Bobbie Jean Sheldon Ward was born on January 10, 1930, in Advance, Missouri. She passed away on Monday, February 19, 2024, at Prairie View Skilled Nursing Center in Bloomfield, Missouri, at the age of 94. She was the youngest child of Richard and Addie Sheldon. She always spoke fondly of her growing up years and shared her happy memories with family and friends.
On December 16, 1946, at the young age of almost 17, she married Jack Ward. He was 10 years older than her and together they set about building a life together. They soon added two sons, Dennis and Larry, and life was good. Jack and Jean remained together until his passing on January 29, 1998.
Jean had worked at various factory jobs but her favorite things to do involved her home and family. They always had a big garden and she spent hours canning and freezing produce grown in that garden. She was a great cook and baker. Her family enjoyed the amazing meals that she prepared. She liked to sew and do needlepoint. She also enjoyed staying in touch with others on her computer. She tried to keep up with family through daily emails. She loved to play with the grandkids and later the great grandkids. She was always up for a game of Go Fish or whatever they wanted to do.
Besides her husband Jack and son Dennis, she was preceded in death by her two sisters, Elsie Rhodes, and Lucille Crain, and by two brothers, Velmer Sheldon, and Edwin Sheldon.
She is survived by her son, Larry Ward of Bloomfield, Missouri; by her daughter-in-law, Debbie Ward; by her grandchildren, Michele Bascom, Kara Walker (Seth) and Alex Ward; and by her great grandchildren, Ricky and Britney Bascom and Emma Walker. She will be missed by her family and friends.
A private graveside service will be held at Gravel Hill Cemetery near Bloomfield.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
George Alvin Cox, son of the late Hubert Cox and Fronie Washam Cox, was born on August 26, 1931, in Bethel Springs, Tennessee, and departed this life on February 15, 2024, at Signature Healthcare in Clarksville, Tennessee, at the age of 92 years.
Mr. Cox was a Veteran of the United States Air Force, serving from 1952 to 1956, during the Korean War. He was a former resident of Dexter, Missouri, and a member of the Dexter Church of Christ, where he served as deacon of the benevolence ministry for 25 years. He was a former Elementary and Jr. High School Teacher and Basketball, Baseball, Volleyball, and Track Coach for the Richland Rebels in Essex, Missouri. He retired after 31 years with the Richland R-1 Public Schools. Mr. Cox was a Meals on Wheels volunteer for the Dexter Senior Center for 25 years and delivered over 16,000 meals. Mr. Cox was the Region 12 winner of the Missouri Retired Teachers Association Distinguished Retiree Award, was a counselor with the Southeast Area Agency on Aging, a member of the Hospital Auxiliary, a member of the Stoddard County Mental Health Board, an American Cancer Society volunteer for Relay for Life, a member of the Elk’s Lodge, a member of the American Legion, and a Sunday School Teacher. Mr. Cox was awarded the Missouri Lieutenant Governor’s Senior Service Award. He loved St. Louis Cardinal baseball and Richland Rebel basketball. Mr. Cox had the heart of a servant and a passion for coaching and mentoring area youth.
He was united in marriage to Bernice Strickland on December 19, 1953, in Maryland Heights, Missouri. Mrs. Cox preceded him in death on February 24, 2013.
He is survived by two daughters, Sherry Alsup and husband Tim of Clarksville, Tennessee and Kimberly Lawrence and partner Michael Murphy of Ellisville, Missouri, and by seven grandchildren: Kara Alsup Harris, Matthew Alsup, Hannah Lawrence, Collin Lawrence, Rory Cox, Jeremy Cox, and Jared Cox. He also leaves behind his dear friend and sister in Christ, Eulah Grissom.
Other than by his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Jeffrey Cox; by three brothers, William “Dub” Cox, Marvin Cox, and Parvin Cox; and by three sisters, Helen Crow, Nina Reinbott, and Robbie Hurst. He was also preceded in death by his special friend, Sue Brillhart.
Mr. Cox’s family would like to thank the wonderful friends, neighbors, and caregivers that took such good care of him during the final few years and days of his life: Paul and Marilyn Burleson, Peggy Potts, the Kurt Lovelady Family, Betty Alsup, Jeannie Putney, the staff of Jubilee House, Samantha Mackinnon, and Sharon Loveall.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Sunday, February 25, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, February 26, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the ALS Society in honor of Mr. Cox’s granddaughter, Kara Harris, who was recently diagnosed with ALS.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Shirley Lundy, 88, of Summerfield, Florida passed away on February 15, 2024.
Shirley was born in Essex, Missouri to Gene and Irene Estes on November 5, 1935. She graduated from Southeast Missouri State University and worked as a schoolteacher in St Louis for 17 years. Shirley married Francis Lundy on November 2, 1991, in Dexter Missouri. She enjoyed cooking, fishing, playing cards, speaking Spanish, dancing and singing karaoke.
Shirley is preceded in death by her parents Gene and Irene, brother Jack, and sisters Mary and JoAnn.
Shirley is survived by Francis Lundy, her children Steve Smith, Brian and Leigh Ann Boyles, Mark and Barb Lundy, grandchildren Steven Smith, Jessica Smith, Ashleigh Stansfield, Audrey Stansfield, Kayla Lundy, Joshua Lundy, Matthew Lundy and great grandchildren Jaylon, Julien, Quentin, and Izabel.
Visitation will be at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Home in The Villages, Florida on Friday, February 23, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Funeral services will immediately follow at 4:00 pm with Rev. Harold Hendren of New Covenant First United Methodist Church officiating.
Graveside services will held at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri on March 1, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.
Memorials may be given to Shriner’s Hospitals for Children or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Gregory Altman II, son of Greg and Kristie Altman of Dexter, Missouri, and the late Windy Gail Gardner, was born on October 3, 1995, in Odessa, Texas, and departed this life on February 16, 2024, at his residence in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 28 years.
Gregory loved St. Louis Cardinals Baseball, Christmas, Root Beer, hanging out with his dad and GiGi, and loved talking with his grandma on the phone. He loved going to Wal-Mart and collecting CD’s; his headphones, extension cord, tablet, and anything else he could fit in his backpack, went with him everywhere. He loved giving big hugs to anyone he could and never met a stranger. He adored all of his caregivers, to him they were his family.
Gregory is survived by his brother, Colton James Ziegler of Bullhead City Arizona; by his niece Trinity Ziegler of Dexter, Kentucky; by his nephew Zander Ziegler of Dexter, Kentucky; by his sister, Taylor Rae DeBerry and her husband Jason of Dexter, Missouri; by his niece Layken Jones of Dexter Missouri, by his nephews, Abrahm and Lincoln DeBerry of Dexter Missouri; by his paternal grandmother, Grace Bevins of Yucca Valley, California; by two aunts, Vicki Roark of Yucca Valley, California, and Lois Schwier of Chester, Illinois; and by six cousins, Matthew Altman, Katie Garner and Rebecca Roark all of Yucca Valley California, Amanda Schwier, Aaron Schwier, and Christopher Schwier all of Chester Illinois "
Other than by his mother, he was preceded in death by his paternal grandfathers, Emory Altman, and Paul Bevins, and by two cousins, Jennifer Altman, and Brandon Schwier.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at The Lair Event Center in Dexter on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Dale Holman officiating. Please dress in St. Louis Cardinals or Christmas attire and bring your favorite potluck style dish.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Darrell Lyndal Burnett, 74, of Risco, beloved husband of 55 years to Margaret, peacefully went to his heavenly home on February 17, 2024, with family and friends by his side. Darrell was born on May 12, 1949, in Essex, Missouri. He married Margaret on May 10, 1968, in Pontiac, Michigan.
He was a member of Oneness Pentecostal Church in Tallapoosa. Darrell enjoyed reading his bible, talking to people about Jesus, fishing, and spending time with his family.
Darrell will be remembered for all the love he shared with his family and friends. He genuinely loved everyone and if you knew him, you felt his love. He carried himself with strength, faith, and trusted God’s plans for him. The legacy he left will always be imprinted on our hearts reminding us that living a life for Jesus will have an eternal heavenly reward.
Darrell is survived by four children, Margaret Ann Midgett (Terry) of Risco, Missouri, Darrell Benjamin (Sabrina) of Risco, Missouri, Danny William (Sheila) of Risco, Missouri, and Laura May Pavy (Chris) of Wappapello, Missouri; by nine grandchildren; Jessica Hardin (Brad), TJ Midgett (Abigail), Brittany Crane (Dustin), Joey Richmond (Iris), Courtney Earnheart (Derek), Christopher Pavy (Michaela), Jordon Pavy (Caitlin), Nathan Burnett and Noah Burnett; and by seventeen great grandchildren; Hayden, Trenton, Ashlynn, Legaci, Ava, Nadalee, Lyncoln, Leah, Journee, Justice, Blakelee, Legend, Grayson, Rocelyn, Cole, Brantley and Laker.
Other survivors include four siblings, Doyle Burnett (Florine) of Bergman, Arkansas, Gary Burnett of Risco, Missouri, Tony Burnett (Marilyn) of Lead Hill, Arkansas, and Joan Cato (Richard) of Bernie, Missouri.
Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Ora Mae (Hyten) and five siblings, Roger Dale, Shirley Rodgers, Tommy Ray, Charles “Sonnie”, and Lana Cook.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. followed by a memorial service beginning at 2:00 p.m. with Minister Greg Bixler officiating. Interment will follow in the Barker Cemetery near Bernie, Missouri.
