Lonnie McWhirter

SIKESTON -- Lonnie Vester McWhirter, 66, died Jan. 23, 2012, at the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Born April 15, 1945, in Fayette, Ala., to the late Thomas Cleburn and Dessie McWhirter, he was employed by Bill Cole Farms. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was of the Baptist belief.

Besides his parents, he also was preceded in death by two brothers.

Survivors include: his former wife, Hazel Powell of Miner; one son, Lee McWhirter of Miner; one daughter, Alice Middleton of Morley; three brothers, John McWhirter of Crowder, Arnold McWhirter of Benton and George McWhirter of Miner; two sisters, Patsy Dozier of Searcy, Ark., and Connie McWhirter of Conway, Ark.; and four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. today at the Nunnelee Funeral Chapel, where services are scheduled at 10 a.m. Wednesday with the Rev. Kelley Grubbs, pastor of Murray Lane Baptist Church of Sikeston, officiating.

Burial with full military honors provided by the Missouri Military Funeral Honor Guard will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Online condolences may be shared at www.nunneleefuneralchapel.com.