Reminder: Historical recognition in Butler this weekend

The public is invited to the Medal of Honor Commemoration for Sergeant Freeman Davis, U.S. Army at Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler this Sunday at 2 pm.

There will be many dressed in period uniform along with participation from the Missouri National Guard. Climax of the ceremony will include the presentation of a flag and commemorative display case to the Bates County Museum which will be proudly added to the museum’s Civil War collection. 

Sergeant Freeman Davis (February 28, 1842 – February 23, 1899) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Davis received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of Missionary Ridge in Tennessee on 25 November 1863. 

HPD: Jeremiah Jacobs promoted to the rank of Sergeant

Please help the Harrisonville Police Department in congratulating Jeremiah Jacobs radio number 242 who has been promoted to the rank of Sergeant. 

Sergeant Jacobs will begin his new duties with the department Monday March 22, 2021 by supervising one of our night shifts. 

We hope you will join us in congratulating Sergeant Jacobs and wishing him good luck in his new role.

Job Opening in Ft. Scott Kansas

Updated Obituary - James David "JD" Mattingley

James David “J.D.” Mattingley, 39, of Kansas City, MO, formerly of Harrisonville, MO, passed away at his home’ Wednesday, March 17, 2021. A Celebration Of Life gathering will be held between 1:30-4:00 p.m. Saturday, March 20, 2021 at the Archie Community Center in Archie, MO. The family suggests contributions to the United Way.

J.D. was born May 31, 1981 in Kansas City, MO and had lived in Archie, MO, Garden City, MO, and Harrisonville, MO before moving to Kansas City in 2015. He attended Briarwood State School in Harrisonville. J.D. was a light to everyone. Some of his passions of life were country music, Chiefs football, Baseball, building houses and doing anything with the people he loved.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Tina Mattingley, paternal grandparents, James and Nadine Mattingley, maternal grandparents, Myrt and Manuel Woodward, and his maternal grandfather, Ben Cole. J.D. is survived by his father, Jerry Mattingley, Garden City, MO; two brothers, Jacob Mattingley (Ginger), Pleasanton, KS and Matt Mattingley, Clinton, MO; a sister, Alicia Cornell (Josh), Archie, MO; his maternal grandparents, Ron and Kitty Fountain, Deepwater, MO; 4 Nieces, 1 nephew; roommate/good friend Eric Hastings and caregivers Brandi Nickens, James Matteson, Bonnie Eads and Katy McIlwee; many other family and friends.

Bates County Soil and Water Conservation District 2021 Poster Contest Winners

2021 Poster Contest Luncheon by Elizabeth Davis 

Due to current COVID restrictions, the Bates County Soil and Water Conservation District was unable to hold their annual Cooperator Appreciation Open House this year. In order to honor the 2021 Poster Contest winners, the Board of Supervisors voted to hold a Poster Contest Luncheon. 

The luncheon was held March 18, 2021, at the First Christian Church, 11 W. Pine Street, Butler, MO, with a small group of people in attendance. This year’s theme was “Healthy Forests Healthy Communities.” Posters are judged at 50% on theme, 30% for visual appeal, 10% for originality and 10% for universal appeal.

The top contest winners from each class receive a ribbon and cash prize. In all, 213 fourth graders from eight area schools participated in the event. From each school, a first-place winner was picked, and from those eight, the field was narrowed to the four winners who were recognized at Thursday’s luncheon. 

This year’s Bates County winners were as follows: 4th Place – Brendan Jones – Zion Lutheran, son of Barend & Jill Jones 3rd Place – Annabel Downs – Miami Elementary, daughter of Eric & Molly Downs 2nd Place – Jaylen Orso – Butler Elementary, daughter of Justin & Jodi Hamilton 1st Place – Kyleigh Hubbard – Hume Elementary, daughter of Kolby Hubbard & Katie Morrison Each county winner received a plaque in addition to the ribbon and cash prize for placing first in their school.

The first-place county poster will advance to the State level competition. State Poster Contest winners will be announced at the Annual Training Conference held in November, at TanTarA Resort. We would like to thank the schools, teachers and parents for allowing their students to be a part of this activity. We are especially thankful to all the students who submitted a poster.

You are the future of our Conservation Nation. Each and every one of the posters showed a genuine interest in preserving our Natural Resources through good conservation practices. Even though we had to limit attendance to a small group this year, everyone had an enjoyable time. All who attended were much appreciated for making a fun ‘lunch hour awards’ for the four county winners. Board Members in attendance were: Mark Nelson, Chairman; Mike Rapp, ViceChairman; Dillion Franklin, Treasurer and Darrel Tehnholder, Member.

Personnel in attendance were: Brad Powell and Elizabeth Davis, SWCD staff. We would like to thank everyone that attended our Poster Contest Luncheon and hope that next year we can get back to more of a ‘normal’ gathering for recognition of these fourth-grade students that do an outstanding job on their posters.

Here are the identities from left to right: Mark Nelson, Bates County SWCD Chairman; Brendan Jones, Zion Lutheran, 4th place County Winner; Annabell Downs, Miami Elementary, 3rd place County Winner; Jaylen Orso, Butler Elementary, 2nd place County Winner; Kyleigh Hubbard, Hume Elementary, 1st place County Winner.

Obituary - Judy R. Martley

Judy Rose Martley, 77, of Garden City, Missouri, was born, March 23, 1943, in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of Robert and Ruth Weidemann. She departed this life, Monday, March 15, 2021, at the Saint Luke’s East Hospital, Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

Judy was united in marriage to Joseph Martley on November 30, 1962, in Harrisonville. He preceded her in death in November 2014.

Judy was a homemaker. She enjoyed bowling, flowers, collecting antiques and crystal. She especially loved decorating her home for all holidays, especially Christmas.

Judy was also preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her six children, Robert (and Pamela) Morgan of Freeman, Cherryl Morgan of Pleasant Hill, John (and Jan) Morgan of Belton, Phillip (and Connie) Martley of Harrisonville, Brian (and Tara) Martley of Holden, and Joelene (and Steve) Clayrborn of Garden City; eight grandchildren, Courtney, Justin, Josh, Chris, David, Dillion, McKenzie, and Kaylee; five great grandchildren; her brother, Jerry Wiedemman of Garden City; other relatives and friends.

Cremation has been accorded. No services are scheduled.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Cass County on Aging and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.stanleydickeyfuneralhome.com

Arrangements: Stanley-Dickey Funeral Home, 203 N. Armstrong St., Pleasant Hill, Missouri 64080 (816) 540-5550

Obituary - Billy Joe Gregg

Billy Joe Gregg of East Lynne, Missouri was born March 29, 1963 in Harrisonville, Missouri the son of Joe Wesley and Ethel Lee (Kagarice) Gregg. He departed this life on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at his home at the age of 57 years, 11 months and 18 days.

On January 8, 1983 Billy was united in marriage to Diane Lynn Burton in Blue Springs, Missouri.

Billy was employed for Freddie's Foundation in Greenwood, Missouri and later for Michael's Foundation, Pleasant Hill, Missouri before his retirement. Billy enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, had a passion for collecting knives, pocket watches, flashlights and loved watching tractor pulls. He was a lifelong, East Lynne resident.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Billy is survived by his wife, Diane L. Gregg of the home; his brother, Mike Gregg and wife, Shelly; his sister, Jo Lee Gregg all of East Lynne, Missouri; his two kitty cats, Sally and Smokey; other relatives and a host of friends.

Cremation. A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, March 25, 2021 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.

Family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Archie Band Members selected to PSU 4-State Honor Band:

“Bravo” to the following Archie High School Band Members who have been selected to the PSU 4-State Honor Band:

Rianna Heide, trumpet
Tracy Juarez, clarinet
Grace Dalton, euphonium
Leah Cooper, flute
Rachel Thompson, percussion
Lucy Hartman, bass clarinet
Maci Shaw, alto saxophone