Stories from Tuesday, December 12, 2017

SIKESTON -- Several towns, including New Madarid and Sikeston, had Christmas celebrations over the weekend. The Caruthersville High School marching band marches along Main Street during the New Madrid Christmas parade on Saturday. The band took second place honors at the event. ...

SIKESTON -- R. J. Fountain Jr. points out a play set he wants to Sikeston Department of Public Safety officer Daniel Adams at Walmart on Monday. Fountain was one of a group of children from Matthews, Lilbourn, New Madrid, East Prairie and Sikeston who had the opportunity to "Shop With a Cop." Approximately two dozen children from Lilbourn Elementary School, Matthews Elementary School, New Madrid Elementary School and from East Prairie took part in the fourth annual Shop with a Cop event on Monday at Walmart. ...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Sometime during the month of December, Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop E officers will conduct three driving while intoxicated saturation enforcement operations in the region. The operations will be conducted by the Patrol in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies, according to Capt. ...

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Several area children received backpacks filled with goodies during the Shining Light Christmas Backpack Giveaway Saturday in Charleston.

MATTHEWS, Mo. -- Aubry Ray Gardner, 72, of Matthews, died Dec. 3, 2017, at the Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau of natural causes. He leaves his wife of 52 years, Wanda (Middleton) Gardner; two sons, Jeff (Beth) Gardner of Matthews and Kenny (Kelly) Gardner of Cape Girardeau; one daughter, Wendy Gardner of Matthews; one sister, Linda (Gardner) Ramsey of Sikeston; four half sisters, Gloria Gardner, Lois Gardner Dickerson, Betty Gardner Croney and Yvonne Gardner Gross, all of Sikeston; and his second stepmother, Willa Gardner of Circle City. ...

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- James Monroe Malugen, 80, died Dec. 11, 2017, in the Lutheran Hospice House in Cape Girardeau. Born Dec. 30, 1936, in Caruthersville, son of the late Guffrie and Gertrude Malugen, he was a graduate of Potosi High School. He had worked as a driving instructor with Missouri State Highway Patrol. ...

SIKESTON -- Betty Jean Melton, 92, died Dec. 11, 2017, at her home in Sikeston. Born Sept. 28, 1925, in Lilbourn, she was the daughter of the late Ogden and Marie Harris. In 1942, she married Marvin Hadley; he preceded her in death in 1986. In 1997, she married Robert Melton; he also preceded her in death...

BLODGETT, Mo. -- Peggy Gates, age 65, died peacefully on Dec. 11, 2017, at her home in Blodgett with her husband by her side. Born Sept. 21, 1952, in Sikeston, to the late Herschel and Geraldine 'Gerry' Evans Wagoner, she was of the Baptist belief. She grew up in Oran, where she was a majorette and cheerleader...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. -- W. C. Norris Sr., 93, died Dec. 10, 2017, at Pemiscot Memorial Hospital in Hayti. Born Sept. 16, 1924, in Marion, Ark., to the late Harry and Lenora White Norris, he served honorably in the United States Army during World War II. ...