Ben F. Boyers

Ben F. Boyers, age 92, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Boyers, the son of the late Byrd F. and Hettie (Sparkman) Boyers, was born Sept. 8, 1923 in Butler County, Mo. He was a member of Lone Star Missionary Baptist Church and had retired as a horse rancher and dog trainer. He was lovingly known by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as "Buddy Ben". Mr. Boyers proudly served his country while in the U.S. Army during WWII. He served with the 3366th Signal Service Battalion in Guam, Tinian and Okinawa and for his service he was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Ribbon with one Bronze Star, a WWII Victory Medal, a Good Conduct Medal and two Overseas Medals. Mr. Boyers was also a member of the Poplar Bluff American Legion Post 153 on Kanell Blvd. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and training his horses and dogs.

On April 24, 1947, he married Mary Davis in Pocahontas, Ark. She preceded him in death on May 15, 1988.

Survivors include a son, Melvin F. (Sandra Richardson) Boyers of Dexter, Mo.; a daughter-in-law, Glenda Hager of Park Hills, Mo.; eight grandchildren: Angela Dawn Boyers of Page, Ariz., John Matthew (Heather) Boyers of Luthuania Embassy of the U.S. of America, Kelly Ann Richardson (Tim) Smith of Denton, Texas, Kurt (Melissa) Richardson of Poplar Bluff, Terry Conley Sauceda of Van Buren, Mo., Doug Hager of Poplar Bluff, Melissa Hager of Park Hills, Mo. and Mark Hager of South City, Iowa; eleven great grandchildren: Krista Rose Boyers, Jon Paul Boyers, Blake Smith Roberts, Jacob Smith, Kyle Richardson, Kody Richardson, Sierra Sauceda, Allyson Hager, Andrew Hager, Addyson Hager and Grace Ann Hager; a great-great-granddaughter, Scarlett Rose Roberts; four sisters: Dorothy Dowd of Poplar Bluff, Virginia Crites and Betty Webb of Ellsinore, Mo. and Mildred Alford of Poplar Bluff; and a brother, Meredith Boyers of Poplar Bluff.

A son, Larry Dale Hager also preceded him in death.

Visitation will begin at noon on Sunday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel with the funeral service following at 2 p.m. The Rev. Jerry Williams will officiate. Burial with full military honors will be at Sparkman Cemetery in Butler County.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.

All family and friends are invited to a dinner at the American Legion Post 153 at 2320 Kanell Blvd. in Poplar Bluff following the interment.