Martha “Jo” Gisi Hice, daughter of the late Edmond Gisi and Mary Iva Morrison Gisi, was born on October 20, 1930, in Rural Essex, Missouri, and departed this life on December 16, 2023, at Memory Lane in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 93 years.
Mrs. Hice was a former employee of Arvin Meritor in Dexter, Missouri. She was a member of Hopewell General Baptist Church in Essex, Missouri, and a resident of Dexter. She was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and Richland Rebel Basketball. She enjoyed being outdoors and she loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by two daughters, Terri Iva Hice of Dexter, Missouri, and Jackie Jones and husband Darrell of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; by two grandchildren, Bradley Jones and wife Janet and Mindy Lorenz and husband Justin; and by three great-grandchildren, Ayden Jones, Ryker Jones, and Zachary Jones.
Other than by her parents, she was preceded in death by six brothers, Glennon Gisi, Charles Gisi, Raymond Gisi, Eugene Gisi, Harold Gisi, and Wilbert “Fib” Gisi; and by two sisters, Ethel French, and Stella Gisi.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. with Rev. Rick Roberts officiating. Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter assisted with arrangements.
Goldie Mae Mock, daughter of the late Lynn and Beulah Smothers, was born on January 10, 1922, in Lepanto, Arkansas, and departed this life on December 15, 2023, at Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 101 years.
Mrs. Mock was a homemaker and a resident of Dexter, Missouri.
On February 15, 1943, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, she was united in marriage to Charley Mock. Mr. Mock preceded her in death on November 15, 2013.
She is survived by her son, Charles Mock and wife Mary of Dexter, Missouri; by her granddaughter, Shannon Chasteen of Henderson, Tennessee; and by two great-grandchildren, Davis Chasteen and Hannah DuBose.
Other than by her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Lloyd Smothers and by her sister, Cleo Clark.
Graveside services will be held at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter assisted with arrangements.
Rita Ann Burch, daughter of the late Arthur Thomas Read Jr. and Ann Farr Palmer, was born on May 16, 1951, in Michigan and departed this life at her residence in Batesville, Arkansas on December 12, 2023, at the age of 72 years.
Mrs. Burch was a homemaker. She attended Harrison Street Church of Christ in Batesville, Arkansas. She enjoyed supporting her family and attending sporting events.
On October 24, 1969, in Bernie, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Glen Burch. Mr. Burch survives of their home in Batesville, Arkansas.
Along with her husband, she is survived by her son, Brian Burch and wife Shelly of Heber Springs, Arkansas; by five brothers, Ray Read of Puxico, Missouri, Ronnie Palmer of Bernie, Missouri, Larry Palmer of Bloomfield, Missouri, Johnny Palmer of Bernie, Missouri, and Randall Palmer of Wesley Chapel, Florida; by five sisters, Sandra Cryts of Bernie, Missouri, by Linda Fay Merritt of Bernie, Missouri, Brenda Smith of Bloomfield, Missouri, Sally Cloninger of Bernie, Missouri and Rita Jo Kerr of Doniphan, Missouri; by four grandchildren, Logan Burch, Gabriel Tate, Brandon Tate, and Kathryn Tate; and by two great-grandchildren, Layton Burch and Wyatt Tate.
Other than by her parents, she was preceded in death by her step-father, John Palmer; by three brothers, Roger Read, Arthur Thomas Read III, and Jack Palmer; and by two sisters, Linda Jane Ford and Nancy Waldrup.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie on Friday, December 15, 2023, from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, December 15, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie is assisting with arrangements.
Travis Dale Cooper son of the late Lloyal Cooper and Dawsey McMillion Cooper was born on February 19, 1933 in Bernie, Missouri and departed this life on December 12, 2023 at the Winchester Place in Bernie, Missouri at the age of 90.
Mr. Cooper had worked for S and W Sales Company, selling and servicing amusement machines. He was a Veteran of the United States National Guard and was a member of the Bernie Church of Christ. He was a hard worker and enjoyed being in church, fishing and spending time with his family in his limited free time.
He was united in marriage to Clara Mae McFarlin on January 12, 1952 in Piggott, Arkansas. Mrs. Cooper preceded him in death on July 26, 2015.
He is survived by his son Randall and wife Patsy Cooper of Bernie, Missouri; by his daughter, Sherry and husband Darryl Barnes of Clarkton, Missouri; by his grandchildren, Christopher Barnes and Travis Cooper; by his brothers, Ardie Cooper of Junction City, Kansas, and Roger Cooper of Bernie, Missouri; by his sisters, Betty Thurston, and Darlene McGowan both of Bernie, Missouri, Cora Coker of Republic, Missouri, and Janet Wood of Malden, Missouri.
Other than by his wife and parents he was preceded in death by his son, Ronald Cooper; by two brothers, Billie Cooper, and Rev. Don Cooper; and by two sisters, Geraldine Pyle, and Gloriaetta Beaird.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2023 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, Missouri. A funeral service will be conducted on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. in the Mathis Funeral Chapel in Bernie, Missouri with Stan Dauck officiating. Interment will follow in the Bernie Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Betty Cooper Hearnes, former First Lady of Missouri and State representative died Thursday, December 14, 2023, at her home in Charleston, surrounded by her family. She was 96.
A complete obituary is pending.
A private family committal service will be held at the Hearnes Family Mausoleum at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery near Charleston.
Entombment will follow under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston.
A public musical celebration honoring the life of Betty Cooper Hearnes will be held at a later date.
Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, plants and gift items, the family kindly requests memorials be made to:
Autism Speaks, P.O. Box 37148, Boone, IA 50037-0148 or online at the website: autismspeaks.org.
or to Friends of the Missouri Governors Mansion, 716 East High Street, Jefferson City, MO, 65101.
