Donna Maxine Barker, daughter of the late Bruce Edward Gant and Beulah Mae Maskill Gant was born on March 12, 1949, on the family farm in Dudley Missouri and departed this life on April 25, 2025, at Memory Lane Nursing Center in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 76 years old.
Ms. Barker lived most of her life in Dudley, specifically on the family farm. She was a 1967 graduate of Dexter High School. Following graduation, she began a 40-year career with the Missouri Department of Social Services as a social worker.
On January 3, 1969, she was united in marriage to Richard Barker also of Dudley, Missouri. Mr. Barker preceded her in death on October 8, 2005.
During her life, she enjoyed the skills taught to her by her mother, such as canning, crochet, and needlework. Ms. Barker was an avid cook of southern staples and baker. Friends and family were always grateful for the gifts of her holiday cookies and candies. No one loved her cookies more than her grandchildren who enjoyed time in the kitchen with her throughout their childhood.
Ms. Barker is survived by her daughter, Janelle Barker Gibson of Webster Groves, Missouri, and two grandchildren Gant Hunter Gibson and Mary Genevieve Gibson also of Webster Groves, Missouri. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Arvella (Tracy) Gant of Dexter Missouri.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bruce Edward and Beulah Mae Gant, her husband Richard Barker, her sister Sylvia Gay Gant, her sister Mary Elaine Gant Wagner and her brother Richard Dennis Gant.
Graveside services will be held at Dudley Cemetery in Dudley, Missouri, on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with the arrangements.
In honor of Donna Barker or the Gant family, please consider a donation to the Stoddard County Children's Home, PO Box 164, Dexter MO 63841.
Gilbert Raymond Mitchell of Dudley, was born in a barn in Stringtown, Mo on September 25, 1941 to the late Raymond Jackson and Zelma Mae Mitchell, and made his way to Heaven on April 23, 2025 at the age of 83 years.
He married the love of his life, Jenny Windle, on September 22, 1973 in Poplar Bluff. Their marriage of nearly 52 years gave them three children: Stephanie(Kevin) Brown, Dianna(Randy) Barnes, and Shawn(Gwen) Mitchell. They later adopted their grandson Bradley Mitchell. Four more grandchildren Amanda(Norman) Henson, Steven Kent, Jr., Christopher Barnes, and Jasmyn Mitchell. Three great-grandchildren: Isla Henson, Hazel Henson, and Ka'Leah Mitchell.
Gilbert worked several jobs over the years. He was known as the "can-pusher" at Purolator, "Gil-fish" at John Deere, and he worked at the Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing with his family, playing his guitar, and writing gospel songs to worship the Lord. He was always singing his songs. His faith was more than a religion, it was his way of life. Gilbert was a member of the Marston Trinity Pentecostal Church.
Gilbert never met a stranger and was always willing to lend a helping hand.
Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings Alma, Elvin, Dorthy, Earlene, Everett, and Charles. And by one son-in-law Steve Kent, Sr.
Private graveside services were conducted on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
Janet Darlene Cave, 75, of East Prairie, Missouri, passed away peacefully on April 24, 2025, at Mercy Southeast Hospital, surrounded by those who loved her most.
Born on November 9, 1949, in Mississippi County, Missouri, Janet lived a life full of love, kindness, and quiet strength. She was a familiar and beloved face in East Prairie, first working at Bob’s Convenience Store and Gas-a-Mat before going on to serve the community as a dispatcher and court clerk at the East Prairie Police Department. Both avenues of employment gave opportunity to capture her sharp memory and easy charm. This would make her the unofficial keeper of the town’s stories (and sometimes secrets), a role she held with both humor and heart.
Janet was a lifelong practicing Baptist and a member of Elm Street Baptist Church. Her faith was a steady compass throughout her life and a comfort to those around her.
She never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone, often leaving people feeling seen and heard. Her warmth was magnetic, her laugh unforgettable, and her soul, truly pure.
But above all, Janet’s heart was devoted to her family. She loved her daughter and grandchildren more than anything in this world, and her role as “MawMaw” was the one she cherished most.
Janet was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jimmie Wayne Cave, her parents Virgil Lee and Mildred Lynese Adams-Moore and her two brothers, Larry and Gary Moore.
She is survived by her daughter, Dana Cave; her three granddaughters, Haleigh (Finley) Hequembourg, Ashton Allred, and Elin Browning; and her great-grandson, Channing Shelby. She also leaves behind her dearest and lifelong friend, Patti Russell; one brother Jerry (Connie) Moore; one special sister-in-law Lawanda ‘Peachie’ Moore (wife of the late Larry Moore); and a host of nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Monday, April 28, 2025, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Elm Street Baptist Church in East Prairie. A funeral service celebrating Janet’s life will take place at the church on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., with a private graveside burial to follow for family and close friends.
Pallbearers will be Dennis Allred, Finley Hequembourg, Jeff Moore, Tim Moore, Kenny Walton, and Ray Givens. Honorary pallbearers include Trent Russell and Mandy Aycock.
Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched, the stories she shared, and the love she gave so freely. Her warmth, wit, and wisdom will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
William “Willie” Dennis Fortman, son of the late Frederick and Agnus (Gass) Fortman was born on November 27, 1946 in Glennonville, Missouri, and passed away on April 19, 2025 in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 78.
Willie lived in southeast Missouri all of his life and was a veteran of the United States Army. He was a former member of the American Legion of Malden, Missouri, enjoyed going to shooting matches, fishing, and spending time with his grandkids and great grandkids.
Surviving family include his children, Dennis (Tracy) Fortman, of Ankeny, Iowa, Richard “Richie” Fortman, of Wappapello, Missouri, Katie Hale, of Sikeston, Missouri, and Mary (Jon) Young of Marlow, Oklahoma, as well as 14 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, 2 brothers, Richard Fortman, of Glennonville, Missouri, Bernard Fortman, of Troy, Missouri and 3 sisters, Agnus Altmeyer, of Evansville, Indiana, Dena Fortman, of Glennonville, Missouri, Cecilia Fortman, of St. Louis, Missouri and many more beloved nieces and nephews.
Willie was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Paul, Leo, Fred, Jim, Jenny and Suzie.
The visitation will be on Friday, May 2nd, 2025, beginning at 9 A.M at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri.
The funeral will be on Friday, May 2nd, 2025, beginning at 10 A.M. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri.
Internment will follow at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri.
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.
