Daily website back up: Hacker interviews friends of deceased pastor

Carthage Press Staff Writer John Hacker has joined forces with his GateHouse Media co-workers at the Neosho Daily News and landed an interview with a friend of church pastor Kernal Rehobson, one of three people killed this afternoon when a gunman entered the First Congregational Church in Neosho:

Larry Zuniga, 42, Neosho, said he had been friends with Kernal Rehobson, a leader of this group of worshippers, for about 15 years. Zuniga said he worked with Rehobson at Wal-Mart.

"He was an immaculate person," Zuniga said. "I've known his whole family for years. He and I both used to be drinkers and we both found the Lord at the same time."

Zuniga said Rehobson ran a Micronesian store out of his house in Goodman, providing food for luaus held by the Island community in Neosho to celebrate events such as first birthdays, weddings and others.

Zuniga said the community used the First Congregational Church for worship services while it searched for a permanent home.