Tommy Dewayne Newell, son of the late Danny Reynolds and Carolyn Sue Surface, was born on November 17, 1969, in Chaffee, Missouri and departed this life on November 2, 2023, at Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 53 years.
Mr. Newell was a resident of Bell City, Missouri and worked as a boiler maker and body technician. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and riding motorcycles. Mr. Newell also coached youth league baseball and basketball.
On May 1, 1993, in Blodgett, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Michelle Williams. Mrs. Newell survives in their home in Bell City, Missouri.
Other than his wife, he is survived by one son, Easton Newell of Bell City, Missouri; one daughter, Brittany Newell of Morley, Missouri; one brother, Sonny Polley of Advance, Missouri; two sisters, Tammy Bailey of Bell City, Missouri and Julie Whitehead of Bell City, Missouri; two grandchildren, Mikylia Daniel and King Mosley; Special nephew, Kyle Robinett of Bell City, Missouri; special great-nephews, Colton Pobst and Keaton Robinett; one special great-niece, Khloe Robinett.
Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by one grandchild, C.J. Mosley.
Visitation will be held Monday, November 6, 2023, at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Chapel on Monday November 6, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Mark Finney officiating. Interment will follow in the Gravel Hill Cemetery near Bloomfield, Missouri.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Keith Craft son of the late Leon Craft and Flossie Turner Craft was born on March 26, 1971 in Dexter, Missouri and departed this life on November 1, 2023 at his residence in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 52.
Keith had worked in maintenance in Tyson and had also worked for his brother’s roofing company. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his grandchildren.
In December of 1994 he was united in marriage to Cathy Taylor. Mrs. Craft survives of their residence in Dexter.
Other than by his wife he is survived by his son, Cameron Craft of Dexter, Missouri; by his daughters, Kaylin Craft and Keaira Craft both of Dexter, Missouri; by four brothers, Bill Craft of Bernie, Missouri, Danny Craft of Malden, Missouri, Robert Craft of Bernie, Missouri, and David Craft of Dexter, Missouri; by five sisters, Linda Strickland of Bernie, Missouri, Patricia Riddell of Campbell, Missouri, Marilyn Rushing of Dexter, Missouri, Marlene Craft of Bernie, Missouri, and Kayeela Sugg of Dexter, Missouri; by two grandchildren, Kendalynn Jane and Sofia Blake.
Other than by his parents he was preceded in death by one brother, Mike Craft.
A memorial service will be conducted on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the Lighthouse Christian Center in Dexter, Missouri with Rev. Ivan Mekan officiating.
Mathis Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Harold Merick Jr., son of the late Harold Merick Sr. and Edith Mae Bond Merick was born on April 9, 1938, and passed away peacefully at his home in Aquilla on October 31, 2023, at the age of 85.
Jr was a strong-willed man. He was known as a jack of all trades. Jr was a secretary in the US Army, farmer, businessman, horse fanatic, leather worker, wood worker, and anything else you could think of. However, Jr’s most beloved titles were husband, father, and papa.
On December 19, 1958, Jr. married Joyce Ray of East Prairie. To this union, three children were born: Randy Merick and his wife, Susan, the late Patrick Merick and a daughter.
After the passing of his wife Joyce, Jr. married Brenda (Gustin) Merick on August 10, 2004. They then joined families and Jr. welcomed Greg Gustin and wife Christy, Todd Gustin and wife Amy, Stacy Henry and husband Byron all from Ohio.
Jr is survived by his wife, Brenda, his son, Randy, and three sisters; Jeannie White, Karen Lancaster, and Barbara Robinson; by his grandchildren, Hillary Crain and husband David, Matthew Merick and wife McKenzie, Emily Pratt and husband Corey, Jinny Maust and husband Brodie, Heather Gustin and Corey Farrens, Byron Gustin and
wife Lindsey, Megan Winegar and husband Seth, Andrea Burns and husband Brady, Kevin Gustin and wife Courtney, Evan Henry, and Makenna Henry; and by sixteen great-grandchildren, who he adored.
Jr. was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, his son and his brother, Charles Merick and his sister, Linda Ott.
Visitation will be held on Friday, November 3, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Bloomfield. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Bloomfield with Rev. Kenneth Lambert officiating. Interment will follow at the Bloomfield Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the 18 Fore Life, c/o Scott Kruse, 705 Laurie Circle, Dexter, Missouri 63841. Envelopes will be provided at the Church.
William (Bill) Louis Tucker of Dexter, Missouri, the son of the late Harry Louis Tucker and Sally Tippen was born on April 4, 1933, in Kewanee, Missouri, and passed from this life on October 18, 2023, at the age of 90 years, 6 months and 14 days.
Bill was an Air Force Veteran and was a member of the Dudley Community Church in Dudley, Missouri. He was devoted to his duties in the church and was very active there. He also enjoyed mowing his yard, sitting in his favorite chair watching Westerns but his true passion was spending time with family.
Bill married Nora Lee (Bruce) on March 4, 1955, and remained married until the time of her passing on April of 1984. He later married Carolyn (Masterson) on January 19, 1990, in Dexter, Missouri.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn of the home; one step-son, Jeff (Minnie) Masterson; one brother, Jim Tucker of Sherman, Texas; one sister, Shirley Acup of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; four grandchildren, Christopher Lewis Gates; Terry Lee Ballard; Nathan Ballard; Bobby Gene Ballard; one great-granddaughter, Hallie Gates and one great-great-granddaughter, Adalyn; as well a host of family and friends.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife; one son, Danny Ray Tucker; three daughters, Rebeca Sue Tucker; Phyliss Ann Gates and Christina Faye Ballard; one brother, Frankie Tucker; three sisters, Donna, Dorothy and Mary.
A Graveside Service will be held on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston, Missouri, with Pastor Lynn Ash of Dudley officiating.
In lieu of flowers please donate to KOKS radio station in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Interment will follow with Watkins And Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of all arrangements.
Patsy Cupp, daughter of the late James Franklin Fletcher and Maude Jaco Fletcher, was born on September 27, 1943, in Senath, Missouri, and departed this life on October 23, 2023, at her son’s residence in Bernie, Missouri, at the age of 80 years.
Mrs. Cupp had worked for Brown Shoe Company in Parma, Missouri, and River Valley Home Health. She was of the Baptist Faith and a resident of Bernie, Missouri.
On October 28, 1961, in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, she was united in marriage to Charles Cupp. Mr. Cupp preceded her in death on February 14, 1999.
She is survived by two sons, Jimmy Cupp of Springfield, Missouri, and Marty Cupp of Bernie, Missouri; by two daughters, Carolyn Rickman of Bernie, Missouri, and Teresa Cupp of Risco, Missouri; by her brother, Mathey Fletcher of Springfield, Missouri, and by numerous grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Other than by her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two sons, Charles Dewayne Cupp and Ralph Wayne Cupp; by two daughters, Amelia Denson, and Patricia Cupp; by five brothers, Junior Fletcher, Tommy Fletcher, Eugene Fletcher, Bobby Fletcher and Ralph Fletcher; and by two sisters, Ella Mae Reeves and Peggy Allen.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie on Thursday, October 26, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow in the McGrew Cemetery in Senath, Missouri.
Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie is assisting with arrangements.
