Raymond "Junior" Halbert

Raymond “Junior” Halbert of Davisville, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan at the age of 86 years, 9 months and 22 days. Junior was born January 7, 1939 on a farm in Cherryville, Missouri to Thurston Raymond Halbert and Lillie Arnetta “Nettie” Murry Halbert. He grew up in Cherryville and graduated from Cherryville High School.

Junior served honorably in the U.S. Army from 1961-1964 and was stationed in Germany during most of that time. He was a member of the American Legion at Davisville for several years. On June 29, 1968, he was united in marriage to Carol Welkener. Junior was employed with Steelville Telephone for thirty years and spending a number of years at the Viburnum “STE” office, retiring in 1998.

Through the years, Junior raised cattle on their farm and always enjoyed growing a large garden each summer. He was also a coon hunter along with deer and turkey. He also loved his pets, especially Tator, his dog and Fisket, his cat.

As a younger man, Junior loved to spend time playing softball in Cherryville. He was always ready to watch the St. Cardinals baseball team and many other sports games. Junior loved music whether singing to his family or singing with the radio, especially country western and Elvis Presley songs. He also enjoyed listening to bluegrass bands when they were playing in Viburnum.  

For many years, Junior enjoyed spending time with local friends when it was sorghum producing time with Dan Halbert, others, and the Martin family.

Most of all, he loved the time he spent with his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was known by his grandchildren as PeePaw.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thurston and Nettie Halbert; two sisters, infant, Juanita Halbert and Mildred (Max) Davis.

He will be sadly missed by his wife of 57 years, Carol Halbert; five children, Susan (Gary) Kehner of Elizabeth City, NC, Diana (Donald) Kehner of Steelville, MO, Raymond (Carrie) Halbert of Maryville, KS, Jason (Teresa) Halbert of Buffalo, MO and Cynthia (Rickey) Harmon of Cherryville, MO; fourteen grandchildren, Andy Kehner, Danielle Salas, Mickenzie Kehner, Gabbi Verble, Wyatt Phenix, Logan Phenix, Kirsten Jeffries, Joselyn Halbert, Emmett Halbert, Justin Halbert, Connor Halbert, Noah Halbert, Miranda Brooks and Joshua Murphy; three great-grandchildren, Piper, Henry and August; nieces and nephews; other relatives; and many friends.

The Family received friends from 12:00 p.m. until service time on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life was held at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating. Special music of "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys", "Lead Me Home" and "Amazing Grace" was played.

The Service is available on Britton-Bennett Funeral Home Facebook page.

Full military honors by the U.S. Army, American Legion Post 218 Washington, MO and Patriot Guard Riders South Central Missouri was immediately following the service outside the chapel of Britton-Bennett Funeral Home.

Memorials may be given in Junior's name to Martin-Trask Cemetery or National Kidney Foundation.

The Halbert Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.

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