Obituary - Ruth Helen Moore

Ruth Helen Moore, age 96, passed away Wednesday, April 21st, 2021 at her home in Clinton, Missouri. Graveside service will be at 1:00 PM Monday, April 26th, 2021 at Tebo Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers the Family suggests memorial contributions be made to Benton County Hospice or Tebo Baptist Church and can be left in care of the funeral home. Fond memories and condolences can be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com

Ruth Helen Moore, one of 9 children, was born April 28th, 1924 to Chester and Willie Myrtle (McNeely) Mantonya. She was a member of the Tebo Baptist Church. Ruth loved to fish and enjoyed raising her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, 3 brothers, 4 sisters and one son Jim Moore.

Survivors include 3 children; Jerry Moore of Clinton, Missouri, John Moore (LaVonne) of Monroe City, Missouri and Janice Peterman (Darold) of Clinton, Missouri, daughter-in-law; Joy Delozier of Clinton, Missouri, Six grandchildren; Aaron (Kelly) Moore, Abigail (Nathan) Moore, Jill (Matt) Ragan, Danielle (Travis) Peacock, Michelle (Anthony) Austin, Jeanine (Shaun) Oswald, 12 great grandchildren; Allen Moore, Kayla Moore, April Moore, Andrew Moore, Nicole Moore, Thomas Moore, Jessica Moore, Madelyn Ragan, Shelby Ragan, David Oswald, Jacob Oswald, Marcia Oswald, one sister; Mary Batschelett of Ladue, Missouri, sister-in-law; Sylvia Moore of Lincoln, Missouri, and many nephews and nieces.

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

From the desk of Bates County Coroner Greg Mullinax

For Immediate Release.

Today, I requested the help of the Missouri Attorney General with a complaint against the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office in Kansas City, Missouri.

Since approximately the middle of 2020, I have become increasingly concerned with a practice of that office which directly inhibits the ability of my office to fulfill its statutory obligation to investigate certain deaths. 

As you are aware, often people who suffer a medical event in Bates County are transferred north to hospitals in Kansas City and several of these hospitals are in Jackson County. As you can also imagine, sometimes these individuals unfortunately pass away in those hospitals a short time later.

 
Missouri law is, in my opinion, very clear on this matter. It states that if a person is transferred to another county and dies there, the coroner from the originating county “shall immediately” be notified by the coroner/Medical Examiner of the county of death; and in some cases is responsible for the death investigation and signing the Death Certificate.

 
The Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office has failed to notify me (either immediately, or at all) of such deaths when it is required by law. Furthermore, they have ordered the decedent’s body be released to a funeral home in these cases - not only without my permission, but also without even a notification the death has occurred. 

My attempts to rectify this situation with them have come to no avail, and the dangerous practice continues. I say ‘dangerous’ because as I’m sure you can imagine, this opens the possibility that deaths which should be investigated might not be. This, I will not tolerate.

When I swore an oath to uphold the laws of the State of Missouri, I took it as seriously as I do today. In no situation would I ever disregard Missouri law - so I will not stand by silently while someone else does it, either.

Greg D. Mullinax
Coroner of Bates County

Vernon County Historical Society is holding the Henry Golden Boy Rifle Drawing

The Vernon County Historical Society is holding a fundraiser drawing for a .22 caliber Henry Golden Boy Rifle. 

Tickets are now on sale at the Bushwhacker Museum for $5.00/each or (5) tickets for $20.00. Call (417)667-9602 to purchase tickets. 

The drawing will be held on Saturday, June 12th. Proceeds to benefit the Vernon County Historical Society.

Obituary - Earl Eugene Pierce

Earl Pierce 77, of Butler, Missouri passed away Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at his home in Butler. Cremation with memorial services to be held 2:00 pm Saturday, May 15, 2021 at Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). 

A visitation will follow the service along with a private family inurnment in Benjamin Cemetery in Amoret, Missouri. 

Friends are welcome to attend, masks are encouraged and social distancing should be observed. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com

Earl Eugene Pierce was born February 27, 1944 in Clinton, Missouri to Earl and Blanche Maulden Pierce. He was united in marriage to Judith Grimsley on June 1, 1985. Earl had a long successful career as a forklift operator, working in many warehouses over the years. He worked for Golden Valley and Clearfield Cheese in Clinton, Payless Cashways in Sedalia, Bent Tree Harbor and Eichler Furniture in Warsaw. He was a proud member of St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Butler.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 36 years Judith Pierce, sons Wayne and Bill Pierce, step-children, Perry Ewbank, Tracy Ewbank and wife Angela, and Jennifer Doring and husband PJ. He also leaves behind 14 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, along with many extended family members and friends.

Obituary - Jay Lynn “Butch” Patterson

Jay Lynn “Butch” Patterson, of Belton, formerly of Harrisonville, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at his home. He was 74.

Jay was born October 8, 1946, in Harrisonville, Missouri, the son of Max O’Neil and Lillian Natilee (Cox) Patterson. His early childhood was spent on the family farm near Harrisonville, where he and his only sibling, Glenna Sue, helped with the dairy business started by their parents and grandparents. He attended Hutchinson School through the eighth grade and the Daugherty Methodist Church.

After the family moved “in town” to Harrisonville, Jay attended Harrisonville High School and graduated in the spring of 1964. Beginning in his freshman year Jay participated in a variety of extra-curricular activities. During high school, he served as treasurer of the freshman class; president of his senior class; president of the letterman’s club; and president of the 4-H club. He enjoyed participating in school plays, speech contests, including the American Legion oratory contest, and music with a double quartet. In the summer between his junior and senior year, Jay was selected as a delegate to Missouri Boy’s State and attended in the summer of 1963.

However, Jay’s biggest enjoyment throughout his life was sports. As a student athlete, Jay played and lettered in football and track and served as the boy’s high school basketball manager. The Kansas City Star appointed him as a student-correspondent for Harrisonville High School and his reporting was often featured in the newspaper highlighting Harrisonville teams. Always industrious, Jay worked with his father first at the Standard Oil gas station his parents owned and then at Sunnyside Dairy running milk routes to deliver Borden milk to both residents and businesses in Cass County.

Following his graduation from high school, Jay was accepted to the University of Missouri-Columbia, but elected to attend Central Missouri State University, now UCM, in Warrensburg, Missouri. While at UCM, he studied business administration and industrial management.
His winning personality and easy-going charm made him a natural at sales. He loved the transportation business and worked as a sales manager for several large trucking firms throughout Kansas City and the Midwest where he excelled at developing customer accounts and managing trucking terminal operations. He was active in the Traffic and Transportation Club of Kansas City where he was later elevated to president of the Board of Directors.

In January of 1982, he married Diane Curry of North Kansas City. Diane and her three children, along with his son Darren Patterson, created a warm and loving family unit that enjoyed many adventures together. Jay and Diane renewed their vows in 1998, at the Harrisonville United Methodist church with their entire blended family serving as the wedding party.

Jay was a devoted Christian and an active member of the United Methodist Church. He attended Sunday school regularly and often taught classes as his health allowed. He loved to attend Harrisonville High School football games with his dear friends retired pastors Udell Wolf and George Moore. He would often drive the trio to away games, each with hat in hand as there was nary a hair on any head!

As a young man, Jay excelled at bowling. He and his teammates were often hard to beat on league nights and Jay recorded one perfect 300 game. During his young adulthood, Jay loved to serve as a referee for high school football games and did so until he married and started a family. He was an avid reader and in his retirement enjoyed growing good Missouri tomatoes.

A kind and generous soul, Jay was cherished by both family and friends. He loved to tease and torment those he loved and always enjoyed a good joke or well-timed quip. His mischievous grin and sense of humor will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Jay was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Diane, of the home; four children, Michelle Black and husband, Jeff, Harrisonville; Charles Curry and wife, Stacy, Belton; Darren Patterson and wife Bonnie, Adrian; and Rebecca Newman, Garden City; his sister, Glenna Sue (Patterson) Dudley, Peculiar; twelve grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren with one on the way; nieces and nephews; extended family; and beloved friends.

Funeral services will be Monday, April 26, 2021, at 2 p.m. at the Harrisonville United Methodist Church with burial in the Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville.

The family will receive friends Monday, April 26, 2021 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the church.

Family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, Harrisonville, Missouri.

Obituary - John Robert Leach

John Robert Leach, 68, Harrisonville, MO, passed away Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at his home in Harrisonville, MO. Services are pending.

Service times and a complete obituary will be posted when information is available.

Wanted out of Harrisonville

WANTED FROM THE HARRISONVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT:

We are trying to find Levi H. Schoonover, a 22-year-old, white male of Harrisonville who is wanted for an Assault of a 28-year-old woman that occurred on April 2nd, 2021.

Levi has a warrant for his arrest in this case with a bond of $7,500.00, 10% cash. Levi has several tattoos to include a cross tattoo under his left eye.

The picture is a few years old, however Levi looks about the same. If you know where we can locate Levi Schoonover, contact your local law enforcement agency or the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

Way to go ladies!

Congratulation to (L to R) Rebekah Yarick, Hume; Railee Compton, Clinton; and Chelsea Wilson, Clinton for being finalists in the Osage Valley Youth Tour Essay Contest!

After the interview round was completed, Rebekah and Chelsea will attend the Youth Tour leadership event and receive a $2000 scholarship.

Railee will attend the Cooperative Youth Conference & Leadership Event and will receive a $1000 scholarship.