Obituary - Ronald Floyd Mock

Ronald Floyd Mock, 76, Garden City, Missouri, died Sunday, March 29, 2015 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. No services are scheduled.

Ronald was born October 10, 1938 in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Floyd and Charlotte (Oviatte) Mock. He married Edonna Faye Slavicek on September 15, 1960 in Wichita, Kansas. Ronald grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and was a U. S. Air Force Veteran. He worked as an aircraft mechanic at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base before retiring in 1994.

Ronald was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Edonna, of the home; two sons, Robin Mock, Lansing, Kansas and Jason Mock, Garden City, Missouri; one daughter, Jessica Williamson, Garden City, Missouri; 4 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
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Obituary - Tommy Allen Kerbs

Tommy Allen Kerbs, 76, formerly of Bronaugh, MO, passed away on Saturday, March 29, 2015 in Independence, MO. Tommy was born on February 19, 1939 in Great Bend, KS, to Henry Kerbs, Jr. and Verna B. (Margheim) Kerbs.

Tommy, along with his family, came to Nevada in 1954. He attended Bronaugh High School graduating there with the Class of 1957. Tommy served his country in the United States Air Force from 1957 until 1961. Following his service years he settled in Kansas City and worked in the trucking business nearly all of his life. He retired from Yellow Freight after working there for over 30 years.

Survivors include four children, one son, Joe, Pleasant Hill, MO, three daughters, Kerri, Kimberly, and Kelli, all of Nevada; numerous grandchildren; one sister, Donna Bolser, Nevada; two brothers, Larry Kerbs, and Bob Kerbs, both of Nevada; several nieces and nephews. Tommy was preceded in death by one sister, Beverly Millman in 2014.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2015 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. Friends may call from now and until the hour of service at the funeral home.
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Henry County Sheriffs Office: Amber Alert Successful - - Missing Juvenile Found Safe

Hannah Sue Kennish

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce that Hannah Sue Kennish, age 13, who was reported missing from her residence in Montrose, Missouri, on Sunday, March 29^th, has been located in the vicinity of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is safe. The New Mexico State Police conducted a traffic stop on an interstate highway, based on information broadcasted during an Amber Alert, which was issued around 1:30 p.m. today.

During the traffic stop, which was conducted shortly before 3:30 p.m., Hannah was located as a passenger in a 2013 Ford F-150 pick-up truck, being driven by Raymond Vallia, age 55, of Albuquerque, NM. Vallia was taken into custody by New Mexico authorities, while Hannah was taken from the scene and transported to safety.

Henry County Prosecuting Attorney Richard Shields has issued a warrant for Raymond Vallia, alleging the Class A Felony of Child Kidnapping, which carries a minimum of 10 years, up to 30 years or a life confinement in the Missouri Department of Corrections. Vallia is currently being held in New Mexico, on a $250,000 cash only bond, awaiting extradition back to Missouri. Federal charges may also be filed against Vallia regarding this incident in the next couple of days.

Raymond Vallia

Evidence recovered from several electronic devices located in the home, led to the discovery of online communication over a period of at least four (4) months, between Kennish and Vallia. This communication took place over several different websites, as well as public social media sites.

Detective Sgt. Mike Nelson and Deputy Randy Koenke were very instrumental in developing possible suspect information on Sunday afternoon from the various social media sites. With that information, the Rural Missouri Major Case Squad was activated by the Sheriff’s Office on Monday morning and including staff from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Investigators were able to put together enough information to meet the guidelines and criteria to issue an Amber Alert. Once the Amber Alert was issued, several tips were received that led to the discovery of the vehicle being driven by Vallia near Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Hundreds of telephone calls were received after the issuance of the Amber Alert, many of which were fielded by the Henry County 9-1-1 Center and then routed to investigators working the case.

Missouri Department of Conservation seeking information on Bald Eagle Shot around Peculiar

The Missouri Department of Conservation is seeking information about this Bald Eagle that was shot in the wing near Peculiar on about March 8. 

A local resident reported it and we took it to the Lakeside Nature Center. It had to be euthanized due to injuries. 

Please call Conservation Agent Phil Needham at 816-809-6259, or Operation Game Thief at 800-392-1111 with any info about the shooting. 

Courtesy of The Missouri Department of Conservation

Obituary - David Park Cox

David Park Cox, a life long resident of Bates County, passed away at his home on March 29, 2015 at the age of 87. Private family Celebration of life services and burial will be held at Fort Scott National Cemetery, Fort Scott, KS. Services under the direction of Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler, (660-679-0009). Contributions are suggested to the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home, 11300 St. Charles Rock Road, Bridgeton, MO 63044-2793. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.


David was born December 11, 1927 to Richard and Pearl (Wade) Cox. He grew up on their family farm and attended a one room school before graduating from Butler High School with the class of 1945. In 1946 David enlisted in the US Navy and served on the submarine, USS Caiman. He then returned to farming and married Beverly Gander in 1952. Two children were born to this union. They moved to their farm located in the Pleasant Gap Township in 1955, where he resided until the time of his death. In his farming years he was active in the State Cattlemen Association, Pork Producers and a 4-H leader for 10 years. Conservation of the land was always a top priority and in 2005 he received the Bates County SWCD Wildlife Habitat Award. In the past years he was active in his church and had a special interest in the Baptist Children’s Home and mission work. At the time of his death he was a member of the First Baptist Church of Nevada. He is survived by Beverly, his wife of 63 years, daughter Sharon and Husband Theo Martin of Gladstone, MO, son Paul and wife Susan Cox of College Place, WA, and sisters Bettie Scifers, Virginia Baker, Joan Ghere, and Sara Burch.
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Missing Montrose Teen Found Safe in New Mexico

Henry County Sheriff’s Department Major Rob Hills made the announcement in a press conference this afternoon just hours after issuing an amber alert in search of the 13-year-old Montrose teen who had been missing since Sunday.

Hills said New Mexico State Police located 55-year-old Raymond C. Vallia and Hannah Sue Kennish traveling an interstate highway near Albuquerque, New Mexico. After following the black Ford truck for some distance a stop was made. Kennish was taken into protective custody and Vallia was arrested. Hills said state charges against Vallia could come as soon as today or Tuesday morning and could range from kidnapping, child abduction and several others.

As it appears Vallia traveled with Kennish across state boundaries federal charges could also be forthcoming. Earlier Monday investigators had looked to the state of Texas but Hills declined to say whether Vallia lives in that state. The suspect truck is registered with Texas license plates. Hills did say that authorities know Vallia had lived in Texas within the last two years. He also said a records search indicates Vallia has no criminal record.

Evidence indicates Kennish and Vallia had some sort of online relationship via social media sites. So far evidence has been located by the FBI for accounts held by Kennish on Pintrest, Tumbler and Kick, all popular social chat sites. An FBI digital forensics team located accounts linked to Kennish with profile information indicating she was older than 13. Also found are chat conversations between Vallia and Kennish.

Major Hills could not say if Vallia knew Kennish was 13-years-old. Thus far digital records indicate the two had been communicating online for at least four months. Digital devices including cells phones and a computer tablet were examined by the FBI team who were able to locate the conversations and “fake” online accounts. Hills called some of the communications between the 13 and 55-year-old as “shocking.”

“She will be home either tonight or in the morning.” said Hills of the young girl. As for Vallia, he is being held in New Mexico with state, local and federal charges pending.

Authorities credit the Amber Alert system for developing the leads that led to locating Kennish alive and safe.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Department was first alerted to a missing child Sunday morning at approximately 10:15 a.m. Hannah’s mother told authorities Sunday she last saw her daughter at approximately 8 a.m. but when she looked in again at approximately 10 a.m. Hannah was not to be found and the rear door of the residence was found open. Monday afternoon Hills said her mother had spoken to Hannah by phone at 3 a.m.

Earlier Monday morning Hills said initial investigation at the home indicated the possibility this was not an abduction but that authorities were treating it as one.
At approximately 1:30 p.m. Monday the Amber Alert was issued which generated numerous leads including information from the state of Texas. Hills said it was the alert system that led investigators to New Mexico and located the suspect vehicle.

Courtesy of The Henry County Sheriffs Office
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Field on fire near Amsterdam

Local fire departments have been summoned to a large field on fire about 1/2 mile east of Amsterdam. Initial reports are that an entire field is burning. We will provide updates as they become available.

Use caution and watch for emergency equipment if traveling in the area.
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Obituary - Dwayne Jess Carlton

Dwayne Jess Carlton, 80 of Passaic, Missouri passed away March 29, 2015 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Funeral services will be 2 PM Friday, April 3, 2015 at Mullinax Funeral Home (660-679-0009) in Butler. Visitation prior to services, from 1-2 PM at the funeral home. Cremation will follow services. Contributions are suggested to any charity of the donor’s choice, and messages of condolence for the family may be left atwww.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Dwayne was born November 3, 1934 in Idaho, the son of Jesse E. and Edith Carlton.

He was very proud to have served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years, earning the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and the U.N. Service Medal among his accomplishments. Dwayne loved fishing and bingo, but particularly enjoyed going on road trips. He enjoyed dancing, and in his later years, accompanying his wife Evelyn to family gatherings. He was particularly proud of how much his family had grown over the years.

Dwayne was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Evelyn; and one daughter, Laurie Bismarck; as well as a grandson, Michael Carlton, Jr. He is survived by a son, Steve Carlton and wife Maria of California; daughter Debbie Carlton of California; and son Mike Carlton and wife Virginia of Passaic; stepdaughter Bonnie and husband Lester, and stepson Clayton and wife Cindy; and adopted children Jim and Rachel Lane; granddaughter Dannette Carlton of Scotland; grandson Kerry Carlton of Butler; granddaughters Dena Frye and Dawn Green, and grandson Clifford Frye, as well as son-in-law Chris Bismarck, all of New York; and seven great-grandchildren.