Harvey Eugene Dunning, age 86 of Deepwater passed away peacefully Monday, December 18, 2017 at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital, Clinton.

The second son of Earl and Ethel (Randolph) Dunning, he was born on August 6, 1931. He graduated from Deepwater High School in 1948 at the age of 16 years old. One year and a few months later, Harvey was drafted by the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. He enjoyed his buddies and seeing a bit of Europe, but was ready to return home. When he arrived in New York with the Statue of Liberty in sight, he knew he was home and was very happy. He did not want to re-enlist.

After his discharge from the service he began his work in production agriculture, the work he had always wanted to pursue. He obtained employment at the Farmers Elevator in Clinton to earn enough money to buy a small tractor. He began to work the land that his grandfather, Albert Dunning, purchased following service in War Between the States, back in the late 1880's. He rented the land from aunts, uncles, and cousins raising row crops, hay and livestock.

Harvey continued with hay and livestock until 2015 when his health no longer permitted active physical involvement but he remained interested in the "workings" of the farm.

Harvey loved the land and wanted to leave it better than he found it. He would always say that this land isn't mine, it belongs to God, I am just the caretaker. He was a member of the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church accepting Christ at a young age. Being a humble man of strong faith, he believed prayer was the answer to the problems of life. He would never pray for blessings for himself but was thankful for all accepting God's will.

Harve, as everyone knew him, loved his sons, granddaughter, extended family and friends. He also loved horses, training many to work cattle which in his opinion was the only way to work cattle. Many horses were used over the years but "Duke" was truly his favorite. Other activities he enjoyed were basketball, John Deere tractors (the old ones) and watching PBR and Rodeo events. He was always a regular, riding one of his horses in the Labor Harvest Picnic each September at Deepwater.

Harvey was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Wanda Chaney and a brother, Albert Dunning.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Elizabeth (Betty) Dunning of the home, sons Bryan Dunning, Liberty, MO, Steven Dunning, Kansas City, MO, a sister, Peggy (Bill) Gray, Independence, MO, a granddaughter Jasmine, Greenville, SC, and extended family and friends. Harve will be deeply missed by all.

Visitation will be Tuesday, December 26, 2017 from 6-8 pm at Vansant-Mills Chapel, Clinton with the funeral service Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at 10:30am also at Vansant-Mills Chapel. Internment will follow at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Deepwater, Mo.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Pleasant Valley Cemetery or Deepwater Baptist Church and may be left in care of the Funeral Home. Fond memories and condolences may be left www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com .

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton.