Search effort underway for missing Stoddard County man

DEXTER, Mo. -- The search that began Monday for a missing Dexter man continues today, the Daily Statesman newspaper reported.

According to Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner, 76-year-old Ralph Hall was last seen driving east after leaving the McDonald's restaurant on Business 60 Monday afternoon at about 1:30. Hall had reportedly met with friends for coffee, which was part of his daily routine.

Hall's wife, Helen Hall, reported to the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department around 7 p.m. Monday that her husband had not returned home from the restaurant. Friends of Hall reported there was nothing out of the ordinary in his demeanor when he left the restaurant. According to Helen Hall, her husband has no health concerns other than a slight hearing loss.

Nearly every emergency agency in the county has been involved in the search for Hall, with additional help possibly on the way Tuesday. Joining Hefner in the search Monday were Dexter police, Bernie police, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, EMA, and fire departments from Dexter, Essex, Bloomfield and Bernie.

"We ran the gravel roads in the county and have been in contact with all area hospitals," Hefner said Tuesday morning, "and there has been no sign of Mr. Hall as yet."

The notice of Hall's disappearance has been placed on the SEMO broadcast system and today will be placed on the nationwide MULES broadcast system.

Hefner said two local cropdusters are combing the area from the air as they spray crops in the area today. He also anticipates the Highway Patrol Troop E plane to be on the scene today.

Hall was last seen driving his white 2004 Ford Freestar van with license number VAZ-W82. Hall is described as 5'8" tall and weighing about 150 pounds. He has black hair and hazel eyes and when last seen was wearing a tan shirt and blue jeans, a camouflage ball cap and brown shoes. The Halls reside on Business 25 near Route AF and operate Hall's Storage units there.

The public is asked to be on the lookout for the Hall vehicle and to contact authorities if any sign of the missing man surfaces.