Elva Peck

Elva Lee Peck, 90 years, was born May 26, 1933, to Elva B. and Rutha May Peck in, Dunklin County, Missouri, and passed away Oct. 31, 2023, at his home in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

Lee was the oldest son of seven children and spent his childhood in southeast Missouri.  He loved to play baseball and was a lifelong Cardinals fan. On the farm, he taught himself by reading manuals to take apart and repair machinery. At a young age, he became known by his neighbors as the “go-to” mechanic for tractor and vehicle repair. He continued to use his knowledge and skills of machinery throughout his career in military service and later on designing and manufacturing automatic car washes. Lee was an entrepreneur at heart, starting several businesses later in life.

Lee entered into marriage with Phyllis (Rainwater) Peck June 15, 1953, who preceded him in death, in November 2009. To this union six children were born: Angela (Leroy) James of Kansas City, Diana (Ronald) Brittain of Dexter, Pamela (Terry) Williams of Jackson, Joyce (Kevin) Smith of Malden, Douglas (Pam Cosby) Peck of Greenville and Melissa (Justin) Will of Lakeville, Minnesota.

In August of 2014, he was united in marriage to Linda (Mills) Peck. Mrs. Peck still resides at their home in Poplar Bluff.  Her children are Roderick (Elizabeth) Mills of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Stephana (Gene) Deckard of Naylor, Missouri, and Robert (Roberta) Mills of Fort Worth, Texas.

Lee served in the U.S. Navy, enlisting in 1952 and active through the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was proud to be a military engineer of the United States Naval Construction Battalion known as Seabees.  Seabees built roads, airfields, hospitals, storage facilities, and bunkers which were critically needed to support the combat force and local peoples affected by the war. Lee received many medals and accommodations including the Bronze Star during his service. His easy-going manner and critical thinking skills led him to be trusted and welcomed as an outstanding leader till his retirement in December of 1971.

Lee had 19 grandchildren, Questa Ward, Jarrot Lee (Kelly) Ward, Kelly (Josh) James-Penot, Jeremiah Ward, Joshua Ward, Alexis (Garrett) Aipperspach, Samantha (Casey) Duffel, Jessica (Tyler) Lafferty, Lauren (Adam) Bramlett, Miranda (Ambria) Eidson, Mack (Amanda Leone) Williams, Ethan (Robbie) Cosby, Jonathan (Christina) Brittain, Seth (Michelle) Williams, Luke (Carson Mowery) Williams, Shane Will, Shelby Will, Spencer Will and Sadie Will; 20 great-grandchildren, Trenton Rhine, Jarrot Lee Ward, Jr., Zachary Ward, Colton Rhine, Morgan Penot, Lincoln Aipperspach, Harrison Penot, Nadia Ward, Onesimus Bramlett, Truman Aipperspach, Malachi Williams, Petra Bramlett, Ksenia Williams, Nathan Brittain, Finnian Williams, Magnolia Brittain, Euphemia Bramlett, Eilish Williams, Cyprian Bramlett, and Marleigh Brittain; and one great-great-grandchild Theodore Rhine.

who counted him as a brother (his in-laws) Ronald Meier, Dennis Meier, Larry Hutchinson, Sue Rainwater, Carol Walker, Dennis and Brenda Rainwater.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Glenda Robbins and Evelyn Vineyard; five brothers-in-law, Robert Robbins, Ray Vineyard, Mack Williams, James Rainwater, and David Rainwater; two sisters-in-law Archa Peck, and Sandra Hutchinson; a son-in-law, Frankie Ward; and a granddaughter, Questa Ward.

Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon Monday, Nov. 6, 2023; followed by the funeral at noon at Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral Services in Poplar Bluff. Military funeral honors and committal service will at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield beginning at 2 p.m.