Keetha Sykes


Keetha PictI.jpg

    Keetha Renae Sykes, 62, of Hurdland, Missouri, passed away Saturday morning, December 16, 2017, at her home. 

    Keetha was born December 11, 1955, in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, the daughter of Jerry David and Anna Mae Dingerson Hunziker. 

    On December 26, 1973, in Edina, Keetha married Rex Allen Sykes. 

    She attended Hurdland Elementary School and graduated in 1974 from Knox County High School.

    She was an active member of the Hurdland Baptist Church, and served as the Children’s Group Leader and volunteered for many church missions. 

    She worked diligently in her dog kennel, on the farm, at the Kirksville Daily Express, and raising her family.  Keetha enjoyed swimming, long walks, gardening, her flowers, playing skeeball, and basketball; but most of all she loved spending time with her family and watching her kids and grandkids in sports. 

    Keetha is survived by her husband of almost 44 years, Rex Sykes of Hurdland, Missouri; two daughters Charity and husband Paul Chia and daughter Skyli of Castaic, California, Tiffany and husband Wes Blankenship and children Levi and Zoe of Gibbs, Missouri; a daughter-in-law Pam Sykes and son Austin of Kirksville, Missouri; her mother Anna Mae Hunziker of Hurdland, Missouri; two sisters, Debbie and husband Kent Hagerla of Edina, Missouri; and Stacy Hunziker of Kirksville, Missouri; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.  And let us not forget her constant companion Peanut.

    Keetha was proceeded in death by her son, Jeremy Sykes in 2001; her father, Jerry Hunziker in 2007; two brothers, Aaron Hunziker in infancy and Kirby Hunziker in 1999.

    Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 23, 2017, at Doss Funeral Home in Edina, Missouri. 

    Visitation will be after 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 22, 2017, with the family receiving friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home in Edina.

    Burial will be in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery near Hurdland, Missouri. 

    Pastor Robert Shobe will officiate the services assisted by Pastor Doug Wilson and music will be provided by Doris Anderson. 

   Casket Bearers will be Austin Sykes, Levi Blankenship, Skyli Chia, Zoe Blankenship, Shane Dixson, Shannon Dixson, Kelby Hagerla, and Stephen Breitling.  

    An expression of sympathy in memory of Keetha Sykes may be made to Hurdland Baptist Church or the I.O.O.F. Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to the Doss Funeral Home 208 N. 4th Street, Edina, Missouri, 63537.