Mid America Live

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

News from the Adrian Optimist Club

The Adrian Optimist Club Boards have voted to suspend Monday Night Bingo operations until the end of December.

We know our players miss having the Monday night Bingo outings each week and while it does put a pinch on our fund-raising efforts, we want to be cautious at this point and time for everyone’s safety.

We want to thank our players in advance for their understanding with this decision. We want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

This also includes Cosmic Bingo being canceled for 2020.

Happy Retirement Captain!

The Harrisonville Fire Department had a retirement ceremony for Captain Johnny Coday after 26 years of service to the citizens of the City of Harrisonville.

Please help us congratulate Johnny and wish him the best!

Obituary - Sonja Kay (Holsti) Wells

Sonja Kay Holsti-Wells, age 73, passed away peacefully in her home at 4:10 am Saturday, November 28, 2020 with her husband Tim by her side. Sonja was born February 3, 1947, in Ft. Scott, KS to Wayne Holsti and Mary K. (Land) Turley who later married Herbert Theodore Turley.

Her Grandmother, Cora Elizabeth (Masterson) Land was a great inspiration and influenced her life in many positive ways. Sonja was blessed with a sister, Jean Ann Allen May 30, 1952. Sonja was blessed with many Uncles that guided her through her life, namely Donald Land and Thomas Land who have preceded in death. Sonja had many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends whom she enjoyed spending time with.

Sonja was blessed with two daughters, Heather Elizabeth born September 10, 1969, and Sarah Jennifer born January 22, 1973. Sonja married the love of her life, Timothy Lee Wells, November 20, 1993. They recently celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary. Upon this union, Sonja was blessed with 2 sons and 2 daughters; Ross Wells, Matthew Wells, Danielle (Wells) Huggins, and Rachel (Wells) Rodriguez. Through all of her children, she was blessed to be called Grammy and Mimi by Blake Walker Shepherd, Briauna Elizabeth Shepherd, Kaitlyn Hill-Walker, Kyler Kelso, Trevor Wells, Lillian Duncan, Regen Wells, Drake Duncan, Jackson Huggins, Zander Wells, Mackenzi Wells, Piper Wells, Isabell Rodriguez, Reyna Rodriguez and Phoenix Wells. Sonja was proceeded in death by her grandson Rhett Walker Craig Kelso.

Sonja was very well educated and attended and graduated from Ft. Scott, KS High School in 1965. She was very happy to say she was a member of the graduating class of 1965. Sonja attended St. Luke’s in Kansas City, MO. where she received her certification as an X-Ray Technician. She attended Tarkio College and Pittsburg State University. She obtained her Master’s in Counseling, emphasis in Marriage and Family Counseling from PSU in 1997. Sonja’s previous work experiences include JC Penney, 18 years at 3M Company in Human Resources, Cottey College, Nevada Regional Medical Center, Barton County Hospital, she taught at Pittsburg State University and she co-owned Counseling Associates in Nevada, MO and Lamar, MO with her husband, Tim. She helped many people throughout her life, and she enjoyed every minute of it. She was an amazing influence on everyone she came into contact with.

Sonja was well known for her involvement in community activities such as, Sweet Adeline’s, she performed in many CCPA productions with her daughters Heather and Sarah and her husband, Tim. Sonja’s favorite roles were Sister Robert Ann in Nunsense, Grace Farrell in Annie and Vera in Steel Magnolias. Sonja enjoyed singing in the Nevada Community Choir and was very active in the Nevada United Methodist Church Chancel Choir, Handbell Choir, United Methodist Women and assisting with the yearly Church Bazaar. Her greatest joy came from her two mission trips to Mozambique, Africa.

Sonja was loved by many and will never be forgotten with her beautiful soul, her many talents and all of the people she has influenced young and old. She instilled many values in her children and grandchildren.

The family would like to recognize her “A Team” at Hospice Compassus. They provided her with exceptional, loving care throughout her entire time with them.

In addition to her husband Tim, survivors include six children, Heather E. Walker-Shepherd, Sheldon, MO, Sarah Kelso (Michael), Clearwater, FL, Ross Wells (Amanda), Rogers, AR, Matthew Wells (Katie), Ft. Scott, KS, Danielle Huggins (Dan), Centrton, AR, Rachel Rodriquez (Victor), Ft. Rucker, AL; 14 grandchildren; one sister, Jean Ann Allen (Mike), Deerfield, MO; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and one grandson, Rhett Walker Craig Kelso.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 5, 2020 at the United Methodist Church in Nevada with Rev. Sharon Freeman and Chaplain Johnny Adkins officiating. Committal will follow in the Johnstown Cemetery in Bates County, MO. Friends may call at Ferry Funeral Home now and until 5:00 p.m. on Friday.

Henry County Health Center confirms 8 new positive cases of COVID-19

The Henry County Health Center (HCHC) has received confirmation of 8 more positive cases of COVID-19. Clinton-7, and Calhoun-1. This brings the total number of confirmed positive cases in Henry County to 1255 .

All contact tracing has commenced and all parties that have had close contact are being notified. HCHC continues to encourage residents to practice social distancing, washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or more, and to remain home if you are sick.

The CDC continues to recommend that individuals to wear a face covering when you are in public, and are unable to social distance, to assist in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Obituary - Van Richard Lechman

Van Richard Lechman, 69, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 29, 2020. Van was born on October 11, 1951 in Perry, Oklahoma to Jack and Donna (Jeans) Lechman. He grew up in Sterling, Colorado and later moved to Nevada. He was a graduate of Nevada High School, class of 1970. He married Elizabeth “Liz” Daniels on September 9, 1991.

In the summers of his childhood he enjoyed coming back to his grandparent’s farm outside of Richards, MO. He loved farming with his Grandpa Tom and Uncle J.T. Jeans. He would reminisce about those special times often.

Van worked for Southwestern Bell, which became AT&T, for 35 years with pride retiring in 2013 after his daughter, Lindsey, graduated from MSU. He followed in his father’s footsteps of working for Southwestern Bell. He enjoyed his job, his co-workers, and his customers. He also worked at Nevada Volkswagen. He received his B.S. in Business from Sterling College. He wanted to graduate when his son, Bryan, graduated from high school in 1993 which was a proud accomplishment for him. He was a lifetime member of the Elks where he enjoyed helping in any capacity, especially cooking breakfast on the morning of the Christmas basket deliveries. He was proud to receive Elk of the Year in 2002. He was a member of the First Baptist Church where he and his daughter, Lindsey, were baptized together.

In 1990, Van and Liz bought their farm near Deerfield. They raised cattle and had a pecan grove. He worked endlessly keeping his pastures mowed and cared for.

Van loved his family, children, and grandchildren and was always giving advice to them. He was very proud of their accomplishments. He enjoyed attending their school concerts, sports events, and anything they asked him to come to. Holidays were very special to him and celebrating with his family. He made friendships wherever he went. He loved to talk to people and was always picking on somebody out of fun. He had a heart of gold; anyone who knew him knew how much he cared. He enjoyed trips to NASCAR in Talladega, AL and road tripping with his buddies, watching the Chiefs and the Royals.

Survivors include his wife, Liz, of the home; children, Bryan Lechman of Joplin, Spring Monroe of Nevada, Lindsey Lechman of Nevada, and Edward Mather of Deerfield. Grandchildren include Bailey Keith of Nevada; Avian, Maicy, and Liahm Monroe of Nevada; and McKaleigh Mather of Deerfield. Great-grandchildren include Bentley, Brooklyn, Jacob, Jamie, and Hunter. Siblings, Rick Busch (Kathy) of Enid, OK; Dale Busch (June) of Edmond, OK; Gary, Tom, Jack (Pauletta) Lechman of Nevada; Linda Byram (John) of Walker; and Tina Lechman of Lathrop, MO. His mother-in-law, Wanda Haley of Fort Scott, KS; his in-laws, Lawrence Daniels (Connie) of Nevada, Janice Williams (Garen) of Nevada; Janet Murphy (Pat) of Fort Scott, KS; Paul Daniels (Sherrie) of Moundville; and Aunt Gladys Jeans of Thayer, KS; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral services are planned for 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 4, 2020 at First Baptist Church in Nevada with Dr. Kevin Daugherty officiating. Interment will follow in Deerfield Cemetery in Deerfield, MO. Friends may call now and until the hour of service at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

Memorials are suggested to the Nevada BPO 564 Elks c/o Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

***At this time there is no longer a statewide limitation on the number of people attending funerals or visitations, however those in attendance will be asked to maintain social distancing. The family asks that those in attendance to please wear masks to protect themselves and others.

Obituary - LeRoy Helt

LeRoy Helt, 65, Higginsville, MO, formerly of Freeman, MO, departed this life on November 29, 2020 at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, Missouri. Graveside services will be held at 1:00pm on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville, MO.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Higginsville Habilitation Center Parents' Association. The family is requesting masks to be worn if you are attending services.

LeRoy was born July 14, 1955 in Kansas City, MO, a son of Ralph E. and Velma L. (Lynn) Helt. He had lived in Freeman before moving to Higginsville Habilitation Center in Higginsville.

LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Barbara Helt, in 1941; and a brother, Sam Helt, in 2016. LeRoy is survived by his sister-in-law, Sue Helt; a nephew, Shawn (Michelle) Helt; a niece, Shanda (Quentin) Lawrence; great nephews and nieces, other family members and his Habilitation Center family.