MSHP offers swimming safety tips

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Obituary - Carolyn Ann Hellwig

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday, August 17, 2026 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation prior to service 9 - 10 a.m. Monday at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Cremation to follow the service. There will be a private family inurnment at a later date. Contributions to Pleasant Gap Christian Church or Round Prairie Cemetery, Appleton City, Missouri. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Carolyn Ann Hellwig, age 78 of rural Butler, Missouri died Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at her son’s home. She was born July 22, 1948 to LV Brown Jr. and Wilma Marie Nichols Brown in Appleton City, Missouri.

Carolyn is survived by one son, Kaleb Hellwig and wife Jody of Butler, Missouri; four grandchildren, Judd and Reegan Koshko and Kinley and Kie Hellwig; two brothers, Don Brown and wife Nancy and Steve Brown and wife Brenda, all of Appleton City, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Nancy Brown of Appleton City, Missouri; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bob Hellwig (08/12/2015); daughter, Cheyanna Hellwig (08/23/2012); and one brother, Wayne Brown.

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Adrian schools welcome new staff members

The Adrian School District is pleased to introduce several new members to our team for the 2026–2027 school year, including new teachers, a principal, and a Technology Director. Please join us in giving them a warm welcome to the Blackhawks Family!

Front row, left to right: Meka Bauer, Elementary Principal; Jessica Coen, Early Childhood Special Education Teacher; Flicia Shelton, Preschool Teacher; Michael Prater, HS Science Teacher and Scholar Bowl Sponsor; Andrew Friend, PE Teacher and JH/HS Football Coach. Back row, left to right: Delana Miner, 4th Grade Teacher; Erin Grimsley, Elementary Special Education Teacher; Christa Stokes, 3rd Grade Teacher; Nathan McGuire, Technology Director; Mark Williams, Band Teacher.

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Osage Valley Electric Cooperative to Hold 88th Annual Meeting

The 88th Annual Meeting of the members of Osage Valley Electric Cooperative Association will  be a “drive-thru” meeting on August 27, 2026, with members registering from 4:00-6:00pm at  either the Butler or Clinton office. Signage and employees will direct member traffic through the  pole yards at both locations for registration, voting, and receiving a gift. We ask those attending  the drive-thru meeting to bring your registration slip from the August Rural Missouri magazine.  A $20 electric credit will be given to all members participating in the drive-thru meeting.  

Online participation for the OVEC Annual Meeting will also be available again this year from  August 10-25, 2026, for those unable to attend the drive-thru meeting, or for those choosing the  convenience of online voting. Online voters will receive a $20.00 bill credit on their electric  account also. Check out our website (www.osagevalley.com) or Facebook page for a link to the  online voting portal during August 10-25, 2026.  

All drive-thru and online members registering will also be eligible for additional prizes and  electric credit certificates through a drawing. All electric credits for members registering, and  for prize winners, will be applied to the members’ September 1, 2026, electric bill. 

The Cooperative’s 2025 Annual Meeting minutes, the 2026 Official Annual Meeting Notice, the  Financial Report, the President’s Report, and bios on the incumbent directors, running  uncontested this year, are available for member review in the August Rural Missouri edition, on  our website, and on our Facebook page. An abbreviated business meeting will be held by the  board of directors immediately following the drive-thru portion of the Annual Meeting on  August 27, 2026, from 4-6pm. Directors will be present at both offices and will utilize a zoom  meeting to conduct the business meeting.

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Headed to the Missouri State Fair?

Show us how you're spending your day at the fair with our Missouri State Fair Snapchat filters.

Snap a photo, use the filter and share your favorite fair moments. From livestock shows and exhibits to fair food and family fun, we want to see your experience.

Don't forget to tag MU Extension in your posts and photos for a chance to be featured on our social media channels.

Find the filters on Snapchat at @mizzousnaps or use the direct links:

Missouri State Fair Filter: https://brnw.ch/21x4Sw9

4-H Filter:

https://brnw.ch/21x4Sw8

We can't wait to see the fair through your eyes!

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Obituary - Ernest "Ernie" York

Funeral services for Ernest "Ernie" York will be 2 p.m. Friday, August 14, 2026 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation prior to services 1 - 2 p.m. Friday at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Cremation to follow the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Heartland Hospice. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

A full obituary will be published at a later date.

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Obituary - Joel Byron “Jody” Shaffer

Joel Byron “Jody” Shaffer, 70, passed away Friday, August 7, 2026, at his home in Nevada, MO following a lengthy illness. Jody was born on April 17, 1956 in Fort Leavenworth, KS, to Joseph and Dorothy (Jester) Shaffer.  He was married to Debbie Kerr on January 19, 2008 in Gladstone, MO. 

    Jody was raised in Milo, MO and attended Nevada High School.  He served in the United States Army from 1973-1975, stationed in Germany.  He worked for the Ford Motor Company in Kansas City for a number of years until his retirement.  He also drove a truck for Crete-Shaffer Trucking Company of Kansas City from 2008-2011. 

    Jody loved riding motorcycles with his brother, Jesse, and friends. He also rode as a member of the “Patriot Guard”.  He enjoyed camping, fishing, going to car races, shooting pool, watching the Kansas City Chiefs games, and spending time with his friends and family.   Jody was known for his quick wit, giving people a hard time, but more importantly, giving good advice.  He was always willing to help others in need.

     In addition to his wife, Debbie, of the home; Jody is survived by a daughter, Stephanie Schoephoerster (Kent), Gulf Breeze, FL; step-daughter, Stacey Kinslow, Nevada, MO; step-son, Kyle James, Greencastle, IN; grandchildren, Kyler Schoephoerster (Taryn), Ethan Schoephoerster (Baylee), Chase Schoephoerster, Cristlynn McDonnell (Leonard), and Barryn McDonnell; great-grandson, Lucian Youmans; seven siblings, Jesse Jester (Carol), Sabrena Allison (Larry), Charles Baughman, Vanessa Carroll (Andy), Edward Baughman (Marla), Aaron Baughman, and Larry Baughman; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, John & Pearl Jester; his parents; and a brother, John Baughman.

     Military Honors will be conducted at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Ferry Funeral Home.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home following the military honors.  At 5:00 p.m., the Patriot Guard, including Jody’s bike, will lead “Jody’s Last Ride”--a procession from Ferry Funeral Home to the VFW.  The family would like to invite all family and friends to join them there.

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Obituary - Nina Marie Wilhelm

Nina Marie Wilhelm, 79, of Pleasant Hill, MO, passed away on August 10, 2026. Born in California, MO to Herbert and Anna Wilhelm, Nina graduated from Raytown High School. She later worked as an LPN at Research Hospital in Kansas City, MO. She decided to get her nursing degree and attended Southwest Missouri State University, where she graduated with honors. She moved to Joplin, MO, where she worked at St. John's Hospital for the majority of her career until a back injury forced an early retirement. 

Nina was known for her love of her family, playing softball, camping, and sailing. She also served in the Army Reserves for many years and was awarded for her excellent marksmanship. Nina never married or had any children. She was a great aunt to all of her nieces and nephews and spoiled them all.

Surviving Family Members - Sisters: Melissa Weaver - Sister-in-law: Carol Wilhelm - Nieces: Amee Wilhelm, Becky Wilhelm, Serina Wimsatt - Nephews: Felix Lindsey, Ethan Lindsey 

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Ruth Ann Land, her brothers Andy and Lanny Wilhelm, and her long-time roommate and best friend Pamela Jones. A private family gathering will be held at a later date to celebrate her life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Wounded Warrior Project.

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