Obituary - Helen M. Brown

Helen M. Brown, 77, Harrisonville, Missouri went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, July 5, 2019 surrounded by love and family at the Kansas City Hospice House.

She is survived by her two sons, Paul T. Brown Jr and Gary A. Brown and wife Dianna and a daughter, Genie M. Bylina and husband Edward all of Harrisonville, Missouri; 13 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; a brother, Rudy Skivers, Peculiar, Missouri, a sister, Thelma Kennedy, Independence, Missouri; other relatives and many friends.

Cremation. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date at the Heartland Baptist Fellowship, Harrisonville, Missouri.

A complete obituary will be posted when it becomes available.

Obituary - Willard Dean Greer

Willard Dean Greer, age 87, of Milo, Missouri, passed from this life on July 4, 2019. He was born July 24, 1931, the son of Harold “Pete” Maxwell and Cora Ellen (Hieronymous) Greer at Sheldon, Missouri. On December 21, 1956, he was united in marriage to Rose Marlene Attebery. They were married over 58 years until she preceded him in death on May 19, 2015.

Dean attended Wild Rose School through the eighth grade. Dean was a longtime member and deacon of the Nevada Church of Christ. Dean was one of the founding fathers of the Milo Rural Fire Department.

Dean served active duty in the US Navy from 1952-1955 and inactive duty until 1960. He was rated GM 3rd Class and served on the USS Manchester. His Navy travels took him to Hawaii, Japan, China and Korea. Dean lived with Merl and Louella Fellows on leave and after returning from the Navy.

Dean hauled livestock for Merl Fellows, worked at Nevada Farm Service for Dan and Bonnie Short and drove a truck for Hofer’s of Pittsburg, Kansas. The last several years of his trucking career were hauling cookie meal/bakery by-products from Kansas City to Arkansas.

Dean’s favorite times were those spent going to kids’ activities, fishing or being with family and friends. He loved being “Papa”. He was so proud of every child, grandchild and great grandchild.

Dean was preceded in death by this wife, his parents and two grandsons, Taylor Greer and Justin Cash. Survivors include his four children: Jeff Greer and wife Kathy, Joann Cash and James Harman, all of Nevada, Jane Westerhold and husband Denver of Rich Hill, and Jimmy Greer and wife Melissa of Holden, Missouri; twelve grandchildren: Matthew Cash and wife Alison of Springfield, Michael Cash and wife Chelsie of Nevada, Tyler Greer and wife Kelsey of Milo, Tanner Greer of Springfield, Megan Westerhold of Manhattan, Kansas, Michelle Westerhold of Rich Hill, Aaron Greer and wife Katlyn of Milo, Austin Greer and wife Taylor of Milo, AJ Greer and wife Tayvia of Nevada, Benjamin and Levi Greer of Holden, and Tyson Majors of Butler; seven great-grandchildren, Kenneth, Layne and Gracelynn Greer of Milo, Mason Cash of Springfield, Weston Greer of Nevada, and ones due in October and February, and siblings Lawrence Greer of Milo, Steve Greer and wife Betty of Riverside, California, Doris May and husband Lloyd of Bella Vista, Arkansas, and Patsy Moore of El Dorado Springs.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at 10:00 AM at the Nevada Church of Christ. Interment will follow at Milo Cemetery, Milo, MO. Visitation is scheduled Monday from 5:00-7:00 PM at Ferry Funeral Home. Those who wish may contribute in Dean’s memory to the Church of Christ in Nevada or the Vernon County Youth Fair.

Bobcat spotted in Harrisonville

Be careful warning! This morning in the area between Patton Street and the High School an animal was observed that appears to be a bobcat. 

Animal Control is in route to investigate the report of a Wildcat at Harrisonville High School. Go Wildcats! - Courtesy of the Harrisonville Police Department

Seasonal Summer Weather

“It’s a sure sign of summer if the chair gets up when you do.” ~ Walter Winchell

Today's high temperatures will reach mid to upper 80s...not bad for early July, however, heat indices will make it feel closer to 90 for the northern counties and low to mid 90s south of the Missouri River. Otherwise, patchy morning fog will dissipate by mid morning.

Obituary - Ralph Thomas Oldham

Funeral services for Ralph Thomas Oldham of Murfreesboro, Tennessee will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri with burial in the Sharon Cemetery near Drexel, Missouri. 

Visitation will be immediately prior to services from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the chapel. Contributions may be given to West Carroll Dixie Youth, P.O. Box 1227, Oak Grove, LA 71263. Online condolences may be sent to www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Ralph Thomas Oldham, 77 of Murfreesboro, Tennessee passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 3, 2019 surrounded by his family. He was born on June 7, 1942 in Drexel, Missouri to Bill and Veda Oldham.

Ralph graduated from Central Missouri State University majoring in business and agriculture. He married Mary Taylor in 1964 and they started their adventure out in Olathe, Kansas with Ralston Purina. His job as a feed salesman continued through several other towns until he decided to follow his dreams of working for himself. He loved the field of agriculture, so he took a chance in Carthage, Missouri and purchased an abandoned run-down feeder pig business and went to work. He quickly turned it into a thriving business with duck-tape, binder twine, and prayers. That began a series of seemingly impossible projects that took him on to even bigger challenges in West Plains, Missouri, Sulphur Springs, Texas, and Oak Grove, Louisiana. Ralph’s ability to see value in something others could not was amazing not only in risky business ventures but in people too. He had a knack for reading people and knowing when someone down on their luck deserved a hand up. Ralph’s competitive nature won him many honors over the years. He was selected Master Pork Producer of Texas, Star Young Farmer of Texas and Farmer of the Year in both Texas and Louisiana. His work to improve the cattle and pork industry led him to serve on state and national boards. Not one to be afraid to express his views, he was well known for his innovative ideas and courage in facing challenges.

As the children came along, he could not wait until they were old enough to throw a ball or swing a bat. He loved coaching his kids so much that afterwards he continued to coach little league for his community. Mary came home from work one day to find a complete baseball field in the back yard of their Louisiana home. If he wasn’t coaching, he was planning and thinking about coaching. More importantly than the wins and losses were the valuable lessons he taught players and parents as he modeled honesty, responsibility, and good sportsmanship. “Coach Ralph” left a wonderful legacy to the young people he touched throughout the years. “Always My Best” was his motto and he both taught it and lived it well.

After retirement, the couple moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee to spoil three granddaughters. He described himself as the “Grandpa” of the neighborhood. He was there for anyone who needed a jumpstart, a tire changed, or just someone to lend a hand and offer encouragement.

No matter if he was landing a new business deal, pushing for change in his community, being a foster parent, leading a 4-H club, coaching baseball, or just walking his neighborhood as “grandpa” he always tried his best. He pushed the people he loved to do their best. And if he could do something to help you achieve that, you could count on him every time. Ralph enjoyed doing things for people anonymously. He loved seeing a need and being able to do something about it. We would like to challenge all who knew him to honor his memory by doing something nice for someone else.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Veda Oldham. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Oldham; children Jason Oldham, Meredith Howlin and husband Philip Howlin; Dr. Carrie Robey and husband Mark Robey; Honorary son Billy Spataro and wife Jennifer Spataro; grandchildren Sydney Robey, Taylor Robey, and Evelyn Robey; brother Robert Oldham, and brother Larry Oldham and wife Kathie Oldham; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. Heaven has gained a wonderful man.

Rich Hill 4th of July Celebration Baby Contest Winners

Obituary - Linda Jo Fort

Linda Jo Fort, age 78, La Cygne, Kansas passed away July 3, 2019 at the Overland Park Regional Medical Center. She was born on November 16, 1940 in Paola, Kansas the daughter of Albert and Pauline Hogan Borovicka. 

She married Billie Fort on March 3, 1957. He preceded her in death on September 1, 1997. 

She worked as a nurse''s aid, and worked as a real estate and life insurance agent before retiring. Linda liked being in the outdoors. She enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, camping and boating. 

She was also preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Teresa Fort and twin grandsons, Shawn and John Harnett. Linda is survived by her daughter, Lisa Fort, two brothers; Ronnie and David Borovicka; granddaughter, Jacqueline Obermeier and Shane and three great grandchildren; Brandon, Ashton, and Kiera.

Funeral service 2 pm Monday, July 8, 2019, Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, La Cygne Chapel. Burial in the Paola Cemetery. Visitation 1 pm to service at the Chapel. Contributions are suggested to the Linda Fort Memorial Fund, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 304, La Cygne, KS 66040. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

Mass Distribution tomorrow at Butler Food Pantry

Tomorrow, Sat, July 6 is the only mass distribution in July at the food pantry for all Bates County residents.

From 8:30am-11am. We need egg cartons and plastic bags if you have any!

709 W Ohio St, Butler, MO