Fern Pauline Stroupe

Fern P. Stroupe, age 84, of Bland, passed away peacefully Sunday, September 21, 2014, at the Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City.

Fern was born on October 26, 1929, in Washington County Missouri, a daughter to the late John and Ann (Wade) Mercer.

On December 5, 1949, Fern was united in marriage to Thomas L. Stroupe in Potosi, Mo. From this union came three sons. Tom preceded Fern in death on May 29, 2012.

Tom and Fern moved to the Bland area from Japan, Mo. in 1973 and remained residents for 41 years.

Fern was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Belle.

Fern worked for the International Shoe company and cleaned houses for a while but her main job was spent as a homemaker. She loved taking care of her family. Her other loves included, cooking, gardening, canning, sewing, and going to church picnics throughout the area. She was a music lover who wrote her own songs, sang, and played the guitar as well as the piano. She also enjoyed attending gospel sings when she could. Fern will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her.

Fern is survived by three sons: Dennis Raymond Stroupe and his wife Linda of Bland, Roy Stroupe and his wife Sandy of Owensville, and Don Stroupe and his wife Connie of Linn; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband of 63 years, Fern was preceded in death by one brother, John Mercer and five sisters. Martha Isgrigg, Ellie Gibson, Grace Stroup, Dolly Short, and Violet Parker

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 23, 2014, at Sassmann's Chapel in Belle.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at the Assembly of God Church in Belle with Bro. Bill Perkins officiating. Interment will be held at the Countryside Memorial Gardens near Owensville.

In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made to the Belle Assembly of God church.