Obituary - Shirley Jean VanBuskirk Gwin

Shirley Jean VanBuskirk Gwin, lovingly known as Shirley Gwin or “Nana” to many, was born on September 25, 1947, in Appleton City, Missouri. She passed away on November 27, 2024, at the age of 77.

Shirley passed away unexpectedly, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and, most of all, a deep love for Jesus that was evident to everyone who knew her.

Shirley graduated from Appleton City High School in Missouri alongside her beloved husband, Mike Gwin. She dedicated her life to being the best wife, mom, and grandmother she could be. The love she gave her family was truly extraordinary.

Outside of her family, Shirley loved mowing the lawn—yes, she thought her tractor was sexy—and was an avid gardener, keeping her land as beautiful as possible. Shirley also had a passion for baking, spending countless hours in the kitchen perfecting her favorite recipes.

Shirley is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Mike; her children, Shawn Gwin and his wife Aly, and Amy Gwin Smith and her husband Craig; her four cherished grandchildren: Dawson, Dylan, Tanner, and Faith; her sister Linda Saia; her uncle Leon Culbertson; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edmond and Lois VanBuskirk; her brother, Terry VanBuskirk; her brother-in-law, Steve Saia; and three grandchildren.

A visitation will be held at Neal Funeral Home & Monument, 200 S. Washington Ave., Cleveland, TX 77327 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on December 4, 2024. A celebration of Shirley’s life will follow at 1:00 PM. Interment for Shirley will be held at Appleton City Cemetery, 13500 NW 1000 Rd. Appleton City, MO 64724 on Saturday, December 7, 2024. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to New Day Orphanage in memory of Shirley.

Shirley will be remembered for her unwavering kindness, her servant’s heart, and her boundless love for her family and friends. Her light will continue to shine in the hearts of all who knew her.

Graveside Service
Saturday, December 7, 2024
1:00 PM
Appleton City Cemetery

Missouri State High School Football Championship Games Now Set!

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	North Shelby (9-4) 8-Man District 8
	Archie (13-0) 8-Man District 2
8-Man ChampionshipSaturday @ 1:00 PM

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	Penney (9-4) Class 1 District 4
	Adrian (12-1) Class 1 District 3
Class 1 ChampionshipSaturday @ 3:00 PM

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	Fair Grove (14-0) Class 2 District 4
	Lamar (10-4) Class 2 District 5
Class 2 ChampionshipFriday @ 3:00 PM

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	Blair Oaks (12-1) Class 3 District 4
	Seneca (13-0) Class 3 District 6
Class 3 ChampionshipSaturday @ 11:00 AM

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	Lutheran North (12-1) Class 4 District 3
	Festus (11-2) Class 4 District 1
Class 4 ChampionshipFriday @ 11:00 AM

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	Platte County (13-0) Class 5 District 8
	Helias Catholic (12-1) Class 5 District 5
Class 5 ChampionshipSaturday @ 7:00 PM

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	De Smet Jesuit (11-2) Class 6 District 3
	Nixa (13-0) Class 6 District 5
Class 6 ChampionshipFriday @ 7:00 PM

Archie heading back to Missouri 8-Man football state championship

The defending Missouri State High School 8-Man Football Champion Archie Whirlwinds (12-0) traveled to St. Joseph today to take on the Bishop LeBlond Golden Eagles (10-2) in the 8-Man State Football Semi-Final.

Archie led this game 8-6 at the end of the first quarter. The 2nd quarter would exploded with scoring and the whirlwinds would be up 24-20 at halftime.

Both teams would come out strong in the 3rd quarter and Archie would lead 32-28 going into the final quarter. The Whirlwinds defense would be great in the 4th quarter as they held the Golden Eagles scoreless. Archie would run away from Bishop LeBlond and win the game 46-28.

Archie is still undefeated as they move onto 13-0. They will move onto play the North Shelby Raiders who defeated the Braymer Wildcats on a last seconds touchdown pass 32-30. The game will be held December 7th at 1pm in St. Joseph! Way to go Archie!

Photos courtesy of Amanda Flanery

Adrian heading to Class 1 State Championship after shutting out St. Vincent 21-0

The number #3 ranked Adrian Blackhawks (11-1) hosted the #1 ranked St. Vincent Indians (12-0) in the Class 1 State Semi-Final football game today in a cold and snowy day in Adrian.

Adrian dominated the first quarter and led 21-0 at half over the Indians. The second half Adrian defense dominated and came out with a shutout 21-0 win over St. Vincent.

Adrian will now move to the Class 1 State Championship game against the Penney Hornets (9-4) on December 7th at 3:00 p.m. in Columbia. 

Penney is coming off of a 20-7 victory over the Tipton Cardinals. This game should be very competitive and fun to watch. Way to go Blackhawks!

Photos courtesy of Mid America Live Staff 

Obituary - Shirley Lucille Poisal

Shirley Lucille Poisal age 75 of Harrisonville, Missouri departed this life Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.

Visitation will be held 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.

Funeral Service will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri with interment at Garden City Cemetery, Garden City, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hope Lodge and send in care to Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.

A complete obituary will be posted once that information becomes available.

Send off complete for Archie Whirlwinds

The defending Missouri State High School 8-Man Football Champion Archie Whirlwinds enjoyed a team meal and was greeted by several fans as they hit the road to take on Bishop LeBlond in St. Joseph, Missouri today in the Missouri 8-Man State Semi-Final Football game.

On September 27th Archie went to Bishop LeBlond and beat the Golden Eagles 38-14.

We would like to wish the Whirlwinds the best of luck today. Please enjoy some photos from the send off this morning.

Raymore man arrested on multiple charges

On 11/27/24, at around 9:15 deputies served a search warrant in rural Raymore, regarding Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). They arrested 58-year-old Michael Pflanz.

He’s charged with nine felony counts of Possession of Child Pornography. Mr. Pflanz is also charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Failing to Register as a Sex Offender. Both of these charges are also felonies.

He’s currently at the Cass County Jail with no bond allowed.

Obituary - Richard "Rick" Eugene Boatwright

Richard "Rick" Eugene Boatwright, 82, Harrisonville, MO, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 25, 2024 at his home with family by his side. 

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO, with the visitation beginning at 1:00 PM. 

Interment to follow at Crescent Hill Cemetery in Adrian, MO. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to the Shiloh Center in Harrisonville, MO.

A complete obituary will be added when it is available.

Obituary - Joseph Bernard Hughey

The following obituary announcement is provided as a courtesy by the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler, Missouri.

Joseph Bernard Hughey was born March 3, 1952 in Wichita, KS to Hubert and Barbara (Dee) Hughey. He unexpectedly died on November 18, 2024 with his daughters and wife by his side in Paris, France.

Joe grew up in Wichita, KS attending Kapaun High School. Upon high school graduation, he attended Wichita State University and obtained Bachelor’s andMaster’s degrees in Psychology. During his tenure at Wichita State graduate school, he met and married Adele Brining in May 1978. They moved to Nashville,Tennessee so he could complete his Ph.D. at the University of Tennessee, making lifelong friends and colleagues. Upon returning to Kansas City, they welcomedtwin girls in April 1985. Katherine Jane and Meredith Ann, were the lights of his life – one incredibly proud dad.

Throughout Joe’s career, he was a published researcher in the fields of Community Psychology, Community Development, and Urban Planning + Design. Hisprofessional dedication landed him in a tenured leadership role in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Missouri-Kansas City from which he retired as Professor Emeritus of Psychology.

Joe married Marilyn (Armstrong) McGonagle in June 2007 in a fun twist of fate after a random answering machine message during a school reunion. He joined her and established a home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. They were truly sweethearts and loved each other dearly. They were able to share and enjoy new places, baseball, golf, divine food and especially global travel. Paris, France became his favorite place in the world.

Joe, was also affectionately known as Joey, Dad, Daddy, and, quite possibly his most treasured, Papa. We will miss his spinning hugs, Bob Dylan renditions, taste in fine wine and food, sharing of news articles, and always having to go back in the house for something he forgot. As he ended all his family phone calls: love you, mean it, bye.

He is survived by his wife Marilyn; two children, Katherine Hughey Schowengerdt and husband Jesse and children Kensley and Kenton, and Meredith Ann Hughey and wife Christina and their boys Henry and Thomas; two sisters, Barbara Grant and Kathleen Bauer; one brother, Robert Hughey. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Roger Hughey.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial donations be made to Breakthrough T1D (formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) which was close to Joe’s heart. Link: https://www2.breakthrought1d.org/site/Donation2?2374.donation=form1&df_id=2374&mfc_pref=T

As per Joe’s wishes, his ashes will be scattered in a private ceremony in Lake City, Colorado. A memorial service to celebrate his life may be held at a later date; details will be shared with family and friends in the future. If you wish to share your memories of Joe with the family, please email them to hugheyk@gmail.com.