Osceola man arrested in St. Clair County

Brandon Wood

On Nov. 2, Brandon Wood, 23, Osceola, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant for a probation violation on an original class C felony charge of tampering with a motor vehicle. 

The warrant was issued on Oct. 10. The original charge stems from an incident in May 2013. 

Mr. Wood was also arrested on a Henry County warrant for failing to appear in court on a misdemeanor charge of stealing. Total bond is set at $2,915 cash only.

Obituary - Marian "Punkie" Alexander

Marian "Punkie" Alexander

The Funeral Service for Mrs. Alexander will be held at Hill and Son Funeral Home in Appleton City, Missouri on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. Officiating at the service will be Brother Jim Knight and Pastor Tony Reynolds. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Tuesday, November 3, 2015 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Interment will be in Westfield Cemetery rural Appleton City, Missouri. The family suggests any Memorial contributions be made to Evelyn Brown Laney Hospice or the P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship.

Marian “Punkie” (Ellinwood) Alexander, daughter of Howard and Sarah (Kellogg) Ellinwood entered into eternal rest, peacefully, at her home surrounded by her family on November 1, 2015.

Punkie was born March 26, 1939 in Wellesley Massachusetts, where she attended Wellesley High School. Upon graduation Punkie received further education at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, studying fine arts and was a member of the swim team. After completing her Bachelor Degree, Mrs. Alexander began a career as a stewardess with American Airlines, earning her wings in 1959.

Nevertheless, by chance during her years at Stephens, Punkie met Matt Alexander in the midst of a snowball fight between numerous Mizzou Tigers and Stephens Stars, and the two were united in marriage on October 15, 1960. The couple first moved to Cedar Falls, Iowa where Matt worked in sales for Rath Packing Company, then to Kansas City in 1964, and finally to Appleton City in 1967 where they purchased their farm. To this union two sons were born, Bret and Dean

Mrs. Alexander always proved a devoted mother preparing the most wonderful meals on the farm for both family and farmhands. She never missed a single game that her boys played in; nor did she ever fail to have their uniforms in perfect condition, even if it meant stay up most of the night. Mrs. Alexander was a longtime member of the P.E.O., serving as Chapter CC president twice and in numerous other capacities within the sisterhood. Though always her own worst critic, Punkie was a magnificent artist as the many pieces hung throughout her house readily stand as evidence. This time spent with her pen and ink creating artwork was one of her most cherished activities. Yet Punkie’s family remained the most important part of her life. She dearly loved her boys, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and her husband of 55 years, Matt.

Preceding Punkie in death were her parents. Survivors include her husband, Matt of the home; her two sons, Bret Alexander (Melodie) of Balwin, Missouri and Dean Alexander (Shanna) of Appleton City; grandchildren: Ty Cumley (Olivia), Cory Cumley and Eli Mitchell of Appleton City; Matthew and Coleton Alexander and Rille Blackshear of Balwin; Nicholas Alexander and Lauren Alexander of Jefferson City, Missouri; one great-grandchild, Oakley Cumley; and one brother, David Ellinwood of Charleston, South Carolina

Updated Obituary - Violet May Raffurty

Violet May Raffurty

Violet May Raffurty, 80, of Pleasant Hill, was born September 2, 1935, in Pleasant Hill, the daughter of Marion and Katherine (Johnson) Snow. She departed this life at 2:14 p.m. Saturday, October 31, 2015, at the Research Medical Center, surrounded with love and family.

Violet was a 1954 Kingsville High School graduate.

On April 3, 1954, she was united in marriage to James Hall Raffurty, in Miami, Oklahoma. He preceded her in death on October 29, 2003.

Violet had been employed as an electronics assembler for AT&T in Lee’s Summit; as maintenance supervisor for Unity Village, Lee’s Summit; last working for Wal-Mart in Harrisonville. She was a member of the Red Hat Society. She was a also a member o f the Pleasant Hill First Christian Church, where she was active member of the CWF. In her spare time she enjoyed gardening, flowers, quilting, embroidery, reading; she especially loved spending time with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed working at the Lay-Clergy Thrift Store.



Violet was also preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by two sons, James Raffurty of Lee’s Summit, and Wayne Raffurty of Pleasant Hill; two daughters, Joyce Raffurty, and Kathy (and Steve) Dains, both of Harrisonville; three brothers, Eugene Snow, of Leavenworth, Kansas, Nathan Snow of Oskaloosa, Kansas, and Jerry (and Alice Jean) Snow of Pleasant Hill; 6 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, November 5, at the Stanley-Dickey Funeral Home, Pleasant Hill, Missouri.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 6, 2015, at the funeral home. Reverend D. Kent Deubner of the Pleasant Hill First Christian Church will officiate. Interment will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Casket bearers are Vaness Emokae, Jerry Hedgpath, Adam King, Eric King, Jason Raffurty, and Anthony Smith.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Diabetes Association and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Obituary - Violet M. Raffurty

Violet M. Raffurty, 80, of Pleasant Hill, died October 31, 2015, at the Research Medical Center, Kansas City.

Visitation will be held 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, November 5, at the Stanley-Dickey Funeral Home, Pleasant Hill, Missouri.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 6, 2015, at the funeral home.

Reverend D. Kent Deubner of the Pleasant Hill First Christian Church will officiate. Interment will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Diabetes Association and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

A complete obituary will be published here as soon as that information becomes available.

Obituary - Arthur Seibert

Arthur Seibert

Arthur Seibert, 84, Harrisonville, Mo died Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at his home. A Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Harrisonville with burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Kansas City, Mo. Visitation will be at the Atkinson Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 3 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 5:00 p.m. and an Elks Services at 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests Memorial contributions to Serenity Hospice, Missouri K of C Education Fund or the Elks National Foundation.

Art was born June 8, 1931 in Toledo, Ohio, the eldest son of Pauline (Harper) and Arthur Seibert. He moved to Tell City, Indiana in 1946 and graduated from Tell City High School in 1949. Art studied engineering at the University of Evansville in Indiana, and business at Rockhurst University. He served two years in the US Army and six years in the reserves. Art married his wife Eula (Nurrenbern) in 1957 in Newburgh, Indiana. They moved to Kansas City where he was an engineer at Bendix. Art spent the remainder of his career with the SBA as Assistant Regional Administrator until he retired in 1994.

Art was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church where he served as usher, lector, Eucharistic minister, and on the parish council. Art was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus council 6550 and 4th degree assembly #3080 where he served in many capacities including Grand Knight, Faithful Navigator, Financial Secretary, Comptroller, Treasurer, and as District Deputy. Art was a member of the Grandview-Hickman Mills Elks #2088 serving as Exalted Ruler, Leading Knight, and trustee for many years. He was a member of the American Legion.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Edward of Grand Rapids, Michigan and Robert of Bloomington, Indiana. He is survived by his wife Eula of the home; children, Patricia Lindquist (David) of Peculiar, Carl of Eustis, FL, Donna Reeves (Ron) of Harrisonville, and Ronald (Kristie) of Peculiar; brother Dale (Penny) of Tarpon Springs, FL; 10 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Urges Caution On Roadways

Colonel J. Bret Johnson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, urges motorists to remain alert while driving in changing weather patterns. In some parts of the state, roadways have been dry for extended periods of time. Recent rains combined with existing oil, dirt, and other substances can create a serious road hazard. These roadways quickly become slick. Motorists are encouraged to reduce their speed and increase their following distance any time it rains. Even light rain can make travel treacherous.

Widely varying temperatures can leave roadways or bridge floors covered with frost. Even though roads appear to be clear, it is important to slow down and watch for slick areas, especially early in the morning. Temperature changes also cause fog to develop. Drivers need to slow down, turn on their headlights, and be prepared to stop in foggy conditions.

Weather conditions requiring the use of windshield wipers are usually those that affect visibility. Motorists are reminded that state law requires them to turn on their vehicle’s headlights any time they are using the windshield wipers. It only takes a second to turn on your vehicle’s headlights. But, that second could make you more visible to other drivers and prevent a traffic crash.

Approximately 63 percent of Missouri fatal crash victims who are required to be restrained are NOT at the time of the traffic crash. The Patrol urges motorists to protect themselves and their passengers by making sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. Join us in supporting the Drive To Zero Highway Deaths. Watercraft operators should ensure that everyone in the vessel is wearing an approved life jacket. Click It 4 Life And Wear It!

Route B bridge east of Rich Hill closed...

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, a county bridge on B highway, some 10 miles east of Rich Hill is being closed for emergency repairs and may be closed for up to two weeks.

Mid America Live will publish info when the bridge is again open for traffic.

Nevada Police Arrest Burglary Suspect and Recover Property

Jeremy M. Haral

On October 26, 2015, police were dispatched to the W. F. Norman, located in the 200 block of N. Cedar.

The owner reported to police that the establishment had been burglarized during the overnight hour of October 25 – 26. A business door had been forced which allowed the suspect to unsuccessfully attempt entry into a business safe and ultimately steal $3,400 dollars in copper art and various tools.


Police processed the crime scene and recovered latent fingerprint evidence. Investigators reported the crime to scrap yard operators to solicit their help in this case. This led to the identification of a suspect and recovery of the copper art work. Detectives followed investigative leads to the 800 block of E. Ashland where police located the suspect.

Upon initial contact the subject fled the scene with police in foot pursuit. He was captured by officers about one block from the scene and transported to the Nevada Police station where he received the Miranda warning and was interviewed. Police recovered the stolen tools, a large amount of copper artwork and keys to the company truck that was unsuccessfully stolen from the business.

The suspect was searched and handcuffed by Nevada Police before transport to the Vernon County Jail.

The suspect, an 18 year old Nevada resident was identified as Jeremy M. Haral and remains in custody on the following charges from the Vernon County Associate Circuit Court;

• Burglary 2 Degree C Felony 
• Stealing C Felony
• Resisting Arrest D Felony

Bond was set at $25,000 cash only.

Citizens are encouraged to contact the police if they have any information that would be helpful to combat crime.

For questions regarding crime prevention techniques or to start a Neighborhood Watch Program, contact the Nevada Police Department at 448 – 5100.

To report criminal activities call 911, 417-448-2710 or us the Tip Hotline 417- 448 - 5117. Any and all information will be kept confidential.