Obituary - Brandon Cole Skocy

Funeral services for Brandon Cole Skocy of Joplin, Missouri formerly of Rich Hill, Missouri will be 1 p.m. Monday, August 21, 2023 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation will be 5 - 7 p.m. Sunday, August 20, 2023 at the Schowengerdt Chapel. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the family. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Brandon Cole Skocy left this world on August 13, 2023, in Joplin, Missouri, at the age of 31. Born on January 28, 1992 in Nevada, Missouri, Brandon was the fifth of Greg and Rachel Skocy’s seven children. He grew up in Rich Hill, Missouri, and graduated from Rich Hill High School in 2010.

A beloved son, brother, cousin, nephew, and uncle; Brandon loved spending time with his family. He greatly enjoyed friendly contests of card and board games, excelling against his brothers in all manner of competitions. It did not matter what the game was, Brandon always enjoyed the time spent with his family. He was always up for another game, as long as anybody else was still wanting to play. Brandon also had a passion for nature and being outdoors, frequently enjoying being around a roaring campfire or floating on the river. He was known to stay up late into the night, discussing any number of topics, including religion, philosophy, history, as well as many scientific topics, for he was a scholar at heart and interested in learning about everything.

Brandon was a hard worker, whether it was working his way up to management positions at work or in setting up a campsite; he could be relied upon to get a job done. Brandon was known for his positive attitude and ready smile. He will also be remembered for his sly sense of humor, subtly slipping jokes into conversations and just waiting for everyone else to catch up to his joke.

Brandon will be forever missed by his parents, Greg and Rachel Skocy of Rich Hill, Missouri; six brothers, Jeremy Skocy and wife Heather of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Scott Skocy of Springfield, Missouri, Stephen Skocy of Rich Hill, Missouri, Kevin Skocy and wife Payton of Neosho, Missouri, Caleb Skocy and Levi Skocy both of Rich Hill, Missouri; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many, many friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents.

Byrd's Pecan Festival set for November 4th

We are planning our Pecan Festival!!! November 4th from 11am-4pm come on out and enjoy the day under the pecan trees!! If you are interested in being a vendor please call Jennifer @ 816-721-5477

Byrd's Pecan Festival south of Virginia (West of Butler) on V Highway around 4 miles!! Follow our event page on Facebook by using the link outside.

https://www.facebook.com/events/6525937237499792

Obituary - Virginia Cleo Ayres

Graveside service and interment for Virginia Cleo Ayres of Butler, Missouri will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 16 at the Salem Cemetery near Foster, Missouri under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. No schedule visitation. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com

Virginia Cleo Ayres, age 101 of Butler, Missouri died Saturday, August 12, 2023 at her home. She was born September 27,1921 to Carl Mabbery and Rutha Florida Keeney Hopper in Girard, Kansas.

Virginia, one of four children, grew up in Girard and Wichita, Kansas and had lived in Foster, Missouri before moving to Butler in 1990. She was a homemaker. In May of 1938 she married Lester Cecil Ayres and to this union, two daughters were born. Virginia enjoyed spending time with her family, sewing and gardening.

She is survived by her daughter, Virginia Lee Ayres Herod of Foster, Missouri; two grandchildren, Tim Herod and Deanna Herod; two nieces, Rosemary Smith and husband Richard of Louisburg, Kansas and Peggy Carpenter of Webb City, Missouri; and a nephew, Leonard Ayres of Leavenworth, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lester Ayres on July 12, 1966; a daughter, Phyllis Mae Ayres; a grandson, Bobby Herod; and three siblings, Venita Craig, Georgia Tolliver and Daniel Hopper.

Butler Community Café tonight at 5:30 p.m.

Looking forward to seeing all of you at the First Christian Church on the corner of Pine and Delaware Street for another Butler Community Café meal. Serving starts at tonight 5:30!

Obituary - Marcelle Lou Marquardt

Marcelle Lou (Bolser) Marquardt was born on September 17, 1937 in Bates County, Missouri to Orel Reed Bolser and Lenora Lois (Swope) Bolser. Her early childhood was spent in Calhoun, MO before the family moved to the Carbon Center, MO area southeast of Rich Hill.

Marcelle attended the Carbon Center Christian church and her early school years in the North Muddy rural school before going on to attend Rich Hill High School through graduation.

It was there that Marcelle and Roland (Ronnie) Dean Marquardt met, dated and became engaged. Marcelle was an avid student excelling in secretarial skills such as typing, shorthand, and bookkeeping as well as her love of the piano. She enjoyed competing in these skills at the local and regional level earning many awards.

Ronnie and Marcelle were joined together in holy matrimony on September 18th, 1955 at the Carbon Center Christian Church on what they claimed was the hottest day EVER. Moving to Rich Hill and taking a job at the family grocery store – Marquardt’s Grocery – Marcelle worked as cashier and bookkeeper for many years. To their union two sons were born: Rock Dean Marquardt, March 9, 1957 and Zachary Scott Marquardt, July 4, 1963. When Marquardt’s Grocery was eventually sold, Marcelle began teaching piano lessons while Ronnie took to farming on his grandparent’s farm.

Chances are if you play piano in the Rich Hill area you may have taken lessons from Marcelle. She went on to become the City Clerk of Rich Hill, and from there moved Secretary for Sohigro Fertilizer where she worked until her retirement.

Throughout those years Marcelle also worked in and managed the Osage Valley Pecan cracking plant for many years. Ronnie and Marcelle built a home and moved to the family farm north of Papinville, MO in 1980 and shortly thereafter relocated the pecan plant from its original location in Rich Hill to be beside the home near Papinville, where she continued to manage the plant.

Marcelle passed from this life to be with her Lord on Sunday August 13, 2023 with her family by her side at Medicalodge Butler, MO. She is a member of the Double Branch Christian Church. Marcelle is survived by her husband Ronnie; sons Rock Marquardt of Butler, Zack Marquardt (Gordon) of Kansas City, her brother Ronald Bolser (Janice) of Rich Hill; and nieces Sharon Love of Blue Springs, Jill Galate (John) of Lee’s Summit, and Janell Ledford (Shane) of Lee’s Summit; Sister-In-Law Phyllis Stewart (John) of Papinville, niece Lori Stewart of Lee’s Summit, nephew Dave Stewart of Belton, and many more relatives, as well as a host of wonderful friends and neighbors.

The family is blessed to have so many wonderful memories of Marcelle and her life with us, and hope you share with them in the joy and love that she brought into our lives.

Visitation will be at the Heuser Funeral Home in Rich Hill, MO on Wednesday August 16 from 5:00-7:00PM. A memorial service will be held at Rich Hill Christian Church of Rich Hill, MO on Thursday August 17 at 10:00 with interment at Green Lawn Cemetery following the services.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to either: Papinville Historical Society, or Kern Senior Center, Rich Hill, MO. www.HeuserFunerals.com

 

Obituary - Barbara Murray

Barbara Murray, 87 of Butler, Missouri passed away Monday, August 14, 2023 at the Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri. Cremation, with a visitation to be held Thursday, August 17, 2023 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Memorial services will follow at 11:00 am Thursday, also at the funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Matthews Lutheran Church. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Barbara Jean Murray was born March 23, 1936 to Arthur Stevener and Nina Kline Stevener in Prairie City, Mo. She was the eldest of two children. She spent her youth growing up on the farm located in the Prairie City area. Barbara graduated from Rich Hill High School. After graduation she moved to Kansas City and began working for Commerce Bank. It was at this time that she was united in marriage to Lester Michael Murray, and they enjoyed 60 years of marriage before his passing.

Their marriage began in Colorado as Mike was stationed in Aurora in the Air Force working on radar equipment. While in Colorado, their two girls were born, Michelle and Robin. They then moved back to the Bates County area as Mike took a job with Kansas City Power and Light. Their last move was to Butler, Mo where they spent the remainder of their life. Barbara was an avid gardener and spent many hours canning her produce. She enjoyed spending time with family and watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in all their activities and sports. She also enjoyed trips to the casino with Mike and friends.

Barbara was a member of the St. Matthew Lutheran church and enjoyed helping with church activities. She is survived by her sister, Evelyn Clements, two daughters, Michelle Brownsberger and husband Herb of Butler, Robin Strobach and husband Scott of Lone Jack, five grandchildren, Erica Hough and husband Jeremy, Allison Peerson and husband Tyler, Emily Klindt and husband Nate, Madeline Strobach and husband Pat, Ashley Powell and husband Brent and nine great grandchildren, Caleb, Carly, Lily, Georgia, Elise, Taylor, Deklyn, Alex and Corbin. She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.

Attention Butler High School Alumni

BHS Alumni—Did you know if you graduated from the Butler High School in Butler, Missouri, that you are automatically a member of the BHS Alumni? You are!

The BHS Alumni from Butler, Missouri has been meeting since 1888 with many changes over the years. 

The BHS Alumni did not gather and meet during 2020, 2021, or 2022 because of Covid-19 and a few other reasons.

A small group of BHS alumni planned and did held the annual meeting on May 27, 2023 with approximately 40 alumni in attendance.

At that meeting on May 27, 2023, a vote was taken and passed to move the annual BHS Alumni Meeting in conjunction with the BHS Homecoming. 

Therefore, the BHS Alumni will be asking any alumni classes that can and would like to to have a float/truck/trailer in the BHS Homecoming Parade on Friday, September 29, 2023, at 2 pm. (More details about sign up coming in the next few weeks)

We also invite any and all alumni (previous graduates) to attend the 2023 Annual BHS Alumni Meeting on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at 1 pm in the school auditorium.

If you have other questions you can ask them on this post or contact Judy Wix Daniel (Class of 1963) or Christy Crow Lockard (Class of 1982).

In connection with the BHS Alumni Meeting there are some BHS Alumni that are wanting to host a dance that night on Saturday, September 30, 2023. They are wanting alumni to respond to the link by August 18, 2023. The link can be found on the Butler Alumni Facebook page. So please make sure you respond.
Thank you!

House fire in Belton

The Belton Fire responded to a structure fire at 5801 E 187th St. in the club house. A small fire was quickly extinguished.

Crews remained on scene completing overhaul. There were no injuries and the fire will be under investigation.