Dr. Leonard Edmisten

Dr. Leonard Martin Edmisten, 87, of Anderson, Mo., formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Monday, July 10, 2006, at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo.

He was born June 11, 1919, in Anderson, son of Oliver and Alda Edmisten. He and Effie Alice Layson were married Dec. 9, 1940.

Edmisten was a 1939 graduate of Southwest Missouri State University, received a master's degree at the University of Arkansas in 1948, and a Ph.D. at the University of Missouri in 1954.

He taught school at Morrison, and was a professor at the universities of Arkansas and Alabama for a short time. He taught English classes 25 years at Southeast Missouri State University.

Edmisten was a combat interpreter in Germany during World War II.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Alice Bowman of Anderson; a son, Larry Edmisten of Anderson; a sister, Merrily Sutton; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter.

The funeral was held July 14 at Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, with Thad Carter officiating. Burial was in Mayfield Cemetery near Goodman, Mo., with full military honors conducted.