Obituary - Stephen Buttorff, III

Gordon Stephen Buttorff, aged 58, went to be with the Lord on March 31, 2023. He was a long-time resident of the Walker, Missouri area. He was often referred to as the “Big-Tall-White-Guy”. His parents predeceased him and were Gordon Stephen Buttorff, Jr. and Wanda June (Pettigrew) Buttorff. Stephen was born in Columbus, Indiana on April 21, 1964. He attended high school at Bob Jones Academy and San Marcos Military Academy. Stephen was an incredible athlete and extremely competitive. He once played a basketball game where he was double teamed and still earned 37 points.

Stephen was not short on height or confidence. He was always singing or making others laugh. When he entered the room, everyone knew he was present. He used to sing “Yabba Dabba Dee, I Love Me, You Know I Am the Greatest”. His humor and storytelling abilities were renowned.

Stephen had a heart for business and the ability to “sell ice to an Eskimo”, even though he rejected the idea of being called a salesman. He had various successful business ventures, but he was so proud of working with his son Cameron in real estate. He was an entrepreneur at heart. He loved and lived life to the fullest and never met a stranger. He often encouraged his son with the saying, “If You’re Ripe You Rot, If You’re Green You Grow.”

Stephen was also proud of his daughter Camille and loved her very much. He appreciated that “she got his humor.” Her laugh would always bring a smile to his face. He never wasted an opportunity to express how proud he was of her. He often remarked, “I’ll always be with you in your head and in your heart.”

God brought Stephen and Christian Johnson together after the passing of his sister, Katrina Johnson. It was his idea to start a YouTube Christian Channel in 2016. They collaborated and 7 years later they had over 700 videos. His legacy will continue with the last video airing on March 19, 2023. The YouTube channel was Christianity201Moonlight.

He always made time for the nieces and nephews. Whenever they rode in the car with him he would say “Regulators – Lets Ride!” He once had an argument with his brother Nathan about who would jump in and save his nephew Elijah in the lake. They both were fully dressed. It was Stephen who took the plunge. He always loved the water and felt at home in a boat. His son Cameron was his partner in crime with all his water adventures. They went hang-gliding, parasailing, water skiing, wake surfing and even indoor sky diving. He even got his daughter Camille to join in some adventures. Fear was not in his vocabulary. He even became a certified scuba diver with his sister Heather.

Being civically minded, Stephen worked with the city of Harwood and got grants to pave the main road into that town. He also filed and received the early warning system that was installed in Harwood as well. He left a stamp of himself in all that he did.

Stephen’s first daughter was Toni Danielle. He later married Tanya Elizabeth Huckabee in 1993 and had 2 more children: Cameron Shay and Camille Ann. They later divorced and Stephen remained single.

He loved animals, and especially his Alaskan Malamute Hadassah. He always had a variety of interests and was loud and proud. Another favorite jingle was “I’m Kickin’, I’m Trickin’ I’m laying them down. I’m the baddest dude in this whole dang town. I am the one they’ve been telling you about, I am the one, and I have no doubt. I’m the best you’ve ever seen, because I’m the best that’s ever been.”

Stephen was known for his positive outlook on life. The glass was never half empty, but half full. He admired Zig Zigglar and strove to emulate an upbeat lifestyle. His most famous saying was “I’m an Upwardly Mobile, Super Over Achiever with the Drive, Direction and Pooooower!” He loved his family well and even spoke of his brother-in-law Christian Johnson as being “his brother from another mother.” The epitome of Stephen’s life can be summed up in his own words: I am powerful, and I am loved. I am powerful and I am loving. I am powerful and I LOVE IT!

Gordon Stephen Buttorff was predeceased by his sister Katrina Lee (Buttorff) Johnson. The survivors include his children: Toni Danielle Williamson, Cameron Shay Buttorff and Camille Ann Buttorff. His surviving brothers are: Christopher Granger Buttorff, Nathaniel David Buttorff and Adam Stuart Buttorff. His surviving sisters include: Heather Lynn (Buttorff) Brown and Christanne Colleen (Buttorff) Gayman. He is also survived by his Uncle Grayson Lynn Pettigrew.

In addition to the already mentioned relatives, he is survived by his best friend and brother-in-law Christian Stephan Johnson. They became brothers in arms and were inseparable for years. His adopted brothers are: Christian Von Pichl, Max Von Pichl and Dominik Von Pichl. His adopted sisters include: Camilla Von Pichl and Juliane Tschacher.

Stephen made a lasting impression on everyone he knew. He was an avid athlete, motivated entrepreneur, amazing dad, super-cool uncle, fantastic storyteller and a great friend. He will be severely missed by us all.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 6, 2023 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada, MO with Pastor Terry Mosher officiating. Interment will follow in Green Lawn Cemetery in Schell City, MO. The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening at Ferry Funeral Home.

Memorials are suggested to the Family in c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

Butler Bears Baseball Team shuts out Midway

Two Pitchers Team Up as the Butler Bears Baseball Team Shuts out Midway.. 

The Butler Bears Varsity defeated Midway 11-0 on Monday as two pitchers combined to throw a shutout. 

Bryson Kash induces a fly out from N Meza to finish off the game. Butler secured the victory thanks to seven runs in the second inning. The rally was led by singles by Cameron Anderson and Brandon Hammett and a home run by Zayn Carson. 

The Bears fired up the offense in the first inning, when Eli Cox singled on a 0-1 count, scoring one run. Butler Bears Varsity tallied seven runs in the second inning. 

Carson, Anderson, and Hammett all moved runners across the plate with RBIs in the inning. One bright spot for Midway was a single by K Haase in the fifth inning. 

Freshman Jake Chandler was on the mound for Butler Bears Varsity. Chandler surrendered on zero runs on zero hits over three innings, striking out five and waking one. E Williams led things off on the mound for Midway. 

The hurler allowed five hits and ten runs over one and two-thirds innings, striking out one. B Bowers threw two and a third innings out of the bullpen. Butler Bears Varsity tallied a home run on the day. Senior Zayn Carson went yard in the second inning.

Kash, Hammett, Carson, Cox, Anderson, and Maddox Fennewald all had one hit to lead Butler Bears Varsity. Haase led Midway with one hit in three at bats.

Arrest made in Belton

On Friday March 31st, a Belton police officer observed a suspicious vehicle in the 600 block of Trevis Ave. Upon closer inspection, the officer observed a male party asleep in the driver’s seat. 

At this time, our officer also noticed a firearm in the party’s waistband. It was determined that the party asleep behind the wheel was Damon Huff and that Mr. Huff had a warrant out of Cass County for 2nd Degree Assault with no bond.

Our officer summoned back up and awaited their arrival. Once back up arrived, Mr. Huff was awakened and taken into custody without incident. A records search of the pistol revealed it was stolen out of Kansas City. Also located in the vehicle was a rifle, ammunition, three sizeable bags of a white crystal substance suspected to be methamphetamine and 53 blue pills suspected of containing fentanyl.

On April 1st, Damon Huff was charged by the Cass County Prosecutor’s office with one count of forgery (a case unrelated to his arrest) and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm. The bond on these new charges was set at $25,000 cash only.

Once again, we commend our officers for their astute observations which led to removing a dangerous criminal, weapons and drugs from our streets.

Disclaimer: Arrest records are public information. Any indication of an arrest does not mean the individual identified has been convicted of a crime. All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Obituary - Jerry Gene Wiedenmann

Jerry Gene Wiedenmann, 88, of Garden City, MO, died peacefully November 22, 2022 at his home in Garden City surrounded by his family. A Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 noon Saturday, April 15, 2023 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Harrisonville, MO, with a visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the church and the Rosary beginning at 11:35 a.m.

He was born January 29, 1934 in Kansas City, MO, a son of Robert Stockton and Patsy Ruth (Vaughn) Wiedenmann. Jerry grew up in the Westport area of Kansas City. His ancestors have deep roots in the Old Town Westport where they lived for generations. Jerry was united in marriage to Ruth Alice Wynne on September 21, 1957 at Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Kansas City. Ruth and Jerry lived in Kansas City before moving to Garden City 50 years ago. Jerry was a faithful member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Harrisonville, MO. He made his living as a heavy equipment operator and retired as a member of Operators Local 101. After he retired, Jerry & Ruth traveled far and wide and he never met a slot machine that he didn’t like.

He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; his brothers: Bob Wiedenmann and JC Wiedenmann; sisters: Sally Taylor and Judy Martley; his grandson, Patrick Wiedenmann; and his great grandson, Kyler Kelso. He is survived by his children and their families:

- Jerry Wiedenmann Jr. (Susan); their son, Christopher (Marie) and their daughters, Charlotte and Josephine

- Diana Wiedenmann

- Laurie (Curtis) Norris; their children: Jason (Nicole) and their children, Kobe and Kayleigh Belle; Dana (Jason) Pieratt and their children, Jakob Norris, Justin and Jonathan; April (Brian) Minshall and their daughters, Reaghan McCarthy and Hayden Minshall

- Jim (Kim) Wiedenmann; their children: Lance (Alyse) and their children, Layson and Raelyn; Mitchell (Heather) and their children, Dean and Ada; Valerie (Ron) Willey and their children, Avery and Hudson

- John (Jane) Wiedenmann; their children: Krystal (Damon) Owen and their daughters, Khloee and Ellie; Kaleb and his son, Eli.

- Nancy (Jamie) Brown; their children: Kyle (Ashley) Kelso and their children, Kinna and Kolton; Kody (DaMeika) Kelso and their children, Cheslynn and Shaelynn; Natalie Kelso and her children, Kyndall, Karleigh, Kaitlyn and Kaysen Rudder; Macy Aurand and her children, Cassidy, Kynlee and Bryson

- Jeffrey (Michelle) Wiedenmann; their children: Dustin (Rylee) and their son, Beau; and Jennifer.

He also leaves behind family words of wisdom and rules that all of the sons and daughters can remember well:

“Shut the door behind you and turn those lights off”

“No long showers or I will turn the water off” and he did.

School shopping was: 3 pants, 3 shorts, 3 underwear, 3 socks and definitely no Levi jeans until we could pay for them ourselves.

Dad led our family by example; on time never late, never complain or give up, work harder and longer than others, earn everything and give back, be grateful and thank God, love life and laugh a lot.

Vernon County Sheriff’s Office Investigation Results in Federal Charges for Local Resident

A Vernon County inmate has been transferred to the custody of the US Marshals Service following a lengthy drug trafficking investigation conducted by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Jason Mosher said his office arrested 48-year-old Bob True Beisly III, of Nevada, MO in November of 2022 and seized nearly 3.2 pounds of suspected methamphetamines. 

During the investigation, Mosher said his office began working with agents from the Department of Homeland Security. State charges were initially filed against Beisly after the arrest in November, but in a joint effort by the Sheriff’s Office, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and the DHS, Beisly was charged in federal court.

Once federal charges were filed, state charges were dismissed by the prosecutor’s office so the case could proceed in federal court. Mosher said his office has developed a good working relationship with local DHS agents. “We are receiving information that drug trafficking is picking up in our area, so we have been dedicating resources to these types of investigations,” said Mosher. 

Mr. Beisly was indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute.

Cedar County Sheriff’s Office is asking for public assistance

The Cedar County Sheriff’s Office is asking for public assistance for any information related to burglary that occurred between March 15th to March 29th on East 2150 road approximately 2 miles northwest of High Point Boat ramp.

Agency Report # 2303-0104
Dozens of items were stolen including:

2020 Starlight 6x10 Utility trailer *exemplar photo attached
GEN-PRO GPN-75EH 7500 watt generator with a Honda engine *exemplar photo attached

2007-10 Craftsman lawn mower, gray in color with a 46” deck *exemplar photo attached

Dark Green 2003 Honda Rancher 350 4-wheeler with a Herd Brand seeder mounted to the back *exemplar photo attached

Multiple tools including an antique red tool box with a double hinge split top marked with “C.B.” and the victim’s last name, extension cords, shop vac, skill saw, power washer, red air tank, electric 15 gallon country tuff brand sprayer, hand wench

Boat batteries, 10-12 fishing poles, tackle and fishing equipment

Hunting clothes, Moultrie game cameras, 270 shells, 12 gauge shells, wall type gun rack with decorative simulated deer antlers, hunting knives, camo tent, turkey calls, turkey decoys, Ozark trail mini binoculars, Bushnell binoculars, telescope

The suspects were possibly driving a ¾ or 1 ton GMC with a missing center cap. We also believe the suspect(s) would have been familiar with the area.

Any information regarding this case please contact the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office 417-276-5133 or send a Facebook message.

Obituary - Sylvia LaVerne Fisher

Funeral services for Sylvia LaVerne Fisher of Adrian, Missouri will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. 

Visitation prior to services 9 - 10 a.m. at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Altona Cemetery, Adrian. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Sylvia LaVerne Fisher, age 98 of Adrian, Missouri died Saturday, April 1, 2023 at the Crown Care Center, Harrisonville, Missouri. She was born July 17, 1924 to William Riley and Dora Belle Thomas Crawford in Sweet Springs, Missouri.

Sylvia is survived by a son, Jeffrey C. Fisher and wife LeAnna of Adrian, Missouri; two grandsons, Kevin Fisher and girlfriend, Amber Trudell of Harrisonville, Missouri and Jeffrey Fisher and wife Katie of Adrian, Missouri; and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Esten Calvin Fisher on March 8, 2002; and a son, Brian Keith Fisher on October 18, 2019.

Updates on our efforts to stop the landfill in Cass County

Well, it’s hard to believe that it’s already the end of March, meaning we have just six weeks remaining in the 2023 legislative session. I am pleased with what we have accomplished so far, as my colleagues and I have done much to increase freedom and protect our most vulnerable. However, one major piece of legislation is yet to pass: a bill that would protect residents of Cass and Jackson Counties from the construction of a landfill that would decimate their property values and alienate their property rights. This legislation has been an uphill battle every step of the way, and I fully anticipate it will take everything we’ve got to get this bill across the finish line.

As I sit here and think about what it has taken to get this legislation to this point and what it will take to see it passed into law, I am truly amazed. This is rare legislation because it only benefits one region of our state. Typically, bills like this can pass both House and Senate with relative ease because if the senators and representatives from the impacted areas believe a particular bill is good, all of their colleagues will join them in support. This legislation has been different.

I am pleased to say that every state representative and state senator from the greater Jackson and Cass County regions are resolute in stopping this landfill, but there remains opposition from one or two senators residing hundreds of miles away in the eastern part of Missouri. While this opposition has been perplexing and, to be frank, very disappointing, I believe the true source of the opposition is lobbyists.

The reality of this situation is there are 17 lobbyists, almost all of whom live in the eastern part of Missouri, who are spreading lies and disinformation about this landfill and attempting to use their pocketed legislators to stop this bill from passing.

What I am about to say is not hyperbole. These lobbyists are attempting to line their pockets with your money. After all, consider that 44,446 residential parcels of land will now have to disclose that a landfill will be built within a five-mile radius of their home. This means this landfill, which will be constructed, owned and operated by multi-millionaires, will be done so at the cost of hundreds of millions of dollars in property values for regular folks. And here is what is most nefarious about this, all of these big city lobbyists know this. They know that if they can get this landfill constructed it will obliterate property values, the creation of small businesses, tourism and many other economic factors in the region. They know it, and they don’t care.

Let me tell you what else these lobbyists know. They know the individuals who want to construct the landfill have yet to purchase the land. They know the multi-millionaires who wish to build a landfill also have plans to reroute a creek in the area, install a rock crushing operation, install a methane capture operation, as well as an aerobic digestion operation. They know the goal of these millionaires is to receive 2,500 tons of solid waste every single day.

They know this means that these millionaires plan to have 500 trash trucks in and out of the proposed landfill on a daily basis. These trucks will be driving through your neighborhoods and tearing up your roads. They also know this information has been intentionally hidden from you, the people this proposed landfill will directly impact.

Even though the battle will continue to be difficult, I am confident we will win. I have been genuinely amazed at how our community has come together to stop this landfill. I have been contacted by residents of the region who have collected thousands of signatures from people just like you and me who don’t want a dump in their backyard. 

Many residents have built signs and placed them all over the region to express their opposition. I have been in public office for nearly 15 years and have never seen a region so united for a cause. This is why we will win. When we win, it will not be a victory for me, or any other senator or representative, who has worked so hard to stop this landfill. It will be a victory for all of us. And the victory will be sweet.

Stopping this landfill is my No. 1 legislative priority, and we will get it done. Please stay tuned for more updates from my office as well as all of the other citizens working so diligently to protect our region from this unwanted landfill.

If you have any ideas, questions and concern, please feel free to contact me at the State Capitol: (573) 751-2108, rick.brattin@senate.mo.gov or by writing to Sen. Rick Brattin, Missouri State Capitol, Room 221, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

God bless and thank you for the opportunity to work for you in the Missouri Senate.
Rick Brattin