Obituary - Phyllis Meierotto

Phyllis Meierotto, age 76, of Clinton, Missouri passed away on Saturday, December 25, 2021 at Country Club Care Center in Warrensburg, Missouri.

Phyllis K. Meierotto was born September 07, 1945, in Springfield, Missouri and was the only child to Veryle A. and Dorothy Lee Meierotto. Phyllis moved to Clinton with her family in 1954. She was a graduate of Clinton Schools in 1963.

Phyllis worked as a teller for First National Bank in Clinton. She also sold Insurance for AG Pro Insurance and Henry County Mutual Insurance. She worked for four years for Sheriff Jack Reynolds. Phyllis was known by most through for her twenty-seven year career with Marolf’s Tire and Radiator Service on Main Street in Clinton.

As a child, Phyllis loved animals and had a horse, Copper that she dearly loved and rode regularly. Through her love of horses, Phyllis became active and held many offices for the Golden Valley Saddle Club and Golden Valley Rodeo Club. Phyllis also loved to play golf and was a member of the Clinton County Club and Meadowlake Country Club.

Phyllis is survived by her second cousin James Marolf of Clinton, Missouri.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri and are pending at this time.

MDC offers free youth trout fishing event Jan. 15 at Warsaw

Warsaw, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will host a free youth trout fishing event from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15, at the Lost Valley Fish Hatchery at Warsaw. This catch-and-release event offers a way to introduce kids to fishing, and it also gives experienced young anglers a chance to catch rainbow trout close to home.

MDC will provide fishing equipment, and lures or bait. Youths are also invited to bring their own gear. The event is for children ages 3 to 15. Children must be accompanied by an adult. MDC staff and volunteers will be present to assist and coach young anglers. No baits carried in water may be used. COVID-19 safety precautions will be followed.

Fishing will occur at Lost Valley’s fishing pond outside the hatchery building. Inclement weather could cancel the event. Registration is required. Space is limited to 25 participants. To register, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/4kM.

MoDOT News Release: Use caution when driving New Year’s Weekend

Use caution when driving New Year’s Weekend

Freezing rain and snow could create slippery holiday travel

JEFFERSON CITY – Ice in your glass is nice. Ice on the road—not so much. The new year is bringing the first significant winter weather of the season. Periods of sleet, freezing rain and snow throughout the state beginning late Friday and ending early Sunday could create slippery road conditions. The Missouri Department of Transportation urges travelers to use extreme caution and consult weather forecasts in your area and along the route to your destination when making holiday and weekend travel plans. Consulting MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map should be the first thing you do before taking to the road.

Even slight glazing of the pavement could impact travel, especially on elevated surfaces like bridges and overpasses. Slow down and allow yourself extra time if you must drive. If attending holiday parties on New Year’s Eve, consider staying at your party destination, especially if your celebration includes alcoholic beverages. You may need to stay put until the storm ends Sunday and road conditions improve.

Road conditions could deteriorate rapidly wherever freezing precipitation is falling. It only takes a little bit of ice to create slippery roads. Bitterly cold temperatures are expected to follow the storm, which could further impede travel and road clearing operations. If you are involved in a crash or slide off the road, the safest thing to do is to stay inside your vehicle and wait for help to arrive.

“Our crews will be out all weekend including clean up on Sunday. With our high turnover in staff this year, we have a lot of new team members who will be training through this first storm,” said MoDOT Chief Safety and Operations Officer Becky Allmeroth. “We advise the public to stay off the roads as much as possible and give us extra room and time to clean up after the storm.”

If your holiday plans involve alcohol, make sure you have a safe and sober ride pre-arranged for the drive home. Designate a driver, call a ride share or make arrangement to stay at your party destination.

There were 60 people killed and 270 seriously injured in Missouri traffic crashes between December 10, 2020 and January 1, 2021. Fifteen of the fatalities and 47 of the serious injuries involved a substance-impaired driver.

Check all current Missouri road conditions on the Traveler Information Map at www.modot.org, or through MoDOT’s smartphone app, available for iPhone and Android phones. You can also find road conditions and warnings by following MoDOT on Facebook and Twitter or by calling 888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636) to speak with a customer service representative 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Obituary - Joan Seeley Taylor

Graveside services for Joan Taylor, formerly of Butler, Missouri will be 10 a.m. Monday, January 3, 2022 at Crescent Hill Cemetery in Adrian, Missouri. Visitation will be Sunday afternoon from 3-5 p.m. at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler. Contributions to ASPCA. Online condolences, www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Joan Seeley Taylor, age 85 of Frisco, Texas died Monday, December 27, 2021 at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Plano, Texas. She was born November 24, 1936 to Lemuel and Frances Askew Robards in Butler, Missouri.

Joan grew up in Adrian, Missouri where she graduated from high school in 1955. On March 19, 1956 she was united in marriage to Jack E. Seeley, who preceded her in death. To this union of marriage was born two sons. Joan moved to Dallas, Texas in 1986 and on January 23, 1993 married Paul K. Taylor who also preceded her in death.

Joan was a wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker-one who exercised a measure of skill, imagination, creativity, desire to fulfill needs and give pleasure to others in the family. She belonged to the Antique Automobile Club of America and the Methodist Church.

Joan was friendly, outgoing, creative and loved animals. During her lifetime, she enjoyed sewing, quilting, poetry, dancing, classic cars and bowling. More than anything, she enjoyed raising her two sons.

Joan is survived by two sons, Ken Seeley and wife Lee Ann of Lewisville, Texas and Steve Seeley and wife Kathie of Gulf Breeze, Florida; two grandchildren; Natasha Collins and husband Kirk of Prosper, Texas and Anna Klein and husband Thomas, of Oakpoint, Texas; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Jack E. Seeley; husband, Paul K. Taylor; and two brothers, Gary Gene and Lemuel Duane Robards.

Updated Obituary - Stacy Annette Murrow

Stacy Annette Murrow, age 49, Blue Mound, Kansas passed away on Monday, December 27, 2021. She was born in Fort Scott, Kansas on October 23, 1972 the daughter of John Dean and Betty Jean Spillman Murrow. Stacy graduated from Jayhawk Linn High School. While participating as a Jayhawk Stacy set records in track and basketball. She then attended Fort Scott Community College competing in track, basketball, and softball. Stacy and Betsy Stokes were united in marriage on December 17, 2016.

She was a sergeant with the Linn County Sheriff’s Department, with twenty-two years of service. She was a member of the Eastern Kansas Peace Officer’s Association. She also enjoyed being a rancher.

Stacy liked to boat, fish, camp, and bonfires. She was preceded in death by her parents. Stacy is survived by her wife, Betsy Stokes-Murrow, a daughter, Addison Stokes-Todd, sister, Pamela Knopp(Jeff), a brother, Dale Dean Murrow(Janelle), four nephews, Dillon Knopp(Lindsay), Griffin Knopp(Danelle), Mason Knopp, and Garrett Murrow, a niece Josie Murrow, four great nieces and nephews, Renley, Cason, Walker, and Westin who affectionately referred to her as Aunt GAS(Great Aunt Stacy).

Funeral service will be held 11 am Wednesday, January 5, 2021 at the Mound City First Baptist Church. Burial will be in the Sunny Slope Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm Tuesday, January 4 at the Mound City Baptist Church. Contributions are suggested to the Addison Stokes-Todd Education Fund or Linn County Care to Share, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box J, Mound City, KS 66056. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

New Years Day Winter Storm

Nothing like a winter storm to usher in the New Year. A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for Saturday, with frigid temperatures and a mixed bag of precipitation types: snow, rain, freezing rain, and sleet. We'll keep you up to date as we get closer.

Dressing for cold weather

Although snow totals for this weekend remain uncertain, one thing that does remain certain is that the first really cold snap of the season will affect us.

A very strong cold front will move the area New Years Eve and will drop temperatures into the single digits to teens with wind chill values between 10 and -10 by Saturday morning.

Highs Saturday will only be in the teens to lower 20s (with winter weather) and will fall into the 5 to -10 range with wind chill values in the -5 to -20 range by Sunday morning.

The first cold snap of the season is typically he most dangerous and results in the most cold weather related illnesses. Take this time to locate your cold weather clothing since we haven't had to use it much this season and be prepared to dress appropriately come this weekend.

Obituary - Donna Schmoll

Funeral services for Donna Schmoll of Ballard, Missouri will be 11 a.m. Friday, December 31, 2021 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation will be prior to services from 9-11 a.m. Friday at Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to Ballard Alumni Scholarship Fund. Online condolences, www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Donna Lee Schmoll, age 92 of Ballard, Missouri died Tuesday, December 28, 2021 in Butler, Missouri. She was born May 6, 1929 to Harlen “Tince” and Eulene H. Page Chitty at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Donna is survived by friends and cousins.