Jerry Don McGowan, son of the late John Raymond and Iola Laverne (Toots) Wilson McGowan was born on February 21, 1938 in Black Oak, Arkansas and departed this life on December 30, 2023 at his residence in Bernie at the age of 85.
Jerry Don worked most of his life as a carpenter and musician in the Bernie area.
On February 23, 1957 he was united in marriage to Shirley Louise Nichols in Mississippi. Mrs. McGowan preceded him in death on June 28, 2020.
He is survived by their son, Joey McGowan of Bernie, Missouri; by their two daughters, Jill McGowan of Bernie, Missouri, and Mary Beth McGowan of Bernie, Missouri; by their daughter in law, Michelle McGowan of Dexter, Missouri; by fifteen grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild; by four brothers, Jackie McGowan and wife Helen, Johnny McGowan and wife Betty, Jeffery McGowan and wife Karen, and Jan McGowan all of Bernie, Missouri; by one sister, Margie Brown and husband Dave of Elgin, Illinois; by one sister in law, Darlene McGowan of Bernie, Missouri; by his late wife’s sister, Sherian Nichols Todd and husband Jamie; also by many other extended family and friends.
Other than by his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by their two sons, Justin McGowan and Jed McGowan; by their grandsons, Jared McGowan and Jonathan McGowan; by their great-grandson, Myles Gooch; and by his brother, Jimmy Joe McGowan.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, Missouri. Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. in the Mathis Funeral Chapel with Stan Dauck officiating. Interment will follow in the Bernie Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie assisted with arrangements.
Alice LaDonne Waggoner daughter of the late John Trammell and Emmer Birchfield Trammell was born on August 1, 1937 in Dexter, Missouri and departed this life on December 30, 2023 at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing Center of Dexter at the age of 86.
LaDonne had worked at Arvin in Dexter and was a resident of Dexter. She enjoyed working outside in her flower garden.
She is survived by two daughters, Rhonda Sherman and husband Keith of Dexter, Missouri and Donita Lintz and husband Greg of Dexter, Missouri; by two grandchildren, Derek Sherman, and Shelby Elfrink and husband Anthony.
Other than by her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, J.W. “Bud” Trammell; and by two sisters, Nadine Kuenzer and Nelba Brown.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting the family with arrangements.
Ray Dewayne Reed, son of the late Author T. Read and Faye Pauline Tompkins Read was born on July 31, 1944, in Campbell, Missouri and departed this life on December 30, 2023, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Emergency Department in Poplar Bluff, Missouri at the age of 79.
Ray had retired from Brown Shoe in Bernie where he had worked as the foreman. He had also worked in the coal yard, operating dozers for Associated Electric in New Madrid, Missouri. He enjoyed woodworking and collecting sports cards. He loved taking care of his three rat terriers; Scooter, Buffy and Toby.
On April 3, 1963, he was united in marriage to Ruth Hurley in Malden, Missouri. Mrs. Reed survives of their home in Puxico, Missouri.
Along with his wife, he is survived by one son, Shawn Reed and wife Holly of Puxico, Missouri; and by three grandchildren, Brooke Reed, Isabella Reed, and Piper Reed.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Roger Read.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at the Mathis Funeral Chapel in Bernie, Missouri. Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. in the Mathis Funeral Chapel in Bernie, Missouri. Interment will follow in the Bernie Cemetery with Krag Runzi officiating.
Frances McLard, daughter of the late Franklin McLard and Rubie Tankersley McLard, was born on November 16, 1942, in St. Louis, Missouri, and departed this life on December 27, 2023, at Heartland Care and Rehab in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at the age of 81 years.
Ms. McLard was a former resident of Dexter, Missouri and had attended Risen Church in Dexter.
She is survived by three sisters, Ruth Worley of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Elizabeth Burns of Dexter, Missouri, and Pat Miller of Dexter, Missouri.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Michael McLard, Ed McLard, Mitchell McLard, and JR McLard.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Graveside services will then be conducted at Walker Cemetery on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Madison Vanvacter, daughter of Andrew and Ashley Wilson, was born on July 17, 2008, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and departed this life on December 27, 2023, at Southeast Health of Stoddard County in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 15 years.
Madison was a student at Richland Schools in Essex, Missouri, and a resident of Essex. She loved listening to music, especially Jason Aldean, and she loved watching TV, Peppa Pig was her favorite show.
She is survived by her parents, Andrew and Ashley Wilson of Essex, Missouri; by her father, Bradley Vanvacter of Piedmont, Missouri; by two sisters, Marissa Vanvacter and Maci Vanvacter both of Essex, Missouri; by her maternal grandmother, Janet Patterson of Bloomfield, Missouri; by her paternal grandparents, Allen and Tonya Wilson of Aid, Missouri; by her maternal great-grandmother, Betty Horn of Bloomfield, Missouri; by her paternal great-grandmother, Sandra Kildow of Essex, Missouri; by her uncle, Tim Grigery of Bloomfield, Missouri; and by several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Terry Patterson.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Kyle Mitchell officiating. Interment will follow in the Old Essex Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
