Clarence Cantrell, 96, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007, at the Lutheran Home Assisted Care Facility in Cape Girardeau.

Clarence was born Oct. 8, 1911, in Thayer, Mo., son of Charley and Lottie Risner Cantrell. He and Mary Allard were married Oct. 3, 1936, in Charleston, Mo.

At the time of his death, Clarence was a member of Lynwood Baptist Church in Cape Girar-deau. He was active in church through the years, serving as deacon for most of his adult life.

Throughout the years he was an active businessman. He owned a general store in Salcedo, Mo., for over 24 years and was a farmer and part-time mail carrier. In 1956 he started a livestock market known as D&C Livestock Market in Bloomfield, Mo., that specialized in supplying meat packing operations. Clarence retired in the early 1970s and traveled to Africa on a mission trip.

He was an active member of Gideon International. He held several positions in the Sikeston area camp as well as state offices. Clarence was an active civic leader in the Sikeston area, serving on the Sikeston school board, the Heritage House Board and the Scott County Democratic Committee.

Clarence was an integral part in the creation of the Sikeston Rural Water District. He was elected to several terms on the Water District Board. He also served on the South Scott Ambulance Board.

Clarence was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed gardening, singing and playing the piano. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marry Allard Cantrell, and a daughter, Carolyn Cantrell Cooper.

He is survived by a son, Kenneth E. Cantrell, of Cape Gir-ardeau; a daughter, Glenda, and son-in-law Calder Ehrmann of Greenville, S.C.; and a son-in-law, Terry Cooper, of Doniphan, Mo.; seven grandsons, and seven great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Dolan Rogers officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gideon International Camp U24010, P.O. Box 1275, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702.