F. A. Findley

Ferial A. Findley, 91, of Poplar Bluff died Friday, Aug. 14, 2009 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Findley was born Jan. 8, 1918 in the Asherville community near Puxico. He was a member of the First Baptist Church; Masonic Lodge; Elks Lodge all of Poplar Bluff; and a life-time member of V.F.W. of Puxico. Mr. Findley was a veteran of the U. S. Army having served during WWII as well as a brief period during the Korean Conflict. He retired as a Captain after 32 years with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and served 12 years as a State Representative in the Missouri Legislature.

In 1946 he was married to Laura Simpson. She preceded him in death in 1958. He later was married to Patsy (Lucas) Harris. She preceded him in death in 1982. On May 7, 1988 he married Mary (Hunter) Vinson in Poplar Bluff. She survives.

Other survivors include his daughter, Gwendolyn Findley of Miami, Fla.; step-children: Bob Vaughan of Hagerstown, MD, Stuart Harris, of Fenton, Tami Edington, of Poplar Bluff, Teresa Schwab of Springfield and Major Sean Vinson of Ft. Leonard Wood; grandchildren: Brian Vaughan, Heather Vaughan, Lucas Edington, Patrick Edington, Ashley Schwab, Branden Schwab, Katelyn Vinson and Alyssa Vinson; great-granddaughter, Paige Alexandra Small; sister, Wanda Parker of Columbia; and brother, Ray Findley also of Columbia.

His parents, Alfred and Pearl (King) Findley, son, Steven A. Findley and brothers, Clyne Findley and Wayne Findley also preceded him in death.

A Masonic Service will begin at 6 p.m. Sunday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel with visitation following. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church with Dr. William Vail officiating. Burial with full military honors will be at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Poplar Bluff.

Memorials may be made to MASTERS (Mo. Assoc. of State Troopers Emergency Relief Society), 5287 Hwy 67 North, Poplar Bluff, or to a charity of one's choice.