ROBERT E. AYERS

Mr. Robert E. Ayers, 87, of Canton, Mo., died April 28, 2019 at Bayfront Health Port Charlotte in Port Charlotte, FL.

Bob was born January 27, 1932 in Keokuk, IA a son of William Harris and Blanche Verlee Leeper Ayers. He married Emma Ruth Smith and to this union five children were born.

Bob was president of Ayers Oil Company for over 30 years. He succeeded his father in the business, which was started in 1924 in Clark County, MO. He was a past president of the Missouri Oil Jobbers Association, and was a former member of the Canton R-V school board, Culver-Stockton College board of Trustees, Sun N Surf Swim board and Immanuel United Methodist Church member and in years past, member of their church board. He was an Army veteran serving from 1955 to 1957.

Survivors include five children, Debbie (Kevin) Carr of Nutley, N.J., Donna Ayers of Raytown, MO, Steve (Cindy) Ayers of Canton, Paul (Blanca) Ayers of Conway, AR and Diana Ayers of Bath, N.Y.; grandchildren, Brad (Jessica) Ayers, Wes (Emily) Ayers, Jordan (Kristin) Ayers, Drew Ayers, Lucas (Olivia) Ayers, Jannell Ayers, Logan Ayers and Landon Ayers and step grandchildren, Rudy, Max and Sebastian De Anda; eight great grandchildren with another expected in July and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Jim Ayers and one sister, Twila Boulware.

Funeral services were held May 5, 2019 at Immanuel United Methodist Church in Canton with Pastor Harry Cooper officiating. Pallbearers: Carl Adams, Gilberto Romero, Wade Poulter, Kevin Cain, Curt Adams and Stan Uhlmeyer. Honorary Pallbearers: Frank Miller, Jim Crain, Orville Tobin, Tom Smith, William Lloyd and Jerry Prather. Music: Karla, organist; vocalists Janet Watson, Shirley Hinkle, Waneta Stevenson and Sue Johnson singing the Lord’s Prayer and Amazing Grace. Visitation was held May 4, 2019 at the Davis Funeral Home in Canton.

Burial was in Forest Grove Cemetery in Canton.

The family suggests memorials be made to Immanuel United Methodist Church or to River Valley Community Course.

Online condolences may be left at www.davis-fh.com