Jesse M. Settles, 77, son of Homer and Grace Wright Settles, was born Dec. 12, 1926, at Fairfield, Ill. He died May 26, 2004, at Ozarks Medical Center at West Plains. Mr. Settles served in the Army during the Korean War. He married Velma L. DeWitt Sept. 2, 1949, at Gillespie, Ill. They had eight children. Mr. Settles was a county maintenance supervisor in Minturn, Colo., and was also an automotive mechanic in several states. He also owned his own repair shop in Licking. He was active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion. He was baptized at the Boone Creek Baptist Church June 26, 1994, and later became a member of the Mount Olive Baptist Church, where he was a trustee for several years. Surviving are his wife of the home; eight children, James Settles of Bakersfield, Calif., Ronald Settles, Jeryl Settles, Steven Settles and Jeremy Settles of Licking, Nancy Weaver of Las Vegas, Nev., Teresa Hammonds of Killeen, Texas, and Brian Settles of Phoenix, Ariz.; 20 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, six sisters and two brothers. Services were May 30 at the Fox Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Steve Floyd officiating. “
