Mitchell Warren Faulkner of Malden, Missouri passed away Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at the age of 71. Mitch succumbed to pancreatic cancer, surrounded by his loved ones in his home.

Mitch, son of Leland and Elsa Petty Faulkner was born on Wednesday, March 11, 1953 in Paragould, Arkansas. He graduated from Malden High School in 1971, enlisted in the United States Army on Feb 23, 1983. He retired, after 30 years of service, from the Missouri National Guard on February 20, 2013. He married the love of his life, Gail Goldsmith, on September 4, 2010. Mitch served as commander of the Malden American Legion Post 293 for several years.

Mitch was a devoted father, an avid outdoorsman, and a dear friend to so many people. He raised three fine boys as a single parent and shared with them his patience and love for the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and gardening.

Mitch was preceded in death by his parents Leland and Elsa (Petty) Faulkner. Mitch is survived by his wife Gail (Goldsmith) Faulkner, his five sons Benjamin (Codi) of Richland, Missouri, Abraham (Belinda) of Iberia, Missouri, Jacob (Vanessa) of Jefferson City, Missouri, Jason (Mercedes) of Franklin, Tennessee and Justin (Jenifer) of Roanoak, Texas, and twelve grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 29 at Landess Funeral Home in Malden, Missouri. Visitation will be held from 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM with funeral services to follow, officiated by Pastor Aulden LeBlanc, Benjamin, Abraham & Jacob Faulkner. Interment will be at 2:00 PM at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri.

Pallbearers: Ben Faulkner, Abe Faulkner, Jake Faulkner, Jason Cluck, Justin Bryan, Mike DuPlantis

Honorary Pallbearers: Bryan Cluck, Cole Morehead, Marissa Cluck, Landon Bryan, Gavin Glenn, Aiden Faulkner, Cohen Faulkner, Liam Faulkner, Lillian Faulkner, Maddox Faulkner, Sunni Faulkner, Dawsey Faulkner

Flowers can be sent to Landess Funeral Home in Malden, Missouri.

Donations can be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Our Dad, Mitchell Warren Faulkner, went by many names.  Some were less flattering... Donk, Nine-fingers or Flatlander.  Some were his favorite:  Dad, Grandpa, or Papa.  Our favorite was Hero.  We were so blessed to have him.  Born March 11, 1953 in Paragould, Arkansas to Leland and Elsa Petty Faulkner, he grew up a hard-working, intelligent, and sometimes mischievous young man in Malden, Missouri where he graduated from High School in 1971.  Our dad was not only a hero to us but to our Nation as well enlisting in the United States Army on February 23, 1983.  After 30 years of service to our country, he retired from the Missouri National Guard February 20, 2013.

Throughout his journey our father formed countless, lifelong friendships. As a child growing up in Malden, he shared friendship with his buddies that has now spanned several decades.  While in the military, he bonded with the men he worked with and again, lifelong friendships were formed.  In retirement, Dad continued to build friendships.  It seems that everyone who met Dad wanted to be his friend.

God must have known that our father would need patience because he had it in spades!  As a father to three boys, Ben, Abe, and Jake, there was no shortage of excitement.  Like the time Ben chased an opossum into the woods only to return with a stick lodged in his shin.  Or where dad waited quietly while the surgeon removed a fishhook from Abe's foot.  Or the numerous stitches he watched sewn into Jake's head.  We not only hurt ourselves but one another.  Many nights featured live demonstrations of WWE wrestling moves, including pile drivers and body slams.  Tough days brought fist fights, broken furniture, or broken hoe handles but my father always showed us what a father and a man should be.

Dad enjoyed the outdoors which he shared with his many friends and us.  Nearest to his heart was fishing.  Our dad could catch a fish in a puddle, even if he had more poles in the water than one person could monitor.  In the colder months we chased rabbits and waited for deer.  Many deer seasons created memories that we now tell his grandchildren.  Though dad told of his marksmanship in his younger years, our memories of deer hunting touted that no human could snore louder than him or how on earth he made to his hunting spot without glasses.

As good fathers do, Dad taught us many things.  He taught us construction, electricity, mechanics, gardening and even plumbing which he despised.  Dad shared with us his love for baseball, catching Cardinals games on television or radio, teaching us how to swing a bat or throw a curveball, and coaching our teams.  Most of all, Dad taught us strength, compassion and integrity.

In a society of decreasing attention spans and deteriorating mental toughness, our father sacrificed so much for us.  Raising us as a single parent and keeping us mostly in one piece.  Every minute wasn't perfect, but the love always remained.

Dad- We can only hope to be the father and the man that you were.  You've left a mighty hole but we will see you again one day.  We love you.