Obituary - Kenneth Leon Emery

Kenneth Leon Emery, 87, Deerfield, MO passed away on Friday, March 19, 2021 at his home. Leon was born to Kenneth L. and Nettie Lee (Carpenter) Emery on January 14, 1934 in Deerfield.

Leon attended school in Deerfield and graduated from Nevada High School with the Class of 1951. He then attended Ft. Scott Junior College, where he played football, graduating in 1953. Leon married his high school sweetheart, Betty Lou (Saathoff) on June 20, 1954. They moved to the farm in Deerfield in the spring of 1958 where he has spent his entire life.

Beginning in 1954, Leon began working with his parents and brother in the LP gas business, a job he worked at all of his life. They added the heat and air business later and expanded the propane business. The family sold “Emery and Sons Propane” in 2000. He built Emery’s Truck Stop in 1989.

In 1964 Leon and Jim Lawrence negotiated with the Postal Department to build the Post Office, Community Room, and the Fire Department Building. Leon was Fire Chief for many years.

Leon was a member of the B.P.O. #564 Elks in Nevada for 66 years. He was exalted ruler in 1967, and district deputy in 1969. Leon was a member of the Richards Masonic Lodge where he had received his 65-year pin, and also the Scottish Rite Temple of Ft. Scott, KS.

Leon always enjoyed his annual elk hunting trips to Colorado with his grandson David and his good friends Johnny Brooks and Wally Thompson.

He also loved duck hunting with his good friend BG Wolfe.

Leon took pride in his pecan groves and grafted many trees over the years.

In addition to his wife Betty, survivors include one son, Mike Emery, Deerfield, and one daughter, Kenna Clements, Deerfield; grandchildren, Aubrey Elkinton (Dusty), Moundville, David Klumpp (Joni), Deerfield, Jenny Emery, Ft. Scott, Aaron Emery, Ft. Scott; five great-grandchildren Halley Elkinton, Talya Elkinton, Caden Klumpp, Ryden Elkinton, and Sam Klumpp; one sister, Mona McDowell, Nevada; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Dee Emery, and a son-in-law, Larry Clements.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Pastor Bill Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Deerfield Cemetery in Deerfield. Masonic Rites will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening at the funeral home with visitation following until 8:00 p.m.

Memorials are suggested in his memory to Regional Hospice-Joplin or the Parkinson Foundation c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

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

Obituary - Randy Joe Lewis

Randy Joe Lewis, 62 of Sheldon, MO, a retired farmer and scrapper, passed away on Saturday, March 20, 2021 following a brief illness. Randy was born January 22, 1959 in Windsor, MO to Cecil and Helen (Harris) Lewis. He was united in marriage to Norma Jean Hart on September 4, 2009 in Miami, OK. 

Randy leaves behind his wife, Norma, and two young sons, Caleb Joe Lewis and Kyle James Lewis of the home, as well as four additional children from a previous marriage.

Randy lived most of his life in the Windsor and Clinton area. Following his marriage to Norma, the couple moved to Sheldon. Randy had a great many loves: his family and friends, taking are of livestock, playing and fishing with his boys, woodworking, and finding “Rusty Gold” as he called it.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and two sisters.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 26, at Liberty Baptist Church in Lamar, MO. A private family committal will follow at a later date.

Obituary - Donald James Kitsmiller

Donald James Kitsmiller, 92, Nevada, MO passed away at Nevada Regional Medical Center in Nevada, MO on Sunday, March 21, 2021 following a brief illness. Donald was born on September 14, 1928 to Jesse Elmer and Beatrice Achord (Lemaster) Kitsmiller in Jerico Springs, MO. He married Margarette Louella Harden on June 27, 1953 in Nevada and she preceded him in death on January 28, 2016.

Donald was raised in Jerico Springs and Arcola, MO and was a 1947 graduate of Arcola High School. Upon graduating from High School, he moved to Wichita, KS and worked for Beech Aircraft, he then moved on to the Kansas City area and worked for Ford Aircraft.

After moving back to Vernon County, he farmed (crops, cattle, swine), worked for Denman Land and Title Company, and lastly was employed with Producer’s Grain Company from which he retired as Manager. In his younger years, Donald “Hoppy” enjoyed playing men’s fastpitch softball in the Kansas City and Nevada area.

Donald was a member of the First Christian Church of Nevada, MO and served as a Deacon for numerous years. Family was especially important to him. He loved and enjoyed spending time with each and every one of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Survivors include five children: David Kitsmiller and his wife, Terry, Gary Kitsmiller and his wife, Mary, Ronald Kitsmiller and his wife, Linda, Sandra Arneson and her husband, Mark, and Janet del Rosario and her husband, Ron; two brothers, Bobby Kitsmiller of Arcola, MO, and Joe Kitsmiller of Springfield, MO; three sisters, Carolyn Guiltner of Battlefield, MO, Kathryn Terrell and her husband, Jerry, of Higginsville, MO, and Martha Griffin of Lee Summit, MO; one brother-in-law, Elvis Durrill of Sedalia, MO; ten grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren with two on the way; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Margarette, he was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Donnis Durrill, and two brothers, Leon Kitsmiller and Thadieus Kitsmiller.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Rev. Bill Platt officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Walker, MO. The family will receive friends from 1-2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made in Donald’s memory to the Mt. Vernon Cemetery Association in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

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

Obituary - Jennifer I. Riley

Jennifer I. Riley, 71, of Peculiar, Missouri, passed away Saturday, March 20, 2021 at Belton Research Hospital in Belton, MO.  

A Celebration Of Life service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO.  

The family will receive friends 10:00-11:00am Saturday at the funeral home.  A complete obituary will be posted when that information is available.

Yet another... scam

This legit looking "check inside" envelope is actually a scam designed to make you deposit the dummy check only later to find out there are no funds to back it up. In return, you get to pay back any money you spent against it. The giveaway is the California bulk mail label. And it would 'pay' to read the fine print on the back of the so called check. Stay safe.

Archie Kindergarten screening next week

Kindergarten Screening at Archie Elementary Wednesday, March 31 8:30 am - 2 pm

Any child who will be 5 years old before August 1, 2021 is eligible for kindergarten enrollment.

Parent's must bring child's immunization records, birth certificate, and a proof of residency (such as an utility bill) to enroll your child.

Please call the office at 816-293-5312 at ext. 101 to schedule your appointment for your child to complete the Brigance screening test, vision, and the hearing screening. Allow 1 hour for screening.

FLASHBACK: All aboard!

The Butler railroad depot as seen in its former glory was located on the east side of the tracks between Ohio and Pine streets and served many throughout the years with service to destinations near and far. Unfortunately, the structure was sold for scrap and torn down in the very early 1970's. 

Interesting side note- the brick pavement that starts on the Butler square leads west on Ohio street to this exact location. The brick street was done to show a clear and prestigious path from downtown Butler to the train station and vice versa.

Marginal Severe Tuesday Afternoon

There is a marginal threat for strong to severe storms over northern Missouri on Tuesday afternoon. A brief tornado and/or hail will be possible.