Obituary - Michael “Mike” Robert Evans

Michael “Mike” Robert Evans, 69, of Harrisonville, MO passed away on Monday, January 20, 2020 at St. Luke’s East Hospital in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. 

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2010 at 3:00 pm at Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville, MO, with visitation beginning at 2:00 pm. Flowers or contributions to PulmonaryFibrosis.org are welcome.

Mike was born September 10, 1950 in St. Joseph, Missouri, the son of Joseph and Betty (Brigman) Evans. Mike attended St. Joseph Schools and enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 17. He retired with the rank of E-6 Staff Sergeant after 21 years of service to his country. He worked for Phillips Roxanne, now known as Boehringer Ingelheim, in St. Joseph, Missouri from 1976 to 1981, then went on to work for Consolidated School District #1 in Hickman Mills, Kansas City, Missouri from 1981 until he retired after 25 years in 2006.

On August 16, 1974, Michael married Deborah Layden in Newport News, Virginia. They were happily married for 45 years when he passed away in her arms. They meant the world to each other and vowed that their love for each other would continue after death. Mike was a good man that was loved by everyone he me. He was a loyal and loving husband. He was a loving father and no child could have ever asked for a better one. He loved all children and welcomed them into his heart and if they wanted to call him grandpa, it didn’t matter if they were biological or not, he would be their grandpa. Mike spent many years managing and coaching girls softball and he touched so many children’s lives that they have never forgotten him. Mike and Debbie spent a few years as snowbirds in Arizona and Texas, where they fell in love with the Superstition Mountains. Mike’s final wishes are that his ashes be sprinkled in the Superstition Mountains so that he could run free and climb mountains for the rest of eternity.

Mike was preceded in death by his mother, Betty; father, Joe; brother, Kenneth Evans; sister, Linda Hanceross; brother, John Hanceross; and sister-in-law, Anna Brigman. He is survived by his wife, Debbie Evans; his children: Katelyn Evans of Harrisonville; Jennifer (Matt) Kerns of St. Joseph; Amy (Joey) Fernandez of Harrisonville; Leisa Hunsel of Belton; and Michael Evans of Fullerton, CA. Mike is also survived by his brother, Jim (Kathy) Brigman of Spring, TX and sister, Bridgette (Larry) Kissick of Warsaw, MO. Mike will be so missed by his grandsons: Isaac (grandpa’s buddy) and Joey Fernandez; granddaughters: Makayla and Bailey Kerns; and many nieces and nephews who loved him so much.

Flashback - fire destroys long time business

On this date in history


A spectacular blaze levels Noe’s Drug and Jewelry store on the North side of the square. Also damaged is the Lewis store in the Horn Building and Carolyn’s Dress Shop in the Arnold Building. Picture was taken just days before the fire in 1940.

The business started in 1909 when H.L. Noe and brother, Wood, opened a jewelry store in Hill City, KS. The brothers parted ways and H.L. moved to Butler and opened on the north side of the Butler Square. Noe's offered jewelry, a pharmacy, optometry and a soda fountain. After the fire, they rebuilt and H.L. continued until his death in 1950. In the early 1950's another fire burned the business to the ground but again they rebuilt. One of his sons, Bill, took over and operated until his death in 2000. -courtesy Poplar Heights Living History Farm

Vehicle theft in Adrian

On January 18, 2020 a Deputy responded to a residence on County Road 11662 in Adrian, MO in reference to a vehicle theft that had just occurred. The victim stated that the vehicle was a 2008 Chevrolet Colorado that was gray in color. 

The Deputy located shoe prints near where the truck was parked. He also located tire marks where the suspect spun the tires when he was leaving. The Deputy then left the scene to conduct an area canvass. During his canvass he observed a gray Chevrolet Colorado parked behind a residence. 

The Deputy exited his patrol vehicle and approached the truck on foot. The license plate on the truck matched the license plate of the stolen truck. The suspect was inside the truck trying to get it to move forward in the mud. 

The Deputy gave the suspect commands to turn off the truck and exit it which he did. The suspect was taken into custody and transported to the Bates county Jail where he admitted to stealing the truck.

The suspect was also in possession of a clear glass pipe that field tested positive for methamphetamine.

Due to the Supreme Court Ruling the suspect was booked and released. A probable cause statement will be sent to the Prosecuting Attorney for his review of charges of Theft of a vehicle, Driving while Revoked and Possession of a Controlled Substance and Paraphernalia.

Obituary - Sharon Jane Smith

Sharon Jane Daggett Smith, age 70, Fort Scott, Kansas passed away on Monday, January 20, 2020. She was born on January 28, 1949 in Pleasanton, Kansas the daughter of Charles and Dorothy Weems Daggett. She graduated from Pleasanton High School in the Class of 1967. She later earned an Associates Degree from Allen County Community College. Sharon was a very talented artist and seamstress. She made numerous outfits, prom dresses, and wedding dresses. 

However, she never did master the art of making blue jeans. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Carla Daggett, and a grandson, Donald. Sharon is survived by her husband, Jesse, whom she married on March 1, 2008, three sons, Darren Lowe(Jennifer), Brian Lowe(Nicole), and Dustin Lowe, a daughter, Angelena Howell(J.C), a sister, Vickie Daggett, ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Funeral service will be 10 am Saturday, January 25, 2020 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel. Burial will be in the Pleasanton Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm Friday at the Pleasanton Chapel. Contributions are suggested to the Linn County Museum, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 525, Pleasanton, Kansas 66075. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

St. Clair County Sheriff's Office News Release January 14 through 21, 2020

St. Clair County Sheriff Scott Keeler reported deputies made eight arrests during the week of Jan. 14 through 21, 2020.

View the full press release by using the link that we have provided for you below:

https://www.scsomo.org/press_view.php?id=904

Commercial burglary in Henry County

 On January 21, 2020 just after 5:30 a.m. personnel of the Dollar General Store in Tightwad reported that a burglary had occurred at their business. An alarm call was reported about 4:30 a.m. and the deputy found the building to be secure. 

Once the “keyholder” arrived on scene it was determined that person(s) unknown had apparently entered the building through the roof of the business and their entrance was therefore not detected by exterior examination of the building by deputies. It is unknown what has been taken at this time. 

Security cameras did capture images of the suspect. If you have information about this burglary, please contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at 660-885-5587.

Notice of Historic Preservation Program

The Butler Historic Preservation Commission will host a program on Working on National Register of Historic Places and local Historic Landmark designations. The program will be held on January 23, at 6:00 pm at the Caskey Mediation Room on the west side of the Butler Square.

The program will cover the requirements and application procedure for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. It will also explain the new local Historic Landmark designations available for residential and commercial properties in Butler.

Plans also include a second program in late April with a staff member for the State Historic Preservation Office who will visit properties identified in this January meeting and provide more detailed information on the application process, restoration tax credits and grant availability.

Please call 660-424-0534 for more information and to register to attend. The program is free but we want you to register to be sure we have sufficient materials available for everyone.

Obituary - Everett Allen Loughridge

Everett Allen Loughridge, age 83, of Belton, Missouri, passed away on Monday, January 20, 2020 surrounded by his loving family members.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at the Victory Assembly of God, 601 N. Old Highway 71, Adrian, Missouri 64720. A visitation service will be held prior to the funeral from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Everett was born in Livingston, Montana on April 1, 1936. He was the son of George Loughridge and Dorothy (Wanke) Loughridge and growing up had one sister, Jeanette. After graduating high school Everett went on to further his education and received a Bachelor of Arts in History from Carroll College in Helena, Montana. He then enlisted in the United States Navy serving his country for a total of thirty-four years, retiring at the rank of Captain. While in the military Everett was joined in marriage with his wife, Jo Ann (Gollmyer) Loughridge on December 30, 1959 in Helena. After Everett’s long and honorable service, he returned to school receiving a Bachelor of Science from DeVry Institute of Technology. Together, Jo and Everett were blessed with three children, Lori, Lisa and Lance.

For three years, Everett worked for the Raytown School District as a teacher and then for another fourteen years as the Technology Coordinator at the Belton School District until retiring in 2008. Throughout his life, Everett attended various churches while at different duty stations and always maintained much involvement with each one, playing saxophone, teaching Sunday School and serving as Deacon at Christ Center Assembly of God in Beaverton, Oregon; Belle Chasse Assembly of God in Belle Chasse, Louisiana; and Grandview Assembly of God in Grandview, Missouri. Most recently Everett faithfully attended the Victory Assembly of God in Adrian, Missouri where his son Lance and daughter-in-law Angie are pastors. Everett was a member of the Radio Control Flying Club and for ten years a member of the Belton City Council. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, reading, writing, collecting rocks, remote airplanes and model trains.

Everett was preceded in death by his parents, George and Dorothy Loughridge.

He is survived by his loving wife of over sixty years, Jo Ann Loughridge; son, Rev. Lance Loughridge (Rev. Angie); two daughters, Lori Loughridge and Lisa Nelson (Glen); sister Jeanette Van Meter (Jim) of Clancy, Montana; seven grandchildren, Jonathon (Michelle), Jordan (Dalton), Jacob, Tyler, Ashley, Lane, and Paige; and one great granddaughter, Addie.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Victory Assembly of God Church as it is addressed above.