Raymond Linley, son of the late Vick Linley and Clyde Mae Portwood, was born May 5, 1933, in Dorena, Missouri and departed this life on May 20, 2025, at his residence in East Prairie, Missouri, at the age of 92 years.
Mr. Linley was a former employee of Noranda Aluminum before retiring. He also worked as a tankerman on the boat and cut timber. He was known for making and gifting people his famous pecan and custard pies. He also loved giving people recorded music.
On January 23, 1961, he united in marriage to Eunice “Nokie” Clark. Mrs. Linley preceded him death on February 10, 1987.
He is survived by three sons, Thomas Linley of Corpus Christi, Texas, Steve Linley (Sonya) of East Prairie, Missouri and Michael Linley (Marcie) of St. John, Indiana; two daughters, Kay Portwood (Raymond) and Sheila Sisk both of East Prairie, Missouri; twelve grandchildren, thirty-one great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Dick Linley and Calvin Hancock one grandson, Little Jerry Portwood.
Visitation will be held at Victory Baptist Church in East Prairie on Friday May 23, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted at Victory Baptist Church on May 23, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. with Bro. Steve Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in Dogwood Cemetery near East Prairie.
Pallbearers will be Michael Linley, Dennis Bennett, Steve Linley, Nathan Sisk, Richard Sisk, Simon Moore and Adam Hartlein.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Truman “Martin” Ward came screaming into this world on June 12, 1955, to his parents Margret Ann Martin and Truman Ward.
From the first cry until the last breath on May 17, 2025, everyone who knew Martin knew he was a special soul. He was always ready with his one liners to make everyone around him laugh.
Martin left behind a slough of loved ones, including his first best friend, his brother Roy. Through thick and even thicker, they were “those Ward boys” in every sense of the words.
He also leaves behind his two favorite daughters. He frequently told each one separately they were his favorite never knowing the other knew the truth. Jamie, his first born and Christina “Jake”, his baby girl. Both titles his girls wear so proudly.
The girls always thought they were the favorites until his grandchildren entered the stage. Madison “JoShell”, Jon, Tay, Jaiden “Pumpkin”, Phoenix, Tov, Rocky and the newest GREAT grandchild Lilly were really what made this 6’5 giant man into a big ol’ cream puff.
Martin worked hard and played even harder all 69 years on this earth. He spent a majority of his life working for SEMO Electric and was a member of the IBEW.
He was a proud blue-collar man, attended the Methodist church a few times a year to remind the good Lord he meant well but spent triple that time at “Gisi’s” on the hill hoping he wasn’t watching.
Martin leaves behind so many friends we couldn’t even begin to count, but that was him. He was everyone’s friend. He was someone you could count on and that will always be his biggest legacy. “You do for your friends and family what you’d want them to do for you”.
Though we weren’t ready to let him go, his parents, grandparents, special friend Sandy, grandson Tay, baby girl Shawna and his white poodle Amanda were ready to have him in his eternal home.
A celebration of life has been planned for Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. Visitation from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. with funeral starting at 11:00 a.m. Internment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
The family asks that you proudly wear your favorite Harley t-shirt and jeans in honor of Martin’s last hoorah.
Brian Wayne Thomason of Risco, Missouri, passed away May 17,2025, at the age of 60 years and 2 months.
Brian was born in Poplar Bluff, Missouri March 17, 1965 to James and JoAn Thomason of Risco. He was the eldest of two sons, and spent his entire life living on the same gravel road. A 1983 graduate of Risco High School, Brian began working full time as a farmer while also working to acquire is own piece of farmland.
He was raised in the Church of Christ and was an ever present member of the Bernie congregation.
Born with dirt in his veins, he began helping on the farm as a young child and never left. He often spoke of doing homework while sitting on the back of various farm equipment, waiting to fill see hoppers or whatever else needed doing. Through the years he grew cotton, corn, soybeans and milo, but often said his children were the finest crop he ever produced. He wore the dirt on his hands and clothes like a badge of honor until his retirement in September, 2024.
Although he was almost deaf, he refused to wear hearing aids which led to some very interesting conversations throughout the years. He was known for his love of catching (and eating) fish, beekeeping, devotion to his family and to his furry friends, who also mourn his loss. A gold card carrying member of the Malden Coffee Shop club, Brian would frequently catch both the morning and afternoon sessions. He also had his own unique sense of fashion which drove the rest of the family crazy. His explanation for his constant brown shirt and jeans was that he didn’t want to look like “a wheel.”
A shameless snacker, Brian found himself in a bit of trouble on more than one occasion when he snuck into tasty looking, non-food items including cat treats, soap, a cricket, and gnat bait. Also known for acting before thinking a situation through, he would come in from outside on an almost daily basis with a minor injury or two, including once having blown his eyebrows off. A first aid kit was always at the ready in his home.
Brian was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bruce. He is survived by his wife Amy, of the home, daughter Hannah (Chris) Guntert of Liberty, Missouri; son Bennett Jesse; daughter, Maura JoAn, both of the home; three grandchildren: Gideon, Penny, and Everly Guntert, various nieces and nephews, as well as a host of church family, and extended family and friends.
Sometimes you never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.
My the winds of heaven blow softly and whisper in your ear how much we love and miss you and wish you were here. Til memory fades and life departs, you live forever in our hearts.
A celebration of life will be conducted at Bernie Church of Christ on Saturday, June 7, 2025 starting at 10:30 AM.
Mathis Funeral Home of Bernie is assisting with arrangements.
Patricia Ann Bain was born February 06, 1962, in Marston, Missouri to the late James W. and Juanita I. (Hampton) Robbins and passed away on May 21, 2025, in Bloomfield, Missouri at the age of 63 years old.
Patricia lived in Bloomfield, Missouri for 22+ years. She had lived there for most of her life. Patricia enjoyed a lot of things including...watching her favorite TV shows, she loved to clean and babysat most of the time. She loved to laugh and most of all she loved her daughter Angel.
Surviving family include her daughter Angel Shana Bain from Bloomfield, Missouri. She had 2 brothers: Charles Robbins of Illinois, James (Sonny) Robbins of Bell City, Missouri, 6 sisters: Betty prince of Marston, Missouri, Mary Slayton of Portageville, Missouri, Linda Mcalister of Delta, Missouri, Carol Gustafson of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Loretta McCoy of Bell City, Missouri and Rita Ramsey of Sikeston, Missouri. She had good friends that include: Hayley Hopkins, her neighbor, and Courtney Vaughn, a family friend. Patricia loved her family and friends and will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents: James W. Robbins and Juanita I. (Hampton) Robbins, and one brother Sammy L. Robbins.
The visitation will be held on Tuesday May 27th, 2025 at 11am, at the Watkins Funeral Home in Bloomfield, Missouri.
The funeral will be held on May 27th, 2025 at 12pm, at the Watkins Funeral Home in Bloomfield, Missouri.
Mike McMunn, son of the late Leslie McMunn and Ruby (Martin) McMunn, was born on December 5, 1956, in Dexter, Missouri, and departed his life on Saturday, May 17, 2025, accidentally in Panama City, Florida, at the age of 68 years.
Mike graduated from Dexter High School in 1975 and went on to work with his parents in the family business, McMunn Auto Parts in Dexter, Missouri. He became the owner and operator after his parents' passing. Through the years, Mike enjoyed playing golf, fixing up golf carts, bowling, and restoring old vehicles. He founded McMunn's Car Cruise-ins, where he and other avid car enthusiasts would travel to area car shows to showcase their talents and investments in the vehicles, often returning home with trophies. Mike was an active member, serving as Treasurer of the Dexter Masonic Lodge #532 and Lakeville #489 in Bell City, Missouri. He was also a Past Master on multiple occasions for both Lodges. Mike had a sarcastic wit about him, and if you were a friend, it was for life.
Survivors include three children, Shannon (Chris) Wondel of Painton, Missouri, Cory McMunn and Sarah McMunn both of Dexter; his special companion, Theresa Varner of the home in Dexter; four grandchildren, Chloe Lemmon, Delaney Lemmon, Carly McMunn, and Lane McMunn all of Dexter; also, by other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2025, from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter. Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, May 23, 2025, in the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in the Smith-Stevenson Cemetery near Dexter.
Family has suggested for all friends and family to wear jeans and cruise in shirts.
