Stories from Saturday, June 5, 2010

Like many kids Jon Emery could not wait to get out on his own and see the world and in 2008 after spending 17 years in school, 13 in Nevada and four at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he earned a degree in fine arts, he found a way to do just that and make a difference at the same time...

Susan Barrett, executive vice president of Heritage State Bank, has been selected as the Citizen of the Year by the Nevada Rotary Club. Barrett, as all recipients, was selected by past recipients who vote on nominees suggested by the public. Barrett is being recognized for her involvement with Vernon County Cancer Relief, the First Baptist Church and her leadership in the Missouri Bankers Association...

Joseph M. Cathey, 24, of the Nevada -Fort Scott area, made a brief appearance in the Associate Circuit Court of Vernon County on Thursday, June 3 for a pre-trial conference on the charges of murder in the first degree and armed criminal action. Cathey was arrested on May 6, in Bourbon County, Kan. ...

When Makenzie Melton, a third grade student from El Dorado Springs, was chosen as the regional Doodle 4 Google contest winner, she was excited to be making a trip to New York City. As one of 40 contestants still in the running for the top prize, she had no idea she would end up on national TV on the Thursday, May 27 edition of the "Today Show."...

Tommy Calvin Roark Sr., age 63, a resident of Fort Scott, died Thursday, June 3, 2010, at his home. He was born Nov. 13, 1946, in Olean, Mo., the son of Luther Calvin Roark and Lura Ina Robinett Roark. He married Elda May Newman on May 26, 1990, at Fort Scott. Tommy had served with the United States Navy. He had been employed by Key Industries and Extrustions. He graduated from Devry Technical Institute in his mid-50s...

Shirley Jean Thompson, 74, Nevada, passed away on Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at Nevada Medicalodge. She was born October 28, 1935 in Vernon County, Mo., to Alfha Rusk Thompson and Velma Thompson Lightner. Shirley spent her entire lifetime in the Nevada and Joplin, Mo., area...

Mr. and Mrs. James L. Guthrie will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Friday, June 4, 2010, with their children and grandchildren at a dinner at Nevada Country Club. Jim and Shirley were married on June 4, 2010, at the Arcadia Christian Church in Arcadia, Kan. The Guthrie family moved to Nevada, Mo., in 1960, and operated the General Motors Dealership until 2009...

Betty and Bernie Guilfoyle will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on June 11, 2010, with a small family dinner, in Omaha, Neb. The couple's daughters, Karen Guilfoyle and Lisa Shaw, both of Omaha, will host the event. The Guilfoyles were married June 11, 1950, in Mound City, Kan...

M. Nicole Gillard and Jeremy A. Ruddick of Lamar, Mo., announce their engagement. The couple will marry on July 17, 2010, at the Crawford State Lake. The bride-elect is the daughter of Donnis "Little" and Donna Gillard, Girard, Kan., and Steve and Shirley Shoemaker, Liberal, Mo...

Ray and Donna Ryan, Nevada, will celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary June 5, 2010. Ray Ryan and the former Donna Doelling were married June 5, 1955, in Nevada. Ray retired from MoDOT, Survey and Plans, Joplin, Mo., with 36 years of service. Donna retired with 28 years service from Farm & Home Savings/ Mercantile Bank, Nevada...

Brent and Connie Malone of Fort Scott announce the engagement of their daughter, Alyssa Malone, to Matthew Glades, son of Mark and Cheryl Glades of Galena, Kan. Alyssa is a 2005 graduate of Fort Scott High School. After high school, she graduated from Fort Scott Community College and in 2008 graduated from Pittsburg State University with a degree in elementary education. She currently teaches first grade at Lindbergh Elementary in St. Joseph, Mo...

Bob Marshall, Chillicothe, Mo., found a good way to avoid the crowds and still have some great fishing over the Memorial Day Weekend. "I knew the lakes would be crowded, so I decided to hit some of my favorite ponds, but I tried something different this time. I used my flyrod and I'm glad I did," he said...