BIRTHS

Keene

Son to William Gerry Keene III and Dr. Jayne F. Scherrman of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 5:58 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, 1997. Name, William Gerry IV. Weight, 8 pounds 7 ounces. First child. Dr. Scherrman is a pediatric dentist. She is the daughter of Patrick and Betty Anne Scherrman of Dyersville, Iowa. Keene is the son of Rosemary Keene of Marblehead, Mass., and William G. Keene II of Silver Spring, Md. He is a certified financial planner with First Financial Planners.

Welty

Son to William Christopher "Willy" Welty and Marsha Marie Cockrell of Bloomfield, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 5:44 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, 1997. Name, William Dakota. Weight, 5 pounds 12 ounces. Second child, first son. Ms. Cockrell is the daughter of Marie Cockrell of Malden and David Cockrell of Puxico. Welty is the son of Kenneth and Janet Welty of Brownwood. He is employed at Town and Country.

Von Kessel

Twin sons to Bill and Janna Von Kessel of Nashville, Tenn., Summit Hospital in Hermitage, Tenn., Thursday, Aug. 21, 1997. Carter William was born at 12:47 a.m. and weighed 5 pounds 5 ounces. Spencer David was born at 12:48 a.m. and weighed 5 pounds 7 ounces. First children. Mrs. Von Kessel is the former Janna Foust, daughter of the Rev. Jerry and Patsy Foust of Nashville. She is a regional visual with Peebles Department Store. Von Kessel is the son of the late Karl and Ekkie Von Kessel of Chaffee. He is branch manager at Xtra Lease.

Brandon

Daughter to Richard Stephen and Tonya Mae Brandon, 820 S. Sprigg, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 1:08 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, 1997. Name, Brittany Michelle. Weight, 7 pounds 3 ounces. Mrs. Brandon is the former Tonya Garrett, daughter of Mike Garrett and Faye Garrett of Cape Girardeau. Brandon is the son of Earlene Sloan of Troy and William Brandon of Piggott, Ark. He is a cashier at Wal-Mart.

Nelson

Son to William D. and Kelly L. Nelson of Jackson, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 4:29 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, 1997. Name, Justin Christopher. Weight, 7 pounds 15 ounces. Second son. Mrs. Nelson is the former Kelly Settle, daughter of Ron and Betty Settle of St. Charles. She is a registered nurse at Southeast Hospital. Nelson is the son of Keith Nelson of Virginia, Minn., and Jane Bartlett of Cincinnati, Ohio.