CAPE CIVIC LEADER 'DUTCH' ESTES DIES

Former funeral director and Cape Girardeau civic leader Willard H. "Dutch" Estes died Friday at age 89.

He had been in ill health in recent years.

"He was a good man," said Lester Burchyett of McClure, Ill. "Dutch was a wonderful person. He tried to be a friend to everybody."

Burchyett worked with Estes at the Brinkopf-Howell Funeral Home for some 40 years.

Burchyett said he and Estes did much of the ambulance work years ago before there was a full-time ambulance service.

"We did about 80 percent of the ambulance work," he said. "The other funeral homes didn't do too much."

A hearse was used both for funerals and ambulance runs, Burchyett said, adding that "back in those days, we only got $3 for an ambulance trip in town."

Estes always had something to say, and "he liked to talk," said Burchyett. "We were very, very close. I just wished he could have lived longer."

Estes retired from the funeral home business in September 1989.

He served on the board of directors for the local Salvation Army for more than 60 years.

Estes received the second-ever Founder's Award from the Salvation Army, an award given nationally to volunteers.

Estes also was active in the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce and numerous other civic groups.

"He was a chamber member forever," said John Mehner, chamber president.

For the past 13 years, he had handed out the annual Cobblestone Award. The cobblestones, which came from the Cape Girardeau riverfront, were presented to people who exhibited civic dedication.

Estes was a charter member of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and helped form the River Heritage Museum, Trail of Tears State Park and Bollinger Mill State Historic Site.

Before a bout with cancer slowed his pace, he was a sought-after speaker.

He grew up in Bollinger County. Interviewed in 1990, Estes recalled how he got his nickname of "Dutch":

"There was a big German man who I used to follow around all the time. So they used to call me the little Dutchman."

Estes graduated from Will Mayfield College in Marble Hill, Southeast Missouri State University and Hohenschuh-Carpenter College of Mortuary Science, receiving his embalmer's license in 1929.

In the early days, undertakers often had a line of clothing available for customers.

"Some people didn't have a suit to be buried in," Estes said in 1990. "I have even put my own clothes on a body when he didn't have a suit and the family couldn't afford one."

"If people trust you enough to take care of their loved ones, I always felt I should do the best job I could," he said.

Estes was born on Nov. 25, 1908, at Marble Hill, the son of James L. and Tava Hahs Estes.

He and Frankie M. Williams were married on April 20, 1930, at Marble Hill.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau.

Survivors include his wife; a son, James L. Estes of Florissant; a daughter, Martha Ann Young of Cape Girardeau; four granddaughters; and two great-granddaughters.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, two grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

The funeral will be private. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.