Stories from Tuesday, December 26, 2006

The Marshall Mid-Day Optimist Club had a special guest during its weekly meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 20. Miss Rodeo Iowa 2006 Erika Harlan of Fairfield, Iowa, visited the group. Harlan was accompanied by her mother, and her aunt, Optimist member Mary Ann Gilpin of Marshall...

From left, Brenda Ryan, Diana Crouch and Doug Crouch serve food at the first Community Christmas Dinner Saturday, Dec. 23. The three were among dozens of volunteers who participated in the event. At one point organizers said they had more volunteers than meals for them to deliver...

Call it a belated Christmas present from Marshall Municipal Utilities to the city's electricity customers: The expected rate increase has been deferred. For now. Administrative Services Director Ken Gieringer said at the Board of Public Works meeting Tuesday, Dec. 26, that the financial situation for MMU's electricity production business remains rather grim, with current estimates suggesting a possible $500,000 negative cash flow for the year...

Community invited to Malta Bend Band send-off The Malta Bend Tiger Band is scheduled for a 7 a.m. launch Wednesday, Dec. 27, for its trip to Memphis, Tenn., to perform at the Liberty Bowl. Band Director Jim Duncan said anyone interested in helping with the send- off could meet about 6:45 a.m. at the Malta Bend School, where the chartered bus will be loading...

Thelma L. Conway, 90, of Liberty, formerly of Marshall, died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006, at the Ashton Court Care Center in Liberty. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2006, at the Mt. Calvary Freewill Baptist Church in Marshall, with Bishop E. ...

Norene Martin, 100, of Slater, died Monday, Dec. 25, 2006, at the Beg Bend Retreat in Slater. Funeral services will be Thursday, Dec. 28, 2006, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church. Rev. Robert Sisney will officiate. Bethany Weiker, organist, will accompany Donald Martin in singing "Precious Lord." Burial will be in the Slater City Cemetery. ...

Rusty Page, 42, of Slater, died Saturday, Dec. 23, 2006, at his home. Funeral arrangement are pending at Weiker Funeral Home in Slater.

Dixie Petty, 59, of Marshall, died Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2006, at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall. Funeral arrangements are pending at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Marshall.

John Arthur Smith, 79 of Independence, died Friday, Dec. 22, 2006, at Monterey Park Nursing Center. Services will be held at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2006, at the South Chrysler Restoration Branch. Visitation will follow until 8:30 p.m. at the church. Cremation is planned. Donations may be made to the Center Place Restoration School. Arrangements are being handled by Speaks Suburban Chapel...

Ella Griffith Widel, beloved mother, age 96, of Blackwater, MO, died Christmas Day, December 25, 2006, at her home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, December 28, 2006, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Marshall. Rev. Randy Shannon and Rev. Norma Marchand will officiate. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Old Lamine Cemetery in Cooper County, MO. Memorials may be made to Howard County Hospice...