Obituary - Ashtin Robert Dorman

Ashtin Robert Dorman, 21, passed away on Monday, April 18, 2022 at his home in Nevada, MO. Ashtin was born March 11, 2001 in Springhill, FL to Laverne I. and Ruth A. (Maxson) Dorman.

Ashtin grew up in Hudson, FL and came to Nevada in August of 2009. Ashtin worked at Casey’s Convenience Store on Osage for several years, and later for a time at Pete’s Convenience Store. He had a love of animals and children and enjoyed puppy sitting as well as child care and babysitting. Ashtin was involved in children’s ministries at Pine Street Baptist Church. On his 18th birthday he went on a mission trip to see Noah’s Ark in Kentucky. Known for his sense of humor and his big heart, he also loved watching movies, animals, spending time with his family and friends, and being helpful and caring to others.

Survivors include his mother, Ruth Ann Dorman, Nevada; brothers and sisters, Cindy Dorman, Bobby Dorman, Pam Boatwright, Cheryl Dorman, Chandler Dorman, and Gabriel Dorman, all of Nevada; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert; grandmother, Ruth Maxon; and his uncle, Frank Maxon.

Memorial services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 25, 2022 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Travis Cole officiating. Friends may call now and until the hour of service at the funeral home.

Obituary - Coty Lee Nichols

Coty Lee Nichols, 31, of Freeman, MO passed away on Sunday, April 17, 2022 in Lawrence, KS.

Visitation will be on Monday, April 25, 2022 from 6:30 - 7:30 pm at Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO.

A complete obituary will be posted when it is available.

Obituary - James Melvin Rapp

Funeral services for Mr. Rapp will be held at Zion Lutheran Church at Prairie City, Missouri on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 10:30 a.m.

Visitation will be held at Hill and Son Funeral Home in Appleton City, Missouri on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Officiating at the service is Rev. Jerry Smith. Interment  will be in Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Prairie City, Missouri.

The family request any Memorial donations be made to Zion Lutheran Church or Zion Lutheran School.

James Melvin Rapp was born on September 4, 1932, the son of John Nicholas and Frida Louise (Bracher) Rapp and he passed away peacefully at the Appleton City Manor in Appleton City, Missouri on April 17, 2022. James grew up in the Rockville area, where he graduated from Rockville High School in 1950. Shortly after graduation, he married Vanita Anna Holsten on June 12, 1955, his wife of 66 years. To this union 7 children were born: Mark, Veronica, Jeanette, Loretta, Michael, Brenda, and Marcella.

James began a lifelong career in farming along with spending 7 years employed at the Prairie City Cheese Factory. He also served as the volunteer chairman of the rural water board for more than 30 years. Apart from this, his family was the most important thing in his life, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He never met a stranger and always had a smile on his face. James dearly enjoyed life, a good laugh, and times spent with those he loved. He enjoyed being outdoors and especially hunting deer. Apart from this, he was a dedicated, life-long member of Zion Lutheran Church, where he volunteered regularly at many tasks. He will be deeply missed by his many family and friends.

James was preceded in death by his parents, John Nicholas and Frida Louise (Bracher) Rapp; one son, Mark Rapp; a brother, Eldo Rapp; son-in-law Bob Lisenby; two sisters-in-law: Irene Rapp and DeLeah Holsten; and one nephew, David Holsten.

He is survived by his wife, Vanita; children: Veronica (Ron) Feilner, Jeanette Lisenby, Loretta (Rod) Percy, Michael (Tammy) Rapp, Brenda (Terry) Strope, Marcella (Bill) Peck, and one daughter-in-law, Barb Rapp; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; along with many extended family and good friends, who will miss him dearly.

Updated Obituary - Latrisha Renee Blakey

Latrisha "Trisha" Renee Blakey, 40, of Harrisonville, MO passed away on Saturday, April 16, 2022 at Cass Regional Medical Center. 

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2022 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville. Funeral Service will be on Friday, April 22, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, Missouri. Interment will follow in Orient Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Harrisonville High School Special Education Program, with checks made payable to HHS - SPED and mailed to: Anne Jones, HHS, 1504 E Elm St, Harrisonville, MO 64701.

Trisha was born October 16, 1981 to Robert and Debra (Barnard) Schipper in Harrisonville, MO. She was a life-long resident of Harrisonville and a Class of 2000 graduate of Harrisonville High School. She spent the majority of her career working as a CNA for various nursing homes in the area, spending her longest time at Adrian Manor in Adrian, MO. Trisha married Jason Blakey on January 3, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. In her free time she enjoyed being outdoors, growing up she was known to enjoy horseback riding and taking the four wheelers out. She also enjoyed watching TV, especially Law & Order. Trisha was a loving mother, wife, daughter, and sister and will be missed by all who knew her.

Trisha is preceded in death by her father, Robert Schipper; her maternal grandparents; and her paternal grandparents. She is survived by her husband, Jason Blakey; her children: Hailey Schipper and Jacob O'Rilly; her step-children: Jason Blakey, Jr. and Alexis Blakey; 3 grandchildren; her mother, Debbie Schipper; her brother, Travis Schipper; her sister, Leslie Schipper; and several nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.

Good luck Sara!

Congratulations to Appleton City Senior Sara Unell for signing a letter of intent to play soccer at Neosho County Community College in Chanute, KS! Good luck Sara!

Rain Chances Increasing

You have probably noticed the cloud cover increasing. For now there isn't much rain, but that should change later tonight.

Expect rain tonight through Thursday morning, with around a tenth to a quarter inch for most areas.

Obituary - Devin Issac Sewell

Devin Isaac Sewell, 33, Nevada, MO passed away on Friday, April 15, 2022, in Middletown, DE. Devin was born February 22, 1989, in Nevada, MO to Robert P. and Twila R. (McCullough) Sewell.

Devin was raised in Nevada and attended school there. He started working for Solar Array Solutions in 2016 and then went to work for Alta Energy in 2019. In the summers he would help install fiberglass swimming pools. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and grilling – he was nicknamed “Grill Master” by his friends. Devin especially loved spending time with his kids and family. He would attend the Church of God Holiness in El Dorado Springs when he was not on the road with his job.

Survivors include three children, Chase Sewell, Carter Sewell, and Jack Sewell; his mother, Twila Sewell, Nevada, MO; grandparents, Gene and Iva McCullough, Olathe, KS; two brothers, Perry (Ashley) Sewell, Olathe, KS, and Corey (Heidi) Sewell, Olathe, KS; as well as aunts, uncles, cousins, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Sewell; a brother, Nathan Sewell; and grandparents, Art and Pauline Sewell.

Services are pending.

Obituary - Tracy Lynn Simmons

Tracy Simmons life-long dream came true on April 17, 2022 when she was finally able to look into the eyes of her beloved Savior, Jesus Christ. Her heart is full, satisfied and completely at peace in His presence now.

Born in Miller, South Dakota on September 1, 1972 to the late Keith and Judy (Pickinpaugh) Harvey, Tracy was blessed with both a younger brother, Justin, and a younger sister, Angela. Tracy met Shannon Simmons in Searcy, Arkansas during her freshman year at Harding University. Of Shannon, Tracy said, “He was, and is, my best friend.” After she graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work the two were married in 1994 and thus began their 27 years of building a life together. Some of the most abundant and beautiful fruit from this union would have to be their twelve children: Meredith (Weston) Byler, Carter, Claire, Hunter, Sophie, Olivia, Thatcher, Hosanna, Archer, Cooper, Tanner and Amelia. Of the joys and pains of motherhood, Tracy said, “The reason I have 12 children is because I wanted to trust God with every part of my life...and it was the hardest thing I've ever done.”

Tracy enjoyed growing herbs outside, decorating her home and cooking meals for her family. She also liked making crafts but as the busyness of life allowed little time for that, she saw cooking as her main creative outlet. With so many students in the home, Tracy spent the bulk of her days teaching. She enjoyed finding new ways to help them learn and it tickled her that she taught her own children to read. She especially liked making up games for them to engage in.

No commentary of Tracy's life would be complete without mentioning the medical trauma that she endured in December of 2017. God's power and care were certainly on display after the birth of Amelia as He miraculously saved them both.

A favorite activity of Tracy's was worshiping Jesus through song. She said, “I really, really do love Jesus. I picture Him when I worship and I'm really excited to meet Him.”

She is survived by her loving husband, Shannon, her 12 cherished children, brother, Justin Harvey of Del Rapids, SD, sister, Angela (Jeff) Fitzgerald of Sioux Falls, SD, nephews Parker and Zachary Harvey, Peyton and Christopher Fitzgerald and a niece Kayla Snelling.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at Rinehart Christian Church in Richards, MO with Pastor Kevin Moyers officiating. Interment will follow in Rinehart Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-7:00 p.m. on Friday evening at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.