Born May 3, 1909, at Burfordville, son of the late Leo and Elodie Niblack Proffer, he graduated from Jackson High School, Southeast Missouri State University and did graduate work at the University of Denver and Colorado University at Boulder, Colo. and had a degree in commercial studies.

A teacher for 27 years, he taught at Matthews, Bloomsdale and Collinsville, Ill. prior to retiring in 1970 and returning to Jackson in 1971.  He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the European Theatre three and a half years with the 4th Combat Wing of the Eighth Air Force.

He was a member of New McKendree United Methodist Church, Althenthal Joerns Post 158 of the American Legion, the Fieur DeLis African Violet Society of St. Louis and the Men's Garden Club of Jackson.

On Dec. 27, 1947, he married Barbara Radcliff, who survives of the home.

Also surviving are: one daughter, Mrs. Charles (Ann) Dittmer of St. Louis; one son, Gene Wright of Memphis, Tenn.; and six grand-children and eight great-grandchildren.   He was a son-in-law of Frank E. Radcliff of Matthews.

Services were conducted at 10 a.m. Monday at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home at Jackson with the Rev. O. David Griffin officiating.

Burial followed in Russell Heights Cemetery.