Stories from Monday, September 15, 2003

This is to the person who takes from kids. Who owes you a thing? We have to struggle to buy something nice for our children and you think you can just walk onto our property and take from our children and just laugh about it. Then we have to deal with the pain of our hurt child. I hope you break your neck for taking it...

BLODGETT - Miss Louise Nienstedt went to Portageville Monday morning to resume her duties as a member of the high school faculty. --- SIKESTON - Miss Gwendolyn Kirk left Thursday morning for Clarksville, where she will be music instructor in the school...

Top: A.J. Hendershott and Steve Juhlin of the Missouri Department of Conservation demonstrate the making of a canoe during the 14th Annual Living History Day at Big Oak Tree State Park. The canoe made was a replica of one used by Lewis and Clark during their expedition...

SIKESTON - Chances are those who have attended the hospital's benefit balls in the past may be in for some surprises this year. The biggest change is in the location. Beginning in 1983 and being held every two years since then, the first 10 benefit balls were held at the Sikeston Armory. "It's going to be at the Clinton Community Building this year," said Ginger Cox, co-chair for this year's ball...

SIKESTON - Stacy D. Pierce, 38, formerly of Memphis, Tenn., died Sept. 12, 2003, in Tunica, Miss., of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Born July 22, 1964, in Memphis, daughter of Houston and Helen Johnson Magee of Memphis, she owned and operated Stacy's Barber Shop (formerly Barnes Barber Shop) in Sikeston...

LONGVIEW, Wash. -- Harold Eugene Taylor, 82, formerly of Parma, died Sept. 8, 2003 at Hospice Care Center. Born June 14, 1921, in Houston, Ark., son of the late Floyd Eugene and Carrie Elizabeth Spells Taylor, he had lived in Longview for 39 years. He owned and operated Healthcare Inc. ...

CHARLESTON -- Pallbearers for services conducted at 11 a.m. today at the McMikle Funeral Home for Linda Marie Housman Miller, 31, who died Sept. 12, 2003, were: Doug Pullen, Brian Fernandez, Mike Housman, Stevie Holman, William "Gene" Housman and James Housman...

KENNETT - Dolores Vearn Gramling, 71, died Sept. 6, 2003, at Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center. Born Nov. 23, 1931, in San Francisco, Calif., daughter of the late Barney E. and Dora Jane Lincoln, Ray, she was a member of the First Baptist Church in Kennett...

DEXTER -- Clarence Parks, 93, died Sept. 14, 2003, at the Missouri Southern Healthcare Facility in Dexter. Born Oct. 15, 1909, in Dudley, son of the late John and Goldie Lock Parks, he was raised in Dudley and moved to Pontiac, Mich., where was a metal finisher with General Motors. He returned to Dudley in 1972 and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Dexter...

BERTRAND - Payton Elizabeth Helms, 10, formerly of Steele, died Sept. 12, 2003, at her home, following an extended illness. Born March 16, 1993, in Hayti, she was the daughter of Fred Constant and Sarah Busby Constant of Bertrand. Other survivors include: one sister, Kayla Busby of the home; one brother, Breck Constant of the home; and her maternal grandparents, Thomas and Jean Busby of Cooter...

SIKESTON -- Pallbearers for services conducted Saturday for Leatha Elizabeth Rister, 83, of Southaven, Miss., who died Sept. 10, 2003, were: Bob Laseter, Kevin McCrory, Seth McCrory, Jeff McCrory, David Rister and Jason Rister.

Allen CAPE GIRARDEAU - Melissa Renee Allen and Damon Cartzell McCluney are the parents of their second daughter, born at 10:39 a.m. Aug. 11, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Ariel Brianna Allen weighed 5 pounds and was 17 1/2-inches long. Maternal grandmother is Charline Allen of Charleston...