Obituary - Dorothy Marie Willhoite

Dorothy Marie Willhoite, 85, of Wellsville, NY, formerly of Drexel, MO, passed away on March 9, 2018, at Wellsville, with her children at her side. Funeral services will be held 3:00 pm Friday, March 16, 2018 at Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel Chapel (816-657-4400). 

A visitation will be held from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm Friday prior to services, also at the chapel. Burial will follow services in Sharon Cemetery, Drexel, Missouri. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com

Dorothy was born in Miami County, KS, on October 18, 1932, to Fannie Leona (Alley) and Kenneth Anson Trewett. She grew up on the family farm, where she learned the importance of hard work and common sense. Dorothy attended grade school at the Washington School in Miami County and high school in Drexel. She was the salutatorian of the Drexel High School Class of 1950 and predicted by her classmates to be “the first woman President of the United States.” She attended college at the Ursuline Academy in Paola, KS.

Dorothy married the love of her life, Wilber Wayne Willhoite, on July 8, 1951. They farmed near Drexel before their family moved to Kansas City, MO, in 1965. Dorothy was a homemaker and stay-at-home mother while her children were young, but began working outside the home in 1969. Shortly thereafter, she started her career with Lynn Insurance Group (Universal Underwriters). She earned her Certified Property Casualty Underwriter credential and retired from Universal Underwriters in 1989 as a Regional Underwriting Manager. Dorothy and Wilber moved from Kansas City to Drexel in 1990, and in 2000 they moved to Wellsville to be near family. They enjoyed their retirement together and traveling to visit family and friends and to attend Wilber’s military reunions.

Dorothy was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Wellsville where she had been active in the women’s Bible study group, jail ministry, and choir. She loved people and helping others. She enjoyed reading, solving puzzles, quilting, gardening, and baking.. She was a brilliant, intelligent woman who could accomplish anything that she decided to do.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her beloved Wilber, who died on December 11, 2008, and by her brother, Kenneth Trewett. She is survived by three children, Rose Anna (Leonard) Ladage of Wellsville, NY, Patricia Lynn (Richard) Sooter of North Richland Hills, TX, and Terry Wayne (Linda) Willhoite of Keller, TX; three grandchildren, Kenneth Wayne (Yuriko) Sooter, Joshua William (Kelly) Sooter, and Angela Marie Willhoite; five great-grandchildren, Joshua “Tiger,” Reese, Madison, Connor, and Kyron; two

sisters, Frances (John) McLaughlin and Evelyn Burton; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Obituary - Genevieve D. Morganelli

Genevieve D. Morganelli age 83 of Harrisonville, Missouri departed this life Saturday, March 10, 2018 at her home surrounded with family and love.

Services are pending under the care of Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.

A complete obituary and service times will be posted here as soon as that information becomes available.

Obituary - Walter Lee Jacks

Walter Lee Jacks, 83, passed away at his home in Richards, MO on Friday, March 9, 2018, following a lengthy illness. Walt was born on December 31, 1934 in Wathena, KS to Irvine Noah and Blanche Mae (Dinning) Jacks. He married Deloris “Dee” Jean Willson on September 18, 1954 in Nevada, MO and she survives of the home.

Walt came to the Metz area with his family while in the 8th grade from Wathena, KS and attended the Metz School. Walt worked for Missouri Department of Transportation for 26 years and also operated Jacks Custom Spraying for nearly 30 years. Walt served on the Metz School Board for several years and was a member of the Richards Masonic Lodge. He took great enjoyment from being with his grandchildren and traveling to countless horseshows. Walt also enjoyed his farm, taking care of his cattle, haying, and gardening.

Survivors include his wife Dee; three sons, Walter Lynn Jacks and his wife Becky, Rich Hill Mo, Gregory Allen Jacks and his wife Rita, Richards and Vance Lee Jacks, Nevada; four grandchildren, Jodi Jacks, Rich Hill, Ranea Luther and her husband Richard, Richards, Amanda Erwin and her husband Zach, Nevada and Levi Jacks and his wife Kim, Joplin, MO; 11 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, R. J. Jacks, and one brother, William D. Jacks.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. Interment will follow in Balltown Cemetery, Horton, MO. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at the funeral home.

Those who wish may contribute in Walt’s memory to the Vernon County Youth Fair or the National Kidney Foundation in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

Information of events in to honor fallen officer in Clinton

A Candlelight Vigil will be held at 8 p.m., Sunday, March 11, 2018, Henry County Courthouse grounds in Clinton, Mo.

Officer Christopher Ryan Morton's visitation will take place on Sunday, March 11, 2018, 2-6 p.m., Benson Center, Clinton, Mo.

The funeral for Officer Christopher Ryan Morton will be 11 a.m., Monday, March 12, Benson Center, Clinton, Mo.

It is anticipated there will be some 1,000 law enforcement and public safety vehicles in the funeral procession from Clinton to Knob Noster, Mo. Travel route appears to be by Highway 13 from Clinton to the Highway 13 Bypass to US 50 Highway. Then to Route D. Those interested in honoring Officer Morton but do not wish to go to the cemetery in Knob Noster, an option could be lining the bridge or along the roadway. However, extreme caution is prudent.

Obituary - Mary A. Harms

Mary A. Harms, 76, Nevada, MO passed away on Friday, March 09, 2018 at Mercy Hospital in Joplin following a short bout with lung cancer. Mary was born November 4, 1941 in Nevada to Jay Albert and Mildred Elizabeth (Gilbert) Robinson. On September 3, 1988 she married Dr. James F. Harms in Nevada and he survives of the home.

Mary grew up in the Nevada area and graduated from Nevada High School Class of 1959. Following high school she attended the Missouri Baptist Hospital and Nursing School in St. Louis, MO. She worked most of her life in the medical field.

Mary was a mother, provider, and protector for all who needed her and took delight in all of her grandchildren. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church where she was active in the Church Choir and the Glory Choir. Mary loved Jesus and now she is with him.

In addition to her husband Jim, she is survived by four children, Leslie Woods-Hernandez and her husband Jesus, Nevada, Danielle Harms, Bentonville, AR, David Harms, Nevada, and Lori Harms, Nevada; grandchildren, Lily Hernandez, Adrian Hernandez, Madison Harms, Logan Harms and his wife Britney; great-grandchildren, Cohen Harms, Carson Harms; one brother, John Robinson, El Dorado Springs, MO, three sisters, Ann Fox and her husband Hubert, Nevada, Linda Erwin, Georgetown, KY, Sue Robinson, Desert Hot Springs, CA; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Billy Lowe, and Pat Fife; and one sister-in-law, Roxana Robinson.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 16, 2018 at the First Baptist Church in Nevada with Rev. Hubert Fox and Josh Ryals officiating. Friends may call now and until the hour of service at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church in c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

Obituary - Leland G. Smith

Leland G. Smith

Leland G. Smith, 77 of Foster, Missouri passed away March 9, 2018 at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler, Missouri. Cremation, with private family memorial services to be held at a later date. 

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Multiple Myeloma Foundation. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com

Leland Gale Smith was born February 9, 1941 in Taylor, Nebraska to Hazen and Thelma Shippley Smith. He worked for 15 years for the Nebraska Highway Patrol as a dispatcher. Then he attended Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After graduating he was ordained and served as a pastor for 12 years. Leland also worked for Mid-America Nazarene University in the Security Department before retirement. 

Leland enjoyed wood working and whittling, working on his favorite truck, and he especially loved his family. He will be forever remembered as a good listener, a positive soul, and a shoulder to cry on. Leland was a firm believer in the Lord.

Leland was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 36 years, Karen Smith, and sisters, Elaine and Carole.
He is survived by his wife Dorothy Smith, of the home in Foster, MO., daughter Lisa Fell and husband Glenn of Boulder, CO., daughter Laura Simon of Olathe, KS., grandchildren, Aaron, Stephen, Madison, and Matthew, brothers, David Smith and wife Susan of Norfolk, NE., and Dan Smith and wife Lynn of Counsel Bluff, IA., sister Jeanette Louis of Taylor, NE., along with many nieces and nephews. 

He is also leaves behind step-children, Sheri, Gina, Ronie, Danny, and Wendy and their families.

From the Sherwood R-8 School District

**Important Notice** We would like to address a rumor in the community that is going around.

There was NO lockdown at school today. There was a discipline issue at the high school that was quickly resolved, but there was no lockdown, no guns, etc. The situation involving one of our students was addressed, and there was no immediate danger to our students.

Please note we cannot provide confidential information regarding the incident. However, if you have other questions please reach out to Dr. Ritter at 660-499-2239 ext 400.

From the Nevada Police Department