Aaron Rapert

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Aaron Esselman Rapert, 79, of Sikeston died Thursday, June 16, 2005, at Missouri Delta Medical Center.

He was born Feb. 21, 1926, in Maynard, Ark., son of Raymon and Jewell Rapert. He and Marie Jewell Bailey were married Dec. 11, 1947. She died May 8, 2000.

Rapert moved to Sikeston in 2003 from Charleston, Mo. He was employed 32 years with Missouri State Highway Department, retiring in 1990. He was a member of Bridges United Methodist Church.

A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, he served on the USS Garrard. He was involved in the Tokyo Bay Landing Aug. 30, 1945, helping to evacuate prisoners of war. He received the Victory Medal, American Arena Medal, and Asiatic Theater Ribbon with two battle stars. He also served two years with Missouri National Guard.

Survivors include a daughter, Brenda Staggs of Sadler, Texas; five sons, Ronnie Rapert of Sadler, Allen Rapert of Gaines-ville, Texas, Bruce and Rickey Rapert of Sikeston, Denis Rapert of Charleston; four sisters, Geraldine Thomason of Charles-ton, Essie Phillips of Glendale, Ariz., Martha Hollis of Sikeston, Virginia Cox of Lafayette, Ind.; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother.

Friends may call at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Bill Meeks officiating. Burial will be in IOOF Cemetery, with graveside rites by Missouri Military Funeral Honor Guard.