Stories from Friday, May 10, 2013

Honor graduates have been named at Purdy and Pierce City High Schools. In Purdy, the 59 members of the Class of 2013 will graduate during commencement exercises at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 11 in the high school gym. The valedictorian will be Jacey Staponski, daughter of Rick and Cindy Staponski, of Purdy...

The Ozark Festival Orchestra will conclude its 33rd season with its annual pops concert on Sunday, May 19 at Monett Elementary School. The concert will be a benefit for the orchestra to meet expenses for the season. The special event comes with homemade pie and ice cream for an admission fee of $10...

On May 4, St. Mary's Catholic Church, in Pierce City, commemo-rated the 10-year anni-versary of the May 4, 2003 tornado that destroyed the downtown business district and 71 homes. Bishop James Johnston, of the Spring-field-Cape Girardeau Diocese, led the Mass commemorating the city's losses and accom-plishments during the past decade...

A luncheon will be presented by the VFW Post #4207 Ladies Auxiliary from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15 at the Post on West Highway 60. The menu will include roast pork with stuffing, gravy, green beans casserole, salad, dessert and beverage. Cost is $6...

Jasmine Morelock-Field, well known artist in Shreveport, La., senses the importance of building bridges, of knocking down walls and barriers to enhance communication between hurting souls because life is just too short and too fragile for us to go through life scared to reach out, easing hurts that are often unspoken but sensed within each other's spirit...

Shortly after Bishop James Johnston finished giving the message at the Mass of Thanksgiving for Pierce City's recovery on May 4, something unusual happened. The gray and overcast day changed. There was a break in the clouds and the sanctuary at St. Mary's Catholic Church was flooded with sunlight...

Stanley E. Wells, 85, Stark City, entered into rest on May 8, 2013 at his home following an illness. He was born on April 4, 1928 in Sapulpa, Okla. to Chester Arthur and Linnie Louella (Cazzell) Wells. Stanley worked as a utility supervisor for Oklahoma Natural Gas in Tulsa, Okla. ...

Dolores Marie Miller, age 81, of Granby, passed away on May 4, following a lengthy illness. Dolores was born on Jan. 29, 1932. Her husband, James William Miller, preceded her in death. Survivors include four children, Frank, Maria, Jon and Dirk. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 and burial was in the Granby Cemetery...

Patty Lou Coatney, 72, of Pierce City, Mo., entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at her home. She was born on Feb. 16, 1941 in Monett, Mo., the daughter of the late David and Beulah (Davis) Planchon. She was united in marriage on Aug. 21, 1968 in Miami, Okla. to Jim Coatney and he survives...

Students at the Scott Regional Technology Center in Monett received recognition for achievement during the annual Recognition Night, held on May 2 at Monett High School. Parents and families from Monett and the 13 other school districts sending students to Scott Tech were on hand for the occasion...

Monett High School will have its second annual Fine Arts Night on Saturday, May 11 at the school. In addition to the display of artwork, reader's theater students will give demonstrations and choral and band groups will perform, concluding with a concert band performance at 7 p.m...