The Springfield News-Leader from Springfield, Missouri • Page 12

4 Saturday, April 22. 1995 News-Leader ozarks missouni SMS regents honor nine professors Girl reports post office rape; man arrested and released From Our Staff Nine Southwest Missouri State University faculty members were rewarded for their work Friday with recognition and big checks at a Board of Regents' meeting. Olen Greer, professor of accounting, was given the SMSU Foundation Faculty Achievement Award for Excellence in Teaching and a $2,500 stipend. Peggy Pearl, professor of consumer and family studies, was given the Award for Outstanding Scholarship and a $2,500 stipend. Other honors: Winners of Excellence in Teach-ing awards were Kurt Chalou-pecky, associate professor of accounting; Don Mclnnis, professor of atmospheric science; Richard Study: Fecal bacteria stressing Jack's Fork River cation card from Arkansas, the girl said she hoped they would go there.

Instead, she said, they drove around Springfield until about 10 p.m., bought liquor at a College Street Consumer's market and ended up In the compound area of the main post office, 500 W. Chestnut Expressway. There, the man forced her to have intercourse for about 30 minutes before she got away and found police at a downtown substation, the girl said. The man was arrested about 1 a.m. Friday and released from jail early Friday evening.

Ford said postal investigators will wait for a completed police investigation before deciding the man's fate as a mail carrier. Ford could not say whether the man had any previous arrests or convictions, but said background checks are done on all postal service workers. occurred between the two, but they do not know whether it was rape, Sgt. David Smith said. "The guy was released, obviously, because there are questions to be answered," Smith said.

"She's telling us one side of the story and because he's not talking to us, we can't get the other side. We believe there was sexual intercourse. The question is, was it consensual or not?" The girl has previously filed several rape reports, none of which led to criminal charges, Smith said. She ran away frbm a Springfield girls shelter about 6 p.m. Thursday and told police she was picked up by the man in a truck carrying mail, Smith said.

The girl could not recall where in the city she met the man. But she agreed to go "cruising" with him. And when he showed her an identifi Robert Keyes News-Leader An Arkansas man who delivers mail was arrested but released Friday altera 15-year-old girl told police he raped her at the main Springfield post office. Postal officials said the Harrison man, whose age was unavailable, was not directly employed by them. But for about five years he has delivered mail here for another Harrison man who contracted with the postal service, said Ken Ford, Kansas City inspector.

Ford initially said the man had been suspended from work. Then, after learning he had been arrested but not charged with a crime, Ford said the man was not suspended. "It would take more than an allegation," Ford explained. "It would take a (criminal) charge." Police believe a sexual encounter Hollow Cemetery, Douglas County. Mrs.

Letsinger, a homemaker, died at 11:30 p.m. Thursday in St John's Regional Health Center. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. Hazel Marie McCorkill, 79 ASH GROVE Graveside services for Hazel Marie McCorkill.

Ash Grove, formerly of Willard, will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday in White Chapel Memorial Gardens under direction of Wilson-Brim-Daniel Funeral Home, Ash Grove. Mrs. McCorkill, a retired educator, died at 11:05 a.m. Thursday in Willard Care Center.

Visitation will be from 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. J.H. 'Dick' Melton, 72 Services for the Rev. J.H.

"Dick" Melton, Springfield, will be at 1 p.m. today in High Street Baptist Church with burial in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens under direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home North. The Rev. Melton, a minister, died at 9:35 p.m. Wednesday in Cox Medical Center North.

Erma Leona Mitten, 81 NIXA Services for Erma Leona Mitten, Nixa, will be at 1:30 p.m. today in Greenlawn Funeral Home South with burial in White Chapel Cemetery. Mrs. Mitten, a homemaker, died at 9:40 p.m. Wednesday in St.

John's Regional Health Center. Gordon Paul Newman, 79 Services for Gordon Paul Newman, Springfield, will be at 10:30 a.m. today in Ayre-Goodwin-Lee, a Cassity Heritage Funeral Home at Rivermonte, with burial in Hazelwood Cemetery. Myers, professor of biology; and Belva Prather, associate professor of music. Each received a $1,000 stipend.

Winners of Excellence in Re-searchawards were David Gutzke, associate professor of history; Shouchuan Hu, associate professor mathematics; and Karl Luck-ert, professor of religious studies. Each received a $1,000 stipend. water at various dates in 1994. The department's report says the Jack's Fork lives up to its "pristine" billing in February. After the trail rides, the bacteria counts increased.

But the jumps were three and four times greater after the holiday weekends. While the study said the river was not dangerous, it concluded that it was being "stressed" and "degraded" by human and animals wastes. a.m. Monday in First Baptist Church Harvester, St. Charles, with burial in St.

Charles Memorial Gardens under direction of Baue Funeral Home, St. Charles. Mr. Hutsell, a purchasing agent, died Thursday in Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, of leukemia.

Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. Anne Jarkins, 81 Services for Anne Jarkins, Springfield, will be at 10 a.m. today in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with burial in Resurrection Cemetery under direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home South. Mrs.

Jarkins, a homemaker, died at 12:25 p.m. Wednesday in St. John's Regional Health Center. Irma Mildred Jobey, 92 AVA Memorial services for Irma Mildred Jobey, Ava, will be at a later date in Lake County, 111. The body has been cremated under direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home.

Mrs. Jobey, a retired pressperson, died at 9 p.m. Wednesday in her home: Claude Lavern Kilfoy, 62 HARTVILLE Services for Claude Lavern Kilfoy, Hartville, will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in Holman Funeral Home, Hartville, with burial in Little Creek Cemetery near Hartville. Mr.

Kilfoy, a cattle farmer, died at 4:30 a.m. Thursday in his home. Visitation will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today in the funeral home. Mabel Letsinger, 84 MANSFIELD Services for Mabel Letsinger, Mansfield, will be at 11 a.m.

Monday in Bergman-Miller Funeral Home with burial in Prairie He is survived by his wife, Leona; a son and his wife, Gene and Betty, Willard; two grandchildren, Dana Hultgren and her husband, Mark, and Douglas Thomas; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in Willard First Baptist Church with the Rev. Frank Childres officiating. Burial will follow in Ash Grove Cemetery under direction of Wilson-Brim-Daniel Funeral Home, Ash Grove.

Friends may call after 3 p.m. today in the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today. The casket will be closed at the beginning of services. Memorial contributions may be made to Mount Vernon Baptist Children's Home or to Christian Family Builders of First Baptist Dhurch, Willard.

J. Richard Moody MOUNT VERNON J. Richard Moody, 69, Mount Vernon, died at 5:40 a.m. Friday in Cox Medical Center South. Richard was born Sept.

5, 1925, in Wentworth to U.P. and Olivia Robinson Moody. He was a lifetime area resident. He attended elementary and high school in Mount Vernon and graduated from S.M.S.U. in 1950.

He served in the Navy during World War II. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Mount Vernon, and of American Legion. He served as president and C.E.O. and as a member of the board of directors of First Savings Bank of Mount Vernon for 31 years. He served on the Federal Home Loan Bank board for seven years.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Nell; and two cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Betty Larkin. Private family graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday in Mount Vernon I.O.O.F. Cemetery under "rec- charges The Associated Press ST.

LOUIS A study has found high bacteria levels at a popular southern Missouri floating stream and raised concerns about other recreational waterways in the state. A state study of Jack's Fork River during last year's summer holiday found fecal coliform counts exceeded what is considered safe for swimming. "Once you reach a certain level, the Death Hotices Helen Blickensderfer Roger Davis Colleen Leila Dibben Kenneth A. Garrison Abel E. Hamby Guy J.

Hobert Kyle Ray Hutsell Anne Jarkins Irma Mildred Jobey Claude Lavern Kilfoy Mabel Letsinger Hazel Marie McCorkill J.H. 'Dick' Melton Erma Leona Mitten Gordon Paul Newman Elsie Janis O'Neil Lester Odessa Owens Craig Merle Partis Clarence Raines Howard B. Roelker John 'Bill' Willard Rude (Notices contain service and death information only.) Helen Blickensderfer, 96 COFFEYVILLE, Kan. Graveside services for Helen Blickensderfer, Coffeyyille, formerly of Lebanon, will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Oakland Maravian Cemetery under direction of Colonial Funeral Chapel, Lebanon.

Mrs. Blickensderfer, a homemak-er, died Friday in Medicalodge East Nursing Home, Coffeyville, Kan. Friends may call at their convenience in the funeral home. Roger Davis, 48 WILLARD Services for Roger Davis, Willard, will be at 2 p.m. today in Thieme, a Cassity Heritage Funeral Home, with burial at a later date in Rose Hill Cemetery, Hamilton, Ohio.

Mr. Davis, a teacher, died at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in his home of cancer. Colleen Leila Dibben, 33 LONG LANE Services for Col Obituaries John Thomas Daniel OZARK John Thomas Daniel, 47, Ozark, died Thursday, April 20, 1995. in his home.

He was born April 30, 1947, in Tallulah, and was the son of the late Charles R. Daniel Sr. and Floella Whitworth Miller. He served his country In the Army. On March 20, 1971, he was united in marriage to Sharon Rae Barnes.

He Is survived by his wife, Sharon; two children, Melissa and Courtney, Ozark; his mother, Floella Miller, Montezuma, a brother, Tad, Sunrise Beach; and a sister, Janine Taylor, Liberty. Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday in Adams Funeral Home with Dr. Conrad Kitchell officiating. Burial will be in Springfield National Cemetery with military honors provided by Veterans' Memorial Team.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. Don S. Edwards LEBANON Don S. Edwards, 89, Lebanon, passed away Thursday, April 20, 1995, in Lebanon Park Manor.

Mr. Edwards was a widely-known retired school teacher. He taught 44 years In various schools In southwest Missouri. The last 20 years, he served as superintendent. He is survived by his wife, LaVerne, of the home; three sons, Jimmie Don, Mosby, Lewis Dwayne, Independence, and Bobby Joe, Springfield; a sister, Lillian Willbanks, Poplar Bluff; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in New Hope Baptist Church near Russ with the Rev. Donald Wood officiating. Burial will be in New Hope Cemetery under direction of Colonial Funeral Chapel, Lebanon. Friends may call at their convenience in the funeral chapel.

risk is there you should not be physically in the water," Roger Gibson of the Missouri Department of Health told the St Louis Post-Dispatch. The health department did the study following complaints that Cross Country Trail Rides was taking up to 3,000 horseback riders into the river. But the study concluded that waste from humans, not horses, may be the main pollution source. The health department tested the leen Leila Dibben, Long Lane, will be at 1:30 p.m. today in Montgomery-Viets Funeral Home, Buffalo, with burial in Four Mile Cemetery near Long Lane.

Miss Dibben died at 8 a.m. Thursday in her home of complications of progeria. Friends may call at their convenience in the funeral home. Kenneth A. Garrison, 58 Services for Kenneth A.

Garrison, Springfield, will be at 10 a.m. today in Greenlawn Funeral Home South with burial at 2 p.m. today in Muncie Chapel Cemetery near Wheaton. Mr. Garrison, a retired aircraft employee, died at 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday in his home. Abel E. Hamby, 85 STOCKTON Services for Abel E. Hamby, Stockton, will be at 1 p.m. Sunday in Brumback Funeral Home with burial in Lindley Prairie Cemetery.

Mr. Hamby, a farmer, died at 6:55 p.m. Thursday in Stockton Nursing Home. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Guy J. Hobert, 61 Services for Guy J. Hobert, Springfield, will be at noon Monday in Greenlawn Funeral Home North with burial in Springfield National Cemetery. Mr. Hobert, a retired truck driver and Army and Marine veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, died Thursday in St.

John's Regional Health Center. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. Kyle Ray Hutsell, 42 ST. CHARLES Services for Kyle Ray Hutsell, St.

Charles, will be at 10 Gary Lee Lambeth Aug. 25, 1945 April 22, 1985 Ten years ago today. Builder, developer, friend. You are missed but not forgotten. Your good memories keep us smiling.

We wish we could have watched you grow. Barbara J. Haase PIERCE CITY Barbara J. Haase, 42, Pierce City, died at 8:58 a.m. Friday in St.

John's Regional Health Center. She was born Dec. 3, 1952, in Ottawa, and was a special education teacher for Mount Vernon Middle School. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Pierce City, where she was a Sunday school teacher. She is survived by her husband, Dan; a son, Jason; and a brother, Kenneth England, Ottawa, III.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Carmen, on May 7, 1990. Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in Lakin Funeral Home with burial in Clear Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Mount Vernon School System. Irvin E. Thomas WILLARD Irvin E. Thomas, 94, Willard, passed away at 4:11 a.m. Friday in Cox Medical Center South after a short illness.

He was a native of Willard and a lifelong area resident. He was a carpenter and farmer and a member of Willard First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for a number of years. He was, for 20 years, a director of Willard Fire Board. He and his wife, Leona, were privileged to share 61 years. The obituaries and memoriams listed below are paid announcements.

The death notices are published at no charge. Obituary are $1.75 per line Monday through Saturday and $1.95 per line for Sunday. There is an additional charge tor pictures. Obituaries may be called or taxed to the News-Leader Monday through Sunday from 2 to 5:30 p.m. You may call 417-836-1183 or 1-800-695-1972.

Sunday in the funeral home. Howard B. Roelker, 75 OSAGE BEACH Services for Howard B. Roelker, Osage Beach, will be at 1 p.m. Monday in Allee-Reed Funeral Home, Camdenton, with burial in Dale Blair Memorial Cemetery.

Mr. Roelker, a retired builder, died at 11:45 p.m. Thursday in Lake of the Ozarks General Hospital. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home.

John 'Bill' Willard Rude, 72 OZARK Services for John "Bill" Willard Rude, Ozark, will be at 10 a.m. today in Walnut Lawn DeGraf-fenreid-Wood Funeral Home with Dr. T.T. Crabtree and the Revs. Lynn Worthen and Guy Lawyer officiating with burial in Hazelwood Cemetery.

Mr. Rude, an installation supervisor and World War II Army veteran, died at 3 p.m. Wednesday in his home. Other Deaths Listed below are notices of recent deaths of present or former residents of southwest Missouri. More details will be published when information is available.

Wayne Claypool, 83, Ash Grove, died at 11:15 p.m. Thursday in Ash Grove Nursing Home. Arrangements will be announced by Wilson Brim-Daniel Funeral Home, Ash Grove. Robert Dale Martinez, 27, Springfield, died Friday morning in his home. Arrangements will be announced by Herman Lohmeyer Funeral Home.

Elizabeth McGuire, 65, Rogers-ville, died at 11:52 a.m. Friday in St. John's Regional Health Center. Arrangements will be announced by Preston-Marsh Funeral Home. breast cancer.

Through sheer determination and because of her deep love for her family, she survived seven years before losing her battle. Joyce was a role model and inspiration for everyone who knew her. As a coordinator of The Women's Center Breast Care Clinic, leader of Reach Support Group, founding member of Southwest Missouri Breast Cancer Coalition and organizer of numerous breast cancer awareness activities, she encouraged women to be informed and take an active role In their own health care. As a nursing Instructor, she guided hundreds of men and women as they learned to practice their chosen profession. Among her volunteer activities, she was a member of the board of American Cancer Society, Springfield Chapter, and was the first recipient of the Richard Champion Memorial Award for outstanding work in patient services.

As a wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend, she helped us see how to make life happy and taught us all how to have courage even In the face of adversity. We will miss her kindness, courage, wisdom and her unique sense of humor and she will truly be in our hearts forever. Services will be at 1 1 a.m. Monday In First and Calvary Presbyterian Church with Dr. Gary Stratman officiating.

Burial will follow at 3:30 p.m. Monday in Crocker Cemetery under direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home South. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 S.m. Sunday In the funeral ome. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials be made in her memory to the Joyce Schwandt Memorial Fund for The Women's Center Breast Clinic, co Cox Health Systems, 1423 N.

Jefferson, Springfield, Mo. 65802. Mr. Newman, a retired teacher, died at 7:42 a.m. Thursday in Nixa Park Care Center.

Elsie Janis O'Neil, 63 ROLLA Graveside services for Elsie Janis O'Neil, Rolla, formerly of Burnie, and Dixon, will be at 11 a.m. today in Dixon Cemetery under direction of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home. Mrs. O'Neil, a nursing assistant, died at 10 a.m. Friday in her home.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. today in the funeral home. Lester Odessa Owens, 94 No services are planned for Lester Odessa Owens, Springfield. The body will be cremated under direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home South. Mrs.

Owens, a homemaker, died at 6:38 a.m. Friday in Springfield Community Hospital. Craig Merle Parris, 38 KIMBERLING CITY Services for Craig Merle Parris, Kimberling City, will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Ozark Mountain Assembly of God with burial in Pine Crest Cemetery under directon of Stumpff Funeral Home South. Mr.

Parris, a painter, died at 1:20 a.m. Friday in Kimberling City of injuries suffered in an automobile accident. Visitation will be from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. Clarence Raines, 88 Services for Clarence Raines, Springfield, will be at 10 a.m.

Monday in Klingner Mortuary with burial in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Mr. Raines, a retired estimator, died at 12:45 a.m. Thursday in Americana Fremont Healthcare Center. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m.

home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grandvlew Golf Course In his memory. Joyce K. Thornsberry Smith Joyce K. Thornsberry Smith, 43, Springfield, died at 3:30 p.m.

Thursday In Cox Medical Center South. The daughter of Joe and Geraldean, she was born Nov. 20, 1951, In Waynesville. She was a graduate of Crocker High School, Burge School of Nursing and Drury College, where she received her bachelor of science degree in nursing and her masters in education. She was a member of First and Calvary Presbyterian Church.

At the time of her death, she was coordinator of The Women's Center Breast Care Clinic. She is survived by her husband, George two daughters, Sarah and Becky, all of the home; her parents, Joe and Geraldean Thornsberry, Crocker; two brothers and their wives, Joe and Judy Thornsberry, St. Louis, and Jerry and Roxanne Thornsberry, Crocker; a sister, Jeanette Thornsberry, Springfield; her maternal grandmother, Marie Hedrick, Crocker; and her mother-in-law, Mary Schwandt. Joyce died after a long and courageous fight against I 1 LjA -i fflit-nii tion of Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m.

Sunday in the funeral home. The casket will remain closed at all times. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society or to the charity of the donor's choice. Earl R. Nickles Earl R.

Nickles, 80, Springfield, passed away at 11:45 p.m. Thursday, April 20, 1995, in Heritage Manor. On Aug. 16, 1914, in Nixa, he was born to Homer and May Nickles. Earl was retired from Frisco Railroad as a ticket agent and was a member of the Masonic Lodge and a World War II Army veteran.

He was united in marriage to Eileen Sneed, who preceded him in death June 11, 1990. He is survived by a son and his wife, Roger and Ann, Bet-tendorf, Iowa; a twin brother, Verl Albert, Springfield; three grandchildren, Brooks, Lisa and Mindy; and two greatgrandchildren, Jacob and Patricia. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in White Chapel Cemetery under direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home North. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m.

Sunday in the funeral I.