Don Sylvester Carpenter

Don Sylvester Carpenter, 87, passed away June 21, 2022. He was born in Pennsboro, the son of Henry Melvin and Bernice Fay (Hickey) Carpenter.
Carpenter was a 1953 graduate of Miller High School in Miller. He enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard at the age of 17, serving his country for a total of 42 years. During his years of military service, he farmed and was employed by Lockwood Grain and Feed Store, in Lockwood, Avilla Implement/International Harvesters, in Avilla and eventually he owned his own business, Lockwood Auto, in Lockwood until “retiring” to full-time farming.
He was very involved in the Lawrence/Dade County communities as his family grew-up, serving as a board member of Plew Bible Church and was always on hand for any duties needed at West Elementary Parent Teachers Association (PTA) or Miller School District at large. He was an active member of the Farm Bureau and Chamber of Commerce.
Later, Carpenter and his wife Heidi established the Sycamore Jamboree.  
He married Carol Parsons Carpenter in 1955, (deceased). On Nov. 16, 1996, he married Heidi Gall in Eureka Springs, Ark.
He is survived by his wife, of 25 years, Heidi; one sister, Linda Bolin of Republic; a sister-in-law, Barbara Carpenter of Sarcoxie; a daughter, Deborah Shipley (Bruce), of Drexel; a son, Reggi Carpenter (Leslie), of Miller; a son-in-law, Terry Estes (Sheila), of Miller; two step sons, Klaus Guenther of Stuttgart, Germany and Terry Green (Jennifer), of Springfield; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a great-great grandson, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernice Fay Hickey Carpenter Daugherty, and Henry Melvin Sylvester Carpenter; a daughter, Connie Estes; two brothers, Daryl Carpenter and his wife, Mary and Charles Carpenter and one brother-in law, Norman Bolin.
A private family graveside will be held at a later date at the Gray’s Point Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon.
Memorial contributions can be made payable to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Wounded Warrior Project in care of the funeral home.
Online condolences may be shared at www.FossettMosherFuneralHome.com.