Cokie

Mcspadden

Allen Coleman "Cokie" McSpadden, son of the late Roy Vern
McSpadden (09/19/1898-10/25/1973) and Marian Rose Coleman-McSpadden
(08/12/1902-05/06/1994), was born November 14, 1925 in Van Buren, Missouri
and departed this life October 17, 2016, with his family by his side. He had
attained the age of ninety years, eleven months and three days.
On June 6, 1945, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Mabel
Eileen Long, in Van Buren, Missouri. To this union five children were born.
Mabel preceded him in death on May 17, 2001. He was also preceded in death
by one son, Ryan Coleman McSpadden 04/23/1988; his daughter, Leslie Ann
McSpadden-Strong, 09/17/2004, and his brother, Robert Doles "Bob"
McSpadden 09/19/2007.
He is survived by three sons, Alan Wayne McSpadden (MaryAnn) of
Poplar Bluff, Dennis Roy McSpadden (Betty) and Jeffrey Neal McSpadden
(Dana) of Ellington; one sister, Marjorie Phillips of New Madrid; eleven
grandchildren, Shelly McSpadden of St. Louis, Jennifer Norris (Patrick Kucera)
of Fremont, Kara Cummings (Mark) of Poplar Bluff, Erik McSpadden (Farrah)
and Amy Jackson (Pat) all of Van Buren, Jimmy McSpadden (Ashley) of New
Madrid, Nicholas McSpadden (Tiffany) and Laura McSpadden all of Granite
City, IL, Autumn McSpadden of Pennsylvania, Kourtney Green (Adam) of Leo,
IN, and John McSpadden of New Orleans, LA; nineteen great-grandchildren
and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends who mourn his
passing.
Cokie was of the sixth generation of the McSpadden family residing in
Carter County, Missouri. He attended the Van Buren Schools, graduating high
school in 1943. On 02/02/1944, he entered active service in the United States
Army Air Corps, proudly serving his country in World War II as a tail gunner on
a B17 Bomber called the Flying Dutchman. Cokie and his crew flew the 25
missions required and volunteered for ten additional missions. After the war,
he attended Mortuary College in St. Louis, MO and returned to Van Buren to
work for Leuckel Funeral Home, the formerly Croy Funeral Home. In 1951, he
bought Leuckel Funeral Home and later bought Pewitt Funeral Home in
Ellington. He also owned and operated the McSpadden Funeral Home in
Ellsinore, MO and the ambulance service for Carter County. Cokie was the
Carter County Coroner for over 30 years. He was instrumental in the
establishment of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways in 1964, and served on
the original park advisory committee. In the 1970's he and several other
businessmen of Van Buren built and established the Riverways Manor Nursing
Home in Van Buren. He was also instrumental in establishing the Carter County
Saving and Loan which met in the funeral home for the first four years of
existence. Cokie was civic minded and served on numerous boards and
organizations including the school board, and was a former member of the
Masonic Lodge, Rotary, American Legion and VFW. He loved the outdoors and
fishing and camping on Current River. He was an avid outdoorsman and
enjoyed hunting duck, turkey, quail and deer. He also hunted elk in Colorado.
He was an avid golfer and played numerous prestigious courses as he and
Mabel traveled throughout the states.
Cokie was a good man who was loved and respected by his family and
his community.


Visitation: 6:00 p.m. Thursday, October 20, 2016 in the McSpadden Funeral
Home in Van Buren, MO with funeral services beginning at 10:00 a.m. Friday,
October 21, 2016 in the funeral home chapel. Rev. Jim Cooper will officiate
assisted by Rev. Johnny Gipson. Burial will follow in the Poca Hollow-Dry
Valley Cemetery, with Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Lending a Hand Cancer
Fund, P.O. Box 734 Van Buren, MO 63965.
Online condolences: www.mcspaddenfh.com