Stories from Tuesday, January 10, 2023

New business owner Stephanie Knoppe was born and raised in Poplar Bluff. She has been a licensed real estate agent in the area since 2010 and serves as the president of the board for the Poplar Bluff Historic Train Depot. Knoppe has now added a new business to her plate and the historic downtown area of Poplar Bluff — The Prom Closet...

Chester Eugene “Gene” Anthony, 79, passed away while surrounded by his family on Oct. 22, 2022. Gene was born to Chester Frank and Stella Mable Anthony on Jan.26, 1943 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He grew up with seven siblings, Louise Pinkerton (deceased 2020), Norma Fredwell, Junior Ernest Anthony (deceased 1947), Wilma Duncan, Mary Dell Carlson (deceased 1992), Frank Edward Anthony (deceased 2008), Ruth Ann Hunot (deceased 2021)...

Wanda Ellen Kane, 85, departed this life Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. She was born April 29, 1937, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to the late William Virgil and Wilma Arline (Costephens) Keele of Williamsville, Missouri. Mrs. Kane was a classroom teacher and treasured her many years working with the students and staff at Lake Road Elementary School. ...

Floyd Bell, 85, of Broseley, Missouri walked through Heaven’s gates on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023 at his residence in Broseley, Missouri, surrounded by family. Mr. Bell was born Dec. 22, 1937, in Neelyville, Missouri, son of the late Charles G. Bell and Eva Toole. ...

Ellen Leejane Mangrum a.k.a. Peanut, 58, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away on Jan. 8, 2023, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Janie was born on March 15, 1964, to Jesse and Eva Fox in Poplar Bluff. She married Bob Mangrum, who preceded her in death...

Sue Crites Szostak was presented with the key to the city during her last Poplar Bluff Municipal Library board meeting, marking the end of her 45-year librarian career and a decade of local leadership. Mayor Steve Davis made the presentation, saying, “Literacy and knowledge are such an important part of any society, especially at the community level. Libraries bring hope, they bring dignity and they bring enjoyment to all those who enter.”...

Michelle Webb of Poplar Bluff will be the keynote speaker for the 37th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Program at 11 a.m. Monday. It will be held at the Historic Wheatley School, 921 Garfield St. Webb, who is the president of the Butler County NAACP, has worked in a global business world for 35-plus years...