Obituary - Donald Ray Malcom

Donald Ray Malcom, born October 18, 1941, in Sheldon, MO, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2023, at Truman Nursing Home in Lamar, MO. He was the youngest of four children born to Elvie and Hazel (Starlin) Malcom.

Donald attended Sheldon High School. Donald and Elaine were married November 21, 1961, in Nevada, MO. Donald proudly served and retired from the US Air Force as a MSGT. After retiring from the Air Force, he was a school bus driver for the Nevada R-5 School District and a long-haul truck driver for CFI.

When Donald wasn't working, he enjoyed many hobbies such as square dancing & square dance calling and caring for his horses.

The family would like to recognize the Truman Nursing Home and Compassus Hospice with special thanks to the staff for their care during this difficult time.

Donald Ray Malcom will be remembered for being a loving husband, father and grandfather who touched the lives of everyone he met in immeasurable ways. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Donald was preceded in death by his brother Charles Malcom; Brother Joseph Malcom; Sister Opal Heibert; Son, Mark Allen Malcom.

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years Elaine M (Bobbett) Malcom; Daughter Tami (Darren) Bobbett; Son Larry (Betty) Malcom; Son Garry (Ginger) Malcom, daughter-in-law Colleen Malcom, three granddaughters, five grandsons, two great granddaughters and one great grandson.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 pm on October 11th at Dunnegan Grove Cemetery near Bellamy, MO with full Military Honors.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Compassus with the funeral home serving as custodian.

Quiet fall-like weather Monday & Tuesday

Quiet weather conditions are expected early this week with fall-like temperatures in the 60s and 70s. The latter half of the week looks unsettled with multiple chances for showers and thunderstorms. Wednesday afternoon and evening, and Thursday afternoon and evening have the best potential for strong storms with hail and gusty winds.

Obituary - Timothy Allen Crabtree

Timothy Allen Crabtree (63) of Raymore, MO died at his home on Monday October 2, 2023. He was born in Danville, IL in 1960 to Odell & Dolores (Johnson) Crabtree of Hoopeston, IL. Tim was a graduate of Hoopeston East Lynn High School (Class of 1978) and recently enjoyed celebrating their 45th class reunion over Labor Day weekend with friends.

He is survived by his mother, Dolores (Johnson) Crabtree; three children, Andrew Cohle (Jenni) Crabtree of Florence, CO, Kaci (Daniel) Swank of Kansas City, MO, and Kyle Crabtree of Morgan City, LA; two sisters, Charisse (Bob) Cromwell of Peoria, AZ and Della (David) Lawson of Jacksons Gap, AL; brother Warren (Stephanie) Crabtree of Naples, FL and sister-in-law Lori Michelle Crabtree of Hoopeston, IL; three grandchildren Bentley Allen Crabtree, Aubrey Lynn Crabtree, and Eliana Jean Swank; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Clifford Odell Crabtree; grandparents Hamp and Della Crabtree and Leslie and Martha Johnson; two brothers, Leslie Crabtree and Clifford Odell Crabtree II, and wife Kathy Snider.

Tim was employed with Dahmer Construction where he enjoyed woodworking and was a skilled carpenter, also a member of the carpenter union. He was so proud of his kids and loved spending time with them, and spoiling his grandkids. His favorite outfit consisted of a visor, jorts, tall dark socks and crocs; only a look the man himself could pull off. Tim had a huge heart, stubborn attitude, and a never quit work ethic that was both loved and hated by everyone who knew him. He would be the first to call you out on any BS (inappropriate language included) and would always tell you the “real” version of any family stories. He loved his family big, was so proud of his kids, and loved spoiling his grandkids.

In honor of Tim’s wishes, the family has decided to have a private celebration of life and celebrate the way Tim loved with “Sunday Funday.” In remembrance of Tim, you can make a donation to the Hoopeston Food Cupboard or Hoopeston Fire Station.

For the public, services will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Cullen Funeral Home, 612 W. Foxwood Dr. Raymore, Missouri 64083. Visitation will begin at 4:30 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 5:00 p.m.

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278

 

Fall was in the air today in Rich Hill

Fall is in the air today in Rich Hill... 

Today was the 1st annual Rich Hill Fall Festival held in Square Park from 3-7pm. 

The crowds came out and supported this very well on a beautiful October afternoon in Rich Hill. 

Enjoy some wonderful photos and highlights from this event sponsored by a project of Ready Set Grow.

Arrest made in Polk County

On Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office received information stating Jess Rush, a felon on parole, possessed a black, semi-automatic, 9mm pistol in Polk County, Missouri. 

Jess Rush is on parole after receiving a life sentence for the kidnapping and murder of Trudy Darby in Camden County in 1991.

Detectives with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office worked diligently to apply for a search warrant for Jess Rush’s residence and contacted Probation and Parole with the new violation. The search warrant was granted by the court. An arrest warrant was also issued.

Lt. Billy Simpson and Sheriff Danny Morrison were conducting surveillance on the residence on Friday, Oct. 6, when Sheriff Morrison observed Jess Rush drive past his location, southbound on Mo. 83 north of Bolivar. Sheriff Morrison conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Mo. 83 and East 380th Road. Lt. Simpson and Sheriff Morrison were able to take Jess Rush into custody without incident.

A handgun and rifle were recovered from his residence and vehicle during the execution of the search warrant.

Jess Rush was booked into the Polk County Jail then transported back to the Department of Corrections.

“The citizens of Polk County are safer today because Jess Rush is again behind bars where he belongs,” Sheriff Morrison said. “A monster like him should never be granted the freedom to live among us. We hope his arrest gives some comfort and relief to the Darby family.”

Obituary - Anita Vivian Westover

Anita Vivian Westover, beloved daughter, sister, friend, and avid adventurer, passed away peacefully on September 12, 2023. Born on December 08, 1963, to Neva Thomas and Ivan Westover, Anita lived a remarkable life filled with travel and a deep love for the world around her. 

Anita’s travel journey began with her service in the United States Navy, where she embarked on a path that would take her to far-flung corners of the world. Her military career ignited her passion for travel, leading her to live in diverse and captivating places, including Scotland, Japan, and Hawaii before finally settling in Florida. 

Anita found solace and joy in kayaking along serene waterways, camping, and exploring the intricacies of different cultures during her travels. Her adventurous spirit was boundless and her travels were awe-inspiring. She ziplined across waterfalls in Costa Rica, swam with seals in the Galapagos Islands, sailed the Amazon River, hiked the glaciers in Iceland, and snorkeled the Continental Divide. Each adventure was a testament to her courage, curiosity, and love for the natural world. 

Anita worked at Progressive Insurance for 21 years as a customer service representative agent. In her free time, she enjoyed music festivals, gardening, scrapbooking, crafting, swap meets, and spending time with her family and friends. 

Anita is survived by her beloved dog, Phebe; her angel and companion, Donnie Green; her parents Neva Milliron and Ivan Westover; two half-sisters Tina Burns and Tiffany Richmond; and five nephews Brandon, Jonathan (Lanianela), and Kyle Westover and Rylee and Eli Richmond. She was preceded in death by her half-brother, Quincy Westover and step-father, Les Milliron. 

A celebration of Anita’s life will be held in her honor at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at Howell Cemetery in Amoret, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to Howell Cemetery or American Cancer Society. 

Anita Westover’s adventurous spirit and love for life will forever be an inspiration to us all. May she rest in eternal peace.

Obituary - Karen Kay Keen

Karen K. Keen, age 81, a resident of Overland Park, KS, passed away at the St. Luke’s Hospice House, Kansas City, October 3, 2023, comforted by her son Jeff and daughter-in-law Lilie Hall. Karen was born in Calhoun, MO, April 26, 1942, to Dorthy Beryl Rushing and Paul Leaford Savage. The family later moved to Fort Scott where she met her husband, Gary Hall. 

Gary’s service in the Navy took them to various duty stations and travel overseas where she developed her love of traveling. She later owned her own travel agency, International Tours, in Tahlequah, OK. After moving back to Overland Park, she continued organizing cruises for friends and family.

Karen is survived by son’s Jeff Hall (wife Lilie), Mitch Hall (wife Kella), stepchildren Heather Aaron (husband Greg), Ralph Keen (wife Teresa), Taylor Keen (wife Jennifer), Emerald Sheridan (husband Louie), 9 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, all of which she loved dearly. She was proceeded in death by 3 husbands, her sister, parents and stepson’s Gary Aaron and John Keen.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct memorial services at 11:30 AM Thursday, October 12th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:30 AM until service time Thursday morning at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the St. Luke’s Foundation and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Update: One dead, One seriously injured in Louisburg Kansas Shooting

Statement from the Louisburg Police Department

Louisburg Police Department along with Miami County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a residential address within the city limits for a possible shooting late Friday afternoon, Oct. 6.

Louisburg Police along with Miami County Sheriff’s Deputies made entry into a residence and found an adult female Louisburg resident deceased. Officers located a juvenile male with life-threating injuries.

The youth was transferred to an area hospital for additional care. The Department is not currently looking for any suspects and there is no elevated level of threat to the public. The name of the deceased will not be released until next of kin are notified.

No additional information will be provided on the juvenile. Police Chief Josh Weber said the incident remains under investigation.