EARL KIFER

Earl Kifer, 86, of Bernie, Mo., died Monday, Sept. 18, 2000, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Aug. 9, 1914, at Bernie, son of James Robert Kifer and Ora Mae Vineyard Kifer. He and Pauline L. Murphy were married Nov. 27, 1948, at Piggott, Ark.

He was a farmer and worked as a bus driver for the Bernie school system for more than 20 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in World War II. He was awarded the Purple Heart during his service.

He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars at Cape Girardeau and the Disabled American Veterans chapter at Dexter, Mo.

Survivors include his wife of Bernie; two sons, Steve Kifer and Ken Kifer, both of Fort Smith, Ark.; four sisters, Lucille Bates of Dexter, Goldie Hunt of Flint, Mich., Amy Becking of Bernie and Helen "Toots" Thurston of Kennett, Mo.; five grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, his parents, three brothers and four sisters.

Visitation will be from 6:30-8 tonight at Rainey Funeral Home in Bernie.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the chapel, with the Revs. Joe Masters and Don Wells officiating.

Military service will be at the Bernie Cemetery, where burial will follow.