Gene Slaten

Eugene Gordon "Gene" Slaten, age 95, of Charleston, died Monday, August 28, 2023, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.

Gene was born August 31, 1927, at Hot Springs, Arkansas, to the late Edgar Roy Slaten and Myrtle G. Kemp Slaten and before his high school graduation was drafted in to active service with the United States Army.   Following an honorable discharge from the service, Gene returned to Charleston where he would embark on a career with Standard Oil Company that would span over 50 years at various locations in Charleston.

Gene was a longtime and faithful member of the First Baptist Church. In 1978, when the church suffered the horrific loss of the sanctuary by fire, Gene, along with Ellis Young and Bill Knight, were faced with the large task of steering the rebuilding process as trustees.  A task he was honored with and did not take lightly.  Gene also served on the Charleston Housing Authority Board, the Mississippi County Draft Board and was a proud member of the Mayflower Society of Missouri of which he was the 11th generation.

On November 2, 1948, he married Ruth Helen Steward, who preceded him in death on May 10, 2021.

Surviving are his children, Gordon (Terry) Slaten of Charleston; Stephen (Martha) Slaten of Cape Girardeau and Mary Susan (Rudy) Ponder of Sikeston; his daughter in law, Robin Slaten of Charleston; his brother, Kemp (Jane) Slaten of Charleston; 10 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his wife and parents, Gene was preceded in death by his son, John C. "Johnny" Slaten; great grandson, Riley McElroy; brothers, Hal Slaten and Carlton Slaten and his sisters, Minnie Warren, Pauline Pinelle and Martha Jane Baker.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the funeral hour at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 2, 2023, at the First Baptist Church in Charleston.  Rev. Gerald Collier will officiate.

Interment with full military honors will follow in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery near Charleston.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.  Honorary pallbearers will be Tim New, Glennon Johnson, Teddy Slaten, Ed Propst, Terry Propst and Kevin Propst.

In lieu of flowers, plants and gift items, the family requests memorials be made to:  The World Hunger Fund, First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 442, Charleston, MO 63834

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com