Obituary - Wayne Robert Trammell

Our dad, Robert Wayne Trammell, AKA “Bob”, passed away Saturday, May 7, 2022, surrounded by his family.

Dad was born at home southeast of Rich Hill on May 27, 1941, to William E. and Ethel Virginia Kelly Trammell. He was the youngest of three boys, William Eldon and Lowell Edwin being older. Dad attended elementary classes at North Muddy until the one-room schoolhouses were consolidated. He then attended and graduated from Rich Hill in 1959.

After graduation, he worked in construction for two years and then went into the National Guard for six years. His unit was activated to handle the riots in Kansas City when Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated. Dad worked some at the Window Factory in Rich Hill but all along farmed with his dad and brothers. In 1985, Dad and Mom took over farming together.

Dad met our mom, Elsie Van Lue, while taking a load of grain to the elevator in Rich Hill. Mom once confessed she took an archery class that Dad was taking just so she could see him. After dating four years, they married on February 27, 1971, in Nevada. The following year, their favorite daughter, Kelly Ranea (Trammell) Gayman, was born, and three years later, their favorite son, Robert Scott Trammell, was born.

Dad loved red Ford trucks and was a little on the picky side when it came to choosing a needed vehicle. A friend of the family found dad’s dream truck, which he fondly named “Shane” after the man he purchased the truck from. Dad also loved John Deere tractors for all his farming. He once said he’d rather be in the field working than eating when he was hungry.

Dad was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Virgie; his brothers, Eldon and Lowell; and his granddaughters, Adrianne Elaine Gayman and Mary Bridgewater.

Dad is survived by his wife, Elsie, of the home; daughter Kelly and her husband, Matt Gayman; son, Scott and his wife, Kathryn Trammell; grandchildren, Abigail Gayman, Jasmine, Whitney and Thomas Trammell; and many family and friends.

Special thanks to Kathryn, his daughter-in-law, for taking such great care of Dad for so long in so many ways, along with Loretta Wilson, Jolene Barker, Colleen Keller, and Natalie Beusing, along with many other caregivers and St. Croix Hospice out of Harrisonville.

Funeral service will be 10 am Tuesday May 10, 2022 at the Heuser Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Carbon Center Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 pm Monday, May 9 at the Heuser Funeral Home. Contributions are suggested to Carbon Center Cemetery, c/o Heuser Funeral Home, P.O. Bxo 42, Rich Hill, MO 64779. Online condolences can be left at www.heuserfunerals.com.  

BCMH Happy Hospital Week to our board of directors!

Happy Hospital Week to our board of directors! These officials perform an invaluable service to our community, patients and employees. Each member serves a five-year term and is elected by citizens of Bates County.

Their duties include making strategic decisions for the hospital, hiring and monitoring an effective CEO, ensuring the hospital is providing quality care, overseeing the hospital's financial well-being, staying educated in healthcare industry news and best practices, and being a representative of the hospital in the community.

They delegate the responsibilities for the hospital’s day-to-day operations and decision making to the chief executive officer and the hospital’s management team.

BCMH Board of Directors, front row: Linda Jennings and Mike Taranto. Back row: Jerry Jones, Rick King and Jim Shade.

Obituary - Cheryl Gay Brundridge

Cheryl Gay Brundridge, 62, Nevada, MO passed away on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at Freeman Health Systems in Joplin, MO following a lengthy battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Cheryl was born August 29, 1959 in Nevada to James E. and Carol E. (Agee) Brundridge.

Cheryl was raised in Nevada and attended Walker High School. She was a resident of Nevada most of her life. Cheryl was a member of Milo Baptist Church where she served as Secretary/Treasurer. She enjoyed fishing.

Survivors include her daughter, Amanda Williams, Tulsa, OK; son, William “Justin” Good, Nevada; 10 grandchildren, Tristen Williams, Kaitlyn Williams, Piper Williams, Colton Good, Levin Good, Nathan Good, Trinity Good, Temperance Good, Michael Long, and Bryson Long; one great-grandson, Liam Good; her mother, Carol Brundridge, Nevada; three brothers, Michael Brundridge, Schell City, Randy Cassidy, Nevada, and Dwayne Brundridge, Nevada; sister, Sheila Goree, Lonoke, Arkansas; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Elmer Brundridge; grandmother, Velma Mooney; grandfather, Roy Brundridge; and grandfather, Frank Agee.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on May 14, 2022 at Milo Baptist Church in Milo, MO. Friends may call now and until the hour of service at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

Memorials are suggested to MS Foundation or Milo Baptist Church in c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

WHAT'S UP by LeRoy Cook

Got Charts?

 Getting back into the air was evidently a priority for aviators last weekend, from the amount of activity observed, even though there some “freaky” winds shifting directions between the surface and 15,000 feet, according to SkyDive KC pilot Chris Hall. One hapless parachutist drifted off target on Saturday and wound up in a muddy farm field instead of on solid turf. He just grinned and said “It’s all good.” 

From the air, western Missouri rivers took on the aspect of lakes, following five inches of rain last week. The Four Rivers region just south of Butler left a wide expanse of backwater. Planting in those areas will definitely be delayed for some time. 

There was a wide variety of transient traffic seen at the local airport last week. On Saturday morning a Robinson R44 helicopter sat in for fuel, accompanied by a Magnus European gyrocopter, which also took on gas. One pushed its rotor through the air, the other pushed air through its rotor disc. Airplane traffic included two Piper Archers, a Cessna Skyhawk, a Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182 and a Beech Bonanza V35. Adding to the flock were local pilots Patrick Gorden in a Cessna 150, CFI Eric Eastland flying both his Cessna Skyhawk and one of his 150s, and Lane Anderson with his Rockwell Darter Commander. 

The new Sectional aeronautical charts came out this week, dated May 12th, so if you are like me and want the security of a paper map backing up your iPad’s database, it’s time to order charts while they’re fresh. Remember, all charts are now issued on the same date, with only 56 days of currency life. Good luck finding them; few retailers want to stock them anymore. Try Yingling Aircraft’s Aviator’s Attic, mypilotstore.com, or Aircraft Spruce.

The airshow and fly-in season is opening up; next month, Junction City, Kansas is having a fly-in on June 3 and 4, and the St. Louis airshow at Spirit airport takes place the following Friday and Saturday, June 10 and 11. Keep an eye out on SkyVector.com for Temporary Flight Restrictions.

Our question of the week concerned the shortest airport that offers regular commercial service. It’s at the island of St. Barthelemy down in the Caribbean, one of the Dutch Antilles. Sited on a bench carved out of the hillside, it’s 2119 feet along and takes special training to fly into. For next week’s brainteaser, what’s the difference between hypoxia and anoxia? You can send your replies to kochhaus1@gmail.com.

AD- Tree and Stump Removal, Demolition, Dirt Work and More

Click image to enlarge, save or print

The Museum Minute: KMAM Begins Broadcasting

Courtesy of the Bates County Museum 802 Elks Drive, Butler Mo 64730 (660) 679-0134

Herrman’s Historical Happenings week of May 11 

1872 Several influential citizens of Grand River township present a petition to the Bates Co court, stating the court had illegally issued $40,000 bonds to the Lexington, Lake & Gulf Railroad.

1885 A lively litter of nine one month old wolves, captured by Mr. Melvin Baldwin, of near Hume, is on display at Tedford & Smiths grocery store in Rich Hill.

1910 Many Bates Countians rise extra early for a view of the famed “Halley’s Comet”. But the clouds did not cooperate.

1912 A windstorm in the Hume area destroys the Missouri & Kansas Grain company hay barn and the New Home schoolhouse.

1927 36 electric light globes arrive at Butler city hall to be used in the extension of the “White Way” on Ohio street from Havannah st to the railroad depot.

1929 Open house for the public at the new Midwest Telephone Company, north Delaware street, just north of the Inn building. Butler.

1944 Having been notified by the War Dept that Lt Carl Browning was missing in action, Clarence Browning, of Hudson township receives word that Carl is safe, but in a prison camp in Italy.

1962 Butler radio station KMAM begins broadcasting, Bill Thornton of Arkansas is the owner-manager. His brother, Jerry, is an announcer and is in charge of sales.

1965 It’s announced that Paul Buerge of Adrian and John B. Coke of Harrisonville have purchased the First National Bank of Butler from the FDIC receiver the Brighton National Bank of Brighton, Colorado.

1979 On the back cover of the special World’s Fair anniversary issue of the Missouri Life Magazine, the Gold Eagle Club of the Charter Banks list 15, including Butler State Bank (city hall location).

1992 Arnold Austin, head of Austin Enterprises, at Peru, in northern Lone Oak township, attends a seminar on the major concerns of blind Americans. Austin and his family firm ships farm equipment parts all over the U.S. and overseas, as well as dealing in beef cattle.

2000 In a drug raid 4 miles northeast of Virginia, Bates Co sheriff Duane Diehl and deputies Gary Martin, Don VanBlack, John Smith and Patrick Millard find, besides a lot of drug evidence, a machine gun, other weapons, and stolen property.

Much Needed Radio Upgrade on the Way

Highlights from the Butler city council meeting May 3rd. All present with the exception of councilman Douty. 

 Jamie Morgan, president of Electric City Downtown approached the council to get permission for the ECD Brick Street Bash on June 4th for a few items: first, there will be alcohol available, which will be closely supervised. Also, parts of the square will be cordoned off for festivities, but plenty of room will be left for emergency vehicles if needed. The council unanimously approved the plans as outlined by Morgan. 

The public safety committee has been discussing the issue of feral cats in Butler. At this time, ordinances regarding this are being reviewed and in the meantime it is advised that if someone has an issue with feral cats, please contact the Butler police department and fill out an official complaint form. More about the cat matter is expected in the upcoming May 17 meeting. 

Police Chief Jarret Wheatley reported that the much needed new radio console for dispatch is being built and will arrive at the police station soon. Ongoing issues with the current (albeit archaic) console prompted the replacement, which was mostly funded by grant money. The upgrade was deemed vital as it is used for both police and fire dispatch. 

Several purchases were approved, all previously budgeted. This included some safety equipment for the water and sewer department, a mower and extrication tools for the fire department. Also approved was the purchase of a new dump truck, with a price tag of approximately $169,000. That price is a bit of a moving target since the soonest it can be delivered will be at least 14 months from now; final price will be based on current value at that time. 

It was noted that the Butler Aquatic Center is all ready to open Memorial Weekend as usual. It was also verified that there are enough lifeguards and other workers needed as well. 

Guest Ryan Peters of Kaysinger informed the council that plans are moving forward for the comprehensive plan. This will include a survey that will be sent to residents; however, no indication was given as to exactly when the surveys will arrive. 

 The Butler city council meets on the first and third Tuesdays 7 pm, upstairs at city hall. The public is encouraged to come and an elevator is available for those with special needs.

Bushwacker Days in Vernon County