Stories from Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Dennis Leroy McKenzie, 70, of Nevada, Mo., passed away Sept. 18, 2015, at the Olathe Medical Center, in Olathe, Kan. He was born July 16, 1945, in Nevada, the son of Cecil Claude and Mabel Ruth (Shields) McKenzie. On March 20, 1970, he was united in marriage to Susan Diane (Friend) McKenzie and she survives of the home...

Wilma Lathrop, 82, of Sheldon, Mo., passed away Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015, at Truman Healthcare Center, after a brief illness. She was born July 15, 1933, in Spruce, Mo., to the late Lola Evans Dickerson and Paul Vermillion Dickerson. She attended school in Butler, Mo. She married Glen Gilbert Slates in 1950 and to this union, three children were born: Glenna, Carla and Roy. She was widowed in 1956...

Etta Frances McGinnis, 97, of Nevada, passed away on Friday, Sept. 18, 2015, at Moore-Few Care Center, in Nevada. Etta was born on Sept. 16, 1918, in Walker, Mo., to Earnest J. and Florence (McGee) Vaughan. On Jan. 30, 1937, she was united in marriage to James W. McGinnis and he preceded her in death in 1993...

Diedra Balk Second grade teacher What inspired you to become an educator/teacher? I have always wanted to help other people. I also try to push myself to become a better person every day and hope that I can encourage others to do the same. What moment in education has been most memorable?...

Dr. Susan Komives is the first speaker in the 2015-16 Distinguished Speaker Series sponsored by Cottey College's Serenbetz Institute for Women's Leadership, Social Responsibility, and Global Awareness. She will speak on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m. in the Missouri Recital Hall inside the Haidee and Allen Wild Center for the Arts. Her topic is "Letter FROM my Former Self: Life Lessons that Informed My Leadership Perspectives." A reception will follow the address...

Melody McDannald English teacher What inspired you to become an educator/teacher? My high school English teacher was an inspiration to me, because she always went above and beyond what was expected of her. She let her students know she cared about them, and I hope that I can do the same for my students...