John Laster

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- John Junior Laster, 78, of Charleston died Saturday, Aug. 20, 2005, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo.

He was born April 2, 1927, in Deventer, Mo., son of Herman H. and Goldie Groves Laster. He and Laura Leona Cockrum were married July 21, 1945.

Laster lived in Charleston most of his life. He and his wife were co-owners and operators of J&L Upholstery until their retirement in 2000.

Survivors include a son, John Laster of Miner, Mo.; a daughter, Georgia Russell of Cunningham, Ky.; two brothers, Albert Laster and Julius Laster, both of Bertrand, Mo.; four sisters, Ruby Wyatt of Troy, Ill., Ida E. Hunsperger of Warrenton, Mo., Rosetta Christian of St. Louis, Mary Martin of Cedar Hill, Mo.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with the Rev. Donald Thomas, pastor of the Southside Baptist Church, and the Rev. Mitch Jackson, pastor of the Miner Baptist Church, officiating.

Interment will follow in IOOF Cemetery under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.