Stories from Thursday, May 20, 2021

The Poplar Bluff High School Class of 2021 chose Surgical Mask Blue as its color. As graduates crossed the stage, the source of its inspiration was nowhere to be found. “Last year was really hard for the seniors with COVID, but this year, we could have had our year cut at any time,” said Sierra Sievers, who was named Most Inspirational and received a robe signed by all the seniors. ...

Charles H. Whalen, 83, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away on Monday, May 17, 2021 at Mark Twain Caring Center in Poplar Bluff. Charles was born December 14, 1937, to Martin and Gertrude Whalen on the family farm on Ten Mile Creek in Poplar Bluff. He married Shirley Thomas April 6, 1963...

Priscilla Jean Aden, 78, of Neelyville, Missouri, passed away May 19, 2021 in the St. Clair Hospital at Fenton, Missouri. She was born August 19, 1942 at Neelyville to Thomas Kellogg and Lucy Short. On December 20, 1957 She was married to Bob Aden at Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He survives...

Robert ‘Bob’ Gene Greer, 71, of Poplar Bluff passed away Wednesday, May 19, 2021. Bob was born November 6, 1949 to John Mars and Mamie Silkwood Greer in Poplar Bluff. He and Vicky Thomas were married January 13, 1984 at First Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff. Bob made Vicky laugh. He had a way of making everyone laugh. He won her heart with his wit and kept it with the love he shared with her daily...

The COVID-19 pandemic put the brakes on travel around the world, as well as locally. Availability of vaccines is making many think about taking excursions again. While the pandemic interrupted travel members at First Midwest Bank from exploring last year, Rob Callahan, certified bank club director, said the bank’s “GOLD Club is looking forward to getting on the road again.”...

After possibly one of the most difficult school years ever, Thursday signified the beginning of the Poplar Bluff High School Class of 2021’s future. For two students, the event at the Black River Coliseum was all the more special as they were recognized for outstanding scholastic achievement...