Stories from Saturday, June 6, 2009

Norma Jean Wilson Broome, 78, Nevada, died June 4, 2009, at Christian Health Care in Nevada following a lengthy illness. She was born April 20, 1931, in Pittsburg, Kan., to Carl Alan Wilson and Jennie Van Brabant Wilson. Norma attended grade school in Pittsburg, Kan., and graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1949. ...

Michael H. Burris, 44, of Jefferson City, Mo., died on Thursday, June 4, 2009, at his home surrounded by his family. Michael was born on Nov. 23, 1964, in Cameron, Mo., the son of Ronald Burris and Connie Cahalin. His father and stepmother, Phyllis Burris, survive in Martinsdale, Mont., and his mother and stepfather, Mike Cahalin, survive in Holt's Summit, Mo. He was married on Nov. 24, 2003, in San Diego, Calif., to Nancy E. Uribe, who survives of the home...

Marion Cecil Briscoe, age 69, of Rich Hill, Mo., died Monday, June 1, 2009, at St. Joseph Health Center in Kansas City, Mo. He was born March 2, 1940, to Charley and Ethel Prudence Blevins Briscoe in Foster, Mo. Marion is survived by his wife, Kay Briscoe of Rich Hill; two sons, Scott Briscoe and wife Rebecca of Springfield, Mo., and Thomas Briscoe and wife Shelley, of Sheldon; his father, Charley Briscoe of Rich Hill; two brothers, Clyde Briscoe of Rich Hill, and Mark Briscoe of Riley, Kan.; a sister-in-law, Marilyn Logan and husband Hugh of Sheldon, Mo.; two aunts, Ora Briscoe and Betty Briscoe both of Selah, Washington; six grandchildren, Nathan Briscoe, Thomara Briscoe, Mya Briscoe, Tina Middleton, Kurt Redman and Brandi Denney; and nephews, nieces and cousins. ...

Virginia Marie Townsley, 89, of Former resident of Fort Scott, and more recently of Modesto, Calif., died Sunday, May 31, 2009, at the Memorial Hospital, in Modesto. The Rev. Joel Dunn will conduct funeral services at 1:30 p.m., Friday, June 12, 2009, at the Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow in the Bronson Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Cheney Witt Meorial Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott. Words of sympathy may be e-mailed to the family a condolences@cheneywitt.com...

After watching trout anglers at Bennett Spring recently, Harry Pearson, Buffalo, remarked that he wished he could handle a flyrod like many of the trout anglers were doing. Pearson watched a fly fisherman, standing knee high in waders as the sun brightened the area. The angler gently lifted a flyrod toward the sky and began the graceful casting of a fly line...

NEVADA, Mo. -- The Nevada Griffons got back into action Friday night after a much-needed day off, hosting the Mac-N-Seitz Athletics. The Griffons came into the contest hoping that day of much-needed rest would give them the practice and recuperation time they needed to stay on the winning track. By the time the night was over, the Griffons had given one of their best performances of the year, taking the game by a final score of 11-4...

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Portwood, Garland, Kan., and Mr. and Mrs. Michael Thompson, of Alma, Ga., announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their children, Elizabeth Marie Portwood and James Michael Thompson. The bride-elect is a 2001 graduate of Fort Scott High School and a 2005 graduate of Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan., where she holds a Bachelor of Science in Education in Social Studies. ...

Ronald and Delphine Parks, Fort Scott, and Steven and Susan Payne, Springdale, Ariz., announce the engagement of their children, Hilery Parks and Logan Payne. The bride-elect is a 2005 graduate of Fort Scott High School, a 2006 graduate of Fort Scott Community College and a 2008 graduate of Pittsburg State University with a major in fashion merchandising. She is currently employed as a substitute teacher and as an associate for Merl Humphrey Photography, Fort Scott...

Don and Rachel Park and Joe Neden, all of Fort Scott, and Chuck and Kristy Holmes, Fort Scott, and Mack Probasco, Pleasanton, announce the engagement and upcoming wedding of their children, Kyla Neden and Logan Probasco. Kyla is a 2006 graduate of Fort Scott High School and a 2008 graduate of the Fort Scott Community College nursing program. She is currently employed by Mercy Health Center in Fort Scott as a registered nurse. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Neden, Forsyth, Mo...

George and Susan Erny, Mapleton, Kan., announce the engagement of their daughter, Kalisa Erny, to Byron Newton, son of Ms. Lori Janssen, Little Rock, Ark. The bride to be is a 2005 graduate of Uniontown High School and a 2009 graduate of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville...

Announcement is made of the engagement and approaching marriage of Heather Schmalz and Andrew Mace. The couple will be married on July 14, 2009, at the Circle S Ranch Bed and Breakfast, in Lawrence, Kan. The bride-elect is the daughter of John and Pam Walters and Mike and Ronda Schmalz. The prospective-groom is the son of Linda Bricker, Mark Henry, and Mike and Tommi Mace...

Jeff and Debbie Barringer, of Carl Junction, announce the engagement of their daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Barringer, Joplin, to Douglas Roy Yokley, Joplin, son of Roy and Kathy Yokley, of Bronaugh. Sarah is a graduate of Carl Junction High School, Ozark Christian College and Missouri Southern State University. She is employed as a registered nurse at St. John's Regional Medical Center, Joplin...

Robert P. "Pete" Piotrowski and Lula Mae Groner were married at St. Francis Catholic Church, June 6, 1959, and are observing their 50th wedding anniversary today. The Piotrowskis have made their home and reared their children in Fort Scott, Kan. In celebration of the occasion, the couple were treated to a chicken dinner by their children and grandchildren...

Faye and Lynn Frisbie, of Hawkinsville, Ga., celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a reception hosted by their children on May 30, 2009, in Hawkinsville. Lynn and the former Faye Moser were married May 31, 1959, in Pittsburg, Kan. The couple are the parents of two children and three grandchildren...

Jon and Mariann (Vaughn) Midkiff were married June 7, 1959, at the First Church of God in Fort Scott. The Rev. Westey Fornwalt performed the ceremony and Mrs. Fornwalt played the piano. The Midkiffs, who will observe their 50th wedding anniversary on Sunday, have lived in or around Fort Scott all of their married lives...

Kenneth and Carol Phillips Sneed, of Sheldon, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Sunday, May 31, 2009, with a family dinner at the home of her sister, Eva Robb. The Sneeds were married at Port Chicago, Calif., lived in California a few years, before moving to Missouri to farm...

Larry and Mary Fowler, Sheldon, Mo., will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary June 26, 2009. Larry and Mary were married on June 26, 1959, in Carthage, Mo., at the First Christian Church by Forrest G. Bailey. The Fowlers are the parents of Terry and wife Tami, Olathe, Kan., Larry and wife DaLynne, Nevada, Perry and wife Kelly, Sheldon, Mo., Sherry Regers, Hume, Mo., and Mary Jane McHenry and husband Larry, Nevada. They have 16 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren...

FORT SCOTT -- Area women who attend a Mercy Health Center-sponsored event on Thursday will receive an added bonus. During the Spirit of Women program titled "How to Wear Your Genes" scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at the Liberty Theater, 113 S. Main St., attendees will be able to participate in two free medical screenings; a diabetes risk test and a timed "Get Up and Go" assessment. ...

RICHARDS, Mo. -- The Rinehart Christian Church of Richards has been building faith in the youth of Vernon County with a very constructive approach to the subject of Vacation Bible School. Vacation Bible School director Nathan Forkner has garnered the support and assistance of dozens of the congregation's adults and young adults as well as county residents to design and create a Vacation Bible School atmosphere unlike any other...

FORT SCOTT -- Bourbon County Relay for Life organizers are preparing for their biggest event of the year -- the all-night relay walk that takes place in about two weeks. Team members dressed in attire representing past Relay themes plan to participate in the organization's all-night "Retro Relay" event, which is scheduled to take place from 6 p.m. ...