Loy Emerson Slinkard, son of the late Jerome Slinkard and Blanche Pair Slinkard, was born on Sept. 16, 1924, at Marble Hill and died at Bernie on Sept. 12, 2006, at the age of 81.

Mr. Slinkard had been a school teacher and had served as principal of Bernie Elementary School for 11 years until his retirement. He was a resident of Bernie.

He was united in marriage to Ruby Marie Whitener on Nov. 23, 1946, at Piggott, Ark. She preceded her husband in death on March 7, 2005.

Survivors include three sons, Glen Wayne Slinkard of Chandler, Ariz., Gene Ray Slinkard of Bernie, and Gale Dean Slinkard of Little Rock, Ark.; one daughter, Reva Jo Bowie of Dayton, Md.; one brother, Loren Slinkard of Cape Girardeau; one sister from the state of California; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Besides his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by one son, Dale Loy Slinkard.

A memorial service will be conducted at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, 2006, in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie with Rev. Susan Marner-Sides officiating.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.