Obituary - Steven Wayne Wheeler

Steven Wayne Wheeler, 59, Nevada, MO passed away on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 following a lengthy illness. Steve was born April 21, 1964 in Kansas City, MO to John and Jean Marie (Todd) Wheeler. He married Linda L. Fenton on July 3, 1996 and she survives of the home.

Steve was raised in Kansas City, MO, later Springfield, AR, and came to Vernon County in 1975. He graduated from El Dorado Springs High School Class of 1983. Steve served in the Army National Guard from 1985 – 2015 with two tours of duty, Iraq and Afghanistan. Throughout his life, Steve worked as an auto mechanic. For the past 39 years he worked with his stepfather, Rick Smith at Southeast Auto Repair in Nevada. Steve had a love of fishing and deer hunting, was a member of the VFW, Nevada Eagles, and BPOE Elks.

In addition to his wife Linda, survivors include a grandson, Trevor McDermott, of the home; two sons, Steven James Wheeler, Nevada, and Jerry Wheeler (Harley), Joplin, MO; a daughter, Bobbie Baxter, Nevada; two stepchildren, David Terrell (Kailee), Nevada, and Christal Nelson (Lloyd), Nevada; and numerous grandchildren; step-parents, Rick and Coeta Smith, Nevada; nine siblings, sister, Tina Leslie (Mike), Arkansas, sister, Becky York (Phillip), Nevada, sister, Cynda Pennington, Drexel, MO, sister, Candie Rice, Arkansas, sister, Crystal Hale, Terrence, FL, brother, Richard Smith (Jennifer), Nevada, sister, Chastity Shook, Nevada, sister, Monica Miller, Joplin, MO, brother, Johnny Wheeler, Kansas City, MO; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and a stepbrother, Waylan Shook.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 30, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Nevada Eagles Lodge.

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

El Dorado Springs School District hires new Middle School Principal

Dear Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents,

The El Dorado Springs R-2 Board of Education is pleased to announce the selection of the new Middle School Principal, Mr. Jay Martin. 

Mr. Martin brings eight years of experience teaching Agricultural Education for the El Dorado Springs school district. 

We are excited to add Mr. Martin to the administrative team.
Jay Martin graduated high school from Neodesha, Kansas. He received his bachelor degrees in Agriculture Education and Philosophy and Religion. 

He began his teaching career in El Dorado Springs in 2015. In 2018, he received his masters degree in administration from William Woods University. While in masters classes he met his wife Melanie. They have an 8 month old son, Maverick.

Jay enjoys camping, playing sports, working on the farm, and spending time with his family.

As a principal, Jay wants to inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more. He is excited to work in a community that expects success from their students and teachers. Jay is excited for this new chapter in his career.

All react

Traffic accident this morning in Ft. Scott Kansas

The Fort Scott Kansas Fire Department responded to an injury unknown accident this morning. Arrived on scene and found a truck wrecked off road with a patient trapped inside. 

Stabilization and extrication was performed to remove the victim. Extrication equipment was used to open the jammed door to access the patient. 

Packaged patient on backboard and transferred care to ems for further evaluation. 

Rescue struts were placed due to the vehicle being in an un even terrain making the extrication a little more difficult. Patient and first responder safety was established before any work was performed!

Thanks for the continued support
FSFD

Dubray Breaks Butler Junior High Shot Put Record!

We would like to congratulate Kylee Dubray who just broke the Butler Junior High girls shot put record with a throw of 41’ 3.5”

She is the daughter of Kyle and Erin Dubray! Awesome Job Kylee!!

Happy Retirement Kathy Miller

Kathy Miller was honored today with a surprise retirement party. We will absolutely miss her when she officially retires as she comes to work a couple day a week now. We thought she wouldn't suspect a party now and everyone kept the secret.

Her son Tim celebrated with her and her other son, Chris sent his love. Many long time local friends and staff shared many stories. Ange Wood's yummy cake was beautifully decorated. 

Kathy received petunias, million bell hanging plant, geraniums, a yellow rose, vase of multi colored roses, gift basket with a Branson Get A Way gift certificate, candle and bird house. Beverly Johnson stitched a quilt and had our PACE class ladies who are expert quilters finish it.

Many laughs and some heartfelt tears for our Kathy who has been a friendly face, big hearted person and wonderful nurse who have served EMH for 45 years and the Appleton City community for much longer than that.

We are blessed that Kathy Miller is a part of our family and love her vey much. Happy Retirement Kathy (when it happens)

- Courtesy of Ellett Memorial Hospital in Appleton City 

Lamar man arrested on kidnapping charges

During the early morning of 04-26-2023, Lamar Police Officers responded to a call near the intersection of 9th and Broadway after dispatch received multiple 911 calls reporting a woman screaming for help.

One of the callers reported that it sounded like a man was chasing a woman. When the officers arrived, they located a vehicle with the engine running and the driver’s side door was open.

The vehicle had struck a residence near the intersection. The officers immediately began searching for the registered owner of the vehicle. Their investigation revealed that Matthew F. Clements, 30, of Lamar Mo. had been following a woman that he had previously been in a relationship with.

Near the intersection of 9th and Broadway, he blocked her vehicle with his; forcibly removed her from the vehicle and placed her in his vehicle, without her consent.

The woman’s vehicle was still in drive, which caused it to travel through the intersection and collide with a house after she was removed. Clements then transported the woman to a residence where he placed her in a garden shed.

During this time, he threatened her, telling her he would not hurt her if she wouldn’t try to leave. After a length of time, he released the woman. The woman did receive minor injuries from this incident.

Matthew Clements was arrested by the Lamar Police Department and a charge of Kidnapping has been filed by the Barton County Prosecutor’s Office. Matthew F. Clements is currently being held in the Barton County Jail on a no bond warrant.

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 - Joyce Gray

Joyce Gray, 64 of Butler, Missouri passed away Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at her home in Butler. Cremation with a memorial service to be held 1:00 pm Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). 

There will be no visitation. Memorial contributions may be made to the ASPCA. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com

Joyce Lucille Gray was born June 25, 1958 in Athens, Alabama to E.M. and Evelyn Scott Dye.

She started her life very quickly with the love of her life. She married David L. Gray on February 1, 1974. They started their life in Jackson, Mississippi and their first daughter was born in February on 1975. They loved having a beautiful baby girl so they decided to have another child in 1978 their first son, and quickly decided they needed another girl 15 months later. She was a great mother, wife, grandmother, and great grandmother. Simply put her passion was her family.

In 1991 David and Joyce took a big leap and moved to Missouri to be closer to her family. They moved to Butler, Missouri in 1994 where she became a property manager. Joyce was not just a property manager she would become friends and develop lasting friendships with so many of her tenants. She touched so many people in need and would do anything within her power to make sure they were all taken care of.

Joyce will always be remembered for being a caring, kind, and loving person. So many times she put others before herself.

She was preceded in death by her mother Evelyn, father Esry, brother Joe, and her dearest friend Dorothy.

Joyce in survived by her husband David L. Gray, three children Teresa F. Falkner husband Bret Falkner, David L. Gray Jr. wife Hope Gray, Angela M. Rusher, nine grandchildren Austin Philipsheck wife Alisha Philipsheck, Chesnea Philipsheck, Bailey Lowe, Jeffery Harrill, Cody Harrill, Connor Rusher, Elijah Gray, and Keyra Gray, four great grandchildren Layton, Greyson, Kimber, Mallory, and Raelynn, two sisters Sheila Hatten, and Ann Burkes, one brother Charles Dye, and so many more.

Want free Electric City Speedway tickets for Friday Night

World Finance on the south side of the Butler Square is giving away 4 tickets to Electric City Speedway this Friday Night.

They will be giving these tickets away to anyone who is a customer of World Finance. Please call 660-679-0090 or swing by 11 W. Dakota Street. These tickets won't last long!!! 

*These tickets have been claimed... Thank you!*