Obituary - Randall Keith Fleener

Randall Keith Fleener, 67, passed away on Monday, October 30, 2023, at his home in Bronaugh, MO following a lengthy battle with cancer. Randy was born on Jan. 14, 1956, to Forest and Barbara (Cadman) Fleener. He was married to Martha Nelson on December 27, 1991 and she survives of the home.

Randy was born and raised in Nevada, graduating from Nevada High School in 1974. Following his marriage, he lived in the Sheldon area for a time. Randy worked at Fram (Nevada) for 23 years until its closing. In 1999, Randy and Martha moved to Pennsylvania where Randy worked for Trinetics. His work later took them to Florida in 2001. In 2021 they returned to Bronaugh where they have lived ever since. Randy was an outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting, car racing, and football.

In addition to his wife, Martha, Randy is survived by two children, Melissa Smith (Ron), Sheldon, MO; Bill Nelson (Amy), Sheldon, MO; his mother, Barbara Diggins, Nevada, MO; a sister, Kathi Adams (Larry), Nevada, MO; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death was his father, Forest Fleener; brother, Larry Fleener; step-father, Ivan Diggins; and nephew, Justin Adams.

The family will receive friends on Monday, November 6, 2023 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at Ferry Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society in c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

Obituary - Julie Beth West

Julie Beth (Cassell) West, 54, passed on to her heavenly home on October 30, 2023 at Nevada Regional Medical Center in Nevada, MO. She was born to Arthur Blaine Cassell and Donna Dean Cassell on January 19, 1969 at Eldorado Springs Memorial Hospital.

She graduated from El Dorado Springs High School in El Dorado Springs, MO in 1987. She then attended college at Southwest Missouri State University where she received her bachelor’s degree in education in 1991. She did her student teaching in Stockton MO. Julie then got her master’s in education from Pittsburg State University in 1997.

Julie started her 31-year teaching career in the fall of 1991 at Nevada Middle School teaching 7th grade science. Julie also taught Practical Technology and will be remembered for her duct tape boats made during Summer School classes and the CO2 Race Cars and Rockets her students made. She was student council sponsor and started the Renaissance Reward Program at NMS. She was an awesome teacher with a special kindness and caring for her students.

Julie received the Pitsco Educator of the Game award at Pittsburg State University in 2013 and the Nevada R5 Teacher of the Year Award in 2001. Julie retired from teaching in Nevada R5 in May of 2022.

Julie married Byron Dean West and to this union two children Connor Dean West and Jackson Blaine West were born.

Survivors include her sons, Connor Dean West and his wife Lauren of Nevada, MO their son and Julie’s grandson Robert “Robbie” La Verne West; Jackson Blaine West and his girlfriend Taylynn Culbertson of Nevada, MO; her father Arthur Blaine Cassell; Step-father Craig Lester; her brother Jon Cassell and his wife Shirin Cassell.

As she entered her heavenly home, she was greeted by her mother, Donna Dean Cassell, grandparents Jesse & Betty Williams, great cousin John Hulse and wife LaDene Hulse and a host of other much loved family members, brothers, and sisters in Christ.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada, followed by interment in the Wagoner Cemetery in Cedar County. A visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 3, 2023 at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to Nevada R-5 Foundation for a Julie West Memorial Scholarship c/o Ferry Funeral Home

Way to go Tayvin!

**Brag Alert** 

More home-grown talent promoting at Freddy's in Nevada! Tayvin Moore started as a team member in October of 2021. In that time he worked his way up to trainer, and is now leading the team as a Supervisor! 

He is a very hard worker, dedicated leader, and an exemplary Fred Head. We're proud that he agreed to take on this role while working towards his degree at PSU. 

Next time you're in the store, give this kid a high five...he deserves it! CONGRATULATIONS on your promotion, Tayvin!

- Courtesy of Freddy's of Nevada 

Adrian Community Library Chili & Soup Supper

 

Obituary - Christopher Gerald Avery

Christopher Gerald Avery was born to Patricia McGrath Avery and Everett Hayward Avery in Colorado Springs, Colorado on July 1, 1962. Chris left this world better than he found it when he passed away on October 28, 2023, in the loving care and home of his lifelong friend, David Hutton.

In his 61 years of life, Chris managed National Video, worked for Cardinal Health, the Kansas City Star, and the Kansas City Auto Auction. He graduated from Rockhurst College, where he majored in English and fell in love with Shakespeare.

His true legacy, however, lies in the hearts of the people he loved and continues to love, from beyond the veil.

He is preceded in death by his father, and survived by his mother; his brother, Mark Avery (Michele); his nephews, George (Martha), John, and Benjamin Avery; and his great-niece, Nora Avery, all of Overland Park, Kansas. Chris is survived, too, by his uncles, Gary McGrath (Frances) and Jim McGrath.

He perfected the role of ‘cousin,’ and is survived by his cousins: Kathleen McGrath and her son, Grayson Kassius Andersen, of Ottawa, Kansas; John McGrath of Kansas City, Kansas; Matthew McGrath (Frances Dickey) and his sons, Charles and Thomas McGrath, of St. Louis, Missouri; and Sarah McGrath (Timothy Bauman) and her children, Hannah, Daniel, and Margaret Bauman, of Rochester, New York. He will be missed, too, by his extraordinary circle of friends, including his dear friends David Hutton (Cissy), Vashon Borich-Leach and Ron Leach and their sons, Ty and Jack, and the entire Branson Karate and Tai Chi community.

There was always room in Chris’ heart for a new friendship, a new connection. Chris was the glue between his family members, and in his fifties, Chris found his niche in Branson, Missouri, where he quickly became a pillar of the community.

Chris lived for a good meal of barbecue (extra points for burnt ends), a Royals win, a Shakespearean reference, and a viewing of Ted Lasso, Rambo, or some other ‘classic’ movie. He cherished long conversations with loved ones, in which, as he would say, "we solved all the problems of the world.” He loved his faithful companion and ‘soul dog’ Ophelia, who passed away almost a year ago. He loved traveling, although, unfortunately, he never did stumble across Diane Lane in Italy.

It is impossible to translate the heart and verbalize the miracle that was Christopher G. Avery. So, a simple goodbye must suffice: Chris, we love you, we grieve you, we thank you for your six decades of goodness and devotion to the things that matter most in this world. Goodbye to our son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend.

A Celebration of Life Mass will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 3, 2023 at Our Lady of The Presentation Church, 130 NW Murry Road, Lee's Summit, Missouri 64081 With inurnment at Longview Memorial Gardens, Kansas City, Missouri.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Shepherd of the Hills Humane Society, 2837 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, Branson, Mo 65616 in Chris's name.

Obituary - Richard “Pete” VanHorn

Richard “Pete” VanHorn, 83 of Butler, Missouri passed away peacefully on Friday, October 27 2023 at his home in Butler, Missouri. Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM Saturday, November 4, 2023 at Mullinax Funeral Home (660-679-0009) in Butler. Visitation will be prior to services from 10-11 AM at the funeral home. Burial in Fairview Cemetery, Butler. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Fairview Cemetery. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Richard “Pete” Leon VanHorn was born on October 12, 1940 at home in Nyhart, Missouri, son of Lawrence Leslie Van Horn and Mildred Francis (Dunlap) Van Horn.

Pete began his school years at Tripp School before attending Butler High School where he graduated in 1958. While in grade school Pete worked for Lloyd Bottoms picking and selling watermelons on Saturdays, and in high school Pete was a member of FFA. After graduating he worked in construction with Dean Connor in Kansas City for one year, and later with Leroy Jones and Wesley Pike building homes in Butler. Pete taught woodworking for several years at Peru Star 4-H Club. He started working with the Associated Natural Gas Company in the mid 1960’s, Atmos Energy, as well as other natural gas companies until retirement.

On January 5, 1961 Pete married the love of his life, Wilma Jean Thompson, and to this union four children were born. Pete enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons and grandsons. Another hobby was woodworking, and Pete could be found out in his woodworking shop even up until a couple months ago. He would make picture frames in his shop and enjoyed giving them away to his friends and family. Pete also enjoyed making homemade wine from cherries and grapes, and giving those as gifts as well.

Some of you may have wondered over the years where the name Pete came from. When Pete was a child they lived near the grocery store and he could always be found carrying around or wearing a cap-gun pistol. The owner of the grocery store one day started calling him “Pistol Pete” or “Two Gun Pete,” and from then on he was known by Pete and not Richard.

Pete was preceded in death by his father Lawrence Leslie VanHorn, mother Mildred Francis VanHorn, half-brother Paul Sheldon VanHorn, and grandson Nathaniel Scott Deems.

Survivors include his wife Wilma Jean VanHorn of Butler, sons Dallas Wayne VanHorn (Karol) of Butler, Michael Shannon VanHorn (Tina) of Mexico, Missouri;, daughters Kelly Renee Deems (Daniel) of Blue Springs, Missouri, Angela Dee VanHorn of Butler, grandsons Corey Dallas VanHorn (Andrea) of Butler, Dalton Wayne VanHorn of Olathe, Kansas, Cody Eugene VanHorn of Mexico, Missouri, Grant Richard VanHorn of Mexico, Missouri, and brother Jack Leroy VanHorn (Patricia) of Butler.

Obituary - Loretta Mae Garwood

Loretta Mae Garwood, 81, formerly of Nevada, MO passed away peacefully at her home in Coweta, OK on Wednesday, October 25, 2023. Loretta was born September 16, 1942, to Everett and Ruth Goodnight. On May 14, 1968, she married Leland Garwood, where they made Nevada, MO their home. Leland preceded her in death in 1999.

Loretta worked at Firp & Bob’s and 54 Cafe as a waitress. In 1968, she and Leland started up Garwood Wrecker, where they operated the business together until they retired in 1980. Loretta always enjoyed hunting, fishing and found a love for golfing later in life.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leland Garwood; three sisters, Wanda Fay Lemmons, Julia Lea Goodnight, Lena May Goss; one sister-in-law, Judy Goodnight and her uncle, Johnny Goodnight.

Loretta is survived by two sons, Ed Garwood and his wife Cathy and David Garwood and his significant other Deborah Keirsey; four brothers, Lonnie Goodnight of Coweta, OK, Jack Goodnight and his wife Krista of Owasso, OK, George “Andy” Goodnight and his wife Sharon of Tulsa, OK and Jerry Goodnight of Tulsa, OK; one sister Wilda Kay Brown and her husband Bill; two brother-in-laws, George “Bill” Garwood and his wife Lisa and Norman Garwood. She is also survived by two grandsons, Lee Garwood and his wife Cassie and Corey Garwood; four grandchildren, Carson Garwood, Nathan Garwood, Brayden Garwood and Tenley Garwood and cousins, Jeff Goodnight and his wife Lorie of Coweta, OK and Gary Goodnight and his wife Dee of Coweta, OK.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Tues., Oct. 31, 2023 at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with Pastor Ray Dean Scism officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:00-1:00 prior to the service. Interment will follow in Moore Cemetery, Nevada. Memorials are suggested to the Moore Cemetery Association c/o the funeral home.

Runaway juvenile from Belton

The Belton Missouri Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating 17-year-old runaway Quana Big Spring. Quana is a Native American female, 5’4”, 125 pounds, with dark brown hair and brown eyes.

Quana was last seen in the area of B St. around 7:00 p.m. on 10/30/2023, wearing a pink Nike hoodie, grey backpack, and black tennis shoes. 

Please call Belton Missouri Police Department at (816) 331-1500 or your local law enforcement if you have information on her whereabouts.