DEXTER, Mo. -- Jesse Lee Deardorff, 91, of the Aid community passed away on Friday, July 28, 2017, at his home.
Jesse was born on Nov. 10, 1925, to Floyd and Estie Deardorff in the Oak Grove community.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Leo Deardorff, and by two sisters, Marjorie Buchanan and Velma Cox.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Floella Deardorff; by one son Gary and wife, Donna, Deardorff; by two granddaughters, Jill Deardorff of St. Louis, Mo., and Katy and her husband, Greg, Tarbutton of Dexter and by three great-grandchildren, who referred to him as "Big Pa," Caroline Domyan, John Parker Tarbutton and Reese Tarbutton.
He also is survived by one brother-in-law, Jim Norris; by three sisters-in-law, Jean Norris, Martha Norris and Vera Almond and by many nieces and nephews.
Jesse joined the Marine Corps 3rd Division at the age of 17 and served in the South Pacific, the Iwo Jima and Guam invasions during World War II.
He married Floella Norris on Dec. 14, 1946. They farmed and raised cattle, which Jesse thoroughly enjoyed.
He was a member of the Liberty Hill General Baptist Church his whole married life. Since 1979, he was a member of the Gideon's International, a member of the Dexter Masonic Lodge, serving three terms as Worshipful Master and was a member of the Stoddard County Honor Guard.
Jesse also volunteered at the John J. Pershing Veterans Hospital for 17 years with his wife Flo.
Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter on Sunday, July 30, 2017, from 5:15 p.m. until 8 p.m. A Masonic service will be conducted on Sunday evening at 5 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted on Monday, July 31, 2017, at 10 a.m. in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter with Rev. Joe Payne officiating.
Interment will follow at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield with full military honors.
Paid