Robert Yarber

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Robert Yarber, 82, of Sikeston died Monday, March 4, 2002, at his home.

He was born Feb. 10, 1920, in Oxford, Miss., son of Robert and Lottie Green Yarber. He first married Arebelle Yarber. He and Melodie Gesling were married Feb. 25, 1980.

Yarber was an apostolic minister. He lived in Iowa before returning to Missouri.

Survivors include his wife; six sons, Robert Yarber III, Dwight and Lemule Yarber of Michigan City, Ind., Calvin Yarber of Elkhart, Ind., the Rev. Chester Yarber of Sikeston, Tyrone Burke of state of California; six daughters, Shirley Curtis of Michigan City, Terry Hemphill of Gary, Ind., Brenda Carter and Karen Hicks of Sikeston, Connie Green of Kansas City, Mo., and Lucille Yarber of Burlington, Iowa.

Also surviving are adopted twin sons, Chandler and Charles Yarber of Sikeston; five brothers, Wylie, Roy and Aaron Yarber of Sikeston, David Yarber of Gary, Isaiah Yarber of Fort Valley, Ga.; three sisters, Ella Sumlin of Sikeston, Pniler Cooper of Madison, Ill., Sammie Underwood of St. Louis; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at West End Baptist Church. The Rev. Chester Yarber will officiate. Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. Monday at National Cemetery in Mound City, Ill.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 1 p.m. Saturday

Williams-Farr and Purnell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.