Stories from Saturday, February 6, 1999

Becky Komorech practiced with small puppets called notes that sing to music. The notes must sing in unison through a black drape during performances, so practice is important. Churches throughout the region are using puppet ministries to deliver God's messages. These enchanting little creatures appeal to all ages and are fast becoming a sought after special program...

There's nothing as lovely as a tree -- unless perhaps a whole bunch of trees planted along a state highway. The Missouri Transportation Department plans to spend $28,801 to plant 180 trees along two stretches of Highway 74 (Shawnee Parkway) in Cape Girardeau. The area extends just over half a mile...

David Limbaugh, left, presented the Rush H. Limbaugh Award to Dennis Marchi, center, with Bart Ozbun, 1999 chairman of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce. Dennis Marchi has been immersed in community projects since he arrived in Cape Girardeau 14 years ago...

From his seat on a bus during a tour of Cape Girardeau, James Lee Witt observed the projects that have earned the city distinction as a disaster-resistant city. Witt said the projects also show that Cape Girardeau knows how to develop partnerships needed to get things done...

Missouri teen-agers are at risk when they get behind the wheel. From 1995 through 1997, more than 380 teens between 15 and 18 died in vehicle crashes on Missouri roads. Another 36,683 teen-agers were injured. Those statistics are alarming to law enforcement authorities, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and AAA Auto Club, because the data suggests that although teen-agers make up fewer than 6 percent of the licensed drivers in the state, they were involved in more than 20 percent of the accidents in 1997.. ...

I've come to realize that my work gets in the way of my life. If only I didn't have to spend roughly 40 hours each week reporting the news, I'd do lots of things differently and carry around a lot less guilt. I'd keep my house clean instead of settling for "straightened," and I'd actually be able to say what that "stuff" in the covered casserole dish sitting in the bottom of my refrigerator is...

IN ANSWER to those born-again oldsters (and youngsters) looking for a church home, come to Maple Avenue United Methodist Church at the corner of Cape Rock Drive and Jean Ann Drive. My husband and I visited this church about five years ago. We have stayed for many reasons. ...

Let's say it up front: It was a nice thing to do. Pope John Paul II's visit to Missouri was a big deal. It marks his only visit to America this year and his first to St. Louis since becoming pope. You can't blame Gov. Mel Carnahan for lending a sympathetic ear when the pope personally asked the state to spare the life of Darrell Mease, a death-row inmate. The pope has been devoutly outspoken on his stance against the death penalty and abortion...

To the editor: Recently I attended Mass at the home parish of my aunt who lives in St. Louis. The homily based on the beatitudes will always cause you to be a little more humble. After communion and just before closing, the priest made a plea to the congregation. ...

PUXICO -- Visitors to Mingo National Wildlife Refuge can learn about eagles and then view them in the wild during this weekend's Eagle Days. "Folks who want to see a live eagle and have a chance to get close to an eagle may want to come down," said Rod Hansen, assistant manager of Mingo National Wildlife Refuge...

The Community Caring Council will hold its 10th annual Caring Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at Holiday Inn Convention Center. Keynote speaker will be author, radio and television talent and corporate trainer Mary Kay Mueller. Her theme, "Tools for Transition," will provide participants with tools to help maximize potential, relieve stress and create balance in their daily lives...

Slowing down a talented backcourt tonight will likely hold the key as to whether Southeast Missouri State University's basketball Indians wrap up a perfect homestand. Tennessee Tech has one of the more talented guard tandems in the Ohio Valley Conference and those junior-college transfers will be on display when the Eagles and Indians square off in a 7:30 p.m. game at the Show Me Center...

One first-place Ohio Valley Conference showdown behind them -- and another one on the horizon for Southeast Missouri State University's basketball Otahkians. The Otahkians, who moved into first place in the OVC by virtue of Thursday's 76-73 win over Middle Tennessee State, need another victory tonight to remain at the top of the 10-team league...

There's no question that most wrestlers bear a raw toughness, a proud mental state which disallows fear and doubt to penetrate their skulls. They struggle to ignore their own pain and consider it an inconvenience rather than an obstacle. They only worry about their dripping blood when the official pauses the match...

MARBLE HILL -- Notre Dame held off a late run by Woodland Friday night and won its third straight game 67-61. In an otherwise tight game, Notre Dame outscored the suddenly cold Cardinals 15-8 in the third quarter and took a 53-42 lead into the final eight-minute period...

Southeast Missouri State University will begin selling tickets Monday at Houck Field House ticket office for the school' first-round games in the upcoming OVC Tournament. The men are guaranteed a home game on Feb. 23 as they will finish at least in second place. The women are currently in first, but must finish in the top four to host a game that same night...

Son to John Kenneth and Paula Jean Dohogne of Oran, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 11:48 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, 1999. Name, John Samuel. Weight, 8 pounds 2 ounces. Mrs. Dohogne is the former Paula Neal, daughter of Paul and Jean Neal of Oran. She is a compliance analyst at Health Services Corp. of America. Dohogne is the son of John and Marilyn Dohogne Jr. of Chaffee. He is a wallpaper handler with Duncan Painting and Wallcovering...

KARNAK, Ill. -- Funeral for Hubert D. Wood of Karnak will be held at 2 p.m. today at Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak. The Rev. Kenneth Capps will officiate, with burial in Anderson Cemetery at Boaz. Wood, 76, died Wednesday, Feb. 3, 1999, at his home...

ORAN -- Albert Adam Schram, 85, of Oran died Friday, Feb. 5, 1999, at Heartland Care and Rehab Center. He was born Sept. 27, 1913, at Oran, son of Louis and Francis Blattel Schram. He and Clara T. Ziegler were married Nov. 23, 1937, at Kelso. She died Nov. 19, 1998...

Robert Lee Hileman, 73, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Feb. 5, 1999, at St. Francis Medical Center. He was born June 22, 1925, in East Cape Girardeau, Ill., son of Carl and Erna Masterson Hileman. He and Doris Austin were married Aug. 9, 1990, in San Diego, Calif...

PUXICO -- Funeral for Ferral C. Evans of Puxico will be held at 10 a.m. today at Watkins and Sons Funeral Chapel in Puxico. The Rev. Carol Bailey will officiate. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery near Puxico. Evans, 87, died Thursday, Feb. 4, 1999, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau...

Irene Grace Gilliland, 93, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Feb. 5, 1999, at the Lutheran Home. Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

VIENNA, Ill. -- Bertha Mae Altenberger, 82, of Vienna died Thursday, Feb. 4, 1999, at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah, Ky. Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak is in charge of arrangements.

DONGOLA, Ill. -- Wayne Parr, 81, of Dongola died Friday, Feb. 5, 1999, at Union County Hospital in Anna. Crain Funeral Home in Dongola is in charge of arrangements.

HAYTI -- Four people were killed in two separate accidents near Hayti Thursday night and Friday afternoon. The first accident occurred at 9:45 p.m. Thursday on U.S. 412 eight miles west of Hayti. Killed was Bruce Parkinson, 42, of Caruthersville. Sustaining serious injuries were Ronnie McThomas, 29, of Hayti and his passenger, Georgetta Wells, 42, also of Hayti. They were taken to Pemiscot County Memorial Hospital in Hayti...

SIKESTON -- Jesse Brown Jr., 49, of Sikeston died Tuesday, Feb. 2, 1999, at the Veterans Hospital in Detroit, Mich. He was born Nov. 22, 1949, in Wyatt, son of Jesse and Florence Crenshaw Brown Sr. He and Everlean Gipson were married Aug. 28, 1972. Brown attended Lincoln High School. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star...

Rosina M. Koetting died Wednesday, Feb. 4, 1999 at Chateau Girardeau. She was 94. She was born on June 21, 1904 in Ste. Genevieve, Mo., the daughter of John and Clara (Pautler) Koetting. She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers Leo Koetting, Otto Koetting, Felix Koetting, Edwin Koetting and Clarence Koetting, and by three sisters Laura Koetting, Anna Koetting and Sister Gertrude Koetting. She is survived by 3 nieces, 8 nephews, and 61 great nieces and nephews...

Ronald Gene Lynn of Saginaw, Mich. and formerly of Cape Girardeau, passed away on Friday, Feb. 5, 1999 at Covenant-Cooper Hospital in Saginaw, Mich. He was 61. He was born Aug. 23, 1937, at Fornfelt, Mo., the son of Wesley and Mabel (Hager) Lynn. He was married to Karen Leslie Klemm for 22 years...

MARBLE HILL -- Sam J. LeDonne, 69, of Marble Hill died Friday, Feb. 5, 1999, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Oct. 5, 1929, in Chicago, the son of Amico and Donna Mannella LeDonne. He married Agnes L. Lucchesi on May 27, 1973. She survives in Marble Hill...

ORAN -- Funeral for Justine T. Melton of Oran will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City. The Rev. David Thompson will officiate, with burial in Oakdale Cemetery at Commerce. Friends may call at the chapel from 4-8 p.m. today...

Dental professionals will kick off Dental Health Month by operating a booth from 1-3 p.m. today at West Park Mall. General dentists and orthodontists will answer questions. Toothbrushes will be handed out along with apples, the preferred alternative to decay-causing candy...