String of Vernon county burglaries result in arrests

An investigation by the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office into a series of burglaries and attempted burglaries at the Fraternal Order of the Eagles near El Dorado Springs has resulted in charges against Brenton Lee Kafer

Between April 22 and September 9, 2026, the Eagles Lodge experienced four burglaries and two attempted burglaries. During the completed burglaries, forced entry was made into the building, and cash was reported stolen.

During the September 9th incident, deputies conducting surveillance encountered a suspect on the property. The suspect fled on foot after being ordered to stop, leaving burglary tools behind.

Deputy Tabitha Nance, Deputy Frank Brumfield, and the Midwest Missouri Career Criminal & Drug Task Force (MMCCDTF) assisted with the investigation.

The MMCCDTF is a cooperative effort among the Sheriff’s Offices of Bates, Barton, Cedar, Dade, Henry, St. Clair, and Vernon Counties. By combining personnel, resources, and intelligence, these agencies work together to combat career criminals and illegal drug activity throughout West Central Missouri.

On October 14, 2026, the Honorable Judge Jacob Dawson issued an arrest warrant charging Kafer with six counts of second-degree burglary, four counts of stealing $750 or more, and two counts of second-degree property damage.

The warrant was served in Lawrence County. Judge Dawson ordered Kafer held without bond.

The investigation remains ongoing. Additional charges may follow, and information developed during this investigation may help solve other cases.

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A beautiful day at the Papinville picnic

Families of the Papinville Historical and Cemetery Association founders pay tribute

 

L-R, front row: Evan Swarnes, Lorrie Swarnes, Gracelea Swarnes, Alisa Swarnes, Marilyn Hay & Baelynn Hay; Middle row: Angela Stangel, Alaina Greer, Paula (Stangel), Robert Swarnes, Montana Stangel, Eric Hay. Back row: Matt Johnson, Tesah Swarnes, Little Ron Gilkey, Daniel Salazar, Leon Crockett (Arleta Stangel) and John Swarnes

It was a great day at the Papinville picnic. It sprinkled a few times, but the event went on with a lot of people having fun.

There was a lot of good food, great auctions, games, contests, wagon rides, music and the children enjoying the big inflatable slide.

The association put on a great event and they all worked hard to make the event successful. The following people helped to make this years event the biggest one yet. Angela Stangel, Alisa Swarnes, Trent and Janet Nelson, Lori Stewart and Kevin Colborn, John and Phyllis Stewart, Elvin and Brenda Henley, Bob and Lorrie Swarnes, Roc and Zack Marquardt, Dave and April Stewart, John and Connie Coffman, Jeff Watts, Beverly Sullins, Kathy Heuser, Arthur Stewart, Carrie Klinksick, Jeff Miller ( for the wagon rides), music entertainment by Kent Paige, face painting by Meghann  Case and for all the helpers who helped with games and serving food. A thank you to the pie contest judges Sandy Hendren, Barrett Case and Kim Jacobs and to   Tom Altinburg for the Papinville Bridge painting that was auctioned. Roc Marquardt was the high bidder. Thanks goes to Phyllis Stewart for the quilt (Winner Christy Jones) and for the history stories in Mid America and Butler Radio Station. We thank the business people and individuals that donated items for the silent auction and live auction. There were 130 items  in the silent auction to bid on. Thanks to the bakers who baked pies for the pie auction, cakes for the cake walk and dinner table. We appreciated the donations you gave for the dinner. 

If you enjoyed the Papinville Picnic tell someone from the organization. We hope you will come back next year. The following are the results from the contests:

Coloring contest; 2-5 years : 1st place Sam Salazar, 2nd place Keleigh Sales:  6-10 years : 1st place Gracelea Swarnes, 2nd place Liam Greer:  11-15 years : 1st place Baelynn Hay, 2nd place Guage Fisher

Pie contest: Juniors 15 and younger:  1st place Gracelea Swarnes(Strawberry and Rhubarb): 2nd place Clayanna Johnson (Pineapple)

Adults 16 and older: 1st Place Alisa Swarnes (Cinnamon roll apple): 2nd place Montana Stangel (Apple)

A honor ceremony was held to honor the only surviving board member  ( Bob Swarnes), who got the Papinville Historical and Cemetery Association started in 1989. The other board members  honored were Paul and Jerry Stangle family, Harold and Shorty Klinksick  family and Ron Gilkey  Sr. family.  

Until next year have a wonderful year and thank you for your support helping to keep the history of this community alive.     

 Submitted by Phyllis Stewart

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Huckster's Day forecast looks promising

Forecasters say rain will move out by tomorrow, leaving a cool, sunny, Fall-like weekend ahead. See you at Huckster's Day on Saturday in Butler!

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Obituary - Bill Isenhower

Bill Isenhower, 93, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2026.

When he was 12 or 13 years old, his family moved to Louisburg, Kansas, to the Kay Ranch, where they lived and worked together. The values of hard work, perseverance, and community that he learned there would guide him throughout his life.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Vern and Verbal Isenhower; his brother, Herbert Isenhower; and his beloved wife, Marlene Isenhower. He is survived by his loving daughter, Marla (Dedrick) Anderson; his sisters, Shirley Picek, Sue Knecht, and Betty Zeigler (Dennis); and many extended family members, dear friends, and loved ones.

Bill lived a life defined by hard work, service, and connection with others. Over the years, he farmed, raised horses, worked as an auctioneer, sold real estate, and retired from Delco. He and Marlene enjoyed years of traveling the country in their RV. Bill always remained active, continuing to sell RVs right up until the end. He was also a lifelong musician who found great joy in sharing music with those around him.

In June 1955, Bill married Marlene. Together they built a life anchored in faith, family, and commitment, sharing 60 wonderful years of marriage before her passing in 2015. To know Bill was to know someone who never met a stranger. He seemed to know people everywhere he went, and everywhere he went, people knew him. His warm smile, easy conversation, and genuine interest in others made lasting impressions and lifelong friendships. He was deeply loved by his family and touched countless lives through his work(s), his music, and his kindness.

Above all, Bill was an amazing father to his daughter, Marla. He was a source of unwavering love, encouragement, wisdom, and support throughout her life. The bond they shared was one of his greatest blessings and one of the treasures he leaves behind. Bill's legacy lives on through the family he loved, the friendships he cherished, and the many lives he touched. He will be remembered for his generous spirit, musical talent, and the genuine care he showed to everyone he met.

Graveside service will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at the Hillsdale Cemetery. Celebration of life and lunch will follow at the Hillsdale Presbyterian Church. 

Family and friends are invited to gather, share memories, and celebrate a life well lived. Bill will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved him.

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

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Obituary - Laurel Lee Brownback Elliott

Laurel Lee Brownback Elliott, age 83, Parker, Kansas passed away Sunday, October 11, 2026.  She was born on August 9, 1943 in rural Centerville, Kansas the daughter of Clyde and Shirley Drake Brownback.  She attended grade school at Round Mound and Centerville.  She graduated from Parker Rural High School. Laurel worked for Hallmark for thirty-five years before retiring as a materials receiving inspector.  Laurel was united in marriage to Harry "Bo" Elliott on October 6, 1982.  He preceded her in death September 8, 1994.  She was a member of the Overland Park Christian Church when she lived in the metro.  She was also preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Marion and Burton Brownback, a sister, Lorene Jackson, and a grandson, Bo Michael Rapoff.  Laurel is survived by a daughter, Lori Jenks and husband Buddy, a stepson, Troy Elliott and wife Suzanne, two stepdaughters, Tracy Weber and husband Peter, and Holly Doran, a sister, Marylou Kinder and husband Larry, two grandchildren, Harrison "Sonny" Rapoff and Elliott Catherine Rapoff, six step grandchildren, and several great grandchildren.    

Funeral service will be 10 am Friday, October 16, 2026 at the Centerville Community Church.  Burial will be 2:15 pm Friday in the Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, Kansas.  Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.  

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Obituary - Mark Eric Smothers

Mark Eric Smothers was born on August 4, 1960. He already had a 3 year old sister April Lynn. We lived in a small rented house on the outskirts of the city, but had a large yard and a wooded hillside to play in. From the very beginning, he liked mechanical things- and would "work" on his tricycle.

He always wanted to help out with everything, his favorite clothes was his Superman T-shirt with a cape I fixed for him. Then he got a baby brother David. He was proud when he could make him toys and watch over him.

When in high school he took guitar lessons, then he attended Central Missouri state University., where he earned his bachelor degree in electricity, electronics, plus taking post grad courses in TV production, stage and stage lighting, and was in the men's chorus. He receieved Straight A's in it all. Mark always helped his grandfather on the cattle farm, etc., through it all.

He was working at a marble factory over one summer- and later took a course in KC for recording, and bought a recorder.

Then he got cancer (we know now that the marble factory was the cause). After a long battle, he was finally in remission, and immediately felt called to write inspirational type music. However, not the ussual type church music. He wanted to inspire non religious people to see the truth. He wrote "Spring Forth" from words he said was inspired directly from God. He believed in the inspiration, since he just sat down and started playing it and singing it all of a sudden from beginning to end in one take.

He established his own label and got copyrights for everything. Since the music industry was in a state of change, he went from casettes to CD's, and no one wanted serious music anymore, it's only gotten worse since. Then Mark gave up on the music business, but was needed at home, his dad was in ill health since he had been hit by a car, and David and I were running his landscape business.

One year after his dad died, he was taking over more things here, when he had a heart attack. His heart stopped 3 times- they put in two stents, and he lay on total like support for 9 days. When they tried to take him off, it didn't work and had to put him back on. But after a long recovery and 2 rehab sessions, he was OK, working hard here at home, raising and preserving our own food. With the farm rented down home, had been getting along fine until now.

When fishing with his best friend, his heart just quit. He had always said "I just want to be two old guys fishing in a boat and keel over, that's the way to go". He did, just too soon.

Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, October 16th at the Heuser Funeral Home.  Burial will be at the Green Lawn Cemetery.

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Explore outdoors this weekend at McGennis Youth Center

Please register as soon as possible

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Mark your calendar to meet Daisy Duke, Catherine Bach

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