JAKE NEWCOMER

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Joseph Clark "Jake" Newcomer, 78, of Bloomfield died Sunday, July 1, 2001, at Dexter Memorial Hospital in Dexter, Mo.

He was born March 16, 1923, near Charleston, Mo., son of Joseph Franklin and Elizabeth Jennings Newcomer. He and Carmaleen Walker were married June 5, 1942. He later married Georgia Brown Smith June 24, 1971.

Newcomer worked at Buck Store, and was appointed acting postmaster in 1951. He retired as postmaster in 1979, and then worked at Mercantile Bank from 1984-91.

He served as mayor from 1971-75 and was an active member of the city board 13 years. He served as president of the Stoddard County Historical Society, and was a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Bloomfield Housing authority 10 years.

Newcomer was one of the organizers of Crowley's Ridge Recreational Center and served as a member of the board of directors. He had been treasurer of the Stars and Stripes since 1995.

He was an active Boy Scout volunteer 25 years and served in numerous positions at local and district levels. He was a member of the executive board of the Southeast Missouri Council, serving two World Jamborees, and received the Silver Beaver award.

Newcomer served in the U.S. Army from 1943-45.

Survivors include three daughters, Lucinda Brown of Minneapolis, Minn., Melinda Kersey of Atlanta, Ga., Joanne Newcomer of Jefferson City, Mo.; and several grandchildren.

Funeral will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home. The Rev. Ron Dunavin will officiate. Burial will be in Bloomfield Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home Thursday from 9 a.m. until time of service.