Reeder Porterfield was laid to rest at the age of 94 at the Oak Ridge Cemetery on Wednesday. Born in 1913, to Edwin and Louise McHaney Porterfield, Reeder spent almost his entire life in Dunklin County. He was pre-deceased by his brother, Edwin Lee, and his sister, Mary Louise Crow. He was the last survivor of an even dozen cousins.

Starting in 1939, he worked several years at the Pentegon before transferring to the American Embassy in Mexico City. There he met and married Mary Elizabeth Fox in 1942, who passed away in 1954. He is survived by their children, Marian Melinda McDonald, of Sebastopol, Calif., and John McHaney Porterfield, of Chicago, who are most grateful for the life of the man who was their only parent for so many years. He also leaves three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Reeder was always a man of broad and diverse interests such as progressive farming, helping originate the "Man on the Farm" program of KBOA. He leaves behind friends at the Dunklin County Library, who will remember him for his life-long love of birds. We are grateful for his example of a life of broad interests.

Graveside services have been held.

McDaniel Funeral Home of Kennett was in charge of arrangements.