Sara Magdalene Williams, daughter of the late Earl Wilson and Emmer Stewart Wilson, was born on November 5, 1935, in Bloomfield, Missouri and departed this life on June 27, 2024, at the Cypress Point Skilled Nursing Center in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 88.

Mrs. Williams had worked for McDonnell Douglas and had also worked for the State of Missouri in their family services division. She had attended the Florissant, Missouri Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed gardening, attending church and extreme couponing.

She is survived by her three sons, Wade Williams of O’Fallon, Missouri, Curtis Williams of Goose Creek, South Carolina, and Marty Williams of Anchorage, Alaska; by her brother, David Wilson of Dexter, Missouri; by her sister, Betty Howard of Memphis, Tennessee; by seven grandchildren, Carlton, Jaclyn, Ryan, Laith, Ty, Jake, and Jill; and by two great-grandchildren, Emmett and Holland.

Other than by her parents, she was preceded in death by seven siblings.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri. Funeral services will then be conducted on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in the Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter, Missouri. Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.

Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.

Megan Grace Parker, daughter of Lisa Kelley of Sikeston, Missouri and Jeremy Parker of East Prairie, Missouri, was born on September 21, 2001, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and departed this life on June 26, 2024, at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of 22 years.

Megan was a member of First Baptist Church in Puxico, Missouri, and a resident of Sikeston, Missouri. As a child, Megan’s wish was to be a cashier at Bill’s Market in Puxico. She attended Puxico Schools through middle school and graduated from Portageville High School. Megan liked to go to work with her mom at the nursing home and visit with the residents. She enjoyed watching videos on YouTube and scrolling through social media, she enjoyed shopping, especially at thrift stores, and going out to eat. Every year she looked forward to Puxico Homecoming and Christmas. She loved spending time with her best friend, Taylor, her nephews, her dogs, Louie, Buster, Nellie, and Zoey; and her cat, Winnie.

She is survived by her mother and father, Lisa and Steven Kelley of Sikeston, Missouri; by her father and step-mother, Jeremy and Shauna Parker of East Prairie, Missouri; by two brothers, Andrew Parker and wife Raimey of Baltimore, Maryland, and Steven Kelley II and wife Jessica of Kenosha, Wisconsin; by her sister, Ashley Kelley of Lenzburg, Illinois; by her maternal grandparents, Richard and Diane Hawthorne of Sikeston, Missouri; by her paternal grandparents, Adrian and Glenda Parker of Paragould, Arkansas; by her nephews, Milo Kelley and Finn Kelley; by her best friend, Taylor Hobbs of Dudley, Missouri; and by many extended family and friends.

Megan’s family would like to thank her medical team locally, as well as her team at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Cardinal Glennon Hospital for their loving care and support. Even though we never met her heart donor, we cannot thank them enough for the additional 16 months they gave us with Megan.

Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church in Puxico, Missouri on Saturday, June 29, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Justin Miller officiating. Interment will follow in Duck Creek Cemetery.

Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.

Barbara Jane Dirickson, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend passed away on June 25, 2024, in Bloomfield, Missouri, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on October 17, 1933, in Campbell, Missouri, to Theodore and Lillian (Jeffries) Cruse, and lived most of her life in Southeast Missouri. 

Barbara was a remarkable woman who found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She had a passion for, farming, and spending time outdoors driving the tractor and putting up hay. Barbara took great pride in raising cattle and tending to her garden where she could often be found canning fresh produce. Above all else, she cherished moments spent with her family, especially spoiling her grandchildren with love and affection.

On July 4, 1953, Barbara  Jane married Fred Clifford Dirickson in Qulin, Missouri, and became best friends over their 70 years of marriage. 

Barbara spent many countless hours volunteering her time for Blood Drives, working at elections as a Poll Worker,  She was a member of the Young Farmers And Farm Wives Club as well as the Mingo Saddle Club. Barbara Jane was also a member of the Puxico Church of Christ. 

Barbara is survived by her loving husband of many years; their five daughters Stephanie (Darrell) Mortland of Hardin, Illinois, Renee (Ronnie) Stuart of Wappapello, Missouri, Tammy (Kent) Blocker of Oran, Missouri, Tracey Dirickson of Puxico, Missouri, Kelli (Kerry) Acre of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; eight grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; as well as her church family and a multitude of relatives and friends who will miss her dearly.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Teddy Jack Cruse; and her sister, Donna Jean Fuller.

Visitation for Barbara Jane Dirickson will be held on June 29, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Watkins Funeral Homes in Puxico. A Funeral Service will follow at the same location at 12:00 PM. The interment will take place at Puxico Cemetery at 1:00 PM.

In our hearts and memories, Barbara's kindness, strength, and love will forever remain. May she rest in peace knowing she was deeply cherished by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Janet Hall Vaughn-Gilder, daughter of the late Larry Hall and Frances Goodrich Hall, was born on July 27, 1945, in rural Essex, Missouri, and departed this life on June 21, 2024, at her son’s residence in Rolla, Missouri, at the age of 78 years.

Mrs. Vaughn-Gilder was a former Executive Director for Regional Workforce Development. She was a member of the Church of Christ and a resident of Rolla, Missouri. Janet grew up in Dexter, Missouri, graduated from Dexter High School and attended Freed-Hardeman University. Since 1995, she enjoyed square dancing with Bruce as her angel.

On October 30, 2015, in Steeleville, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Bruce Gilder. Mr. Gilder survives of their home in Rolla.

Along with her husband, she is survived by her son, David Vaughn and wife Susan of Rolla, Missouri; by her brother, Jim Hall of Bloomfield, Missouri; by her sister, Kay Hall Cain of Sikeston, Missouri; by three grandchildren, Jarel Vaughn (Shenna), Jana Vaughn (Shayne Ponzer), and Rebecca Henson (Nathan); and by fifteen great-grandchildren, Ashlyn, Cailyn, Rylan, Jailyn, Jordyn, Jason, Ely, Julius, Kendrick, Xaiver, Roman, Chayton, Serenity, Steven, and C.J.

Other than by her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Jason Vaughn, and by her brother, Charles Hall.

Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:15 a.m. Graveside services will then be conducted in the Dexter Cemetery on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. with Jeff Martin officiating,

Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.