Obituary - Glen Lewis

Funeral services for Warren Lewis will be 11 a.m. Thursday, December 12, 2019 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. 

Visitation will be prior to services from 10-11 a.m. Thursday at Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to American Cancer Society. Online condolences, www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Glen Warren Lewis, age 97 of Butler, Missouri died Saturday, December 7, 2019 at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler. He was born September 24, 1922 to Claude Wallis and Edith Smith Lewis in Spruce, Missouri.

Warren is survived by two nephews, Brock Mullis and wife Karla of Butler, Missouri and Mark Mullis of Deepwater, Missouri; a sister-in-law, Clara Sheehy of Butler, Missouri; and other nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and siblings.

Obituary - Gerald “Jerry” Ralph Jurgensmeyer

Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Montrose, Missouri.

Officiating at the Funeral Mass will be Father Jason Koch.

ROSARY/VISITATION: Tuesday, December 10, 2019 with the Rosary being said at 5:30 p.m. followed by visitation from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Montrose, Missouri.

Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Montrose, Missouri.

The family suggests any memorial donations be made to the Montrose Fire Department.

Gerald “Jerry” Ralph Jurgensmeyer age 57, was born April 23, 1962, in Appleton City, Missouri, the son of Ralph and Blanche (Tenholder) Jurgensmeyer. He passed away peacefully on December 6, 2019, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

He spent his life in the Montrose area, graduating from Montrose High School in 1980. After completing his education, he began a life-long career in agriculture, caring for his family’s Century Farm. 

Jerry also worked for 27 years at the MO-KAN sale barn, where he was proud to be the longest currently tenured employee. His MO-KAN “family” were very special to him.

In addition, Jerry served on the Montrose Volunteer Fire Department for over 24 years, where he enjoyed the comradery with his many friends on the department and members of the community. He dearly loved doing word puzzles and was particularly good at doing mathematical calculations in his head. Jerry was an avid local and national sports fan, especially loyal to the Kansas City Chiefs, Royals, and Montrose Blue Jays. Apart from these things, he was a hard worker, who always helped anyone in need, and he enjoyed spending time with his family. Jerry will be deeply missed by his many family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his father, Ralph Jurgensmeyer.

Jerry is survived by his mother, Blanche (Tenholder) Jurgensmeyer of Montrose, MO; siblings: Rita (Dale) Price from Grain Valley, MO, Ken (Gail Donlon) Jurgensmeyer of Lakeland, FL, Ruth (Frank) Hays Grain Valley, MO, Jane (Jim) Gregory of Overland Park, KS; along with 10 nieces and nephews; 10 great-nieces and nephews; along with many cousins and good friends

Missourians to get help finishing degrees

Report from State Representative Patricia Pike


The state of Missouri is making an effort to help Missourians with some college experience finish their degrees. The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development was selected to join 20 other states to participate in the Degrees When Due program that endeavors to engage students who have pressed pause on finishing their degree.

Nineteen Missouri colleges and universities have joined the program that will give them access to a variety of resources to help identify students with credits and determine the most efficient pathway to graduation. The initiative works to build expertise, capacity, and infrastructure on campuses across the nation to get near-completers across the finish line. It will provide access to an interactive online tool and live coaching to guide staff through implementation of degree reclamation strategies; build and facilitate communities of practice among campus staff and state agencies; and perform important research into best practices for reengaging students.

Missouri currently has more than 75,000 individuals who have been identified as having at least two years of college credit, but no awarded degree. Participation in the Degrees When Due program is part of the state’s effort to see 60 percent of working-age adults with a high-quality certificate or degree by 2025.

The Missouri colleges and universities that have signed on to the program include: Avila University, Central Methodist University, Crowder College, East Central College, Harris-Stowe State University, Jefferson College, Lincoln University, Metropolitan Community College, Missouri Southern State University, Missouri State University-West Plains, Moberly Area Community College, Northwest Missouri State University, Southeast Missouri State University, St. Charles Community College, State Fair Community College, Three Rivers College, University of Central Missouri, University of Missouri-Kansas City, University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Those interested in learning more about the program can visit the Degrees When Due website at degreeswhendue.com.

Capitol Restoration Update: For those that have visited the Missouri Capitol in the past months and observed the restoration projects underway, I am pleased to report that progress continues with the return of the main statue that sits on top of the Capitol. Named Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, the bronze statue was removed from the top of the Capitol in November 2018. During her restoration, Ceres underwent a laser cleaning treatment to safely remove contaminants, repair lightning strikes and preserve her natural color. She will be repositioned back on top of the Capitol the week of December 16. Although now lifted with a crane, originally the large statue was placed on top of the Capitol, more than 100 years ago, with a rope and pulley system tied to a tree on the property. For more information and pictures of the Capitol restoration projects, go to https://oa.mo.gov/.

Contact Representative Pike at Patricia.Pike@house.mo.gov or call 573-751-5388 with your comments and for assistance on state issues, resolutions, flags, and visits at the Capitol. Contact Legislative Assistant, Matt Glover, at Matthew.Glover@house.mo.gov. Our 126th District Office is open year-round at the Missouri Capitol Monday through Thursday – 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. in Room 404A.

History lesson: Christmas Tree origins

From the beginning of time, plants and trees that remained green all year had a special meaning for people in the winter. Just as people today decorate their homes during the festive season with pine, spruce, and fir trees, ancient peoples hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. In many countries it was believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness.

There is no evidence that the modern custom of a Christmas tree originated in paganism. The Romans did decorate their houses with greens and lights and exchanged gifts. Late in the Middle Ages, the Germans and Scandinavians placed evergreen trees in their homes or outside their doors to show their hope in the forthcoming spring. The modern-day Christmas tree evolved from these early German traditions.

The tradition was introduced to North America in the winter of 1781 by Hessian soldiers stationed in the Province of Québec (1763–1791) to garrison the colony against American attack. General Friedrich Adolf Riedesel and his wife, the Baroness von Riedesel, held a Christmas party for the officers at Sorel, delighting their guests with a fir tree decorated with candles and fruits.

Blackhawks cinch first place

The Adrian Blackhawks wrestling team won first place at the tournament in Lone Jack yesterday. Well done!

Album: Butler Christmas parade

Photos courtesy Samantha Santos

Rich Hill youth complete community project

The youth at Rich Hill Youth Development Center (RHYDC) completed a vocational and community service project for the City of Rich Hill. The mayor of Rich Hill asked the Division of Youth Services' facility to help refinish the surface of the basketball court in one of the city's local parks. The kids worked diligently to make sure the finished product was something they could be proud of. They learned new vocational skills such as efficiency, safety considerations, and maintaining small engines. Thank you to the students and staff team at Rich Hill for volunteering and giving back to their community!

Semi truck accident in Vernon County

On 12/6/19 around 3:40am the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Vernon County responded to a one vehicle semi truck accident in the southbound lanes of I-49 around 5 miles north of Nevada.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the 2019 Freighliner driven by 39 year old James F. Austin of Joplin, Missouri traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a guardrail.

Mr. Austin sustained minor injuries in this accident and he was transported by ambulance to Nevada Regional Medical Center for treatment.

The semi was removed from the scene of the accident by the owner.