Stolen vehicle in rural Montrose

STOLEN VEHICLE -- 2006 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY MINIVAN, maroon in color with a blue, driver's side door. Vehicle was not displaying registration at the time of theft.

Vehicle was taken from the 800 block of SW 1401 (Montrose area) and was last seen during the evening hours of Wednesday, December 8th, 2021.

If anyone has seen or has any information regarding this stolen vehicle, please contact Henry County Central Communications @ (660) 885-5587 or your local law enforcement agency.

Obituary - Duane Aaron Aldridge

Duane Aaron Aldridge, 60, of Gladstone, Missouri, died Monday, December 6, 2021. A visitation will be held from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Friday, December 10, 2021 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, Missouri. Contributions may be made to the Colon Cancer Foundation.

Duane was born April 9, 1961 in Kansas City, Missouri, a son of Willian Franklin and Patricia (Perkins) Aldridge Jr. He lived in Martin City and Kansas City, MO before moving to Gladstone.

Duane was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed doing these things with his friends and daughters. Duane was also well known in the Kansas City area for the many foosball tournaments he organized and ran. He worked in sales, and had worked at Amazing Siding, Energy Pro Windows and Renewal by Anderson.

Duane is survived by three daughters, Nikki Novotny, Independence, MO; Hailey Aldridge, Osceola, MO; and Samantha Aldridge, Kansas City, MO. A brother, David Aldridge, Overland Park, KS; three sisters, Debbie Linton, Belton, MO; Barbi Glaviano, Belton, and Valarie (John)Rinehart, Peculiar, MO. Three grandchildren, Adarious Novotny, Adrian Novotny, McKinley Aldridge-Maucelli, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pedestrian struck by vehicle in Sheldon

On December 9th around 7:52 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Vernon County along with Vernon County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle on Route B in Sheldon. 

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the 2015 Kia Sportage driven by 77 year old Mary L. Buckner of Sheldon, Missouri struck 20 year old Emily P. Huff of Sheldon.

Emily P. Huff sustained minor injuries in this accident and she was transported by private vehicle to Cox- Barton Hospital in Lamar for treatment.

View crash report below:

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=210642342

A toasty day is on tap

A toasty day is on tap. In fact, we may be making a run at a record. The current record in KC is 69° set in 1970. We will also see gusty winds out of the south pick up this afternoon and continue through much of the weekend.

Obituary - Jean Piepmeier

Funeral services for Jean will be held at Hill and Son Funeral Home in Appleton City, Missouri on Monday, December 13, 2021at 1:00 p.m.

The minster for the service is Rev. Linda Wansing

A visitation will precede the funeral service at Hill and Son Funeral Home in Appleton City, Missouri, on Monday, December 13, 2021 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Interment will take place immediately following the funeral service at Appleton City Cemetery in Appleton City, Missouri

Memorial donations may be given to the Trinity United Methodist Church

Phyllis Jean (Henselmann) Piepmeier was born on September 16, 1939, to Fred William and Phyllis (Moore) Henselmann. She was raised on a farm southeast of Appleton City, Missouri, where she lived all her life and was an active community member.

Although she was a lady of short stature, inside she had a huge heart of gold. She always looked for the good in others. Striving to help and do good for others was always Jean’s goal. Seeing the many needs and struggles of other people, she always tried to quietly and secretly help where it was needed. Her good deeds were a priority, and this is the way she wanted it to be. She had a strong faith in God and his blessings and an abundant love for her fellow man.

Jean received great satisfaction in her years of working around her church. She enjoyed helping with Sunday School, making bulletin boards, and many times going back to church by herself to pick up things around God’s house.

Jean loved the holidays. Dressing up for the Halloween in the park, you might have witnessed her having fun with the rest of the young at heart; sometimes a clown (of course the shortest). Christmas time was a favorite holiday, always giving so much of herself at this time of year, and never forgetting those who were really in need. Jean also enjoyed singing in the church choir for the easter and Christmas vesper services. She loved her fellow choir members and the friendships they developed.

Jean always loved going to the State Fair and spent many years enjoying the atmosphere and just visiting with people. She continued to go even after losing her husband, C.L. in 2007. Jean will always be remembered as a caring and loving woman, and she will be missed by her family and many friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents: Fred William and Phyllis (Moore) Henselmann; her husband, C.L. Piepmeier; one stepdaughter, Nancy Piepmeier and one sister, Stella Ann Estep.

Jean is survived by her two stepsons: Bill and Tom Piepmeier; and several extended family members.

Way to go Ryan!

Congratulations to the Clinton Police Departments newest member, Ryan Wilkerson. 

Officer Wilkerson graduated from the Central Missouri Police Academy this evening and will assume patrolman duties next week. 

Pictured are Sergeant Cody Hodges, Officer Violet Williams, Officer Ryan Wilkerson, and Corporal Josh Sargent.

Obituary - Billy (Bill) Jerome Burgess

Billy (Bill) Jerome Burgess passed away on December 5, 2021 at age 94 with love and admiration from all who knew him. Bill was born in San Benito, Texas, on February 19, 1927 to Jerome Elmer (J.E.) and Montez Lain Burgess. His family moved to Cuba when he was young, and he often told stories about being raised on the United Fruit Company sugar cane plantation. He returned to the states in 1940, and settled in Clinton, MO with an Aunt & Uncle. While attending Clinton High School, he met the love of his life, Patricia Ann Burnett, and the two married on November 12, 1950.

Bill served in the U.S. Navy on LST #1044 as an Electricians Mate 3rd Class during World War II. When he returned home, he attended Kansas City University (UMKC). A salesman and entrepreneur, Bill held many roles during his successful career, most of it being spent in the grocery industry.

A man who never met a stranger, Bill was devoted to his family, his community, and his golf game. In Clinton, he served as president of both the Henry County Historical Society and the Chamber of Commerce; city councilman; chairman of the Henry County Republican Party; and devout member of the United Methodist Church. He, along with his late wife, established the “Bill J. and Patricia A. Burgess Fund” for the benefit of Henry County hospice patients.

The Boy Scouts were foundational to Bill’s life, and he held several leadership roles in the Lone Bear District over the course of 70 years, and he remained engaged as a major donor and fundraiser until the day of his passing. Bill established the annual Gus Wetzel golf tournament which has raised over half a million dollars for the benefit of the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation. In fact, H. Roe Bartle, former Mayor of Kansas City and a national Boy Scout leader, honored Bill by naming him “Black Diamond” in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, and he received several prestigious awards over the years, including the Silver Beaver.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents and his late wife Patricia. He is survived by a family who promises to live by his wisdom and pass down his stories: Scott Burgess (Linda) of Springfield, Missouri, Kim Blumenthal (Ira) of Acworth, Georgia, and Terri Williams (Mike) of Clinton, Missouri; seven grandchildren (Michael, Eric, Laura, Jeffrey, Jenni, Kevin and Ryan); 12 great-grandchildren (Ethan, Shiloh, Mae, Beckett, Camden, Aliza, Benny, Piper, Laina, Anderson, Evelyn and Lucas); and his two brothers, Donald Lain Burgess and the Reverend Richard Lee Burgess.

Visitation will be at 1pm on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at the United Methodist Church (601 South Fourth Street, Clinton, Missouri) followed by a 2pm funeral service.

The family requests donations in Bill’s name be made to: BSA Troop 430, the Henry County Museum or the Clinton Animal Rescue Endeavor (CARE). Donations can be left with Consalus Funeral Home, 209 S. 2ND Street, Clinton, Missouri 64735

Obituary - Naomi Cosens

Naomi I. Cosens, age 97, Pleasanton, Kansas passed away Wednesday, December 8, 2021.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am Saturday, December 18, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Mound City, Kansas. Burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery. 

The rosary will be prayed 5:30 pm Friday December 17 followed by visitation until 8 pm at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel.

Contributions are suggested to Good Shepherd Hospice, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 525, Pleasanton, KS 66075. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.