Stories from Wednesday, November 20, 2013

jwhitlock@monett-times.com St. Lawrence Elementary School in Monett used Veterans Day not only to thank those men and women who served their country, but also to give students the opportunity to interview some of the nation's greatest treasures. Veterans were on hand at the school for a special Veterans Day flag raising ceremony when Jay Berkortte's fifth and sixth grade students took on the roll of "cub reporter." Students were given questions to ask the veterans about their time in the military and some suggestions for the students on which branch of service to enter.. ...

Gregory Allen Witt, age 52, of Monett, passed away on Saturday Nov. 16, 2013 at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Mo. He was born on Nov. 18, 1960 in Monett, Mo., the son of Edmund and Waunita (Williams) Witt. He was united in marriage on Nov. 18, 2010 in Miami, Okla. to Tami Nash. She survives...

Ruth Fern Taylor, age 91, of Wheaton, died Saturday, Nov.16. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m.. Thursday, Nov. 21 at Liberty Baptist Church in Everton, under direction of McQueen Funeral Home in Wheaton. Burial will be in Muncie Chapel Cemetery, Wheaton...

Roberta Clare Pilant, age 71, of Cassville, died Sunday, Nov. 17 No visitation will be held. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 in Pilant Cemetery, Cassville, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville.

Chester Ladd, age 87, of Pierce City, died at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 18 at his home. Graveside funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 22 at the Cooker Cemetery near Alpena, Ark. Visitation will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 21 at Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City...

Gladys Atha Francisco, age 88, of Mt. Vernon, died at 12:33 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17 at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, after a short illness. A graveside service, under the direction of the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home, will be held at 2 p.m. p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20 in the Southwest City Cemetery...

Maxine Fieker, age 88, of Mt. Vernon, died at 10:45 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Mt. Vernon Place Care Center. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21 at the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon. Private burial will be held at the Mt. Vernon IOOF Cemetery at a later date...

Helen Alvernia "Mee Maw" Faucett, age 83, of Mt. Vernon, died at 11:03 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16 at Cox South Hospital. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Nov. 19, at the United Methodist Church in Mt. Vernon. Private burial will be held at Zion Cemetery under the direction of the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home...

Joe W. Curran, age 66, of Exeter, died at in his home on Saturday, November 16, 2013. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21 at the White Funeral Home and Crematory in Cassville.

Thomas David Calton, age 76 of Knoxville, Tenn., formerly of Barry County, died on Nov. 15 at Tennova Residential Hospice in Knoxville. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23 in the Click Funeral Home Farragut Chapel in Knoxville...

EIGHTY YEARS AGO Nov. 20, 1933 Leroy Jeffries, owner of the Jeffries Motor Company, at the Frisco viaduct, celebrated the 51st anniversary of his company to Monett. Jeffries came here from Washburn when the little settlement of five houses along the Frisco tracks was calling Plymouth Junction...

sports@monett-times.com The Ozark 7 Volleyball Conference released its All-Conference volleyball team and several area players earned post-season honors. Southwest High School won the conference championship with a perfect 6-0 record. Southwest's Steve Voyak was named Coach of the Year and Lady Trojan Shannon Mitchell earned Player of the Year accolades...

sports@monett-times.com The Monett Cubs swimming and diving team's inaugural season ended Southwest Missouri Swimming Championship in Springfield. The top 12 teams advance to the finals with Monett narrowly missing the cut with a 13th place finish. "I was very please with how we swam at this meet," said Monett swim coach Dan Janssen. "It was our goal to place individuals and relays at the championship. We had to fight to make it is to finals."...

times-news@monett-times.com Monett Auction Gallery, which will be located at 311 E. Broadway, has announced plans for a grand opening on Friday, Dec. 13. Kevin Cameron, who operated the Old 60 Highway Auction House in Birch Tree, will be the sole owner and auctioneer of the Monett business...

Preparations for the holidays continue around town. Monett Electric Department crews erected a series of lights configured like a Christmas tree at the north end of the Centennial Overpass on Nov. 18 to add a colorful flare to Monett's main street

Hobbs-Anderson American Legion Post #91 will host a beef stew dinner with salad and beverage from 5 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 21 at the Legion Home, located at 717 E. Broadway. Cost is $5. Carry-outs are available. The 40th annual Golden Age Dinner, hosted by Monett High School Student Council, will be held at 5:30 p.m. ...

times-news@monett-times.com Two Aurora residents have now been formally charged for the shooting of two persons in Aurora on Friday. Luke Scammell, 18, and Raven Thornton, 30, both of Aurora, appeared before Lawrence County Associate Circuit Court Judge Scott Sifferman on Monday, Nov. 18 in Mt. Vernon. Both are charged with two counts each of first degree assault, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon...

reporter@monett-times.com Barry County is now home to Kids of Our Heroes Adventure Camp, a place for children ages 11-17 who have lost a sibling or parent in the global war on terror. The camp, nestled on a five-acre parcel of land along Flat Creek near the Stubblefield Access, is a decade-old dream that finally came to fruition this year for owners Col. Michele Hovland, (retired), and CW3 Darrell Hovland, (retired)...

times-news@monett-times.com EFCO, a Pella Company, marks its 60th anniversary in 2013. A leading manufacturer of architectural windows, curtain wall, storefront and entrance systems for commercial architectural applications, EFCO has been based in Monett since 1958. Today EFCO is one of southwest Missouri's largest manufacturers with over 1,400 team members...

times-news@monett-times.com Successes at EFCO, a Pella Company, reflecting the company's innovative spirit were recounted by Mike Farquhar, EFCO president, during the company's Heritage Day celebration on Nov. 14. More than 25 retirees returned to visit EFCO on Heritage Day. Activities included a breakfast, plant tours and a lunch catered by Maggie Mae's...