Arthur William “Bill” Gillespie, the son of Arthur Blair Gillespie and Lela Fay Burge Gillespie was born June 27, 1942 in Puxico, Missouri, passed away February 6, 2021 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.
Bill and Linda Joice Daniels were married August 26, 1967 at the Assembly of God Church, in Bell City, Missouri. They were blessed with two children, Rhonda Kay Moore (Jimmie) of Dexter and Jason Blair Gillespie of Bloomfield.
Bill was a Veteran of the United States Air Force, a Christian, and attended the Assembly of God Church in Dexter. He had a servant’s heart, he was a helper to his family and friends, and always willing to figure out how to fix things or make things work. He was blessed to be a blessing to others.
In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by two brothers, Dale Gillespie (Dorothy) and Bob Gillespie (Barbara); by two sisters, Patsy Robinson (Carroll) and Doris Moore (MC); by three grandchildren, Brandon Moore (Bethany), Justin Moore, and Joel Gillespie; and by two great-grandchildren, Evelyn Mae Moore (who shared a birthday with her Great-Grandpa) and Josephine Lily Moore.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Wava Gillespie; and by his brother-in-law, MC Moore.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Thursday, February 11, 2021 from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Chapel on Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Gary Petty officiating.
Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield with full military honors.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of arrangements.
Averleigh Grace Umfleet, daughter of Dalton Umfleet and Nikki Long, was born on September 17, 2020 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and departed this life on February 5, 2021 at her residence in Sikeston, Missouri, at the age of 4 months.
She is survived by her father, Dalton Umfleet; by her mother, Nikki Long; and by two brothers, Asher Labno and August Umfleet, all of Sikeston, Missouri; by her paternal grandmother, Dawn Carlson of Dexter, Missouri; and by her maternal grandparents, James and Terrica Fairbanks of Athens, Tennessee.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Bryson Umfleet.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. Interment will follow in Walker Cemetery in rural Bloomfield.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of arrangements.
Regina Kelley Martin, daughter of the late Norman Kelley and Ola Hill Kelley, was born on September 30, 1955 in Sikeston, Missouri, and passed away on February 5, 2021 at her home in Essex, Missouri, at the age of 65 years.
Mrs. Martin was a beautician.
On October 29, 1997, in Piggott, Arkansas, she was united in marriage to Darrell R. Martin. Mr. Martin preceded her in death on March 10, 2015.
Regina is survived by one brother, Billy Kelley (Deena) of Essex, Missouri; by two sisters, Pam Woosley of East Prairie, Missouri, and Paula Byrd (Alan Joe) of Sikeston, Missouri, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Other than her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Jerry Kelley and Allen Kelley; and by her sister, Judy Armstrong.
Graveside services will be conducted at Essex Cemetery on Sunday, February 7, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. with Herman Morse officiating.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of arrangements.
Welton Jerrel "Jerry" Clay, at the age of 76, was called home on February 4, 2021 at Cox Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. Jerry was born in Dexter, Missouri, on August 14, 1944, at the family home. He was the son of the late Ansel McLarance Clay and Margaret Ellanor Phegley Clay.
Jerry was united in marriage to Phyllis June McMullin on June 26, 1964 in Essex, Missouri. They shared 56 wonderful years together and to this union three children were born, Jera, Matt, and Brad.
Jerry was a member of Risen Church in Dexter, Missouri. After graduating from Richland High School, he joined the National Guard. Jerry had an unmatched work ethic. Hard work was instilled at a young age on the family farm and followed him throughout his life, serving the local farming community. He was co-owner / operator of C&K Fertilizer Company.
Best of all, Jerry was a wonderful Husband, Father, Brother, Papa, and Friend, loved by all. We will miss his one-line humor, but Aiden will remind us “every day of the week and twice on Sunday”.
He leaves behind his wife, Junie; his sister, Sara Mae; his daughter Jera Ann & husband Jimmy; two sons, Matt & wife Sherry, and Brad & wife Stephanie; eight grandchildren, Clay, Joe, Sam, Matthew, Katie June, Andrew, Aiden, and Emma Grace; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bo and Gary Clay; sister-in-law, Carolyn Clay; and brother-in-law, Vearl Knight.
Visitation will be held on Monday, February 8, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. Funeral services will then be conducted at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. James Malloy officiating. Interment will follow in Essex Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38101.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of arrangements.
Lawrence “Larry” Louder son of Estella Ruth Louder of Fairfield, Illinois and the late Harold Lee Louder was born on October 16, 1947 in Mount Vernon, Illinois and departed this life on February 4, 2021 at the Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 73.
Larry was a Dad, Paw to his grandchildren and friend to many. He was an Elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Dexter, Missouri, a member of the Dexter Lions Club, and he was awarded Lion of the Year in 2001 and in 2020. He was also a member of the Fairfield Masonic Lodge in Fairfield, Illinois, and the International Order of Turtles.
Coach Louder, as his students referred to him was a “jack” of all trades. Within the East Prairie and Dexter school districts, he was a high school math teacher, served as coach in different capacities and was a school bus driver. While in East Prairie, he also worked at IGA. He also taught math at the college level. Coach Louder befriended many of his former students after retirement, many who would go out of their way to come say hello to him in public.
He is survived by his son Kevin Louder and wife Lizzie of Enumclaw, Washington; by two daughters, Stephanie Boyer and husband Eric of Dexter, Missouri and Amy Louder of Dexter, Missouri; by two brothers, Rev. Stephen Lee Louder and wife Paula of Clarksville, Tennessee and Robert Lynn Louder and wife Cathy of Rector, Arkansas; by three grandchildren, Luke Boyer of Dexter, Missouri, Tommy Louder and Quinn Louder both of Enumclaw, Washington; and by many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be conducted at the Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Sunday, February 7, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the family request that everyone in attendance wear a mask and practice social distancing. A Celebration of Life service will be conducted at a later date.
Memorials to be made in Larry’s memory to the Presbyterian Church, PO Box 382, Dexter, Missouri 63841 and the Cumberland Presbyterian Children’s Home, 909 Greenlee Street, Denton, Texas 76201. Envelopes will be provided at Mathis Funeral Home.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of arrangements.
