The Springfield News-Leader from Springfield, Missouri • Page 8

The News-Leader OZARKS 2B Monday. December 28. 1987 JuryBig damage awards less likely from Ozarks juries EnrollSchool officials seek to alleviate overcrowding FROM PAGE 1B about personal-injury cases only. "If you have no case they will Springfield private schools also experience growth FROM PAGE1B pie realize jury verdicts "are going to cost them in the end. I think the juries have become more aware of, I suppose you might say, inflated claims." If that attitude is being termed conservative, Hough says, conservative should be defined as "taking a harder look and attempting to be very reasonable on behalf of both sides." "In my opinion juries are doing a better job in their position as jurors in administering justice than they did during the giveaway periods of the 1970s and early 1980s," Hough says.

Statistics prove that southwest Missouri juries award smaller amounts for the same personal injuries than the country in general, attorney Tom Strong says. Strong, who represents plaintiffs "In general, rural Missouri is a low verdict area and in particular the Ozarks area," Strong says. The fact is tied to the politics and economy of the area, he says. The congressional district historically is one of the strongest Republican districts in the country, Strong says. "And as a broad general statement, where the politics are liberal, the verdicts tend to be more liberal," Strong says.

"When you get to economics, historically farm communities are very, very conservative in their verdicts. So southwest Missouri has a large contingent of farmers, is conservative in its politics and also very conservative in its plaintifffs' verdicts." Strong says he enjoys trying cases before Ozarks juries "because they are extremely conscien give you nothing," he says. "If, however, your client has been wronged, and you are industrious enough as an attorney to prove your client has been wronged, they will be fair. They're not going to give you a bonus, but they will be fair with you." The conservative attitude does not influence Strong to settle more cases, he says. Adjusters and defense attorneys.

Strong says, tell him they would settle for the amount Strong offered if the case was being heard in St. Louis. But they won't pay the amount in southwest Missouri, he says. "It's a bad climate to settle cases," Strong says. "One of the reasons why I do not settle more cases is that I have confidence in the way I'm going to represent my one high school.

Advertising and direct mailing, among other methods, were used. Besides the elementary and high schools, 105 pupils are enrolled in four preschools. Greenwood, located on the Southwest Missouri State University campus, has a maximum controlled enrollment of 390 students. As children leave the school, others on a waiting list are enrolled at the beginning of the next school year-Greenwood has 386 students. Christian Schools has 272 students, compared with 255 in September 1986.

Springfield Lutheran's enrollment increased from 63 to 71 over a year's time. SnrintjfiolH C.anc Grppn- By Bill Maurer The News-Leader Enrollment in Springfield's private schools this year continued to increase, officials from those schools said. The largest increase was at Springfield Catholic Schools, which increased by 54 students, or 6.8 percent, over a year's time. Elsewhere, Greenwood Laboratory School, Christian Schools of Springfield and Springfield Lutheran School Association had more modest gains. At Springfield Catholic, the enrollment increased from 790 students in September 1986 to 844 a year later.

"It's the largest amount of students that we've had in our system since 1976-77," said Gene Aug, Springfield Catholic's director. He said the increase is due to a committee that has organized a campaign to attract students to attend three elementary schools and client." tious people." in personal injury cases, spoke we're close to Springfield and close to the lakes. People like to live out of town and drive into town to work. That's where we're benefiting from the spillover." Continued growth in the Ozark, Nixa and Spokane districts was expected. The three districts are located in Christian County, which the U.S.

Census Bureau said was Missouri's fourth-fastest growing county from 1980 to July 1, 1986. Christian County grew an estimated 21 percent to 27,100 residents. In Republic, continued growth over the past few years has created problems for administrators in the Greene County district. "We have serious problems as far as space," Republic Superintendent Allan B. Crader said.

"The district has been increasing from 50 to 100 students for each of the last three years. We haven't had any building take place during that time." To compensate, district residents recently backed a 50-cent portion of the district's levy that must be reapproved every three years. That decision, permitting the district to pay off $1.8 million obtained from the Missouri School Boards Association, will fund an auditorium and other building improvements. Enrollments also increased in three other Greene County districts compared with last year. Willard's increased from 2,363 students to Strafford's increased from 992 students to 1,005, and Ash Grove's increased from 739 students to 778.

Sparta in Christian County has faced gradual growth over several years' time. 1 "We're really encouraged that our enrollment is increasing at a Arkansas won't meet jail deadline, official says The Associated Press in 1 986, the state showed an 83.3 Larry Meyer of the division sa hit T-i r-. i- mnt tViic iraar'e idAtiT Larry Meyer of the division said Arkansas met this year's federal wood Laboratory and Christian Schools enroll students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Stu percent reduction. LITTLE ROCK, Ark.

An off! dents in kindergarten through sixth grade attend Springfield Lutheran. deadline, but the state will not be able to meet the 1988 deadline without additonal state legislation Federal law requires a 75 percent reduction in the number of violations by the end of 1987 and elimination of the violations by the end of 1988. The annual report describes the state's progress in getting juveniles out of adult facilities, and separating juveniles from adult prisoners when they are detained in the same facilities. in September 1986 to 2,246 now. cial of the state Division of Children and Family Services says Arkansas will not be able to meet a federal deadline for getting youths out of adult jails.

The 1987 jail monitoring report prepared by the division reveals a 75.8 percent reduction in the number of violations over the 1983 total. The 1983 figures were a base for the study. "it been gradually moving up in the last four or five years," Marshfield Superintendent Jack Howard said. "We'll increase from 20 to 25 students up to 75 some years." In Seymour, the enrollment increased by four to 789 over a year's steady growth rate," Sparta Superintendent Leroy Winkle said. "This is the largest growth that we've had in several years.

It's been about 3 to 4 percent yearly for the last four years." Sparta's enrollment grew from 480 students a year ago to 502 now, a 4 percent increase. "As of this year, we were able to absorb this increase," Winkle said. "The enrollment growth was fairly well distributed between the elementary and high school grades." Webster County's largest district, Marshfield, saw its enroll- and funding for alternatives to jail for juveniles. Arkansas is among the 10 states most successful in addressing the problem, Meyer said. The other states have had difficulty complying with the federal law and the federal government might consider moving back the 1988 deadline, he said.

He said county and municipal officials often find it impossible to take young offenders to distant juvenile facilities and simply hold them in local jails. He said the state would need three or four more juvenile facilities with about six beds in each facility. Ice forces Clayton family to crash-land airplane time. Fordland is serving 503 students, up from 476 a year ago. The growth is mainly in the elementary praties, served hv a new elemen The Associated Press HAYS, Kan.

A family flying to Colorado crash-landed their small plane in a western Kansas wheat field Saturday after ice began building up on the aircraft's wings, authorities said. No one was injured. The pilot, Donald Estell, 42, of Clayton, crash-landed the plane about seven miles south of the Hays Municipal Airport. Estell, his wife and their two children were aboard. The family was en route to Aspen, from St.

Louis. tary school that opened last fall. Demand for beef stabilizing after decline, survey finds reached a few years ago. On average, retail beef prices have not keDt ud with inflation. DAILY RECORD The Associated Press DENVER After several years of decline, demand for beef appears to be stabilizing, according to a study by the National Cattlemen's Association.

Despite record large total meat supplies, retail beef prices averaged higher in 1987 than in previous years, the study said. The survey, released Saturday, also showed that the average prices of T-bone steak and sirloin steak are substantially higher than at any time in the past several years, while the average prices of less preferred, less convenient round and chuck cuts are below levels BRYANT, James and Rhonda (Larimore), Marionville, a girl, 4:32 p.m. Dec. 25, Cox South. DYKLAN, Jeffrey and Amy (Keohane), Crane, a boy, 3:57 a.m.

Dec. 26, St. John's. FOX, John and Robin (Barn-hart), Ozark, a boy, 9 a.m. Dec.

25, Cox South. PRIVETT, Richard and Janet (Moody), Verona, a girl, 9:06 a.m. Dec. 25, Cox South. RUTT, Mary, 1623 N.

Lyon, a boy, 2:01 p.m. Dec. 25, Cox South. STANLEY, Jeffery and Melody (Gentry), Nixa, a boy, 5:25 p.m. Dec.

25, Cox South. STEWART, Harold and Dominica (Smith), Aurora, a boy, 12:24 a.m. Dec. 25, Cox South. Indicators of the demand trends are found in a tabulation of the average annual prices of five retail cuts for the past eight years.

The annual averages are based on findings in the National Cattlemen's Association's monthly survey of prices in supermarkets in 19 cities. The national average price of five cuts in 1987 was $2.60 per pound, compared with $2.39 in 1986 and the previous high of $2.53 in 1984. The average in 1979 was $2.31. BIRTHS BAKER, John and Rebecca (Bell), Nixa, a boy, 12:45 p.m. Dec.

25, Cox South. DEATH NOTICES Announcements are arranged through southwest Missouri funeral directors. Obituaries Goldie P. Hutchins Edmond R. Platte Aug.

25, 1914, in Anaconda," Mont. She passed away at the age of 73 on Dec. 27, 10fl7. in li-hn'c Do. yiunui neuuii emer.

She came to Missouri at an early age to live with her grandparents. She attended Hickory Barren and Fair Grove Elementary Schools, and graduated from Central High School in Springfield. She attended SMSU and Draughon Business College. She married Robert L. Shannon on Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m.

today in the funeral home. Henry B. Folk Services for Henry B. Folk, 66, Springfield, will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Klingner Chapel.

Burial will be in White Chapel Cemetery. Mr. Folk, a retired technician, died at 7 a.m. Friday in St John's Regional Health Center after a short illness. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

today in the funeral home. Juanlta Gertlser Services for Juanita Gertiser, 65, Springfield, will be at 1 p.m. today in Klingner Chapel. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery. Mrs.

Gertiser died at 1:20 p.m. Thursday in Cox Medical Center South after a short illness. Hadie Ann Joeckel FRE1STATT Services for Hadie Ann Joeckel, 75, Freistatt, will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in Trinity Lutheran Church. Burial will be in the Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery under the direction of Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home, Monett.

Mrs. Joeckel died at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in her home after a short illness. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Julia Norcross Kraus Graveside services for Julia Norcross Kraus, 76, Rockford, formerly of Springfield, will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Greenlawn Cemetery. Burial will be under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home North. Mrs. Kraus died at 3 p.m.

Tuesday in Rockford Memorial Hospital after a short illness. Winford O. Lewis LEBANON Services for Winford O. Lewis, 64, Lebanon, will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Holman Chapel.

Burial with full military rites will be in Lebanon Cemetery. Mr. Lewis died Saturday evening in FORDLAND Goldie Pearl Hutchins, 69, Fordland, died at 7:35 p.m. Saturday in Mount Vernon State Chest Hospital after a long illness. She was a retired inspector for the H.D.

Lee Seymour. She is survived by two daughters, Shirley Henderson, Fair Play, and Betty Cockrum, Jefferson City; four sons, Donnie, Seymour, Harold, Strafford, Robert, Ford-land, and William, Springfield; two sisters, Marie Corneli-son, Melba, Idaho, and Jean Cantrell, Seymour; two brothers, John and Eddie Miller, both of Seymour; 10 grandchildren; and a greatgrandchild. Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Bergman-Miller Chapel, Seymour, with the Rev. Roy Cantrell officiating.

Burial will be in Seymour Masonic Cemetery. Edmond R. Platte, 94, Springfield, died at 8:50 p.m. Friday in Maranatha Manor after a short illness. He was a retired machinist for Reynolds Manufacturing a member of the Second Baptist Church, and a World War I veteran.

He was a member of the 35th Division Association 110 Engineering Company. He had been a lifelong resident of Springfield, and had been ill for the last month. He was preceded in death by his wife. Merle; fiye brothers, and three sisters. He is survived by a sister, Irma Shackelford, Springfield; and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday in Klingner Chapel with the Rev. Gary Bearce officiating. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery. The casket will be closed at the beginning of services.

Jan. 25, 1936. She was employed in an insurance office for a time and later was church secretary at Grace United Methodist Pearl M. Bade Services for Pearl M. Bade, 79, Springfield will be at 2 p.m.

Tuesday in Eastlawn Cemetery. Burial will be under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home North. Mrs. Bade died at 4:30 a.m. day in Ash Grove Nursing Home.

Vlrgle C. Boler CAPE FAIR Services for Virgie C. Boler, 76, Cape Fair, will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Kimberling City Church of Christ. Burial will be in Memory Lawn Cemetery, Kimberling City, under the direction of Stumpff Funeral Home South, Kimberling City.

Mrs. Boler died at 9:10 a.m. Sunday in St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield, after a long illness. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m.

today in the funeral home. Shamrock Brahan PIERCE CITY Services for Shamrock Brahan, 64, Pierce City, will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Lakin Funeral Home. Burial will be in Pierce City Cemetery. Mrs.

Brahan died at 7:20 p.m. Friday in St. John's Regional Medical Center, Joplin. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home.

William David Cameron POINT LOOKOUT William David Cameron, 89, Point Lookout, died at 4:45 a.m. Sunday in Skaggs Community Hospital, Branson. The body has been cremated under the direction of Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett. Burial will be in Wade Chapel, Republic. Graveside services will be held at a later date.

Ellis Corn SELIGMAN Services for Ellis Corn, 60, Seligman, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Seligman First Baptist Church. Burial will be in Seligman Cemetery under the direction of Wil-liamson-Seligman Funeral Home. Mr. Corn died Saturday in his home after an apparent heart attack.

Friends may call the funeral home after 9 a.m. Tuesday. Visitationwill be at the funeral home from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday Mr. Pierce, a retired truck driver, died at 9:30 p.m.

Saturday in Citizens Memorial Hospital after a long illness. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. today in the funeral home. Freda Auda Presley Services for Freda Auda Presley, 63, Springfield, will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Greenlawn Funeral Chapel North.

Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Presley died at 12:25 a.m. Saturday in Cox Medical Center North. Theodore Shough BOLIVAR Services for Theodore Shough, 86, Bolivar, will be at 11 a.m.

Tuesday in Butler Chapel. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Mr. Shough, a retired farmer, died at 12:55 a.m. Sunday in Citizens Memorial Hospital after a long illness.

Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. today in the funeral home. Hazel A. Stewart LOWRY CITY Services for Hazel A. Stewart, 86, Lowry City, will be at 2 p.m.

Tuesday in Lowry City United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Lowry City Cemetery under the direction of Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home, Osceola. Mrs. Stewart died Saturday in Golden Valley Memorial Hospital, Clinton. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m.

today in the funeral home. Hazel Thompson AURORA Services for Hazel Thompson, 90, Aurora, will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Peterson Chapel. Burial will be in Maple Park Cemetery. Mrs.

Thompson died at 9 a.m. Sunday in Aurora Nursing Center after a long illness. Ressa Williams BUFFALO Services for Ressa Williams, 85, Buffalo, will be at 1 p.m. today in Rock Prairie Baptist Church. Burial will be in Rock Prairie Cemetery under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home North, Springfield.

Mrs. Williams died Thursday in Cox Medical Center South, Springfield. Other deaths Here are notices of recent deaths of present or former residents of southwest Missouri. More details will be published when information is made available by funeral directors. Carrie Blanche Alexander, 93, Purdy, died at 4:30 a.m.

Sunday in South Barry County Hospital, Cass-ville, after a long illness. Arrangements will be announced by Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home, Monett. Dona R. Clark, 85, Flemington, died at 11:48 a.m. Sunday in Citizens Memorial Hospital, Bolivar.

Arrangements will be announced by Murray Funeral Home, Humansville. Mary Long Gimla, 59, Springfield, died at 6 p.m. Thursday in her home after a short illness. Arrangements will be announced by Herman Lohmeyer Funeral Home. Douglas Murphy, 71, Shell Knob, died at 8:10 p.m.

Saturday in Carroll General Hospital, Berryville, Ark. Arrangements will be announced by Williamson-Shell Knob Funeral Home. James Junior Burks Services for James Junior Burks, 61, Springfield, will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Ayre-Goodwin Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Jim Nutter officiating.

Burial will be in Springfield National Cemetery with military services conducted by American Legion Post No. 676 and VFW Post No. 3404. Mr. Burks was a self-employed carpenter and a World War 1 1 Army veteran.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly Ann; five sons; five daughters; a brother; and 25 grandchildren. Lyntha Emerson ASH GROVE Lyntha Emerson, 79, Ash Grove, died at 12:20 P.m. Friday in Ash Grove Nursing Home after a long illness. A native of Fllppin, she was a longtime resident of the Walnut Grove, Springfield, and Ash Grove areas. She retired from Cox Medical Center's Housekeeping Springfield, after 15 years of service.

She was a member of the Dale Street Baptist Church, Springfield. She was the widow of Bill Emerson, and is survived by four daughters, Mrs. Ruth Hayter, Ash Grove, Mrs. Rosalie Richter, South Greenfield, Mrs. Emma Acuff, High Point, N.C., and Mrs.

Mary Daughtery, Springfield; two brothers, Patrick and Mitchell Erwin, both of the state of Oregon; a sister, Mary La Rue Spotts, Fresno, 11 grandchildren; and 15 greatgrandchildren. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Wilson-Brim-Daniel Funeral Home, Ash Grove, with the Revs. Lon Killingsworth and Tom Gripka officiating. Burial will be in Ash Grove Cemetery.

Walter C. March Esther Ruth Puckett Church for 16 years. After retirement, she donated many hours as a volunteer to the Lester E. Cox Medical Center. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Charles Randolph; a son, R.

Patrick Shannon, St. Louis; three grandchildren, Amy White, Blue Springs, Alan Randolph, Springfield, and Margaret Lynn Shannon, Fort Lauderdale, two greatgrandchildren, Jamie Gravless, and Clayton White, Blue Springs; a sister, Mrs. Ruth Berry, Sheridan, and a brother, Theo W. Jones, Devils Lake, N.D. Services will be at 10:30 a.m.

Tuesday In Grace Methodist Church with the Revs. Roger Wreath, Brad Mann, and Clarence Folklns officiating. Burial will be in Hazel-wood Cemetery under the direction of Klingner Mortuary. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace Methodist Church, Hospice, the American Cancer Society, or Cox Medical Center. Esther Ruth Puckett, 72, Springfield, died at 7:45 p.m. Saturday. A former resident of Forest, she lived in Springfield since 1969, and was a member of the Park Crest Assembly of God Church. She is survived by her husband, Thurlow; a son, Rev.

David C. Boykln, Boca Raton, three daughters. Bobble Hodges, Morton, Kathrvn Brat-vold, and Gail Menzie, both of Springfield; her mother, Ruth Henderson, Meridian, eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Services and burial will be In Lake, Miss. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

today In Greenlawn Funeral Home South. Julia E. Shannon Julia Elizabeth Shannon was born Walter Calvin March, 81, Springfield, died Thursday in St. John's Regional Health Center. He was born in Dade County on June 21, 1906.

A resident of Springfield for 20 years, he was a member of First and Calvary Presbyterian Church and was district construction manager for Southwestern Bell Telephone. He Is survived by his wife, Mildred March; two sons, Robert March, Pfafftown, N.C., and William March, Shawnee, six grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren. Services will be ot 1 p.m. Tuesday in Klingner Chapel with the Rev. Curtis March officiating.

Burial will be In Golden City IOOF Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. today In the funeral home. Harry S. Truman Hospital, Columbia.

Visitation will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today in the funeral home. Lona Chadwell Lllley BUFFALO Services for Lona Chadwell Lllley, 86, Buffalo, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Montgomery-Viets Chapel. Burial will be in Church Grove Cemetery.

Mrs. Lilley died at 10:30 a.m. Sunday in the home of her daughter. Visitation will be from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home.

Melvln 'BUI' Mott CROSS TIMBERS Services for Melvin "Bill" Mott, 75, Cross Timbers, will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Hathaway-Peterman Chapel, Wheatland. Burial will be in Cross Timbers Cemetery. Mr. Mott, a carpenter and farmer, died at 4:38 p.m.

Saturday in Cox Medical Center South after a short illness. Visitation will be after 7 p.m. today in the funeral home. Clarence Pierce BOLIVAR Services for Clarence Pierce, 76, Bolivar, will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Pitts Chapel.

Burial will be in Schofield Cemetery, near Halfway. Rodger Demany FORSYTH Services for Rodger Demany, 68, Forsyth, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Snapp's Funeral Home, Branson. Burial will be at a later date in Ozarks Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr.

Demany, a retired owner of White River Court, died Sunday evening in St. John'i Regional Health Center, Springfield, after a short illness. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday In the funeral home. Ralph Lewis Eagan Graveside military services for Ralph Lewis Eagan, 67, Springfield, will be at 3 p.m.

Tuesday in Springfield National Cemetery. Burial will be under the direction of AyreGoodwin Funeral Home. Mr. Eagan died Dec. 21 in Veterans Administration Medical Center, Palo Alto, ator a short illness.

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