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!
.
#MidAmericaLive
Thursday, October 15, 2026
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."
#MidAmericaLive
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.
#MidAmericaLive
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.
#MidAmericaLive
Explore outdoors this weekend at McGennis Youth Center
Please register as soon as possible
#MidAmericaLive
#MidAmericaLive
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
What's your prediction?
At any rate, a good turnout is always important!
For the record, Bates County currently has 11895 registered voters
#MidAmericaLive
LIttle Apple news
October 14, 2026
Mark your calendars for "A Night at the Mouse Races!” located at the Farmhouse in Appleton City on October 17. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. with Races starting at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the Cork and Keg, Powell's True Value or from Brooke Powell (660) 492-3431 and Brittani Turner (660) 679-1029. Your $30 Ticket includes a meal of smoked chicken quarter, twice baked potato casserole, green beans, rolls, and Vickie's desserts, along with 2 drinks. Brought to you by AC Athletic Booster Club, with all funds raised going towards a new High School gym floor.
AC Masonic Lodge #412 will have a pancake breakfast 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Sunday, October 18 at the Masonic Hall, 219 E. 3rd St. Adults can have “all you can eat” for $10, $7 for children under 10 and kids 5 and under eat free. There will be raffles for cash prizes.
Appleton City Golden Apples will be having a bake sale in conjunction with the Masonic Lodge pancake breakfast October 18 at the Lodge hall from 8:00-1:30 or until all sold. Proceeds go toward the continued goal of providing meals and socialization for the senior members of the community.
Rivers Crossing Life (Osceola Senior) Center and Care Connection for Aging Services will host “Taste Of Italy” featuring a cannoli bar 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. October 18, 2026 at the Senior Center, 5215 Business Hwy 13 NE, Osceola, MO. The menu includes chicken parmesan with pasta, Italian sausage and meatball skewers, salad, garlic bread and a cannoli dessert bar (you pick the filling). A freewill donation will be appreciated and accepted. Proceeds benefit older adults in our community as well as meals for the elderly in AC.
On Saturday, October 17, Valley Center Church will host their 35th annual Oktoberfest. They are serving a German home cooked meal from 3:00-8:00 p.m. of smoked brats and turkey, German potato salad, homemade breads, desserts, a country store and more! Adults eat for $15. Children ages 6-12 eat for $3.00. You can help them support local food pantries by bringing a non-perishable food item and receive $1.00 off an adult meal. Their address is 930 NE 1126 RD. Deepwater MO. The church is located 3 miles North of Lowry City or 12 miles South of Clinton off of 13 HWY.
Together the First Baptist Church youth and Local FFA will be collecting items for Trick or Treat for World Hunger. All donated items will go to our local food pantry (located at West Central). Bags will be placed on doors Sunday, October 26 and picked up Wednesday October 28.
PAT Safe Trick or Treat will be held on 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 26 at Forrest Park.
University of Missouri Extension of St. Clair County will host an informational course in estate planning 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 17 at the Forest Park Building, 206 E. 5th Street in ACMO. Participants may register in advance by visiting https://pears.io/events/mu/11210/ or by calling (417) 646-2419. Walk-in attendees are also welcomed. The cost is $15/person or $25/couple. In this course, participants will see a fictional family who has done no estate planning. As life circumstances occur, participants will see the unintended consequences of having done no estate planning. After learning what all goes wrong, we’ll examine the tools available in an estate plan, and then apply those tools to our fictional family to see how it might have changed their outcome. The purpose of the course is to demonstrate the importance of estate planning in general, but also to give participants more knowledge about estate planning tools and how they might apply so that they are better prepared when they meet with their own estate planning attorneys. This course will be taught by a licensed attorney with 20 years of experience in probate and estate planning.
AC Rural Health Clinic has flu vaccines available. Call 660-476-2121 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Nominations are being accepted for the January 17-23 public election of St. Clair County’s University of Missouri Extension Council. Candidate recommendations may be made by contacting the county extension center, (417) 646-2419. Nominees will then be contacted to secure their permission before being placed on the ballot. Nominations for the 5 open positions must be made prior to December 11, 2026. 3 Candidates are needed from the North District (Appleton, Monegaw, Chalk Level, Butler, Jackson, Center Osage and Taber Townships). 2 Candidates are needed from the South District (Osceola, Polk, Dallas, Doyal, Roscoe, Speedwell, Washington and Collins Townships). In St. Clair County, they are seeking people from all walks of life who are interested in education and the progress of our communities, to serve on the extension council. Council candidates must be at least 18 years old and reside in the district they represent. The St. Clair County Extension Council meets on the first Tuesday of February, April, June, August, October and December. Missouri state statues create county extension councils to work with University of Missouri Extension. Council members assist in planning and carrying out extension programs in their county, providing local extension governance and representing the diversity of the county’s changing population.
Ellett Memorial Hospital Appleton City offers outpatient specialist services for October. Call 660-476-2111 for appointments. Thursday, October 15 - Podiatry: Dr. Pace, Friday, October 16 - Dermatology- Dylan Timmerman, PA, Wednesday, October 21 - Upper GI, Colonoscopy-Dr. Namin, Friday, October 23 - Orthopedics- Laura Noble, FNP, Tuesday, October 27 - Rheumatology- Dr. John, Wednesday, October 28 - Orthopedic-Dr. Gray, Wednesday, October 28 - Ophthalmology, Dr. Soni, Thursday, October 29 - Neurology- Dr.- Shoaib.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Oct 17 Oktoberfest at Valley Center Church 3:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Oct 17 A Night at the Mouse Races at the Farmhouse Kitchen in Appleton City. Doors open at 5:00 p.m.
Oct 18 AC Masonic Lodge #412 pancake breakfast and Golden Apples bake sale 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Oct 18 “Taste Of Italy” featuring a cannoli bar 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Senior Center, 5215 Business Hwy 13 NE, Osceola, MO
#MidAmericaLive
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
