BHS Competes At All-District Choir

The pictured BHS choir students participated in All-District Choir in Oak Grove, MO, Saturday, October 19. Congrats to Zion Plotner, who made All-State Choir for the second year in a row! We believe he is the only Butler student to ever make All-State twice. Way to go Bears!

Front: Windsday Grissom, Madison Kennedy, Makenzie Algiere, Kensley Schowengerdt, Morgan Stump. Back: Bethany Swarnes, Zion Plotner, Olivia Blaser, Lola Blaser

Obituary - Vernon Steffen

Vernon Steffen, 89 of Kansas City, Missouri passed away at his home on October 16, 2024. Graveside services will be held 11:00 am Wednesday, October 23, 2024 in Prairie City Cemetery, Prairie City, Missouri. Services under the direction of Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Memorial contributions may be made to the ASPCA. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Vernon Francis Steffen was born February 5, 1935 in Hoisington, Kansas to Joseph and Otilda Prizner Steffen. The family eventually moved to Sedalia, Missouri where Vernon would grow up.

He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1953 and went to work until he was drafted to serve in the US Army from 1958 to 1960. After being honorably discharged he went to work for the railroad for a time as electrician. He later moved to Kansas City, Missouri and began his career as a Computer Programmer for United States Department of Agriculture until retirement in 1993.

Vernon enjoyed many things in life; reading, learning, volunteering at the Catholic Church in Weston, Missouri. He also loved photography, but most of all, he loved spending all of his time with his wife Donna and their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents and wife Donna Wilt Steffen. He is survived by his daughter Karin Steffen West, son Eric Steffen, granddaughters, Brittney, Brooke, Tatum, and Briana, along with great-grandchildren, William, Charlie, Maggie, Lena, and Liam. He also leaves behind his beloved sisters, Caroline Keeby, Dorothy Fischer, and Deloris Verkest and their families.

Obituary - Linda Rutherford

Linda Rutherford, 72, of Butler, Missouri passed away on October 15th, 2024 at Appleton City Manor. She passed away peacefully while the song My Jesus by Anne Wilson played in the background. Cremation, with private family services to be held at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Memorial contributions may be made to Butler Public Library. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com

Linda Rutherford was born on August 20th, 1952 in Pasadena, California, to Vince Smith and Joyce (Aguirre)

She attended Rosemead High School in Rosemead, California. She had a very lucrative work life. She held many jobs such as police officer, recruiter, salesmen & business owner as well as working for several different companies such as Smith Roller Company, Donald Rutherford Company & Police Legal Sciences. She was one of the first women police officers that worked for the El Monte Police Station in LA County, California. Linda devoted much of her life working as a broker selling copiers which she did for 9 years. It was not until 2010 where she really found her passion working for a company called Police Legal Sciences, where she worked as a salesman that sold dispatch training to police stations all over the country. 

Linda found such happiness and passion in being able to help train people who were in charge of saving people’s lives on a daily basis. She retired happily from this company in December of 2021. Linda Rutherford worked hard her entire life and devoted so much time and effort into any job she had. She did all she could to provide for her 10 kids, she always succeeded and she never took no for an answer.

Linda’s true passions in life were spending time with family, shopping and talking on the phone. Her 10 children were her life. Even though they were spread all across the country they always made it a point to try to see her and always call her. She loved talking on the phone to all her family and sending very long voicemails to them if they did not answer. You could always find her at a garage sale or ordering anything and everything on amazon and Facebook marketplace. Her English bulldogs held a special place in her heart. She loved listening to live music at The Wine Journal and watching anything from her extensive DVD collection.

Linda was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Raymond Rutherford Senior. She is survived by her parents, Vince & Joyce Smith (Riverside, California); her brother, Robert Smith (Riverside, California); her 10 children, Christine Abrams (St. Maries, Idaho), Cindy Mireles (Casa Grande, Arizona), Mike Mireles (San Diego, California), Lisa Calbick (Moscow, Idaho), Kimberly Castro (Tempe, Arizona), Jeanette Mireles (Lawrence, Kansas), Kenny Mireles (Marshall, Minnesota), Kathleen Mireles-Busick (Butler, Missouri), DJ Rutherford (Jersey City, New Jersey) and Ashley Robles (Las Vegas, Nevada). She is also survived by 18 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Linda had a beautiful soul and touched anyone that she met. She had charisma, loved deeply, a beautiful smile and was willing to do anything for the people that she loved. She was down to earth and put out enough love for multiple lifetimes. She will be forever missed and never forgotten.

Lady bears 4th grade volleyball team ends the season on top!

The Butler 4th grade girls volleyball team finished their season as CHAMPIONS with a 1st place finish! Congratulations on an amazing season girls!

Highlights from Butler Huckster's Day

The weather was great today for the annual Butler Hucksters Day event held on the historic Butler square. 

Thanks to everyone who made this event possible! There was over 75 vendors today! Thank you for coming out today and supporting this event!

Please enjoy some photos from this event today below:

AfterShock 14U Surge Past KC Young Legends 14U Thanks To Big Fourth Inning

AfterShock 14U Surge Past KC Young Legends 14U Thanks To Big Fourth Inning 

By GameChanger Media

AfterShock 14U defeated KC Young Legends 14U 13-3 on Saturday thanks in part to 12 runs in the fourth inning. Aryan Stodgell doubled, scoring two runs, Ella Bauer drew a walk, scoring one run, a steal of home scored one run, Kinley Cook singled, scoring one run, Kamryn Fritts drew a walk, scoring one run, Aryan Stodgell was struck by a pitch, driving in a run, Emalee DeLuca was struck by a pitch, driving in a run, Jordan Porter was struck by a pitch, driving in a run, Ella Bauer drew a walk, scoring one run, and Kaidence Hudson singled, scoring one run.

A single by Kinley Cook put AfterShock 14U on the board in the top of the first.

KC Young Legends 14U jumped back into the lead in the bottom of the second inning after Brooklynn Steadham grounded out, Grace Grotjan singled up the middle, and Grace Grotjan stole home, each scoring one run.

Ella Bauer earned the win for AfterShock 14U. The southpaw surrendered four hits and three runs over four innings, striking out eight and walking none. Adelynn Boone took the loss for KC Young Legends 14U. The hurler went one-third of an inning, giving up one run on one hit, striking out none and walking one. Katie Evans stepped in the circle first for KC Young Legends 14U. The left-handed pitcher surrendered two hits and five runs over three and one-third innings, striking out five and walking five.

Aryan Stodgell, the number seven hitter for AfterShock 14U, led the way with three runs batted in. The right-handed hitter went 1-for-1 on the day. Kinley Cook went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead AfterShock 14U in hits. AfterShock 14U had patience at the plate, tallying 10 walks for the game. Kamryn Fritts and Ella Bauer led the team with two bases on balls each. Kinley Cook, Aryan Stodgell, Kaidence Hudson, Kamryn Fritts, Ella Bauer, and Kiersten Dubray each stole multiple bases for AfterShock 14U. AfterShock 14U stole 17 bases in the game. AfterShock 14U were sure-handed and didn't commit a single error. Kaidence Hudson made the most plays with four.

Grace Grotjan led KC Young Legends 14U with one run batted in. The infielder went 1-for-1 on the day. Katie Evans, Grace Grotjan, Maci Eschliman, and Zoey Boone each collected one hit for KC Young Legends 14U. KC Young Legends 14U were sure-handed in the field and didn't commit a single error. Brooklynn Steadham had the most chances in the field with six.

Next up for AfterShock 14U is a game at A-Team Aces Campbell 14U on Saturday.

Week 9 Missouri State High School Football Preview

Week 9 of the Missouri State High School Football season will happen this Friday evening.

If your looking to watch some local high school football action in the area this Friday you can check out the games below:

October 25th:
Clinton (1-7) at Center (1-7)

Cole Camp (0-8) at Adrian (7-1)

El Dorado Springs (4-4) at Butler (4-4)

Lamar (5-3) at Seneca (8-0)

Liberal (1-7) at Archie (8-0)

Midway (4-4) at Lincoln (4-4)

Nevada (7-1) at Pleasant Hill (6-2)

New Heights Christian (5-3) at Drexel (4-4)

Odessa (4-4) at Harrisonville (5-3)

Osceola (1-7) at Greenfield (4-3)

Ray-Pec (0-8) at Staley (1-7)

Rich Hill (4-4) at Lockwood (7-1)

Ruskin (4-4) at Belton (3-5)

Sherwood (4-4) at Versailles (1-7)

Stockton (7-1) at Pierce City (5-3)

Warsaw (8-0) at Pleasant Hope (1-4)

Windsor (6-2) at Crest Ridge (2-6)

Photo courtesy of Amanda Flanery

Lady Eagles Volleyball wins the GVVC Championship

We would like to congratulate the Miami Lady Eagles Volleyball to and their win today in the  GVVC Championship vs Chilhowee!  The Lady Eagles won in 2 sets! Way to go Lady Eagles!!