Raymond C. Tanner

Raymond C. Tanner, 84, of Poplar Bluff died Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010 at Westwood Hills Healthcare Center in Poplar Bluff.

Mr. Tanner was born May 14, 1926 in Doniphan, Mo. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and a graduate of Poplar Bluff High School class of 1944. Mr. Tanner was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served in WWII. During his early years he worked as a painting contractor with Aden Priest & Earl Robinson, and later retired after 25 years from John J. Pershing VA Medical Center as a painter. Mr. Tanner was an avid woodcarving artist and was active in the Woodcarver's Club of Poplar Bluff as well as the Radio Control Airplane Club. He enjoyed spending time with his family and watching NASCAR racing.

On Oct. 8, 1949, he married Betty Ann Milster in Poplar Bluff. She survives.

Other survivors include three daughters, Corliss Elsworth of Oklahoma City, Okla. and Cindy Tanner and Becky Tanner both of Poplar Bluff; and three grandchildren, Angela Birdman and husband Louis of Hollywood, Fla., and Michael Elsworth and Amy Elsworth both of Oklahoma City, Okla.

His parents, Walter and Louetta (Miller) Tanner, an infant daughter, Barbara Kay Tanner and four brothers, Esco Tanner, Max Tanner, Leo Tanner and Hanford Tanner preceded him in death.

A Prayer Service will begin at 5:30 p.m. Sunday with visitation following until 8:00 p.m. at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Poplar Bluff with Father David Coon officiating. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.

The family requests memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 123 North 8th St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.