Stories from Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Rumors have been circulating over the past couple of weeks about the arrival date for COVID-19 economic stimulus payments. Those who work with the IRS on a regular basis, such as tax accountants and tax attorneys, hadn’t heard a word about when to expect stimulus payments when asked lasr week...

The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting everyone in some way or another. Funeral homes are not immune to those changes. Visitations and public funerals have been canceled at multiple funeral homes in Stoddard County. Greg Mathis, who owns Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter and Bernie with his wife Lisa, was among the first in the area to take proactive measures to protect visitors to his facilities...

KENNETT — Those who knew Steve Sharp describe him as a mentor and a decisive judge, who always listened to all parties before quietly making his decisions. The longest serving presiding circuit judge for the 35th Judicial Circuit prior to his 2012 retirement, Sharp died Saturday at a Memphis, Tennessee, hospital. He was 75...

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson ordered all public and charter schools to remain closed for the remainder of the school year Thursday afternoon. His order does not include the nutrition and child care outlined in the Stay Home Missouri order the governor issued last week...

“I was raised on the farm,” observes a smiling Jennifer Davis McMeans, “and I’ve always helped on the farm. Fourteen years ago I made the decision to leave my full-time job and make the farm my career.” McMeans joined her father John Davis in the day-to-day operation of their 3500-acre farming business. Ten years ago her husband Oliver became part of the team...

Stoddard County Warranty Deeds County Recorder Kay Asbell March 30-April 3 • Bryon D. Grossius and Trinity J. Pullam to Michael J. Sammarco Trust and Marilyn A. Sammarco Trust. Coffey Second Addition Dexter Lots 20-21. • Blanchie Minton, Kenneth Lee Minton, Cecillia Paulette Kennedy, Ricky Paul Kennedy and Judy Costin to Austin Burnett. McNew Addition Bernie Lot 4...

Ronnie D. Sells, son of the late Wesley Sells and Norma Welchel, was born on August 25, 1945 in Corning, Arkansas and joined his heavenly Father on Good Friday April 10, 2020. He died at Barnes-Jewish hospital in St. Louis, MO at the age of 74. Ron was united in marriage to the love of his life, Peggy J. Carlson, on May 13, 1966 in Belleville, IL. Mrs. Sells survives of their home in Dexter...

Rhonda Jean McCoy, daughter of the late Sam True and Onia Faye Smith True, was born on November 6, 1966 in Lewisville, Arkansas and departed this life on April 7, 2020 at her residence in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 53 years. Funeral services were conducted at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Friday, April 10, 2020. Interment followed in the Hagy Cemetery...

Don Alan King, son of the late William Gale King and Hazel Leonna Phelps King, was born on August 22, 1942 in Bell City, Missouri and departed this life on April 9, 2020 at his residence in Dexter at the age of 77 years. A memorial service will be planned for a later date...

Caryl Deane Clippard, daughter of the late Ray and Anza (Ann) Henderson joined her heavenly father on Thursday, April 9, 2020. Caryl was born on December 5, 1932 in Parma, Missouri. Graveside services were conducted at Dexter Cemetery on Monday, April 13, 2020...

Verla Jean White, daughter of the late Oliver White and Mary Edith Garner White, was born on October 12, 1936 in Sugar Tree, Missouri and departed this life on April 10, 2020 at Dexter Living Center in Dexter at the age of 83 years. Graveside services were conducted at Old Bethel Cemetery on Saturday, April 11, 2020...

Mark Edward Jackson, son of the late Gerald Jackson and Wanda Woolard Jackson, was born on November 10, 1960 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri and departed this life on April 9, 2020 at Southeast Health of Stoddard County at the age of 59 years. Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements...

Theetta Maxine Cokley, daughter of the late Orlie Owens and Esley Stephens Owens, was born on December 23, 1933 in Powe, Missouri and departed this life on April 11, 2020 at Southeast Health in Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 86 years. Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie is in charge of all arrangements...

Randall Keith Coleman, son of Dorothy McCormick Coleman and the late Alfred Coleman, was born on November 29, 1962 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri and departed this life on April 6, 2020 at Southeast Health of Cape Girardeau at the age of 57 years. Mr. Coleman was a line operator for Faurecia in Dexter and a resident of Dexter...

The Butler County Health Department had added an additional positive COVID-19 result Tuesday afternoon. According to the BCHD, 18 people in Butler County have now tested positive for the coronavirus. There were also two positive tests during Easter weekend for 17 total as of Monday...