Sunday, September 27, 2026
Obituary - George Yarn
George Yarn, 100, Nevada, MO passed away on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at Medicalodges of Nevada. George was born on July 1, 1926, in Atlanta, GA to George, Sr. and Sadie (Montgomery) Yarn.
He graduated from military High School and entered the United States Navy during World War II, where he served on a PT boat patrolling the East Coast and Caribbean. At the end of WWII, George returned home and went to college, graduating with a law degree.
George worked with his family in their funeral home and ambulance business until he married Dorothy Alene Hester on November 23, 1950, having two sons and two daughters. He was later married to Shirley Yarn who preceded him in death on June 17, 2024. George was self-employed most of his adult life. When the Korean War began, George was called back into service for the United States Air Force. He worked stateside as a base commander.
George owned and operated several businesses including a beach scooter rental on the East Coast and a drapery business in California. His drapery business served several celebrities and politicians including the Sinatra family. After selling the business they moved to Gig Harbor, WA where he built his own home from ground to finish as well as building his own air plane which he flew around the country. George moved to Nevada, MO 33 years ago and has become involved in the community and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, making many friends and associates.
Survivors include his son, Roger Yarn (Juanita), Atlanta, GA; daughter, Connie Olsen, (Roger), Houston, TX; daughter, Laura Longhurst (Alan), Salt Lake City, UT; 16 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and 5 step-children by his wife, Shirley. He was preceded in death by a son, Mark Yarn.
Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 29, in the Richland Cemetery in Richards, MO. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Youth Group in care of Ferry Funeral Home.
#MidAmericaLive
Obituary - Ryain Scott Fry
Ryain Scott Fry, 36, of Nevada, MO passed away on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at Cox Barton County Hospital in Lamar . He was born on October 18, 1989 in Kansas City, KS to Jered and Sheila (Gooch) Fry.
Ryain came to Vernon County at age 13. He was raised in the Nevada and Bronaugh area and graduated from Bronaugh High School in 2008. Ryain enjoyed living life to its fullest and enjoyed fast cars, dirt bikes and four-wheelers. He also had a love of music and being with his family and friends.
Survivors include his two sons, Jaritt Fry and Kaiden Fry of Rich Hill; his parents, Sheila and Phil Banes of Sheldon; his two sisters, Nikki Crews (Trevor) of Nevada and Gretchen Banes of Sheldon; brother, Colter Banes; his grandmother, Trea Danner(Bob), of Independence, MO; niece, Stella Crews; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Jered Fry; and grandparents, Roland and Norma Gooch.
Funeral services will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30 at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with Rev. Greg Gooch officiating. The family will receive friends from 3:00-5:00 p.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute to the Fry Education Fund for his sons may by made in care of Ferry Funeral Home.
#MidAmericaLive
Bears Continue to Roll Stretching Win Streak to Three
By Cody Morris
Last week there was a lot of optimism around the Butler Bears football program, as they had bounced back from two quick losses to open the season and rattled off a pair of Ws to even their record out at 2-2. Going into this past week, the optimism was still there, but it was paired with a bit of caution by many Butler fans, as the team was set to take a nearly four-hour excursion to the campus of St. James High School, nestled between Springfield and St. Louis.
On paper, it was set to be a decent matchup, as both teams sat at a .500 record through one month of football at 2-2. However, St. James is a larger Class 3 school, and Butler was on the road, expected to battle after nearly four hours on a bus. Going into the matchup, BHS Head Coach Kyle Rhodes acknowledged some of the struggles his squad may face, saying the game was “a very extreme away game for us, almost four hours, so that’ll be just one more of those adversities for us.”
Despite the hours on the road and the larger Class 3 school waiting for them, the Bears felt confident. “I’m looking for it to be a really good matchup though … I think that we can compete with anyone that we’re on the field with,” Rhodes said when previewing the game last week.
The Bears were able to strike first when Alden Hedrick hit Renner Martin for a 76-yard TD pass to put the Bears in front, 6-0. With about five minutes until intermission, the Bears had just taken over at their own 24-yard line after forcing a Tigers punt when Hedrick spotted an open Martin and was able to get him the football. Renner was then off to the races, sprinting 75 yards after the catch to find the end zone and give Butler the first lead of the ballgame.
In the third quarter, a couple of Bears penalties took what would have been a third-and-long for the Tigers and turned it into a first-and-goal from the 1-yard line. With the advantageous field position that the Bears gifted them, the Tigers were able to punch the ball across the goal line to knot the score up at six apiece. Toward the end of the third quarter, the Tigers were once again driving down the field when Chris Castro was able to find his way into the backfield and wreak havoc, forcing a St. James fumble that Josiah Ferrell was able to fall on to give the Bears an extra possession.
Butler was unable to convert the turnover into points. However, a nearly 60-yard punt from the boot of DK Woolace would pin the Tigers inside their own 4-yard line. After forcing a three-and-out, the combination of Woolace’s punt and Butler’s defensive stop gave the Bears decent field position. Hedrick stepped up in the pocket and threw a 35-yard bomb to Lucas Davidson, who made a contested catch to give the Bears a first-and-goal inside the 5-yard line. Davidson completed the drive with a short-yardage TD run as the Bears took a 12-6 lead in the fourth quarter.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Tigers exploded for a nearly 50-yard return to begin their possession inside the red zone. With the beneficial field position, the Tigers scored to tie the game up at 12-12, then were able to convert a two-point conversion to take a 14-12 lead with six minutes remaining in the contest.
On the following drive, the Bears milked the clock and let Davidson run into the end zone with 1:24 to go, giving Butler an 18-14 lead with under two minutes to play.
On their final possession, the Tigers’ protection began to break down as the Bears were living in the backfield, applying pressure and recording sacks to seal the victory for Butler.
The Bears have now won three games in a row and sit at 3-2 on the year. The rest of the opponents on the Bears’ schedule sit with a combined record of 10-10, setting the stage for what could be a strong ending to a Bears season that started off with early questions.
Next week will be Homecoming for Butler as they host the 3-2 Sherwood Marksmen.
Photos by Kellie Davidson
#MidAmericaLive
A look at the people behind the work at BCMH
Our Executive Leadership Team brings together leaders from across the hospital and our clinics, each with an important role in serving our patients, supporting our employees and caring for our community.
Pictured from left to right: Tricia Cook, Clinic Business Manager; Daniel Cook, Director of Information Systems; Terri Floyd, CFO; Greg Weaver, CEO; Jennifer Klinksick, RN, CNO; Allison Pugh, BSHA, Quality/Risk Director, and Kristina Anderson, Director of Human Resources.
We’re glad to have Allison Pugh, our Quality/Risk Director, as part of the team. Allison joined BCMH earlier this year.
We’re also recognizing Terri Floyd, our CFO, as she prepares to retire on October 6. We are thankful for the many years Terri has given to BCMH and for the knowledge, leadership and dedication she has shared along the way.
We’ll have more to share about Terri’s retirement separately, but for now, we simply want to say thank you.
#MidAmericaLive
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Blackhawks break records once again
Adrian Cross Country competed at Gans Creek this morning. Congratulations, Blackhawks!
From Head Coach Rylee Mabe:
Jack Lile (Sophomore) broke the school record with a time of 19:28! Alayna Patterson (Freshman) broke the school record again with a time of 20:37. She placed 14th overall and Kenzie Coones (Junior) placed 20th. Alayna and Kenzie took their places on the podium!
Photos by Jessica Patterson and Ashley Lile
#MidAmericaLive
Obituary - Brandon McKell Steele
Brandon McKell Steele, 41, passed away on Sunday, September 20, 2026. Brandon was born on September 30, 1984 in Payson, Utah, to Kent Steele and the late Pam Steele. Brandon married his wife, Brianna Steele, on January 13, 2018. Together, they built a life and family filled with love, laughter, long conversations, and memories that will be carried with them forever.
Brandon was a devoted husband and father to five children: Jaden Donald, 18; Brayden McKell, 13; Isaac Jayce, 9; Bentley Ryder, 7; and Brynleigh Hope Marie, 3. His family was an incredibly important part of his life.
Anyone who knew Brandon knew how much he loved to laugh and joke. He had a contagious laugh and a way of bringing positivity into even the hardest situations. No matter what was happening, Brandon was always the one reminding his family, “We’re okay.” There never seemed to be anything he couldn’t figure out!
Brandon truly had the biggest heart. He loved people, and there wasn’t a person he met that he couldn’t find something to love about. He cared so deeply, loved deeply, and gave that love freely to the people around him. Above all, Brandon loved God and knew Jesus Christ as his Savior. His family finds comfort in knowing that his faith was part of who he was and that his relationship with God carried him throughout his life. His children will grow up carrying pieces of their dad with them, and the love he gave his family will remain a part of them for the rest of their lives.
Brandon is survived by his wife, Brianna Steele; his children, Jaden, Brayden, Isaac, Bentley, and Brynleigh; his father, Kent Steele; his siblings, Sharee Wilson and her husband, Jason Wilson; Dustin Steele and his wife, Kara Steele; Jeremy Steele; and Chantalle Hess and her husband, William Hess; nieces and nephews he would never want to leave out!! Bailee Rasmussen, Tristen Rasmussen, Trae Rasmussen, Braxton Rasmussen, Duke Landers, Parker Wilson, Ryler Wilson, Haedon Wilson, Kaizlee Steele, Jaizlynn Steele, Jadon Hopkins, Ryley Steele, Aleigha Brooks, Nova Steele, Jocelyn Hess, Autumn Hess, Aubree Hess, William Hess, and Jaxon Hess, as well as many other family members and friends who loved him deeply.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Pam Steele, and his Grandma, Dolores Aiken.
Brandon’s life ended far too soon, but the impact of his 41 years cannot be measured simply by time. He will be deeply missed, endlessly loved, and forever remembered. And just as Brandon reminded his family so many times throughout his life: “We’re okay.”
Memorial services were held September 25, 2026, at Sheldon Baptist Church, Sheldon, MO with Dr. Jerod Lamb officiating.
#MidAmericaLive
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
