Obituary - Veta Fay Cook

Veta Fay Cook, 87, formerly of Pleasanton, Kansas died on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at St. Luke's Hospice House, Kansas City, Missouri. Veta was born February 15, 1934 in Nottinghill, MO to Kenneth Calvin "K.C." and Jencie Betty (Newman) Williamson. 

She graduated from Gainesville High School, Gainesville, Missouri on May 10, 1951. On June 14, 1952 she married Thomas Leo Cook in Harrison, Arkansas. Veta was a "Jill of all trades". She could do anything! She maintained a 14 acre garden with over 400 tomato plants keeping the weeds at bay with only a hoe. Veta was excellent in math which served her well in her various jobs in sales selling everything from vacuum cleaners, paint, and milk.

Veta was preceded in death by her husband; and one daughter, Tammy Renee Overturf; five brothers, Warren Cloyd Williamson, Raymond Lester Williamson, Charles Owen "C.O." Williamson, Melvin Wayne "Dutch" Williamson, and Verl Arlyn Williamson; and two sisters, Marcia Ruth Baxley and Eudine Robb.

Survivors include one son, Thomas Ray (Rebecca "Becky") Cook; four daughters, Linda Diann Berry, Teresa Lynn (Phillip) Sweigart, Cynthia Leila Rogers, and Delilah Laureen "Lori" (Richard) Payton; a grandson who she raised, Brian Cook and his wife Stefanie; one brother, Kenneth Calvin "Calvin" Williamson, Jr.; one sister, Yvonne Keeny; 14 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of extended family and friends.

A funeral service will be at 5:00 pm on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at Schneider Funeral Home & Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until service time. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm on Sunday, March 28, 2021 at Thornfield Cemetery, Thornfield, Missouri. The family suggests contributions to Veta Cook Memorial Fund, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, PO Box 525, Pleasanton, KS 66075. Friends and family may leave online condolences at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

Pedestrian seriously injured after being struck by vehicle in Cass County

On March 25th around 7:50pm the Missouri State Highway Patrol along with Cass County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a pedestrian that was struck by a car on the West Outer Road of I-49 near Moore Road in rural Cass County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the 2017 Ford Explorer driven by 24 year old Spencer E. Teegarden of Peculiar, Missouri struck 23 year old Austin J. Green of Lees Summit, Missouri as he was walking northbound.

Mr. Green sustained serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to Research Medical Center in Kansas City for treatment.

Copyright Mid America Live

Obituary - Charlotte A. Tillett

Charlotte Ann Tillett, 78, Blairstown, Missouri departed this life on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at her home.

She is survived by her husband, Leroy Tillett of the home; her children, Angela Sidwell and husband Tony, Garden City, Missouri, Joseph Robert Sipple, Blairstown, Missouri, Richard Tillett and wife Michelle, Cleveland, Missouri, William Sipple, Tipton, Missouri, Robert Sipple and wife Shelly, Harrisonville, Missouri, Michael Don Sipple, Blairstown, Missouri, Daniel Tillett and wife Cathy, Belton, Missouri, David John Tillett, Harrisonville, Missouri, Ronnie Tillett and wife Amanda, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Damon Tillett, Miami, Oklahoma; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a sister, Stephanie Davies, Idaho Falls, Idaho; other relatives and many friends.

Cremation. A Celebration of Life Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., Saturday, April 10, 2021 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.

Family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude's Children's Hospital and may be left at or sent to the Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, MO 64701.

Obituary - Kevin E. Williams

Kevin Eulane Williams, 66, Nevada, MO passed away on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at Nevada Regional Medical Center in Nevada. Kevin was born December 11, 1954 in Elkhart, KS to Virgil E. and Genevieve J. (Davis) Williams.

Kevin attended school in Walker and Nevada High School. He spent a brief stint in the United States Marines before being Honorably Discharged due to an injury. During his life, Kevin worked at various jobs including farm machinery mechanic, farming, automobile mechanic, commercial painting, and construction, living wherever his job took him. In his youth, Kevin was heavily involved in 4-H where he showed livestock. He also served as President of West Point 4-H.

He is survived by one son, Hise Williams, Rogers, AR; one sister, Karla Ervin (Reuben), El Dorado Springs, MO; two brothers, Stacy Williams, Cortez, CO, and Brett Williams (Alice), Nevada, MO; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Bobbi Jones.

No services are planned.

Dense Fog Advisory Until 10am

Fog will start to build in across portions of eastern KS and western Missouri early this morning. 

Be prepared for rapidly changing visibility with visibilities dropping to under a 1/2 mile. Conditions will improve by mid to late morning.

40 years of service for Koehn's Bakery

Thank you to all the people who make the Butler Chamber of Commerce great!

Thank you to Dwight and Doris Koehn for rocking the first 35 years of Koehn Bakery! #blessedbyButler #butleryum

Obituary - Robert Thomas Montgomery

Robert Thomas Montgomery, age 92, of Clinton, Missouri passed away Monday, March 22nd, 2021 at Ignite Medical Resort St. Mary's in Blue Springs, Missouri. Robert's wishes were to be cremated. 

Celebration of Life gathering will be held by the family at a later date. Memorials may be offered to Hospice Foundation of America and may be left in care of the funeral home. Fond memories and condolences can be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.

Robert was born on July 30th, 1928, the second of seven children to George and Verna (Hetherington) Montgomery, in Clinton, Missouri. He was raised in Clinton and graduated from Clinton High School in 1947. He served in the United States Army as a radio specialist and military police officer from 1949-1951 during the Korean War. He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan and attained the rank of sergeant. On June 26, 1953, Robert married Mary Ann Kirkwood and they had two sons, Michael (1956) and Don (1961). After leaving the Army he began a career working as a coal miner in the Clinton area. In 1968, he moved his family to Canton, Illinois where he continued to work in the coal mining industry; working for some time as the operator of the third largest electric dragline in the world. In 1986, Robert retired after 33 years and returned to his hometown of Clinton. During his retirement, he worked on various construction projects with his brother, Frank, enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family. Robert was a proud member of the United Mine Workers of America, was a 33 degree Mason and a Shriner, belonged to the First Christain Church in Clinton and was a member of the Elks and the American Legion. Robert was a life-long Democrat. He was very proud of his family, especially proud that both of his sons pursued professional careers after graduating from college and that all of his grandchildren followed in their footsteps.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and siblings, Emmett (Betty), Jim, Dorothy (Bob) Bradley, Martha (Jim) Keck, and Frank (Pat); his father and mother-in-law, Arthur and Ruby Kirkwood; sisters-in-law, Bonnie (Jack) McGlothlin and Betty Jo (Delton) Houtchens. He is survived by his sons, Michael (Edie) of Camdenton, MO and Don (Kathy) of Platte City, MO; grandchildren, Kevin (Michelle Lofti) Montgomery, Kelli (Nathan) Bays, Scout, and Landon; his sister, Georgie and brother-in-law Paul Ross, and sister-in-law, Luwana (Jim) Montgomery; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri.

Missouri's annual No MOre Trash! Bash returns April 1st

Help beautify Missouri and put litter in its proper place:

It’s spring cleaning time. The month of April marks Missouri’s annual No MOre Trash! Bash coordinated by the Missouri Department of Transportation. During the annual statewide anti-litter event, volunteers are encouraged to clean up litter adjacent to highways to help beautify Missouri.

The No MOre Trash! Bash is an annual outreach of MoDOT’s year-round litter control efforts. It has been held every spring since 2004 except for 2020 when COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the event out of safety concerns. Additional COVID-19 restrictions limited the use of nearly 240 work release prisoners and required social distancing for field operations engaged in litter control performed by MoDOT staff. These factors have contributed to a marked increase in trash along Missouri’s highways.

Last year, MoDOT spent $6.4 million to remove litter from more than 385,000 acres of roadsides along 34,000 state highway miles. The annual volunteer efforts to pick up litter along Missouri highways - including the Adopt-A-Highway program - have been valued at more than $1 million.

This year’s No MOre Trash! Bash kickoff will include virtual events with Adopt-A-Highway volunteers, students and community groups interested in participating in roadside trash pickup. Trash bags and safety vests will be provided to groups engaged in litter pickup.

Groups are encouraged to exercise special COVID-19 safety precautions. To learn more about how you can safely participate, visit www.modot.org/adopt-highway or call 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636).