Stories from Friday, July 3, 2015

By DAVID SILVERBERG Associate Editor No same-sex couples have been issued a marriage license in the eight area counties, but two women are making plans to be married by a Butler County judge Monday. "I will have my first one Monday morning. We had to have our software updated," said Butler County Recorder of Deeds Debby Lundstrom. "Two women have contacted Judge John Bloodworth about getting married Monday."...

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH Associate Editor A group of "stakeholders" are discussing ways to make future events held at Brick's Off Road Park safer and less problematic. Part of the mission of the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce is tourism for the "greater Poplar Bluff area," according to a synopsis provided by the chamber of a meeting held earlier this week regarding the park...

Kenny Helton Kenny Helton, 66, of Poplar Bluff, died Thursday, July 2, 2015, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. The arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

It's just about blackberry pickin' time. I always remember that blackberries ripen around the first of July. Experts say to pick blackberries in the morning because they will keep longer and be sweeter. So don't forget the insect spray, long sleeve shirt, floppy hat, long pants, sunscreen, and have a great time. Blackberries are delicious!...

Local market needs sellers I was at the Farmers' Market on Saturday the first time this season. I was very disappointed to see so few people there. I was also thinking that last year this time there was a lot of newspaper coverage and I'm hoping that someone there will take the initiative and put out some coverage on this Farmers' Market so that more sellers will show up and more of us who could use that service will show up, too. Thank you...

Dorothy Gamble DEXTER, Mo.--Dorothy Juanita Manley Bloomfield-Gamble, 84, of Farmington, died Wednesday, July 1, 2015. Visitation will be from 12:30-2 p.m., Thursday, July 2, at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m., Thursday, in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with Rev. Art Menard officiating...

Mike Pender DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Michael "Mike" Dwaine Pender, 60, of Doniphan, died Tuesday, June 30, 2015, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. The visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan.

John Quincy Davis PUXICO, Mo. -- John Quincy Davis of California, died Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015, at Dell Highs, Calif. There will be a memorial service at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Morgan-Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico.

Deloma Calvert Deloma Calvert, 87, of Poplar Bluff, died Thursday, July 2, 2015, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. The arrangements are pending and will be announced by Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Dennis McGinley GIDEON, Mo. -- Dennis Earnest McGinley, 90, of Gideon, died Wednesday, July 1, 2015, at his residence. The visitation will be at 6 p.m. Monday at the Bradshaw Funeral Home in Gideon. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in the Stanfield Cemetery in Clarkton with military rites...

Willie Junior Allen MALDEN, Mo.--Willie Junior Allen, 75, of Malden, died Monday, June 29, 2015 at John J. Pershing VA Hospital in Poplar Bluff. Graveside funeral will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield with burial with military rites in Missouri Veterans Cemetery...

Dr. Eugene T. Hansbrough Dr. Eugene T. Hansbrough, 90, a prominent Poplar Bluff medical doctor and surgeon died Monday, June 29, 2015, at his residence. Dr. Hansbrough, son of the late Hilton A. and Della A. (Tice) Hansbrough, was born Feb. 24, 1925, in Sharon, Tenn. ...

Lorie Ann Dock (Davis) Lorie Ann Dock (Davis), 53, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Tuesday, June 30, 2015. She was born Nov. 10, 1961 in St. Louis to Floyd A. Davis and Mary Ann (Wolsyk) Davis.  Both preceded her in death. She enjoyed coloring, puzzles, the tablet and laptop, cards and spending time with family...