George W. Rager

George W. Rager

George W. Rager age 96, passed away Sunday, July 8, 2012, at the Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville.

The son of William Grant and Cena (May) Rager, he was born May 30, 1916 in Kirksville, MO. On June 23, 1937 in Adair County, MO he was united in marriage to Lula Bell Allen who preceded him in death on June 10, 1999. He was also preceded in death by his parents; two grandchildren, Kent Lawrence and Pamela Rager; one great-grandchild; three sisters, Jean Willis, Emma Stokes and Stella Cox and one brother, Jim Rager.

George is survived by two sons, Lonnie Rager and wife, Vicki of Greentop, MO and Allen Rager of Creston, IA; five daughters, Helen Morris and husband, Charles of Kirksville, Evelyn Williams and husband, Jerome of Wentzville, MO, Kathleen Lawrence and husband, Bill of Greentop, MO, Judy Adkins and husband, Dean of Brashear, MO and Joyce Salter and husband, Raymond of Brashear, MO; thirteen grandchildren, Kevin Morris, Charla Rohm, Jerry Williams, Melissa Smith, Debra Lawrence, Traci Chrisman, Cynthia Kitts, Belynda Miller, DeAnna Adkins, Karlon Adkins, Kurtis Salter, Travis Salter and Meghan Pinkerton and twenty-two great-grandchildren.

George was a lifelong resident of Adair County, MO attending Hungry Hollow School. He was employed as a coal miner for five years and later was employed with MoDot, retiring due to an eye injury. He also farmed. George enjoyed participating in rodeos with the Allen family and attending parades with his mules and ponies pulling a wagon. His hobby was woodworking. He always enjoyed his grandchildren coming to visit him.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home with Reverend Darrell Draper officiating. Musical selections will be “Precious Memories”, “Beyond The Sunset” and “Go Rest High On That Mountain”. Burial will be in the Park View Memorial Gardens in Kirksville, MO.

Pallbearers will be Kevin Morris, Jerry Williams, Debra Lawrence, Traci Chrisman, Karlon Adkins, Kurtis Salter and Travis Salter.

Visitation with the family will be from 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 11, 2012, until the time of the service at the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, 2100 E. Shepherd Ave., Kirksville, Mo 63501 660-665-2233

The family has suggested memorials to the Ownbey Cemetery or the Jewell Cemetery.