JERRY DEAN PULLEN, age 76, passed away peacefully at his home in Sikeston on May 20, 2020.

Jerry was born on August 4, 1943 to the Eli Hue "Sonny" Pullen and Wanda Lee (Hurley) Pullen and was raised in Charleston but spent most of his adult life in Sikeston.

On April 10, 1964 he married Loretta Lavern Kernell and they later had two daughters, Mia and Angela. Jerry and Loretta, along with Jim and Shirley Pullen, started Pullen Brothers Trucking in 1972. They had a very successful business until their retirement in 2014.

Jerry was very involved in his community. He served on the Sikeston City Council for 17 years, 9 of those years as Mayor. He had been involved with the Kenny Rogers Children's Center since 1990, serving as President for many years and was currently serving as Vice President at the time of his passing. He was named to the Board of Directors for Alliance Bank in 2004 and has been Chairman of Alliance Bank Shares, Inc. since May 2008. Jerry was a member of the Lions Club, Elks Lodge, Ducks Unlimited and the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Jerry loved spending time with his family and being outdoors. He spent many summers boating on Kentucky Lake but in his later years his favorite place to be was Deer Hollow Farms in Wetaug, IL where he enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Surviving is his wife, Loretta; two daughters Mia Rice-Bedell and  Angie Yant (Eric) all of Sikeston; three brothers,  Jim Pullen (Shirley) of Sikeston, Ronnie Pullen (Karen) of Diehlstadt, and Doug Pullen (Karen) of Benton; five grandchildren, Cody Rice (Kristen), Ashlyn Bedell, Mackenzie Yant, Zachary Yant and Aiden Yant; one great-granddaughter, Keely Kate Rice, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Donnie Pullen; and one sister, Joann Weaver.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 22, 2020 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at First Assembly of God Church in Sikeston where funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2020 at 11:00 am under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home in Sikeston.  Rev. Rodney Davis, pastor of Crossroads of Hope Community Church in Sikeston, will officiate.

Interment will follow in the IOOF Cemetery in Charleston under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home in Sikeston.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Paul Pullen, Lee Pullen, Colton Williams, Steve Holman, Brandon Stricker and Randy McGill.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Kenny Rogers Children Center, PO Box 608, Sikeston, Missouri 63834.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com .