Rufus Sanford Jr.

BENTON, Mo. -- Rufus Roy "Sonny" Sanford Jr., 77, of Benton passed away Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, at Saint Francis Medical Center, surrounded by his family.

He was born Jan. 15, 1935, in Ancell, son of Rufus Roy and Ethel Angelyn Stone Sanford Sr. He and Shirley Elaine Fry were married March 26, 1953, in Ancell.

Rufus was a self-employed carpenter the past 20 years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and the outdoors, and enjoyed working on anything.

Survivors include his wife of Benton; six sons, Adam (Debbie) Sanford and Jerry Sanford of Cape Girardeau, Roger (Mona) Sanford and David (Crystal) Sanford of Jackson, Ronald (Krista) Sanford of St. Louis, Danny (Missy) Sanford of Benton; six daughters, Anita (Lynn) Sides and Margaret (Rodney) Seabaugh of Jackson, Carol (Rick) Coomer of Shawneetown, Mary (Ronnie) Mansker and Lisa Cox of Cape Girardeau, Theresa Sanford of Benton; a brother, Paul Sanford of Golconda, Ill.; 23 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Penny Klingel; two sons, James "Jim" Sanford and Rufus Sanford III; two brothers, Roger and William Sanford; three sisters, Dortha Sanford, Joyce Shumpert and Verna Mae Kelly.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the chapel, with the Rev. Jack Owens officiating. Burial will be in Lightner Memorial Cemetery in Scott City.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Lung Association.

www.amick-burnettfuneralchapels.com