Obituary - Wilma Ellen Sullivan

Wilma Ellen Sullivan, formerly of Hume, passed away on Wednesday, December 31st at the Country View Nursing Home in Prescott, KS following a lengthy illness. She was 90. Arrangements are under the direction of Cheney Witt Funeral Chapel. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, January 6th at the West Liberty United Methodist Church with Pastor Tim Mullins and Rhonda Headly officiating. Burial will follow in the Underwood Cemetery near Hume. The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Monday, January 5th at the Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Underwood Cemetery Association, and may be left in care of the Cheney Whitt Chapel.

Wanted Fugitive from Nevada, Missouri captured in Oklahoma

David Perkey

A wanted felony fugitive from Nevada has been captured in Oklahoma. According to Nevada Police Department Officials, 56 year old David Perkey, of Nevada, was taken into custody last Saturday by law enforcement officials in Oklahoma. Officials say, Nevada Police Department Detective Division personnel provided information to local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, which led to Perkey being taken into custody by the Quapaw Tribal Marshals in Ottawa County, Oklahoma. Perkey was wanted for Distribution of Controlled Substance. The warrant was issued by the Circuit Court of Vernon County, stemming from Perkey's involvement in illegal drug distribution, after Nevada Police Department Officers engaged in an undercover operation in early November. Perkey is currently being held in the Ottawa County Jail on a $50,000.00 cash only bond.

Obituary - Mary Beth (Wilt) Carlill

Mary Beth (Wilt) Carlill

Mary Beth (Wilt) Carlill was born October 6, 1964 in Kansas City, Missouri and departed this life on December 6, 2014 in Forks, Washington, in a tragic accident, at the age of 50 years and 2 months. She was the daughter of Nelda “Sue” (Saunsaucie) and Lawrence Kenneth “Larry” Wilt.

Mary Beth spent most of her lifetime in the Cass County area, graduating from Sherwood High School in 1982, where she had been very active in music and drama. She went on to obtain a marketing degree from C.T.U., and later obtained her certification to teach pre-school.

In her younger years, Mary Beth had been a 10 year member of Pleasant Hill Hillbillies 4-H Club and served as a county and state officer. She also was an active member of the Pleasant Hill Community Theater.Mary Beth was member of the First Christian Church of Pleasant Hill.

About 3 months ago, Mary Beth moved to Forks, Washington where she had accepted a teaching position in an area Head Start program. She dearly loved her new job and the Washington area.

Mary Beth is survived by her beloved children, Vyktoria Marie Harris and Jacob Tyler Harris, both of Pleasant Hill, MO; her parents, Sue and Larry Wilt of Archie, MO; one brother Larry Edward Wilt of Cheyenne, Wyoming; one sister, Susan Jo-Lyn Wilt of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; the 6 Chicken Necks as she lovingly called her cousins, other relatives and many, many friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Monday, January 5, 2015 at the Wallace Funeral Home in Pleasant Hill with Rev. Kent Deubner and Rev. J.P. Williams, officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., at the funeral home.

Family suggests contributions to: Mary Beth Wilt Scholarship Fund.

State Rep. Elect Patricia Pike to Continue Legacy of Service Started by Her Husband‏

Patricia Pike

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – When the members of the 98th General Assembly take the oath of office on Wednesday, Jan. 7, state Rep. Elect Patricia Pike will continue the legacy of public service created by her husband, Randy, who tragically passed away in September of 2014. After being appointed by the Republican Committee to run in Randy’s place, Pike won the November general election to serve as the state representative for District 126, which includes Vernon and Bates counties.

Pike said her husband’s dedication to public service and desire to help people inspired her to follow in his footsteps as a state representative.

“Randy's passion for service certainly inspired me and will be forever in my heart. It was always an honor to accompany him to district and state events,” said Pike, who noted that she often read and discussed legislation with her husband as he decided how best to represent the interests of the people of the district.

She added, “Randy served as an elected official for a total of fourteen years, as county commissioner and then state representative, so I have many fond memories of visiting with constituents and attending events with him. It was a wonderful way to become acquainted with our District, and a great experience that has better prepared me to take over his responsibilities.”

Now, as Pike looks to her future as a state representative, she also takes time to reflect on the man who shared her life and put her on this path to public service.

"We had a wonderful love story. We met through a blind date our senior year of high school. It really was a blind date, because right before I opened the front door to meet him, I decided to take off my black, winged 70's glasses. We had a great time, but I am not sure I would have recognized him the next day if I would have met him on the street! I talked my mom into contacts and the rest was history,” Pike said. She added, “We went on to be college sweethearts and were married forty years. We had two great children, interesting careers and a happy life together."

Pike said she knows she has big shoes to fill as she steps into the role her husband occupied for the last two years. He was well-regarded by his colleagues as a conscientious and compassionate individual who worked hard to represent the people of his district. Pike said she hopes to emulate his approach to service, and to use the many lessons he taught her about the legislative process to benefit the people of the 126th district.

"It will be an honor to follow the many fine Representatives who have been elected before me in this position,” Pike said. “I look forward to serving the great citizens of District 126 and representing our western part of Missouri."

Pike and the other members of the 98th General Assembly will take the oath of office in the House Chamber of the Missouri State Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at noon.

Obituary - Frances Beisly

Frances Beisly, formerly of Sheldon and Nevada, passed away on Saturday, December 27th at Heartland of Willow Lane Nursing Home in Butler. She was 90. Arrangements are under the direction of Ferry Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, January 2nd at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Nevada with Father Matthew Benjamin officiating. Interment will be held in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Nevada. A rosary service will be held at 5:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 1st, with visitation following until 7:00 P.M. at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. Those who wish may contribute in her memory to St. Mary's Catholic Church Building Fund, in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

St. Clair County Sheriffs Office: Lowry City man arrested

Brent Thomas

On Dec. 30, Brent Thomas, 41, Lowry City, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant charging him with class C felony of possessing a controlled substance. The warrant was issued on Dec. 29. The charge stems from an incident on Oct. 3 when a search warrant was served at Thomas’ residence on North Lucas Street, Lowry City, in reference to stolen property out of Hickory County.  

During the investigation a chain saw, pole saw, leaf blower, a back pack leaf blower, and weed eater were located and turned over to Hickory County deputies. Methamphetamine and several items of paraphernalia were also located in the residence. Bond is set at $10,000 cash or surety.

St. Clair County Sheriffs Office: Cape Girardeau man arrested

Charles Shipman

On Dec. 30, Charles Shipman, 43, Cape Girardeau, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant for failing to appear in court on a misdemeanor charge of non support. The warrant was issued in June 2009. Shipman is also being held on warrants from Scott County and New Madrid County. Total bond is set at $4,000 cash only.

St. Clair County Sheriffs Office: Warrant Arrest

David Michaels

On Dec. 30, David Michaels, 56, Lowry City, was arrested on a St. Clair County and a Stone County warrant for failing to appear in court on misdemeanor charges of passing bad checks. The St. Clair County warrant was issued on Oct. 21 and stems from an incident on July 14. The Stone County warrant was issued on Dec. 10 and stems from an incident on Feb. 3. Total bond is set at $303.28 cash only.