Updated Obituary - Robert (Bob) Frank Skocy

Robert (Bob) Frank Skocy, 59 of Stover, Missouri, formerly of Rich Hill, Missouri, departed from this life on January 26, 2018 near Rich Hill, Missouri. Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm Wednesday, January 31, 2017 at Happy Hill Church of God 801 S. Main St, Butler. 

A visitation will be held prior to the service from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Wednesday also at the church. Cremation will follow services. Memorial contributions are suggested, in lieu of flowers, to the family. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com

Bob was born March 13, 1958 in Stevens Point, Wisconsin to Anna Mae and James Anton Skocy, Sr. While growing up, Bob attended Ellis School in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Troy School in Shorewood, Illinois and completed his education in Rich Hill, Missouri. He entered the Army in 1977 and was stationed in Huachuca, Arizona served in the 84th Engineering Battalion in Germany. Upon completing his military service and returning home, he began a career in construction and carpentry. Throughout his lifetime and career he became known to many as “Bob The Builder.” Bob enjoyed singing, fishing, camping, playing Pinocle, dominos and spending time with his family and friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents parents James Anton Skocy, Sr. and Anna Mae (Williamson) Skocy, one sibling Allan F. Skocy and one step-son Dustin Keggeries. He is survived by daughter Brittany (Skocy) Mitchell; four step-sons David Kegerries, Donnie (Carolina) Kegerries, Corey Spurling and Jarad Spurling; step-daughter Jessica Spurling; five brothers Jim (Ronna) Skocy of Rich Hill, Missouri, Chris (Kathy) Skocy of Marine City, Michigan, Dan Skocy of Channahon, Illinois, Greg (Rachel) Skocy of Rich Hill, Missouri, Kenny (Debbie) Skocy of Rich Hill, Missouri; five sisters Mary Anne Helgeson of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Diane (Kenny) Kassner of Rich Hill, Missouri, Nancy Skocy of Tucson, Arizona, Lynn (Bart) McClaughry of Rich Hill, Missouri, Amy (Neal) Mitchell of Rich Hill, Missouri; and sister-in-law Amanda Loyd McCoy. He has several grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins

Obituary - James Elmer Schlagle

James Elmer Schlagle, 78, of Peculiar, MO died Saturday, January 27, 2018 at his home, surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 1, 2018 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO with burial in Freeman Cemetery, Freeman, MO. 

Visitation will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 31 at the Atkinson Funeral Home.

(A complete obituary will be posted when information is available)

Obituary - Dianna “Diane” Louise Bridges

Dianna “Diane” Louise Bridges, 62, Adrian, MO passed away Saturday, January 27, 2018 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, MO, with her husband and children by her side. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, February 1, 2018 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Adrian, MO with burial in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian. 

Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 31 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Memorial Account of Dianna Bridges at Adrian Bank, PO Box 127, Adrian, MO 64720.

Diane was born September 12, 1955 in Lebanon, MO to Jessie Lee and Goldie Marie (Rogers) Appleberry. On November 14, 1975, Diane married Rodney Lee Bridges from Adrian, at the Merwin Christian Church. Diane and Rodney lived their entire married life in Adrian where they raised their two boys, Dustin Lee Bridges, wife, Miranda, and their children, Cody and Clayton, and Mathew Charles Bridges, wife, Jessica and their children, Alexia and Hunter, all of Adrian.

After her high school graduation, Diane began working as a nurse at Bates County Hospital where she worked until 1978. Diane was later employed as a waitress at the Homestead House in Adrian for many years before switching occupations and becoming the store manager at Pyro City in Harrisonville, MO in 2002. Diane and Rodney, together, managed Pyro City until she was physically unable to continue to work.
Diane was preceded in death by her father, Jessie Lee Appleberry, her foster father, Walter Brewster, and her foster brother, Jim Brewster. 

Survivors include her husband, Rodney; her two boys, Dustin and Mat; her mother, Goldie Appleberry of Butler, MO; her foster mother, Irene Welliver of Amoret, MO; two sisters, Lewana and Bill Bolton of Butler, MO and Lisa and Robert Sanders of Nemo, MO; five brothers, Loren and Debby Appleberry of Butler, MO, Ricky Appleberry of Colorado, Mike Appleberry of Kansas City, MO, Gary Appleberry of Sedalia, MO, and Jimmy Appleberry;and four grandchildren, Cody (14), Clayton (13), Alexia (11), and Hunter (5).

High Fire Danger On Tuesday

Hang on to your hats and butts, cigarette butts that is. Remember last week when it was really windy? It won't be as bad as that tomorrow, but it will still be windy and this time of year that means high fire danger.

From the Sherwood R-8 School District

At approximately 1:15 PM today the fire alarm system was activated at school today, and students were evacuated from the building safely. 

Upon investigation there was no threat to any students or the building, and students returned into the building. 

The cause for the alarm has been resolved, and we anticipate the rest of the day to go smoothly.

Any questions or concerns may be directed to Dr Ritter at 660-499-2239 or Steve.ritter@sherwoodk12.net

Obituary - Arnold Hancock

Funeral services for Arnold Hancock will be 11 a.m. Friday, February 2, 2018 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri with Pastor Jack Daniel officiating. Visitation will be 5 - 7 p.m. Thursday, February 1 at the Schowengerdt Chapel. 

Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler, Missouri. Contributions to Butler First Christian Church or American Heart Association. Online condolences, www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Edgar Arnold Hancock, age 91 of Butler, Missouri died Monday, January 29, 2018 at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler. He was born June 22, 1926 to Edgar Cleo and Blanche Morene Bridgeman Hancock in Bates County, Missouri.

Arnold leaves behind to cherish his memories, his devoted wife of 69 years, Louise Hancock of Butler, Missouri; his beloved three daughters, Brenda Dugan and husband Jim of Butler, Missouri, Sue Hancock and significant other Norbert Kurle of Independence, Missouri and Ginger Moore and husband Terry of Ballard, Missouri; 4 grandsons, Adam Cunningham and wife Kim, Alex Cunningham, Ryan Moore and fiance` Tiffany Kelly and Kevin Moore and wife Jamie; 4 great-grandchildren, Katharine Cunningham, Kaleigh Cunningham, Mason Cunningham, Tyler Cunningham; one sister, Ruth Fischer of Appleton City, Missouri; and a host of nephews, nieces and close friends. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Arnold was preceded in death by his parents.

Nevada Pastor pleads guilty to stealing Social Security Benefits

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Timothy A. Garrison, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Nevada, Mo., pastor pleaded guilty in federal court today to fraudulently receiving more than $90,000 in Social Security disability benefits.

 

Dennis Engelbrecht, 58, of Nevada, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to the theft of government money.

 

Engelbrecht admitted that he was employed as a pastor at Pentecostal Assembly of God Church in Nevada, Mo., while receiving disability benefits over an approximately four-year period. Engelbrecht did not report his work activity to the Social Security Administration, as required.

 

Although Engelbrecht was paid $650 per week by the church, he received a total of $87,705 in disability payments from February 2011 to May 2015. Additionally, his son received a total of $3,220 in auxiliary benefits to which he was not entitled. (Because Engelbrecht was not entitled to benefits, his son was not entitled to auxiliary benefits.)

 

Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Engelbrecht must pay restitution to the government of $90,925.

 

Engelbrecht has worked as a pastor since 2000. His first application for disability benefits in 2009 was denied, but a second application was approved in 2011. Engelbrecht did not report any current employment on either application.

 

Under federal statutes, Engelbrecht is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled after the completion of presentence investigations by the United States Probation Office.

 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General.

 

****************

This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, is available on-line at

 

http://www.justice.gov/wdmo

Happy 177th Anniversary of Bates County