Obituary - Clarence Schoneweather Jr.

Clarence Schoneweather, Jr., 92, Richards, MO, passed away on Friday, March 18, 2022 at Nevada Regional Medical Center. Clarence was born on July 20, 1929 in Nevada, MO to Clarence Schoneweather and Lula Leora Wolfenbarger Schoneweather. He married Norma Jean Lowry on June 28, 1947 in Fort Scott, KS. She preceded him in death on December 5, 1996. He married Nancy Jenkins on March 26, 1998 in Laughlin, NV and she survives of the home.

Clarence was a 1947 graduate of Walker High School. He lived in several places while serving his country in the Air Force from 1950 to 1971. After his Air Force retirement, he returned to the Richards, MO area and worked for Gamer Oil Company and farmed.

Clarence was a member of the Richards Masonic Lodge for over 60 years, Fort Scott Shriners and Emery Coffee Club.

In addition to his wife, Nancy, survivors include three daughters, June Lowry (Wayne), Raymore, MO, Sharon Duncan (Ed Barker), Nevada, and Pam Richards (Ron), Joplin, MO; grandchildren, Michelle Wiedenmann (Jeff), Garden City, MO, Melinda Morgan (Jon), Goddard, KS, Melissa Wise (Chad), Ft. Scott, KS, Travis Duncan (Brandy), Nevada, Meredith Anstine (Dusty), Chilhouwee, MO and Stephanie Lowry, Ankeny, IA; great-grandchildren, Dustin Wiedenmann (Rylee), and their son, Beau, Peculiar, MO; Jennifer Wiedenmann, Golden City, MO, Kaylee Duncan and Travis Duncan, Nevada, Derek, Taylor, Lauren, and Cameron Morgan, Goddard, KS and Shelly, Lillian, and Dorian Austin, Ankeny, IA; three stepchildren, Kathy Thompson (Jim Hill), Pittsburg, KS, Linda Barker (Bill), Nevada and Molly Clark (Jim), Nevada; four step-grandchildren, Nathan Thompson (Terah), Overland Park, KS, Holly Rodarmel, Nevada, Jesse Taylor, Nevada, and Luke Clark (Kasha), Nevada; nine step great-grandchildren and five step great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with Pastor Wayne Lowry officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow in National Cemetery, Ft. Scott, KS. Masonic Service's will be 6:00 p.m. on Monday. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home.

Those who wish may contribute in Clarence’s name to Mirza Shrine, Ft. Scott, Unity Masonic Lodge #495, Richards, or Greenwood Christian Church, Greenwood, MO.

From the Bates County Sheriff's Office

What a beautiful day outside today! We hope you’ve taken the time to get outside and enjoy the weather and maybe had a good bbq.

 
Today we received information from our partners in the cyber crimes. This has brought awareness of a planned large party this evening. 

That has been promoted all over social media. We know the location and the people responsible for this party. Our hopes is that the beautiful weather doesn’t turn into bad decisions and tragedy tonight.

 
So to do our part we have invited all our deputies to participate in “Project Joe Schmoe” this evening. We will have over 15 additional deputies and support staff working the project with the purpose of combatting underage drinking, drug use and impaired driving. Additional jail staff and dispatchers have also been brought in to handle additional influx of customers to our facility if needed.

 
To the parents. Our goal is to prevent horrible tragedy and prevent us from knocking on your door to tell you your worst nightmare. To the parents that think it’s ok to host these parties we will work with the prosecutor to make sure those that put our community at risk are held accountable.

 
Know where your children are tonight. Know where they are every night and help us by having a conversations about making good choices. Don’t be mad when you get a call from us saying you need to pick up your son or daughter at the jail because of THIER decisions and actions. It’s far better than telling you your loved one is at the hospital or worst, the Coroner’s Office

So why are we announcing publicly that we plan to bust a large party and that we know where it is? Our community is best served by us preventing tragedy before it happens. Too often we are called after the fact and have to piece it together.

 
We want to work with the parents and the community to invest in our youth because a community’s Future lies within it’s youth.

From the Bates County Sheriff's Office 

Obituary - Frederick Laudan

Frederick Laudan, 80 of Butler, Missouri passed away Friday, March 18, 2022 at Medicalodge Butler. Cremation, with a memorial visitation to be held Monday, March 21, 2022 from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm at Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009).

Memorial contributions may be made to Medicalodge Butler Activity Fund. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.Frederick Joseph Laudan was born July 28, 1941 in Pleasanton, Kansas to John and Novella Rogers Laudan. He grew up in Linn County and graduated from Pleasanton High School. 

Following school Frederick went to work in the agricultural industry, working various jobs over the years. When he wasn’t working he loved to fish. Frederick never knew a stranger and was always the type of friend to lend a helping hand when needed.

Frederick was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Robert “Bob” Laudan, and Bill Laudan, along with a nephew Johnny Laudan. He is survived by his daughter Tammy Pruitt of Cole Camp, MO., grandchildren, Seth, Savanah, and Shyan Pruitt, sister Vickie Nichols of Prescott, KS., nephews, Scott Laudan, Doug Laudan, Jeff Nichols, and niece Jenny Fennewald.

Homicide Investigation in Pittsburg Kansas

MEDIA RELEASE
Homicide Investigation
March 19, 2022
Released by Lt. A. Nance

PITTSBURG, KANSAS – On Saturday, March 19, 2022, at approximately 12:45 AM, law enforcement officers with the Pittsburg Police Department, and EMT’s with Crawford County EMS, were dispatched to 111 W. Park St., in Pittsburg, in reference to a report of a shooting incident that had just occurred. Officers arrived on scene and located a male victim who had received a gunshot wound.

The victim was identified as 64-year-old Harold L. Sheets, of Pittsburg. Mr. Sheets was pronounced dead at the scene.

61-year-old Verla L. Gilliland, of Pittsburg, was taken into custody and was transported to the police department for questioning.

Mrs. Gilliland was subsequently placed under arrest for 2nd degree murder and was transported to the jail at the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office for booking.

Mrs. Gilliland is being held in lieu of a $150,000.00 bond. It is believed this shooting incident took place during an argument between Mr. Sheets and Mrs. Gilliland.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing at this time. Anyone having information related to this incident, or other crimes, 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.

Obituary - Sally Jeffries

Sally Jeffries, 56 of Butler, Missouri passed away Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at her home in Butler. Cremation, with a visitation to be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am Saturday, March 26, 2022 at Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). A memorial service will follow at 11:00 am Saturday, also at the funeral home. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Immanuel Baptist Church. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Sally Renee Jeffries was born August 25, 1965 in Mira Loma, California to Ernie and Brenda Hoffman Baker. When Sally was young the family moved to Cass County, Missouri where she attended Harrisonville High School and graduated in 1982. Following high school Sally attended the Nevada School of Nursing and received her LPN in 1985. Sally enjoyed her career as an LPN, caring for others was important to her, on and off the job. She always put the needs of her family and friends first. Family was important to Sally; she was a loving and devoted mother and a very proud grandmother.

Sally was preceded in death by her parents, Ernie and Brenda Baker, her brothers, Robert Baker, and Billy Hoffman. She is survived by her children, Amber Jeffries, Robert Jeffries, and Ashley Rudder and husband Ronald Rudder, 11 grandchildren, a sister Tina Chisler, brother Charlie Hoffman, sister Kathy Arnold, brother Ernie Burr Baker as well as one aunt and many cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends.

Rich Hill man injured in Bates County crash

On March 18th around 7:29 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Bates County along with Bates County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a one vehicle accident on Route WW just south of CRSW 10508 in rural Bates County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the 2003 Honda Element driven by 38 year old Edward L. Coonce of Rich Hill, Missouri traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a ditch.

Mr. Coonce sustained minor injuries and he was transported by ambulance to Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler.

View crash report below:

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=220136413

Obituary - Bonnie Marie Hedgpeth

Bonnie Marie Hedgpeth, 90, of Harrisonville, MO passed away on Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, MO. 

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, March 25, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, with visitation beginning at 1:00 PM. Burial to follow in Orient Cemetery in Harrisonville, MO.

A complete obituary will be posted when it is available.

Traffic stop leads to arrest in Linn County Kansas

On March 17, 2022, a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe was stopped on US 69 Highway at the 83-mile marker in Linn County Kansas. The vehicle was stopped for a minor traffic infraction. 

When the Deputy approached the vehicle the distinct odor of marijuana was noticed immediately. Subsequently, the vehicle was searched. 

Several derivates of what is believed to be marijuana were found within the vehicle, along with the suspect drugs over $22,000 in cash was found in the vehicle. Two persons were arrested at the scene. 

They are currently held at the Linn County Jail pending charges. Charge documents will be released once received.