Stories from Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Martha "LaVonne" Grant, 81, of Springfield, Mo., passed away Jan. 26, 2013, at Maplewood Alzheimer's Care Unit in Springfield. She was born May 14, 1931, in Diamond Spring, Clinton County, Ill., the daughter of Walter and Elizabeth (Lucas) Leicht. On Jan. ...

Rhea Arlene (Allen) Smith, 69, of Osceola, Mo., was born June 27, 1943, and went home to be with the Lord on Jan. 26, 2013. She was born in Yates City, Ill., and grew up mainly in El Dorado Springs, Mo., where she graduated high school. Rhea was married to Glen Smith May 15, 1968. To this union she brought a son, Randy, from a previous marriage and added Nancy and Jim to the family...

Jerry Paul Sparks, 75, of Frontenac, passed away Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013, at the Via Christi Village in Pittsburg. He was born June 26, 1937, the son of Fannin Franklin and Willis Irene (Harden) Sparks at Sand Springs, Okla. He graduated from Connors Community College. He then received his bachelor's of science and master's degree in counseling from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla. Later, he received his specialist degree in school administration from Pittsburg State University...

Joe Donald Page, 88, of Butler, passed away Jan. 28, 2013, at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler. Joe was born Aug. 2, 1924, in Appleton City, Mo. He graduated from Nevada High School in 1942. Upon graduation, Joe moved back to the family's farm. He has lived in Butler from 1954 until his death...

A private family service and private interment will be held for longtime Willamina resident Carol Heckadon. She was born July 18, 1931, in Nevada, Mo., daughter of Samuel Mansfield and Helen Gertrude (Rabon) Cox. Mrs. Heckadon moved to Oregon in 1956. She and Charles Heckadon married May 22, 1956, in Willamina. Mr. Heckadon passed away April 12, 2004...

Shirley (Heckadon) Roberts, 84, Rich Hill, Mo., died Jan. 24, 2013. A celebration of life memorial service will be Feb. 2, at 10 a.m., at the Rich Hill Methodist Church with burial in the Greenlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends Feb. 1 from 6-7 p.m., at the Heuser Funeral Home, Rich Hill...

Nevada Daily Mail Motorists' inattention, followed closely by speeding and impairment stemming from the use of alcohol or narcotics, have been the principal causes of 380 traffic fatalities during the past three years and 28 days in the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Troop D Region, including Vernon County...

Nevada Daily Mail The Vernon County Extension Council elections opened Jan 28 and will run through Feb. 6. The county extension council works with the Extension staff members in planning and making recommendations for educational programs. The Vernon County council is composed of 20 members, 16 elected and two appointed. ...

Ralph Pokorny/Daily Mail Work proceeds on the Ella Maxwell Center for the Performing Arts, left, and the multi-purpose building at Nevada High School, right. The performing arts center is expected to be completed around the start of the 2014-'15 school year and the multi-purpose building, should be finished before school starts. ...

School security has been a significant concern for school administrations around country for several years and in the wake of the Dec. 14 rampage where Adam Lanza fatally shot 20 children and six adult staff members at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, it has risen even higher...