Elmer Woodrow Pickens passed away at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, Friday morning November 9, 2012.
Elmer was born in Glenwood, MO on November 16, 1916, the eleventh child of Joe and Talitha Maude (McAninch) Pickens. Elmer graduated with the Glenwood High School class of 1936. He was inducted into the United States Army in 1942, and received a medical discharge in 1943.
On May 15, 1944, he was united in marriage to Mary Elizabeth Tharp and to this union six children were born. They moved to Queen City in 1953 and resided there the remainder of their lives. He worked for a propane company for 21 years and made many acquaintances across northern Missouri. He went to work for the Burroughs Corporation in Kirkville in 1973 and retired from there eight and a half years later. However, he continued to work part-time at various jobs for many years. He served as town marshal, mayor, and city councilman for several terms. Because of his service to the city the council voted to rename the street south of his home Pickens Drive in his honor.
He loved his God, country, and family and lived what he believed. He enjoyed gardening, hunting, Cardinal baseball, playing basketball with the young people, and helping his neighbors. He was a member of the Church of Christ and the congregation of Orleans near Moulton, IA, was his church family. Elmer was a member of the Schuyler County American Legion Post 784.
Elmer was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 58 years, a granddaughter in infancy, daughter-in-law, Sue Pickens; brothers, Lee, Bert, Joe, and John; sisters, Ollie Collier, Merle Gordy, Edna Followwell, Olga Stober, Dolly Foglesong, and Delorse Clay, and many nieces and nephews.
He is survived by his six children, Sharon (Leon) Garrison of Queen City, Stanley (Diana) Pickens of Kirksville, Fred Pickens of Warrenton, MO, Roberta (Greg) Meyer of Ottumwa, IA, Doris (Dale) Randolph of Corydon, IA, and Steve (Janet) Pickens of Branson, MO, fifteen grandchildren, thirty-three great grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday (November 12, 2012) at the Dooley Home with Pastor Jerry Weller officiating. Music will be provided by Vanessa Weller and Becky Dalrymple. Burial with military rites will be in the Glenwood Cemetery in Glenwood, MO.
Pallbearers will be Mark Pickens, Scott Pickens, Eric Randolph, Shawn Randolph, Lance Randolph, and Geoff Meyer. Honorary bearers will be Logan Garrison, Brandon Pickens, Roy Noe, Ross Noe, Matthew Pickens, Jaxson Meyer, Isaac Eaton, Chad Anderson, Nolan Randolph, Colin Randolph, Jeremiah Mische, Joshua Mische, and Seth Mooney.
Visitation with the family will be Sunday (November 11, 2012) from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the
Dooley Funeral Home
Queen City, MO 63561 660-766-2241
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the Orleans Church of Christ.
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