April 2023
$5 Million Scratchers prize won on lunch break
A Scratchers player in Marceline uncovered a $5 million top prize on a Missouri Lottery “Millionaire Blowout” ticket while on a lunch break. “I thought I won $1,000 on the _rst line,” the winner, who wishes to remain unnamed, explained.
Brookfield Track, Field Girls Champs of First Scoring Meet
With sophomore Samantha “Sam” Sharp leading the way with a sweep of the individual middleand long-distance races and two relay squads also winning, Brookfield High School’s track-and-field Lady Bulldogs handily topped an 8-teams field in the Trenton Early Bird Meet, Brookfield’s first scoring meet of 2023, at C.F. Russell Stadium last Thursday.
Ankeney, Hedrick, Switzer, Ankeney named 2023 “Angels Among Us”
Recently, the Linn County Leader asked our readers to nominated “Angels” in the community - the people who go above and beyond. We asked and residents answered the call nominating 14 well deserving citizens. The 2023 Linn County “Angels Among Us” are Dave Ankeney, Donnie Hedrick, Andrea Switzer and Chris Ankeney. Below are their stories and the names of the honorees and descriptions of what makes each of them an “Angel”.
NORMA GENE AMER
Norma Gene Amer, age 93, of Kansas City, MO; formerly of Brookfield, MO; passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 31, 2023 at New Mark Care Center in Kansas City, MO. Norma Gene daughter of James Pleasant and Bertie Ellen (Bowlen) Cooper, was born on June 24, 1929 in Carrollton, MO. On April 28, 1946, Norma married Glynn F. Amer in Carrollton, MO. He preceded her in death on November 20, 1990. Norma was a past member of the Eastern Star, and Linn County Republican Women’s Committee. Norma was a very religious person and was proud to serve God. Over the years she attended several churches in the area. She enjoyed sharing her faith through devotions, reading scripture, and singing. She loved to keep busy cooking, gardening, painting, and antiquing. Norma even taught painting lessons and had worked for Bowden Studio in Brookfield doing oil painting. Norma had a green thumb for gardening. If it would grow, she would raise it. Everything from tomatoes to strawberries. Norma loved spending time with her family, and she will be dearly missed by them. Norma is survived by her one son, Michael Amer (Anne) from Masterton, New Zealand; four grandchildren, Michele Amer Oliver, Ward Amer (Jennifer), Ashley Howard, Marc Amer (Tammy), Lori Ronchetto-Carnes (Sam); five great grandchildren, Austin Ronchetto, Gretchen Ronchetto, Emily Amer, Paris Amer, and Tayln Howard Stinson; many greatgreat grandchildren, two sisters, Brenda Totty and Lorna Woodside; two brothers, James (Jay) Cooper, and Carl Cooper; a daughter-in-law, Judy Trueblood; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Glynn Amer; two sons, Glynn Allan Amer and Jack Franklin Amer; one daughter, Penelope (Penny) Howard; one great-grandchild; one sister, Kathleen Carter; two brothers, Earl Cooper and Larry Cooper. Funeral services will be held at Rhodes Funeral Home in Brookfield, MO; at 11:00 am. Wednesday, April 5, 2023 with Reverend Sue Lambert officiating. Burial will be in Wyando
Royals’ Offense Wobbles from 2023 Gate, Cardinals Come Out Swinging
The opening days of the 2023 Major League Baseball season provided contrasting, if not entirely unexpected, performances for Missouri’s teams. On the heels of a torrid offensive spring during exhibition play in Arizona, fans nudged toward cynicism by the club’s only-briefly-interrupted absence from serious, sustained postseason contention for more than 30 years likely expected the Kansas City Royals to have difficulty scoring runs when they returned to the cooler Midwest climes.
Marceline Track, Field Boys Fourth, Girls Sixth in Fayette Relays
Heavily-damaged by graduation after having five state medal-winners and a top-10 team finish at the state meet last May, Marceline High School’s girls’ track-and-field squad managed only a sixth-place team finish in its opening 2023 scoring meet – the Fayette Relays – last Thursday. The Lady Tigers, minus multiple- times state champion high jumper Ramzee Bruner and other standouts, did produce two event wins – both the 400- and 3,200-meters relays – on the Central Methodist University track.
Linn County R-1 Baseball Mustangs Gain First ’23 Win
Although Macon County R-4/ Bucklin began this week hoping to finally get its first 2023 high school baseball game played at Meadville today at 5 p.m., Linn County R-1’s Mustangs and Meadville’s Eagles did get two games each in last week, generating one triumph. Linn County R-1 used a 6-runs third inning to set up a 9-7 road win at Marceline last Thursday after dropping its opener at Brashear 12-8 on March 28.
Marceline Golfers Win, Tie At Moberly Last Week
Marceline High School’s golf Tigers had mixed results from their first dual-match action of 2023 last week, while Brookfield’s Bulldogs came up empty in two outings. After being without its top two players as it fell decisively to both host Macon and Kirksville March 27, with its normal quintet, Marceline recovered to tie Moberly and defeat New Bloomfield in action at Moberly’s Heritage Hills course last Thursday.