Helen Marie Giffin of Bloomfield, daughter of the late John Woodrow and Sylvia Eula Sailors French, was born in Avert, Missouri on February 10, 1936, and passed away at her home in Englewood, Florida, on March 11, 2019, at the age of 83 years, 1 month and 1 day.

Helen had lived in Bloomfield for many years of her life. She graduated from Bloomfield High School, had worked at Elder's Manufacturing, the Dept. of Social Services and worked for the National Park Service before she retired. She was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Bloomfield.

She was first married to Wayne Gibbs. She later married James R. GiffIn on May 30, 1984 in Republic, Missouri.

Surviving are her husband, James R. Giffin of Bloomfield; one son & wife, Allen and Debbie Gibbs of Van Buren, Missouri; one daughter & husband, Cindy and Mark Blasa of Bethalto, Illinois; four grandchildren & spouses, Josh & Tracy Gibbs, Justin & Katishia Gibbs, Nate & Tiffany Blasa, Lauren & Joel Claytor; seven great grandchildren, Cayden, Cooper, Kaytie & Ella Gibbs, Clark & Grant Blasa, and Josalyn Claytor; three step-children, Barbara Giffin, Bobby Giffin & Donald Giffin; eight step-grandchildren; eight step-great grandchildren (and one on the way); one brother & wife, Charles and Charlene French of Hopkinsville, Kentucky; one sister & husband, Brenda and Larry Champ of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive. She was preceded in death by a step-son, Harry Giffin, and a step-grandchild.

Friends may visit on Saturday, March 16, 2019, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield.

Services will be held on Sunday, March 17, 2019, at 1:30 pm at the Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Pastor Alice Fowler of Bloomfield, Missouri officiating.

Interment will follow in the Bloomfield Cemetery in Bloomfield with Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home of Bloomfield in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the Trinity United Methodist Church, P O Box 302, Bloomfield, MO 63825.

Donnie Ray Mace of Advance, son of the late Raymond Ray and Stella Jane Stafford Mace, was born in Bloomfield, Missouri on October 22, 1954, and passed away at his home near Advance on March 15, 2019, at the age of 64 years, 4 months and 21 days.

Donnie had lived Southeast Missouri and Advance all his life. He had worked at the Bell Mo Seed Company in Bell City and was a member of the United Methodist Church in Advance.

On July 29, 1991, he was married to Katherine Margaret Kidd.

Surviving are his wife, Kathy Mace of Advance; two daughters & husbands, Lindsey & Eric Callahan of Cape Girardeau, Sara & Garrett Robison of Columbia; one sister and husband, Kathy & Henry Brinkman of High Ridge. Other relatives and friends also survive. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Gary Mace and Bud Scheible and one sister, Betty Lou Dowd.

Friends may visit on Sunday, March 17, 2019, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 18, 2019, at 1:00 pm at the United Methodist Church in Advance with the Rev. Jerry Willer of Advance, Missouri officiating.

Interment will follow in the Hitt Cemetery near Advance with Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home of Bloomfield in charge of arrangements.

Harold Gene Boner, 78, of Dexter, passed away March 12, 2019 at the Westwood Hills Health Care Center in Poplar Bluff.  He was born September 28, 1940 in Advance, Mo., the son of Earl and Carolyn Burger Boner.

Harold had been a Vice President at First Security State Bank in Charleston, Mo. 

He was a beloved father, grandfather and friend of many, who will be missed dearly.  Everyone who knew him appreciated his quick wit and enjoyed his banter.  His love for sports continued all his life though, as a young man, his disability did not allow him to play any longer.  He was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinal fan.

Survivors include: three sons, Tracy (Jaime) boner of Brosley, Mo., Kerry (Natalie) Boner, Sr. of Walkertown, NC and Damon (Becky) Boner of Dexter; a step-daughter, Regina Hanner of Columbia, Mo.; nine grandchildren, Kerry Jr., Austin, TJ, Amber, Haley, Taylor, Tessla, Ryan and Logan; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Earl Boner, his mother, Carolyn Coleman; and his step-father, Elvis Coleman.

Visitation will be held on Friday March 15, 2019 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance.  A funeral service will be held on sat. March 16, 2019 at 11 a.m. at the chapel with Rev. Bill Orr officiating.  Burial will follow at Morgan Memorial Park in Advance.

Marty Lee Sticht, 70, of Advance, passed away March 13, 2019 at his home.  He was born January 7, 1949, the son of Leo Paul and Jerry Mae Dickman Sticht.

Marty was drafted Into the Army in August of 1968, basic training in Fort Leonard August-October and then was sent to Fort Sill, Okla. and was later shipped to Vietnam in January 1969, for a one year tour of duty.  He was then stationed in Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado from January 1970 till August 1970; when he was released from the army after his two year draft commitment.  He was a Specialist 4th class or a Corporal.  After he was released from the Army, he bought a trailer and a small piece of land that his son now owns and has built a house on.  He began working at Cape GMC Pontiac for a few years till he could afford to open up his own shop, Advance Auto Sales.

He owned and operated Advance Auto Sales in Advance.  He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and also a member of the Advance Knights of Columbus.

Marty met the love of his life, Dorothy Leible, in Jackson at the Homecoming and he met her again and started dating 1967 at the Applecreek Picnic.  They were united in marriage on May 4, 1968 at Applecreek Church.  In 2018, they celebrated their 50th Golden Wedding Anniversary!!!  They had their first child, Charity in 1975 followed by Leo in 1977 and John 1979.

Our husband/dad was an amazing man. He had a love for antique cars and we considered him to be our local "American Picker."  He had an eye for finding a treasure in any pile of junk whether it be along side the road, in a box, in a broken down barn or local yardsale or flea market.  "One man's junk is definitely another mans treasure."  He was also the one that everyone came to when they had a part to a car that they needed identified.  If he didn't know it off the top of his head by looking at it, he knew how to navigate the internet to find it.  He had the biggest heart and was one of the most giving individuals that i know.  He was known for towing cars or going to unlock a vehicle at all hours of the day/night.  At times, he usually did this out of the goodness of his heart and wouldn't take payment in return.   He truly would give you the shirt off his back if it meant helping someone in need.   His legacy will live on through his kids, Charity, Leo and John and grandkids, Gavynn and Colton.  He did a great job passing on his big and giving heart to each of them and he was a teacher of many things.  He knew the meaning of dedication whether it be to his wife, kids, community, church and country!! This shined through with his family by his marriage to his wife Dorothy and them celebrating their Golden 50th Anniversary in 2018.  It also showed through with his long commitment to the Advance chapter of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion and the St Joseph Catholic Church. Also, he was a Army Veteran and served in the Vietnam War.  He was a Visionary and an entrepreneur at heart.  He was the owner and operator of Advance Auto Sales which he started in 1972.  He built his own creation of a car called the Elegante.  Marty was a man ahead of his time, utilizing his vast knowledge of the classic American Automobile and Ebay to sell parts all over the world. They truly don't get any better than Marty Sticht.

Survivors include: his wife, Dorothy Sticht; a daughter, Charity Ann Sticht (Dean) Little of Scopus; two sons, Leo Lee (Vanessa) Sticht of Advance and John Travis (Amy) Sticht of Scott City; a sister, Loretta Yvonne Proffer of Jackson, Mo.; two grandsons, Gavynn Leo Sticht and Colton Paul Sticht.

He was preceded in death by his parents; cousin, Wesley Mediocle; aunt, Goldie Green and grandmother, Letha Dickman.

Visitation will be held on Monday March 18, 2019 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance.  Rosary will be held at 7 p.m.  A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday March 19, 2019 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Advance.  Interment will follow at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield. 

In lieu of flowers please make donations to: St. Joseph Catholic Church Renovation Fund.

James “Bud” Russell Fritts, 60, of Poplar Bluff, MO. went home to be with his Lord and Savior Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis.

Bud, the son of the late Harley Russell and Reidious L. “Jimmie” Fritts, was born Nov. 15, 1958 in Poplar Bluff. He was a graduate of Poplar Bluff High School Class of 1977 and Oakland City College, where he played baseball. Bud was a member and a Deacon at First Baptist Church. He was also a supporter of Midland Church and Paul White Ministries as well as a Charter member of Fellowship General Baptist Church. Bud worked for Mingo Job Corps and loved his students and co-workers. Bud loved telling people about Jesus. He enjoyed going to his children’s sporting events and activities, coaching all sports, fishing, hunting, drawing, painting, watching the St. Louis Cardinals and spending time with his friends. The times he treasured most were being with his family.

Bud married the love of his life Gayla Turner on June 10, 1989 in Poplar Bluff. She survives.

Other survivors include two children, Jamie (Collin) Edwards and Turner Fritts; his precious grandson Elijah Edwards; two sisters, Judy (Bill) Caputo and Lori (Jimbo) Tapp; mother-in-law Betty Turner; brother-in-law Brian Turner; four nieces, Tara (Kathy) Caputo, Shanna (Richard) Carr, Kaci (Brian) Garner and Kori Tapp; three great-nephews, Kyler Carr, Keaton Carr and Kannon Carr.

The visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church. The funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church with Rev. Paul White officiating. Burial will take place at Poplar Bluff City Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Poplar Bluff Baseball Boosters, in care of Julie Becker, 453 County Road 4222, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901; or to Alzheimer’s Association, 3645 South Avenue, Springfield, MO 65807-5220.

Cotrell Funeral Service is honored to serve the family of James “Bud” Russell Fritts.