Miss Cheek Apparently Suicide Poison Victim
Mary Jo Cheek of Cantwell, apparently died Sunday, August 19, being 19 years, 8 months and 14 days of age. She was born December 8, 1942 in Bonne Terre.
Remains are in state at the C.Z. Boyer and Son Funeral Chapel in Desloge until Wednesday. Remains will be taken at 1:00 Wednesday to the Desloge High School Auditorium to lie in state until the 2 p.m. service time The services will be conducted by the Rev. Chris Schelhing, pastor of the Cantwell Baptist Church, assisted by the Rev. tony Lewis.
Burial will be in the St. Francois Memorial Park under the direction of the C.Z. Boyer and Son Funeral Home of Desloge.
She is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Cheek of Cantwell, and many friends.
Mary Jo Cheek, 19, of Cantwell, was found dead by Missouri State Highway patrolmen yesterday in a wooded area approximately one-fourth mile from her car parked on a rural gravel road. The gravel road junctioned with Highway K about two miles from the scene of the eastern approach of Big River bridge, east of Bonne Terre.
The girl had been missing from her home since Saturday evening about 8 p.m. and apparently had been dead since sometime Sunday, according to County Coroner Ted Boyer.
She had died, the apparent victim of suicide, according to the initial coroner's report, but an offical statement is being held pending the results of laboratory tests.
Her car, a 1053 Ford coach, light green, was discovered at 1 p.m. near the Martin Sraughn farm with keys intact. Gas was still in the tank, but the right front tire was flat. A resulting routine search conducted by patrol officers neded with her discovery at 1:50 p.m. in a nearby wooded area.
The discovery of her car was the first clue that had been found since her Saturday disappearance. A state-wide search was being made by Missouri Highway patrol authorities and all local law enforcement officers had beena aiding in the search.
A pill bottle containing one pill and an empty water glass were found beside the body.
