Obituary of Muriel Suhling Birkhead

Funeral Services for Muriel Suhling Haynes Birkhead of Curryville, MO will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at Makin Memorial United Methodist Church in Winfield, MO. Rev. Karla Cunningham, church pastor, will officiate with burial in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO at 1:45p.m. Serving as pallbearers will be Ron Turnbull, Darrell Turnbull, Doug Turnbull, Michael Birkhead, Harvey Suhling, Karl Suhling, and her great-grandchildren. Mrs. Birkhead, 80, passed away Thursday morning, April 23, 2015 at Maple Grove Lodge in Louisiana, MO. Born December 22, 1934 in Kampsville, IL, she was the daughter of William and Dorothy Suhling Haynes. At a young age, Muriel professed her faith in Christ at Winfield Methodist Church, where she was an active member. Muriel was a 1952 graduate of Winfield High School. She was united in marriage on January 21, 1956 in Winfield to Paul Percy “Jiggs” Birkhead. This union was blessed with one son, Derwin and one daughter, Yvonne. Muriel worked for Kroger and Tupperware. She later worked as a bookkeeper for Winfield Banking Company, retiring in 1992. After the Great Flood of 1993, Muriel and Paul went to Espanola, NM and volunteered at the McCurdy Indian School. In 1999, Muriel began volunteering with O.A.T.S., where she served on the county board and was nominated Volunteer of the Year. Muriel loved making Christmas candies to give away to others. Muriel’s greatest hobby was crocheting; she always had a needle in her hand. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Dorothy Haynes; her in-laws, Malhon and Maude Birkhead; her brother-in-law, Jr. Dickmeyer in 2014; her son, Derwin Birkhead in 2003; one great-granddaughter, Alliegh Jane in 2014; and her beloved husband of 53 years, Paul “Jiggs” Birkhead, who died September 18, 2009. Survivors include her daughter, Yvonne Turnbull and her husband, Ronald, of Curryville; four grandchildren: Michael Birkhead and his wife, Julie, Beth Haley, Darrell Turnbull and his wife, Ashley and Doug Turnbull; and seven great-grandchildren: Kaitylyn, Clayton, Paul, Paige, Jaiden, Audra and Aaron. Muriel also leaves her sister, Shirley Dickmeyer of Elsberry, MO; other relatives and many friends. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at Makin Memorial United Methodist Church in Winfield. Memorials may be made to O.A.T.S (or) Maple Grove Lodge in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 3838 East Highway 47, P.O. Box 253, Winfield, MO 63389.