Dean Loftin

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- Dean Loftin, 88, of Olive Branch died Monday, June 19, 2006, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born March 25, 1918, at Commerce, Mo., son of Henry and Martha Clark Loftin. He married Karen McClarney May 1, 1968, at Morley, Mo.

He attended First Free Will Baptist Church in Olive Branch and the Cape County Cowboy Church.

He served his country with the U.S. Army during World War II. He landed on Utah Beach on D-Day and continued to serve in combat for two years across the European continent. He was privileged to be a driver for Marlene Dietrich while she was on tour with the USO and became friends with her.

He was in the trucking business from a young man until his retirement in 1985. He was manager of Cape Grain Co. in Cape Girardeau from 1966 to 1983.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Dixie Hoxworth of Conway, Ark.; a sister, Edna Bowman of University City, Mo.; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, three sisters and a brother.

Friends may call at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, Ill., from 4 p.m. to service time Thursday.

The funeral will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. John Montgomery officiating. Military rites will be conducted at the funeral home by Pulaski County VFW Post 8891. Burial will be at a later date in Oakdale Cemetery at Commerce.