Rex was raised in Bates County and graduated from Appleton City High School. He served in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict on the U.S.S. Chevalier. Following his service years he came home to Bates County and began farming. In 1965 he moved to Schell City where he continued to farm until his retirement. He attended Community Church in El Dorado Springs, MO.
In addition to his wife Jackie he was survived by three daughters, Nancy Simmons and her husband Todd, Treasure Island, FL, Rexanne Diehl, Nevada City, CA, and Renee Fesperman and her husband Brent, Rogersville, MO; four grandchildren, Scott Cole, Jack Simmons, Landon Fesperman, and Landry Fesperman; great-grandchildren, Madison Cole, Peyton Cole, Auburn Cole; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Scott; and one brother, Raymond Diehl.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Rev. Brent Bland officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler, MO. Friends may call now and until the hour of service at Ferry Funeral Home.
