Joseph Rivera

Joseph Rivera, 69, of Poplar Bluff died Monday, March 9, 2009 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Rivera was born May 2, 1939 in Los Angeles, Calif. He was a member of South Poplar Bluff General Baptist Church, and had been employed for the past 3 years as maintenance supervisor for Fellowship General Baptist Church, as well as 4 years for Poplar Bluff Housing Authority and 10 years for Poplar Bluff R-1 Schools. Mr. Rivera was an 8th degree Marshal Arts Instructor, and a member of Ozark Mountain Karate Assoc. He enjoyed spending time with his family and fishing.

On Oct. 20, 1972 he married Doris Stull in Los Angeles, Calif. She survives.

Other survivors include four step-children: Dennis Mintner of O'Fallon, Debra Clark, of Poplar Bluff, Melvin Nonn of Piedmont and Phyllis Fernandez of Woodson Terrace; seven step-grandchildren and seven step-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6 - 8 p.m. Thursday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Friday in the Chapel with Pastor Keith Luke officiating and Pastor Dennis Mintner assisting. Burial will be at Pleasant Grove Cemetery 3 miles south of Puxico in Stoddard County.