Obituary - Penny Sue (Lewis) Sexton

Penny Sue (Lewis) Sexton, 64, passed on March 16, 2021. Celebration of life 2-6pm, Sunday, March 21st at Dogwood Gardens 21712 N Main St, Peculiar, MO 64078. Everyone welcome.

Preceded in death by her parents Fred Henry Lewis, Sr. and Eleanore M. Lewis, her little sisters Lynne Marie Lewis and Tilda Londre and little brothers Fred Henry Lewis Jr. and Bobby Lewis. Penny is survived by her husband Wayne Sexton, her four children Brian, Marissa (Adam), Hayley and Parker, her three grandsons Eli, Weston and Grant. Siblings: Cathy Lewis, Andy Lewis, Jimmy Lewis (Christine), Karen Rohan (Mickey Meehan), Susie Nowatzki (Joe), Cindy Lewis, Donny Lewis (Amanda), Amy Van Wagner (Michael) and Jenny Hyder (Eric). Sister-in-law Jocelynn Sorcic (Tony), Brother-In-Law David Sexton (Lori). Parents-in-law Jerry and Jeanne Sexton. Her nieces and nephews: Jessie Lewis, Emma Taylor, Syd Parrish, Sarah Lewis, Taylor Nowatzki, Presley Lewis, Sierra Lewis, Gage Rohan, Graham Londre, Matt Lewis, Henry Londre, Caleb Lewis, Cameron Duffin, Tanner Nowatzki, Sophie Lewis, Ellie Londre, Kennedy Lewis, Cassidy Duffin, Addy Londre, Maddie Van Wagner, Jacob Van Wagner and Alex Hyder. Her great nieces and nephews: Eric (Cain), Tavious, Chandon, Desi, Tulsi, Briar, Mary, Brooklynn, Delaney, Charlotte and Phoebe. Her great-great nephews Roman and Romeo.

Penny was born May 15, 1956 in Mountain Home, Arkansas to Fred "Henry" Lewis and Eleanore (Andersen) Lewis as their first-born child. She mainly grew up in Kansas City, MO. She graduated from Center High School class of 1974. Much of Penny’s childhood was spent looking after her 13 younger brothers and sisters. Out of high school, Penny worked in insurance claims for Dodson Insurance Group for 22 years where she met many of her lifelong friends.

In 1982 while she was out dancing with her sisters, she met the love of her life, Wayne Sexton. They would go on to get married and build a life that they loved and family that they raised in Peculiar, MO. Penny would eventually step away from working full time and stay home with her children. She spent many years watching young children from her own home and proving to be a great caregiver with a big heart for the little ones. Penny enjoyed reading, arts and crafts, cooking, and dancing but her greatest love was spending time with her family, who she was extremely proud of.

Penny battled an extensive fight against stage 4 metastatic breast cancer in the last 6.5 years of her life, where she overcame many obstacles. She beat the odds by a lot and smiled her entire way through her courageous battle; which is how the family wishes you to remember her - lighting up the lives around her with her contagious giggle and beautiful smile.

If desired, and in lieu of flowers, friends may make donations to assist with Penny’s remaining medical expenses through cash or venmo donations to either of her daughters.

Obituary - Barbara Gayle Dawson

Viewing/visitation for Barbara Dawson of Butler, Missouri will be 5-6 pm Saturday, March 20, 2021 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler. Cremation to follow viewing/visitation. Contributions to the Butler Church of the Nazarene. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Barbara Gayle Dawson, age 64 of Butler, Missouri died Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at her home in Butler. She was born December 30, 1956 to Paul Edward and Betty Jane Gully Hoover in Mexico, Missouri.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Richard Dawson of Butler, Missouri; two sons, Elisha Dawson of Butler, Missouri and Aaron Dawson of Fort Bragg, North Carolina; one daughter, Jacinda Sullins and husband Robbie of Butler, Missouri; one brother, Bentley Hoover of Mexico, Missouri; two sisters, Beverly Vendt and husband Steve of St. Louis, Missouri and Bonnie Tillman and husband Charles of Mexico, Missouri; and two grandchildren, MacKenzie and Brynlee Sullins. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Hello again, Winter

Following the basement flooding, creek swelling rains, we’ll get some snow starting overnight; with that, a Winter Weather Advisory has been issued to begin at midnight and run through noon tomorrow.

We’re to expect little accumulation but roads could be a bit tricky in the morning. Drive safe!

Updated Obituary - Hayden Dixie Harris

Hayden D. Harris, 18, of Deepwater, Missouri, formerly of Harrisonville, MO, passed away Saturday, March 6, 2021 near Mt. Vernon, MO. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 4:00pm on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville.

Hayden was born June 7, 2002 in Kansas City, MO, a daughter of John C. and Carrie (Eisel) Harris. As the youngest of five children, Hayden had no shortage of spunk and personality. She was full of life, possessed a longing for adventure and she didn’t know a stranger. Hayden attended Harrisonville High School and later, Lone Jack High School. She was artistic in many ways. She loved to draw and had a natural talent for ukulele and often wrote and sang her own songs. She always knew how to put a smile on the faces of those around her, and had a unique way of making people feel loved. No one could have prepared her family for such an untimely death, but they are comforted by the support of those who loved her. Hayden will be sorely missed by all of those whose lives she touched, but she is at peace. The Lord planted the tree and picked the fruit.

Hayden is survived by her father, John Harris, Lone Jack, MO; her mother and step-father, Carrie Ware (Jayson), Deepwater, MO; two brothers: Jericho Harris, Ouray, Colorado; and Joshua Harris, Fort Wainwright, Alaska; two sisters: Holly Mangold (Keanu), Fort Benning, Georgia; and Hannah Harris, Denver, Colorado; a step-sister, Madeline Ware, Deepwater, MO; her paternal grandmother, Linda Drake, Lee’s Summit, MO; her maternal grandparents: Mark and Kathy Eisel, Harrisonville, MO; and David and Linda VanCleave, Springfield, MO; and her maternal great-grandmother, Dixie Wright, Garden City, MO.

Did you know?!

Hertzog Meat Company will open as a #USDA Inspected Processing Plant in the upcoming weeks. Through our collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture, we will be able to ensure that all meat processed in our facility is safe, wholesome, accurately labeled, and has passed all rigorous USDA inspections along the way.

You’ll be able to visit us soon, but until then make sure to reserve your custom, USDA inspected, processing spots for cattle and hogs.

Call 660-720-BEEF or email jessie@hertzogmeatco.com for more information. Booking now for June 2021.

#hertzogspremiumbeef #hertzogmeatco #eatbeef #eatpork #eatlocal

Obituary - John McNeley

John McNeley, Milo, MO passed away on Monday, March 15, 2021.

The family will receive friends from 5-8:00 p.m. on Thursday evening at the First Baptist Church in Nevada. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 19, 2021 at the First Baptist Church.

*** Those in attendance will be asked to maintain social distancing and are asked to wear face masks to protect themselves and others.

Obituary - Chad Shane Rogers

Chad Rogers of Drexel, Missouri passed away unexpectedly at the age of 41. Cremation with Celebration of Life Services to be held 12:00 pm (Noon) Saturday, April 10, 2021 at the Drexel Community Building, followed by a fish fry dinner.

Arrangements entrusted to the Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel Chapel (816-657-4400). Memorial contributions may be made to the Rogers family. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mulliaxfuneralhome.com

Chad Shane Rogers was born March 30, 1979 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Roy and Vickie Gaddy Rogers. He grew up in Marietta, Oklahoma near Lake Murray and met the love of his life Sarah Pittman at the age of 18. They were married on May 1, 2003 at the age of 23.

Chad had a sense of humor that lit up any room! Though he was only on earth for a short time, he is remembered everyday by his wife, family, and friends.

Chad is survived by Sarah Rogers, his beloved wife of 18 years, his mother Vickie Rogers of Del City, OK., his father and mother-in-law Bill and Sandy Hocker of Drexel, MO., brother Joey Kensinger and wife Rebecca, nephew Jacob Hurst of Blanchard, OK., niece Krystin Swart and husband Chay and their son Easton. He is also survived by his nephew Mike Graw and wife Tabby and their son Blaine Graw, by his niece Jessica Graw and her son TJ Graw along with many more loved ones and friends.

No permission to continue operation for Kansas City Beef in Butler

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Since last Fall, the fate of the Kansas City Beef Company has been 'on the table' with the city of Butler and last night, a decision was made- the council voted not to allow the company to continue operations.

A quick recap, Kansas City Beef began operations of cutting and packaging beef slaughtered off site last June at the former Thorco location in south Butler with proper permission, or so it seemed. The initial interpretation of the city zoning map indicated that the property was zoned heavy industrial, which would allow processing on site but later was discovered the area was indeed light industrial, which does not allow for it. 

The discovery of the zoning issue was brought to light last Fall, and since then correcting the mistake has been rather complicated thanks to due process- such changes must first pass through the planning and zoning commission, then on to the council for final say. However, along the way, meetings had to be rescheduled due to lack of quorum and a few other reasons which led to a final decision made last night- some eight months after Kansas City Beef opened their doors.

As the meeting was underway,  Nick Yoder, co-owner of the company regressed by saying that they no longer are requesting permission to slaughter on site but would like to continue business as usual, cutting and packing however this action would still require rezoning. It was also noted that this change of request would again have to pass through the planning and zoning commission then again, be passed to the council for a final decision. 

Yoder's request to restart the process was voted down 4-3 (councilman Sargent was not present) thus ending the operation of the Kansas City Beef company in Butler.

Otherwise in the rather lengthy session, the council voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance that would allow the city to move $200,000 into a reserve fund for emergency use; approved the 2021/2022 budget; and approved a lot consolidation.

Some good news, attorney Joe Lauber provided information regarding the American Recovery Act, which is federal money available for covid relief. Unlike previous programs, ARA is available directly to the city, and the council is investigating what expenses are eligible for reimbursement.

The Butler Health Department has money available to purchase equipment for the parks department and the decision was made to purchase a wheelchair swing as there are many in our community who would enjoy using it.

A long discussion was held about building a sidewalk for folks to use to walk/ride bikes safely along west 52 to Walmart and other stores 'out west'. The biggest roadblock would be getting changes made to the railroad overpass, the city has looked into this before and it appears the railroad is highly resistant to change, and even if so, would be nearly cost prohibitive. Possibly another clear route via Ohio street to Prospect could be a solution.

The council also approved a machine that will sleeve a manhole (Butler has around 600) that will save a substantial amount of money vs hiring a contractor for the same work.

Remember, the Butler city council meets every first and third Tuesdays at 7 pm. Meetings will be held online via Zoom until further notice.