Stories from Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Images a Piedmont man took during his time while serving in Korea and travels to Japan in the early 1950s will be on display to allow others to experience the life of a Marine Corps pilot. A presentation featuring Marine Naval Aviator Maj. Charles L. Duncan's photos will be at Kent Library on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau beginning at noon today...

Searching for a taste of culture without either breaking the bank or adding countless miles to the new car, parked ever so gently in the garage? According to the Three Rivers College Patrons of the Arts Society, the search is over. The organization recently announced its upcoming 2017-18 season, and it's going to be quality, said TRC President Dr. Wesley Payne...

Marion Tibbs started his career as Butler County Assessor ready for a fight. He had nine opponents in that 1996 election and was seeking an office that had been held by Democrats since the 1920s. The last 20 years haven't changed that. Tibbs may be ready to retire. His last day is Thursday and the belongings of new assessor Chris Rickman are already making their way into the second floor office with its view of Vine Street...

Think about the seniors, too I would like to comment on you DAR article entitled, "A Walking Look at Downtown," on Aug. 25. You stated the area already draws 2 targets age groups, youths under 18 and resident over 65. If this is true, why not do something specifically targeted to seniors over 65. ...

Sunday, Aug. 27, Darlene Lewis, representative and member of the Fisk Presbyterian Church, presented plagues to Susan Williams, director of the Fisk Community Library, honoring Julieanne Patterson and Mary Ellen Vernon's dedication to the library. In 1991 the Fisk Community Library was organized by Julieanne Patterson with the support of the church and community. Patterson and her mother, Vernon, volunteered many years successfully operating the library. They passed away this year...

By STEPHEN MOORE One of the most enduring lessons from the American health care fiasco is that to win a political battle it is best to keep the message simple. If there are too many moving parts to a plan, if Americans don't understand what the politicians are doing, or if there are parts of a bill they don't like, it probably will go down in flames...

Samantha Shelton, 18, of Van Buren, has won a $200 Illa Cook Award to help pursue her studies at Three Rivers College. The study grant is administered by the Three Rivers Community College Foundation. Shelton is a 2017 graduate of Van Buren High School, where she was named to the all-conference cross-country track team, played basketball and took part in Senior Beta Club, Future Business Leaders of America and Science Club. ...

PUXICO, Mo., -- Dorothy Stilts, 88, of Saint Peters, Mo., formerly of Puxico, died Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017, at Saint Peters Manor. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, at Morgan Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico with the funeral following at noon. Rev. Ray Placher will officiate. Burial will be in the Puxico City Cemetery...

PIGGOTT, Ark. -- Joyce Stella Presley, 88, of Grandin, Mo., passed away Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017, at the Life Care Center in Sullivan, Mo. She was born on March 27, 1929, in Campbell, Mo., and was the daughter of the late Fred and Grace Spieler. She was united in marriage to A.K. Presley May 7, 1949, and he preceded her in death on May 7, 2001. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Betty Presley and many siblings...

Dale H. Gaebler, 78, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017 at his residence. The arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Hailey Griffin, 21, has been awarded a $1,000 Dr. A.D. Madduri Memorial Scholarship to help underwrite her nursing studies at Three Rivers College. The scholarship is administered by the Three Rivers Community College Foundation. The former Hailey Burnham is a 2014 graduate of Van Buren High School, where she graduated first in her class with a 4.0 grade average. She and her husband, Tyler Griffin, live in Van Buren. She is the daughter of Adrian and Michelle Burnham...

DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel "Nate" Balentine, Jr., died peacefully at home Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. A veteran of Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, he served in the military for 30 years, 4 months and 19 days. He began his military career with the U. S. Marine Corps and retired from the U. S. Army...

DEXTER, Mo. -- James Ray Hanner, Jr., 44, son of the late James Ray, Sr. and Kathleen Ann Olson Sellers, was born in Poplar Bluff on April 20, 1973, and passed away Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017, at his home in Dexter. James had lived in Poplar Bluff Mo. and Memphis, Tenn. before moving to Dexter in 2002. He and his spouse own and operate Lucas Florist...

Kimberly Paige Johnson and Jeffery Wayland Johnson of Poplar Bluff, Mo. are the parents of a 7-pound 7-ounce 20-inch daughter born at 12:41 p.m. July 15, 2017. They named her Taylor Elizabeth Johnson. Grandparents are Alan and Charity Busby of Dexter, Mo., Regina Fulton of Kiln, Miss., and Nickey Johnson of Poplar Bluff, Mo...

Brittany Isaac and William Summers are the parents of a son born July 24, 2017 at Parkland Health Center in Farmington, Mo.. The baby weighted 8 pounds and 15 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long. They named their son Tytan Summers. Grandparents are Connie Summers, Stephanie and Larry Crider and Kevin Isaac...

Rev. Jerry L. Gibbs, 71, of Qulin, Mo. departed this life Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017, in Butler County, Mo. Jerry was born on Aug. 20, 1946, the son of the late John Elmer and Paralee Mary Scott Gibbs. He married Alice Frazier Gibbs, who preceded him in death on Jan. ...

Already trailing a game, the Poplar Bluff volleyball team couldn't get a serve on target Tuesday night, then couldn't return one either. Tied at 4-all in the second, a long serve by the Mules gave Jackson the lead for good before three straight serve-receive errors. After finally forcing a sideout, Poplar Bluff's next serve found the net. Then another sailed long before another ended up in the net...

BROSELEY -- One statistic stood out as the Doniphan softball team continued its five-game road trip Tuesday against Twin Rivers that told everything one needed to know about the outcome. Doniphan sent 24 batters to the plate in the first three innings. Twin Rivers sent 17 batters to the plate for the entire game...

Following 13 games in 12 days, the Poplar Bluff softball team is ready for the Labor Day weekend. The Mules capped their challenging start to the season Tuesday by beating Neelyville 11-1 in six innings in their first appearance at Bobby Strenfel Field...

ELLSINORE -- Makenna Moore tossed a no-hitter and Shelby Cyr hit a grand slam as the East Carter softball team blasted East Prairie 11-0 Tuesday. Moore struck out two and walked one in the five-inning victory. She was also 1 for 2 with an RBI. Maddyson Holloway went 3 for 3 with three runs scored and an RBI while Brooklyn Loftis, Audrey Carter and Naomi Crowley each went 2 for 3 for East Carter (2-3)...

Poplar Bluff is shocked today by the unexpected death of one of its best known, yet unheralded residents. Dale H. Gaebler, whose contributions to this community included a multitude of civic work as well as contributions to local sports, died Tuesday night at his home. He was 78...