Happy Retirement Duane

On Tuesday night, we celebrated the incredible career of Captain Duane Gerke with surprise retirement party at the station!

Duane has been with the City of Harrisonville for 35 years; beginning as a volunteer firefighter in the late 80s, before accepting a job with the Water Department.

 
Duane was promoted to captain when Fire and EMS combined in 2006 and has served as the C shift Captain ever since.

 
Duane has provided priceless knowledge and leadership to the department throughout his many years and we will miss him greatly. It will be difficult to fill the void he will leave behind.

 
Please join us in thanking Captain Gerke for his many years of dedicated service to the Harrisonville community, and wishing him well as he enters retirement! - 

Courtesy of the Harrisonville Emergency Services 

Obituary - Karen Lee Reed

Karen Lee (Edmonds) Reed, 74, passed away Friday evening Feb. 25, 2022 in Nevada, MO after fighting a lengthy illness. She was born in Nevada on January 10, 1948 to Kenneth Wayne and Ruby Lee (Butler) Edmonds.

Karen grew up in the Horton, MO area and attended Metz High School, graduating with the class of 1966, where she was All-State in basketball and track. She married in early 1967, started a family, and worked various jobs in the Nevada area throughout her life. She retired in 1999 to be a full-time grandmother.

Karen was an avid sports fan. She loved the Olathe South Falcons, Nevada Tigers, Missouri Tigers and the Kansas City Chiefs. Her greatest joy in life, however, was her grandkids. She traveled the country following Oak’s football/baseball games, Sophie’s basketball games and track meets, and loved telling people about the academic and artistic achievements of Emma.

Karen is survived by one son; Marty Reed (Jill Mosher), Olathe, KS, and one daughter; Renee Reed (Adam Gray), Secaucus, NJ; three grandchildren; Oakley Michael Reed, Broomfield, CO; Emmalee Jean Reed, Columbia, MO; and Sophie Marie Reed, Olathe, KS; and countless other family, friends, and co-workers whom she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Gary Wayne Edmonds.

A graveside ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 3, 2022, at Balltown Cemetery in Horton, MO. Following the service, the family will host a memorial lunch from 12pm - 2 pm at the home of Bob and Pam Wingate located at 401 S. 14th St. in Rich Hill. Friends may call now and util 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 3.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Nevada R-5 Foundation, specifically to the Mike Cavanah Memorial Award in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

Butler Rotary Club pancake breakfast

The Butler Rotary Club will hold a pancake breakfast on March 12th from 7-10 a.m. at the Butler Senior Center. The price per person is Adults: $6 Ages 4-12 $4 3 and under free.

Come out on March 12th and enjoy pancakes, sausage, milk, juice and coffee. 

Miami R-1 School District Kindergarten Round Up

KINDERGARTEN ROUND UP
Miami R-1 School District
Thursday , March 31, 2022
12:00-2:30
by appointment only
For the school year 2022-2023
Your child must be 5 years old before
August 1, 2022, to be eligible for Kindergarten.

YOU MUST bring a certified copy of your
child’s birth certificate, Social Security card, and
Immunization records with you.

Please call Shannon Gray
(660) 267-3495 for an appointment
*Current Miami Preschool students will be given the
Kindergarten Readiness Test during their
regular preschool hours.
Regular Kindergarten classes will not be in session this day.

Obituary - Christopher Shane McNeely

Christopher Shane McNeely, age 46, of El Dorado Springs, MO, passed away unexpectedly, Friday, February 25, 2022.

Christopher was born August 22, 1975, in Kansas City, MO to Elvie Ray and Debra Jane (Nocks) McNeely. He was a high school graduate and was an over the road truck driver for several years.

Survivors include his mother Debra McNeely, El Dorado Springs, MO; his longtime girlfriend, Carla Ritzer; one brother, Jason McNeely; one sister, Melissa McNeely; five children, Mercedes Moore, Auston McNeely, Skyler, McNeely, Caden Root, and Meranda McNeely; along with numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Elvie Ray McNeely.

There will be a private family service.

Summit Township accepting bids for rock hauling

Summit Township is currently accepting bids for rock hauling. 

Anyone interested can email Bryan at bsc343@Gmail.com

Fire Alarm at Drexel School

Good morning - this message is to alert you that the Drexel school experienced a fire alarm this morning. All students and staff were safely evacuated. 

Upon further inspection there was no fire and all students have returned to their classrooms. - 

Courtesy of Terry Mayfield 

Obituary - Darlene Rose Watts

Darlene Rose Watts, 78, Nevada, MO passed away on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MO following a lengthy illness. Darlene was born January 11, 1944 in Wichita, KS to Orville and Evelyn (Smutz) Arthaud. She was united in marriage to Lorel R. Watts on November 28, 1964 in Wichita, KS and he survives of the home.

Darlene was raised in Wichita and graduated from Wichita West High School. She and Lorel came to Nevada “On their Honeymoon” the day after they were married. She worked in Food Service at Cottey College for 10 years and later at the 3M Cafeteria, she also operated Day Care at various times. Darlene was an avid bowler and loved league bowling, she also enjoyed playing golf, and square dancing.

In addition to her husband, Lorel, she is survived by one son, Raymond Watts, Cleveland, OH; two daughters, Lorene Anderson (David), Springs, TX, and Pamela Henderson (Bryon), Alexandria, VA; two grandchildren, Dakota, and Matthew; and two step-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Doris Bowerman, and Delores Atkinson; and a brother, Glen Arthaud.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 7, 2022 at the National Cemetery in Ft. Scott, KS with Rev. Laura Agee officiating. Friends may call now and until the hour of service at Ferry Funeral Home.

Memorials are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church or Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City c/o Ferry Funeral Home.