Michael Craft, son of the late Leon Craft and Flossie Lee Turner Craft, was born on January 14, 1964, in Bernie, Missouri, and departed this life on September 22, 2023, at Pemiscot Memorial Hospital in Hayti, Missouri, and the age of 59 years.
Mr. Craft was the owner of a tree trimming business and a resident of Kennett, Missouri. He enjoyed fishing.
He is survived by his wife, Loretta Craft, of Kennett, Missouri; by five brothers, David Craft of Dexter, Missouri, Billy Craft of Bernie, Missouri, Danny Craft of Campbell, Missouri, Robert Craft of Bernie, Missouri, and Keith Craft of Dexter, Missouri; by five sisters, Linda Strickland of Bernie, Missouri, Patricia Riddell of Campbell, Missouri, Marilyn Rushing of Dexter, Missouri, Marlene Craft of Bernie, Missouri, and Kayeela Sugg of Dexter, Missouri; and by five step-children and multiple grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Monday, September 25, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, September 25, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. with Ivan Mekan officiating.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
After a lengthy battle with cancer, our beloved wife, mother, Nana, great-grandma & sister, Debra Ann Swafford, passed away on September 22, 2023. Debbie, as she was known to friends & family, passed away at Delta South Nursing & Rehabilitation in Sikeston, Missouri, surrounded by family & loved ones. Debbie left us with a legacy of kindness, love and quiet strength as well as many treasured memories.
Debbie was born to Wayne Benson and Betty Menz Keesee in Arnold, Missouri on August 12, 1956, the second of four siblings. The family moved from Arnold to Commerce, MO and Debbie graduated from Kelly High School in 1974. In high school she was drum majorette and enjoyed twirling, a skill which she passed on to her daughters. After high school, Debbie became a licensed insurance agent and worked for Davis & Byrd Insurance in Sikeston, MO for seven years. From her first marriage, she was blessed with a daughter, Carrie Ann Miller (Haynes), born in 1977.
On May 22, 1981, Debbie was united in marriage to Norman Swafford at his residence in rural Bernie, MO. Through that marriage she became a loving stepmother to Noelle Dawn Swafford. Norman and Debbie created a loving family with their girls & spent 42 happily- married years traveling the United States, making happy memories.
Debbie joined Norman in Swafford Photographic Service, where she kept the business organized & kept Norm in line. For most of their 42 years together they photographed countless schools, dance studios, weddings and families. Debbie was beloved by the clients, teachers and students. Never far from each other’s sides, Debbie and Norm were also a team in his courtroom, where she became his court clerk. Norm’s first court clerk passed away and Debbie was asked to fill in for her, which she did…for 38 years, even working past Norm’s retirement as clerk for Judge Shannon Foster.
One of Debbie’s best friends described her perfectly when she said, “If you can’t get along with Debbie Swafford, you can’t get along with anyone.” Debbie was known for her kindness, her peaceful spirit and her love of cats, especially Fluffy, Muffin and Miss Kitty. She kept cat food in her car and was feeding ten cats around town until she could no longer drive. She had a true loving heart for animals and enjoyed sitting on her covered deck watching birds and drinking wine. Most of Norm & Debbie’s trips included rivers & waterfalls and the mountains, which she loved so much. Some of her happiest memories were visiting the Yule Log Cabin with her grandkids and enjoying nachos and wine at River Ridge. She loved her grandkids and her great- grandson & loved baking them her famous sugar cookies. Debbie was a talented cross-stitcher and she spent hours stitching with her daughters on vacations and at their homes. Debbie was absolutely beloved by her sons-in-law as well. Debbie was simply the best example of Christian faith and embodied treating others as she would want to be treated.
Debbie is survived by her husband, Norman & daughters Carrie (David) Haynes & Noelle (Chuck) Buttry. Other survivors include one sister, Connie (Eddie) Workman of Scott City, MO; two brothers, Rodney (Bridget) Benson of Kelso, MO; Stacy Benson of Scott City, MO; one aunt, Faye (Alan) Farrow of Fruitland, MO; six grandchildren, Ryder Buttry of Dallas, TX; Wyatt Buttry & Brooks Buttry of Fayetteville, AR; Hannah (Michael) Hale of Dexter, MO; Shelby Haynes of Walnut Ridge, AR; Madelyn Haynes of Dexter, MO; and one great-grandson, Memphis Hale, son of Michael & Hannah.
Debbie was preceded in death by her dad, Wayne Benson; her mom, Betty Keesee; and her stepfather, Glenn Keesee.
The family would like to thank Barry & Michelle Aycock, Jason Shelton, Shannon Foster, Delta South Care Center (especially Bobbie Young & Stephanie Markham), Crown Hospice and all of Debbie’s medical caregivers at Siteman Cancer Center, especially Dr. Daniel Morgensztern, M.D. & Mary Ellen Flanagan, NP, and countless friends and relatives.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. A memorial service will then be held in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri.
Memorials may be made to wreathsacrossamerica.org or The Humane Society of Missouri.
William "Eddie" Edward Vanover of Puxico, Missouri, the son of the late Theral David Vanover and Rhonda Viana (Pratt) Vanover was born in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, on November 22, 1991, and passed from this life on September 21 2023, at the age of 31 years 9 months and 30 days.
William lived in the Southeast Missouri area his whole life. He worked as a farm manager, enjoyed hunting and fishing, and spending time with family and friends.
William married Katie Goodman in Scott City, Missouri, on October 17, 2020.
He is survived by his wife of the home; two sons, Seth Goodman and Hunter Goodman both of Puxico, Missouri; one daughter, Courtney Shepard of Puxico, Missouri; his mother and step-father, Rhonda and George Taylor of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; two sisters, Tonya Vanover of Puxico, Missouri and Wendy (Mark) O' Kelley of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; one nephew, Seth O'Kelley of Poplar Bluff, MIssouri; one niece, Tori Head of Puxico, Missouri; two uncles, Tom (Pettie) Buttry of O'Fallon, Missouri and Chris (Lisa) Pratt of Puxico, Missouri; two aunts, Kimmie Hendrix of Advance, Missouri, and Terri Worley of Puxico, Missouri; as well as a host of family and friends.
William was preceded in death by his father; maternal grandparents, Charlie and Joyce Pratt; paternal grandparents, RV and Trecie Vanover.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 24, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Chapel In Puxico, Missouri, with funeral service at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Dusty Stroud officiating.
Interment will follow at the Puxico Cemetery in Puxico, Missouri, with Watkins And Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements.
Daniel John Lewis, son of the late Lt. Colonel Glenn Lewis and Elizabeth Forsman Lewis was born on January 12, 1953, in Long Branch, New Jersey, and departed this life on September 20, 2023, at Clearview Nursing Center in Sikeston, Missouri, at the age of 70 years.
Mr. Lewis worked in various careers throughout his life, including healthcare, selling insurance and computer repair. He attended New Salem Baptist Church in Marble Hill, Missouri and was a resident of Marble Hill. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, aviation, photography, hunting, dogs and nature. Dan always had a positive outlook on life and his smile always brightened up the room.
On October 6, 1989, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Theresa Hammock. Mrs. Lewis survives of their home in Marble Hill.
Along with his wife, he is survived by his son, Daniel Lewis Jr. of Houston, Texas; by his daughter, Valerie Lewis of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; and by two sisters, Stephanie Helms and Michelle Shanklin both of Desoto, Missouri.
A Celebration of Life service is being planned for a future date and will be held at New Salem Baptist Church in Marble Hill.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter assisted with arrangements.
Michael Anthony Clodfelter, son of the late George Clodfelter and Shirley Nadine Bennett Clodfelter, was born on April 22, 1961, in St. Louis, Missouri, and departed this life on September 20, 2023, at Southeast Health of Stoddard County, in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 62 years.
Michael was raised by Carl and Rena Hefner of Dexter, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Elaine Hellings.
Graveside services will be held at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Bell City on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
