Stories from Friday, June 3, 2022

Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center teacher Jennifer Cheek is the building’s 2022 Teacher of the Year. She has been with the Poplar Bluff School District since 2010. Cheek and her family are very active in the community, according to those who nominated her. ...

Demolition began this week on Highway W’s bridge over the Black River. Robertson Construction is moving full speed ahead to tear down the 60-year-old bridge and build its replacement in only 120 days. Crews will work seven days a week as long as material shipments and weather permit...

On May 28, 6-year-old Collin Kinsey experienced a non-fatal drowning in a pool while on vacation in Florida with his family. “When we finally came home and I walked through that front door, I thought about how thankful I was to be coming home as a family. Things could have turned out very different,” said Christen Kinsey...

Edwin DeGaris Edwin Ray DeGaris, 68, of Poplar Bluff, joined his party in heaven June 1, 2022. Ed was born Jan. 26, 1954 in Malden, Missouri. Soon after he moved to Poplar Bluff and lived on the Southside until he married. He was the son of Edwin Parvin DeGaris and Betty DeGaris Bettin. In 1975, Ed married Lisa Jones and they made their home in Poplar Bluff because Ed wouldn’t live anywhere else...

Michael “Mike” Joe Price, son of the late Willie and Delores (Yates) Price, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ June 2, 2022 at his residence in Ellsinore, Missouri with his family by his side. He was born in Poplar Bluff, Missouri Feb. 26, 1958, and was united in marriage July 24, 1976 to Patty Miller at Harmony General Baptist Church in Ellsinore...

Iris Ann (McClelland) Woolard Stonecipher, 72, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away June 01, 2022, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, surrounded by her loved ones and entered into the kingdom of her Lord and Savior. Iris was born on June 13, 1949, to the late Earl and Genevieve (Jamerson) McClelland in Poplar Bluff. She married Marshall Joe Stonecipher and he survives...

Charles Godwin, 86, of O’Fallon, Missouri passed away Wednesday, May 25, 2022 in O’Fallon. He was born in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Nov. 9, 1935 to James and Ruth Godwin (nee Moore). Charles is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Retha Godwin; children, Lori Bextermueller, David (Jackie) Godwin, and Chuck Godwin; grandchildren, Cory (Amy) Bextermueller, Adam Bextermueller, and Abby Bextermueller; great-grandchildren, Lucas Bextermueller, Rylee Bextermueller, Hadley Bextermueller, and Mila Bextermueller; sister, Judy Godwin; and sister-in-law, Barbara Godwin. ...

Lyle Jett, 84, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, entered Heaven’s gates Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at his home. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral Chapel with Rev. Byron Beck officiating. Burial will be at Black Creek Cemetery...

Kermitt “Pappy” W. Willis, Jr., of Ellsinore, Missouri, passed away Friday, June 3, 2022, at his home. Pappy was born Nov. 13, 1952, in Poplar Bluff, to Kermitt W. and Anna “Margie” Willis. He attended the Thousand Hills Cowboy Church in Fisk and was a retired truck driver. ...

The first visible signs of Highway 67 south’s transition to future Interstate 57 could come as early as August. The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded a contract Thursday to H.R. Quadri Contractors for Phase 1A of the four-lane upgrade...

POPLAR BLUFF POLICE DEPARTMENT A woman reported at 7:56 a.m. Tuesday, May 31 a truck was stolen from her residence in the 1900 block of South Broadway. A man reported at 1:12 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, his truck was struck by another vehicle while it was parked on the lot at the License Bureau at 2509 Three Rivers Blvd. The other vehicle left the scene...

Motorists who seek a refund on the hike in the state's motor fuel tax paid over the last nine months now have a claim form to use to get back the money. Form 4923-H was posted earlier this week on the state's Department of Revenue website, www.dor.mo.gov, for drivers who wish to reclaim the elevated level of tax...