~ News ~

 

Russ Welder

Russ Welder, past president, passed away February 16, 2008, in Thailand.  It is with great sadness that we learn of his recently diagnosed illness and subsequent passing.  He will be greatly missed.  [Photo submitted by Nancy Fox.]

 

MCRA extends its sincere sympathy to Ron  (Rocky) & Sandy Parker, LaRose
Reporting, Region I freelance  reporters, on the loss of Ron's father on
January 7th, 2008.
 

 

Mary T. Wherritt

Mary, a long-time member of MCRA, of Jefferson City, died Friday, November 19, 2004 at Oak Tree Villas.  She was 93 years old.

 
She was born July 11, 1911, in Rogersville, Missouri, a daughter of Harold and Myrtle Beatie Tunnell.  She attended college in Springfield, Missouri.  She was married to Jesse Minter Wherritt, who preceded her in death on October 1, 1985.
 
She was a high school teacher in Nevada, Missouri, before moving to Kansas City and becoming a court reporter.  She was a member of the Missouri Shorthand Reporters Association, and received their Distinguished Service Award in 1987.  She was also a member of the Board of Certified Court Reporter Examiners of Missouri, as well as consultant to the Board, and was a member of First  Baptist Church in Jefferson City, Kansas City and Rogersville.
 
She is survived by one sister, Mildred Tunnell of Jefferson City.  A brother, Clatburn Tunnell, and a sister, Maurine Tunnell, also preceded her in death.

[News of Mary's passing was recently received by a member of MCRA.]

 

Angie Culler, official reporter in the 28th Circuit and an active member of the Board of MCRA, enjoyed a surprise on her birthday, February 22, from some friends -- 50 sweetheart roses for 50 years.  Congratulations to Angie, who is undoubtedly the youngest-looking member of the Fabulous 50 Club!!

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MCRA extends its deepest sympathy to Lea Ann Moore and her family for the loss of her father.  Lea Ann lives in Edgerton, Missouri, and is employed as a workers' compensation reporter in St. Joseph.  In 2004, Lea Ann served as Membership Director for MCRA.

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Joseph Frye

Long-time honorary member of MCRA, Joseph Frye, Sun City West, Arizona, passed away November 6, 2005, at the age of 97.  Mr. Frye was originally from Oregon, Missouri.  Services were held at the Christian Church in Fillmore, Missouri, on December 7, 2005.  MCRA extends its sympathy to the family of Mr. Frye.

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2005 WILLIAM E. WEBER SCHOLARSHIP WINNER

Congratulations to Amanda Harrelson, a student at St. Louis Community College-Meramec, St. Louis, Missouri, is the winner of this year's William E. Weber scholarship. Amanda will receive $1,000 to be applied to her tuition and books.

The winner was selected by random drawing during the NCRA State Leadership Conference in Tysons Corner, Virginia.  She, along with St. Louis Community College-Meramec,will be acknowledged at NCRA's Annual Convention and Exposition next summer in New York.

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Lori King
March 29, 1963 - August 24, 2005

Lori King of Granite City, Illinois, member of MCRA and an official in the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court - St. Louis City for approximately 21 years passed away on Wednesday, August 24, 2005.

Approximately 20 years ago Lori was diagnosed with leukemia. Lori fought her battle with leukemia and won. She was cancer-free for many years.

In 1999 Lori was diagnosed with breast cancer and eventually bone cancer. Lori fought long and hard and never gave up on her fight to beat her cancer. Unfortunately, on Wednesday night, August 24th, the cancer won, and Lori was taken from life on earth. Lori was a believer in God and angels, so we can be comforted to know that God called her home and Lori went with the angels she believed in and is now at peace. Lori no longer has to suffer from the pain.

Anyone who knew Lori knows that she was always full of life. She took great pride in her appearance and always sported the latest in fashion. Lori was a wonderful friend to all those she met. She always was positive about life and especially in her fight with cancer. She never complained and always took what came her way. She never asked why. She never gave up.

Lori started her career as a court reporter in the 22nd Judicial Circuit as a swing court reporter. Shortly after her employment she was diagnosed with leukemia. Lori’s doctors would not allow her to go back into the courtroom for a long period of time, and Stan Brown, who, at that time served as the Court Administrator, provided Lori a job in the Court Administrator’s Office as a secretary. This allowed Lori to take treatments and be off when she needed. After some time Lori’s doctors allowed her to return to work as a court reporter. Lori worked for Judge Michael Godfrey until Judge Godfrey’s retirement. Judge David Mason was appointed to fill the vacancy of Judge Michael Godfrey, and Judge Mason hired Lori as his court reporter. Lori worked for Judge Mason until approximately three or four years ago when Lori had to leave her position as a court reporter and go out on disability.

Besides being a dedicated court reporter, Lori was a true friend. Everyone who met Lori fell in love with her. She was a great storyteller and was always there to lift you up.

Lori’s visitation was Friday, August 26, and her funeral was Saturday, August 27 at the Irwin Chapel of Glen Carbon in Glen Carbon, Illinois. Interment Sunset Hill Memorial Estates, Glen Carbon, Illinois.

Donations can be sent to: Hospice of Southern Illinois, Administrative Offices, 305 S. Illinois Street, Belleville, IL 62220

 MCRA extends its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Lori.

 

Kelly L. Willis, RPR
February 16, 1962 – July 9, 2005

Midwest Litigation Services is saddened to announce the passing of co-owner Kelly Willis. Kelly fought a long battle with breast cancer. Kelly leaves behind her husband, Ron, and her children, Claire, Katie, Billy and Maggie.

Kelly’s interest has always been centered in the recruitment and training of the company’s employees – she reads and proofs every new reporter’s transcripts for as long as necessary until she is sure they meet the company’s standards for punctuation, grammar and accuracy. She inaugurated in-house continuing education classes that allow Midwest Reporters to obtain as many as 20 points annually (10 are required to maintain certification). Midwest’s continuing education availability plays a key role in its successful recruitment and retention of top court reporters – "not to mention helping our court reporters stay at the top of their field".

Donations may be made to the Kelly Willis Memorial Foundation, which will perpetuate Kelly’s interests: Court Reporting Education; Breast Cancer Research and The Legal Community through the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis.  The foundation's address is 711 North 11th Street, St. Louis, Missouri  63101.

Visitation was Wednesday, July 13, 2005, at the Windsor Baptist Church at 6701 Highway 61-67 in Imperial, Missouri, and the funeral was held at 10 a.m. on July 14, 2005, at the church, with interment in Shepherd Hills Cemetery, Barnhart, Missouri.

MCRA has lost a vital member to its organization and extends its deepest sympathy to Kelly's family.  Cards and letters may be sent to:

Mr. Ron Willis & Family
6120 Old State Road
Imperial, Missouri  63052

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MCRA Member
Debbie Kriegshauser
Named as NCRA Fellow of the Academy of Professional Reporters
 
 
 
Debbie Kriegshauser was named as an NCRA Fellow and was inducted at the NCRA Annual Convention at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa on Saturday, July 23, 2005.  Debbie was honored at the Luncheon on Saturday.
 
Seven people, including Debbie, were named as Fellows.  Candidates for Fellowship must have been active reporters, CART providers, and captioners for at least 10 years.  They must also demonstrate ongoing service to their local, state or national associations or dedication to the advancement of the profession through teaching, writing or other activities.
 
MCRA congratulates Debbie on her achievement!  We're proud to have you as a member of MCRA.
 
This is a photo of Debbie, her husband Bo, her son Mark and her daughter Carolyn.  They were all on hand at the Luncheon to give Debbie a warm congratulation