McGennis Park and Youth Center Fundraiser Pavers for Sale

The Mary A. McGennis Agricultural Park and Youth Center will celebrate its 50th anniversaryin 2016. Over the last five decades, at least four generations of area people have enjoyed the Youth Center’s facilities, attended Old Barn Theatre productions and the annual Barbecue and Auction.

To commemorate this anniversary, the Center has embarked on a brick walkway project as a lastingtribute to all those who have been a part of the Center in any way. Proceeds from this project will help the Youth Center on its way for another 50 years.

The McGennis Park and Youth Center are currently accepting orders and the final order deadline is June 26, 2016, allowing plenty of gifting opportunities. These would make excellent 2015 Christmas gifts. Please direct questions to randy@bellbooks.com.

Hundreds of years of gratitude for just one donation. That’s what you get when you make a donation to the McGennis Youth Center’s commemorative brick campaign. You may be asking, “How?” Well, each donation made to this cause is a purchase of one laser engraved brick with your name on it. That brick will be used to create a walkway that will last a lifetime and proudly display the difference you have made in your community. Make a donation to the McGennis Youth Center today and know that your generosity will be celebrated for a lifetime.

You can purchase a single paver or several. You can buy them in your name or the name of a friend or family member; in celebration of a birth, graduation, wedding or anniversary; in honor of a soldier or veteran; or in memory of someone you love. Businesses, firms and organizations are also encouraged to participate.

Order forms are available. Just ask for one by using the email address above or write to Bell Books,

PO Box 49, Rich Hill, MO 64779.

Obituary - Bradford R. Sisson

Bradford R. Sisson, age 56, of Belton, MO died on November 12, 2015. He was born on September 2, 1959 in Spokane, Washington, the son of Thomas Oren and Patricia ‘Crider' Sisson. On July 25, 1992, he was united in marriage to Tricia (Kirkpatrick) Sisson who survives of the home. Brad owned and operated “Sisson Sharpening” in Belton. In addition to his wife, Brad is survived by his children, Sam (Betsy) Barnett, Merriam, KS, Dottie (Jesse) McDonald, Cleveland, TX, Shawn Sisson, Kansas City, MO, Shane (Danae) Sisson, Grandview, MO and Chalon (Nicole) Barnett, Axtell, KS; his sister Sherry (Kirk) Hillhouse, Spokane, WA; 14 Grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of friends. Brad was preceded in death by his parents. Brad's wishes were to be cremated with memorial services planned for a later date. 

Obituary - Raymond Ross Shepherd

Raymond Ross Shepherd, 83, of Mound City, Kansas, was born November 28, 2015, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Gerald E. and Frances E. (Raab) Shepherd. He departed this life Wednesday, November 11, 2015, at his home surrounded with love and family.

Raymond was a 1949, Kansas City Lillis High School graduate. He was a United States Korean War Navy Veteran.

On September 2, 1968, he was united in marriage to June Marie Springer in Clinton, Missouri.

Raymond was a gifted welder. He was an iron worker with the Union Local #10 in Lawrence, Kansas. Later he owned and operated his own company Superior Welder in Lawrence. He was a member of the Eagle’s Lodge of Lawrence, American Legion Post #0058 of Mound City, 32 degree Mason and a member of the Shriner’s Abdullah Temple of Lawrence.

In his spare time he enjoyed golfing, fishing and gardening. He was a proud father and grandfather; a true family man and patriarch.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Gerald Shepherd; and one sister, Mary Deeds.

He is survived by his wife June of Mound City; three sons, Rick (and Guen LawRance) Peek of Louisburg, Kansas, Donald Shepherd and David Shepherd, both of Johnstown, Pennsylvania; two daughters, Dena (and Jeff Hemus) Shipley of Mound City, and Roberta Kimlin of Shawnee, Kansas; one brother, Richard Shepherd of Florida; three sisters, Patricia Lea of San Bernadino, California, Kathleen (and Jim) Milam of Edwards, Missouri, Julie (and Phillip) Salley of Montgomery, Alabama; 11 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Sunday, November 12, 2015, at the Stanley-Dickey Funeral Home, Pleasant Hill, Missouri.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday, November 15, 2015, at the funeral home. Reverend Andy Keltner will officiate. Graveside military services will follow in the Staley-Mound Cemetery with full military honors by the U.S. Navy and the V.F.W Post #3118 Honor Guard. Casket bearers are Jackie Kimlin, Josh Kimlin, Nicholas LawRance, Jess Morley, Chad Shipley, and Tom Shipley. Honorary casket bearer is Brian Shipley.

Memorial contributions are suggested the Cancer Society of America and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Rockville man not injured in Pettis County crash

Around 2:15 p.m. this afternoon the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Pettis County responded to a two vehicle accident on Route B and Mergen South of Sedalia.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the 2012 Nissan Murano driven by 61 year old Kathryn A. Smith of Green Ridge, Missouri slowed to make a left hand turn and was struck in the rear by a 2011 Dodge Ram driven by 22 year old Levi M. Rapp of Rockville, Missouri.

After impact the Nissan Murano slid off the left side of the roadway, overturned twice and struck a fence before coming to rest in a field.

Kathryn A. Smith sustained minor injuries in this accident and she was transported to Bothwell Hospital in Sedalia. Mr. Rapp wasn't injured in this accident.

The Nissan was towed from the scene by State Fair Tow of Sedalia.

Copyright Mid America Live News

Obituary - Jack Powell

Jack Powell

Funeral services for Jack Powell will be 2 p.m. Saturday, November 14, 2015 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. Contributions in lieu of flowers to Arbor Day Foundation.

Jack Powell, age 96 of Maryville, Missouri died Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at Park Dale Manor in Maryville, Missouri. He was born November 14, 1918 to Lee Edgar and Della Belle Powell in Butler, Missouri.

Jack is survived by his son, Jeffrey “Jeff” Haidon Powell and wife Mary Jane of Maryville, Missouri; and three grandchildren Shawn Powell and wife Tara of Newport, North Carolina, Dr. Ryan Powell and wife Amy of Parkville, Missouri and Chris Powell and wife Mandy of Weston, Massachusetts; and nine great-grandchildren, Andie, Landyn, Jake, Kylie, Haiden, Conner, Jack, Ella and George. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; two brothers, Lee and Melvin; and two sisters, Pauline and Louise.

Obituary - William Jacob Thompson

William Jacob Thompson

William Jacob Thompson, 77, Nevada, MO passed away on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at Moore-Few Care Center in Nevada. He was born on August 29, 1938 in Belton, MO to Jacob Lester and Opal (Pitts) Thompson. He married Neva K. Gunn on January 16, 1973 and she survives of the home.

Bill moved to Nevada with his family in 1946. He graduated from Nevada High School with the Class of 1956 and worked as a butcher most of his adult life. He loved cars, horses, cooking and dogs. Family was very important to Bill as were his good friends.

In addition to his wife, survivors include two sons, Gary Thompson and his wife Julie, Columbia, MO and Rick Thompson, Augusta, GA; six step-children, Mike Davis, Independence, MO, Kenny Davis, Urbana, MO, Greg Davis, Chicago, IL, Dennis Davis and his wife Nancy, Blue Springs, MO, Sandi Leister and her husband Johnny, Amsterdam, MO, and Jeff Davis and his wife Kelly, Lee’s Summit, MO; 16 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, one sister, Betty Ann Woody, Nevada; and one nephew, Scott Woody and his wife Jan, Joplin, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Bob Thompson, and a nephew Steve Woody.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Brent Bland officiating. Friends may call now and until the hour of and the family will receive friends from 10-11:00 a.m. prior to the service also at the funeral home. Cremation will follow with interment at a later date in Moore Cemetery.

Those who wish may contribute in Bill’s memory to the American Heart Association in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

A Hitchcock movie plays out in western Bates County?

Skies were filled as thousands of birds headed east over Amsterdam this morning

Amsterdam area residents got a little taste of Hitchcock's 1963 flick The Birds this morning...thousands and thousands of starlings (mostly) filled the skies in a swath more than a mile wide headed east. The show lasted for more than 20 minutes as some stood outside watching in silent amazement.

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, the birds gather in early Fall and travel in large packs in search of food before migrating south for Winter.

Veterans' Day Celebration at Miami R-1‏

Miami R-1 School will be hosting its annual Veterans’ Day celebration on Wednesday, November 11. All veterans are invited to come for coffee and pastries in the library starting at 10 a.m. supplied by the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America. FFA officers will assist in directing guests to the refreshments and seating. The Music Department has prepared patriotic songs to honor the Veterans.

This year’s guest speaker is Retired Major David C. Hug. His biography shows an impressive dedication to serving our country. Mr. Hug graduated from a St. Louis high school in 1971. He then graduated from the University of Missouri, Columbia in 1975 with a B.A. in Physical Geography. At graduation, Mr. Hug was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the United States Marine Corps and began service at Quantico, VA. Over the next 20 years, he served in a variety of assignments worldwide, most in the occupational specialties of Field Artillery and Military Intelligence. Deployed to Desert Shield and Desert Storm, I served as part of Task Force Grizzly then Task Force Ripper. His personal awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with Star, Combat Action Ribbon, and Order of St. Barbara.

After retiring as a Major in 1995, Mr. Hug was a realtor for eight ears and then worked in restate related fields for three additional years before returning to school to gain his teaching certification. During this time, he substituted in several area districts in many disciplines. This is Mr. Hug’s seventh year of full time teaching. He is the Miami R-1 Science Department’s instructor.

Mr. Hug and his wife, Pam, currently reside in an old farm house on small acreage southeast of Butler. He has two adult daughters and one adult son living in the greater Kansas City area with their families. Mr. Hug has been blessed with seven grandchildren, the oldest a Senior in high school.

At the conclusion of the Miami Veterans’ Day Celebration, all veterans are invited to eat with FCCLA students in the cafeteria. There is no cost for this event. Our area vets are encouraged to come and participate in this event.