KENNETT, Mo. -- Jack Fredrick Stapleton Jr., 76, of Kennett died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2003, at National Health Care in Kennett.

He was born May 18, 1927, at Stanberry, Mo., son of Jack Fredrick and Bernice Childs Stapleton. He and Patricia Krueger were married Feb. 18, 1950.

Stapleton was a veteran Missouri newspaperman and syndicated columnist. His family owned the Daily Dunklin Democrat Newspaper in Kennett from 1953 to 1989.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Jack "Jay" Stapleton III of Portland, Ore.; two daughters, Carolyn Stapleton of Austin, Texas, and Sara Stapleton of New York, N.Y.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. today at First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Paul Lanning officiating.

McDaniel Funeral Service of Kennett is in charge of arrangements.