Stories from Tuesday, November 11, 2003

This spring I was in southeast Missouri doing some research for a family history on the families of my grandfather, John Daniel Littrell, and his brother James Carroll Littrell. The particular information I was looking for was the military service of their sons...

If you follow the political process even just casually, you know that crooks abound on the political landscape of this country. I'm not talking about the politicians themselves, though that part of the equation is sometimes true as well. I'm talking about the grassroots workers who conduct the "grunt" work that greases the wheels of the political process. There may be no more rich a breeding ground than St. Louis...

The Sikeston Black third grade soccer team took first place in the CAYSA soccer tournament in Cape Girardeau this weekend. Team members are front row, from left: Drew Harper, Tyler Anderson, Josh Hampton, Josh Reed and Spence Vaughn; back row: Tyler Neal, Lucas Houchin, Brandon Goodwin, Cord Sheehy and Jackson Stallings; coaches: Teresa Houchin, Rod Anderson and LaTina Hampton...

SIKESTON -- Bertha Savage celebrated her 100th birthday Oct. 19 at the Sikeston Convalescent Center with several members of her family. She lived in Morehouse for 50 years before relocating to Sikeston. Mrs. Savage was born in 1903 before the introduction of most modern conveniences, including the automobile. ...

PORTAGEVILLE - Willie Lee "Bill" Weed, 77, died Nov. 10, 2003, at his home. Born March 26, 1926, in Arkansas, son of the late John Arthur and Martha Jane Smith Weed, he was a machinist in Rockford, Ill., before retiring. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II...

ZALMA - Alma Jean Fortner, 66, died Nov. 10, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born May 5, 1937, at Zalma, daughter of the late Leo and Letha Ladd Whitehead, she attended Balch Chapel Church near Zalma. On Oct. 11, 1954, at Essex, she married Ernest E. Fortner who survives of the home...

EAST PRAIRIE - Caroline Rose, 59, died at 10 a.m. Nov. 10, 2003, at her brother's home in Charleston. Born Jan. 29, 1944, in Charleston, daughter of the late John Wesley and Mary Marie Smith Rose, she was a lifelong resident of East Prairie. She was a home health caregiver with American Home Care and was a member of the Elm Street Baptist Church near Charleston...

DEXTER - Loren D. "Bud" Killmer, 68, died Nov. 9, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Dec. 30, 1934, at Pyletown, son of the late H.T. and Laura Lula Waggoner Killmer, he was a charter member of Friendship Baptist Church where he served on the Deacon Board and Administrative Board. ...

SCOTT CITY- Genevieve Loida, 91, died Nov. 9, 2003, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

LILBOURN - Cletis H. Deal, 82, died Nov. 10, 2003, at Forest Park Hospital in St. Louis. Born April 10, 1921, at Morley, son of the late Joseph H. and Lena E. Hanley Deal, he retired as an ironworker and welder with Local 396. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Lilbourn where he served as a deacon, was an honorary usher and sang with the choir...

SIKESTON -- Decked out in red, students from Scott County Central Elementary braced themselves as part of Cardinal Nation entered Southeast Missouri with a special message Monday. Former Cardinals reliever and current team broadcaster Al "The Mad Hungarian" Hrabosky and Fredbird presented the Cardinals Care "Doin' It Right" program...

SIKESTON - Situations wanted: Two boys, 16 and 12 want jobs as bicycle messengers and errand boys. Call 954, Donald and Gerald Kellett. SIKESTON - On Nov. 11, the Sikeston Little Theatre officially launched its membership drive for the 1963-64 season. Mrs. Tom Allen, membership chairman, announces that the drive will be conducted over the telephone...

BENTON - Tax receipts for both personal property and real estate for Scott County residents will be a bit different this year. "The whole theory here is to speed up the process, save taxpayers' money," explained Mark Hensley, Scott County collector...

I hope someone in the meat department of grocery stores between here and Cape knows where I can buy some ox tails. Please put the information in SpeakOut. To the person who responded about Section 8 housing. OK. You're a white female with a college education and are living in Section 8 housing because of a disability. ...