Obituary - Jimmie Dale “Jim” McCauley

Jimmie Dale “Jim” McCauley born March 6th, 1936, went to be with the Lord on November 25, 2022. He was born “100 years to the day from the day the Alamo fell”—one of his favorite sayings.

Jim never met a stranger; he made friends everywhere he went. He could always strike up a conversation, no matter who the person was. Jim was a hard worker and taught his family those values. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and fought it with grit and determination for over 30 years.

Jim was born on the family farm in Nixa, Missouri and was a farmer his entire life. His only time away from the farm was to attend the University of Missouri, completing a degree in Agriculture. Jim farmed with his father Orville until his retirement. They had milk cows, beef cows, chickens, sheep, hogs, and grew row crops to feed their animals. Jim followed in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps with a passion for the land and custom farming for other local farmers in Christian and Greene counties. He had his own semi-truck and hauled many loads of grain and hay both for himself and others.

Jim worked hard to be successful in everything he did—farming, raising a family, and his hobbies. He won many, many races in go carts and drag racing—setting a national record in his class that stood for many years. He was an avid John Deere tractor collector and collected many Dodge and Plymouth muscle cars. Some of his cars have been featured in national magazines. He won several national and regional car shows and was very proud of his accomplishments.

Jim served on the Nixa school board for 20 years. Being a graduate of Nixa, he was very proud to give back to his community during a time of rapid growth. He enjoyed supporting and attending school activities and sporting events in Nixa, watching his children, grandchildren and now great grandchildren compete.

Jim was very active in the Ozarks Steam Engine Association almost from the beginning. He served as President, Vice President, and many years as the Secretary and Treasurer. Jim was instrumental in growing the association and hauled most of the steam engines and equipment at one time or another.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Aggie McCauley; and two sisters, Evelyn (Gary) Scholten; and Edith Herndon.

He is survived by the love of his life of 64 years, wife Delma McCauley; a brother, Dwight McCauley; three children, Delinda (Terry) Phillips, Kathy (Kevin) Heitland, and Randy McCauley; seven grandchildren who lovingly called him “Pa”, Brianne (Wes) Yancey, Amy (Jeremy) Coffman, Ashlee Luko, Garrett (Hollie) Calhoun, Joshua McCauley, Kaylee McCauley (Dylan Clift), and Dylan McCauley; four great grandchildren, Cooper Coffman, William Coffman, Brynnlee Yancey and Brooks Yancey; and long-time friend and caregiver, Brenda Fitzpatrick.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Home, Nixa. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at Adams Funeral Home in Nixa. Burial will follow the service at McCauley Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nixa FFA chapter or the Ozarks Steam Engine Association in Jim’s name.

Drexel man injured in Cass County crash

On November 28th around 11:59 a.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Cass County along with Cass County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a one vehicle accident on Van Meter Road just east of Southfork Drive in rural Drexel.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the 2018 Jeep Compass driven by 20 year old Reilly A, Patry of Drexel, Missouri ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a ditch.

Mr. Patry sustained moderate injuries and he was transported by ambulance to Cass Regional Medical Center in Harrisonville for treatment. The vehicle was totaled and towed from the scene of this accident by All City Tow.

View Crash Report Below:
https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=220628402

Obituary - Mary Lou Stine

Mary Lou Stine, 92, of Peculiar, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at her home in Peculiar. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, December 2, 2022 at the First Church of Peculiar, Peculiar, MO. 

The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00am on Friday at the church. Inurnment to follow at Wills Cemetery, Peculiar, MO. Contributions may be made to Caring Hearts Of Peculiar.

A complete obituary will be added when it becomes available.

Harrisonville teen injured in Cass County crash

On November 28th around 4:00 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Cass County along with Cass County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a one vehicle accident on Missouri 7 Highway at 227th in rural Cass County.

The Missouri State Highway says the accident occurred when the southbound 2014 Honda CRV driven by 19 year old Reid M. Craven of Harrisonville, Missouri ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a ditch.

Mr. Craven sustained moderate injures and he was transported by ambulance to Cass Regional Medical Center in Harrisonville. The vehicle was totaled and towed from the scene of this accident by J's Southland Tow. 

View crash report below:

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=220628946

Obituary - Larry B. Atkinson

Larry B. Atkinson age 78 of Harrisonville departed this life on Wednesday, November 16, 2022.

Larry was born on February 25th 1944 in Harrisonville MO, the son of Floyd Atkinson and Mary Mildred (Limpus) Atkinson. He graduated from Harrisonville, Class of 1962. He went on to earn multiple college degrees. He taught school for many years as well as earning a retirement from Bendix in Kansas City, MO.

His many hobbies included fishing, working outside, and collecting items for the Atkinson Museum. His favorite hobbies were talking on his HAM radios to folks around the world, and his steam engines. He enjoyed local festivals where he could run the steam engines in the parades. His knowledge of local history and surrounding areas was vast. He enjoyed sharing all his knowledge whenever he had the opportunity.

Survivors include his brother Dale Atkinson and wife Carol of Harrisonville; two nieces, Holly Christensen and husband Jan of Harrisonville, and Lora Gillotte and husband Mike of Harrisonville; and several great nieces and great nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on December 2nd at Harrisonville Community Center, 2:00 – 4:00 pm.

Obituary - Wayne Phillip Wheatley

Wayne Phillip Wheatley passed away on November 28, 2022 at Medicalodge Nursing Home in Butler, MO.

Wayne was born a twin on April 23, 1925, one of nine children to Fred and Nell Ayer Wheatley on the family farm. It is still up for discussion who was born first—but we think it was very close.

Wayne attended Mission Branch and then Rich Hill High School, graduating in 1944. The roller skating rink in Rich Hill was a popular place on Saturday nights with Wayne and Warren and classmate, Doris. After graduation, Wayne immediately started his long farming career of 63 years. Wayne was a member of Mound Zion Methodist Church and later in life transferred his membership to Rich Hill Methodist Church.

In December 1945, he married his high school sweetheart, Doris Wanda Lee Essenpries. They were the proud parents of Terry Wayne, born December 31, 1948, and Larry Alan, born November 12, 1953. Wayne and Doris’ marriage of 71 years was that of a true farm family—milk cows, row crops, cattle, and all the work that came with it. He enjoyed his “free time” tractor pulling in the area. Helping by his side was his trusted farmhand, Dorsey Durfee, who worked for Wayne for many years, living a short distance from the family farm.

Starting in April 1946, for 51 years the birthday of Wayne and Warren was celebrated with a family picnic. The afternoon was spent visiting, roasting hot dogs, drinking unlimited cans of pop, family baseball, and horseshoes. The last picnic was held in 1997.

Wayne hauled cattle to the KC Stockyards for the area on Sunday evenings, stopping back in Harrisonville on the way home, enjoying a meal at the Wagon Wheel. Wayne and business partners bought the RH Sale Barn and conducted weekly sales for the surrounding community. He enjoyed being active in many organizations in his life, always willing to help the community. Organizations and clubs included the Butler Saddle Club, Federal Land Bank, Production Credit Association, and Rich Hill Elks.

He spent 6 years serving the residents of Bates County as Southern Judge. Wayne was proud to be a charter 50-year-member of the Rich Hill Lions Club. If you were born into the Wheatley family, you were destined to play cards, with pitch being the game of choice. In later years, Wayne enjoyed afternoons at the Pitch Parlor spent with his brothers Alan and Jim as well as other community members.

In 2007, Wayne had a dispersal auction of his farming equipment. He remained in the family home until he deemed it was time to move to town in 2013, purchasing a home on Park Avenue. He was exceptionally proud of having one the best seats in town for the 4th of July Parade. He told Terry and Ruth to let him know when his bed was moved so he would know where to sleep that night. He enjoyed his days in town. A regular morning routine included a stop by Wheatley Bookkeeping to check on Sonny Boy. He enjoyed many meals at Rich Hill Café with great-granddaughter Avery.

Wayne was preceded in death by his wife, Doris and son, Larry. Wayne is survived by his son, Terry Wheatley and wife Ruth; granddaughter, Tara Wheatley; great-granddaughter, Avery Wheatley; brother, Alan; sisters, Joanne Buhr, and Janice (Ronald) Bolser; sister-in-law, Phyllis Wheatley; special family friend, Mitzi Knight; nieces, nephews, and numerous friends.

The family suggests contributions to the Mark Wheatley Memorial Scholarship in care of Heuser Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. Heuser Funeral Home in Rich Hill, MO with visitation from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Interment will be at Green Lawn Cemetery, Rich Hill, MO.

Attention to the city of Drexel

The City of Drexel Public Works will be shutting the water off tomorrow morning at 7:00 am. to continue fixing the water leak that occurred on November 25, 2022. 

We are hoping the fix will not take long ND we will inform you as soon as possible. We will still be on a boil advisory until further notice. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

***Thank you for your patience and understanding during our water main break. We are still under a boil advisory for at least 24 hours. We will update you when we receive the test results of the water. Again thank for your patience and understanding.

Obituary - Gwen A. Ratcliff

Gwen A. Ratcliff, 88, Drexel, MO, left us for life eternal with our heavenly father on November 28, 2022 @ approximately 12:19PM. Gwen was born January 19, 1934, in Phillipsburg, KS (which is an estimated 31 miles from Gaylord where they lived), the son of Harold & Delia Ratcliff.

He married Barbara Schondelmeyer on December 24, 1963, at the Broadway Presbyterian Church in Sedalia, MO. To this marriage three children were expeditiously added: Harold, Starla, and Jerod. Gwen became a farmer after a brief stint as a ‘Wonder Bread’ delivery driver, following service in the United States Army as a Teletype

(teleprinter) repairman. Gwen and his business partner, David Yahnig raised cattle, hay, row crops, and occasionally hogs and sheep. After dissolving the business partnership in 1981, Gwen continued to help others farm in the surrounding area and worked several other jobs.

Gwen loved the smell of fresh tilled dirt and watching crops grow to maturity. He enjoyed ending to the newly birthed calves and seeing them progress. After he retired, he lived for visiting with others and learning of their travels and adventures.

Gwen was actively involved with his church over the years. He served as a deacon and later elder for the Community of Christ (formerly RLDS) location in Harrisonville, MO. Church life was
very important for both he and his wife Barbara, who was also very active contributing her time as a teacher. They both enjoyed coordinating and serving breakfast on Sundays to other
members. Their church truly was an extended family.

His grandchildren, Alexis, Trevor, Brayden, Olivia, and Katlyn were always a special joy for him. He was extremely proud of the respectful, mature young adults they had become.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Daryl & wife Harriet, and wife Barbara of 58 years. He leaves behind his son Harold & wife Dana along with their children Alexis and Brayden; his daughter Starla Kinman & husband KC along with their children Katlyn, Casey, Adam, Whitney, and Kyle; and his son Jerod & wife Michele along with their children Trevor and Olivia.

Gwen was a resourceful man always able to make the best of the hand that was dealt him. He cared for others and would go out of his way to help those in need. He will be deeply missed by all. Service time will be posted once that information becomes available.