Bartley Ferrell

BENTON, Mo. — Bartley C. Ferrell, 84, of Benton died Thursday, May 8, 2008, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Nov. 23, 1923, at Bertrand, Mo., son of Ercy Earl and Mary Velda Alley Ferrell. He and Melba Kirkpatrick were married March 29, 1947.

Bartley was a member of the U.S. Army and served on the Pacific islands of Tinian and Saipan during World War II. His most cherished memory was personally observing the formal surrender of the Japanese to General Douglas MacArthur aboard the USS Missouri Sept. 2, 1945.

Bartley retired, and in his latter years enjoyed gardening. He was especially known for his prize-winning tomatoes, which he generously shared with friends and family. Bartley was a faithful attender of First Assembly of God Church in Scott City.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Bartley "Buz" Ferrell of Benton, Larry H. Ferrell of Jackson; three daughters, Barbara (Dannie) Dick of Tampa, Fla., Janet Smith of Memphis, Tenn., Sandra (Clayton) Bryant of Benton; two brothers, Tom Ferrell of East Prairie, Mo., Paul (Beverly) Ferrell of Wahpeton, N.D.; a sister, Jeanne Elliott of Louisville, Ky.; five grandchildren whom he loved beyond all measure, Matthew Ferrell, Stacy Dick of Tampa, Lance Ferrell of Chicago, Jennifer Ferrell and Michael Ferrell of Jackson; and many very special nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by five brothers and a sister.

Visitation will be at 4 p.m. Sunday at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee, Mo.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the chapel, with the Rev. Randy Morse and the Rev. Jim Malugen officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hills Memorial Gardens near Morley, Mo., with military graveside rites by Missouri Honors Program.