Lucian Calvert

PIEDMONT, Mo.-- Lucian L. Calvert, 70, of Piedmont passed away Tuesday, April 19, 2011, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born July 30, 1940, in Blytheville, Ark., to Lucian Foster and Minnie Bell Powers Calvert. He and Wanda Atchley were married June 20, 1959. He and Sally Milum Williamson were married Aug. 16, 1980.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Richard Douglas (Gladys Jean) Calvert of Waterloo, Ill.; a daughter, Shelia Rena (Dean) Purdy of St. Charles, Mo.; three stepsons, Doug (Sheila) Williamson, Rick Williamson and Mike (Kim) Williamson; seven grandchildren, Jason Purdy, Ryan Purdy, Leah Williamson Young, Amy Williamson Grulke, Shelly Williamson, Tim Williamson, Angelia Williamson; and a great-grandchild, Tristin Young.

Also a brother, Fred Earl (Lorrie) Calvert of Twin Lakes, Wis.; four sisters, Joyce Louise (Carl) Stinson of Jackson, Peggy June (Carl) Hargrove of Chicago, Mallie Ann (Wilmer) Stinson of Springfield, Mo., Linda (Hank) Nelson of Atlanta; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, C.L. Calvert, Walter Marion Calvert; and a sister, Jewel R. Carper.

Lucian and his family moved to Malden, Mo., when he was a very young child and lived there until he graduated from Risco School System in Risco, Mo.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1958 and served until 1964. He served as an administrative clerk in Italy.

After the service he moved to St. Louis and worked at Orscheln Brothers Truck Lines, retiring in October 1982. He was baptized into Christ in 1981. He was a member of Teamsters Local 600.

He then moved to Piedmont. Lucian enjoyed traveling and seeing the country, especially out West. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, wood-crafting, genealogy and Bible study. He was a self-taught master wood craftsman and could make almost anything. He had his own wooden crafts business in Piedmont several years.

Lucian was a quiet, private man and would rather listen than talk. He did not enjoy crowds or frivolous small talk, but was very personable one-on-one, especially if someone else initiated the conversation. He was a very humble and compassionate man and never wanted or asked for recognition for anything he did.

He loved God, enjoyed privately studying the Bible and stood firmly for what he believed was right. He would help anyone in need and if he had something he thought you could use or enjoy he would often offer it to you. He gladly helped take care of many of his aging neighbors, some for many years, until the end of his life, but he never wanted or would accept anything in return other than a "thank you."

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle. All who knew him loved and respected him. He fought a courageous battle with kidney cancer from the day it was diagnosed until it ultimately took his life.

The funeral was Friday at Ruegg Funeral Home Chapel in Piedmont, with Ed Rhodes officiating.

Interment was in Bunker Cemetery at Bunker, Mo.

Pallbearers were Rick Williamson, Mike Williamson, Jason Purdy, Tim Williamson, Joe Rush and Ryan Purdy.

Online condolences may be made at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com.