Edward Lee Hendricks, 77, of Festus died Nov. 29, 2020, at his home in Festus. Mr. Hendricks served in the U.S. Air Force, including a combat tour in Vietnam, before retiring as a master sergeant in 1984. He was an officer with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. He was the first in his family to obtain a college degree. He enjoyed card and board games, especially pinochle, chickenfoot and dominoes; read close to 1,000 books; and collected and gave away coins, tokens and medals. Born May 23, 1943, in Poplar Bluff, he was the son of Pearl Gladys Kennedy and Jesse Ray Hendricks.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years: Mary (Johnson) Hendricks, whom he married in 1983; five children: Alan, Brian, Laura Linneer, Dennis “Mike” and Christopher; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters: Bonnie Edwards and Alma Payne; and a brother: Norman.
He was preceded in death by his first wife: Jeanne (Diamond) Hendricks; and nine siblings.
Burial was private at the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association. Arrangements were under the direction of John L. Ziegenhein and Sons Funeral Home, south St. Louis County.