Joel Savell

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. -- Joel M. Savell, 88, of East Prairie died Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born April 18, 1918, in Nashville, Tenn., son of James and Bessie Savell. He and Harriet Riley were married in December 1948 in Lilbourn, Mo.

He served with the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II in the Pacific Theater.

After his discharge he joined his father and moved to East Prairie, purchasing The East Prairie Eagle from his brother-in-law, Art Wallhausen Sr. He was the former owner/editor of The East Prairie Eagle.

He was a member of East Prairie Board of Aldermen, Police Judge and Law Enforcement Assistance Council, organized the auxiliary police and was Civil Defense director.

Savell was a member of Nelson Memorial United Methodist Church, where he served as Sunday school superintendent and Sunday school teacher. He was a member and secretary of the Lions Club, charter member of East Prairie Housing Authority Board, and member and past master of Masonic Lodge 384.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Julia Harter of Cape Girardeau, Jean Thresher of East Prairie; a half brother, Bill Vernon of Franklin, Tenn.; an adopted sister, Mildred Wallhausen of East Prairie; three grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by a sister.

Visitation is from noon to service time today at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at the funeral home, with the Rev. Dan Usher officiating. Burial will be in the Riley family plot in Memorial Park Cemetery at Sikeston, Mo.