Obituary - Sherry Alkire

Sherry Alkire’s wishes were to be cremated. A celebration of life service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation prior to services 1 - 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Contributions to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Sherry Lee Alkire was born on October 18, 1944 in Norfolk, Nebraska to Silas Clinton & Elizabeth Lee ((Hayes) Dickerson. She departed this life on Thursday, August 13, 2026 at the age of 81 years, 9 months and 26 days at her home in Adrian, Missouri with her husband by her side.

On September 28, 1985, Sherry was united in Holy Matrimony to David Lee Alkire on their land outside Adrian, Missouri. They shared 41 years of wedded bliss.

Sherry was the eldest child of five. She was born in Norfolk, Nebraska and lived there until 1948 when her family moved to Pickstown, South Dakota. They then moved to Kansas City, Kansas and then to Nashua, Missouri. Sherry started her academic career at Eugene Ware Elementary School in Kansas City, Kansas then attended Nashua Elementary School in Nashua, Missouri when the family moved there. She attended Liberty High School in Liberty, Missouri. Sherry proudly earned her GED from the Harrisonville, Missouri Education Department.

She was employed by the Harrisonville, Missouri Department of Education as a crossing guard and at Harrisonville Monument Company as a designer from 1975 to 1984. She then worked at Bell & Howell in Mission, Kansas as a microfiche developer from 1984 to 1986. Sherry attended the Butler Church of the Nazarene in Butler, Missouri.

Sherry enjoyed spending time with her husband, sewing, quilting, gardening, canning, reading her Bible and western books, Colorado mountains, float trips, being outdoors in general and hunting. She and her husband also taught archery to 4-H students.

Sherry will be remembered, not only for who she was, but for the meals she prepared, the lessons she taught, and the love she shared. As thoughtful and caring as she was, though, she could also be a little stubborn when offed advice - she would still do what she wanted. Sherry was loved and admired by family and friends. She had a heart of gold.

Sherry was preceded in death by her parents, S. Clinton & Elizabeth Lee (Hayes) Dickerson and her brother, Norman Gene Dickerson.

She is survived by her husband, David Lee Alkire, of the home, 2 sons - John Edward Pemberton (Cheryl) and James Lee Pemberton (Mary), 2 daughters – Bonnie Faye Morris (Jerry) and Sherry Anne O’Neill (Pat), 11 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, 1 great, great grandchild on the way, 3 sisters – Debra Henderson (Frank), Diane Meek (John), Martha Bowles (Ron), other relatives and a host of friends.

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Obituary - Terry James Highley

Terry James Highley 82, was born in 1944 to William James and Uva Mae (Dade) Highley at Butler, MO.

Terry attended several rural schools in Bates and Cass Counties as his parents moved for jobs. He graduated eighth grade at Hickory Grove School, rural Archie, MO., Attended Archie High School graduating in 1962.

He worked at Limpus Quarry for a short time. Farmed with his dad, and summer hay jobs. Got married to Lela Gilmore of East Lynne at Gunn City, MO. on 4-5, 1964, Then he started working at Anaconda Wire and Cable in Harrisonville, MO. in January of 1965, because of a baby was on the way, needed insurance. Anaconda closed after 23 years. He took a part-time job at Archie, MO. with no insurance, wife nagged him to get a better job. He then applied at Sioux Chief at Peculiar, MO. He worked as a Machinist for 15 years. As he got closer to retirement he cut down to 4 days a week then 3 days, he really didn’t want to work out, just farm. He raised hogs and had cattle.

In 1965 Ronald James was born. In 1969, Melanie DeAnn was added to the family. Our family was complete for 15 years until Randy Lee surprised them in 1979.

Terry was a prankster and liked to play jokes on everyone. Sometimes if people didn’t know him, very well the jokes backfired.

Terry liked to horseshoe pitch; bowl; golf once in a while. He attended two World Horseshoe tournaments. For our 50th Anniversary in 2014. Ron; Victoria and little Warren took us in (our truck and camper) to New York. Ron paid Terry entry fee to pitch, my gift was to see Niagara Falls and get drenched with the rest with very COLD water. At the World Tournaments in 2015 in Topeka, Kansas, 4 generations of his family pitched, Terry; Ron, Granddaughter Paige and great grandson Warren.

Several summers were spend in Colorado high country trails with friends and almost relatives on 4-wheelers. Terry guessed we did about 600 miles there over the years. Terry was baptized on 31st of August of 2010 in very cold pool of water on a mountain top, get this, called Lost Canyon, by Pastor Larry Hess of Everett Church. God thought it was about time for this. He lit the sky up with beautiful blue and pick colors, tried to capture a picture, but this was between him and God.

Terry leaves behind his wife, Lela of 62 years; son Ron; daughter Melanie. Losing Randy Lee in 2022. Also, three Daughters-in-law Victoria; Lindsey and Cari. One Son-in-law Stacy Troby. 5 granddaughters, 4 grandsons; 4 great-grandsons and 7 great-granddaughters.

Terry’s greatest fun was making trouble, not forgotten!!

No services are planned at this time. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Western Missouri Antique Tractors & Machinery Association.

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Obituary - Diane Morgan Brennan

Diane Morgan Brennan, 65 of Harrisonville, Missouri passed away Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at her daughter's home in Butler, MO. Services are pending at this time. Arrangements entrusted to Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Messages and condolences may be left for the family and friends at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.




A complete obituary is pending at this time.

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Obituary - Dean Myers

Dean Myers, 43 of Butler, Missouri passed away Monday, August 10, 2026 at his home in Butler with loved ones by his side. Cremation, with a Celebration of Life Service to be held at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Messages of condolence may be left for family and friends at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Dean Allen Myers was born July 16, 1983. He grew up in the Kansas City area and worked most of his life as a mechanic specializing in tire repair. He seemed to know how to work on or fix just about anything. Dean’s greatest love was for his daughters, Mariah, Paeton, and Keylea, along with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed watching the KC Chiefs, and Royals. When he wasn’t spending time working, or with family he could be found fishing or hunting, no matter the weather. He found his greatest peace on a boat with a fishing pole. When he could no longer fish he would be watching it on tv.

Dean is survived by his girlfriend Angela Rusher and her family of Butler, MO., his daughters Mariah, Paeton, and Keylea Myers all of Independence, MO., along with his grandchildren, and by his mother Florence Gilchrist, brother Jimmy Gilchrist, and sister Alicia Porter, his nieces, nephews, and extended family members and friends.

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Obituary - Florence Marie Arbogast

Florence Marie Arbogast, 69 of Hume, Missouri passed away Sunday, August 9, 2026 at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. Cremation, with services and burial pending at the moment. Arrangements entrusted to Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Messages of condolence may be left for the family and friends at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Florence Marie Bright Arbogast was born July 13, 1957 in Foster, Missouri. The daughter of Alvin and Thelma Wyant Bright. She grew up in the Foster and Rich Hill area, attending Rich Hill schools and graduating in 1975. She was united in marriage to Norval Arbogast in 1982. Three sons were born to this union, Jon Howard, Alvin Joseph, and Fabian.

Marie worked for Avon in the 1980’s, then for Walmart as a cashier, before becoming a CNA and working at various nursing homes in the area. Always bringing a smile to the faces of her patients. She had a love for music, and would listen to it often, especially the Beatles and Janis Joplin. She was a talented guitar player and would often share that gift. Marie also enjoyed history and was always pulling out family photo albums and digging into the family genealogy.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, husband Norval Arbogast in 2024, and by her infant son Jon Howard Arbogast in 1984. She is survived by her sons, Alvin Arbogast of Hume, MO., and Fabian Arbogast and Fiancé Abigail of Richards, MO., along with a treasured grandson, Victor Rae Arbogast.

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Brief session for the Bates County Commission

Minutes from the August 5, 2026 Bates County Commission meeting

The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

Chris Gach, Jami Page County Clerk, and Charles Rush, with Cooks Insurance, met with the Commission to join a Zoom Meeting with NonStop Insurance. They discussed multiple areas and asked questions that they needed to ask to be better educated for a decision and to inform the Elected Officials that will soon join the Commission in a meeting to discuss insurance for the County.

John was given a letter and presented it to the rest of the Commission, Chris Gach still present. Mound Township sent a letter to the Commission informing them that they voted Jim Hertzog off the Board and suggested Matt Meredith fill that position.

John made a motion to appoint Matt Meredith to Mound Township Board. Trent seconded the motion. Jim asked if John had spoken to Matt to make sure he wanted this position, John informed Jim that he talked to Mound Township Board and they had already talked to Matt to make sure he wanted the position. John then read out loud that part within the letter where it explained that Matt was aware and was willing to take the position. All were in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.

At 3:19 pm Trent made a motion to go into Closed Session per 610.021(3) with Steve Cohen to discuss Personnel. All were in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.

At 4:15 pm John made a motion to go into Open Session. Trent seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.

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Obituary - Mary Elizabeth Freeman

Mary Elizabeth Freeman, age 94 of Deepwater, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at her home. Her infectious love, laughter and light was a beacon, an essence of joy and grace, and embodied the spirit of generosity. A pillar within her family. Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother. Mary's wishes were to be cremated. A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Fond memories and condolences may be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.

Mary was born February 29, 1932 in Kansas City, MO to Earl H. and Flora M. Oberholtz. Her grandfather Georee Shelley was mayor of Kansas City, MO. She was a member of the Church of Christ Scientisi Boston, MA. Her husband John E. Freeman passed away July 1995. They were married on January 28, 1951 in Kansas City, MO and were married for 44 years.

Mary started her career with the Army Map Service with Top Secret clearance, later transferring to the Corps of Engineers Kansas City, MO. She was involved with drafting the construction of Truman Lake and Missouri River levees. In 1979 she transferred to the city of Mesa, AZ. There she managed (As Builts) mapping. In 1986 she then moved back to Missouri to the Truman Lake area that she fell in love with when mapping for the lake. She worked and retired from Wal-Mart at 81 years of age. She volunteered her time at the Samaritan Center, Clinton, MO.

She is survived by sons Kent Freeman (Carolyn) of Deepwater, MO and John Freeman of Clinton, MO, grandson Trenton E. Freeman of Springfield, MO, great-grandsons Ryan & Trevor Freeman of Springfield, MO, step-grandchildren Jackie Price & Richard Fry, step-great-grandchildren Randall & Bryon Price & Alexandria (Fry) of Joplin, MO and 4 great great-grandsons, and a sister Julianna Henderson of Buena Vista, CO.

Services are under the direction of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, MO. 

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