Bates County Sheriff's Office seeking public assistance

The Bates County Sheriffs Office is assisting the Bates County Prosecutors Office in an attempt to identify a potential witness.

On July 5th, 2019 a male and female were in the Butler Walmart and became uncooperative with employees. During the incident one or both of the parties made a threat to the employees by saying they would “blow” up Walmart.

A female witness came forward and spoke briefly with responding law enforcement stating she saw one of the subjects recording the incident on their cell phone. The witness left the scene before being identified by Law Enforcement.

If you are or if you know the female witness in this case please contact the Bates County Prosecutors office at 660-679-4030

Obituary - Pearl Louise Wintjen

Pearl Louise Wintjen, 87, Nevada, MO passed away to be with the Lord on Monday, August 9, 2021 at Nevada Regional Medical Center. Pearl was born September 12, 1933 on a farm in Neosho County, near Odense, KS to Walter H. and Florence A. (Hurford) Crapson.

Shortly after Pearl was born, the family moved to a farm closer to Hepler, KS. There she began school at a country school known as Green Valley. When she was in the 6th grade her family moved again, this time to a farm near Walnut, KS. Pearl attended grade school at Pleasant Dale school (known as Possum Trot) until 8th grade and then attended Walnut Public School where she graduated in 1951 as Salutatorian of her class.

Pearl was active in Hi-Wide 4-H Club serving in all offices. She was a member of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls serving as Worthy Advisor. While in 4-H she won numerous awards for sewing, cooking, and canning. Growing up, Pearl helped with many chores on the farm. Pearl loved to sing and play the piano, and also played the trumpet in the high school band.

Following graduation Pearl attended Central Business College in Kansas City. She worked at Little Blue Book in Girard, KS, and later at Kansas Ordnance Plant in Parson, KS where she attended night classes at Parsons Junior College. She married Robert Lee Wintjen (the love of her life) on May 2, 1954. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Denver, CO where he worked for the American Can Company and Pearl was a housewife. They later moved to Nevada, MO when Bob took a job with Farm & Home Savings and Loan. Pearl began working for the Nevada R-5 School District as a part-time cafeteria worker later becoming a fulltime employee working her way to manager. Pearl later worked for Western Insurance and American States in Fort Scott. Following retirement, she and Bob worked on their acreage and enjoyed traveling, having been to all 48 states. Together they remodeled two homes and did many other projects together.

Survivors include their three children, Tim Wintjen and his wife Debbie of Moundville, Christine Louise Wintjen of Nevada, and Daniel Wintjen and his wife Reynalda of Gardner, KS, three grandchildren, Corey Wintjen, Moundville, Brittany Haynes(Chris), Moundville and Matthew Wintjen, Gardner, KS, four great grandchildren, Chevy Wintjen, Moundville, Trinity Haynes and twins Brady and Corbin Haynes all of Moundville, her sister Florence French, Lexington, MO and one brother, Dwight Crapson, Walnut, KS. In addition to her husband Bob, she was preceded in death by her parents, and a great grandson, Chase LeRoy Wintjen. .

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, August 12, 2021 at the First Baptist Church in Nevada with Dr. Kevin Daugherty and Rev. Hubert Fox officiating. Interment will follow in Moore Cemetery, Nevada.

Friends may call now and until the hour of service at the funeral home.

Those who wish may contribute in her memory to the First Baptist Church in care of Ferry Funeral Home

Osage Valley Electric Cooperative Power Outage south of Butler at this time

Osage Valley Electric Cooperative Crews are working on an outage affecting members south of Butler in an area between I-49 and YY Highway. Crews are working to restore power as quickly as possible.

Update Obituary - Jeremy Dalton Schley

Jeremy Dalton Schley, age 24, passed away on Sunday, August 8, 2021 at his home in Windsor, Missouri. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, August 12, 2021 at the Vansant-Mills Chapel in Clinton, Missouri. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 AM prior to the service. 

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Jeremy Dalton Schley Memorial Fund and can be left in care of the funeral home. Fond memories and condolences can be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.

Jeremy Dalton Schley was born on July 13, 2021 in Clinton, Missouri.

Jeremy had all the qualities of a truly good person. He was not preoccupied with things like status or wealth. He never thought twice about what others thought about him. He simply loved his family and friends and that love carried him through life. He loved his mother, daughter, and sister fiercely and protectively and they returned that love to him each day. Jeremy was also very intelligent. Since he was a child, he had a very logical view of life. He never boasted about it, but he was usually the smartest person in the room and you probably wouldn’t even know it. He was often a man content with the quiet, but among family and friends, he could talk for hours about all sorts of subjects. His intelligence also lent itself to his exceptional sense of humor. Whether it was his quick wit or utter goofiness, he could make absolutely anyone laugh. What truly made Jeremy the best was that he embodied true selflessness. Everything he did, he did for others - for the people that he loved. And he never complained about it once. By 24, he had wisdom that many will never acquire for their whole lives. He loved simply, quietly, and selflessly, supported by the immense love of his family.

He is survived by his mother, Kim Dalton, stepfather Jack Davis, his father Bryan Schley, his fiancé Rae Jones, one dautghter; Delilah, and one on the way, one sister Sydney Schley, 2 step siblings; Jacey Feagans and Brandon Davis, grandparents; Bruce and Shirley Wilkins, grandfather Roger Dalton, grandparents; Micheal and Vickie Schley, and many more family and friends.

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

Obituary - Everett D. Banks

A celebration of life memorial service for Everett D. Banks will be Friday, August 13, 2021 at the Community of Christ Church in Butler, Missouri. Arrangements, Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Everett Dee Banks, age 65 of Rich Hill, Missouri died Monday, August 9, 2021 at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler, Missouri. He was born April 1, 1956 to Ira A. and Violet May Dodge Banks in Odessa, Missouri.

Everett is survived by his wife, Vickie Banks of Rich Hill, Missouri; six children, Christina Knoernschild and husband Robert of Columbus, Georgia, Steven Cates of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Brandon Turney of Butler, Missouri, Buddy Cates of Archie, Missouri, Melissa Matkosky and husband Samuel of Hermitage, Missouri and Austin Baumgardner of Wellsville Missouri; two brothers, William Banks of Lexington, Missouri and Dennis Banks and wife Oakie of Washington; one sister, Rebekah Curcajm of Windsor, Missouri; and 13 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by parents; one brother, John Banks; and two sisters, Iris Stout and Vickie Williams.

Obituary - Brian Richard Conroy

On Sunday, August 8th, 2021, Brian Conroy, loving son, husband, and father of our children passed away at the age of 50.

Brian was born on February 9, 1971, in Ft. Scott, KS, to Michael and Connie (Magee) Conroy. Shortly after graduation he would join the United States Army and achieve numerous awards for his marksmanship and tank maneuvering skills. 

He later used those skills while employed with Nevada Medical Clinic for a period of 15 years. Brian was liked and loved by many all over the United States. On September 30th, 2006, he married Janie Ontiveros. Together they loved and raised two sons, Austin and Jake, and a daughter Bailey.

Brian was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved the outdoors, and he was known for his quick wit, his infectious smile, and his kind and compassionate spirit.

Brian was preceded in death by his father, Michael Conroy, paternal grandparents, and maternal grandparents. He is survived by his wife, three children, his mother, and two brothers.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Thursday evening, August 12th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Cremation will follow. Burial in the U. S. National Cemetery will take place at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Conroy Children Education Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary - Margie Ilene Butler

Margie Ilene Butler, 91, Nevada, MO passed away on Monday, August 9, 2021 at her home in Nevada. Margie was born July 8, 1930 in Nevada to Fred O. and Stella M. (Peacock) Pugh. She was united in marriage to William G. Butler and he preceded her in death in 2015.

Margie was a lifelong resident of Nevada and graduated from Nevada High School. She worked as switchboard operator for a time and was instrumental in opening up the Boys Ranch in Nevada. Following her marriage to William, she was a homemaker and worked as a seamstress.

Survivors include three sons, Charles McDowell (Rowena), Philippines, Robert McDowell (Pat), Dover, DE, and John Butler (Kelly), Nevada, MO; 13 grandchildren; as well as numerous great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband William, she was preceded in death by her parents, and one brother, William Pugh.

No services are planned.

The Museum Minute: Price of schooling goes to $1.50

Courtesy of the Bates County Museum 802 Elks Drive, Butler Mo 64730 (660) 679-0134

Herrman’s Historical Happenings week of August 11th

1870 Mrs. Burkleo’s fall session begins August 22, in the old school house in Butler. $1.50 per month.

1883 A meeting is held in the courthouse to organize a Bates Co Horticultural Society.

1884 John T. Leabo, charged with the Dec 18, 1883 murder of his wife, near Foster, and sentenced to be hung August 22, this year, has his sentence stayed, for the evidence to be further studied by the State of Missouri.

1922 Just after noon, fire destroys the vulcanizing shop of Forrest Ours, just off the southwest corner of the Butler square, fire started in the vulcanizing machine and $400 worth of tools are lost.

1949 At the Fisk’s Theater this week Dorothy Lamour and Edward Arnold in Johnny Apollo. This weekend is Allen Lane in Death Valley Gun Fighters, with Merle Oberon.

1949 A pile of one dollar bills, one on top of another stacked 58 miles high would be 1 billion dollars. Start your pile, today at the Butler State Bank, west end of the north side of the Butler square. 2% paid on savings.

1972 Four Butler Comet pitchers shutout the visiting Kansas City Lobos 6-0. Dale Smith started and was the winner. Larry “Spud” Welston, Gary Smith, Eddie Herrman and Norm Appleberry each pitched an inning.

1983 Sally Burg, executive secretary of the Butler Chamber of Commerce and Florilla Tiona head of the committee to build the bandstand on the Courthouse lawn, report the fund has now reached $3,876.00.

1989 98 year old Merle Tyner, of Butler, is awarded the highest award in Rotary International, the Paul Harris Award.

1990 The annual Rockville Festival has something for everyone.