Connie L. Pickering

Connie L. Pickering, 89, of Mexico, passed away at 7:11 a.m. Saturday October 31, 2026.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Monday, November 2, 2026, at Pickering Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery.

Visitation will be Monday from noon until service time at the funeral home.

Connie was born on July 28, 1937, in Fulton, Missouri. He was the son of Guy Thomas and Ellen Elizabeth “Betty” (Wright) Pickering. On March 28, 1958, he married Barbara Ellen Hutchinson. She preceded him in death on June 24, 2024.

Connie grew up in Fulton and worked during the summer in the family Sheet Metal and Roofing Shop. He also worked at both funeral homes in Fulton at one time. He attended Westminster College for a few years before deciding to move to California to become a lawyer. Walking home from class one day he passed a mortuary school and went inside and enrolled. After mortuary school he moved to St. Charles Missouri to work at Baue Funeral Home. In 1967 Connie and Barb moved to Mexico and purchased the Precht Funeral Home. He remained active in the family business until late 2018. Over the years he assisted many families through the loss of loved ones. From 1967 to 1978 he also operated an ambulance service in conjunction with the funeral home. He was known for rendering very compassionate service, giving his time selflessly.

Over the years Connie enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling with Barbara, spending as much time as possible on his houseboat at Mark Twain Lake, going on trips with the “Snow Kings” to Colorado and Wyoming. He loved having a good time and having fun with family and friends.

Connie served as a leader and a volunteer worker in numerous community church, and civic organizations including Past President of the Chamber of Commerce, Mexico Jaycees, Mexico Elks Lodge, Shriners, Masons, Rotary Club, Miss Missouri Organization, as well as many others. It would be impossible to list everything he was involved with in the community. Hardly a day went by that he wasn’t doing something to help make Mexico a better place to live and raise a family including his own. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Mexico.

Connie was also active in leadership as past chairman of the board with the Missouri State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors, the National Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards where he also served as chairman, the Missouri Funeral Directors Association, and the National Order of the Golden Rule Funeral Service Organization. He had also served several years as Audrain County Coroner.

Survivors include one son, David Pickering (Gail), of Mexico; one daughter, Pamela Prater (Mark), of Mexico; two sisters in law, Ann Hutchinson, of Mexico, and Brenda Newbrough, Indianapolis, Indiana; five grandchildren, Lorie Meyer (TC), of Mexico, Scott Prater (Megan), of Centralia, Bethanie Baker (Luke), of Ashland, Ryan Pickering (Kelsey), of Ashland, and Matthew Prater (Breanna), of Ocala, Florida; and 12 great grandchildren, Zane, Zeke, and Zeth Meyer, Cody and Audrey Prater, Logan and Brenna Baker, Austin, Addison, Avery and Alden Pickering, and Dawson Prater; He also had many nieces and nephews on both his and Barbara’s side of the family that he dearly loved.

In addition to his wife Barbara, he was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Guy T. Pickering Jr., and Donald D. Pickering; two sisters in law, Donna Pickering, and Florence “Dee” Pickering.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be given to the Mexico Elks Scholarship Fund. They may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.