Obituaries

Orlandus-Cushawn Eugene Cooper Jr., a resident of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2024, at Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia. Eugene was born Monday, July 14, 1986, to O.C. Cooper and Flora Fields Cooper in Poplar Bluff, Missouri...

Jerry Dwain Skaggs passed away on the evening of Nov. 18, 2024, at the age of 85. He was born April 16, 1939, in Ruble, Missouri to Burnell and Lorene Skaggs. Jerry was a loving father and a loyal friend with an easy smile, who never met a stranger. He retired from United Parcel Service after 35 years. He made the most of his retirement, following his passion for horses, family and friends. He was rarely seen without his trademark cowboy hat...

Michael A. Ellebracht, 70, of Bernie, Missouri passed away Nov. 15, 2024, at Winchester Nursing Home in Bernie. Michael was born Jan. 15, 1954, to George and Wilma (Ledford) Ellebracht in St. Louis, Missouri. Michael moved from St. Louis to the Puxico, Duck Creek area, he went to high school at Zelma High where he played basketball. ...

Orlandus-Cushawn Eugene Cooper Jr., a resident of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2024, at Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia. Eugene was born Monday, July 14, 1986, to O.C. Cooper and Flora Fields Cooper in Poplar Bluff, Missouri...

Phyllis Jane York, 69, of Hazard, Kentucky, formerly Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away Saturday, Nov.16, 2024, at Hazard Regional Medical Center in Hazard. Phyllis was born Jan. 22, 1955, to Robert and Pauline (Nixon) Wood in Poplar Bluff. After the passing of her father, she was raised by her mother and stepfather, William Carman. She married Larry York Aug. 13, 1974, in Poplar Bluff...

James “Jim” Upchurch, 72, of Greenville, died Sunday, Nov. 17. Visitation will be at noon Wednesday, Nov. 20, at Ruegg Funeral Funeral Home, Greenville Chapel. Funeral following at 3 p.m., also in the Greenville Chapel. Burial is in Cowan Cemetery, near Lowndes...

Danny E. Bauchens, 53, died Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024 in Fisk, Missouri. He was born May 25, 1971 in St. Louis, Missouri. Danny previously had been a cook at The Manor Nursing Home in Poplar Bluff for 10 years. He took great pride in his job and truly cared for each resident he prepared meals for...

Fred Clifford Dirickson Jr., 92, of Puxico, Missouri, died Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 at Prairie View Skilled Nursing in Bloomfield, Missouri. Mr. Dirickson was born June 13, 1932 in Blodgett, Missouri, son of the late Fred Clifford Sr. and Jewel Edna Dirickson (neé Short). ...

Melba Christine Ballew, 89, of Maryville, Illinois, died Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. A graveside service is at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 23, at Rucker Cemetery, Williamsville. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhomes.com.

Loretta “Bobbie” Keck, 88, of Patterson died Friday, Nov. 15. Visitation is at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 19, at Faith Family Worship, Piedmont. Funeral is at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 20, also at Faith Family Worship. Burial is in New Prospect Cemetery, Silva...

Charles Edward Payne, 80, of Ellsinore, Missouri, died Nov. 12. Visitation is at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, Mass is at noon, all at St. Catherine’s of Sienna Catholic Church, Piedmont. Burial following at St. Catherine’s Cemetery with full military honors...

Robert L Pitts, 81, died Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at The Manor in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

Charles Ronald Thilman, 77, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at his home. Charles was born May 18, 1947, to Charles and Ruth (Wonderlich) Thilman in Poplar Bluff. Charles was a proud member of the United States Army. He served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. ...

Leland R. Duncan, 95, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, at his home surrounded by family, due to complications from lymphoma. Leland was born Nov. 9, 1929, on a farm in Van Buren County, Arkansas, to Enoch and Julia (Lane) Duncan. It was the Depression era, and Leland grew up chopping cotton and plowing fields with a team of mules...

Ronald Clark, 76, of Piedmont, Missouri, died Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Visitation will be held at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov.17, 2024, at Masonic Cemetery, Piedmont. A graveside service will follow at 2 p.m., also in Masonic Cemetery, Piedmont. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhomes.com...

Evelina Jones departed this life Tuesday morning Nov. 5, 2024, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Evelina was born Dec. 13, 1940. Among those she leaves to cherish her memory are three daughters, Francis (Ann) Johnson, Joann Miller and Linda Miller, of Poplar Bluff; sons William “Boo” (Karen) Miller Jr. ...

Shirley Duckett, 81 of Piedmont, Missouri, died Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Piedmont. A visitation only will be held from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 16, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont Chapel. Online condolences: www.rueggfuneralhomes.com.

Orlin D. (Ollie) Johnson, 88, graduated to heaven Nov. 3, 2024. Orlin was born at home in Detroit, Michigan Jan. 16, 1936, to the late Ora and Minnie (Seypohltowsky) Johnson. Orlin was an only child. Orlin graduated high school from Poplar Bluff Senior High in 1953, in 1954 he married the love of his life, Nadine (Birdsong) Johnson. They were married 69 years. Orlin’s parents and Nadine preceded him in death. The couple had fraternal twins...

Meredith Ray Boyers, 88, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away at 6:42 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, at his home in rural Poplar Bluff. He was surrounded by his family, having realized his greatest wish-to take his last breath on his beloved cattle and horse farm of over 67 years...

Jerry Ray Stevenson, 82, of Vulcan, Missouri, passed away Nov. 4, 2024. Visitation is from 3-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov.9, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont Chapel. Funeral is at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov.10, also in the Piedmont Chapel. Burial following in Mt. View Cemetery, Des Arc...

Judyth Mae Penaflor (Green), 74, of Williamsville, Missouri, died Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024 at Westwood Hills Health Care Center, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

Janice Lynn Mullen was born at Kennett, Missouri, March 19, 1964 and died Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024 She was raised on the farm near Gideon, Missouri. Her parents were S.E. “Jack” Mullen and Sylvia Lee Singleton Mullen who both preceded her in death Jan is survived by her sister Charlotte Mullen of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, whom she lived with for the last 11 years; nephews, David Dixon (Sondra) and Matthew Dixon; brother, Sam Mullen (Carol Jean); niece, Sherry Felker (Kevin) and many cousins, two grandnieces, one grandnephew and seven great-grandnieces; close family friend, Martha Elsworth; and family and caregivers, Lucia Calvin and Gloria Porter.. ...

Sandra Gail Alexander, 66, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, began her journey in the stars with Jesus Nov. 3, 2024. Sandy was born Oct. 19, 1958, in Sikeston, Missouri, to Doyle Floyd Miller and Francis (Standridge) Miller. Sandy Miller married Daniel Alexander June 4, 1977...

Kevin Lamar Harris was a dedicated and ambitious man who lived with a strong belief in faith and unquestionable love. Kevin was born Feb. 5, 1974, in Cleveland Ohio to the late Garfield Harris and Kathern (Ferguson) Harris. Kevin and Quianda (Stanley) Harris were united in marriage Dec. 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee...

James (Jim) Walter Decker, Jr., son of the late James Walter Decker and Kathleen McBenge Decker, was born Friday, Feb. 8, 1946, in Steelville, Missouri and departed this life Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at the Missouri Veteran’s Home in Cape Girardeau at the age of 78 years 8 months 24 days...