Gene Curtis

MATTHEWS, Mo. -- Gene Curtis, 69, of Matthews died Wednesday, July 11, 2007, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo.

He was born Aug. 28, 1937, at Matthews, son of Alvin R. and Ollie Elizabeth Winters Curtis. He and Barbara I. Miller were married Oct. 24, 1974, at Matthews.

Curtis was president and operator of a poultry farm. He was a former mayor of Matthews, and served as city judge and marshall. He was a lifetime member of Big Prairie Jaycees, member of Sikeston Eagles Aerie 3319 and Sikeston Masonic Lodge 310.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Emily Curtis of Fairfax, Va.; four stepdaughters, Evelyn Curtis, Cindi Stobaugh, Laura Spraggs and Elaine Vandever, all of Matthews; five brothers, Pete and Buel Curtis of Matthews, Perry Curtis of Kingman, Ariz., J.H. Curtis of San Diego, Don Curtis of Sikeston; two sisters, Ruby Silverthorn of Sikeston, Barbara Lasters of Oran, Mo.; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

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

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the chapel. Burial will be in Matthews Cemetery.