Obituary - Rev. Charles C. Sutton

Reverend Charles C. Sutton , previously from Harrisonville, Mo but living in Kansas City, Mo for the past 10+ years, passed away August 2, 2023 at Sunrise Senior Living in Leawood, KS. He was 90 years old.

Charles was the son of Paul and Maple Sutton - born in Bruno, Missouri in his grandmother’s home.

Charles graduated high school in southeastern Missouri and went to University of Mo, Columbia for two years. He felt the call to ministry and transferred to Baylor University in Waco, Texas where he graduated with a degree in biblical studies. He then went to Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky where he obtained a Masters of Theology before going into full time pastorate.

He met Dorritt Botkin from his home area in Southeastern Missouri and they married August 29, 1958 while he was still in seminary.

Charles and Dorritt then began their ministry at a church in Kentucky but it was not long and he was called to the First Baptist Church in Harrisonville, Mo. He served 35 years loving and shepherding this congregation. While in Harrisonville he and Dorritt raised two sons, built a home and had a farm with registered Angus cattle.

In retirement he enjoyed his beloved black Angus cattle, his wife and grandchildren.

He and Dorritt moved their church membership in these retirement years to Lenexa Baptist Church to be closer to and worship with Matthew and Jennifer’s family. They, along with Matthew and Jennifer, have been blessed by Pastor Emeritus Steve Dighton and current Senior Pastor Chad McDonald in these last years.

Private family service will be with the Dickey Funeral Home in Harrisonville and burial at Orient Cemetery in Harrisonville, Missouri.

Charles was preceded in death by his beloved wife Dorritt September 1, 2022. He is survived by two sons and 3 grand children.

Charles is and will be greatly missed.

Obituary - Lloyd Allen Pence

Lloyd Allen Pence, 86 of Nevada and formerly of Schell City passed away at his home on Saturday August 5, 2023 in Nevada. Lloyd was born on July 14, 1937 in Winchester, Illinois to Harry Lee and Florence Elizabeth (Christison) Pence where he grew up with 11 siblings. 

He was drafted into the US Army in 1959 and completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He was then transferred to the 332nd Quartermaster Battalion in Frankfurt, Germany and was honorably discharged, and returned home a proud veteran in 1961. To this day, it is rare to see Lloyd without his Veteran’s cap. He was always giving you a good morning greeting in German, and still says he would do it all over again.

Lloyd worked in Mississippi for 2 years before moving to Schell City, MO in 1963 to work for Albert and Richard Coultas managing the 4400 acre Cressup Ranch. Schell City is also where he met the love of his life, Sandy Sue Sanderson. Rumor has it, it was the “shorty shorts” that did him in! They were married in the First Baptist Church of Schell City on Sept 13, 1964 where they are still members today. 

Lloyd remained at the Cressup Ranch until it changed hands, but returned again when it was purchased by CBK Industries and remained there until 1978 when it was sold. He continued to farm for others, Jerry Chitty of Butler, MO and Horace Johnson of Nevada, MO. He then began working construction at the old Saint Francis Convent in Nevada converting it into Raphael Center (now Heartland Behavioral Health Services). 

When it was completed he was hired on in the maintenance department where he spent 28 years retiring in 2010. Lloyd was always a family man willing to do anything for his kids and wife. (Even when we didn’t deserve it…some of us may have been a little ornery at times…we got that from him). He loved telling jokes and his laugh was contagious. 

He would come home from work telling of pranks he had pulled on the guys, laughing til he cried. His genes ran strong, more often than not, when we kids would stir up trouble, mom would say, “YOUR son” or “YOUR daughter”…somehow we were his fault and secretly he was proud of that.

Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents, 5 sisters, 3 brothers, and one son-in-law, Jamie Alexander. Lloyd is survived by his wife, Sandra of the home, one son, Ron Pence of Walker, MO, three daughters, Patti Alexander (Calvin Keith) of Nevada, Becky Cisco (Jim) of Lamar, MO and Angie Pence (Angie Ratliff), Nevada, eight grandchildren, Shawna Eby (Nathan), Jerrod Alexander (Katie), Andrea Thomas (Rusty), Kendra Little (David), all of Nevada, Geoffry Cisco (Stephanie) Wentzville, MO, Ethan Fast (Nancy), Carthage, MO, Trevor Fast (Tera), Lamar, MO, and Rodes Ratliff (Emily Nealey), Redfield, IA, twenty-four great-grandchildren, three sisters, Betty Nelson of Bethalto, IL, Mary Harshman, Rockport, IL, Rosemary Miller, Concord, IL, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Lloyd will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 in the Schell City Baptist Church with Pastor Doug Reynolds officiating. Interment with Military Funeral Honors will follow in the Greenlawn Cemetery, Schell City. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, August 7 at the Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home, Schell City. Those who wish may contribute in Lloyd’s memory to the Disabled American Veteran’s c/o the funeral home.

Nevada juvenile injured in Dallas County crash

On Sunday August 6th around 9:25 a.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Dallas County along with Dallas County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a two vehicle accident on Highway 64 and Corkery Road around 4 miles east of Plad.

The Missouri State Highway says the accident occurred when the eastbound 2019 Dodge Caravan driven by 47 year old Mark L. Humphrey of Nevada, Missouri was making a turn and was struck in the rear by a eastbound 2009 Chevrolet Silverado driven by 33 year old Christopher J. Novy of Manhattan, Kansas.

A passenger in the Dodge Caravan identified as a 15 year old female from Nevada sustained minor injuries in this accident and she was transported by ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Lebanon for treatment.

View crash report below:
https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=230423605

A quiet and comfortable day

A quiet and comfortable day is expected today with mostly cloudy skies and highs in the upper 70s to mid 80s. An isolated shower cannot be ruled out across northern Missouri otherwise, conditions should remain dry. Storms are expected to return Tuesday night into Wednesday. Storms south of I-70 on Wednesday may be severe.

Public service announcement from the Drexel Police Department

This past week, many of our community in the city of Drexel was affected by experiencing thefts from their vehicles. I am pleased to inform you that DPD has been diligent in investigating these incidents.

Friday around 4 pm, DPD made an arrest on a 19 year old Drexel resident, who was booked into the Cass County Jail for: Burglary 1st Degree, and Felony Stealing.

Through investigation, another individual was identified, however, this individual is a minor. Charges were sent to the Cass County Juvenile court for consideration of charges.

All persons are presumed innocent, until proven otherwise in a court of law.

Additionally, other potential suspects have been identified, but have not yet been contacted. Therefore, our investigation into these thefts is on-going. We will continue to diligently and thoroughly investigate these cases until they are resolved.

If you have any information that you believe can aid us in our investigation, please contact DPD at: 816-619-4444.

In the meantime, stay diligent and support our new “9pm Routine” program. -Drexel Police Chief Downey

UPDATE:

8/5/23: Late last night, DPD contacted the Miami County Sheriff’s office, and provided them with information on the possible whereabouts of the other individuals who are suspected of participating in the recent vehicle break-ins.

This morning at around 1am, deputies from the Miami County Sheriff’s office successfully located these individuals near Lake La Cygne.

It is unknown at this time what crimes of any they are being charged with by MCSO, however, I did receive word they were being transported to the MCSO jail in Paola.

DPD will continue to investigate the incidents in our community. Thank you to Sheriff Kelley and his team for their hard-work and dedication to our respective communities.

Remember your “9pm Routine”

Two arrested after fentanyl, firearms seized in Pittsburg Kansas

The Joint Fentanyl Impact Team (JFIT) has made a large seizure of fentanyl in Pittsburg Kansas.

A JFIT investigation into suspicious activity led authorities to execute a search warrant on Wednesday, Aug. 3, around 10:30 a.m., in Pittsburg, Kansas. During the search, law enforcement uncovered an estimated 5,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills, commonly referred to as “dirty 30s.” The pills are suspected to contain fentanyl, and weighed approximately six pounds. Also seized was a large amount of cash, and numerous firearms and ammunition.

Horace Wright, 39, of Pittsburg, Kansas was arrested for possession of opiates, opium, or narcotic drugs, possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug sale paraphernalia, criminal possession of firearm, and aggravated child endangerment.

Amanda Lee, 43, of Pittsburg, Kansas was arrested for possession of opiates, opium, or narcotic drugs, possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug sale paraphernalia, criminal possession of firearm, and aggravated child endangerment.

The suspects were booked into the Crawford County Jail. The investigation is ongoing.

The JFIT is made up of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP), and Homeland Security Investigations, along with the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, Pittsburg Police Department, and the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities say this operation could not have been successful without support from the Pitt State Police and KBI forensic scientists.

Obituary - Matthew Wayne Bittle

Matthew Wayne Bittle, age 39, Hume, Missouri passed away Wednesday August 2, 2023. He was born on January 7, 1984 in Fort Scott, Kansas the son of Gary and Mary Ann Bush Bittle. 

He liked gaming on the computer, hunting mushrooms, and gardening. Most of all, he enjoyed helping people. 

Matt is survived by his mother, Mary Ann Bittle, father, Gary Bittle, and brother, Joshua Bittle.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 pm Friday, August 11, 2023 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Matthew Bittle Memorial Fund, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 525, Pleasanton, KS 66075. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare Announces August Employee of the Month

Clinton, MO. – (Aug 5, 2023) – We are pleased to announce that Ashley Dittmer is the August Employee of the Month.

Dittmer has been an employee of GVMH since July 2018 and works as a Certified Medical Assistant in the Clinton Clinic.

Her nomination stated that Dittmer is always gracious and helpful with new employees or students, immediately making them feel at home. She goes above and beyond to advocate for patients and is the go-to person in her department for questions. Dittmer is trustworthy, accountable and an excellent communicator.

As the Employee of the Month, Dittmer received a GVMH gift and her name will be engraved on a plaque to be permanently displayed in the hospital. She is also one of 12 finalists for the 2023-2024 Employee of the Year award.