Obituary - Billy Atkinson

Billy Atkinson, age 74 of Rich Hill, Missouri passed away December 28 at Medicalodges of Butler. Funeral Services will be announced later by the Heuser Funeral Home, Rich Hill. 

Billy is survived by one daughter, Barbara Truex, Pittsburg, Kansas, three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and special friends, Margaret Fugate and Eileen Webb.

Henry County Health Center Confirms 12 new positive cases of COVID-19

The Henry County Health Center (HCHC) has received confirmation of 12 more positive cases of COVID-19. Clinton-7, Calhoun-2, and Windsor-3. This brings the total number of confirmed positive cases in Henry County to 1592.

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.

Way to go Mike!

Nevada Regional Medical Center is pleased to announce the promotion of Mike Holder to the position of Plant Operations and Maintenance Director. Mr. Holder began his new duties on December 21st after working as a maintenance technician at NRMC since October of 2019.

With more than 17 years of experience with Westinghouse Air Brake, Holder brings a wealth of practical experience and managerial expertise to his new job. Originally raised in the Jericho Springs and Stockton area, the new director considers himself as somewhat of a hometown guy.

Holder is a visionary leader who recently said of his new job: “It’s challenging and I love a challenge. I’m really looking forward to taking the physical plant to the next level and to making NRMC a place that inspires confidence and pride in all of us.”

Obituary - Mary Katherine Arnold

Mary “Katherine” Arnold, 82, Nevada, MO passed away on Monday, December 28, 2020 at Barone Alzheimer’s Care Center in Nevada. Katherine was born October 2, 1938 in Hume, MO to Russell H. and Edith V. (Henley) Brooks.

Katherine’s school days began in the mid 1940’s at Brush College where she attended 1st-8th grade. She was in the last graduating class before all the small country schools were annexed into larger districts. She continued her education as a Metz Cardinal where she graduated in 1956. She then went to Kansas State College of Pittsburg, now known as Pittsburg State University. Her days as a gorilla brought her a Bachelor’s degree to teach Home Economics. She began her teaching career in Attica, KS in 1960. The next year, she moved closer to home where she met and married her husband of 56 years, Jerry Arnold on June 7, 1964. She taught Home Economics at Turner High School in Kansas City, KS. Cooking and sewing were two skills she loved to teach, as these were skills she learned as a member of 4-H in her younger years. In 1966, their daughter, Sherry was born and they moved back to Hume, MO to help on her family farm. Katherine taught at Metz and Hume High Schools for several years. While teaching First Grade at Miami School, near Amsterdam, MO she obtained her Master’s degree in Science. In 1977, they moved to Nevada, MO where she taught Second Grade at Walker R-4 until her retirement in 1991. Katherine’s students meant a great deal to her and until her final days, she never missed an opportunity to ask them about their lives when she would see them.

In addition to her love of teaching, Katherine enjoyed spending time quilting and baking. Always a farm girl at heart, she could often be found helping Jerry on the farm or attending various 4-H activities. She took great pride in her garden and loved to can.

Katherine’s proudest moments were spent with her grandchildren, Reba and Justin. Upon her retirement in 1991, she spent her days sharing her love and knowledge with them. She loved following them in their many activities. She was especially proud of their involvement in 4-H. Jerry and Katherine would travel with the kids as they showed registered Hereford cattle in many shows at the local, state and national levels.

In addition to her husband Jerry of the home, Katherine is survived by daughter Sherry Hurst (Brad) of Nevada, MO; granddaughter Reba Rapp (Chris) of Rockville, MO; grandson Justin Hurst (fiancé Meagan Carder) of Nevada, MO; and two great-grandsons Zak and Ralin Rapp of Rockville, MO. Katherine is also survived by one brother Joe Brooks, Hume, MO and several nieces and nephews. She will be fondly remembered by her friends and the many students she met during her teaching career.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff at Barone Alzheimer Care Center for their care and compassion over the last several years.

Memorial services for Katherine Arnold will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, MO with Brother Bill Platt officiating. Interment will be held at Hume Cemetery in Hume, MO. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service.

Memorials are suggested in Katherine’s memory to the Vernon County Youth Fair in c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

2nd annual Phoenix Race Chassis/Troop 4 Motorsports Chassis school

The 2nd annual Phoenix Race Chassis/Troop 4 Motorsports Chassis school.

This event will be held January 30-31, 2021.
The classes will be as follows, Saturday, January 30th from 9am-5pm and Sunday, January 31st from 9am-12pm.

Cost to attend will be $200.00 per person, included in this is a years worth of unlimited tech support. Class size will be limited, so get your entry in early to ensure you get a spot.

Guest speakers include Rex Merritt with AFCO, Dave Hammond with Hammond Motorsports, JC Morton who is a USRA B•Mod National Champion and additional guest speakers.

We will have donuts and beverages prior to the start of each days class and lunch will be served Saturday.

To reserve your spot you can call (417) 667-2719 or stop by 720 E. Allison, Nevada, MO 64772.

Forms of payments accepted will be cash, check or debit/credit card.
If paying by check please make it out to Troop 4 Motorsports

.
Payment is expected when spot is reserved unless you are mailing in your payment then a 10 day grace period will be allowed to hold your spot.

You can mail your entry in to:
Troop 4 Motorsports
720 E. Allison
Nevada, MO 64772

This event will be held at the Vernon County Fair Grounds (same as last year for those who attended) at 1641-1679 E. Ashland, Nevada, MO 64772

We are currently working with a few local hotels on a discounted rate, those details will be released as soon as they come available.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Obituary - Harold E. Lesmeister

Funeral services and military honors for Harold E. Lesmeister of Butler, Missouri will be 11:30 a.m. Saturday, January 2, 2021 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler. Prior to services, visitation 10 - 11 a.m. and Rosary at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 2 at the Schowengerdt Chapel.

Cremation to follow services with a private family inurnment at Oak Hill Cemetery at a later date. Contributions to DaVita Dialysis in Harrisonville, Missouri. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Harold Edward Lesmeister, age 74 of Butler, Missouri died Sunday, December 27, 2020 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born May 8, 1946 to Clem Edward and Teresa Rotert Lesmeister in Clinton, Missouri.

Harold is survived by his wife, Karen Lesmeister of Butler, Missouri; two sons, Keith Lesmeister and wife Esther of Nebraska City, Nebraska and Devyn Loveland of Butler, Missouri; two daughters, Casey Lesmeister of Leavenworth, Kansas and Lindsey Lesmeister and wife Katherine Botha of Elko, Nevada; one stepson, Jason Greer and significant other Stephanie Bartimus of Butler, Missouri; a stepdaughter, Amy Burnett and husband Jeff of Adrian, Missouri; four brothers, Joe Lesmeister of Arlington, Washington, Johnny Lesmeister and wife Karen of Bolivar, Missouri, Ralph Lesmeister and wife Kathy of San Antonio, Texas and Francis Lesmeister and wife Robin of Butler, Missouri; three sisters, Sharon Miller and husband Ken of Nixa, Missouri, Evelyn Ceebe and husband Robert of Montrose, Missouri and Bernice Pennington of Kinston, North Carolina; 14 grandchildren; and one great-grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Scot Lesmeister in 2017; and one brother, Donald Lesmeister.

Due to Covid, the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel respectfully asks that everyone wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Real estate transfers

Courtesy Danyelle Baker, Bates County Recorder of Deeds. No marriage licenses recorded this week. Click image to enlarge.

The Museum Minute: Fisk Theatre burns

Museum Minute

01.01.2021

Goodbye 2020….  The Bates County Museum Welcomes 2021!

Museum Minute presents This Week in History
(According to Eddie Herrman Archives)

First Week of January in the Year:  

1951 – Fisk Theatre and Jennings Market block burns on the southwest corner of the Butler Square.  
1883 – In the annual report of Marshal Wolfe, Bates County Coal Mine Inspector, there are 195 Mines operating, 95,000 acres of workable coal lands.  90% of the coal shipped out of Bates County is mined within 3 miles of Rich Hill.  
1878 – The North side of the butler square burns.  Firefighters are hampered by the cold weather, lack of water and inadequate equipment.  
1920 – The State of Missouri issues a special tax stamp for dispensing opium to J. E. Stepps of Spruce.  
1921 – The Old Men’s Club, which meets nearly every day at the basement of the Bates County Courthouse, has made a list of the 59 men of Butler who are over 75 years old. 
1886 – A severe storm, one of a series known as the ‘Blizzard of ‘86’ sweeps through Kansas into Bates Co. and south.  It leaves 80% of the cattle killed in the storm’s path.
1880 – Finishing touches are being given the Palace Hotel.  The stoves are in and Mr. Shaw has gone to St. Louis for furniture, dishes, etc.  
1899 – A smooth operator rents a room in private homes, then when alone ransacks the residence, stealing what he can.  He eludes Butler and Rich Hill lawmen.  
1943 – Claude White, of Charlotte Township, while shucking corn, is charged by a wolf and he kills it with a shovel.  
1897 – The office of the Rich Hill Mining Review newspaper burns. 
1882 – The Robinson Circus opens winter headquarters at Rich Hill with nightly exhibitions.   1859 – The records show the Bates County Court is concerned about an organized band of robbers, murderers, and midnight assassins, from Kansas Territory, has made assaults into Bates Co. The Court empowers the Sheriff to deputize any and all men needed to repel these hoodlums.
1923 – 250 attend the annual meeting of the Hume Live Stock Shipping Association.  The Hume 8 piece orchestra entertains, followed by an oyster supper.