EDWARD G. NUNNELEE SR.

SIKESTON -- Edward Eugene "Gene" Nunnelee Sr., 73, of Sikeston, died Wednesday, Aug. 5, 1992, at Missouri Delta Medical Center, following an extended illness.

He was born Oct. 22, 1918, at Blodgett, son of John Fred and Audrey V. Moxley Nunnelee Sr. He and the former Marie Lucille Ohmes were married June 21, 1942, at Diehlstadt.

Nunnelee graduated from Hohenschuh-Carpenter College of Embalming in St. Louis in June 1937, and was licensed in 1940.

He entered the funeral business in 1937 with his father and brother in Charleston. They purchased the Taylor Funeral Home in Sikeston in 1955, and in 1970 purchased the Jackson Funeral Home here.

Nunnelee was currently chairman of the board of Nunnelee Funeral Chapel, and served 13 years as Scott County coroner.

He was a member and past president of Charleston and Sikeston Kiwanis Clubs, served on board of directors of Sikeston Chamber of Commerce, former member and past chairman of United Fund Board of Sikeston, and former commissioner of Okeechobee District Boy Scout Council.

Nunnelee was Sikeston Jaycee Boss of Year in 1975, and Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year in 1976. He was a 32nd degree Mason of Charleston and Sikeston Masonic Lodge and Scottish Rite, and member of First United Methodist Church.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and was a captain in the medical administrative corps and commanding officer of the medical reserve unit in Charleston.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Tom Nunnelee of Sikeston; three daughters, the Rev. Diane Nunnelee of Fayette, Gene Ross and Priscilla Carpenter of Houston, Texas; two brothers, John Nunnelee Jr. and Joe Nunnelee of Sikeston; and seven grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son.

Friends may call after 5 p.m. Friday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church. The Rev. Charles E. Buck will officiate, with burial in IOOF Cemetery at Charleston.