Stories from Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Monett High School graduates were challenged with the power of love, the value of teachers and a vision for future Monett graduates during commencement exercises for the Class of 2018 on Friday in the high school gym. Principal David Williams said the 161 out of the 183 in the class participating in the ceremony represented the largest number in the history of the school. ...

Changes at EFCO Corporation in Monett, as the company reaches the one-year anniversary of its purchase by the industrial giant Apogee, reflect adjustments under new ownership and pending growth at the local manufacturer. "Apogee buying EFCO was the best thing that could have happened to EFCO," said John Klein, EFCO president named earlier this year. "We've operated in this space for a long time. It's a different perspective from what Pella had. Apogee has total confidence in EFCO."...

Purdy High School graduates received advice and encouragement during graduation ceremonies on Sunday in the Purdy High School gym. The 45 members of the Class of 2018 for the first time received graduation designations using the Latin system. Ten were designated as cum laude, with grade point averages of 3.5 to 3.74 on a 4.0 scale, earning the recipients a silver stole with black markings. ...

Work has begun on a mural in the new Fifth Street parking lot on Broadway, showing historic scenes from Monett’s past. The muralist is Raine Clotfelter, who lives in Mt. Vernon and who painted the mural in that city’s square. Monett Main Street commissioned the work to decorate the space created by the acquisition of the lot and the demolition of the buildings located there...

Monett High School seniors received recognition for outstanding achievement and years of consistent performance during the Senior Honors Program, held May 7 at the school's Performing Arts Center. The President's Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence is presented to students for maintaining a seventh semester grade point average of 3.67 on a 4.0 scale, and who scored in the 85th percentile or higher on the math or reading portions of the SAT or ACT college entrance exams. ...

Maura Sparks, who recently completed serving 15 years as president of Pierce City Senior Citizens Inc., has been honored by Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Parson for her service. Parson presented Sparks with the Lieutenant Governor's Senior Service Award in Jefferson City. She also received a signed proclamation from the Missouri Senate from State Sen. David Sater, R-Cassville...

A misread turn resulted in a collision between a tractor trailer and a car on Chapell Drive in Monett on Monday. According to the Monett police, Joseph Collett, driving a Peterbilt tractor hauling a flatbed trailer, and Brian Higdon, driving a Hyundai, were both headed south on Chapell Drive at 11:50 a.m. Collett said he prepared to make a right turn into the PlayPower parking lot to the west, pulled into the center lane to make a wide turn, and activated his turn signal...

Concluding the graduation ceremony on Thursday, the 30 Wheaton grads tossed their caps, popped confetti and sprayed one another with silly string. More photos from the ceremony may be found at: http://www.monett-times.com/gallery/32843

Monett Ministerial Association will hold a farewell lunch for Father Hank Grodecki, St Lawrence Catholic Church, at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 23. All pastors and chaplains are encouraged to attend. Father Hank, who is preparing for his new assignment in Alaska, has been very active in the community. Lunch will be at Lai Lai’s on Bridle Lane, south of Walmart in Monett...

Top four finishes is what the Monett girls track team is looking for on Saturday as they head to the sectional track meet in Carthage. The Lady Cubs took fifth in Saturday’s district meet in Carl Junction and now strive for the coveted prize of state qualification...

Teagan Johnson works the ball up the field for Monett during district action on Monday.

The Monett seventh-grade boys track team had a solid year for the Cubs.

Leonard Carl Montgomery, 95, of Fairview, Missouri, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, while at his home in Fairview. He was born near Fairview, Missouri, on May 12, 1922; the son of the late Oscar Riley and Ethel Rebecca (Stipp) Montgomery. He was united in marriage on Ocboter 4, 1946, in Independence, Kansas to Maxine Huffmaster; she survives...

James Junior Shepherd, 87, of Aurora, Mo., passed from this life on Saturday morning, May 12, 2018, while at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mt. Vernon, Mo. Junior, as he was called by most, was born on October 17, 1930, in Verona, Mo., son of the late James Quincy Shepherd and Jessie Elizabeth (Hunnell) Shepherd. ...

Bill Angel, 58, of Springfield, died Saturday, May 12, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. His request was for cremation. A private family service will be at a later date. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett...

Ralph Eugene Clifford, 67, of Cassville, died Tuesday, May 8. Graveside services with Military Honors will be held at 12 noon Friday, May 18, at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

Jimmie Patricia “Patty” Davidson, 79, of Butterfield, died Friday, May 11. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 17, at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Cassville, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville...

Clara Margaret Herr, 93, of Aurora, died Sunday, May 13, at the Ozarks Methodist Manor in Marionville. A visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. on Thursday, May 17, at the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora. A private family burial will follow at the Maple Park Cemetery...

Alan F. Rhea, 58 of Kearney, passed away suddenly at his home on Monday, May 14. Funeral services will also be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 18, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kearney. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 17, at the church...

James Henry Kremeier, 81, of Shell Knob, died Sunday, May 13. No services are scheduled at this time. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Shell Knob.

Xia Pao Moua, 71, of Monett, died Wednesday, May 2. Services will be held from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Saturday, May 26, and from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Sunday, May 27 at McQueen Funeral Home in Wheaton. Burial will be at Lake Park Memorial Gardens in Shell Knob...

Hazel Mae White, 78, of Aurora, died Sunday, May 13, at Cox South in Springfield. A graveside service, under the direction of the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home, in Aurora, will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16 at the Maple Park Cemetery in Aurora...

Herman Cecil Wilson II, 52, of Aurora, died on Friday, May 11, at the Mercy Hospital in Springfield. A memorial service was held Tuesday, May 15, at the New Dawn United Pentecostal Church in Aurora. Arrangements are under the direction of the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora...