Burleigh Spitler

MINER, Mo. -- Burleigh E. Spitler, 72, of Miner died Monday, March 29, 2004, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.

He was born Jan. 20, 1932, in Lamar, Ark., son of Harley and Minnie Davis Spitler. He married Phyllis Burch Sept. 14, 1957, in Fort Sheridan, Ill.

He retired from the U.S. Army after 22 years of service. He served in the Korean War and the Vietnam era. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and DAV in Dexter, Mo., and was also a member of the Elks, American Legion and Eagles.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Burleigh Spitler of Brentwood, Tenn.; two brothers, Elmer Spitler and Kenneth Spitler, both of Sikeston; a sister, Sherley Chamberlain of Dexter; his stepmother, Opal Spitler of Lamar, Ark.; a half brother, Tommy Spitler of Lamar; and three half sisters, Rita Evans, Rosetta Jones and Yvonne Bohannon, all of Lamar; and a granddaughter.

A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Bloomfield Veterans Cemetery with Ken Swearengin officiating, with full military honors provided by the Missouri Military Funeral Honor Guard. Nunnelee Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.