Gerry Buffington

Gerry Daniel Buffington, 47, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Wednesday, June 11, 2014, at his home. He was born October 12, 1966, in Poplar Bluff, to Alta Dunlap Buffington and the late Vernon Buffington. Gerry Dan was a member of First Baptist Church but also attended services at the VA Chapel with good friend Chaplain Bill Hatch, and became close to many there. He was a graduate of Poplar Bluff High, an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan, enjoyed talking on the phone, reading, watching his roses grow, and was especially close to his nephew Cody Buffington, who shared his life with Gerry Dan every day. He is survived by his mother, Alta Dunlap Buffington; brother Gary Vernon Buffington of Poplar Bluff; two sisters, Gayla Buffington Pruett (Bloyce) of Pleasant Hill, Mo. and Glenda Buffington Bell (Steve) of Batesville, Ark., 5 nephews, Corey Vernon Buffington (Chyanne) of Fairdealing, Mo., Cody Dillon Buffington of Poplar Bluff, Benjamin Dale Pruett (Becky) of Pleasant Hill, Steven Lenehan Bell, Jr. (Ann) of Charleston, S.C. , and John Buffington Bell of Springdale, Ark.; one niece, Flesha Pruett Billmeier of Ohio; 4 great-nephews, Montana and James Buffington of Fairdealing, Brandon Pruett of Pleasant Hill and Kaleb Billmeier of Ohio; and many aunts, uncles and cousins also survive. He was preceded in death by his father, Vernon Buffington; his maternal grandparents, Homer and Mary Deckard Dunlap; and paternal grandparents, Claude Buffington Sr. and Mollie Allison Buffington. The family would like to say thank you to Gerry Dan's special caregivers, Matthew Brown and Bessie McRoy. Visitation will begin at 1p.m. Saturday, June 14, 2014 at Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home, Poplar Bluff, Mo. followed by funeral services at 2p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Chaplain Bill Hatch officiating. Burial will be in Kinsey Cemetery in Harviell, Mo. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Shriners Children's Hospital, 2001 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, Mo. 63131