The Wall That Heals open to the public through Sunday in Butler

THE WALL THAT HEALS, a beautiful 3/4 scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. is now on display in Butler, open to the public 24 hours a day through Sunday. Please take a moment to come and visit this incredible once-in-a-lifetime event. 

Location: Navigate to the Bates County Memorial Hospital 615 W Nursery St, Butler, MO 64730 and look for signs and flags at entrance on Nursery street

Taps will be played at 8:30 pm each day. 

Friday May 1
The Bringing Light to Agent Orange Awareness Ceremony will be held at 8:30 pm with orange lighting to honor our victims of Agent Orange

Saturday May 2
A Quilts of Valor ceremony will be held at 3 pm

Sunday May 3
The closing ceremony will be held at 1:45 p.m.

The Wall will close for visitors at 2:00 p.m.

If you would like to volunteer or have other questions please contact Marsha Youngblood at 816-716-9217, John Gray at 816-547-4797 or Jami Page at 660-424-4215

Additional details about The Wall That Heals https://thewallthathealsbatescounty2026.org/

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Win this Henry rifle!

Larry Hacker will host an auction for a commemorative Henry Rifle after the Rich Hill 4th of July pie auction on July 2.

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Your weekend forecast

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Obituary - Wanda Garrigus

Wanda Rae (Bernard) Garrigus, 69, of Archie, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, KS. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 5:00 PM at Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO, with a visitation beginning at 4:00 PM. A private burial of her ashes, at a later date, will take place at West Union Cemetery in Peculiar, MO with immediate family.

Wanda was born in Harrisonville, MO, to Raymond Jr. and Juanita (Shockley) Bernard. She played high school basketball, later being honored as one of four girls’ teams to play in the first final four basketball state tournament in Missouri. She spent most of her life devoted to raising and caring for her children, a role she cherished more than anything. Later, she worked as a substitute teacher at Midway High School, where she remained closely connected to the community she loved, even into retirement. She also loved digging into her past and studying genealogy.

Wanda found joy in life’s simple and meaningful moments. She loved cheering on her Midway Vikings and the Chiefs, visiting with friends, spending time outdoors picking mushrooms, riding her property on her ATV, and fishing. Above all, she loved her children and grandchildren, who were the center of her world. She will be remembered as a strong, independent, and deeply loving woman whose presence will be greatly missed.

Wanda was preceded in death by her mother, Juanita Bernard (Shockley); her father, Raymond Bernard, Jr.; and her sisters, Diana (Bernard) Gargus and Norma “Charlene” Palmer. She is survived by her partner, Mark Garrigus; her sister, Melody (Donnie) Caruthers; her children: Gina (Grindstaff) Marett of Swannanoa, NC; Donald “Cody” (Irina) Grindstaff of Marion, NC; Matthew (Adrienne) Grindstaff of McKinney, TX; and Shelby (Matthew) Stegeman of Louisburg, KS; her beloved grandchildren: Riley, Landon, Austen, Carter, Leo, Noah, Charlee, Gabe, Mila, Lily, and Theodore; her nephews, Jonathan and Hunter; and her beloved dog, Bella.

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Obituary - David Reece

David Wayne Reece, 59, of Macomb, Illinois, formerly of Harrisonville, Missouri, passed away on Monday, April 27, 2026 at his home. Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 4, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO, with the visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Orient Cemetery in Harrisonville. Memorial contributions may be made to Mental Health America or The Trevor Project.

A complete obituary will be posted when it is available.

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Obituary - Marietta Davis

Marietta Davis, born June 3, 1936, in Austin, MO, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and a life that touched everyone she met. A celebration of Marietta's life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, with the visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in Wills Cemetery in Peculiar, MO. A fellowship lunch will follow at Freeman Baptist Church. Memorial contributions are suggested to MO Masonic Home.

Marietta was married to the love of her life, Harold Davis, at Austin Baptist Church on November 16, 1956. Together they shared 70 years of marriage, a true testament to devotion, partnership, and enduring love.

She had a vibrant, magnetic personality and a rare gift for making everyone feel welcome, valued, and at home.

Marietta filled her home with the warmth of homemade bread and the comfort that came with it. To her grandchildren, she created simple traditions that felt like magic, from bowls of frozen blueberries to her homemade noodles, and the playful moments that brought laughter and happiness.

Her faith was central to her life. She faithfully taught Bible school year after year, often bringing her grandchildren along, and was a familiar, uplifting voice in church.

A devoted homemaker, Marietta was deeply connected to her community. She was a member of Freeman Baptist Church, Eastern Star, and Domestic Dames, and dedicated much of her life to serving others. She also treasured time with friends through many laughter-filled card nights.

Her greatest joy was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She delighted in their happiness, whether climbing on hay bales, searching for Easter eggs, or simply being together. Their joy was her light.

Above all, she was the heart of her family, a steady, loving presence whose impact will live on for generations.

Marietta is survived by her children, David Davis (Delores) and Peggy McCubbin; Jon Harrison (Barb), who was loved as her own; her sister, Geraldine Fisher; her grandchildren: Perry Richardson (Karri), Mindy Richardson, and Jackie Davis; and her great-grandchildren: Cloie Anne Parks (Avery), Wade Richardson, Wyatt Richardson, and Bo Davis.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil Thomas and Marie Thomas (Day); her brother, Richard Thomas; her brother-in-law, Leroy Fisher; and her son-in-law, Ronnie McCubbin.

If you knew Marietta, you knew what it felt like to be truly welcomed, deeply loved, and completely at home, and that is the legacy she leaves behind.

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Obituary - Sally Burg

Sally Burg’s wishes were to be cremated and remembered with fond memories. A celebration of life service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) Butler, Missouri. Private inurnment at Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to Heartland Hospice, Butler, Missouri. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Sara Jane “Sally” Burg, age 92 of Butler, Missouri died Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at Medicalodge of Butler. She was born April 10, 1934 to Earl Elmer and Anne Ellen Smith Thrasher in Warrensburg, Missouri.

Sally is survived by one son, Jeff Burg of Leawood, Kansas; two daughters, Thomi Herrell and husband Jim of Butler, Missouri and Bobbi Burg and wife Kelly of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; five grandchildren, Erin (Ian), Morgan (Justin), Logan, Jake (Shannon) and Dylan; and eight great-grandchildren. Sally was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Thom Burg; grandson, Trent; and great-granddaughter, Honey Anne.

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The Wall That Heals going up in Butler

photo courtesy John Gray

The Wall That Heals, a 3/4 scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. arrived in Butler yesterday, and today, crews are busy assembling the unit for public display this week

LOCATION OF THE WALL THAT HEALS

Navigate to the Bates County Memorial Hospital 615 W Nursery St, Butler, MO 64730 and look for signs at entrance on Nursery street

Taps will be played at 8:30 pm each day. 

April 29, 2026
The Wall That Heals will be open 24 hours a day. Contact Jami Page at 660-424-4215 for information on guided tours

April 30
The Welcome Home ceremony will be held beginning at 10 am. Come early!

May 1
The Bringing Light to Agent Orange Awareness Ceremony will be held at 8:30 pm with orange lighting to honor our victims of Agent Orange

May 2
A Quilts of Valor ceremony will be held at 3 pm

May 3
The closing ceremony will be held at 1:45 p.m.

The Wall will close for visitors at 2:00 p.m.

If you would like to volunteer or have other questions please contact Marsha Youngblood at 816-716-9217, John Gray at 816-547-4797 or Jami Page at 660-424-4215

Additional details about The Wall That Heals https://thewallthathealsbatescounty2026.org/

#MidAmericaLive