Eugene Slaten

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Eugene Gordon "Gene" Slaten, 95, of Charleston died Monday, Aug. 28, 2023, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Missouri.

Gene was born Aug. 31, 1927, at Hot Springs, Arkansas, to the late Edgar Roy and Myrtle G. Kemp Slaten.

Before his high school graduation, he was drafted into active service in the U.S. Army. Following an honorable discharge from the service, Gene returned to Charleston, where he embarked on a career with Standard Oil Co. that spanned over 50 years at various locations in Charleston.

Gene was a longtime and faithful member of First Baptist Church. In 1978, when the church suffered the horrific loss of the sanctuary by fire, Gene, along with Ellis Young and Bill Knight, were faced with the large task of steering the rebuilding process as trustees. It was a task he was honored with and did not take lightly. Gene also served on Charleston Housing Authority Board and Mississippi County Draft Board and was a proud member of Mayflower Society of Missouri of which he was the 11th generation.

On Nov. 2, 1948, he married Ruth Helen Steward, who preceded him in death May 10, 2021.

Surviving are his children, Gordon (Terry) Slaten of Charleston, Stephen (Martha) Slaten of Cape Girardeau and Mary Susan (Rudy) Ponder of Sikeston; daughter-in-law, Robin Slaten of Charleston; brother, Kemp (Jane) Slaten of Charleston; 10 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his wife and parents, Gene was preceded in death by his son, John C. "Johnny" Slaten; great-grandson, Riley McElroy; brothers, Hal and Carlton Slaten; and sisters, Minnie Warren, Pauline Pinelle and Martha Jane Baker.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the funeral hour at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, at First Baptist Church in Charleston. The Rev. Gerald Collier will officiate. Interment, with full military honors, will follow in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery near Charleston.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers will be Tim New, Glennon Johnson, Teddy Slaten, Ed Propst, Terry Propst and Kevin Propst.

In lieu of flowers, plants and gift items, the family requests memorials be made to The World Hunger Fund, First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 442, Charleston, MO 63834.

McMikle Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.