Monte F. Grimes

Monte F. Grimes, 88, of Leachville died early Friday, June 7, 2013 at the Monette Manor Nursing Center.

Born in Manila, he was the son of the late Edgar Floyd and Hattie Mae Alston Grimes and was a 1942 graduate of Manila High School. He was a U. S. Navy Veteran of World War II and a longtime member of the Manila Masonic Lodge No. 588. After the war he attended St. Louis Mortuary College and became a licensed embalmer and funeral director. He worked several years at Howard Funeral Service in Leachville before co-founding Advance Printing Company in 1959 and later the Florafax Company in 1961. Following the sale of these companies, he worked several years as an insurance broker.

Monte served many terms on the Leachville City Council and was a former Mayor of Leachville. Following his retirement in 1988 he returned to funeral service in a part-time capacity for several years. Monte was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Leachville, where he served in many capacities, including, music director and treasurer. He had a genuine love of music and was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Barbara Barnes Grimes of the home.

One son and daughter-in-law, Monte Carl and LouAnn Grimes of Alvarado, Texas;

One daughter, Monta Lea Grimes of Dallas, Texas;

One brother, Jerry Grimes of Ft. Wayne, Indiana;

Two grandchildren: Chad Horner and his wife, Melissa of Wichita, Kansas; Sarah Taylor and her husband, Jeff of Alvarado, Texas.

He also leaves 3 great-grandchildren; Alex Horner, Charlotte Horner, and Henley Taylor.

The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Leachville with Rev. Jimmy Anderson and Rev. David Price officiating. Burial will follow in Leachville Cemetery.

The family will receive visitors from 6-8 Sunday evening at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Marvin Brown, Snowden Hawkins, Gordon Miller, Tommy Eldried, Ronnie McFarland, and Hugh Wayne Rose. Friends may sign the guest register at www.HowardFuneralService.com