Marcus Abernathy

BENTON, Mo. -- Marcus Daniel Abernathy, 84, of Benton died Saturday, June 16, 2007, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Gir­ar­deau.

He was born Nov. 25, 1922, in Ripley, Miss., son of Oscar L. and Georgia Baker Abernathy Vickers. He and Mildred Scheffer Bertrand were married June 14, 1986, at Benton.

Abernathy was a retired farmer. He was a member of American Legion and Eagles Aerie in Sikeston.

He was a sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Danny Abernathy of Kansas, Ill., John Abernathy of Jackson; two daughters, Barbara Abernathy-Franklin of Robinson, Ill., Doris Abernathy of Rockville, Ind.; a stepson, John Bertrand of Oran, Mo.; two stepdaughters, Cathy Ray of Benton, Debbie Sander of Scott City; a brother, Lee Abernathy of Paris, Ill.; 17 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three brothers and a sister.

Visitation will be from noon to service time today at Blanchard Funeral Chapel in Sikeston, Mo.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at the chapel, with the Rev. Normand Varone officiating. Burial will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery with full military honors by Military Honors Program.