Stories from Monday, November 23, 2015

Tonie Kay Benfield Toburen, daughter of the late Luther Benfield and Beatrice Shearer Benfield, was born on Jan. 5, 1951, at Kennett, and died at her residence in Puxico on Nov. 20, 2015, at the age of 64. Mrs. Toburen is survived by four sons, Scott Johnson of Senath, Mo., Jeff Edwards of Alvin, Texas, Chris Edwards of Puxico and Stephen Edwards of Burnet, Texas; one daughter, Kelly Benfield Cutrell of Dexter; two brothers, Russell Benfield of Bowling Green, Mo., and Richard Benfield of Puxico; one sister, Vickie Pettes of Puxico; 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.. ...

Charles Dwain Tipton, son of the late Alonzo Judson Tipton and Ida Bell Walker Tipton was born on March 8, 1928, in Bernie and died on Nov. 21, 2015, at his residence in Bernie at the age of 87. Mr. Tipton was a Veteran of the United States Army and served in the Korean War. He was a farmer and a resident of Bernie. He was a member of the Elk General Baptist Church...

Jean Payne, daughter of the late Alfred and Juanita Shipley Head, was born in Manilla, Ark., on Dec. 17, 1940, and died at the Cypress Point Skilled Nursing in Dexter on Nov. 21, 2015, at the age of 74. Watkins and Sons Funeral Home of Dexter is in charge of all arrangements...

Brian Smelser of Dexter died on Nov. 23, 2015 at the Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter at the age of 40. Arrangements are being handled by Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter and are incomplete at this time.

Jean Payne, daughter of the late Alfred & Juanita Shipley Head, was born in Manilla, Ark. on Dec. 17, 1940, and died at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing in Dexter, Mo. on Nov. 21, 2015, at the age of 74. Watkins & Sons Funeral Service in Dexter, MO is in charge of arrangements...

James Brian Smelser passed away on November 23, 2015 in Dexter, Missouri. The son of Dennis and Janie Smelser of Dexter, Missouri, Brian was born in Paragould, Arkansas on March 10, 1975. Brian was a graduate of Dexter High School with honors, and a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri with a Bachelor of Science degree in Unified Science with an emphasis on biology. ...