Farewell Alan!

Today we gave warm wishes to Auxiliary Volunteer Alan Mundey on his last day of volunteer service for BCMH, as Alan and his family are moving out of the area.

Alan said he never had a day when he woke up wishing he didn't have to go to work at the hospital.

Alan has been an Auxiliary Volunteer since 2018, and has been a tremendous asset to the Auxiliary, our hospital and to our community. Thank you for everything, Alan! We wish you well.

#hospitalvolunteer #hospitalauxiliary

Update: Name released in Pittsburg Kansas Death Investigation

The decedent from the Monday, March 7, 2022, death investigation has been identified as 44-year-old Misty L. Watson Sorenson, of Pittsburg. Mrs. Sorenson’s body has been sent to Kansas City for an autopsy.

At this time, the investigation is proceeding as a possible homicide, pending determination of the cause of death from the autopsy. 

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Scene Response Team is assisting in the investigation, as are investigators from the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and member agencies of the Tri-State Major Case Squad.

Anyone having information related to this incident, or other incidents, is urged to contact the Pittsburg Police Department at 620-231-1700, or at our tip line, 620-231-TIPS (8477). Callers may remain anonymous.

Expected Snowfall

Here is the latest forecasted snow totals for late Wednesday night through early Friday morning. There will likely be at least minor adjustments to this forecast in the next 24-30 hours, so stay tuned! Regardless, expect significant travel impacts on Thursday and into Friday morning!

Obituary - Donald Ted Mead

Donald Ted Mead, age 77, Mt Vernon, Missouri formerly of Pleasanton, Kansas passed away Sunday, March 6, 2022. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri on July 11, 1944 the son of Deward H. and Mary Louise Lock Mead. He served his country in the United State Air Force.

He worked as an electrician for P&M Coal Co, Kansas Gas and Electric and Portland General Electric. He was a member of the IBEW. Ted was united in marriage to Lacey Lim on September 17, 1990.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, D.W. Mead and John Ricci, and one sister, Dia Farrell. Ted is survived by his wife, Lacey, two sons, Donald "Butch" Mead(Jeannie), and Doug Mead(Jennifer), a brother, Dan Mead, a sister, Donna Horning, five grandchildren, Justin, James, Maggie, Nicholas and Lucas, and two great grandchildren, Ava and Georgia.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 pm Friday, March 11, 2022 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

Death Investigation in Pittsburg Kansas

On Monday afternoon, March 7, 2022, at approximately 12:35 PM, law enforcement officers with the Pittsburg Police Department were called to the residence located at 1105 W. 4th St., in Pittsburg, for a report of a female subject who had not been heard from for a couple of days.

Officers and units from Crawford County EMS arrived on scene and discovered the female deceased inside the residence. This death investigation is being treated as suspicious in nature at this time.

The identity of the decedent is being withheld, pending notification to next-of-kin.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing at this time. Anyone having information related to this incident, or other incidents, is urged to contact the Pittsburg Police Department at 620-231-1700, or at our automated tip line, 620-231-TIPS (8477). Callers may remain anonymous.

This story has been updated:

https://www.midamericalive.com/2022/03/update-name-released-in-pittsburg.html

Obituary - Mary Virginia Yoder

Mary Virginia Yoder, age 76, of Harrisonville, Missouri, departed this life on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

Mary is survived by her husband, Harry L. Yoder, of the home. Harry and Mary celebrated 59 years of marriage in 2021. In addition to Harry, Mary is survived by two daughters, Terri Lynn Yoder (Robert C. Wollenberg) of Peculiar, Missouri, and Cindy Lu Yoder of Kansas City, Missouri; three sisters, Audrey Howe of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, Lou Yates of Buckner, Missouri, and Wendy Peirce of Pleasant Hill, Missouri; two grandchildren, Sean and Elise; and four great-grandchildren, Emma, Kai, Wallace, and Kota; many nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews, and other relatives and many friends.

Mary was preceded in death by two brothers, Russ Magill and Bill Magill.

Mary was born in 1945 to Nathan and Grace Magill in Seattle, Washington. After completing her sophomore year of high school in Kingsville, Missouri, Mary received the Best All Around Student award for that school year. Mary was also an accomplished basketball player on the Kingsville High School basketball team. Mary drove a school bus for the Harrisonville, Missouri, school district for many years, and she also drove buses for extracurricular activities and delivered school buses to various locations during the summertime. Mary was then employed as records manager by Waddell & Reed in Kansas City, Missouri. Finally, Mary worked as an assistant buyer for the Family Center (Farm and Home) in Harrisonville, Missouri, until her retirement in 2015 where she made many lasting friendships.

In addition to playing basketball in high school, Mary spent many years playing volleyball and fast-pitch softball with her very competitive friends who enjoyed celebrating their success. Mary was a “coach’s wife” and was very engaged in Harrisonville athletics and the well-being and success of the athletes and other students attending Harrisonville schools.

Mary enjoyed listening to live music and supporting local bands around the Kansas City area, whether at Knuckleheads, BB’s Lawnside BBQ, the Grand Emporium, or Harlings. She also enjoyed catching major artists at various venues throughout the city. Mary attended many music festivals with Harry, such as the King Biscuit Blues Festival, the Rentiesville Dusk ‘Til Dawn Blues Festival, the Chicago Blues Festival, and the Kansas City Blues & Jazz Festival. Mary and Harry travelled from Beale Street to Bourbon Street to the Redneck Riviera in Panama City Beach catching beaches and blues along the way. Mary was frequently lucky with the one-arm bandits while traveling on their many adventures. Mary enjoyed spending time with her friends and family camping, canoeing, and telling lies along the river and around the campfire.

Mary Yoder has been described in many ways, but by all accounts, she was a force of nature; a fun-loving tough-ole-bird who always let you know where you stood and that she loved you regardless; one of a kind who would stand up and support you if and when needed; fun but no nonsense; cool and friendly; supportive, pragmatic, and bigger than life. Mary never met a stranger. She loved everyone, and everyone loved her. Mary had a beautiful soul. Her joy for life was unmistakable as you could see in the mischievous twinkle in her eye. She was gregarious, outspoken, ornery, and filled to the brim with love. While Mary will be sorely missed, the memories Mary’s friends and family share will continue to uplift them and her spirit will live on in all who loved her.

A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held Saturday, March 12, 2022, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri. Following the service, the Celebration will continue at Fugly’s Bar and Grill in East Lynne, Missouri.

Cremation with inurnment in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Pleasant Hill, Missouri.

The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to the Mary Yoder Athletic Fund and may be sent in care of the Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.

She left behind her energy and enthusiasm for life that will continue to sparkle and crackle in all of those she loved.

What is going on at North Field Park in Butler

In 2017 Jesse Schowengerdt came before City Council to talk about a sensory park for the City of Butler. During that meeting Mr. Schowengerdt talked about the importance of making sure all children in our community are accepted and included. Mr. Schowengerdt had a special interest in this project with his son having autism. An inclusive playground allows children of all abilities and development stages to play in the same space and creates a nurturing environment for all. 

An inclusive playground considers the needs of all kids and incorporates play equipment that addresses those needs and promotes growth and fun. This equipment not only can be used by the child with disabilities, but also by their brothers, sisters, and friends. Making this an inclusive playground for all.

 
In 2018 Butler City Council passed a motion stating that the $25.00 business license fee being collected from local businesses would help fund this park. That it would take several years to have money to buy equipment that had been suggested by Mr. Schowengerdt previously. During the next four years because of local businesses paying their licenses $11,025.00 has been raised for the park. This was still a very long way from what was needed to build the inclusive park.

In 2020 the City of Butler received a handicapped accessible wheelchair swing. This was made possible by a grant from the Bates County Health Center. The discussion again came up about the inclusive park and making this a reality for the community. A committee was formed to see the feasibility of the park and cost. The committee worked with several different companies on what equipment should be in the park and the best location. The committee realized very quickly that the equipment and infrastructure needed would be very expensive. That the park might have to be built in stages.

In 2021 the City of Butler received money from the American Rescue Plan passed by United States Congress. The City Council passed a motion to have $100,000.00 dedicated to the building of the inclusive park. The passing of that motion has allowed the necessary funding to be available to make our dream a reality. The committee took recommendations about the park to the Butler Park Board. In November of 2021 Mayor Henry signed an agreement with Athco LLC to build the inclusive park. This park will be the first one in Bates County and will be the only one within a thirty-mile radius of Butler.

On March 8th, 2022, Athco LLC will start building the new inclusive park. The park will be located within North Field Park next to the shelter house. The project is slated to take about thirty days to complete depending on weather. Once the playground has been completed and ready to be open, we will have a grand opening ceremony to commemorate the park. We hope that the community will be excited about this new park just as much as we are.

Obituary - Karen Kay Barbour

Graveside services for Karen Barbour of Jefferson City, Missouri will be 2 p.m. Saturday, March 12, 2022 at Taberville Cemetery in Taberville, Missouri under direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Contributions to charity of choice. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Karen Kay Barbour, age 76 of Jefferson City, Missouri passed away Sunday, March 6, 2022 at Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City, Missouri. She was born August 24, 1945 to Leonard Cleo "Toots" and Velda Rose Purinton Barbour in Taberville, Missouri.

Karen is survived by three sons–first son, Douglas Bryan LaFarge and wife Lesa of Centertown, Missouri and their two children Nikita Kailyn Sullivan and husband Keagan Robert and Ptolemy Seth LaFarge; her second son, Philip Matthew LaFarge of McGirk, Missouri and his two children Chelsea Nicole LaFarge and partner Kaitlyn Briana Flanary and Kyle Hayden LaFarge; and her third son, Chad Alan LaFarge and wife Erin of Columbia, Missouri and their four children Emily Ruth LaFarge, Elizabeth Hope (Lizzie) LaFarge, Joel Christian LaFarge and Micah James LaFarge.

Karen is also survived by a sister, Thresa Irene “Terry” Schiereck and husband Roger of Rockville, Missouri and their sons Travis Heath Schiereck. Jarrod Schiereck and Brett Schiereck; a brother, Murle Hayden Barbour of Rockville, Missouri and his daughters RaGina Barbour and Courtney Barbour; a brother-in-law, David Rapp of Rockville, Missouri and his children Michelle Rapp Steuck and husband Gerrad and Matthew Hayden Rapp and wife Malorie; and many other family members, friends and neighbors.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Deanna Belle Barbour Rapp; and special long time friend, David Brondel.