Stories from Monday, November 11, 2024

Retired Missouri National Guard Brigadier General Charles Kruse captivated and inspired the crowd during his Veteran’s Day speech Friday at the Dexter Bearcat Event Center. Kruse said, “You know, sometimes we think heroes are not around us. We think the hero’s come from someplace else... That they don’t come from here. Well, I’ll tell you this, all of these veterans here today are heroes.”...

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in downtown Dexter. The Historic Downtown Dexter Association kicked off the season with a Christmas tree lighting on Sunday night. Several hundred attendees enjoyed Christmas caroling while snacking on cookies provided by Bank of Missouri and Dexter Walmart. An envoy from the Dexter Chamber of Commerce served hot chocolate sponsored by the Bank of Advance...

Larry Dick, son of the late Joe M. Dick and Velma Hawkins Dick, was born Feb. 26, 1939, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and departed this life Nov.9, 2024, in Bernie, Missouri, at the age of 85. A memorial service will be planned at a later date. Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter assisted with arrangements...

Norma James, daughter of the late Dewey Chistian and Mary Wells Meeks Christian, was born Sept. 18, 1944, in Sikeston, Missouri, and departed this life Nov. 10, 2024, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, at the age of 80. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. Funeral services will then be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery...

Joseph Hagy, son of the late Ernest Joseph Hagy and Bonnie Davis, was born Feb. 2, 1971, in Olney, Illinois, and departed this life Nov. 10, 2024, in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 53. A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, at the Dudley Community Center in Dudley, Missouri...

Kimmie Marie Pratt Hendrix was born Jan. 3, 1959 and departed her natural life Nov. 5, 2024. Her celebration of life was held at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Puxico, Missouri at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. Watkins and Sons is handling all arrangements...

Kimmie Marie Pratt Hendrix was born Jan. 3, 1959 and departed her natural life Nov. 5, 2024. Her celebration of life was held at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Puxico, Missouri at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. Watkins and Sons is handling all arrangements...

SIKESTON — Iraqi War Veteran and Combat Engineer Tommy Staggs, a native of Sikeston has dedicated much of his life to service, both in the military and his local community. His journey began in 1980 when he joined the Missouri National Guard inspired by his uncle, Danny Staggs, a Vietnam veteran. Over the next 27 years, Staggs served in various capacities, including tours in Panama, Honduras, Guatemala and Iraq before retiring in 2007...