Stories from Friday, February 1, 2013

sports@standard-democrat.com CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Sikeston and Charleston have had many epic battles over the years, but never before have they met on the biggest stage in southeast Missouri. Both schools took to the court at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Thursday in what was billed as "The Rivalry" in a crucial SEMO Conference matchup...

SIKESTON -- Pallbearers for services scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at the Ponder Funeral Home for Pansie M. Poe, 94, who died Jan. 25, 2013, will be: Steve Poe, Greg Sullivan, Lester Wright, Charles Manley, Larry Agee, John Scarbrough, Bill Scarbrough and Clyde Launius...

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Gwendolyn Crumpecker, 97, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died Jan. 31, 2013, at Allen Morgan Health Center in Memphis. Arrangements are incomplete with Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston.

BLOOMFIELD -- Randall Hutchison, 57, died Jan. 30, 2013, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born March 17, 1955, in Poplar Bluff, he was the son of Judson and Shirley Jennings Hutchison of Bloomfield. Other survivors include: one son and daughter-in-law, Nick and Monica Hutchison of Cuba; one brother, Dennis Hutchison of Bloomfield; and one grandson, Ayden Hutchison...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Cecil Haney, 87, died at 5:30 a.m. Jan. 31, 2013, at his home. Born Oct. 11, 1925, at Henson, son of the late Oliver and Gladys Hockersmith Haney, he lived all of his life in Mississippi County where he was a retired welder having been employed by McTigue Construction for several years. He was a former member of the Fraternal Order of the Odd Fellows Lodge and the Jaycees...

CHARLESTON -- Leroy Gary Jr., 78, died Jan. 29, 2013, at his home. Born July 11, 1934, in Windyville, to the late Leroy and Lydia Speller Gary Sr., he retired from Chicago Candy Manufacturing. On Aug. 28, 2004, he married Beverly Jones who survives of the home...

BERTRAND -- Richard Paul Spitler Sr., 75, died Jan. 31, 2013, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete with McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.

LAFORGE -- Billie Bob Todd, 70, died Jan. 30, 2013, at his home. He was born Feb. 11, 1942, in Bardwell, Ky., to the late William and Catherine Todd. On Oct. 7, 1970, in Sikeston, he married Essie Nash who survives of the home. Other survivors include: four sons, Billy Todd of LaForge, Fred Bowers of Miner, Roland Geistlinger of Rolla and Robert Geistlinger of the state of Florida; two daughters, Gloria Arnold of the state of Texas and Lori French of Rolla; one brother, Jimmy Todd of Mayfield, Ky.; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.. ...

SIKESTON -- Lena W. Beavers, 73, died Jan. 30, 2013, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Sept. 9, 1939, in Micola, to the late John and Irene McAdow Callaham, she had been a supervisor at the Miner Nursing Center, retiring after 17 years. She was a homemaker and worked at the Sikeston Kindergarten Center in the Foster Grandparent program. She was a member of the Shady Acres Church of Christ in Sikeston...

SIKESTON -- Eugene Fenton Speer, 88, died Jan. 30, 2013, at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah, Ky. Born May 29, 1924, in Festus, son of the late Dr. Asier J. and Bertha (Black) Speer, he was a founding member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Sikeston, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served during World War II, and had worked for the Atomic Energy Commission in Paducah before retiring...

sports@standard-democrat.com RISCO -- The Risco Tigers were handed a lopsided 91-57 loss thanks to Ethan Barr and the Advance Hornets Thursday. Barr led all scorers with 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Lane Below added 22 points and seven assists...

Sikeston's Markeith Bratcher and fans watch as his 3-point attempt sails towards the rim against Charleston Thursday at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. Sikeston won the game 71-64. For more on the game see today's sports section.

news@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- In a time-honored tradition, several individuals who have made contributions to the regional agricultural community were honored at the annual Farmers Recognition Luncheon on Thursday. Four awards were given: Farm Family of the Year to Mike and David Pearson; Farm Woman of the Year to Laura Hunter Collins; Outstanding Young Farmer to Lance Lawson; and the Ag Service Award was posthumously given to Dwight Crader...

scottw@standard-democrat.com CHARLESTON -- Mississippi County commissioners approved the county's operating budget for the 2013 fiscal year during the regular County Commission meeting Thursday despite protests from the sheriff and his staff. The budgeted operating deficit for the year works out to $402,403.21 to leave the county with a projected $292,077.29 in reserves to remain in the bank at the end of the year. ...