Obituary - Kathleen R. Cumpton

Graveside services for Kathleen R. Cumpton of Butler, Missouri will be 10 a.m. Thursday, January 20, 2022 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler, Missouri under direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) Butler. No visitation. Interment, Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to Heartland Hospice. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Kathleen Rose Cumpton, age 90 of Butler, Missouri died Thursday January 13, 2022 at Medicalodge in Butler. She was born September 13, 1931 to Rueben Harvey and Jesse Olive Fisher Shillinger in Spruce, Missouri. She was a life long member of the Baptist Church.

Kathleen grew up in Spruce and graduated from Ballard High School in 1950. She furthered her education by attending business college. On February 3, 1951 she was united in marriage to Ray Cumpton. Over the years she was employed at Kansas City Life, The University of Missouri Extension and spent the last 30 years of her working life at the First Baptist Church of Butler, Missouri. An unfortunate accident forced her retirement and she subsequently spent the remaining three years of her life at Medicalodge.

Although Ray and Kathleen had no children, their life was far from mundane. They enjoyed many adventures together including their passion for collectibles and heirlooms. Whether they were rummaging for gadgets and trinkets at Wall Drug in South Dakota or trying to buy all the Frankhoma pottery in Oklahoma. They shared many common interests including their love for their God, their love of Country, family and their community. You could always be assured that when the call for help went out, that they would be involved in a positive way.

We said goodbye to Ray years ago and now we say goodbye to you Kathleen. Congratulations on a life well lived and may you rest in peace.

Kathleen is survived by her sister-in-law, Faye Hunt of Butler, Missouri; and nine nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Ray Cumpton.

Bates County Republicans Meet the Candidates Night

 

Next meeting Wed. January 26, 2022

Meet the Candidates Night 6:00-8:00 pm.

Obituary - James “Jim” Lester Suiter

James “Jim” Lester Suiter, 77, of Osceola, Missouri passed away Wednesday, January 12, 2022.

Jim was born January 22, 1944, to Grace and Lester Suiter in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1962.

Jim’s career life was spent mostly in the area of transportation. He started “at the bottom” with Union Pacific Railroad and climbed all the way to engineer. He also spent 3 years as a train dispatcher in Kansas City. After leaving the railroad, Jim had several jobs in the trucking industry, then bus driving and most recently as a driver for OATS. He loved that position as he was able to talk with his clients and really get to know them.

Jim and his wife Marti joined Vista Baptist Church in 2001 and have been very active in that ministry. Jim taught a men’s Sunday School class, which was his reason for really studying the Bible. He was also in the choir singing bass, and that was really his happiest moments, when he was singing gospel songs.

Jim is survived by his wife Marti of the home, six children: Mike and wife Susie, Michelle Cavanaugh, Paula (Mike) Lesley, Jamie and partner Neil Okerbloom, James, and Kymberlee. Three stepsons: Timothy Buckner, Christopher Buckner and Kyle Buckner. Honorary son: Brian Thompson. 12 grandchildren, 7 step-grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, sister: Janet Stueve, and brother: David Suiter, as well as nieces, nephews, and many friends.

He will be missed by all!

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the American Cancer Society in care of the Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home.

Visitation
Wednesday January 19, 2022
10:00- 11:00 AM
Vista Baptist Church
Vista, Missouri

Service
Wednesday January 19, 2022
11:00 AM
Vista Baptist Church
Vista, Missouri

Final Disposition
Cremation

Obituary - Penelope “Penne” Dayle Moore

Penelope “Penne” Dayle Moore was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend that anyone would be proud to call their own. She was born on October 14, 1960 to Johnathon Dale Willers and Burnita Joyce Willers in Nevada, MO.

She grew up and built her life in the Nevada community. Penne was a graduate of Nevada High School class of 1979. After graduation she married Dustin Moore. They spent the next 42 years enjoying their married life together until her passing. Penne and Dusty were blessed with two children Samuel Moore and Emily Howarth. Penne’s greatest pride and joy were her grandchildren: Natalie and Preston (daughter and son of Samuel and Kristina Moore), and Briley and Allison (daughters of Blake and Emily Howarth). Penne was always smiling and talking to everyone she encountered. She was the happiest when her home was filled with the sounds of her family being together and her cooking for them. Her kind spirit led her quickly to be known as “mom” to all of Sam and Emily’s friends.

Penne enjoyed the outdoors and spending time on the lake with family and friends. She also loved going fly fishing at Roaring River with family. Penne had a true love of traveling. Her and Dusty’s most recent trip was to the Grand Canyon where they made unforgettable memories. Penne and Dusty opened the Kitchen Center and spent several decades working together to build their business. She in more recent years became a real estate agent and found a love for helping people find their homes.

Penne is survived by husband Dusty; son and daughter in law Sam and Kristina Moore;daughter and son-in-law Emily and Blake Howarth; four grandchildren Briley and Allison Howarth and Natalie and Preston Moore; and sister Irvilene and husband Mark Gardner. She was preceded in death by parents Dale and Joyce Willers and brothers Jim Pettit and Steve Willers.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 21, 2022 at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at the funeral home.

The week ahead weather wise

Warmer temperatures are expected through Tuesday resulting in melting conditions; however, a strong cold front is expected Tuesday night leading to falling temperatures on Wednesday and below normal temperatures late week.

2nd Annual Stickin' it to Cancer Jackpot

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! 

The 2nd Annual Stickin' it to Cancer Jackpot will be on Saturday, April 16th, 2022 at the Bates County Fairgrounds in Butler, MO.

Be on the watch for more information on this years Jackpot!
Last years Jackpot was such a great day, and extremely successful! We are so excited to be able to help support another family battling cancer this year!

We are currently looking for sponsors for our Jackpot! If you know of any local businesses or individuals who might want to help out, share our page with them or have them reach out!

*Like our Facebook Page
*Share it with your friends

https://www.facebook.com/Stickin-it-to-Cancer-101317255332790

Obituary - Leonard L. Mills

Leonard L. Mills age 81 of Garden City, Missouri departed this life Thursday, January 13, 2022 at his home surrounded with love and family.

He is survived by 5 children, Brenda Mills, Jeff Mills and his wife Gayla, Tina Walton and husband Brian, Chrystal Kimbrough and her husband Kendal and Johnna Mueller and her husband Lance; 5 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a sister, Rachel Hale; 3 brothers, Theodore Mills, Roy Mills and Ronny Mills; other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Heart of Life Church, Garden City, Missouri with burial in the Garden City Cemetery.

Family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Leonard and Verna Mills Scholarship Foundation.

Services are under the care of Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.

A complete obituary will be posted here as soon as that information becomes available.

Obituary - Donita Ficklin Ruch

Donita Ficklin was born on a bright, sunny, Tuesday, June 3, 1941 to parents William 'Lee' Ficklin (Adrian, MO) and Dorothy (Hermann) Ficklin (Butler, MO).

She worked on the family farm and attended her first seven years of school at Little Deer Creek, the one room school southeast of Adrian. Possibly it was the three-mile round trip walk, rain, shine or snow, for school each day, but she developed a strong will, can-do attitude, as well as a love for animals and her nurturing spirit.

The Ficklin family moved into town in 1958, which allowed her to finish school and graduate from Adrian High School, Class of 1959. She served as Junior Class Secretary, Senior Class President and was involved with Cheerleading, Future Homemakers of America (FHA), Pep Club and many other school activities.

After graduation, she enjoyed traveling to various locations in the US, ultimately meeting her former spouse John Ruch and settling in the Kansas City area. In beginning her young family, she extended one of the greatest gifts in adopting her first son, Corey Ruch (now of Lawrence, KS). After giving birth to her second son Craig Ruch (now of Adrian, MO), and following career paths to different cities over the next couple of years, Donita.... Mom...once again sought the calm and stability of her family and friends and moved back to Adrian to raise us.

As a mother, she often showed us that we were her greatest love, though we likely didn't fully appreciate it at the time. Looking back, it is hard to count the multiple number of times she did what was best for us, even though it meant extra work or additional hardship for her. We have fond memories of that every year, Santa would bring us just what we ask for. Though at 4, 5 or 6 years old, we never thought to ask her if Santa brought her what she most wanted. I have a feeling that on most years he did not.

In other examples of her love, any animals or stray pets which needed a bit of mending and a warm home also ranked quite high on her list. When her childhood collie, King, had an unfortunate encounter with a sickle-bar brush mower, she saved him from euthanasia by mending his nearly severed paw with popsicle sticks and peroxide, then tending to him for months of recovery until he could walk on his own once again. When our childhood dog, Maggie, was hit by a car, the living room became a 'doggie intensive care unit' while she was nursed back to health over the next few months. When Mom's cat, Delilah took a mistimed jump and bad landing, Mom rushed the cat to the vet in the family car turned make-shift ambulance, for full hip reconstructive surgery, then spent months helping her recover.

Mom also led by example and had a strong work ethic. Her early jobs included working for American Hereford Association in Kansas City and becoming a production supervisor over a 10+ year career at Marion Laboratories, also in Kansas City. As an example of her work ethic...Mom and three close friends, Ginger, Janice and Myrtle would wake up at 4am to get on the road for the hour commute, carpool to save gas, and accept the hour commute return trip getting them back home around 5pm. A trip that was made through summer heat and winter snow storms for years.

In later years, Mom earned her Realtor's License and began selling real estate in Jackson/Cass Counties and surrounding areas. As her career continued to develop, the 'home town spirit' grew stronger and she began working with Homestead Realty located in Adrian and selling properties in the local area.

Ultimately, Mom earned her Real Estate Broker's License and became the owner of Homestead Realty. She led a team of realtors in the office which she first operated from business offices on Main Street, Adrian, before renovating and moving into the Dr. Colson house and office at 235 E. Main St. She continued to operate the business and sell real estate from this location until her retirement.

Retirement didn't mean slowing down, though. Mom continued to be active with Adrian City Park Board as well as Adrian Lions Club where she earned Lion of the Year 2005-2006 and could often be seen donating time to run various concession stands at ball games or other functions such as the antique tractor show in Adrian. Front porch chats with Cora, Janet, Sue, Teresa, and her many other friends were also a favorite pass time.

She enjoyed growing her green thumb by tending her multiple flower beds, flower pots, and plants in just about any other container which would hold water and a bit of soil. She would always be willing to give away a 'start' of a plant so you could grow your own copy, or take in any wayward starts from others to add to her garden. Her beloved cats, Charlie and Baby were always close at hand to inspect the work by day and show their approval by allowing Mom to hold them curled up in her lap by evening.

Mom also became curator of an 'exceptional' rock garden. To anyone else, these are entirely mundane rocks. The only value to any piece was that it happened to be the odd chunk of gravel one of us kids had picked up off the roadside, trail or beach that day. But these rocks meant the world to her as she hauled those heavy boxes and coffee cans through multiple moves in multiple states over the years! We did almost 'strike it rich' one day, though ...finding a chunk of rock with a pencil-tip size speck of gold poking out! Mom went so far as to take us to a jeweler to see about the value and how much this might add to our allowance money. We were a bit saddened when the jeweler announced..."iron pyrite! ...Fools Gold! ...worth about 10 cents."...but we never stopped looking for that next mother lode...in the roadside gravel!

We could likely go on for pages, recounting fun times, her continual acts of selflessness, caring and compassion, but in bringing closure, it is with a heavy heart and watery eyes that we announce Donita Ruch, beloved Mother, Sister, Aunt, Great Aunt, Mother-in-Law and friend, succumbed to a massive stroke during an extensive surgery she hoped might reduce chronic pain she endured over the past several years. Mom slipped peacefully and painlessly from this Earth on the remarkably warm and sunny Friday afternoon of December 31st, 2021.

We know if she had any say in the matter or was forced to choose, this is exactly the day she would have chosen. She would certainly have enjoyed the bright sun on her face for one more day, but would have made that sacrifice because a warm Friday would be easiest for everyone else to come out and say goodbye. In her final act of posthumous love, Mom became an organ donor so that even her passing might give the gift of life to someone she would never meet.

Though future pets will not know her loving care, and the gardening tools are enjoying a well-deserved rest from working the soil, her loving memory will outlast every one of those "special" rocks even as they withstand the eons to come.

From the bottom of our hearts, Thank You, for everything you've done for us.

Donita is preceded in death by her mother and father, William “Lee” and Dorothy Ficklin. Donita is survived by her sons Corey (Kirsten) and Craig Ruch, her brother Don Ficklin (Carol), niece Christina Ficklin Steffens (Tim), and nephew Rob Ficklin (Anita).

In lieu of flowers, please support your local SPCA, Wayside Waifs, Humane Society, animal shelter, or other charitable organization.

A memorial celebration of Donita’s life, love and achievement is planned for Spring 2022. Formal date will be added at a later time.