Many mourn the passing of Missouri Department of Conservation District Supervisor Dan Love

We are saddened to report that District Supervisor Dan Love lost his battle with cancer on Wednesday, March 8, 2017. Dan was a 34-year veteran with the Missouri Department of Conservation. He graduated the Agent Training Academy in 1983 and was assigned to Henry County. In 1995 he was promoted to Regional Training Specialist, and in 1997 he was promoted to his current District Supervisor position. Dan’s legacy includes the protection of fish, forest, and wildlife resources throughout West Central Missouri and Truman Lake, as well as through his role as supervisor and instructor with our Agent Training Academy. Dan has been the lead instructor for our big-water boat school for almost 20 years, teaching 12 Academy classes. He leaves behind a wife, Susie; and five children; Branson, Brock, Tara, Leia, and Emma. We will miss our fellow officer, a dedicated leader, and most importantly - our good friend.- Protection Field Chief, Randy Doman- Missouri River Unit.

Dump your trash somewhere else people!

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Shout out to the pieces of trash that started their spring cleaning early. 
 
This was dumped about 1.5 miles east of the Double Branch Christian Church in rural Bates county off of N highway. 

If anyone saw a hot tub going down the road a little after lunch Saturday we would love to get it back to the original owners. Possible reward offered!


Anyone with information please call the Bates County Sheriffs Office 660-679-3232.

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Obituary - Sharon Jeanne (Akins) Murphy

Sharon Jeanne (Akins) Murphy

Sharon Jeanne (Akins) Murphy departed this life and went home to be with the Lord on Thursday morning, March 9th at The Haven in Camp Verde, Arizona. Sharon had experienced a series of illnesses and the last two weeks she was under hospice care.

Sharon was born March 10, 1951 in Independence, Missouri to Roy C. and Imogene Akins, the middle child of three. Sharon attended Rock Creek Elementary, Nolin Junior High, Van Horn High and she graduated from Fort Osage High School. 

Sharon worked for Luce Luggage Company in Kansas City, Missouri and then for Western Electric in Lee’s Summit, Missouri which eventually became AT&T. She worked there for 15 years until the plant shut down.

Sharon married Rollie L. Murphy November 22, 1984 at the home they purchased together in Grain Valley, Missouri. Sharon lived at the same home in Grain Valley until 2004 when she and Rollie moved to Beautiful Savior Assisted Living in Belton, Missouri. They moved to the Nursing Home unit about a month before Rollie’s death on May 30, 2006. Sharon then moved into the family home with her brother Stanley Akins in Grain Valley, Missouri until they had to move to assisted living at the Cedars of Liberty in Liberty, Missouri in 2015. They lived there a little over a year and then relocated to Cottonwood Village in Cottonwood Arizona to be near their sister Sandy Burris who was managing their affairs for them. After her brother Stanley passed away April 3, 2016, Sharon moved to the assisted living unit of The Haven of Camp Verde, Arizona. She had been in and out of the hospital several times the past two years and faced a great deal of health issues. She was placed on Hospice about two weeks ago and continued to deteriorate until her passing. She did pass peacefully at the end. She never had any children.

Sharon accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and followed the Lord in baptism at Faith Baptist Church in Buckner, Missouri at about age 20. Sharon was a member of the Camp Verde Baptist Church in Camp Verde, Arizona.

Sharon is preceded in death by her parents Roy C. and Imogene Trost (Baker) Akins, her younger brother Stanley and a niece Dana Lynn Burris.

Sharon is survived by her older sister Sandra Burris and her husband Rev. Dana L. Burris of Camp Verde, Arizona, a nephew Robin L. Burris and his wife Mandy of Phoenix, Arizona, a niece Lea Lester and her husband Mark of Diamondhead Mississippi, three great nieces, Keegan and Kenzie Burris of Phoenix, Arizona and Carlie Cuevas of Biloxi, Mississippi, 3 aunts, cousins, other relatives, former co-workers, friends and her church family at Camp Verde Baptist Church. She will be sadly missed by all her knew her including her many care givers.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Misouri. Burial will be in the Floral Hills Cemetery, Kansas City, Missouri.

The family will receive friends Thursday, March 16, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.

Obituary - Joan Phillips

Joan Phillips, 85 of Butler died Friday, March 10, 2017 at the Bates County Memorial Hospital. Joan was born March 24, 1931 near Spruce, Missouri the daughter of William A and Bernice Greer Stevens. 

Funeral services will be 11 am, Tuesday, March 14 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler with Pastor Dan Verwoest officiating. Visitation will be immediately prior to services on Tuesday, March 14 from 10 to 11 am at the chapel. 

Burial in the Oak Hill Cemetery. Contributions may be given to the Butler First Assembly of God Church. Online condolences may be sent to www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Joan is survived by her husband Jerry Phillips of the home; nephew Mark Stevens and wife Julie of Adrian, Missouri; Niece Shari Essenpries and husband Dick of Adrian, Missouri; Aunt Lucille Greer of Overland Park, Kansas; cousin Marcia Wichman of Shawnee, Kansas; two step-sons Doug Phillips and wife Leni and Danny Phillips and wife Cindy of Monett, Missouri. Joan also leaves two sister-in-laws Joyce Stevens of Adrian, Missouri; and Wanda Mashburn and husband Frank of Springfield, Missouri; brother-in-law Ronnie Phillips and wife Glenda of Cassville, Missouri and many friends. Joan was preceded in death by her parents also two brothers Max Stevens and Harley Stevens.

Looking for something fun to do Saturday morning?

The Bates County Museum will host its annual Show & Tell Gathering on Saturday, March 11 at 10:30 am in Robertson Hall. Everyone is invited to attend. 

The program’s highlight will be the wide array of fascinating artifacts, beloved possessions, and curious items that will be on display. Bring something to share that is special to you and tell the story that accompanies it. Always fun. Always entertaining.

The Society will conduct a brief meeting prior to the Show & Tell. New Board members will be introduced and fond farewells will be given to those who have served so faithfully for the past six years. We will be saying goodbye to Stan Sechrest, Alan Mundey, and Joyce Grainger. All three have served the maximum allowed three 2-year terms. The strides the Museum has made during the course of their terms has been superior! Please plan to join us for this very special program and gathering.

A Donation Chili/Soup Luncheon will immediately follow the program. Your support is encouraged and always appreciated! We hope to see you on Saturday…

Update on Kameron Williams 3/11/17

 Kameron Williams

Kameron is doing well after his surgery today (3/10/17) to remove his gallbladder. Thank you to everyone for your prayers and support. 

Thank you for the messages and texts checking in throughout the day. I hope this helps him progress in rehab. 

Hopefully he has no more nausea or vomiting ever again. Poor guy has been through alot. 

It will be wonderful to see him eat a good meal again:) #kamsfam

Snow Possible Saturday

Winter returns tomorrow, possibly producing a dusting to 3 inches of snow across the area. Snow will start early Saturday morning in northwest MO/northeast KS and taper off in the mid-afternoon/early evening from the northwest to southeast. 

Snow may initially accumulate only on grassy and elevated surfaces, but as the day continues we could see some accumulation on the sidewalks and roadways. This could make them slick, so take caution.

Obituary - Betty Jo Mitchell

Betty Jo Mitchell

Betty Jo Mitchell, age 87, Blue Mound, Kansas passed away on Thursday March 9, 2017 at the Olathe Medical Center. She was born on September 8, 1929 at Mapleton, Kansas the daughter of Scott and Gladys Lucas Northway. She attended grade school at Xenia and graduated from Blue Mound High School. 

She married Lloyd Mitchell on June 7, 1947 at Fort Scott, Kansas. Betty was a member of the Blue Mound United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women. She also taught Sunday School, and was a member of the OK Community Club. She was preceded in death by her parents and great grandson, John. Betty is survived by her husband Lloyd, son Bruce Mitchell, two daughters, Jodi Johnson and Phil, and Donna McCormick and Larry, a brother, Don Northway, a sister Barbara Petrie, eleven grandchildren: Kamie Mitchell, Joshua Mitchell, Gayla West and Les, Nicholas Johnson and Amanda, Jeffrey Johnson and Jade, Michael Johnson, Julie Steele, David Johnson, Douglas McCormick, Mike McCormick and Matthew McCormick, and twenty-eight great grandchildren: Leighton, Reid, Josi, Jayton, Michaela, Samantha, Chris, Katrina, Eli, Krista, Jacob, Logan, Max, Alex, Bria, Paisley, Richard, Dylan, Shayla, Blaine, David, Nathan, Molly, Morgan, Tristan, Tessa, Taylor and Zoey.

Funeral service will be held at 11 am Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at the Blue Mound United Methodist Church. Burial in the Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm Monday at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel. The family suggests contributions to the Methodist Church. On line condolences may be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com. Arrangements: Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel.