyer.
Other than by her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Terry Newell; and by four sisters, Jennie Pulliam, Glenda Kearbey, Norma Hargrove, and Donna Pemberton.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Helen Voss of Puxico, Missouri, the daughter of the late Thurman Lestie and Minnie Aline (Mossman) O'Neal was born on March 2, 1948, in Puxico, Missouri, and passed away on March 25, 2023, in St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of 75.
Helen moved back to Puxico in 2011 after working in St. Louis for the Internal Revenue Service until her retirement. She also spent time living in Tennessee. Helen was of the Baptist Faith and loved crocheting, knitting, all arts and crafts, cooking and baking. She really enjoyed spending time with family spoiling her grand kids. She never knew a stranger and was like an adopted influence to most.
Helen is survived by one son, William (Visnja) McCullar of St. Louis, Missouri, two daughters, Tammy (Dennis) Ludwig of St. Louis, Missouri; Tanya (Joe) Caito of Eureka, Missouri; two brothers, Donald Gene (Dorothy) O'Neal and Thurman Russell O'Neal of Puxico, Missouri; six grandchildren, Cassidy Ludwig; Tyler Ludwig; Ethan McCullar; Gordon McCullar; Evan Caito and Gavin Caito; four great-grandchildren as well a host of family and friends.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her life partner, William Bill McCullar; one brother, Freeman Lestie O'Neal; five sisters, Lois Caldwell, Shirley Bolin, Fernie Julius, Virginia Spears, Loreda Janson; and one grandson, William McCullar.
Visitation Service will be held on Thursday, March 30, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. with Funeral Service to follow the Watkins And Sons Funeral Chapel in Puxico, Missouri, with Pastor Kenneth Lambert of Puxico, Missouri, officiating.
Interment will follow at the Rock Hill Cemetery near Puxico, Missouri, with Watkins And Sons of Dexter in charge of arrangements.
