David C. Mann

David Cottingham Mann, age 77, of Sikeston, MO, passed away peacefully early Wednesday, October 29, 2025, with his family at his side.

Born April 20, 1948, in St. Louis, MO, to the late David D. Mann and Melba Jane Cottingham Mann, David was raised in New Madrid, MO, and was a 1966 graduate of New Madrid County High School. Following his high school graduation, David attended Murray State University in Murray, KY, and graduated with a degree in Business and Finance in 1970. While at Murray, he was one of the founding members of the Sigma Nu Fraternity.

In 1971, he married Sarah Elizabeth Riley of New Madrid. He would then go on to further his education by attending Memphis State University School of Law in Memphis, TN, and graduated with his Juris Doctorate in 1973. Shortly after, he returned to Southeast Missouri and opened his law practice in Sikeston, embarking on a lifelong career dedicated to the practice of law and service to others. He first served as the Assistant Prosecutor for Scott County, and in 1979 was appointed to the position of Associate Circuit Judge for the 33rd Judicial District, holding that position until 2006. He then returned to private law practice and also served as a Municipal Judge for several communities in the Southeast Missouri region until his retirement.

David was a civic-minded person and committed to service in his community and the surrounding area. Some of the memberships he held included the Sikeston Elks Lodge, the V.F.W., the American Legion, the Sikeston Eagles Club, the Sikeston Jaycees, a member of the board of various area banks, board member and past president of the Kenny Rogers Children's Center, and a member of the Missouri Bar Association.

David was a member of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Sikeston and a U.S. Army veteran.

Surviving are his wife, Sarah Elizabeth Riley Mann of the home; his daughter, Mary Elizabeth Mann Ferguson and her husband, Reade Ferguson, of Sikeston; his grandchildren, Lillian Elizabeth Ferguson and William David Ferguson; his brother, James "Jim" Mann and his wife, Paula, of Maumelle, AR; his sister, Sherry Blair of Schaumburg, IL; his sister-in-law, Virginia Louise Riley James and her husband, R.D., of New Madrid; his nephew, Riley James; as well as several other nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, George Mann; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, A.C. "Dub" Riley and Edna Riley; his brother-in-law, Don Blair; and his niece, Virginia Elizabeth James.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Sunday, November 2, 2025, at the McMikle Funeral Home in Sikeston.

Visitation will then continue from 10:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m., Monday, November 3, 2025, at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Sikeston. The funeral mass will follow at 12:00 p.m. (noon), with Father Colby Elbert as celebrant.

Interment will follow in the James Family Plot at the Evergreen Cemetery in New Madrid, MO.

Pallbearers will be Reade Ferguson, Will Ferguson, Riley James, Sam Thomas, Justin Ling, and Rob Clay.

In lieu of flowers, plants, and gift items, the family kindly requests memorials be made to the St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, 105 Stoddard Street, Sikeston, MO 63801.

McMikle Funeral Home of Sikeston is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.