Obituary - Bret Alexander

Bret Alexander, 60, of Shawnee, Kansas, passed away peacefully Friday, April 21, 2023, after a long, heroic battle against ALS at his home surrounded by his loving family. A visitation will be held Wednesday, April 26, from 1:30-3:00 p.m. with funeral services to follow at 3:00 p.m. at the Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia, Lenexa, Kansas.

Bret was born November 24, 1962, in Davenport, Iowa, the son of Matt and Marian (Ellinwood) Alexander. He grew up on a cattle farm in Appleton City, Missouri where he attained Scouting’s highest rank, Eagle Scout. He was an amazing athlete and played football throughout high school and college, and even played flag football for fun after school.

Bret graduated from Pittsburg State University with a degree in Business Administration and Marketing and moved to Kansas City to pursue a career in aviation. He worked as a corporate pilot for Zurich for 22 years and continued flying for other corporations. In 1993, he met the love of his life, Melodie Blackshear, and married her two years later. Bret and Melodie raised three children and created a beautiful life together.

He was a craftsman, aviator, devoted father, and husband. He could famously build, fix, and create anything with his hands, but his favorite place to be was on a golf course. He enjoyed traveling and experiencing different courses throughout the country. Bret will be forever remembered as a trusted friend and kindest person who never met a stranger.

Bret is preceded in death by his loving mother, Marian Alexander, and survived by his beloved wife Melodie, his sons, Matthew and Coleton Alexander, his niece, Rille Blackshear, his father Matt Alexander, and his brother Dean Alexander. Bret fought ALS fiercely and never gave up hope.

Although the family is heartbroken, they find great peace in knowing he is once again healthy and restored on the other side.

Update: Structure fire yesterday in Rich Hill

Yesterday morning around 6:00 a.m. a Rich Hill Volunteer Firefighter was headed to work and noticed a house on fire in the 100 block of east walnut. 

The firefighter quickly called 911 and began waking up the residents that were in the home. 

The residents safely made it out. And firefighters quickly put the fire out. 4 firefighters responded to this call.

Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary Roger and Connie

Please join us on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the Adrian Antique Tractor Village to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Roger and Connie Pruden. 

A reception will be held at the Ladies Auxiliary Building from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. No gifts, please. 

Roger and Connie were united in marriage on May 12, 1973, in Altona, MO, and have continued to live in the Adrian area.

Bandits take third in USA VIP tournament in Lees Summit MO

Bandits 12U fell behind early and couldn't come back in a 5-2 loss to Velocity Academy Softball 12U on Sunday. Velocity Academy Softball 12U scored on a stolen base by Camryn W, a double by Aubrey P, and a stolen base by Kinley C in the first inning.

Bandits 12U lost despite out-hitting Velocity Academy Softball 12U seven to four.

Velocity Academy Softball 12U got on the board in the first inning when Ray N drew a walk, scoring one run. Charli R led things off in the circle for Velocity Academy Softball 12U. The ace surrendered two runs on seven hits over five innings, striking out seven.

Braelynn I was in the pitcher's circle for Bandits 12U. The pitcher allowed four hits and five runs over four innings, striking out five.

Ella S, Braelynn, Kaidence H, Emalee D, Kamryn F, Briley W, and Kallie-Ann K each collected one hit to lead Bandits 12U. Mylee B made the most plays with seven.

Bears Bounce Back Attempt Blocked by Blackhawks

By Cody Morris

After two road losses to class 4 schools to begin the week (Harrisonville and Clinton), the Bears Baseball team was back in action, hosting the Adrian Blackhawks at home on Wednesday. 

The young, yet talented, Bears were hoping to snap the 2 game losing streak and get back in the win column as the in-county rivals traveled south to take on the Bears.

Butler’s ace, Maddox Fennewald, began on the mound for the Bears. In the fist, Maddox faced 3 batters, collecting a strike-out and giving up no hits. However the Bears would go 3 up and 3 down themselves in the bottom of the inning. With the score still nil to nil, Fennewald began the 2nd with a strike out, followed by two ground outs to once again bring up the Bears bats. 

This go around, the Bears would send 4 batters to plate, with one out, Bryson Kash would get a base hit, followed by Cameron Anderson reaching on a fielder's choice before a strike-out would retire the inning with zeros still across the scoreboard.

The Blackhawks ramped up the intensity in the 3rd, sending 7 batters. Maddox was able to quickly tally two strike-outs in the inning, with the first two batters going down on strikes. However, the Blackhawks would then begin a 2 out rally, kicked off by a double from the 9-hole hitter for the Blackhawks, J.B Lile. 

Mason Talley would follow up the double with a base hit RBI, scoring Lile and drawing first blood in the affair. Maddox would then walk a pair of batters, before recording his 3rd strike-out of the inning, allowing 1 run while facing 7 batters.

With a score of 0-1, the Bears would attempt to answer with a two out rally of their own, as the 8 and 9 batters for the Bears both grounded out, Maddox stepped up and cranked out a solid double. But the Blackhawks were able to grab a strike-out to get out of the inning, leaving Fennewald stranded. The Blakwahs led 0-1 after 3.

In the fourth, Maddox continued to roll, racking up 2 more strike-outs facing 4 batters in the inning. The Bears, still trailing by 1, would begin the bottom of the 4th with Cox taking first on a base on balls. 

Zayne Carson would then get a base hit, before Kash would hit into a double-play. Cameron Anderson would then get an RBI single to score Cox and tie the game at one piece before the inning was retired.

The Blackhawks bats exploded again in the 5th, started by another base hit from J.B Lile. Talley was then walked, and Kobe Enos recorded an RBI base hit. Brock Ford recorded a base hit before Maddox was able to collect his 8th K of the night to get out of the inning.

The Bears, now facing a 1-2 deficit, went 3 up, 3 down in the 5th on the Blackhawks solid defense, as the Bears were putting the ball in play all day, but the Blackhawks feilding continued to be steady.

Maddox began the 6th by getting his 9th strike-out of the night, before Jake Chandler would take the mound to get the final out of the inning. Adrian’s stand-up feilding continued to stifle the Bears, as they once again only sent 3 batters out in the 6th.

The Blackhawks were still hanging on to a 2-1 advantage going into the final inning. Jake Chandler faced 4 batters in the inning, giving a double to Brock Ford, but allowing 0 runs to plate.

Trailing by 1, the Bears sent Bryson Kash to the plate who led off with a single, and was able to advance to 2nd off a sacrifice bunt by Cameron Anderson. But the Blackhawks were able to strike out the final two batters to secure a 2-1 victory.

With the loss, the Bears fall to 9-5 on the season, while the Blackhawks improve to 12-5.

Featured Business of the Month

 

Butler Sonic is the Chamber of Commerce Featured Business of the Month and the Sonic team accepted the honor from Chamber President Greg Weaver along with Chamber board members Cheyenne Burton (far left) and Abigail Rember (far right). The award was presented during the chamber cruise night held Friday evening.

Obituary - Tyler Scott Aspey

Tyler Scott Aspey passed away April 16, 2023, he was 17. He was born May 18, 2005 in Kansas City, MO. He grew up in Raymore attending Raymore Elementary, Pay-Pec East Middle School and was currently a senior at Ray-Pec High School. 

Tyler was in the school work release program where he attended school part of the day and worked the remainder at Valvoline in Belton. Tyler was turning 18 this year and was a proud member of the Ray-Pec Senior Class of 2023.

Tyler had a huge heart, was a very brave, kind, and caring young man putting others needs before his own. Tyler would always defend his friends and family. He was the type of friend you could count on and would check in with you even while dealing with hardships of his own. Tyler had many talents but was a character and loved goofing around. He worked hard and was very proud of the fact he worked at the busiest Valvoline in the area. 

He enjoyed being on the lake and hanging out with friends. He didn’t always have many words and could even be quiet at times but if he loved you, you knew it. When Tyler was younger, he played soccer, enjoyed his time in forensics and theatre while attending the Middle School and spent countless weekends in the water surrounded by family and friends.

Tyler loved his sister dearly and she loved him. Beginning at a very young age if he was getting a snack or a treat he would ask for a 2nd one to take to his sister and she would always do the same for him. Thinking about each other was a pattern that continued throughout his lifetime.

Tyler accomplished a lot in his short 17 years and his family was so proud of him. His smile and comical personality will be dearly missed, and his family will absolutely not be the same without him.

Tyler is survived by his mother Cindi, sister Kayla, and friend Dakota all of the home. Maternal grandparents Ruth (Billy) and Ray, paternal grandparents Richard and Marilyn. His aunts/uncles: Chris, Nicci, Kayshia, Tammy, Jeremy, Richie, Jr, Cassie, and Dustin. Cousins: Julian, Oscar, Alicia, Wyatt, Shayne, Caitlyn (Alex), Ryan and Taylor. Life-long friends who are considered family Mike, Sherry, Nate, Chloe, Evan and Audrey Elbs along with many other extended family members and friends.

Tyler was preceded in death by his father Darrell Scott Aspey.

Celebration of life will be held Sunday, April 23, 2023, from 1-3 at Centerview of Raymore, 227 Municipal Circle, Raymore, MO 64083. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to a charity of your choice in memory of our beloved Tyler.

Tonight at the Hume Christian Church

A Night of Faith and Music with Evidence of Journey in Concert

Hume Christian Church is excited to announce a special evening of music and testimony with Evidence of Journey on Sunday, April 23rd at 6:00 pm. Join us for an unforgettable musical experience featuring Dusty Workman and Eddie Kilgallon, as they share their life journey in music from their days in Ricochet, Montgomery Gentry, Dixie Road.

Evidence of Journey believes that their gift of music was given by God to be used to glorify Him. They will share their journey and faith in Jesus Christ through their music and testimony of the greatest news ever given, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The concert will feature songs that you will recognize from their journey in country music, as well as the music they have written to glorify God. This non-stop musical journey is sure to touch a memory of musical past while enlightening you to their transformation in Christ, leaving you with the hope and promise of eternity offered by Jesus.

This is a concert you won't want to miss! Come and be inspired by the powerful message of faith and music that Evidence of Journey has to offer.

We’d love to see you there!
Date: Sunday, April 23
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Hume Christian Church
Address: 9413 SW 4th Street, Hume, MO 64752