Ed DeGaris

Edwin Ray DeGaris, age 68 of Poplar Bluff, joined his party in heaven June 1st, 2022. Ed was born January 26, 1954 in Malden, Missouri. Soon after he moved to Poplar Bluff and lived on the Southside until he married. He was the son of Edwin Parvin DeGaris and Betty DeGaris Bettin. In 1975 Ed married Lisa Jones and they made their home in Poplar Bluff because Ed wouldn’t live anywhere else.

Ed was a charter member of Grace Christian Fellowship Church which was established in 1993. He was heavily involved in the construction of the facility itself. Ed was a police officer in Poplar Bluff for 33 years before retiring in 2009 at the rank of Lieutenant. After retirement he was elected to the Poplar Bluff City Council where he served until 2021. During this time he was elected as mayor 7 years and mayor pro-tem for 1 year. During and after this time he was greatly involved in many community committees, outreaches, and projects. Just a few of these included 8-Point Development, Buff up the Bluff, Restoration of Downtown Development, Restoration of Historic Rodgers Theater, Chamber of Commerce, Butler County Committee Resource Council, the Highway 67 Expansion, and the Building of the Farmers Market Pavillion. Ed was a pivotal person in the community. During his time on Earth, he was named Officer of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Person of the Year, Citizen of the Year, and was given the key to the city. 

Preceding Ed to heaven were parents, Edwin Parvin DeGaris and Betty DeGaris Bettin. Also preceding Ed were sisters Alice Greco and Betty Anne Grun; grandson, Austin DeGaris and two nephews, James Steven Johnson and Ryan Elwell.

Ed is survived by his wife, Lisa Jones DeGaris of their home; two sisters, Annette Harris (Steve) of Poplar Bluff, and Mary Raper (Vernon) of Doniphan; three children, Chris DeGaris (Michelle), Liz Kilhafner (Mark), and Ross DeGaris all of Poplar Bluff; five grandchildren Abby and Luke Christian, Annalise, Emma, and Ashton DeGaris all of Poplar Bluff; 7 bonus grandchildren Garen Thomas, Shianne Heatherly, Kara Thomas, Ryleigh, Natalie, Hailey, and Jackson Kilhafner. Also surviving are three bonus great-grandchildren Brody Heatherly, Aubrey Burkhart, and Rowan Thomas.

Visitation will be Monday, June 6 from 5-8 p.m. at Grace Christian Fellowship, Poplar Bluff. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, June 7 at 1 p.m. at the church. There will be a short viewing time beginning at 12PM. Rev. Brian Sharp will officiate. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery, on Hwy. 21, Doniphan.

Memorials may be made to: Grace Christian Fellowship 3200 Warrior Lane., Poplar Bluff, Mo., 63901 or the American Cancer Society. 

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