Rev. Wilbur Earl “Menk” Ferguson, 85, of Festus died Oct. 7, 2018. Rev. Ferguson was a retired sales tax auditor with the Missouri Department of Revenue. He served in the U.S. Army as a military policeman during the Korean War, then since his honorable discharge in 1955, he devoted his life to the cause of Christ. He was a pastor at numerous Southern Baptist Churches in and around Jefferson County, and served as an executive board member of the Missouri Baptist Convention.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years: Valene Fay Hayes, whom he married June 26, 1953; two daughters: Bonita Fay (Dan) Digby of Crystal City and Sandra Denise (Rick) Hedger of Jefferson City; a daughter-in-law, Kathy Ferguson-Litton of Mobile, Ala.; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and two sisters.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son: Dr. Rick Earl Ferguson; three brothers; and a sister.
Visitation is scheduled from 5-7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at First Baptist Church of Arnold, 2012 Missouri State Road, in Arnold. Visitation is at 9 a.m. and a funeral service at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at the funeral home, officiated by Dr. Rick Hedger. Private family burial in the Lebanon Baptist Cemetery will take place at a later time. Memorials may be made to the Young Leaders Conference of First Baptist Church of Arnold, which the Rev. Ferguson founded. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus.