Obituary - Sammy Lee Meyer

Sammy Lee Meyer, affectionately known as "Snuffy", age 67, Mound City, Kansas passed away Tuesday, October 19, 2021. He was born on April 9, 1954 in Paola, Kansas the son of Richard Arnold and Marie June Lockhart Meyer. He was a graduate of Louisburg High School. Sammy was united in marriage to Brenda Carol Murrow on June 14, 1974. 

She preceded him in death on March 5, 2020. He worked in the sod and lumber business. Sammy was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He enjoyed playing the banjo, fishing eating ice cream, and chewing tobacco. He was also an avid rock climber.

He was also preceded in death by his parents and a brother, John. Sammy is survived by three sons, Calvin Meyer(Aggie), Jesse Meyer(Kate), and Mike Meyer(Joanna), two brothers, Paul and Larry Meyer, two sisters, Donna Cook and Carolyn Daulton, and six grandchildren, Lillian, Abbigail, Casey, Gabriel, Theryn, and Kyndal

Graveside funeral service will be held 11am Saturday, October 23, 2021 at the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Mound City, Kansas. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm Friday at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel. Contributions are suggested to Care to Share, c/o Schneider funeral Home.

Oct. 22nd is Buckle Up Phone Down Day in Missouri

Join the movement to decrease roadway fatalities

JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Mike Parson has proclaimed Oct. 22 as Buckle Up Phone Down Day in Missouri in an effort to encourage Missourians to take two simple actions to save lives on the state’s highways – fasten their seat belts and put their phones down while driving.

For the fifth straight year, the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, along with safety partners throughout the state, will mark Buckle Up Phone Down Day to encourage better driving behaviors.

Since the program began in 2017, the BUPD initiative has spread steadily across Missouri and into more than a dozen other states. More than 14,000 individuals and businesses have accepted the BUPD challenge, and several other states are actively sharing the messages along their highways.

“Keeping momentum behind this challenge will help us reinforce the two easiest and most effective ways to stay safe and save lives on our highways,” said Robert Brinkmann, chairman of the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety Executive Committee. “I encourage everyone to take today as an opportunity to make these actions a part of your routine every day and challenge your loved ones to do the same.”

Missouri’s 2021 Seat Belt Usage Survey showed 88% of vehicle occupants use a seat belt, matching the highest rate the state has ever recorded. But the unbuckled 12% make up a majority of the state’s roadway fatalities, which spiked in 2020 despite a decrease in traffic volume. More than two-thirds of the drivers and passengers killed in traffic crashes last year were not wearing a seat belt.

“The simple act of buckling up has proven time and time again to be a person’s single greatest line of defense in a crash,” said MoDOT State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer Nicole Hood. “It only takes a few seconds to make these two simple choices with life-saving results: Buckle up, and if you’re driving, put the phone down.”

Cellphone use continues to be one of the most concerning behaviors for all roadway users. In 2020, nearly 60% of the distracted driving fatalities in Missouri claimed the life of someone besides the distracted driver.

Missourians can accept the challenge to BUPD at modot.org/bupd and spread the word on social media using the hashtags #BUPD and #BUPDDay.

Obituary - Curt Wayne Hocker “Big Curt”

Curt Hocker, age 57 of Drexel, Missouri passed away on Tuesday, October 12, 2021. Cremation, with a visitation to be held Friday, October 22, 2021 from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel Chapel (816-657-4400). Memorial services will follow at 6:00 pm Friday, also at the chapel. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Curt Wayne Hocker “Big Curt” was born on May 24, 1963 in Paola, Kansas, the son of Marvin Hocker and Sybil Zimmerlee Mills. He attended Drexel schools, and then went to work right away. Curt worked for Dover Sod Farm for many years. He also worked in construction building pole barns and homes, and performed custodial work for Blue Valley Schools. Curt was married to Betty Burrous for twenty-two years, and they raised four children together. He had many loves in his life, the first being his family, then came mushroom hunting and deer hunting, going fishing or basically any and everything outdoors. Big Curt will always be remembered as a jack of all trades and a master of none.

He was preceded in death by his father Marvin Hocker, and his brother-in-law Rick Jones.

Curt is survived by his mother Sybil Mills of Bronson, Florida, his children, Melissa Nichols of Adrian, Missouri, Elizabeth Smith of Adrian, Missouri, Kurtis Hocker “Lil Kurt” of Drexel, Missouri, and April Hocker of Florida, eight grandchildren Sidney Hocker, Sage Smith, Cameron Frazier, Mykanzie Cadet, Maddox Cummings, Elija Cadet, Carson Smith, and Leo Smith, sisters Pam Jones of Williston, Florida, Patsy Stewart (Mike) of Harrisonville, Missouri, Peggy Kidd (Ray) of Williston, Florida, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Mid-Week Forecast

Dry weather through the rest of the work week. By late this weekend, we are tracking a chance for rain. Until then, enjoy the dry and seasonable fall weather! 

Immanuel Baptist Church Fifth Quarter

Students 6th-12th grade.

This Friday following the football game we will have a 5th quarter event at the old high school gym!

This event will last from 9:30-11:30! We hope you’ll bring a friend and come have a night of fun with us!

Obituary - Walter Robert Purevich Jr.

Walter Robert Purevich, Jr., age 85, of Creighton, Missouri passed away Friday, October 15, 2021 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. 

A public visitation will be held from 10:00AM - 12:00PM on Friday, October 22, 2021 at the Vansant-Mills Chapel in Clinton, Missouri. Followed by a private family service with burial in the Calhoun Cemetery in Calhoun, Missouri. 

Memorial contributions can be made to the Children's Mercy Childhood Diabetes Center and can be left in care of the funeral home. Fond memories and condolences can be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.

Walter Robert Purevich, Jr. was born on March 4, 1936 to Walter Purevich, Sr. and Mary (Danko) Purevich in Whiting, Indiana.

Walter joined the U.S. Air Force and was in Korea during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the Clinton VFW Post 1894 and the American Legion in Urich, Missouri. Walter was a faithful member of Holy Trinity Parish in Urich, Missouri.

Walter worked for the GM Leeds Assembly plant in Leeds, Missouri. He worked in the paint and repair department for more than 30 years, retiring in 1988. He also worked in the front end department at Price Choppers in Harrisonville, Missouri. One of Walters greatest joys was riding his motorcycles he loved going on rides down the open road.

He is preceded in death by his parents Walter Sr. and Mary Purevich.

Survivors include his loving wife Joan Purevich, his children; Walter Charles Purevich of Wichita Falls, Texas, David Wayne Purevich of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Kenneth Andrew Purevich of Overland Park Kansas, Melinda Dillard of Pinellas Park, Florida, Johnny Jones of Wilmington North Carolina, Doyal M. Jones Sr. of Blue Springs, Missouri, Joann M. (Robert) Lane of Independence, Missouri, Chester L. (Pam) Jones of Clinton, Missouri, Joseph M. (Heather) Jones of Blue Springs, Missouri, one brother; Gerald Purevich of Winamac, Indiana, two sisters; Marlene Golden of Crown Point, Indiana, Mary Helen (John) Socket of Crown Point, Indiana, 23 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

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

Grappler training a success in Butler

This morning the Bates County Sheriff's Office along with technicians of "The Grappler" preformed some test training on Rice Road in Butler.

A little how the Grappler works the police vehicle drives up behind the suspect in a police chase, needing only 7 inches of ground clearance at the back of the vehicle, after which the contraption can ride down the bodywork to a lower clearance at the wheelhouse. 

A 5-mph closing speed is enough to engage the Grappler on a tire, then the net typically tangles and ties itself to the rear axle, stopping the wheel and often rendering the vehicle undrivable.

Sheriff Anderson spoke to us about the positive affects of this device and how it helps to stop pursuits and save innocent lives. The Bates County Sheriff's Office currently has 7 vehicles equipped with this Grappler product.

We appreciate the Sheriff's Office inviting us to this training! 

View the Grappler Website below:

https://policebumper.com/

Obituary - Carol Dean Kimbrough

Carol Dean Kimbrough, age 82 of Drexel, Missouri passed away Monday, October 18, 2021 at his home in Drexel. A visitation will be held Saturday, October 23, 2021 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel Chapel (816-657-4400). 

Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm Saturday, also at the chapel. Cremation will follow the services. Memorial contributions may be made to the Stark City Church of Christ. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com

Carol was born on December 14, 1938 in Stella, Missouri, the son of Onal Thurston Kimbrough and Margie May Kim-brough. Carol grew up in the country with six siblings in Southern Missouri. He had very strong men that he grew up around. That helped him to understand hard work and what it took to succeed in whatever he was doing. This is where he probably got his determination and drive to be a successful business man, and to be successful in the race horse busi-ness. During his childhood growing up his mom especially influenced his strong values, where the men around him in-stilled hard work, and determination, and an extensive vocabulary which sent Carol to the principal on his very first day of school.

Carol married his lifelong partner Frankie Ann Price soon after he graduated high school, on July 26, 1958. After marriage they moved to Kansas City, Missouri. Where Carol eventually started his own business. Carol was happily married to Frankie for 61 years. The last few years of mom’s life was the only time that mom gave dad a run for his money. Dad took very good care of her and his family. The values that were instilled in him as a boy, he carried throughout his entire life. Once Carol made the decision to do something, such as starting his own business, he had the capabilities to succeed. Carol was well known in the American Quarter Horse Association, he had a love for horses. He grew up having and being around horses. Carol was known as a straight forward, honest, hardworking man. He gave many people the opportunity to work when other companies would not. He was fair to people, but at the same time was not to be taken advantage of.

Carol is preceded in death by his wife Frankie Ann Kimbrough, father Onal Kimbrough, mother Margie Kimbrough, brother Dale Kimbrough, and brother Melvin Kimbrough.

He is survived by his brother Max Kimbrough, sister Bettie Morgan, sister Glenda Knowles, children Clay and wife Tresa Kimbrough of Ozark, Missouri, Kevin and wife Mitzi Kimbrough of Amoret, Missouri, Vicki and husband Clay Kimbrough of Amsterdam, Missouri, Carol Ann and husband Tom Bell of Adrian, Missouri, grandchildren Richelle Jackson and hus-band Clint, Michael Fink and wife Jessica, Danielle Hutchinson and husband Tommy, Trevor Clingman and wife Amethyst, Chad Kimbrough and wife Jessica, Monica Kimbrough and husband Rob, Pete Kimbrough, Kaitlyn Payne and husband JC,