Obituary - Paul Douglas Gesink

Paul Douglas Gesink, age 75, of La Cygne, Kansas passed away at his home on June 16, 2021. Paul was born the son of Gerrit and Madeline Mouw Gesink on November 11, 1945 at Sioux Center, Iowa. 

Over the years Paul earned a Master's degree in Psychology at Florida Atlantic University. He enjoyed gardening, horses and owned an orchard and green house. He was preceded in death by his parents. 

Paul is survived by two daughters, Stephanie Strout (Gary Benjamin) and Melanie Cornelisse (Nick), three brothers, Don, Benjamin and Michael Gesink, one sister, Heddy Saxon and two grandsons, Riley and Nathaniel.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com

Obituary - James Allen Matthes

James Allen Matthes, 56, of Pleasant Hill, was born, January 26, 1965, in Harrisonville, the son of Walter Allen and Sharon Ray (Burton) Matthes. He departed this life suddenly, Monday, June 14, 2021, at the Lee’s Summit Medical Center.

Jim was a 1983 Pleasant Hill High School graduate. After high school he attended Penn Valley Community College where he graduated from the Police Academy.

On March 11, 1993, he was united in marriage to Una Theresa Conroy in Independence, Missouri.

Jim had previously been employed as a Police Officer for the cities of Lee’s Summit and Greenwood. He was currently the C-Store Manager for the Hy-Vee Filling Station in Raytown, Missouri, where he developed countless lifelong friendships. He enjoyed Dog Racing at Derby Lane in St. Petersburg, Florida, cooking, a long walk on Madeira Beach, and attending Chiefs games with his sons. He most cherished time spent with his children and grandchildren, especially time with Adonis and Lily.

Jim was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Walter Matthes; maternal grandparents Perry and Leona Riddle; and one nephew, Travis Kanies.

He survived by his wife, Theresa Matthes of the home; two sons, Alex (and Angela) Matthes of Pleasant Hill and Jacob Matthes of Lee’s Summit; daughter, Pam (and Nathan) Vanmeter of Pleasant Hill; four grandchildren, Lillian Matthes, Adonis Matthes, Jax Vanmeter, and Lucas Vanmeter; his maternal grandmother, Adabel Matthes of Harrisonville; parents, Allen and Sharon Matthes of Lee’s Summit; sister, Renea (and Raj) Matthes Mitra of Lee’s Summit; uncle, Bill Matthes of Lee’s Summit; Sheila Loughead of Pleasant Hill: niece, Teri Kanies of Lee’s Summit; other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 18, 2021, at the Stanley-Dickey Funeral Home, Pleasant Hill, Missouri. Reverend Mark Conway will officiate. Interment will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be held 9:00 a.m. until service time.

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

A little teamwork goes a long way

The Nevada Police Department is pleased to be working in partnership with On My Own, Inc. to acquire and install updated accessible parking space signage throughout the City beginning with those parking spaces on and around the Nevada Square.

Missouri law states that designated accessible parking spaces may only be used when a disabled person, who has been issued disabled license plates or windshield hanging placards, or immediately preceding being parked, was an occupant of the motor vehicle bearing the disabled license plate or windshield hanging placard or in cases where the motor vehicle bearing the disabled license plate or windshield hanging placard is then being used to deliver or collect one or more of the disabled persons for whom the disabled license plate or windshield hanging placard was issued.

The Nevada Police Department needs everyone’s cooperation to ensure that these designated parking spaces are being used only by those who need them and have the appropriate license plates or placard visibly displayed.

Obituary - Helen Audree Lawson

Helen Audree Lawson, 96, of Nevada, MO passed away Tuesday, June 5, 2021, at Moore Few Care Center. Helen was born October 9, 1924, in Lowry City, MO to John Clifton and Savilla Alba (Bales) Sullivan. She was a high school graduate. She married J.R. Benigar in 1946 and together they had two children and they later divorced. Helen was a member of the Rinehart Christian Church, enjoyed going to the YMCA, loved to dance, was a seamstress, enjoyed arts and crafts and had a green thumb. She married Jerry Lawson and together they lived in Kimberling City, MO and she loved boating.

Helen is survived by one son John Gregory Benigar and his wife Donna of Rosco, MO; one daughter, Ginger Pritchett, and her husband Kermit, of Nevada, MO; five grandchildren, Jenelle (Steve) Forkner, Kermit (Kylie) Pritchett, Jr, Gregory Benigar, Anna Benigar, and Danielle (Corey) Brophy; eleven great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Aleene Sulivan-Gilkey, and her husband Jerry Lawson.

A graveside service will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 18, 2021, at Newton Burial Park.

Juvenile struck by vehicle in Montrose

On June 16th around 6:30 a.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Henry County along with Henry County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a one vehicle accident involving a juvenile pedestrian at Missouri 52 Highway and Ohio Street in Montrose.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the 15 year old Juvenile male was struck while crossing the roadway by a 1993 Chevrolet driven by 20 year old Zecharias W. Hogan of Rockville, Missouri.

The male juvenile sustained serious injuries in this accident and he was transported by Life Flight Eagle to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri for treatment. 

Money management top on the list for city council

Highlights from the Butler city council meeting last night. All members present with the exception of Denny Rich

Guest Jordan Blevins approached the council regarding the extension of time allowed to sell fireworks within the city limits. This year, sales may begin on June 27th, Blevins asked if a week could be added for sales to start on the 20th. The council advised that such changes would require additional meetings and there isn't enough time to squeeze through such a change on short notice. Blevins noted that the longer time would benefit the city in terms of taxes collected, giving Butler an equal opportunity when competing with other fireworks stands outside the city limits. The council may give the suggestion consideration for next year.

The airport commission is looking at grants to help pay for paving and a new beacon light. The grants would pay 90% of the bills, leaving the city with only a small amount to kick in.

A long discussion was held regarding Sunset Park in south Butler again, and a decision was made to take action. It turns out a playset was donated and has sat in storage for a very long time and the park board would like to have it installed along with a new swing set. To accompany both pieces of equipment, a rubber type matting must be installed for safety reasons. The total bill for all would be over $7,000.00 and the decision was made to forego the swing set and additional rubber mat for now and get the playset put up in the meantime. Other items on the wish list for Sunset Park include a shelter house and drinking fountain which should come at a later date.

Bids were opened and the lowest rate for a lease-purchase loan came from Citizen's Bank to purchase a new excavator for the water department. Cost of the unit is $107,270.00.

The city has several road projects to do and unfortunately the price of crude oil has gone up, thus driving up costs. About $265,000 was budgeted, but the lowest bid for the same work now is $342,472.00. Phillips Paving Company was the chosen low bidder.

The city originally set aside $20,000 for remodel work at city hall and that project is in danger of going over budget as well. For the time being, the project has been tabled until council can review drawings and details.

Clerk Corey Snead reported that the city audit in complete and it went well. Full results of the audit will be available in a couple months.

The police department has stepped up enforcement in key trouble spots, so watch out... also reported was that two new officers will join the beat soon. New equipment will be installed at the PD to record phone calls and radio traffic as legally required. Fortunately the bid for the equipment came in well below the estimate of $20,000 at just over $12,000.00. Computers in the department are in need of up upgrading and installing laptops in patrol cars will become reality. The laptops will allow officers more time on patrol vs spending time in the office doing reports, etc.

The city is still mulling ideas how to spend the over 700k stimulus money that is incoming. There are guidelines, more is expected from city attorney Joe Lauber soon.

In a discussion that started at the recent town hall meeting, pigeon droppings are a big problem around city hall. There are concerns about disease and other factors that go along with it. So far wire spikes have been put up on the front of the building and some trapping has been done but the pigeons seem to be winning. The council would gladly welcome any ideas the public has to combat this issue.

Remember the Butler city council meets on the first and third Tuesdays, 7 pm upstairs at the Butler city hall.

Obituary - Mary R. Laughlin

Mary R. Laughlin, 75, of Clinton, Missouri passed away at her home on Monday morning, June 14, 2021. She was born September 17, 1945 in Clinton, Mo., the daughter of Jack C. Rodgers and Ethel Marie (Cramer) Rodgers.

Mary grew up in the Shawnee Mound, Mo., area. She was employed with Unitog, Lamy’s Manufacturing in Sedalia, Mo., and later as a corrections officer in Casa Grande, Arizona. She was a member of the Clinton Christian Church where she sang in the church choir, Church of Society Committee, Christian Women’s Fellowship, Phoebes Women’s Group, Open Door Sunday School class, Seekers Bible Study group, and cooked and helped with the meals for the Community Café. She also volunteered at the Samaritan Center. Mary was a regular with her own designated seat on Friday nights at the Truman Lake Opry. She was a hard worker, acquiring the nickname, “Chainsaw Mary”. She enjoyed doing anything outdoors. Surviving are one daughter, Lisa Kaye Haines, Brownington, Mo.; one grandson, John Michael Haines, Brownington, Mo.; one granddaughter, Lindsey Marie Haines, Brownington, Mo.; one step-son, Larry Cresse, Ionia, Mo.; and one brother, John T. Rodgers, Lee’s Summit, Mo. She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Darrin James Tullis; and one brother, Jerry Rodgers. Memorial services will be at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 17, 2021 at the Clinton Christian Church. Burial will be in the Concord Cemetery in Benton County at a later date. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Clinton Christian Church. These donations may be left in care of the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, Clinton. Condolences may be left online at www.bradleyhadley.com.

Obituary - Adeline Joy Weien

Adeline Joy Weien, infant daughter of Cody Weien and Jennifer Younger of La Cygne, Kansas passed away on Sunday June 13, 2021. She was born on December 30, 2020 in Overland Park, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Jay Allan Weien. 

Adeline is survived by her parents, a brother, Paxton Weien, a sister Saleen Weien, twin sister, Evangeline Weien, maternal grand father Gerald Younger(Becky), maternal grandmother, Patricia Younger, paternal grandmother, Arlina Alexander(Tim), and maternal great grandmothers, Mary Redd and Patricia McAllister.

A visitation will be held Saturday, June 26, 2021 from 12 noon to 2 pm at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, La Cygne Chapel. Contributions are suggested to the Adeline Weien Memorial Fund, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 304, La Cygne, KS 66040.