Stories from Friday, December 30, 2011

Charley Wales, 88, of Nevada, Mo., went to walk hand-in-hand with the Lord on his journey to Heaven on Dec. 27, 2011, in Nevada, following a battle with asbestos related lung cancer that he acquired while working in the heating and air conditioning business...

Homer J. Stone, 87, Springfield, passed away Dec. 19, 2011, in the Missouri Veterans Home, Mt. Vernon, where he received dedicated, compassionate care for more than four years. He was surrounded by his family; Jean, loving wife of 63 years; daughters, Dayna Vantonder and Barbara and Larry Hull; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren...

Naomi Mae Wilkerson, 91, Nevada, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, at Barone Alzheimer's Care Center in Nevada. She was born May 17, 1920, in Arthur, Mo., to Earl Wilson Sr. and Emma Marie Vogt Wilson. She married Fred Wilkerson and he preceded her in death...

The Missouri Department of Transportation has announced that there will be one southbound lane and one northbound lane of U.S. 71 Highway closed today due to bridge work. The bridge is located just south of Nevada, where the highway goes over the Missouri Northern Arkansas Railroad, according to MoDOT. Motorists should exercise caution while traveling through this area...

In 2011 the community struggled with a slumping economy, but fun and tradition also took its place this year. A look back at the trials and triumphs of 2011 continues today.

Annual event kicks off Girl Scout cookie sales in Vernon County.

Editor's note: This story is part of the Daily Mail's continuing series on the namings of area towns and cities. DEERFIELD -- One of the more historic places in history-steeped Vernon County, post-Civil War Deerfield had the matter-of-fact name of Jug Town, owing to the booming pottery plant owned by David Redfield, son of founder Abram Redfield...