Edward Triplett

Edward Triplett, 79, of the Missouri Veterans Home died Tuesday, April 7, 2009, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

He was born Sept. 23, 1929, and raised near Tahlequah, Okla. He is the son of William and Madlene Triplett. He was a tribal member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. He and Jacqueline Bruns were married Oct. 21, 1967, in St. Charles, Mo.

During the Korean conflict era he served in the U.S. Army at Fort Benning, Ga.

In the late 1950s he relocated to the St. Louis area where he worked at McDonnell Douglas aircraft. He was employed as a machinist more than 35 years.

The family later moved to Troy, Mo. He was also self-employed as an auctioneer and started his own business, Cherokee Auction Service. He was active in Lions Clubs International and a charter member of Moscow Mills Lions. After his retirement he moved to Marble Hill, Mo., and then to the veterans home.

Survivors include his wife, Jacqueline of the home; a son, Michael (Julie) Triplett of Richmond, Va.; a daughter, Tammy Triplett of Cape Girardeau; three sisters, Sally (Steve) Foster, Mary Rogers, Estelle Cooper; a brother, Sam Triplett, all of Oklahoma; many nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.

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

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to service time Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Gary Belcher officiating. Private burial will be in Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield with military rites conducted by Missouri Honors Team.