Edward Gentry Behrens

Edward Gentry Behrens, 85, of New London, Mo. passed away, April 29, 2013 at University Hospital in Columbia, Mo. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 4, 2013 at Smith Funeral Home & Chapel, Pastor Tom Day officiating. Burial will be at Barkley Cemetery in New London, Mo. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Friday, May 3, 2013 and from 10:00 a.m. until time of services Saturday at Smith Funeral Home & Chapel. Mr. Behrens was born, December 10, 1927 in St. Louis, Mo. to Raymond R. and Antoinette Gentry Behrens. He married Margaret Adelle Fry Behrens, March 26, 1955 in Louisiana, Mo. She preceded him in death October 7, 2008. Survivors include two children, James Raymond Behrens and wife Julia Cornell Behrens of Hannibal and Martha Antoinette (Anne) Behrens Vieira and husband, John Michael Vieira of Louisiana; four grandchildren, James Cornell Behrens, Katherine Elizabeth Behrens, Carter Behrens Vieira and Isabella Rose Vieira. Preceding in death were his parents and sibling, William Benjamin Gladney. Ed grew up in St. Louis and moved to Louisiana with his parents. He graduated from Louisiana High School in 1945, attended Westminster College in Fulton, Mo. and graduated from the University of Missouri at Columbia with his B.S. in business in 1950. At the University he was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. After graduation Ed became the owner of a Ford Motor Automobile Dealership in Louisiana. In 1958 he and his father purchased Ralls County State Bank now RCS Bank. From 1958-1962 he was Cashier/Director at the bank. From 1963-1968 he was Executive Vice President/Director and from 1969-1989 he was President/Director. From 1990 until his death he was Chairman and CEO of RCS Bank. In addition to his banking career Ed was formerly treasurer of Hannibal Regional Hospital Foundation, served as Vice President of the Mark Twain Lake and Clarence Cannon Dam Association from 1963-1984. He served as Charter President in 1965 of the New London Lions Club. While at Westminster College he was present for Winston Churchillâa