Obituary - Joyce Ann (Hays) Jeffery

Joyce Ann (Hays) Jeffery, age 83, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 25th, 2025, surrounded by family at Cedar County Community Springs Nursing Home.

Born on May 25, 1942, in Columbus, Kansas, to Ed and Cora Hays, Joyce was a woman of deep love, kindness, and quiet strength. She graduated from Washington High School in Kansas City, Kansas, in 1960 and went on to pursue higher education. On June 3, 1960, she married Richard Eugene Jeffery.

Joyce dedicated her working years as a telephone operator and customer service representative in the insurance industry and at the U.S. Post Office. She had a generous heart and a joyful spirit that touched everyone she met. Joyce found joy in crocheting, music, laughter, and animals—but above all, she cherished the time spent with her family. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter, Sandra Metz (Mark), her siblings Lucille Ufford, Vernon, Claude, and Clyde Hays, and her grandson, Andrew Jeffery.

Joyce is survived by her children: Richard Jeffery (Trina) of Walker, MO, and Edward Jeffery (Debbie) of Independence, MO; her sister Sandra Brewer (Billy) of Kansas City, KS; and her grandchildren: Anthony Jeffery of Wichita, KS, William Jeffery (Ashton) of Walker, MO, Christopher Jeffery (Emily) of Nevada, MO, Jessica Eales (Shawn) of Linn, MO, Sara Meggs of Kansas City, MO, Julie Jeffery of El Dorado Springs, Adam Jeffery of Kansas, Cornia Martin of Walker, MO, and Carson Jeffery of Walker, MO. She also leaves 22 great-grandchildren and many cherished nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, June 28th, at Ferry Funeral Home with a memorial service following at 2:00 pm with Pastor Chad Baily officiating.

Obituary - Thomas Edward "Bud" Hackler

Thomas Edward "Bud" Hackler, 94, of Drexel, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Visitation will be held at Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville on Friday, June 27, 2025, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. A funeral service will follow on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 2:00 PM, also at Atkinson Funeral Home. Interment, with military honors, will follow at Everett Cemetery in Archie, MO. Memorial contributions are suggested to Everett Cemetery.

Bud was born on June 13, 1931, to Thomas Franklin Hacker and Eva Pearl Parkson. He grew up in "the big rock house" north of Everett and west of Archie. He attended grade school at Steen Rural #84 school and then Archie High School, where he participated in basketball and graduated with the Class of 1949.

In July of 1950, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and took his basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas, after which he was sent to Camp Gordon, Georgia, to study to be a topography technician. In February 1951, he was sent to Seoul, Korea, where he served at the 8th Army Headquarters as a code-breaker, aiding in peace talks in Pan Moon Jon where he received messages from the peace talks and sent out those messages in code. Later, he joined the 23rd Infantry. He returned to the United States in July 1952. On August 16, 1952, he married the love of his life, Alice “Maxine” Burchett. In September 1952, they went to Camp Polk, Leesville, Louisiana, to serve the remaining years of Bud’s enlistment.

They returned to Missouri in 1953 and settled on a farm in the Rocky Point area between Archie and Drexel. He went to work in the city as a machinist, but his first love was the country. In January 1958, Bud went to work at Allied Signal/Bendix, where he was made a machinist supervisor and worked there until his retirement on April 1, 1988. He then opened his own shop, The Amarugia Machine Shop, at home. It wasn’t unusual for him to put in 60 hours a week when he was really busy. He was a meticulous machinist – perfection was his trademark. Many farmers who needed a part fixed during planting or harvest season would discover there was no charge for his work. He was just happy to help.

He had a strong work ethic and expected the same from those around him. However, he did find time for fun. He enjoyed going to the casinos and buying lottery tickets weekly. On his last scratcher he won $500! He enjoyed fishing – and feeding the fish, hunting – taking several trips to Colorado to hunt elk, gardening and playing Pitch – only the brave would be his card partner as he would often “shoot the moon”. Bud anxiously awaited the return of the purple martins each spring, hanging gourds and bird houses for their arrival.

Bud lived the motto of “Faith, Family, and Friends”. Even though his body failed him, his memory was intact. He mentioned once that he had 40 people on his prayer list and he prayed for them daily. When he could no longer see, he listened to the Bible on tape, often fast forwarding through the genealogies. Occasionally, he would question something he had heard, never believing he knew all there was to know. He could tell you play-by-play of the latest Royals game, batting averages, and ERAs. He also cheered against the Royals just to aggravate Maxine. He was a quiet man, but when he spoke you knew you should listen as he’d often share wisdom or advice. He believed a hand shake and a man’s word were better than a contract. He loved his country and flew an American flag faithfully. We have had many proud moments when someone says: “I knew your father, he was a good man.”

Bud was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; his sister, Wila Maxine; and his brother, Joe R. Hackler. The legacy Bud leaves behind is strong. He is survived by his daughters: Marsha Lynn Stark and Shelley Leann Jacobs (Ronnie), all of Drexel, MO; their families: Ryan and Andrea Stark and their son, Logan; Aaron and Haley Stark; Jared and Alycia Jacobs and their children, Easton and Adilynn; Allison and Daniel Roberts; his son, Thomas Eugene Hackler of Pleasant Hill, MO; his children: Amy, Tom (Kyla), Megan (Justin), Jennifer (Derek), Ashley; and his grandchildren: Shane, Shelby, John, Abby, Erick, Brooke, Tom, Korbin, Tayton, Jayanna, Cabriah, Coba, and Christopher; his sister, Norma June Hess, of Adrian, MO; and sister-in-law, Barbara Hackler, of Archie, MO.

Thank you to Vintage Park in Louisburg, KS, and Adrian Baptist Homes for their care, compassion, and patience.

Lengthy Commission meeting ends with "We'll have an answer Monday"

 

Yesterday, Sheriff Chad Anderson met with the Bates County Commission regarding the commission's withholding approval of payment for the upcoming annual sheriff's rodeo. The commission said that taxpayer money may not be used for public events, according to information they have received. 

Anderson opened with a lengthy response citing that having the rodeo falls into the category of community policing, it is perfectly legal and he went on to cite several examples to back up his claim.

"We've been doing this rodeo since Covid, it's in the budget, the commission has always approved it, so why now are you saying no?" asked Anderson. Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley responded that an auditor had mentioned that it my be in violation of the Missouri Constitution, and the commission wanted to be sure no laws are broken by approving it.

During the 1 hour, 15 minute non-stop debate, other points were brought up, including that the sheriff has procured a lawyer but has not taken action yet. Anderson also said that this is another example of the overt control the commission wants over him and his office.

"If I'm doing anything wrong, I'll correct it. But from all the information I have, there's nothing illegal or wrong with what we're doing." he added.

Adrian City Administrator Ryan Wescote spoke on behalf of the rodeo, saying that the city of Adrian has spent upwards of $30,000 to better prepare the arena and if the commission wasn't going to approve it, he would like two months notice so he can make other plans for a similar event.

Northern Commissioner John Gray said "I don't see that any laws are being broken by paying for it, I say we approve it." However as Anderson pressed for an answer, Wheatley informed those present that a vote will be taken with results to be provided in the upcoming Monday commission meeting.

The decision will be made by Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson with any tie breaking vote coming from Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley.

Mo. Department of Conservation offers special program

Our Landowner and Community Assistance Program (LCAP) is designed to financially support private landowners, communities or towns, government entities, and others in implementing conservation practices on their land.

Learn more about LCAP and how you can participate at https://mdc.mo.gov/.../mdc-assists-shannon-county...

Arrests made in Nevada property crime investigation

On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, Nevada Police responded to a report of property damage and stealing in the 900 block of E. Subway Blvd that occurred in the overnight hours.

Upon arrival, it was discovered that two suspects entered the property and cut the power to the building using tree pruners. The subjects also tampered with the building’s security and stole items from the business before leaving the property.

Due to recent issues in the area, Nevada Police had additional security in place that caught the subjects in the same area as when the incident occurred. Officers were familiar with both individuals involved and were able to quickly identify them.

Nevada Police were able to obtain arrest warrants for both subjects involved. Once the arrest warrants were issued Nevada Police coordinated with the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office who were able to take both subjects into custody in the rural Nevada area.

The subjects were taken into custody and transported to the Vernon County Jail for holding.

The subjects have been identified as follows:

Dustin Pike, age 37 of Nevada, Missouri.

Madalyn George, age 22 of Nevada, Missouri

On June 24, 2025, the following charges were filed against both subjects through the Vernon County Associate Court:

One (1) Count of Tampering with Service of Utility or Institution – Class D Felony

One (1) Count of Property Damage 1st Degree – Class E Felony

One (1) Count of Stealing- Class A Misdemeanor

Both subjects are being held in the Vernon County Jail without bond.

I-49 slowed to crawl just south of Harrisonville

 

You find things moving slow if you're northbound on I-49 as a fire was causing a backup that begins near Archie and extends to just south of Harrisonville. 

One lane is open and the source of the fire was an RV towing a vehicle as seen here.

Miami county Wanted Wednesday

 

Some good information regarding extreme heat