Obituary - John “Bud” Armstrong

John “Bud” Armstrong, 98 of Butler, Missouri passed away Saturday, March 26, 2022 at his home in Butler. A visitation will be held 10:00 am to 11:00 am Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at the Butler First Christian Church.

Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am Tuesday, also at the church. Services under the direction of Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Burial will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler.

John Edward Harlan Armstrong known as Bud born August 26, 1923 died March 26, 2022 in Butler within a mile of his birthplace. Son of Edward Harper Armstrong and Mary Marvel Lloyd Armstrong, he was pre deceased by sister Mary Jane Hinton, Betty Lou Loggans, his beloved wife Lucy Armstrong, and a cherished son, Daniel Edward Armstrong.

He is survived by son Richard (Dorsey), daughter in law Sally, daughters Debra Ferrantelle (Frank) and Denise Burch (Larry), nine grandchildren and their spouses and 13 great grandchildren. A long time member of First Christian Church. Bud was devoted to his family, community, church and country.

Obituary - Mark Edward Pearl

Mark Edward Pearl, 64, of Warsaw, MO passed away at home on Friday, March 25, 2022. Mark was born June 11, 1957 in Sedalia, MO; son of George Pearl Jr. and Mona Blanche (Schlobohm) Pearl; who preceded him in death.

Mark was a carpenter by trade. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved the outdoors. He enjoyed spending time with family, friends and his beloved dogs.

In 1978, he married Rebecca June Lower.

Mark is survived by a son, Jason E. Pearl, daughter and son-in-law, Brooke E. and Brad Duff, and two granddaughters, Abigail and Kaitlyn. He is also survived by 5 brothers: Steve (Laura), Harry (Eileen), Jeff (Patty), Floyd and Marvin and two sisters, Linda Dir (Joe) and Joyce Moriarty (Michael), along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, Mark was preceded in death by one sister, Rita Simmons (Robert) and a great niece, Chayne Pearl.

A private family memorial will be held at a later date.

Obituary - Jeffrey D. Smart

Jeffrey D. Smart was born on February 23, 1962 and departed this life on March 24, 2022. He was born in Cabool, Missouri to Robert D. Smart and Carolyn Sue (Ussery) Smart.

Jeff graduated from Belton High School, class of 1980. Following graduation Jeff worked for his dad building new homes. In 1983 he married Leslie Cameron. Jeff and Leslie celebrated 38 years of marriage in December. 

The year following their marriage, they welcomed daughter Rebecca followed by Jenna two years later. In 1993 Jeff joined the Carpenters Union and began a long career in new commercial construction. Along with his faith in Jesus Christ, family has always been the most important thing to Jeff.

Jeff was preceded in death by his father Robert Smart. Surviving in addition to his wife Leslie Smart are both daughters Rebecca Cantrell (Joshua) and Jenna Thompson (Tyler), sister Cindy Smart, brother Jack Smart (Kelley), granddaughter Lilly Thompson, nieces Elizabeth Nelson (Ty Rell) and Cameron Rivard, nephew Jesse Smart and great nephews Jackson and Theron Smart.

A celebration of life gathering for Jeffrey will be held Wednesday, March 30, 2022 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at McGilley & George Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 611 Chestnut, Belton, MO 64012.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcgilleygeorgebelton.com for the Smart family.

Bridge project on Southbound I-49 near Nevada

Hey Nevada/Vernon County friends, check out this update from MODOT about I-49!
March 25th, 2022

Southbound I-49 Traffic Shifted Head-to-Head Over MNA RR Near Nevada Beginning Week of April 4th

Vernon County – Drivers can expect one-lane traffic and travel delays when a project to replace the southbound I-49 bridge over Missouri & Northern Arkansas (MNA) Railroad near Nevada begins the week of April 4, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.
This bridge is included in Gov. Mike Parson’s $351 million Focus on Bridges program, which will repair or replace 250 bridges across the state.

The bridge was originally built in 1964, carries approximately 16,000 vehicles per day and is in a deteriorating condition.
Beginning the week of April 4, contractor crews will reduce traffic to one lane in both directions while they build crossover lanes in the median.

Southbound I-49 traffic will be shifted head-to-head in the northbound lanes between Mile Markers 108 and 110 as early as April 25 and will be in this configuration for the duration of the project.

Traffic Impacts:
- I-49 traffic reduced to one-lane in each direction while contactor builds crossover lanes in the median:

- After crossover lanes completed, southbound I-49 traffic shifted head-to-head in the northbound lanes over MNA Railroad between - Mile Markers 108 & 110 near Nevada
- Expect delays during high traffic volume times
- Only one lane open in each direction
- Speed limit reduced to 60 mph through the work zone
- No signed detours
- Signs and message boards will alert drivers approaching the work zone
- Drivers should consider alternate routes during the project
Check MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map for road closings/traffic impacts

Courtesy of MoDot Southwest District 

Henry County Route V CLOSED between Northeast-701 and Northeast-470 south of Calhoun

Where: Henry County Route V CLOSED between Northeast-701 and Northeast-470 south of Calhoun

When: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Thursday, March 31

What: MoDOT crews replacing a culvert underneath the road

Traffic Impacts:
Route V CLOSED during daytime hours only where crews are set up working

Drivers will be able to get to driveways and entrances on either side of the work zones, but will not be able to travel through the work zones

Drivers urged to find alternate routes. No signed detours are planned.
Electronic message boards located near the planned road work will alert drivers to any changes in the work schedule

Check MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map for road closings/traffic impacts

Weather and/or scheduling conflicts could alter the work schedule.

Strong to severe storms possible Tuesday

Windy conditions tomorrow and Wednesday. The forecast for tomorrow (Tuesday) is 40 MPH wind gusts so we will be in a burn ban. There will possibly be a ban on Wednesday as well. 

We will keep an eye on the forecast for Wednesday as it currently shows 25-30 MPH gusts.

We are in an area for slight risk of severe weather on Tuesday evening into the overnight hours. We will be monitoring that situation as well.

Obituary - Erlene Hendrix

Erlene Hendrix, 84, of Nevada passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at the Nevada Regional Medical Center in Nevada following a brief illness. Erlene was born on July 19, 1937 in Nevada to Earl and Kitten Lorraine Bell. She was married to Paul Hendrix on November 3, 1956 in Nevada and he preceded her in death on January 31, 2004.

Erlene was raised in Nevada and graduated from Nevada High School in 1955. She was a homemaker and also worked for Joseph L. Pohl Construction for over 20 years. She later worked for Cotty College for a number of years until her retirement.

Survivors include her two daughters, Pam Greenlee and her husband Lyndon of Nevada and Kim Lorenzen and her husband Brett of Nixa, three grandchildren, Chadd Greenlee and his wife Krista of Raymore, MO, Caty Hernandez and her husband Anthony of Shawnee, KS, and Haley Bridges and Eric McIntyre of Nixa, eight great-grandchildren, Brody Lyndon, Emma Kay, Jackson Jeffrey, Olivia Bell, Dawsyn Lee, Carys Nicole, Anthony Jr., and Wesley Lorenzen; . She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband Paul, she was preceded in death by her sister, Linda Moss.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park. The family will receive friends from 10-11:00 am prior to the service at the funeral home.

Those who wish may contribute in Erlene’s memory to Joe Clark Residential Care Home c/o Ferry Funeral Home, 301 S. Washington, Nevada, MO.

Bridge closure in rural Butler

The bridge over Root Branch on NE CR 4003 approximately 1.5 miles South of “H” highway will be taken out starting today March 28th.

The bridge should take somewhere around 90 days or so to replace. We will keep you updated on the progress of this project.