Stories from Thursday, December 6, 2018

MARBLE HILL, Mo. — It is with great sadness that the family of Duane Schiferl, of Marble Hill, announce his passing on Dec. 2, 2018. Adored father, son, brother and friend, passed away at his residence from a cardiovascular event at the age of 52. Duane was born in Trenton, N.J., to Richard M. Schiferl and Mary A. (Hileman) Cook on Jan. 12, 1966. He graduated from Sikeston High School in 1986 and served a brief stint in the Air Force...

CHAFFEE, Mo. — Janet Rae Sullivan, 76, died Dec. 4, 2018, at her family home. Born Sept. 23, 1942, in St. Louis, daughter of the late Roy and Myrtle Chappel Steger, she was a retired dispatcher for the Chaffee Police Department in Chaffee and a member of First Christian Church in Chaffee. She was a member the Chaffee Ladies Elks...

SIKESTON — An early snowfall and below normal temperatures made November one of the top 10 coldest on record. Well below normal temperatures plagued the region almost the entire month, according to the the November climate review by the National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky. All three of the NWS’ official climate stations in Cape Girardeau; Paducah; and Evansville, Ind., finished in the “Top 10 Coldest Novembers” on record, as temperatures were around 6 degrees below normal...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — There will be plenty of hot cocoa to keep the public warm as they take in Portageville’s first Christmas parade. The parade is slated to get underway at 6 p.m. today kicking off the Portageville’s Chamber of Commerce’s “Christmas in the ‘Ville.”...

CHARLESTON, Mo. — For Terry Parker, there is no better way to share the message of Christmas than through music. Coming from a family of singers, Parker recalled growing up and singing Christmas carols together. Among his favorite things was when his family and others gathered for a community sing-along...

CHARLESTON, Mo. — “Jingle Bells.” “Sleigh Bells.” “The Carol of the Bells.” There is even “Jingle Bell Rock.” Bells are part of Christmas. One group of women keeps the bells ringing year-round. However, for more than two decades they have chimed in for a concert known for setting the tone for Christmas...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — With his plea agreement, a New Madrid man avoided going to trial in the death of his wife. George W. Dawson Jr., 64, withdrew his not guilty plea and entered an Alford plea to a charge of leaving the scene of an accident Wednesday morning before Judge Joe Satterfield. An Alford plea is not an admission of guilt but an acceptance of the court’s ruling...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Clara Frankum, 92, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Sikeston, was escorted by angels to her Heavenly Father, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, at Southeast Hospital. She was born Feb. 16, 1926, to William Carroll and Nora Dove (Inman) Turnbo...