Click on the 5 minute video below for an introduction to our family, our funeral home and the services we provide for our families.

Gaile “Dee” Elliott, age 55, of Eldon, died Friday, May 4, 2012, at Lakeside Meadows in Osage Beach.  She was born in Santa Monica, California, on September 1, 1956, a daughter of Wayne and Nelva (Setliff) Girdner.  On February 28, 1976, in Turlock, California, she was married to Kenneth James Elliott.

Throughout her life Dee enjoyed working in the field of teaching.  She was a substitute teacher for many years, worked with Parents as Teachers, was an active PTA member, soccer coach and a missionary in Belize.  She also had two degrees in computers.  Dee was also a member of the Fairgrounds Road Church of Christ.  She enjoyed scuba diving before being struck with multiple sclerosis and participated in many cancer walks and other charity events.

Those who survive her include:  her husband, Kenneth James Elliott, of the home; three children, James Derrick Elliott and wife Sharyn of Denver, Darrell Craig Elliott and wife Diana of Eldon and Jessica DeAnn Johnson of Eldon; nine grandchildren, Derrick, Topanga and Tiauna Elliott, Marvin Herman-Elliott, Dominick and Jade Elliott and Cooper, Cora and Connor Johnson; her parents, Wayne and Nelva Girdner and five siblings, Mark Girdner, Renee Anette Gokey, Eric Thomas, Tiffany Girdner and Justin Girdner.

Her grandparents, Shorty and Odell Setliff, preceded her in death.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, 2012, at Fairgrounds Road Church of Christ in Jefferson City.  Carey Terry will officiate.

Lorraine “Rainy” Burris, age 53, of Olean, died Wednesday, April 18, 2012, at her home.  She was born in Tuscumbia on October 4, 1958, a daughter of the late Jim and Bonnie May (Phillips) Turner.  On November 26, 1999, in Reno, Nevada, she was married to Dennis Burris, who survives at the home.
 
Rainy was reared by her late grandparents, Arthur and Lea Mae Phillips.  She was a 1976 graduate of Tuscumbia High School and a 1976 graduate of Tri-County Technical School in Eldon for Graphic Arts I & II.  She was also a graduate of Diamond Council of America, which made her a certified diamontologist.  Rainy was currently employed as a sales associate with Coach in Osage Beach.  Her charm and personality took her far and wide in business and in pleasure.  Rainy’s favorite word was “awesome” and her favorite things in life to do were jet ski to the maxi and travel with her husband, Dennis.  They had many adventures around the world together.  She liked going on Harley Rally’s, meeting new people and seeing new things.  She always took many photos of their travels and always shared them with others that were not so fortunate to be a world traveler like herself.  She lived life in the fast lane, loved every breath she took and never ever took any of it for granted.

Others who survive her include:  one sister, Glenda Kay Turner and one brother, Donald Dwayne Turner and wife Phyllis all of Tuscumbia.
 
Services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 21, at Rekus Funeral Home in Eldon.  Bro. Gene Edwards and Bro. Jim Kruse will officiate.  Interment will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery near Eldon.

Visitation celebration will be from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, April 20, at Rekus Funeral Home in Eldon.

In lieu of memorial contributions, please send flowers.

Reba “Kay” (Wickham) Duncan, age 70, of Tuscumbia, died Tuesday, April 10, 2012, at her home.  She was born in Kansas City, Kansas on September 5, 1941, the daughter of the late George and Sarah (Beard) Wickham.  In March 1976, in Camdenton, she was married to Rolland Leo Duncan, who preceded her in death on May 11, 2009.

Kay was a homemaker and loved the Lord.  She was a member of the Tuscumbia First Baptist Church.

Those who survive her include:  three children, Lynne Cadorette and husband Don of Nashville, Tennessee, Macher Davis of Austin, Indiana and Toni Burks and husband Bill of Tuscumbia; seven grandchildren, seven great grandchildren; her beloved friend, Sandy Applegate of Rogersville and her constant companion, Grizzley Bear.

Two children, Farron and DJ Stone, also preceded her in death.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, April 14, at Tuscumbia First Baptist Church with services immediately following at noon.  Rev. Chris Connell will officiate.  Interment will be in Tuscumbia Cemetery.
 
Arrangements are under the direction of Rekus Funeral Home in Eldon.
 
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Tuscumbia First Baptist Church.

James Cooper, age 65, of Gravois Mills, died Tuesday, March 27, 2012, at Lake Regional Hospital.  He was born in Eldon on June 3, 1946, a son of the late Waldo and Evalene (Lehew) Cooper.

James served in the Navy during the Vietnam era.
 
Those who survive him include:  one daughter, Tricia Mayer; two grandchildren, Brooke and Lake; six brothers, Jerry Cooper and wife Carol, Bob Cooper and wife Linda, Darrell Cooper and wife Karen, Joe Cooper and wife Bea, Danny Cooper and wife Patty and Terry Cooper and wife Tracy; three sisters, Sue Gentry and husband Bill, Beth Whittle and husband Darrell and Kathy Woodward and husband Gary and his beloved basset “Speedy”.

His brother, Tracy Cooper, also preceded him in death.

Visitation will be from 3-4 p.m. on Monday, April 2, 2012 with a memorial service immediately following at 4:00 p.m. at Rekus Funeral Home in Eldon.  Pastor Kenny Fredrick will officiate.  Military honors will be provided by the Miller County VFW Post 2442.  A private family interment will be held in Greenmore Memorial Gardens near Barnett at a later date.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or Animal Humane Society.

Erma L. (Hicks) Stone, age 82, formerly of Eldon, died Sunday, March 18, 2012, at her daughters home in Jefferson City.  She was born in Tuscumbia on November 29, 1929, a daughter of the late Otto and Lola (Upton) Hicks.  On November 12, 1949, in Tuscumbia, she was married to Doyle Dean Stone, who preceded her in death on August 19, 1989.
 
Erma was a homemaker and an avid St. Louis Cardinals and NASCAR fan.

Those who survive her include:  one daughter, Kathy Nickel and husband Eugene of Jefferson City; two grandchildren, Heather Evers and husband Larry of Jefferson City and Quentin Lupardus and wife Theresa of Tuscumbia; one great grandson, Nolan Lupardus of Tuscumbia; one step-granddaughter, Angel Evers and numerous nieces and nephews.

Her brother, Raymond Hicks and sister, Nadine Wood, also preceded her in death.

Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 21, 2012, at Rekus Funeral Home in Eldon.  Pastor John Dearing will officiate.  Interment will be in Dooley Cemetery near Eldon.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at Rekus Funeral Home in Eldon.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice Compassus.

John B. Meltabarger, age 85, of Eldon, died Saturday, March 17, 2012, at Eldon Nursing and Rehab.  He was born in Kansas on October 4, 1926, a son of the late John and Dorothy (Champlain) Meltabarger.  On January 26, 1957, in St. Louis, he was married to Glenda Burch, who preceded him in death on January 6, 2000.
 
John was a Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict and was a lifetime member of the Miller County VFW Post 2442.  He worked for LaClede Gas Company for 30 years before his retirement.  John was an avid fisherman and hunter until his health began to fail.  He also loved to spend time with his family, friends and beloved dog, White Boy.

Those who survive him include:  two daughters, Gail Oliver of Eldon and Dorothy Johnson of Warrenton; one sister, Edris Horn of Jefferson City; five grandchildren, Natasha, Shanna, Richard, Shawn and Jeffery; four great grandchildren, Katye, Destiny, Hayli and Shawn II and numerous other family and friends.

Two brothers, Donnie Ray and William Meltabarger; one sister, Iris Regan and one great grandson, Triston Kintner, also preceded him in death.

Services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20, at Rekus Funeral Home in Eldon.  Pastor Carl Curtis will officiate.  Interment with military honors provided by the Miller County VFW Post 2442 will be in Southside Cemetery near Meta.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Monday, March 19, at Rekus Funeral Home in Eldon.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the family.

Bonnie J. (Plyer) Wood, age 73, of Eldon, died Friday, March 16, 2012, at Eldon Nursing and Rehab.  She was born in Fifield, Wisconsin, a daughter of the late John and Leatha (Russell) Plyer.  In September 1979, in Reno, Nevada, she was married to Charles Wood, who survives at the home.

Bonnie enjoyed spending her time quilting, knitting and crocheting.

Others who survive her include:  six children, John, Larry, Chuck, Beverly, Gail and Marilee; 12 grandchildren; five great grandchildren; two sisters, Mary and Dee and two brothers, Dave and Bob.

One brother, Charles and one sister, Evelyn, also preceded her in death.

Arrangements are under the direction of Rekus Funeral Home in Eldon.

Jose Angel Xolo, infant son of Jose Manuel and Jaclyn Xolo, was stillborn on Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at Lake Regional Hospital. 

Those who survive him include:  his parents, Jose and Jaclyn Xolo of Eldon; two sisters, JeorgiaLynn Murphy and Braelyn Xolo of Eldon; grandparents, Lynn and Theresa Groce of Barnett, Jodie McConnell of Eldon and Jose Xolo-Sixtega of Tuxla, Mexico; great grandparents, Jim Campbell and wife Pam of Eldon, Bonnie Schwintak of Eldon and Thelma Groce of Barnett.

His grandmother, Salustria Campechano-Chapol and great grandfather, Paul Groce, preceded him in death.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

Robert L. Lenox, age 70, of Versailles, died Monday, March 12, 2012, at Good Shepherd Care Center.  He was born in St. Louis on June 13, 1941, a son of the late Maurice Lee and Lucy Ama Delta (Jackson) Lenox.  On June 13, 1976, in Lake Ozark, he was married to Betty J. Lewis, who preceded him in death on January 16, 2004.
 
Robert enjoyed spending his time with family and friends, traveling and painting.  He especially enjoyed being employed 17 years for Sprint as a draftsman.  He always had a great appreciation for life.

Those who survive him include:  one brother, William Lenox; five sisters, Betty Abernathy, Shirley Batterson, Joan Barr, Karen Elkin and Regina Barnes; six step-children, Donald E. Vance, Steven K. Lewis, James Boren, Tonia S. Thomas, Diana E. Thomas and Beth Ann Stodulski; 15 step-grandchildren and several step-great grandchildren.

Daniel and Eva Lenox, Robert’s infant siblings, preceded him in death.  His sister, Janet Castilgia and brother, David Lenox, also preceded him in death.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 16, 2012, at Adams Cemetery, near St. James.  Bro. Dan Wisinger will officiate.
 
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Shriners Hospital for Children.