Merle Burton

BENTON - Merle Burton, 59, died May 26, 2002, at his home.

Born Jan. 7, 1943, in Scott County, son of the late Allen and Ethel Coffman, he was a self-employed truck driver.

On Aug. 22, 1961, he married Ann Foster who survives of the home.

Other survivors include: two sons, Terry Burton and Michael "Slugger" Burton of Sikeston; one daughter, Teresa Gross of Benton; one brother, Bill Burton of Vanduser; three sisters, Jewel Barrick and Pearl Rhodes of Vanduser and Irene Holt of Port Hueneme, Calif.; and seven grandchildren.

One sister and four brothers preceded him in death.

Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston. The Rev. William H. Marshall, pastor of the Christian Mission, will officiate.

Burial will follow in the Blodgett Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Scott Foster, Eddie Foster, Ben Easter, Ricky Blankenship, Dale Burton and Kenny Harp.