Local legend Delmer Stovall passes away

Delmer D. Stovall, country music musician, co-founder and last surviving member of the Missouri Valley Boys Band and co-founder and owner for more than 50 years of Stovall’s Grove in Wildwood, passed away on Mon., Jan. 25. Delmer and his twin brother, Delbert Stovall, toured Nashville and the Midwest with their band and performed on weekends at Stovall’s Grove. Delmer continued to play his classic Martin guitar at Stovall’s Grove into his 80s.

Delmer served in the U.S. Air Force during WWII and was awarded five bronze stars.

Surviving family members include his wife, Norma Jean Stovall (nee Jarvis); his daughters, Debbie (Tom) Pritchard, Donna (Bud) Mantle, and Kim (Chuck) Greco; four grandchildren; and two sisters-in-law.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. on Wed., Jan. 27 at Schrader Funeral Home and Crematory in Ballwin. The funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thurs., Jan. 28, also at Schrader Funeral Home. Burial will be at Bethel Cemetery in Wildwood.

Contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association.