Dora Esther Mantel, 90, of Jackson passed away Monday, July 2, 2012, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.
She was born April 16, 1922, at Morley, Mo., to Ray and Cora Watson Shores. She and C.E. Mantel were married Aug. 22, 1945. He preceded her in death Sept. 19, 1991.
Dora was a florist at Gilmer's Flower Shop in Chaffee, Mo., and also worked at Sports Specialty Shoe Co. as a machine operator. Dora and C.E. then started Mantel Antiques in Chaffee after he retired from the railroad.
Dora was a member of First Baptist Church in Jackson, and a former member of Calvary Baptist Church in Chaffee where she taught Sunday school. She was also a member of Ladies Society of Brotherhood Locomotive Firemen and Engineers, Ladies Auxiliary to VFW Post 10495 of Jackson, volunteered at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau, and the American Red Cross.
Survivors include a son, Charlie (Pat) Mantel of Indianapolis; two daughters, Connie Smith of Jackson, Carla (Gary) Wilke of Midlothian, Texas; nine grandsons; and 12 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two brothers; three sisters; and a special friend and companion, Vincent Schwartz.
A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. today at Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau. The Rev. Jack Bishop will officiate, assisted by the Rev. Charles Lance.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to Calvary Baptist Church in Chaffee.
Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:
For corrections to this story or other insights for the editor, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To learn about the Southeast Missourian’s AI Policy, click here.