Wednesday, September 8, 2021
Obituary - Reverend William Elmore (Bill) Bell
Bill was born December 6, 1924, in a single room log cabin near Booneville, Arkansas to Finis Eston Bell and Mary Francis (Elmore) Bell. He was one of four children, two brothers and one sister. On August 8, 1948, Bill married Patricia Ann (Pat) Coleman. In 2018 they celebrated 70 years of marriage.
Bill graduated 8th grade in 1940 at Mixon Community School of Logan County near Booneville, Arkansas. After completing his time in the military, he earned his GED and went on to earn an AA degree at Southwest Baptist College in 1950. In 1959 he earned a BA degree from William Jewell College in Kansas City, MO. He later earned his teaching certificate through Kansas State Teacher’s College (now Pittsburg State University).
Bill was drafted into the US Marine Corp and placed into active service November 22, 1943. He completed his basic training in Camp Elliot, San Diego, CA. He was a Private First Class, member of the Twelfth Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion Fleet Marine Force, 1098th Platoon, Heavy Anti-Aircraft Gun Crew 601. He deployed to the Pacific Theater on the USS President Polk where he served in the South Pacific, on the Islands of, New Caldonia, Guadalcanal, Guam and Pilly Lou. He was returned to the US on the USS Wharton and was honorably discharged on April 4, 1946 at Camp LeJeume, North Carolina.
On August 31st, Bill was honored, as a World War II veteran, by Dream Flight Freedom 2021, Operation September. Bill was unable to attend the ceremony so, on his behalf, his family accepted a jacket and hat from Freedom Flight and an honor quilt, from the Little Balkans Quilt Guild. His name was also added to the tail rudder of the 1943 Boeing Stearman bi-plane.
Bill was ordained in the Baptist faith in 1955. In 1953, Bill began his ministry at the Grand River Baptist Church. He continued his ministry in other Missouri Baptist churches, including Pleasant View (Liberal) Pleasant View (Vernon County), Bronaugh and Montevallo. Though a pastor never really retires from the ministry, Bill retired from full time ministry while at Deerfield Baptist Church in 2000. During Bill’s ministry years, he also taught at area schools. Beginning in 1955 he taught in Moundville, Metz, Gashland, Bronaugh, Liberal and Nevada Missouri public schools. He retired from the Nevada State Hospital in 1990.
Bill was an avid reader, gardener, and enjoyed working in his yard. He enjoyed going to all the grandkids sports and school activities with his beloved, Pat. He was a real prayer warrior for his church family, his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Bill is survived by three sons, Gary Bell (Carrol), Pittsburg, Kansas, Tim Bell (Kristie), Pittsburg, Kansas and David Bell, Highland’s Ranch, Colorado. Three daughters, Linda Simmons, Joplin, Missouri, Joyce Bealer (Andy), Branson, MO, Janet Smith (Phil), Liberal, Missouri. Thirteen grandchildren (Melanie Boyd, Stephanie Swearingen, Jena (Dennis) Wells, Mindy Bell, Tracy (Aimee’) Danner, Todd Danner, Matthew (Ariel) Bealer, Marcie (Eric) Acker, Courtney Shafer, Morgan Shafer, Katie Smith, Jared (Christy) Bell, Phillip Bell. Thirty-five great grandchildren, Kalen (Megan) Bradley, Reagan Bradley, Logan Bradley, Jordon Boyd, Lauren Silvola, Brooke (Ben) Fisher, Jadyn Swearingen, Carter Swearingen, Christy Danner, Heather (Austin) Watson, Allie Danner, Bailey Danner, Josie Crisp, Hallie Crisp, Zachary (Hannah) Arthur, Christina (Caleb) Pinon, Megan Arthur, Cody Danner, Sarah Danner, Joshua Danner, Wesley Potter, Garret Potter, Isabel Wells, Devrie Wells, Blayne Acker, Brayleigh Acker, Brynner Acker, Breelyn Acker, Kyler Duncan, Tucker Jameson, Lillyann Bell, Aubriana Bell, Ellie Bell, Vivian Bell, and Elijah Bealer. Five great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by brother-in-law, Hubert Conway and sister-in-law, Betty Noah.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, wife, siblings Dale Bell, Johnny Haller and Alice Louise Maxwell, and granddaughter, Kimberly Marie Shafer.
The funeral will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 11, 2021 at the Nevada First Baptist Church with burial to follow in Newton Burial Park with Military Honors.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday at Ferry Funeral Home
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to Watered Gardens (Joplin, MO) or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital with the funeral home serving as custodian.
Obituary - Rhonda Kay Hedges
She is survived by her husband, Jeff Hedges of the home; a son, Eli Hedges of the home; two daughters, Amanda Hedges, Fayetteville, Arkansas, Ashley Bayle and husband Travis, Wasilla, Alaska; 6 grandchildren, Charles, Connor, Kalob, Ava, Connor and Madilyn; two brothers, Brian Yoder, Garden City, Missouri, Tim Wittrig, Austin, Texas; five sisters, Sandy Cole and Jodi Brown both of Garden City, Missouri, Terry Ross, State of Texas, Cristy Steffa, Huntsville, Texas, Cherry Derickson, Austin, Texas; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 11, 2021 at the Sycamore Grove Mennonite Church near Garden City, Missouri with burial in the Clearfork Cemetery near Garden City.
Family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 11, 2021 at the church.
Family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.
A complete obituary will be posted when it becomes available.
Nevada woman seriously injured in Vernon County crash
The Missouri State Highway says the accident occurred when the 2020 Chevrolet Box truck driven by 40 year old John J. Mastin of Independence, Missouri struck the 2001 Buick Century driven by 34 year old Rhonda S, Johnson at a uncontrolled intersection.
Rhonda S. Johnson sustained serious injuries in this accident and she was transported by Med Flight to Freeman Hospital in Joplin for treatment.
View crash report below:
From the Drexel Police Department
120 S. Second Street/ Po Box 710, Drexel, MO 64742
Phone: (816) 619-4444 Fax: (816) 619-4443
Email: chiefrouten2100@drexelmopd.org
On September 25th, 2021, starting at 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
The Drexel Police Department will be conducting inspections for all golf carts, side by sides, and ATVs for the new city permits. On this day you will be able to get your inspection and permit for $15.00. Any inspection conducted after this date you will have set up a time with Drexel Police Department for the inspection and then go to City Hall to get your permit.
Remember all traffic laws apply to every vehicle on the road. It is your responsibility to make certain that there is insurance on the vehicle and anyone operating the vehicle must have a valid driver’s license, the same as operating any other vehicle on the road. If you allow an unlicensed driver to operate the vehicle on the road you can receive a citation for allowing them to operate the vehicle.
If the person has a learner's permit and is required to have an adult in vehicle with them, they must have one. Permit holders will be held liable for anyone operating the vehicle. Your permit can be revoked by the City of Drexel or by the Drexel Police Department at any time.
Email: chiefrouten2100@drexelmopd.org
On September 25th, 2021, starting at 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
The Drexel Police Department will be conducting inspections for all golf carts, side by sides, and ATVs for the new city permits. On this day you will be able to get your inspection and permit for $15.00. Any inspection conducted after this date you will have set up a time with Drexel Police Department for the inspection and then go to City Hall to get your permit.
Remember all traffic laws apply to every vehicle on the road. It is your responsibility to make certain that there is insurance on the vehicle and anyone operating the vehicle must have a valid driver’s license, the same as operating any other vehicle on the road. If you allow an unlicensed driver to operate the vehicle on the road you can receive a citation for allowing them to operate the vehicle.
If the person has a learner's permit and is required to have an adult in vehicle with them, they must have one. Permit holders will be held liable for anyone operating the vehicle. Your permit can be revoked by the City of Drexel or by the Drexel Police Department at any time.
Obituary - Randy Lee Scott
Randy was born October 27, 1951, in Kansas City, MO, the eldest of five children of Euell Willard Scott and Carol Sue (Orr) Scott. Along with his parents, Randy is preceded in death by twin sisters, Connie Scott and Bonnie Claar; and step-father, Don Hunchberger.
Randy grew up in Northeast Kansas City and graduated from Northeast High School. Following graduation in 1969, Randy joined the US Marine Corps at age 17. He served as a Combat veteran, playing a vital role in Operation Frequent Wind to help evacuate Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War. Randy received honorable discharge as an E-5 Sergeant on July 29, 1975.
Following discharge, Randy began his 30-year career as a Police Officer in Oak Harbor, WA, then Lincoln and Harrisonville, MO. He joined the Belton Police Department in 1980, and served the City of Belton until retiring as a Sergeant in 2005. He was an active member of the Belton community and Belton Christian Church.
Randy was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Ellen Beth (Turner) on January 5, 1980. Along with Ellen, Randy leaves two children, Jennifer Scott (Sean Kingston) of Cumming, GA, and Trey Scott (Caron) of Raymore, MO; grandchildren, Cheyanna Scott, Sean Kingston Jr. and Hayden Kingston; sisters, Linda Atchley (David) and Cheryl Atchley (Richard); brother-in-law, Ron Claar; as well as nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
Visitation will begin at 10AM, followed by a service celebrating Randy’s life at 11:30AM, on September 17, 2021, at the Belton Christian Church, 409 Airway Lane, Belton, MO 64012. A committal service with military honors will follow at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, MO.
Obituary - Steven D. Durbin
Arrangements were under direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Inurnment at a later date on the home farm. In lieu of flowers, contributions to BCI (Bates County Industries) or Adrian Restoration Branch. Due to COVID, the family thanks you for your prayers, not your presence. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.
Steven Dale Durbin, age 61 of Butler, Missouri died Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at his home in Butler. He was born July 27, 1960 to Walter Dale and Mildred Viola Flowers Durbin in Independence, Missouri.
Steven is survived by two sisters, JoAnn Ross and husband Dallas of Butler, Missouri and Linda Lewis of Adrian, Missouri; 4 nephews and 3 nieces, 11 great-nephews and nieces and 12 great-great-nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Steven Dale Durbin, age 61 of Butler, Missouri died Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at his home in Butler. He was born July 27, 1960 to Walter Dale and Mildred Viola Flowers Durbin in Independence, Missouri.
Steven is survived by two sisters, JoAnn Ross and husband Dallas of Butler, Missouri and Linda Lewis of Adrian, Missouri; 4 nephews and 3 nieces, 11 great-nephews and nieces and 12 great-great-nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Peculiar Police seeking public assistance
Video footage from the area has not been useful for identification purposes due to distance and clarity.
If anyone has any information, please contact Peculiar PD 816-779-5102
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