Hey Garden City!

Garden City residents!!! As you may have heard, the Cass County Historical Society recently acquired the former Cass County Publishing Co. building at 301 S. Lexington Harrisonville, MO thanks to a very generous gift from John and Wanda Foster. 

We now have a wonderful opportunity to turn this space into a museum and cultural center that showcases and celebrates the history of our county and the people, events and stories that shaped our lives. We envision it as not just an interactive museum but also a research center and visitor attraction. We want to reach out to all cities within the county to ensure that every piece of our county is represented.

Beyond that, we want to hear your thoughts and ideas as we begin the planning process. The Raymore Historical Society has graciously agreed to allow us to use their new location for a meeting. The Cass County Historical Society Board of Directors cordially invite you to a meeting at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at the Library. 

We’ll provide you with brief background information, then open the floor to your questions, ideas and suggestions. We would greatly appreciate it if you would let us know if you are interested in attending so we can make sure we have adequate space. You can contact our Executive Director, Jennifer Reed at 816-380-4396 or by email at cchsmo@gmail.com.

Here are 3 questions we’d like you to be thinking about before the meeting:

1. Drawing on your childhood memories, what content or features would you want to make sure this museum includes for your children and grandchildren?

2. What are the important Cass County-specific stories that this museum should present to visitors?

3. Thinking about your visits to other museums and historic attractions, what features have stuck out in your mind as particularly noteworthy or engaging?

We are excited about this opportunity and hope you will make time to attend this important meeting — and feel free to invite others who might be interested in this project. Questions can be directed to Jennifer Reed, Executive Director, at 816-380-4396 or email cchsmo@gmail.com.

Courtesy of Cass County Missouri Historical Society Facebook page

Obituary - Roger Kent Lee

Roger Kent Lee, age 67, a former resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Saturday, June 15, 2019, at the Citizens Memorial Health Care in Bolivar, Missouri. He was born September 23, 1951, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the son of Frank James Lee and Mary Virginia Sheehy Lee. Roger accumulated many fiends while attending primary school in Prescott, Kansas. His family later moved to Pittsburg, Kansas where Roger graduated from high school in 1969. Roger was extremely active in sports, particularly basketball and track. Roger held the PHS and State Records for the mile run at 4 minutes and 23.5 seconds. 

The PHS record still stands today. He married Linda Spencer on February 6, 1971, at Ft. Scott. Roger worked as an assistant manager for Hammond Seed & Grain for twenty years. He later retired from Bourbon County where he worked as a field appraiser. He was active with the Army Reserve for several years. Roger was an avid sportsman throughout his life. He loved hunting and fishing and shared this passion with his many buddies in the Hammond Community. He loved catching catfish . . . the bigger the better, and if asked where he caught them his reply was always “In the mouth” or “In the water.” Roger shared many a fishing story with whoever wanted to listen. The fish continued to grow bigger each time the story was told. Roger’s other passions were his garden and his grandchildren. Roger spent many hours country cruising with his grandkids “thinking” they were driving and singing songs at the top of their lungs.

Survivors include his former wife and friend, Linda, of Ft. Scott; his son, Thomas Lee of Joplin, Missouri and his daughter, Nicole Lee, of Pittsburg, Kansas. He is also survived by the “lights of his life,” – the grandkids; three grandsons, Spencer Lee, Alex Lee VanLeeuwen and Kane Shepard and his “baby girls”, Ivy Kaie Lee and KynLee Rose Lee. Also surviving is his brother, Kevin Lee of Bolivar, Missouri and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Frank Lee, Jr. and two sisters, Debbie Applegate and Diana Deere.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, June 20th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Maple Grove Cemetery. After services at the cemetery, a reception will be held at the Hammond Community Building. 

Memorials are suggested to the Roger Lee Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 374, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Harrisonville Police Department Case Update

On 04/13/2019, we posted that we were looking for the persons who burglarized Yesterday's Guitars. Thanks in part to tips from our friends here on Facebook, the suspects have been identified and charges have been filed.

Devon E. Richardson and Rachel M. Mossman, both of Peculiar, MO have each been charged with Burglary and Stealing. (All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty)

A total of nine of the stolen guitars have been recovered, but several are still missing. For our musically inclined friends, keep an eye out for these guitars that are quite unique, and are still out there somewhere:

1956 National Resophonic
1968 Vox Beatle Bass
Airline Barney Kessel
Microfrets Golden Comet
1967 Fender Super Sunburst Stratocaster

Obituary - Melanie Jane Goddard

Melanie J. Goddard, was born November 7, 1959 in Kansas City, MO. She passed away June 16, 2019 at Kansas City Hospice House, Kansas City, MO after a 3-year battle from cancer.

Melanie’s laugh was infectious, you had no doubt what was on her mind, and she was Mama bear when one of her family was wronged or in danger. Her snarky quips were vintage Melanie, which made her all more endearing. Her baking, cooking, and canning can make your mouth water just thinking about it. One thing she loved was driving the school bus for Cass Midway. She knew every kid in the surrounding area, she loved driving the field trips, and watching all the sporting events she could especially if they involved her grandchildren. Nothing mattered more to Melanie than her grandchildren.

Daughter, Sibling, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Cousin, Aunt, Friend, Neighbor, Homemaker, Craft Extraordinaire, Best Bus Driver are just a few titles that begin to describe her incredible life. We all knew her in different ways, yet we all have one thing in common…She filled a place in each and everyone of our hearts. A lifetime of love and all the ups and downs that go with it, these touch us as we say goodbye for now. For us, it was way too soon…and yet “this world is not conclusion; a sequel stands beyond, invisible as music, but positive as sound.” May the snap shots of her life, these portraits stored in our hearts, bring warm memories and healing in time.

Melanie was preceded in death by her father, Stanley “Bub” Walter Jurgeson Jr.

She is survived by her husband of the home, Robert L. Goddard, Freeman, MO; her mother LaDonna Jurgeson; her siblings; Melinda Christianson (Rolland), Marsha Jurgeson, Mitch Jurgeson; her daughters Heather Sanders (William), Jennifer Goddard (Antoine); her 6 grandchildren Damien, Kendall, Hunter, Bristol, Liam, & Aubree. Many more friends, family, or loved ones to mention.

Cremation. A Celebration of Life Service will be 12:00 p.m., Saturday, July 13, 2019 at the First Baptist Church, 420 W. Main Street, Cleveland, Missouri 64734.

Family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., Saturday, July 13, 2019 at the church.

Stolen Vehicle In Nevada

Harrisonville Hometown 4th of July Celebration

The 4th of July is just around the corner. Hope to see you there!!

New look for Vernon County Sheriff's Vehicle

New look for the Vernon County Sheriff’s Department. Thank you for all you do, and thank you for being a continued and valued customer. -  Courtesy of H3 Grafix Rich Hill Missouri 

Obituary - Steven Louis Finley

Steven Louis Finley, age 53, of Nevada, Missouri passed away at his home on Saturday, June 15, 2019. He was born in Nevada, Missouri on May 24, 1966 the son of Byron and Frances Barker Finley. He graduated from Hume High School in the Class of 1984. He most recently worked as a maintenance supervisor for Bates County PWSD #4. 

Steve was very artistic and enjoyed being outdoors. He gardened, grilled, smoked meat, and loved spending time with his girls. He was preceded in death by his mother. He is survived by his father, Byron and wife Edna; three daughters, Taylar Hough and husband Andrew, MaKenna Finley, and Anna Finley; two sisters, Dena Splitter and husband Leland, and Tammy King and husband Doug; a grandson, Colt and one on the way.

Funeral Service will be held at 10 am, Wednesday, June 19 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 18th from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel. Burial will be in the Hume Cemetery. 

The family suggests contributions to Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund of Bates County. Online condolences may be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com