The Obituary Section

James Odell

, Missouri

May 16, 2026

James F. O’Dell, son of the late James O’Dell and Letha Martin O’Dell, was born on August 23, 1932, in Stoddard County, Missouri and departed this life on May 17, 2026, at his residence in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 93 years.Mr. O’Dell was a former construction contractor and a former member of the Missouri National Guard. He was a member and deacon at First General Baptist Church in Dexter. He enjoyed watching westerns and woodworking.On September 12, 1952, in Dexter, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Lucille Baker. Mrs. O’Dell preceded him in death on September 11, 2017.He is survived by two daughters, Pam Morgan and husband Denny of Dexter, Missouri and Terri O’Dell of Dexter, Missouri; by his brother, Charles O’Dell and wife Joan of Dexter, Missouri; by his sister, Delsa Hessbein and husband Carl of St. Peters, Missouri; by five grandchildren, Jolene, John, Kyle, Taylor…

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Leonard Roark

, Missouri

May 12, 2026

Leonard Lynn Roark, son of the late Howard Thomas Voyles and Shirley Naomi Moreland Voyles, was born on March 11, 1962, and departed this life on May 13, 2026, at Hunter Acres Care Center in Sikeston, Missouri, at the age of 64 years.Leonard loved the Lord and enjoyed going to church and singing hymns.He is survived by several nieces and nephews.Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by several brothers and sisters.Funeral services will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Hagy Cemetery.Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.

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Patricia Sue Baldwin

, Missouri

May 9, 2026

Patricia “Pat” Baldwin, daughter of the late Carul Woodruff and Lilly Stephens Curneal, was born on April 1, 1940, in Dexter, Missouri, and departed this life on May 10, 2026, at Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 86 years.Mrs. Baldwin was a former nurse for Dr. Como in Dexter, Missouri and she was a member of Essex Baptist Church. She worked hard and enjoyed working.On April 27, 1959, in Sikeston, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Arzie Baldwin Jr. Mr. Baldwin preceded her in death on February 28, 2008.She is survived by her son, Marc Baldwin and wife Adena of Essex, Missouri; and by two grandchildren, Sam Bruschi and Lauren Glover.Other than by her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two sons in infancy, Michael and Timothy Baldwin; and by three brothers, Carlton Horn, Sonny Woodruff and Walter Woodruff.Visitation will be…

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Julia Barbara "Judy" Drollinger

, Missouri

Julia Barbara "Judy" (Rapert) Drollinger, 81, of Wappapello, Missouri, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2026. Born on September 6, 1944, in Pocahontas, Arkansas, Judy lived a life defined by faith, family, and resilience.Judy was the beloved wife of the late James “Jim” Drollinger. Together they built a life centered on love and devotion to their family. She was the cherished mother of Sonja Drollinger Miller and her husband Jeff. Her legacy continues through her granddaughters, Jerrica (Thomas) Espey and Paige (Daniel Gardner) Deffendall, both of Dexter; her great-grandchildren Lexi and Hunter Espey and Chloe and River Deffendall; as well as her chosen grandchildren Chad, Caden, and Carter Ventura. Judy’s family was her greatest joy and the heart of her world.She is also survived by her brother Victor (Chenoa) Rapert; sisters Jacque Rapert Steele and Janis (Mike) Rapert Ulmer; and sister-in-law Juanita (Robert) Drollinger Lintecum. Judy was preceded in death…

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Vela Dunning

, Missouri

May 13, 2026

Vela Dunning, daughter of the late Earnest Lance and Myrtle Mae Benton Lance, was born on October 21, 1930, in Tuckerman, Arkansas, and departed this life on May 14, 2026, at Aspire Senior Living in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, at the age of 95 years.Mrs. Dunning was of the General Baptist Faith, and a resident of Poplar Bluff, Missouri.On May 27,1946, in Gideon, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Earl Dunning. Mr. Dunning preceded her in death on June 22, 2020.She is survived by her daughter, Vianne Clark and husband Gary of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; by two grandchildren, Jimmy Young and Clint Young; and by several great-grandchildren.Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Darren…

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Anita Poeppelmeyer

, Missouri

Anita Marie Poeppelmeyer, daughter of the late Jose Cortez and Mary Francis Watson, was born January 30, 1943, and departed life on May 15, 2026, at the age of 83 years.In June of 1975 she married James E Poeppelmeyer. Mr. Poeppelmeyer proceeded her in death on June 23, 1992.She is survived by her son Richard Posey of Bloomfield, Missouri; two daughters Josey Scowden of Dexter, Missouri and Kimberly Nichols and husband Brian of Ozark, Missouri; four granddaughters, Ashlee Powers, Sidney Ward, Rylee Nichols and Ripley Tull; and five great grandchildren, Mason Powers, Sawyer Powers, Peyton Powers, Piper Scowden and Major Murphy.Other than her parents, she was proceeded in death by her step father Harold Watson; and by her sister Delores Hyde.Anita enjoyed her time with friends and family. As well as being outside whether gardening or working with animals. She will be remembered fondly for her deep love of horses…

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Linda Joy Garner

, Missouri

Linda Joy Garner, of Flint, Michigan, passed into heaven’s gate on the morning of Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at the age of 73 at her residence.Linda was born on August 6, 1952, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri to loving parents, the late Milton and Margaret (Temples) Garner of Dexter, Missouri.She was a 1971 graduate of Dexter High School.On April 23, 1972, Linda wed Dennis Garner at Bridge Church of Christ.Upon their marriage moving to Flint area where Linda became a housewife and enjoyed her pets, needle work, knitting, painting, restoring furniture, remodeling, and travels to many states and to Alaska.Linda did love her family and the Lord.She is survived by husband Dennis of 54 years; several cousins, nieces and nephews; many other family members and friends; brother David Garner of Malden, Missouri; brother-in-law Dale and wife Linda B. Garner of Shannon, Mississippi; close nephews Clarence and Lori Garner of Grand Blanc,…

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Ted Overall

, Missouri

May 10, 2026

Teddy Anderson Overall from Dexter, Missouri passed away on May 11, 2026, at the age of 88.Ted was born December 3, 1937, in Kennett, Missouri to Landon Overall and Nelrose Douglass Overall. He joined the United States Army in 1957 where he served as a Romanian Language Translator. Following his service in the Army, he went on to diesel mechanic school. Ted worked as a mechanic for Coca Cola company maintaining their irrigation equipment in the orange groves of Florida. Moving his family from Florida back to Missouri, he began working for Cummins Diesel in Sikeston until his retirement in 2002. He has lived in Dexter since 1973.Ted loved the outdoors and taught that same love to his children and grandchildren, sharing many wonderful experiences hiking, playing in the ocean, and hunting. Ted fiercely loved his family. He also loved the Lord Jesus Christ and was saved in 1962. He…

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Bradley Ray Deprow

, Missouri

May 15, 2026

Bradley DeProw, son of JoAn Menley Espada of Dexter, Missouri and the late James LeRoy DeProw, was born on January 15, 1969, in Dexter, Missouri, and departed this life on May 16, 2026, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Missouri, at the age of 57 years.Mr. DeProw was a former truck driver and a resident of Dexter, Missouri.Along with his mother, he is survived by his daughter, Amanda Hook of Dexter, Missouri; by three sons, Matt DeProw, Taylan DeProw and Chris Crader all of Dexter, Missouri; by three brothers, Joe Menley and Wade DeProw both of Dexter, Missouri and Michael DeProw of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; by his sister, Becky Warren of Dexter, Missouri; by eight grandchildren, Steven Stidmon of Truman, Arkansas, David Stidmon, Alex Stidmon, Kaitlyn Stidmon, Kylan Richardson, Jaxon Crader all of Dexter, Missouri, Christopher Crader and Landon Crader both of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; and by twelve great…

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