RIP George Jones, 1931-2013

Wapella.com Mourns the Passing of Bill Leggett

Dale W. “Bill” Leggett, 86, Clinton, died at 8:05 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 22, 2012) at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington.

His service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Maroa Christian Church, Maroa. J. Kent Hickerson and Jeff Brunsman will officiate. Interment will be at Mausoleum Park Cemetery, Clinton, with military honors. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the Maroa Christian Church, Maroa. The family has entrusted Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, with arrangements. Memorials may be sent to Maroa Christian Church.

 He was born on Oct. 29, 1925, in Wapella, son of Glenn Leggett and Fern Shannon Leggett. He married Cleo Ruth Perry on Oct. 18, 1947, at Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.

Survivors include his wife, Cleo R. Leggett, Clinton; his children, Trudy Fern (Larry) Hinkle, Danville; Verneil Dale (Lori) Leggett, Maroa; Darren Kent (Belinda) Leggett, Clinton; eight grandchildren and brother, Norman Eugene (Ruth) Leggett, Plainfield. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother. He was a member of the Maroa Christian Church for 53 years.

He was in the U.S. Army. He was a member of the American Legion 103, Clinton, DeWitt County Farm Bureau and the Weldon Springs Foundation. He farmed for 46 years.  He was a fine neighbor, friend and cousin to many people in the Village of Wapella.

All flags 1/2 Mast please for US Army Veteran, Bill Leggett.

Wapella.com Mourns the Passing of John Holland

John W. Holland, 79, of Clinton died at 7:30 a.m. Saturday (Sept. 22, 2012) at his family residence in Clinton.

His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, with military honors. J. Kent Hickerson will officiate. There will be no visitation. Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be sent to Carle Hospice or the American Cancer Society. 

He was born Oct. 24, 1932, in Wapella, the son of Paul P. and Martha Jane Collins Holland. He married Mary M. Morris on April 26, 1977, in Clinton. She survives in Clinton. Also surviving are his children, David Holland, Wapella; Elizabeth (Rick) Lord, Clinton; and Cheryl (Larry) Rich, Weldon; stepchildren, Patty (Dennis) Rich, McLean; Ricky Ritter, Wapella; Rusty Ritter, Clinton; and Roger (Charlotte) Ritter, Clinton; siblings, Ronald (Joyce) Holland, Maroa; Betty (Bill) Ellis, Clinton; Kathy (Vernon) Meadows, Wapella; Bev (Charlie) Kraft, Chattanooga, Tenn.; and Ralph Holland, Heyworth; 15 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one grandson. 

He served in the U.S. Army. He owned and operated Holland Brothers Plumbing, Wapella, for many years. He had his pilot license and enjoyed flying. He also enjoyed fishing and mushroom hunting. John Holland was a great businessman, neighbor and friend.  He will be sadly missed by the Village of Wapella.

All flags 1/2 mast please for US Army Veteran, John Holland.

Polishing Wapella

Wapella is looking good!  Hat Tip Brad Karr

Wapella.com Mourns the Passing of Calvin Karr

Calvin B. Karr, 84, Clinton, died at 9:27 a.m. Saturday (June 16, 2012) at Memorial Medical Center, Springfield. His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at First Christian Church, Clinton. J. Kent Hickerson will officiate. Interment will be at Long Point Cemetery, Wapella, with Military Honors. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton. Memorials may be made to First Christian Church, Clinton.

He was born Dec. 8, 1927, in Wapella, son of Frank Karr and Dottie Rose Muirhead Karr. He married Donelda “Donnie” Haycraft on Oct. 20, 1951, in Wapella. He is survived by his wife, Donelda “Donnie” Karr, Clinton; daughters, Tami (Bob) Ballenger, Clinton; Darla (David) Nelson, Clinton; and Shelly (Brad) Kemp, Bloomington; eight grandchildren, Destini (Jeremy) Benesh, Oregon; Staci Ballenger, Clinton; Kortni Sisco, Tampa, Fla.; Darah Nelson, Chatham; Kyle Sisco, a Marine currently serving in Afghanistan; Chad Ballenger, Clinton; Sarah Kemp, Bloomington; and Katie Kemp, Bloomington; four great-grandchildren, Mackena Spurling, Jacob Hubble, Nelson and Carson Benesh; brother, Tom Karr, Concord, N.C.; and sister, Nola Karr, Clinton.

He was preceded in death by his parents, eight brothers, one sister and one son-in-law. He was a member of First Christian Church, Clinton.

He is an Army veteran and was stationed in Colorado. Calvin was the 11th of 12 children. He graduated from Wapella High School in 1945. He farmed for a number of years before becoming employed by Caterpillar where he retired after 30 years of service. He was a member of the Eagles Lodge and the American Legion.

Half mast flag for Calvin Carr, US Army.

Wapella.com Mourns the Passing of Dolores Burns

Dolores Marilyn Burns, 77, Bloomington, died at 1:30 a.m. Friday (July 6, 2012) at Heartland Healthcare, Normal. Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Holy Trinity Church, Bloomington, with Monsignor Douglas Hennessy officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Wapella. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Church or Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, 2211 N. Oak Park Ave. Chicago, IL 60707. Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington, is in charge of arrangements.

 Dolores was born on Dec. 13, 1934, in Barnett Township in DeWitt County, the daughter of Dennis and Mary Krueger Burns. Surviving are three sisters, Betty Maxwell, Heyworth; Patricia Powers, Wapella; and Helen (Bob) Haas, Clinton; a brother, William Burns, Bloomington; and three sisters-in-law, Mildred Burns and Alma Burns, both of Clinton; and Frances Burns, LeRoy; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters.

Dolores was a longtime member of Holy Trinity Church and its choir. A special thanks is extended to Dolores’ sister and brother-in-law, Bob and Helen Haas, for their care and concern as well as to some special friends, Donna Nottoli, Pam Hawkins, Linda Dutton and Jack Limes. The family also wishes to express their appreciation to the staff of both OSF St. Joseph Medical Center and Heartland Healthcare. 

Dolores Burns is remembered as cheerful and pleasant neighbor, friend, and relative to many in the Wapella community.

Wapella.com Mourns the Passing of Tom Lamkin

Thomas Michael Lamkin, 78, Clinton, IL, passed away at 11 PM Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at Advocate BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal, IL.  Funeral Services will be 11 AM Saturday, June 16, 2012 at the Presbyterian Church, Clinton, IL with the Revs. Samantha and Benjamin Keller and J. Kent Hickerson officiating.  Burial will be at Mausoleum Park Cemetery, Clinton, IL with Military Honors.  Visitation will be Friday evening from 4-7 PM at Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, IL.  Memorials may be made to Angel Tree, Presbyterian Church Youth Group or  First Christian Church Food Bank.

Tom was born on Jan. 25, 1934 in Watson, IL, the son of Raymond and Myrtle (Sprinkle) Lamkin.  He married Nancy West on Sept. 19, 1975.

Tom is survived by his wife, Nancy Lamkin; 7 children: Dan (Rhonda) Matthews, Tracy (Chris) Ryan, Sarah (Jay) Peterson, Julie Lamkin, Tom (Diane) Lamkin, Jr., Kathleen (Don) Penn, and Maria Dolbeare; 1 sister: Rita Lockard, 12 grandchildren: Meghan, Connor, Joey, Dexter, Dustin, Alyssa, Drew, Colin, Austin, Colby, Andrew and Matthew and 6 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents and 1 brother: Raymond Lamkin.

Tom was a graduate of Effingham High School and University of Illinois Law School.  He was an attorney for 51 years.  He also was a former DeWitt County the States Attorney.

He served in the US Army during the Korean War.

Tom enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting and gardening.   Mostly importantly, he loved his family and will deeply be missed.  Tom was a great friend and advocate for many in Wapella.  Our condolences to the Lamkin family.  All Flags 1/2 Mast for US Army Veteran Tom Lamkin.

Wapella.com Mourns the passing of Wade Lowrey

Wade Allen Lowrey, 34, of Joplin, Mo., formerly of Clinton, will be remembered as a dear friend to all. Wade passed away on Tuesday (May 22, 2012) at his residence at Ozark Christian College. Wade was born Dec. 27, 1977, in Decatur, to Gary and Tanya Payne Lowrey. He is survived by his parents of Clinton; sister and brother in-law, Tricia and Brian Leslie, Plainfield, Ind.; sister and brother in-law, Jeana and Theo Barley, Miami, Okla.; two nephews, Zachary Leslie and Josiah Barley; five nieces, Emma Leslie, Halle Leslie, Norah Leslie, Justus Barley and Valor Barley; and many aunts, one uncle and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jess and Norma Lowrey, and Richard and Genitia Payne; and his uncle, Gary Jenkins.

 Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at First Christian Church, Clinton, with the funeral at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church as well. Kent J. Hickerson, minister at First Christian Church in Clinton, and Matt Proctor, president of Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Mo., will be officiating the service. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Clinton. Memorials may be made to Center Point Christian Church, Carthage, Mo., or Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Mo.

Wade had a passion for serving the people at both of these ministries. Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, is in charge of arrangements. Wade graduated in 1996 from Clinton High School. Following graduation, Wade attended Ozark Christian College and graduated in 2001 with a bachelor of theology/preaching and a bachelor of biblical literature in New Testament. He also later attended Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, Mo. Wade was ordained into ministry at First Christian Church, Clinton, on Jan. 3, 1999.

 Throughout his college years, he served as a part-time minister at various congregations including Hepler Christian Church, Hepler, Kan., and Forest City Christian Church, St. James, Mo. Following graduation from OCC, Wade served at Lincolnway Christian Church, New Lenox, before moving back to the Joplin area. In July of 2009, Wade became the residence director of Strong Hall at OCC. In August of 2010, he started serving as associate minister at Center Point Christian Church, Carthage, Mo. Wade was excited about the work God is doing at Center Point, and he loved serving as a dorm director where he truly loved disciplining the young men of Strong Hall.

Wade was also an aspiring entrepreneur as he founded his own Internet business named National Site Brokers. Aside from his work responsibilities, Wade also served in the surrounding communities. He was on the board of directors of the House of Hope in Joplin as well as being a member of the Chamber of Commerce in Carthage. Wade loved people and wanted to reach as many people as possible for the Lord. Wade was always full of life, love and humor. He valued people and lived his life to serve others. Above all, he valued his relationship with the Lord and strived daily to be like Christ. Wade was the kind of person who always had a smile on his face and a hug to give. He was a fascinating blend of faith and fun, the likes of which few have ever achieved.

Wade daily brought laughter, joy and encouragement to others through his humorous and inspirational postings on Facebook. One of his last postings on Facebook before his death was the quote, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” — Dr. Seuss. Wade will be greatly missed by his family, friends and all whom his life touched.

Our condolences to the Lowrey and Payne families.

Wapella Skyline

Lifted from Justin Williams.

Big News, Nothing Happened...New Low for the Pantagraph.

Dateline Wapella: the Pantagraph front page Headline blares "Thieves used fake check to steal $45K from DeWitt Co." begs the question, how thieves got away with this...the short answer...they didn't. DeWitt County did not lose any money, nor did Wapella on a similar scheme a week ago.

This is irresponsible journalism. The Pantagraph could write 10,000 headlines a day about thefts that did not occur. Any given bar in the Wapella area has 100 bank heists plotted a day that do not occur.

I look forward to reading about No Jewel Heist in Chenoa, No Counterfeiters in Hudson, No Chop Shops in El Paso as the weeks roll on in the Pantagraph's crime spree.