Obituary - Ronnie Wayne Riecke

Ronnie Wayne Riecke, age 68,of Clinton, Missouri passed away on Monday, January 17, 2022 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. A cremation graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, January 24, 2022 at Englewood Cemetery in Clinton, Missouri. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to H.O.G.S. (Harley Owners Group) and can be left in care of the funeral home.

Ronnie Wayne Riecke was born and raised in Clinton, Missouri to Ronald and Betty Joyce (Klein) Riecke on June 9, 1953. Ronnie was a member of the Clinton United Methodist Church and graduated from Clinton High School in 1971. Ronnie married Judy Winn on July 14, 1996 and lived in the house that he and his dad built together in 1974. He worked for B&H Freightline as a truck driver for 42 years. He made many friends along the way and later retired in 2016.

One of Ronnie and Judy’s greatest passions was traveling on their Harley. They rode together over 200,000 miles all over the country, especially the mountains. They belonged to the H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) Chapter in Sedalia, Yeager’s Cycle. During those years they rode and worked many fundraisers for numerous charities.

He was such a dedicated, loving family man. He loved going to all the grandkids activities. He loved them all so much. He called them his “GRANDS” and “GREATS”. He bragged with such pride about his children and their accomplishments.

 He loved camping with the family and always asked for biscuits and gravy and “what’s cooking on the smoker”? He had such a giving heart. He would always bring silly gifts to all the GRANDS and GREATS, and little gifts and sweet cards to Judy and Memom. Their home was never lacking love and laughter. He will be so so missed.

Ronnie is preceded in death by his parents, Ronald and Betty Joyce (Klein) Riecke.

Survivors include his wife, Judy of the home, 2 children; Chad (Ashley) Riecke, Brittany Riecke, 2 step children; Gina (Tim) Totten, Rodney (Shandi) Winn, 8 GRANDS; Caleb Riecke, Peyton Riecke, Adalynn McCart, Amanda (Danny) Hartley, Kody (Chelcie) Kimzey, Noah Totten, Jordon (Caiti) Winn, Tori Totten, 8 GREATS; Gunner Keeran, Keegan Hartley, Kayden Hartley, Danny (Baby) LeClaire, Creighton Kimzey, Hydi Diehl, Otto Diehl, Jami Diehl, 6 siblings; Terry (Mike) Ringgold, Sherry (Randy) Vogt, Connie (Dennis) Bray, Randy Riecke, Sandy (Curtis) Card, Keith (Christine) Riecke, as well as many nieces and nephews.

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

Trailer house fire in rural Passaic

Around 8:00 p.m. tonight the Butler Fire Department with assistance of the Adrian Fire Department responded to a trailer house fire in rural Passaic.

The trailer house on CR NE 1801 west of Passaic was a total loss when fire crews arrived on scene. 

The occupant in the home was able to escape without injury.

Obituary - Wanda Taute

Wanda Lee Houston Taute, 87, of Butler, Missouri passed away Friday, January 14, 2022 at her home. She was surrounded by her family. Private family graveside services will be held in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler, Missouri. A public memorial service will be announced at a later date. Services under the direction of Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). 

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Croix Hospice or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.Wanda was born on April 17, 1934 in Mountain View, Missouri the daughter of Fred Houston and Lorene (Taber) Houston. 

She moved from Mountain View to Butler and worked as a waitress. When her lifelong friend, Alice Triplett McGuire, graduated from high school they moved together to Kansas City. Wanda worked at Sears and Hallmark while living in Kansas City. On the weekends they would often come to Butler and stay with Wanda’s sisters. That is how she met her husband, Elmer John Taute. They were married for 63 years and have two children, John Curtis and Pam. 

Wanda babysat for children in her home for a time. She loved any opportunity to spend time with children and spoiling them as much as she could especially her grandchildren. When John retired they joined the Moshowme camping club. They were members for over 20 years. With this group they traveled to many different places. They wintered in Texas and Arizona with friends from the club. Wanda loved getting out of the cold for the winter but was always ready to get back home to her family.

The bond that she had with her sisters was extremely strong. They have set an example of how family takes care of each other that has changed anyone that knows them. That love of family also included her best friend, Alice McGuire. For several years Wanda and Alice walked through Butler every morning and would often end with coffee and breakfast at Koehn’s Bakery or McDonalds. Wanda will always be remembered for her willingness to help others. She never wanted anyone to be concerned about her but always put the focus on taking care of everyone else. Over the past 1 ½ years Parkinson’s had made it very hard for her to get out and do things for herself. This was devastating for her but she still tried not to complain.

Throughout this last 1 ½ years she had the help of some amazing people, Kathy, Barbie, Sharon and Melissa, showed so much compassion and love and without their help she wouldn’t have been able to stay home. The staff of St. Croix Hospice have been such a blessing to her as well. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred Houston, Lorene and Archie Evins; sisters Florence Webb and Freda Morgan; brother in laws Jesse Thompson, Arvin Webb, Arthur Lee Jones, and Harold Sliffe; nephews Duane Webb, Danny Thompson, Doug Thompson and Mike Jones.

Survivors include her son John Taute of Butler; daughter and son-in-law Pam and Dan Sbisa of Blue Springs; grandchildren Thomas Sbisa of Blue Springs, Rachel and Brenton Caruthers of Phoenix; sisters Dora Thompson of Springfield and Susie and Vernon Gore, of Mountain View; sister in law Fern Sliffe of Butler; brother in law/ sister in law Verle and Grace Taute of Amoret; brother in law Harold Morgan of Butler; her lifelong friend Alice McGuire and many nieces, nephews and friends. The family wants to thank everyone that has supported and cared for mom throughout this past year. There are no words that can express how much we appreciate each of you.

Obituary - Robert Robinson

Robert Robinson, 84 of Kansas City, Missouri passed away Monday, January 17, 2022 at Kingwood Manor in Kansas City, Missouri. Cremation, with memorial services to be held 11:00 am Saturday, February 19, 2022 at Country Club Christian Church, 6101 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Missouri 64113. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:00 am Saturday, also at the church. Graveside services will follow the memorial at 2:30 pm Saturday in Sharon Cemetery, Drexel, Missouri. 

Services under the direction of Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel Chapel (816-657-4400). Memorial contributions are suggested in lieu of flowers to the Country Club Christian Church Outreach, 6101 Ward Parkway, KCMO 64113 or Kingswood Endowment Aquatic Fund, 10000 Wornall Road, KCMO 64114.

Robert Maurice Robinson was born June 27, 1937 the only son of Maurice S. and Susanna Yarlick Robinson in Drexel, Missouri.

Robert graduated from MU in 1960 with a Bachler’s Degree in Agricultural Engineering and in 1963 with a Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering. He spent his entire career as a solid waste engineer first with the State of Missouri and finally with Burns and McDonnell.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, and sisters, Joyce Young and Mary Faulwell. He is survived by his wife Karen Robinson, children, Dawn Dolliver (Matt), Lance Robinson (Becky), and Cory Robinson, grandchildren, Aubrie White (Brandon), Andy Dolliver (Hannah), Bari Robinson, and Spencer Robinson. He also leaves behind two great-grandchildren, Caleb and Quinn White, along with his sister Martha Hunt (Harland).

Obituary - Jesse Lee Short

Jesse Lee Short, 81 of Amoret, Missouri passed away Friday, January 14, 2022 at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler, Missouri. Cremation, with memorial graveside services to be held 1:00 pm Monday, February 28, 2022 in Benjamin Cemetery in Amoret, Missouri. 

Services under the direction of Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Memorial contributions are suggested to the Benjamin Cemetery or the Amoret Community Center. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com

Jesse Lee Short was born May 27, 1940 in Amoret, Missouri to John Henry and Alice Mae Lynch Short. He grew up in the Amoret area and attended school there until the eighth grade, after which he attended Miami High School. After graduation Jesse join the US Army and served abroad from 1959 to 1962. He was united in marriage to Donna Leuty on August 27, 1965 and two daughters were to this union.

For many years Jesse was employed at the Leeds GM plant until his retirement in 1991. He also spent time working for Don Ghere at the sale barn in Butler. He had a love for horses and enjoyed raising and training them over the years. Jesse also loved driving his race car, which he did until 2004. When Jesse Lee wasn’t working or racing he could often be found attending sales or enjoying a cup of coffee and conversation at the Amsterdam Cafe.

Jesse was preceded in death by his parents, wife Donna Short, sister Alice Faye Thornton, and brother David Short. He is survived by his daughters, Julie Bisnett and Karla Short, siblings, John Short, Jim Short, Betty Irwin, Jerry Short, Connie Cox, Sharon Scrogham, and Ed Short. Grandchildren, Hailee Waller and Brenden McDonald, along with two step-children, many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

From the Nevada R-5 School District

Nevada R-5 School will be closed Wednesday, January 19 to Friday, January 21. Classes will resume on Monday, January 24. Students and parents, this would be a great time to get caught up on any missing assignments. 

You can check SIS and Google Classroom to see what assignments are missing. We look forward to seeing everyone back on Monday, January 24.

#wearetigerstogether
#nevadatigerpride

Since the closure is due to staff shortages rather than student absenteeism, Dr. Beshore says the closure currently does not affect extracurricular activities.

Obituary - William "Bill" E. Mickelberry

William “Bill” E. Mickelberry, 70, Garden City, MO, passed away Saturday, January 15, 2022 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. 

 A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 22, 2022 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO with visitation from 10:00-11:00.

A complete obituary will be posted when information is available.

Groundbreaking Ceremony in Cass County

Cass Co – Demolition of the former Belton Inn began this morning following a groundbreaking ceremony by Cass County Officials. Officials from Cass County, Belton and the Cass County Sheriff’s Office were on hand to speak about the future plan for the site and benefits to the community.

Presiding Commissioner Bob Huston opened the ceremony with an introduction of county elected officials and representatives from the City of Belton. “While other counties around defund their law enforcement, Cass County will continue to fund and support all of our law enforcement entities. We will continually make Cass County a great place to live, work, and play!” stated Commissioner Huston.

“I would like to thank our County Commissioners; Bob Huston, Monty Kisner and Ryan Johnson, for investing in our plans to bring county services to Northern Cass County. I watched during my law enforcement career, as this site deteriorated and became a drain on public services. I am excited about the next step in this process. The construction of a North Sheriff and County Annex here at the I-49 corridor and gateway to Cass County is where we will stop the drain of resources and bring county services to this community,” said Sheriff Jeff Weber.

Demolition is expected to take approximately 9 weeks. County officials will meet to discuss the community needs and facility design, however no timeline has been established at this stage.