The family of William Dennis Brooks would like to announce his recent change of address.  As of December 17, 2014, he is no longer living with his wife, Laverne, in Cole Camp, Mo., but is currently residing in heavenly places with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  He was greeted upon his arrival by his parents, Carlie Wenten and Maggie Elizabeth Harrod Brooks; two brothers, Carlie Dow and Elmer Wenten; seven sisters, Bessie Marie Brooks, Anna Mae Brooks, Russie Lucelia Lanz Shelton, Elsie Elizabeth Schlicter, Dorothy Mary Brooks, Lucy Louise Wakefield, and Betty Delores DePrenger; and a host of other friends all living in the same neighborhood, all of whom had acknowledged Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of their lives during their earthly tenure.

Those waiting to join him at a later date are his wife of 62 years, Laverne Helen Edna Wallrath Brooks; one son, Carl Brooks and his wife Linda of Columbia, MO; three daughters, Gail Heimsoth and husband Darryl, of Cole Camp, Billie Brooks of Cottonwood, AZ, and Louise Reiter and husband Bryan of Springfield, MO; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

His life began on August 1, 1927 in Caseyville township, Illinois.  He served his country honorably, receiving a purple heart, during the Korean War from 1950-1952.  On November 11, 1952, he married Laverne and they resided in Mascoutah, Illinois, until 1988.  During the years the family lived in Illinois, he worked as a farmer and truck driver.  He loved cattle and was involved in the Polled Hereford industry for over 40 years while raising many champions of the show ring.  After "retirement" and moving to Cole Camp, MO, in 1990, he continued driving a truck for Otten Farms until he slowed down enough to enjoy traveling, his easy chair, and his grandchildren in 2008.  His greatest enjoyment was attending concerts and listening to Southern Gospel Quartets.

During the entirety of his tenure on earth, he was dedicated to serving God and continues to do so even now.

There will be a visitation at Fox Funeral Home in Cole Camp on Sunday evening, December 21, 2014, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.  The celebration service will be Monday, December 22, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at Windsor Assembly of God, 300 North County Line Road, preceded by visitation from 10-11 a.m.  Rev. Gene Ekstrand and Rev. Larry Griswold will officiate. There will be a "BonVoyage" luncheon/visitation for all those wishing to attend immediately after the service.

Pallbearers will be grandsons,  Joshua and Dustin Heimsoth, Wenten Reiter, Taylor Bennett, and Nicholas Brooks; and granddaughter, Sydney Brooks.  Honorary pallbearers will be granddaughters Lauren Reiter and Nicole Brooks.  The "earthly coil" will be housed at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, MO.

Memorials may be made to the Christian institution of the donor's choice to help others make similar "travel and retirement" plans.

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