Bonnie Hugh Gillespie, son of the late S.E. Gillespie and Edna Clodfelter Gillespie, was born in Taylor, Arkansas on August 13, 1925 and passed away from this life on April 18, 2025 at the age of 99 years, 8 months and 5 days in the Cape Girardeau, Missouri Veterans Home.
In 1944, he joined the AACS-Army Airway-Communications Systems. His basic training was at Buckley Field Denver, Colorado. Then to Madison, Wisconsin for training. He was not there long, and after losing the war, the infantry was needing men and many of the squadrons were called out. He was called but at the last minute was told his squadron to stay. In his words “that is all that saved me.” He was at Shepard Field, Texas when WWII was won and was sent to Natal Brazil-no parachutes going over in airplane- coming back to United States a parachute was mandatory. He had to wait 2 weeks before one was available. They were in short supply. He was discharged in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1946.
Bonnie loved his country and instilled that love in his children to respect the American flag and what it stands for. It was an honor to be a WWII Veteran and he proudly wore that hat every day.
He owned and operated Gillespie’s Service Station in Aquilla from 1956-1974. He raise black Angus cattle and after selling the service station 1975, he was a salesman for Moorman Feed, winning many awards until his retirement in 1985.
Bonnie was a lifetime member of Stars and Stripes, lifetime member of American Legion #382 for 76 years, lifetime member of Bloomfield Masonic Lodge #153 and 32nd Degree Scottish Rite.
He attended St. Joe General Baptist church until declining health.
He is survived by a son, Dennis (Phyllis) Gillespie of Nolensville, Tennessee, his daughters, Angie (Bob) Barnfield of Bloomfield, Missouri, and Ruthann (Dale) Bradshaw of Dexter, Missouri, three grandchildren, Christian (Mendy) Bell of Dexter, Missouri, Dr. Ryan (Kristen) Gillespie of Nashville, Tennessee, Dr Leslie (Skye) Gillespie-Marthaler, of Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania, eight great grandchildren, Carson Bell, Clayton Bell, Cameron Bell, Olivia Gillespie, Hazel Gillespie, Magnus Marthaler, Jonithan Dodson, and Graison Dodson, two brothers, Walter (Janet) Gillespie of Charolotte, North Carolina, Don (Darlene) of Phillipsburg, Ohio, and one sister, Clara Kull of Irvine, California.
A very special friend, Kathryn Williams.
He was preceded in death by his sisters, Aileen Rummel, Geneva Douglas Siler, Vergie Lee Tiller, and Gussie Tiller, as well as his brothers, Blair Gillespie and Dwight (PD) Gillespie.
Private family services will be held on April 28th, 2025 at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri, with brother Ronnie Stevens officiating. Internment will follow at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri with full military honors.
The family is so grateful to the Cape Girardeau, Missouri Veterans Home for the excellent care and love they showed to our loved one.
Memorial donations can be made to St. Judes, Stars and Stripes, and 18FORELIFE.
Grady Harold Williford, born June 28, 1941 at 34 Corner, passed away peacefully at Crowley’s Ridge Care Center in Dexter, Missouri on April 15, 2025 at 83 years of age.
Grady was preceded in death by his parents Ona Woods Williford and Grady William Williford, three brothers; Billy West McIntosh, Bobby Williford and Dale Williford. He is survived by one sister Becky (Billy) O’Neill of Houston, Texas and one brother Fenton (Shannon) Williford of Wingo, Kentucky.
On December 21, 2001 Grady married Luella Krebs Williford who survives of the home. He is also survived by his six children; Grady Williford Jr. of Matthews, Missouri, Robert (Cricket) Williford of West Frankfurt, Illinois, David Williford of East Prairie, Missouri, Angie Watson of East Prairie, Missouri, Darrell (Cheryl) Abner of Sikeston, Missouri and Angie Abner of East Prairie, Missouri.
In addition to his wife and children, Grady leaves behind seven grandchildren: Rachel Macchiaverno , Scott Williford, Allen Williford, Alexandra Morris, Megan Watson, Jason Abner, Kersten Abner and six great grandchildren: Aubree Williford, Jordan Williford, Shep Morris, Blaze Tibbs, Hazen Tibbs and Swade Tibbs.
Grady was a successful entrepreneur, had a zest for life and never met a stranger. He was always on the lookout for his next adventure, project or hustle. He loved spending time with his beloved dog Nan, friends and family, especially on his boat.
Visitation will be at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Puxico, Missouri on Monday April 21, 2025 starting at 10:00 with services to follow at 1:00. Brother Travis Lambert will officiate and Pallbearers will be Matthew O’Neill, Greg O’Neill, Scott Williford, Kenny Schaeffer, Larry Price and Josh King. Honorary Pallbearers will be Edgar (Boo Boo) Pipkin, Wub Riley, Edwin Riley, Wes Williford, Dennis Williford and Allen Williford.
Nancy Sue Reeves, daughter of the late Homer Hensley and Dokie Reed Hensley, was born on August 17, 1935, in Portageville, Missouri, and departed this life on April 19, 2025, at her residence in Malden, Missouri, at the age of 89 years.
Mrs. Reeves was a former business owner of a taxi service in Dexter, Missouri, and she attended Lighthouse Church in Dexter. She was a member of the VFW in Dexter for 40 years, and the Dexter Eagles Ladies Auxiliary for 25 years. She enjoyed making quilts for nursing homes, family and friends. Her love was her family, cooking, fishing, singing and writing songs. She loved to play the card game “Skip-bo”, but you had to watch her because she cheated. Most of all she loved serving God and sharing his word.
She was united in marriage to William C. Reeves in Williford, Arkansas. He preceded her in death in 1990.
She is survived by three daughters, Tammy Harris and husband Dale of Dexter, Missouri, Brenda Lee and husband Te of Gainesville, Georgia, and Rhonda Kay Harris of Gainesville, Georgia; by three sons, Butch Priddy of Baytown, Texas, Michael Fritch and wife Glenda of Gainesville, Georgia, and Dave Hobbs and wife Melanie of Puxico, Missouri; and by thirteen grandchildren, twenty-one great grandchildren, and six great-great grandchildren.
Other than by her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Carlos Hensley, Henry Hensley, and Harvell Hensley; and by two sisters, Genevie Savatte and Reba Hensley.
A celebration of life service will be held at Lighthouse Christian Church in Dexter on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Tim Russell officiating.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Charles Mcray Dean, Sr., son of the late Clifford and Alice Marie Dean, was born October 18, 1951, in Pocahontas, Arkansas and departed this life on April 14, 2025, at his home in Bernie, Missouri at the age of 73 years.
Mr. Dean was a former employee of the City of Bernie Maintenance Department for 33 years. After retiring, he became a driver for the Dunklin County Transit service until March of 2025. He was a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather whose
greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren.
On August 1, 1997, in Piggott, Arkansas, he was united in marriage to Gloria Barnes. Mrs. Dean survives at their home in Bernie, Missouri.
He is also survived by four sons, Charles Dean, Jr. of Campbell, Missouri, Christopher Dean of Risco, Missouri, Jimmy (Callie) Dean of Bernie, Missouri and Timmy (Julie) Dean of Indianapolis, Indiana; by four daughters, Crystal Dean of Risco, Missouri, Kimberly (Robert) Brady of Columbia, Tennessee, Sherry ( Phillip) Whaley of Dexter, Missouri and Crystal Payne of Bernie, Missouri; by twenty-two grandchildren and twenty-two great grandchildren.
Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Paula Dean Wiggins; by his son, Kevin McClendon; by his great-granddaughter, Ayana Robinson; by his sister, Gloria “Sissy” Vancil and by his brother, Carl Dean.
No visitation is planned. Graveside services will be held at a later date.
Mathis Funeral Home of Bernie is assisting with arrangements.
Charles Eugene Sindle, age 83, passed away April 16, 2025 at the Winchester Nursing Center in Bernie, MO.
He was born November 5, 1941 in Sikeston, MO, son of the late Roy Eugene Sindle and Ollie Marie Jones-Sindle.
On November 2, 1963 he was married to Nadine Lane-Sindle, she survives of the home in Bloomfield, MO.
Charles was originally from Oran, MO before moving to Bloomfield, MO in 1974. He was a member of Hooe Baptist Church where he had taught Sunday School. He worked for Caterpillar in Peoria, IL, worked as a truck driver for Coca Cola, was a self-employed farmer for over 40 years, and had worked for a heating and plumbing company for 10 years. He loved being with his family and grandkids. He enjoyed spending time around the farm and home. He also enjoyed going to church.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by four sons, Darrell Sindle of Bloomfield, MO, David (Roxie) Sindle of Sikeston, MO, Danny (Christy) Sindle of Dexter, MO, and Donnie (Emily) Sindle of Springfield, MO; two brothers, James Sindle and Ronnie Sindle; one sister, Rena Matthews; nine grandchildren, Brandon Sindle, Baylee (Damian) Glasener, Ben (Michaela) Sindle, Hannah (Matt) Smith, Houston (Breanna) Sindle, Hailee Sindle, Lauren Sindle, Sylas Sindle, and Sam Sindle; and four great-grandchildren, Jaxton Sindle, Lincoln Smith, Leighton Smith, and Clayton Sindle.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Jerry Sindle and Steve Sindle; and one sister, Kathy McCoy.
Visitation will be held Friday, April 18, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and continue on Saturday, April 19, from 1:00 p.m. until time of funeral services at 2:00 p.m. at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston. Kenneth Shoemaker and Quentin Davis will officiate.
Burial will follow in the Bloomfield City Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Blake Sindle, Justin Sindle, Kyle Sindle, Ross Sindle, Travis Hester, and Julian Seagraves.
Honorary pallbearers will be John "Cody" Caudle, Matthew Hester, Charlie Moore, and Jay Sindle.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Hooe Baptist Church 3758 State Hwy 91, Oran, 63771.
