Geneva Voelker

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Geneva Elizabeth Voelker, 88, died Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008, at Missouri Delta Medical Center.

She was born Dec. 5, 1920, in Diehl­stadt, Mo., daughter of the late Rev. William S. and Cleo Williams Bailey.

Voelker co-owned and operated Voelker's Jewelry Store in Sikeston many years. She was a member of First Baptist Church, where she was a Sunday school teacher and worked with the Sunbeams and the Girls Auxiliary. She was a founding member of the Altrusa Club, a member of Order of the Eastern Star, active in Girl Scouts and had been a den mother in the Cub Scouts.

She married Joseph Lee Voelker in 1936. He preceded her in death June 18, 2000.

In addition to her husband and parents, a son, Tommy Lee Voelker, and two sisters, Edith Cooper and Marie Jewel Rapert, preceded her in death.

She is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Dr. Don and Shelly Voelker of Eldorado, Ark., Patrick Voelker of Missouri; a daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and Don Newton of Sikeston; four grandchildren, Diana Testa and Lori Templeton of Sikeston, David Newton of Arlington, Va., Dr. Pamela Voelker of Minneapolis, Minn.; and four great-grandchildren, Jake Templeton and Audrey Testa of Sikeston, Kate Newton and Brooke Newton of Arlington.

Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Ponder Funeral Home.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, with Dr. Rick Ramsey, pastor of Crossroads Community Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Sikeston City Cemetery.