Burley Pruett

Capt. Burley Fenton Pruett, 85, of Cape Girardeau, died Sunday, May 15, 2011, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis with his family at his side.

He was born Jan. 24, 1926 in Cardwell, Mo., to Burley William and Donna Ann Bolin Pruett. He and Margaret A. "Peggy" Roddy were married Dec. 2, 1968, at Framingham, Mass. She preceded him in death on July 29, 2006.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving in World War ll and the Korean War, retiring as a captain. He also retired as a Panama Canal pilot. He was member of VFW Post 3838 and an active member of Cape Shrine Club and Excelsior Lodge 441 AF & AM of Jackson.

Survivors include a son, Burley W. Pruett II of Cape Girardeau; a grandchild, Kiran A. Pruett of Olive Branch, Miss.; a niece, Beckie A. Hillstead of St. Peters, Mo.; a great-niece, Kathi Mikelson of St. Charles, Mo.; and a great-nephew, Brian Hillstead of Moscow Mills, Mo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and a brother, Finis Q. Pruett.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel with a Masonic service at 7 p.m.

Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Walker Cemetery in Bloomfield, Mo., with full military honors by the Missouri Honors Team.

Burial will be at Walker Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Memorial contributions may be given to Shriners Children Hospital.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.