Obituary - JoAnne Ashburn

God’s child and our mother, JoAnne Ashburn, went home to be with the Lord on August 26, 2026, in Louisburg, KS.

JoAnne was born to Arthur Jon and Agnes Natalie Nelson in Thayer, Kansas on September 29th,1930. Her parents and 10 siblings all preceded her in death.

She grew up on a farm, and remembered well taking care of the chickens. She played the bugle as part of the drum & bugle corps in school. In 1948, she graduated from Chanute High School.

She married Chester Ashburn in 1953. They had four daughters: Paula Brandenburg, Brenda Kennedy (Patrick), Donna Erwin (Kevin), and Jan Gifford (Timothy). She relocated to Overland Park, KS, living and raising the girls in that area. She eventually moved back to Chanute, living for many years there with her sister, Dorothy. Then, in 2013, she moved to Louisburg, KS to be closer to her family.

JoAnne worked as an executive secretary with Boeing during the war, and then with Black & Veatch in Overland Park. She also worked with her sister, Dorothy, at Dorothy's Floral, in Chanute.

She daily lived out her faith in God and was very involved in her church. In addition to serving as church Secretary for many years, she sang in the choir, served in numerous ministries, was active in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society, and even taught adult Bible classes.

She enjoyed many hobbies like gardening, sewing, and handcrafts. She was an excellent baker, and always had treats waiting for her family, whom she loved dearly.

She is survived by her 4 daughters, 10 grandchildren (David, Jennifer, Hiedi, Debbi, Jonathan, Jessica, Katie, Andrew, Toby, and Daniel), 14 great grandchildren, who lovingly called her GG, and 4 great great grandchildren.

At 95, JoAnne had lived a full life as a Christian woman devoted to God and her family. She was a light pointing others to Jesus, and now she is enjoying eternity with her LORD. ALLELUIA!

The Lord is my Shepherd.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at Dengel & Son Mortuary - Louisburg Chapel, 1 Aquatic Drive, Louisburg, Kansas 66053. Graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm, at Memorial Park Cemetery, 1400 S Katy Road, Chanute, Kansas 66720.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made payable to Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, 5 S 8th Street, Louisburg, Kansas 66053.

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Obituary - Doris Null

Funeral services for Doris Null of Butler, Missouri will be 10 a.m. Thursday, September 3, 2026 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler. Visitation from 5 - 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 2 at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to Double Branch Christian Church or Show-Me Christian Youth Home. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

A full obituary will be published at a later date.

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Graveside service and inurnment for Jerry Drysdale of Wisconsin, formerly of Butler, Missouri will be 11 a.m. Friday, September 4, 2026 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler. Arrangements are under the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Jerry Keith Drysdale, the son of Clarence Richard and Hazel Marie (Igou) Drysdale was born in Butler, Missouri on December 25, 1937. He departed this life on December 18, 2025 in Mosinee, Wisconsin, one week short of his 88th birthday.

He accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior and was baptized at a young age. Jerry attended Rich Hill (Missouri) High School where he was a class officer, member of the Student Council, FFA, FBLA, and participated in track, basketball, and football, graduating in 1955. In 1958 he was united in marriage with Mary Margaret Overton in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, where they made their home. To this union two children were born: Pamela Jeanne and Kevin Andrew.

Jerry was a timber buyer for Hiram Walker & Co. in Wisconsin, and later for Blue Grass Distilleries in Martinsville, Indiana, purchasing tracts of white oak timber for the production of barrels. He and Mary retired to Kronenwetter, Wisconsin where they enjoyed canoeing and other outdoor activities, and spending time with their children and grandchildren.

He leaves to mourn his loss, his children, Pam Zangl (Greg) and Kevin Drysdale; his grandchildren Kyle Drysdale, Kelsey Opal (Austin), and Ford Zangl; his two sisters, Norma Lea Mellenbruch and Marilyn Reed; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

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Obituary - Tamie Person

Tamie Person age 69 of Harrisonville, Missouri departed this life Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at her home surrounded by love and family. 

Cremation with a celebration of life service will be held at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation. Donations can be made through the link or mailed to Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701. 

A complete obituary and service times will be posted once that information becomes available. 

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Obituary - Larry Burton

Larry Joe Burton, 78, of Freeman, Missouri, passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2026 at St. Luke's East in Lee's Summit, MO. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 12:00 PM at Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO, with the visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. Interment to follow at Orient Cemetery in Harrisonville, MO. Contributions may be made to Harrisonville VFW Post 4409.

A complete obituary will be posted when it is available.


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Obituary - Carl Jennings Jr.

Carl "C.D." Douglas Jennings, Jr., 78, of Garden City, Missouri, passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, MO. Funeral services will be on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Faith Baptist Church in Harrisonville, MO, with a visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Harrisonville, MO.

A complete obituary will be posted when it is available.


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BCMH welcomes Dr. Brian Heiniger, MD

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Brian Heiniger, MD, to Bates County Memorial Hospital

Dr. Heiniger is a visiting ophthalmologist who will provide cataract surgery and other ophthalmic surgical services at BCMH one day each month.

He will begin seeing patients locally on September 8 at Noe, Miller, and Miller in Butler. Appointments are scheduled through Grin Eye Care at 913-829-5511.

His first surgical day at BCMH will be September 16.

Dr. Heiniger practices comprehensive ophthalmology in the greater Kansas City area, with an emphasis on cataract and refractive surgery. We're pleased to welcome him to BCMH and bring specialized eye care closer to home for our community.

Learn more about Dr. Heiniger and ophthalmology services at BCMH: https://bcmhospital.com/meet-dr-heiniger-ophthalmologist/

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Osage Valley holds 88th annual meeting

Osage Valley Electric Cooperative held their 88th Annual Meeting on August 27, 2026, with a drive-thru format at both the Butler and Clinton offices. Employees registered members, then members were able to vote electronically from 4-6pm, receiving a gift on departure. In addition  to the drive-thru, members were able to register/vote online from August 10-25, 2026. All  registered members will receive a $20 electric bill credit.  

Electric bill credit prizes and other prizes were awarded to registered members, online and drive thru. Jeremy Short and Jenna Meade were each the lucky winners of a $250.00 electric bill  credit. Complete list of winners will appear in the October 2026 issue of the Rural Missouri.  

The business meeting featured the election of three members to the Cooperative’s Board of  Directors. All three incumbent directors were uncontested and re-elected to the Board to serve  three-year terms. They were David Rapp and Darrell Dains, representing Bates County and Joe  Hilty, representing Henry/Johnson Counties. 

An abbreviated business meeting was held by the Board of Directors immediately following the  drive-thru portion of the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors were present at both offices  and participated in a zoom meeting to conduct the business meeting. 

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