St. Clair County Obits

HOMER R. TUCKER

Appleton City Journal
Dec 31, 1992
Homer T. Tucker, youngest child of Thomas E. and Delia Johndrow Tucker, was born March 20, 1908 on a farm near Gerster, Mo. He departed this life December 23, 1992 at the Truman Lake Manor in Lowry City, Mo

He spent his early life in the Gerster area. As a young man he gave his heart to the Lord.

He attended the Oscoela High School, graduating with the class of 1925.

He married Ethel Kelly on March 31, 1929

After a short time in Springfield they moved back to Osceola and started the “Tucker Dairy” with the first milk delivery service in the area. The Dairy grew from a small beginning to a large bottling plant. When the need came for more space and better equipment he built the large building the square in Osceola which housed the milk processing plant and the Tucker Apartments. Later a Sweet Shop was included in the business.

One of his greatest pleasures was delivering milk to the Boy Scouts Camp, and being with the scouts and their leaders.

For the last 15 years before his retirement he owned and operated the West Central Music Store in Osceola. He tuned pianos for many people as well as repaired their TV’s.

Homer’s love for music caused him to be involved in community choirs, church choirs, and many quartets. He loved to travel with the “Tradesman Quartet” to sing in churches and for community activities.

He served all the offices of the Osceola Rotary Club. He always attended any club that he had an opportunity and attended many national and international meetings.

Homer was active in the Grace United Methodist church singing in the choir as long as his health permitted.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ethel. Their home was not blessed with children but their love reached out to three children who survive, Ronald Pucket, Wichita, Kansas, Dennie Basore and his wife Linda, Deepwater, MO, Karen Austin and her husband Stan, Farwell, Texas. Also surviving are one nephew, Maurice Tucker, Lancaster, Texas, two nieces, Peggy Endley, Weaubleau, MO, Mary Joplin, Lubbock, Texas, and four who call him Grand Dad, Clint and Lyndi Austin, Travis and Tyson Basore, and a neighbor, Chester Kottwitz, who is like a son, and many friends and associates.

Services were held Sunday, December 27 at 1 p.m. at Sheldon-Goodrich Chapel with Rev. Mary Biesemeyer, Officiating.

Music was furnished by Mrs. Yvonne Purdy, Soloist and Mrs. Josephine Belisle at the piano.

Casketbearers were Stan Austin, Dennie Basore, Chester Kottwitz, Wilmer Cutler, Ron Puckett, and John Endley. Honorary casketbearers were the Osceola Rotary Club.

Interment was held at the Osceola Cemetery under the direction of Randy Sheldon of Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home of Osceola.

Submitted by Marie Reynolds