Obituary - Wesley Harley Dirks

Funeral services for Wesley Dirks will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at the Bethany Mennonite Church in Rich Hill, Missouri under direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation 6:30 - 8 p.m. Tuesday, October 26 at the Bethany Mennonite Church in Rich Hill. Contributions to the Bethany Mennonite Church Benevolent Fund. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Wesley Harley Dirks was born to Henry and Sadie Smith Dirks on January 16, 1942 in Halstead, KS. He peacefully passed away on October 24, 2021 in Butler, MO at the age of 79 years due to complications from Covid. When he was a few months old, he moved with his family to Rich Hill, MO where he lived for the rest of his life.

He attended the little country school down the hill from his parents house. At the age of 13 he gave his heart to the Lord and was baptized on March 27, 1955, by Minister Harvey Yost, remaining faithful to God and the Church till the end. His faith and trust in God was an encouragement to his family, often confessing his faults and teaching us to do the same.

On March 25, 1962, he was united to me, Donna Wadel, by Minister Carl Dirks. We enjoyed almost 60 years together. Into this home three sons were born.

On November 30, 1982, he was ordained to the deaconry by Minister Dennis Unruh. He faithfully served the Church until his retirement a year ago. He served on the CPS board for 10 years, making many lifelong friends. We also spent several years in Oroville, CA, under USA missions, leaving a part of our hearts there. He enjoyed being a part of the Yuma, AZ congregation during the winters that we spent there.

Dad was a farmer all his life and loved the outdoors, enjoying hunting with his grandsons and many fishing trips. In later years, many memories were made at his cabin in the woods. Dad was a friend to all and never knew a stranger. He loved to sing and enjoyed singing quartets with his sons. His grandchildren remember listening to his many stories.

Those left to cherish memories are his wife, Donna; three sons: Michael and Kimberly, Lance and Lenora, Brad and Della, all of Rich Hill, MO; seven grandsons, two granddaughters and five great-grandchildren; two brothers: Gerald and Evelyn, Moundridge, KS, Leland and Mary Lou, Montezuma, KS; one sister, Gloria Koehn of Moundridge, KS; one sister-in-law, Carrol Dirks of Rich Hill, MO. Preceding him in death were his parents, four sisters, one brother, and three brothers-in-law.

BCSO Beards for kids fundraiser

So it’s that time of year again. If you see a deputy and he or she looks like they need to borrow your razor to shave their face, it’s not because we slacked off on our requirements. We have officially kicked off our Beards for Kids fundraiser. 

Our fundraiser allows the deputies the opportunity to take youth from our community Christmas Shopping in December. 

Since the program kicked off we have served hundreds of kids at the greatest time of year for giving. We can’t do it without help from our community partners.

If you want to help grab a deputy, drop them a $5, $10, $20, $50 or even an $100. We also take checks but please make them out to the Bates County Sheriff’s Community Benefit Fund.

We are also working with a local youth that wants to put on a car and truck show soon to raise money for the program. Watch for information coming on that!

Louisburg Kansas man killed in Cass County Fatality accident on Missouri 2 Highway

On October 25th around 3:35 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Cass County along with Cass County Sheriffs Deputies responded to a two vehicle accident on Missouri 2 Highway just west of Groh Rd. in rural Cass County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the westbound 2016 Ford F-150 driven by 21 year old Shawn M. Espey of Louisburg, Kansas attempted to overtake an unknown vehicle in oncoming traffic and was struck by the 2013 Volvo Semi Truck driven by 34 year old Matthew Harris of Harrisonville.

Mr. Espey was pronounced dead at the scene of this accident and he was transported to Frontier Forensics.

View crash report below:

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=210556806

Update: Shooting Investigation in Belton

On 10-25-2021 at approximately 5:15 PM, officers were dispatched to the 100 block of E Hargis on a reported shooting. Upon their arrival, officers located one victim who had been injured by gunfire. The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

The victim remains in the hospital in stable condition. The suspect is described as a black male 5ft 10in to 6ft tall, slender build and wearing a red hoodie. 

The suspect left the scene in a blue unknown make vehicle. Investigators are seeking any information from the public which may assist with identifying the suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Hasch at 816-331-1500 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

Obituary - Patsy Ann Vaughn

Patsy Ann Vaughn, age 84, a resident of Nevada, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at her home in Nevada. She was born September 5, 1937, in Ft. Scott, Kansas the daughter of Harold Sipe and Thelma Fitzgerald Sipe. Patsy spent her childhood on the farm on the banks of Mill Creek near Devon, Kansas. She attended the Crescent Rural School and went on to graduate from the Uniontown High School. She trained under the direction of Sister Mary Jude (Dietrich). Following her training with the sisters of Mercy, she moved to Nevada where she worked in Dr. Wray’s office. She later worked as a lab tech at the Nevada City Hospital and the Bates County Medical Clinic and the Nevada Medical Clinic. She retired from the Nevada Regional Medical Center at the age of 75. Pat felt she was put on this earth to help others, and that she did for the majority of her adult life. Pat enjoyed fishing, working in her yard and going to the casino with her friends. She absolutely loved to dance. She was never happier than when she was surrounded by her kids and grandkids at family holidays and backyard get-togethers.

Survivors include her children, Steven Michael Sipe (Becky) of Kincaid, Kansas, Mikki Gardner (Rocky) of Nevada, Douglas Duncan of Nevada, Missouri, Chadd Duncan of Walker, Missouri, Jana Vaughn of Nevada and D.J. Vaughn also of Nevada, Darlene Hallford (Dennis) of Eldorado Springs, Missouri and Melissa Smith (Paul), of Nevada; twenty grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a brother, John Sipe (Marilyn) of Ft. Scott, Kansas, and a sister in law, Joyce Sipe of rural Fort Scott, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her daughter Lisa Vaughn, a grandson, Tanner Duncan, a sister, Shirley Loubier and a brother, Bob Sipe.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and may be left in of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary - Kathleen Mary Brockway

Kathleen “Katy” Mary Brockway, age 70, of Nevada, MO, passed on Saturday, October 23, 2021.

Katy was born October 6, 1951, in Spirit Lake, IA to Jerry Myer and Agatha Mary (Theobald) Caviness. On June 23, 1981, she married Dewayne Marvin Brockway in Minnesota. She had worked and a CNA at nursing homes and attended Pine Street Baptist Church. She also enjoyed collecting dolls, attending auctions and going to garage sales, especially if she could beat her sister there. She loved her family and loved the Lord.

Survivors include two daughters, Tina (John) Gilmore, Milo, MO, and Stacie Stone, Nevada, MO; one brother, Joe (Dee) Caviness, Nevada, MO; one sister, Pat (Richard) Perkins, Spirit Lake, IA; grandchildren, Katlyn Greer, Zachary Gilmore, Dakota Stone, Dillon O’Neil and Darrin O’Neil; three great grandchildren, Kenneth Greer, Layne Greer, and Lawrence Greer to be born in December.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband; a son, Carl Messer; nine brothers, David, John, Leroy, Jim, Dennis, Craig, Bob, and a set of twin boys and one sister, Carol.

The funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 30, 2021, at Ferry Funeral Home. There will be a private family burial at Olive Branch Cemetery.

The family will receive friends, following the service, at the funeral home.

Adrian Lions Club Presents: Sight & Safety Night

News from the Miami School District

Starting tomorrow, Oct. 26th, Miami R-1 will once again "highly recommend" masks. Our current level of COVID-19 positive cases along with individuals under quarantine is now below the 10% level which originally triggered the mask requirement.

Please be aware that masks are still required on district provided transportation per federal transportation mandates. This includes school buses and district vans. - Courtesy of the Miami R-1 School District Facebook page