Stories from Monday, December 3, 2018

Many probably do not know that the Ponder Family has been involved with the Lilbourn City Christmas lights since before 1959. The old Christmas lights were stored either in the attic of the garage or shed at the Ponder Funeral Home. According to Linda Ponder Seal, “I loved those old lights that crossed the street on a wire. ...

On November 14th, National Signing Day, Jake Sisson signed his National Letter of Intent to play college soccer at Harding University.  Sisson’s achievements include 2x Division 1 Tennessee State Champion, Southern Regional Premier League Champion, 4x National Rush Select team, 2x High School State Quarterfinalist, Commercial Appeal All-Metro Team (Sophomore), Tennessee All-State Team Division 1 (Junior), Team Captain (Junior), Southern Coast Cup Tournament Top 11 (Junior) and 4x Varsity Starter.  He is looking forward to his Senior season this Spring playing for the Collierville High School Dragons.. ...

The Portageville School District received grant funding from the NRA (National Rifle Association) Foundation School Shield program for the 2018-2019 school year. The NRA School Shield program was launched in the wake of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and has a singular mission of protecting our children. ...

SIKESTON — On most mornings, Christopher "Mike" Boese will stop by Break Time, 420 N. Main St. in Sikeston, for a coffee and a soda. Every so often, Mike will include a Missouri Lottery Scratchers ticket with his purchase. By late afternoon on Nov. 16, news of a $100,000 Lottery prize would energize the Boese family...

NEW HAMBURG, Mo. — Frances “Francy” Cecelia Scheeter, 90, died Dec. 2, 2018, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Born May 20, 1928, in St. Joseph, Tenn., daughter of the late Frank and Monica Reischmann Kluesner, she was a retired cook for Kelso C-7 School in New Hamburg and also worked as a florist for Paradise Express in Scott City. She was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in New Hamburg and belonged to the St. Anne’s Sodality...

CHAFFEE, Mo. — Alfred Ernest “Tom” Wolfe, 96, died Dec. 2, 2018, at Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. Born March 21, 1922, in Portageville, son of the late Charles and Mary Ourth Wolfe, he was a retired in-seamer for Sports Specialty Shoe in Chaffee. ...

MINER, Mo. — Joseph Franklin “Joe” Riley, 78, formerly of Wyatt, died Dec. 3, 2018, at the Miner Nursing Center. Born Nov. 7, 1940, in Birds Point Community, son of the late Frank Riley and Mary Nolen Riley, he had lived his entire life in Mississippi County where he was a farmer and of the Catholic belief...

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Wanda Lee Roper Wallace, 79, formerly of East Prairie, Mo., died Nov. 17, 2018, at her home in Riverside.   Born Nov. 10, 1939, in Talbot, Ind., daughter of the late Reese Lee and Frances Carver Roper, she was a graduate of East Prairie High School and worked as office manager for 33 years at Skip Fordyce Harley Davidson Motorcycle Dealership in Riverside until her retirement...