Joseph McVay

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Joseph E. "Gene" McVay, 77, of New Madrid passed away Monday, March 23, 2015, at the Convalescent Center in Sikeston, Missouri.

He was born May 23, 1937, at New Madrid, to the late Joseph L. and Nora Young McVay Jr. He was married to Sandra Bullard 27 years and they remained close until his death.

Joseph had resided in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he pursued his college education and was retired from General Motors.

Survivors include two sons, Chet McVay of Portage, Michigan, and Joseph McVay of Sturgis, Michigan; three brothers, Sterling McVay of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Charles McVay (Peggy) of Estes Park, Colorado, and Linnie McVay (Trudy) of Poplar Bluff; three sisters, Melissa Zinn (Randy) of Malden, Missouri, Pearl Russell (Kenneth) of Boise, Idaho, and Cheri Shelton of Peoria, Illinois; a grandson, Alex McVay; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until service time Monday at Richards Funeral Home in New Madrid.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, with Randy Zinn officiating. Burial will be in Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield.