Obituary - Joseph Craig

Joseph W. Craig, 93 of Butler, passed away December 29, 2010 at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler.

Joseph was born November 23, 1917 in Lucas, Missouri, the son of R.Z. and Edith (Ash) Craig.  He was united in marriage to Marjorie Carroll on October 21, 1946 in Mound City, Kan.  To this union, five children were born.

Joseph had a wondeful sense of humor, and his family describes him as being very witty.  He was a hard worker throughout his life.  He loved all animals, particularly pigeons and chickens, and raised fighting roosters for many years.

He was a man of many stories, especially in his later working years as a laborer and trucker for Beck’s Tire Service out of Kansas City, Mo.  Family meant a lot to Joseph, and he enjoyed being surrounded by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He will be greatly missed by all.

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Patricia Jo Craig, as well as two brothers and one sister, and dear friend, J.R. Wendleton.  He is survived by his wife, Marjorie, of the home; his children, Michael Craig of Angleton, Tex.; Vicki (Jim) Kiger of Butler; Shanda Craig of Butler; and Clayton (Becky) Craig of Angleton, Tex., six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.  He also leaves behind many other family and friends.

A memorial service will be at 2pm Saturday, January 1, 2011 at Mullinax Funeral Home in Butler, (660) 679-0009. No visitation. Memorial contributions in Joseph’s name are suggested to Fairhaven Children’s Home, and may be left in care of the funeral home.

Chance of rain tonight and tomorrow

Today

Mostly cloudy in the morning then becoming partly cloudy. Breezy. Highs in the mid 60s. South winds 15 to 25 mph.

Tonight

Partly cloudy in the evening...then mostly cloudy with chance of rain and isolated thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the lower 50s. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.

Obituary - Jessica Evans

Funeral services for Jessica LeeAnn Evans will be 2 p.m. Friday, December 31, 2010 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation will be prior to services from 1-2 p.m. at Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler, Missouri. Kindly omit flowers and the family suggests contributions to Master's Commission U.S.A. or Sceptre Ministry or American Cancer Society.

Jessica LeeAnn Evans, age 27 of Butler, Missouri died Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. She was born February 9, 1983 to Bobby Lee and Lisa Ann Grainger Evans in Kansas City, Missouri.

Jessica is survived by her parents Bobby and Lisa Evans of Butler, Missouri; two sisters, Stephanie Evans of Springfield, Missouri and Tiffany Carmichael and husband Matthew of Olmito, Texas; paternal grandmother, Lorene Boyd of Butler, Missouri; maternal grandparents, Harold and Barbara Grainger of Butler, Missouri; nephew and nieces Matthias, Alexander and April Carmichael; and uncles, aunt, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Bufford Evans and step-paternal grandfather, Junior Boyd.

Butler woman dies in Cass County accident

A multiple car accident just North of Archie resulted in the death of Jessica L. Evans, 27, of Butler last night. According to the report, just after 7 p.m. the Evans car was Southbound on 71 Highway and collided with another Southbound car driven by Carl. W. Joyce, 20 of Overland Park Kansas. After impact, the Evans vehicle traveled through the median and came to a rest in the Northbound lanes of the highway where it was struck by a 1997 Kenworth driven by William R. Denby, 55 of Humansville, Mo.

Evans was transported to Research Medical Center by medical helicopter where she later died. Joyce was taken to Overland Park Regional Hospital; the driver of the truck was not injured. The accident is currently under investigation.

Local forecast - unseasonably warm tomorrow

Today

Cloudy. Areas of fog in the morning. Slight chance of rain in the morning...then a slight chance of rain and patchy drizzle in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 40s. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.

Tonight

Cloudy with a slight chance of rain and patchy drizzle. Patchy fog. Lows in the mid 40s. Temperatures steady after midnight. South winds 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.

Obituary - Mildred R. Miller

Mildred R. Miller, 91 of Butler, passed away December 27, 2010 at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler.

Mildred was born January 12, 1919 in Gillette, Wyo., a daughter of Arthur and Clara (Herman) Pippin, one of five children to that union.  When she was eight years old, they left Wyoming and came to Missouri.  Mildred graduated from Butler High School in the class of 1937.  In 1940, she was married to Frank Wesley Miller in the yard of the Methodist Church in Butler.  To this union, three daughters were born.  She spent the larger portion of her life working alongside her husband on the farm in rural Bates County, and raising her three girls.

Originally, Mildred belonged to the Summit Methodist Church, and in 1977 she moved her membership to the Ohio Street Methodist Church.  She was a member of the United Methodist Women, and Mildred and her sister cared for the church kitchen for approximately 13 years.  She loved getting together with family, and is remembered as a fine cook.  Her family will always remember her famous pies.

Mildred particularly enjoyed managing the coffee and gift shop at Bates County Memorial Hospital for 18 years, until the age of 83.  Being with her children and grandchildren brought joy, as well as playing cards with her family and friends.  After Frank’s passing, Mildred became a member of “The Get-Togethers” in Butler.  She enjoyed spending time with her sister Grace, going to the Rich Hill Opry, among other country music functions.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Frank on July 13, 2002; her brother Kenneth Pippin; and her sister, Grace Comstock.  She is survived by her daughters: Barbara Mitchell; Sharon (Tommy) Everett; Patricia Thompson; one granddaughter, five grandsons; three step-grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, three step-great grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 10-11am Thursday, December 30, 2010 at Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660) 679-0009, with a funeral service at 11am with Rev. Art Ellsworth and Pastor Ron Dunlap presiding.  Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler.  Memorial contributions in Midred’s name are suggested to the Ohio Street Methodist Church and may be left in care of the funeral home, 10 S. High St., Butler, Mo., 64730.

Man injured by falling tree

An area man was injured this afternoon while cutting a tree on his property about 2 miles Southeast of Virginia. It was reported that the man's leg was shattered and he crawled out of the woods to his home to call for help. He was transported by Lifeflight helicopter to a Kansas City hospital for treatment; more information including his name and condition will be made available soon.

Blood drive in Adrian next Tuesday

Give the gift of life - There will be an American Red Cross blood drive held at the Adrian Optimist Building on Tuesday, Jan. 4th from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m.