Stories from Saturday, February 8, 2020

Carolyn Sue Woods, 73, of Carthage, died at 4:20 p.m. on Jan. 30, at Carthage Health and Rehabilitation Center. Graveside services were held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, at Mt. Vernon IOOF Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon...

Gene Wilkerson, 81, of Miller, died at 4:46 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, at his home. graveside service to follow at 1 p.m. at the Rock Prairie Cemetery in Halltown. Visitation will be held from 11 to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, at Halltown Baptist Church, in Halltown...

Thomas Wayne Wheeler, 66, of Aurora, died Monday, Feb. 3, at his home. A visitation will be held from 1-2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora, with a funeral service to follow at 2 p.m. Burial will follow at the Marionville IOOF Cemetery in Marionville...

William Edward “Bill” Smith, 88, of Republic, died Saturday, Feb. 1. Funeral services, under the direction of the Williams Funeral Home in Marionville, were held Friday, Feb. 7, at the Calvary Baptist Church in Republic. Burial was at the Marionville IOOF Cemetery...

Roberta “Bobbi” La Jean Morris, 72, of Monett, died at her home on Saturday, Feb. 1. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville.

Antonio Moore-Martinez, 4, of Cassville, died Tuesday, Feb. 4. Visitation will be held from 2-4:00 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, with a moment of prayer at 3 p.m. at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

Elijah Moore, 23, of Washburn, died Tuesday, Feb. 4. Visitation will be held from 2-4:00 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, with a moment of prayer at 3 p.m. at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

Willie Freeman Merritt, 77, of Mt. Vernon, died at 12:40 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at Lawrence County Manor in Mt. Vernon. Visitation will be held from noon to 1:00 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 10, at Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, with a funeral service to follow at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at the Delaware Cemetery at Nixa, Missouri...

John Leslie Hare, 63, of Neosho, died at 10:57 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1, at his son’s home in Mt. Vernon. No services are planned at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon.

Dana Louise Prier, 58, of Monett, Mo., passed from this life on Wednesday morning, February 5, 2020, while at Cox South Hospital with family at her side. Dana was born on March 1, 1961, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Monett, daughter of the late Dan Eugene Easley and Doris Lorayne (Sims) Easley. ...

This week, The Monett Times staff made the annual excursion to the Monett agriculture conferences to keep abreast of developments in that portion of the local economy. I’ve always found these events, along with the bi-county soils and crops conference and the Southwest Research Center’s Field Day, some of the most interesting I attend all year. ...

It was a high school reunion of sorts on Wednesday as Landon Terry, left, Cody Hall, center, and Cameron Terry ran into each other at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl Championship parade.

The doors officially opened Friday for Monett’s newest business, 24 Elite Gym. For the last few weeks, owners Mat Ball and Matt Baumann worked numerous long nights and made a substantial investment in the old Monett skating rink and NAPA store, located at 801 Jerome Lane, next to Coast to Coast...

First-year members of the Purdy FFA chapter attended the annual Greenhand Conference, hosted by the Missouri FFA state officer team, on Jan. 9. At the conference, members split into groups to develop teamwork and leadership skills and to discover the many opportunities FFA has to offer. Members also had the chance to hear a motivational speech from FFA State Vice President Jessica Janorschke...

Monett R-1 Board of Education members received recognition during the annual School Board Recognition Week, held Feb. 9-15, as proclaimed by Missouri Governor Mike Parson and sponsored by the Missouri School Board’s Association.

The Pierce City Senior Center will host a Valentine Dinner on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 104 N. Locust St., The dinner is reservations only due to limited seating and costs $15 per person. The meal includes pork medallions with mushroom sauce, garlic mashed potatoes, roasted glazed carrots, citrus walnut salad, rolls, drinks and dessert. Reservations may be made by calling 476-2265 or 476-5800...

As part of the Reality, Environment and Life Lessons (REALL) simulation for Monett Middle School students, Donna Beckett, at left, chief operating officer at Community National Bank, gave students the experience of visiting a real bank, turning in a paycheck or unemployment check for REALL cash that they could take to the Superstore for goods, or pay utilities or buy travel passes for fun...

Monett-based Jack Henry and Associates (JHA) reported a big second quarter of its fiscal year, seeing revenue increase by 9 percent. The technology financial services company reported total revenue for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2019, increased by 10 percent — 9 percent in total adjusted revenue — over the second quarter of the previous fiscal year, reaching $419.1 million. Operating income increased by 6 percent...

For the 27th year, McDonald’s Restaurants of the Ozarks is hosting the Share a Heart campaign in support of the two Ronald McDonald Houses in Springfield. Red, pink and gold paper hearts may be purchased at a cost of $1, $5 or $20 and will be displayed in the windows of participating restaurants...

Students wanting to fast-track their education to earn an associate degree in nursing will have the opportunity to take part in a non-traditional program that allows them to attend either day or night and weekend classes in Monett. “This is a great opportunity for students who need more flexibility due to family obligations or jobs,” said Dr. Sonya Hayter, vice president of student affairs. “We are excited to come educate your students who want to stay in your community.”...

Dairy producers heard details on new government regulations on farms, how to deal with a labor shortage and making farm improvements using an incentives program during the 51st annual Monett Dairy Day, held Tuesday at the Monett National Guard Armory...

The Monett school board has approved several hirings for the coming school year and expanding the telemedicine program. A letter of retirement was accepted from middle school counselor Marla Cantrell. Resignations were submitted by instructional coach Mandy Mayne, Central Park Elementary counselor Lacey Berry, Central Park teacher April Clark, Monett Intermediate sixth grade teacher Rachael McCabe, and Tammy Michael as a special education paraprofessional at Monett Elementary...