Stories from Thursday, April 27, 2006

On too many occasions lately, I have read news reports that defy my imagination. Much of the reason is because I am getting older and I tolerate stupidity less than I once did. But I also find that I am getting increasingly tired of hearing about and dealing with the dysfunctional, fringe element of society. Too much time, effort and money are spent on those who deserve exactly what they get out of life...

CHARLESTON - Ronald Edward Chambers, 64, died at 10:15 p.m. April 26, 2006, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Oct. 30, 1941, in Charleston, to the late Edward F. and Mary Lou Chambers, he had lived his entire life in Charleston, where he was a member of St. Henry Catholic Church and a graduate of St. Henry Catholic High School. He worked as an electrician at Nardenia U.S.A. in Jackson and was a member of the Knights of Columbus...

SIKESTON - Faye N. "Peachie" Wadeking, 87, died April, 26, 2006, at Missouri Veterans Home in Jackson. Born July 28, 1918, at Campbell, daughter of the late Noah and Dolly Abernathy, she was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. ...

MOREHOUSE - Dennis R. Crowley, 70, died April 27, 2006, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born June 15, 1935, in Morehouse, son of Yutteve (Treece) Crowley of Sikeston and the late Ray Crowley, he was a veteran of the United States Navy, stationed at Great Lakes. He was a maintenance supervisor for Good Humor-...

NEW MADRID - Ben H. Ashley, 77, died April 25, 2006, at the Missouri Veteran's Home in Cape Girardeau. Born July 5, 1928, near Morrilton, Ark., son of the late William Thad and Lucille McCoole Ashley, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a charter member of the Brown-Twitty Post 595 of the American Legion and VFW Post 7183 in Lilbourn. ...

POPLAR BLUFF -- Roger Dale McCollum, 53, died April 24, 2006, at his home. Born April 28, 1952, son of the late Clifford Morlin and Cona Hobbs McCollum, he had worked as a truck driver for Consolidated Freight and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. Survivors include: two sons, Jason L. ...

DEXTER - Nancy June Hueckel, 35, died April 26, 2006, at her home. Born July 18, 1970, at Kennett, daughter of Margie Mouser Hueckel of Essex and the late Larry Dean Hueckel, she worked in real estate sales in Dexter and was of the Protestant belief...

PUXICO - Doris Stroud, 79, died April 26, 2006, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Born Jan. 22, 1927, in St. Louis, daughter of the late George and Lula Skagges Brooks, she was a secretary for the McGraw-Hill Company in St. Louis where she had lived for many years before returning in 1996 to Puxico where she was a member of the Christian Church...

BERNIE - Dale Kester, 57, died April 24, 2006, at his home. Born March 22, 1949, at Poplar Bluff, son of Jessie Lee Kester of Bernie and the late Arthur Kester, he was a set-up operator for Arvin-Meritor in Dexter and a veteran of the U.S. Army having served in the Vietnam War...

SIKESTON - The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs soccer team dropped another one- goal heartbreaker on Wednesday night, with a 2-1 loss to district rival Notre Dame at the Sikeston Complex. Playing their sixth game in six days, Sikeston seemed sapped of energy, as Notre Dame scored late to walk away with the hard fought victory...

Invigorating. Refreshing. Exhilarating. These are the words I use to describe the newest part of my morning loosening-up ritual. Everybody I tell about it has a different word for it: crazy. As a student of Korean martial arts, I've been aware for some time that many Koreans and other Asians believe exposure to cold to be therapeutic...

DEXTER -- The Sikeston tennis team improved to 8-2 on the season as they defeated Dexter 7-2 on Wednesday at Dexter High School. "We had some good performances and once again we played real well in doubles," said Sikeston coach Brian James. "Hopefully we can keep improving."...

Out on a limb I just got my paper and read SpeakOut about this lady in New Madrid and I feel so sorry for her. I'm just like her. There is no help for you when you try to live right. I live alone, too. I have children who come and help out once in awhile, but otherwise I have no one. ...

SIKESTON - Construction is about 50 percent complete on the first of 40 fabricated houses which were recently allotted to World War II veterans. In Sikeston, the house will be completed by May 15. The house under construction here is located on Benton Street in the Prairie Addition...

BENTON -- A 44-year-old Benton man is in jail following an armed robbery at Express Fuel late Wednesday near Benton. According to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, the suspect, whose name will be released after charges are filed later today, entered the business about 9:...

SIKESTON -- A report from the war abroad and a threat from within were among topics addressed by the American Legion's chief officer during Tuesday's visit. Thomas L. Bock, national commander of the American Legion, spoke to members of American Legion Post 114 and its auxiliaries about a variety of subjects from current events to issues of concern for veterans...

SIKESTON - It will be a lineup of country music favorites mixed in with some new sights and sounds for the 53rd Annual Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo. Of course, the most anxiously awaited news announced by the Jaycees at today's Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce meeting was this year's lineup of entertainers. Scheduled for Aug. 9 is Trace Adkins followed on Aug. 10 by Terri Clark. Rising star Craig Morgan will be featured on Aug. 11 with Keith Anderson wrapping up the rodeo on Aug. 12...