Stories from Friday, September 15, 2023

Dexter, Missouri, is known as “Rib City,” and West Business U.S. Highway 60 is where that name truly comes to life. On that highway, all within less than a mile of each other, exist some of the most popular and well-known barbecue restaurants in Southeast Missouri. And it goes beyond restaurants. Convenience stores, gas stations and small mom-and-pop shops are all advertising their barbecue products.

Sept. 15, 1923 • After days of searching, W. A. Foster of St. Louis locates his missing granddaughter alive and well in Mill Springs. Lula DeWier dropped off the map in July while visiting Poplar Bluff, and her grandfather feared she’d been abducted or killed by her vengeful ex-husband. In reality, DeWier fell ill on a trip to Arkansas and couldn’t write to Foster with her whereabouts...

Lawrence Marion “Larry” Wright, Jr., 75, passed away Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. He was born June 7, 1948, to the late Lawrence Marion, Sr. and Hazel Oliver Wright. Larry always said he was a lucky country boy from Southeast Missouri that joined the telecom industry at age 18 and managed to travel to 37 countries on six continents. He loved spending time with his family more than anything...

Connie (Inman) Maurer, 66, of Washington, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023. She was born May 11, 1957 in Qulin, Missouri, the daughter of Alvin Inman and his wife, Ola Mae (Wilson). Connie was the former owner of Country Charm Daycare in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, and she will be deeply missed...

Harry Shearrer, 83, of Patterson, died Wednesday, Sept. 13, at his residence. Visitation is 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont Chapel. Funeral is at 1 p.m., Monday, Sept. 18, also in the Piedmont Chapel. Burial following at Patterson Cemetery with full military honors...

Marc Crane, 72, of Greenville, died Thursday, Sept. 14, at his residence. Visitation is at noon, Saturday, Sept. 16, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Greenville Chapel. Funeral following at 2 p.m., also in the Greenville Chapel. Burial at Shiloh cemetery with full military honors...

Local artist Ralph Wayne Freer is exhibiting a collection of eye-catching, colorful sculptures this month in the Tinnin Fine Arts Center Art Gallery at Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff. Freer’s work, which spans the past 20 years, bears an adult aesthetic with a bright, child-like appeal. It ranges from mahogany and walnut wood carvings to larger-than-life “retro futuristic” robotic figures...

Dexter, Missouri, is known as “Rib City,” and West Business U.S. Highway 60 is where that name truly comes to life. On that highway, all within less than a mile of each other, exist some of the most popular and well-known barbecue restaurants in Southeast Missouri. And it goes beyond restaurants. Convenience stores, gas stations and small mom-and-pop shops are all advertising their barbecue products...