Degrading Condition of Fire Station Prompts Action

At the forefront of the Butler city council last week was again the condition of the Butler fire station as the crumbling infrastructure may be unsafe. 

Many years ago the facility was used to process cow hides and salt used has taken it’s toll causing corrosion of steel and crumbling concrete. Now what? After a lengthy discussion it was decided that city retained engineering firm Algeier Martin of Joplin Mo will do a full assessment of the structure and provide recommendations. Naturally there are concerns, the building houses hundreds of thousands of dollars of equipment that is vital to keeping everyone safe.

In other council news, the city budget was approved as preparations are made to close out the current fiscal year. Going into the new year, the city budget was approved at $13,696,695.00.

Guest Pat Simons expressed concerns about snow removal in west Butler as one street was missed by crews and while he offered to hire someone to do it, the city promised it will be taken care of next time.  

Butler police chief Jarret Wheatley addressed the council regarding a joint effort between the Butler Police Department and the Bates County Sheriff’s Office to set up a gun range at the far South side of the Bates County Fairgrounds. Some dirt work will need to be done to make it a reality, and it will serve nicely for training and certification for both departments. Also during the meeting, $7,000.00 was approved for speed radar units as they are needed and money was available thanks to surplus funds.

Some other expenses were approved including new soft start motor starters and a spectrometer needed for the water system. Also approved was replacement of sunshades at the aquatic park and tires for a city truck. Low bids were approved on all items.

During the meeting condolences were paid to the Shobe family and kudos to city crews for their outstanding snow removal efforts following the recent storm.

The Butler city council meets regularly on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 7 pm, upstairs at city hall. 

Obituary - Carol Jayne (Schmidt) Wells

The funeral service for Carol will begin at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 24, 2022 at Hill and Son Funeral Home in Appleton City, Missouri.

Visitation will be be between 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23, 2022. Officiating at the service will be Brother Jim Knight.

Interment will follow the service at Green Mound Cemetery in Harwood, Missouri. The family suggests any memorial donations be given to the Appleton City Fire Department or Pleasant Gap Christian Church, and may be left at the funeral home.

Carol Jayne Schmidt Wells, 79, of Butler, Missouri, passed away at Medicalodge of Butler on Sunday, March 20, 2022.

She was born to Wilbert and Fern (Nichols) Schmidt, on February 12, 1943, at Ellett Memorial Hospital in Appleton City, Missouri. She spent her formative years on the family farm in Schell City, Missouri.

Carol attended Prairie Valley School, just two miles from her family home. Although she wasn’t 6 years old on January 1, on the recommendation of her teacher, Mrs. Lucille Kirby, she attended 1st grade when she was only 5 years old. Carol said she had to go to school because her best friend, Lovell, who was already 6, was attending. At the completion of that year, Mrs. Kirby advanced her on to 2nd grade. She attended Prairie Valley through the 7th grade, and then continued her education at Schell City.

Carol was a member of the Osage Prairie Valley 4-H Club in Vernon County starting as a junior member and continuing until she graduated. She received the “I Dare You” Award. She was enrolled in cooking, sewing, and even did a swine project for one year.

She was a member of the Schell City Christian Church and was baptized on November 16, 1952. Carol taught a Sunday School for children for several years.

Carol graduated from Schell City High School in 1960. She was active in softball, basketball, and cheerleading. Carol was also active in choir and on the yearbook staff. Immediately after high school she worked as a secretary at Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri. In 1961, she went to work for Western Casualty and Surety Company in Fort Scott, Kansas, and worked there until September 1964.

On September 12, 1964, she married Harry Edwin Wells. They were married for 56 years. He preceded her in death on August 8, 2020. To this union, one daughter, Robyn Fern Schmidt Wells, was born.

After living in Independence, Missouri, for 3 years, they moved to Butler, Missouri, in 1968. When Carol and Harry purchased their present “pretty place”, it was overgrown in weeds. After a lot of work, they made it home and Hilldale Farm where they lived for 52 years.

Carol started babysitting in July 1979. She babysat many of the neighborhood children and she and Harry treated them just like their own.

Carol loved attending all events–ball games, band, choir, plays, rodeos, and weddings–supporting her “kids” in everything they did. Her favorite place was sitting on the sidelines cheering them on. She also served as the club leader and project leader for the Hudson Hustler’s 4-H Club for many years.

She began attending Pleasant Gap Christian Church in Butler, Missouri, in 1968, and moved her membership there in 1972. She and Harry were very active in their faith and involvement in the church.

In 1985, Carol became the custodian of Hudson R-9 Elementary School and worked there until 1988. Carol and Harry became the owners of Main Street Feed Station in Butler, Missouri, in 1987. In 1991, they purchased Town Square Hardware on the south side of the Butler square and continued until it closed in 2014. Her favorite activity for the store was Girls’ Night Out.

Carol was extremely proud of her two granddaughters, Kirstyn Wren and Kalyn Wells Eckhoff. They were her pride and joy. She was always interested in what they were doing, who their friends were, and what they wanted to do. She loved attending all of their events. She loved them “a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck”.

Christmas was her favorite holiday, and she loved decorating both inside and out. She and Harry entertained the Butler community during the holidays to view their Christmas lights and displays. She always had a variety of homemade cookies on hand to serve with coffee.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry; and her parents, Wilbert and Fern Schmidt.

Carol is survived by her daughter, Robyn (Rob) Eckhoff, Butler, MO; two granddaughters, Kirstyn, Fulton, MO, and Kalyn, Butler, MO; one sister, Elayne (Don) Hillsman, El Dorado Springs, MO; sisters-in-law, June Gardner, and Dorothy (Sam) Vantellman; brother-in-law, Robert (Dorothea) Wells; nephews, Brent (Vicki) Hillsman, Todd Hillsman; niece, Kelly (Scott) Barton; great-nephews and nieces, many extended family, and dear friends.

Obituary - Robert "Bob" Lee Kuntz

Robert "Bob" Lee Kuntz, 88, Harrisonville, Missouri departed this life on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri.

He is survived by his wife, Betty S. Kuntz of the home; three children, Sharon Foster and husband Steve, Omaha, Nebraska, Jack Kuntz and Debra Kuntz both of Harrisonville, Missouri; 10 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Harold Kuntz, Novinger, Missouri, Leroy Kuntz, Milo, Missouri; four sisters, Mary Lou Hobson, State of Washington, Barbara Kuntz, Milo, Missouri, Louise England and Linda Ballew both of Marshall, Missouri; other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Monday, March 28, 2022 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri with burial in the Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville.

Family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., Monday, March 28, 2022 at the funeral home.

A complete obituary will be posted when it becomes available.

Isolated Severe Storms Possible This Afternoon

Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon. A few of these storms could be severe with hail to around an inch and locally damaging winds. A tornado or two also can't be ruled out.

Obituary - Darryl Leonard

Darryl Leonard, age 76, Pleasanton, Kansas passed away Sunday, March 20, 2022.

Funeral service will be 2 pm Saturday, March 26, 2022 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel. Burial in the Pleasanton Cemetery.

Individual respects and guest registry can be made Friday, March 25, 2022. Contributions are suggested to Wounded Warrior Project.

Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

Obituary - Pam J. Smith

Pamela “Pam” June Smith, age 64, of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away, Friday, March 18, 2022, at her home in Fort Scott.

Pam was born March 29, 1957 in Stockton, MO to Billy Joe and Doris June (Wooldridge) Rayburn. She was a high school graduate, and on January 24, 1976, she married Steven Smith in Miami, OK, and together they raised three children. Pam worked as billing clerk at Nevada Regional Medical Center, was a homemaker and loved spending time with her family.

Pam is survived by two daughters; Christine Martinez, Fort Scott, KS and Heather (Mike) Durossette, Nevada, MO; four grandchildren, Logan Smith, Cameron Smith, Colten Lambott, and Haley Smith; several great-grandchildren; two brothers, Jim Rayburn, Nevada, MO and Mike Rayburn, Sheldon, MO.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband Steven Smith in 2008, one son, Scott Smith in 2021, one brother, Joey Rayburn, and one sister, Cheryl Swink.

The graveside service is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 25, 2022, at Newton Burial Park.

Obituary - Frank D. Thurman

Frank David Thurman, age 68, of Archie, MO, passed away at home on March 17, 2022. He was born at home on March 29, 1953, in Pleasant Hill, MO, to Frank and Frances Thurman. As a young child he and his family moved to Archie, MO, where they ran a dairy farm. Frank graduated from Archie High School in 1971, and then joined the Air Force Reserves and attended college at Central Missouri State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Agri-Business in 1976. Frank married Michelle Kathryn Jackson on February 17, 1979, and together they had three children. He worked together with his father and brother, Bill, on the family dairy farm until 2001, then worked at the Walmart Distribution Center and as a cattle farmer.

Frank (Frankie) was an active member of his community. He served as an ordained deacon and filled many other volunteer roles at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Harrisonville. He was raised in the Austin Baptist Church and also attended Archie Baptist and New Covenant of Garden City later in life. He had a great love for the Lord. He was also a board member for the Missouri Farm Bureau, and an active member of the Missouri Cattlemen's Association. He enjoyed sports and loved to play softball, volleyball, and ride his bike including riding in the MS150. He loved to travel and took his family all across the United States. His adventures took him to places like Guatemala, Costa Rica, Hawaii, and Alaska. He was an avid gardener and loved to create folk art around his home. He also greatly enjoyed playing games with his friends and family and spending time with his eight grandchildren.

Frank is survived by his wife, Michelle (Mickie), son Franklin Charles Thurman (b. 1979), daughter Bethany Frances (b. 1982) and husband Lee Leslie, their children Eleanor, Arthur, Juniper, and Wilder, son Forrest Jackson (b. 1985) and wife Katie Thurman, and their children Forrest D., Fallyn, Fineas, and Felix. He is also survived by 5 siblings, sister Virginia Snipes, brother James (Jim) Thurman, sister Mary Silber, sister Betty Hartwig, and brother William (Bill) Thurman, and many nieces and nephews.

Cremation. A Celebration of Life Service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 26, 2022 at the New Covenant Fellowship, 30815 S. State Route F, Garden City, Missouri.

Family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., March 25, 2022 at the church.

In lieu of flowers it was Frank’s wish that donations be made towards supporting the mental healthcare of his community. We’ve selected Pathways via the Compass Health Network. Donations can be made online at the following link or by check made payable to Compass Health Network.

https://compasshealthnetwork.org/donate/

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.

Structure Fire in Rich Hill

The Butler Fire Department is assisting the Rich Hill Fire Department on a structure fire in the 400 block of Pine Street in Rich Hill at this time.

Please avoid this area! Mid America Live will update when more information is made available to us at a later time.