Obituary - Felicia "Felix" Saadia Mae Fitzgerald

Celebration of Life Services for Felicia "Felix" Fitzgerald of Rich Hill, Missouri will be 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at the First Baptist Church in Rich Hill, Missouri. No Visitation. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. In Lieu of Flowers, Contributions to Adam Fitzgerald or the Felicia Fitzgerald Memorial Fund c/o Citizens Bank in Rich Hill. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Felicia “Felix” Saadia Mae Fitzgerald, age 29 of Rich Hill, Missouri died Sunday, November 26, 2023 near Archie, Missouri as results from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. She was born May 14, 1994 in Searcy, Arkansas.

Felix is survived by her husband, Adam Fitzgerald and six children, Canzadie “Zadie”, Elliot, Delilah, Nathaniel “Nate”, Marcellus and Althea “Thea” Fitzgerald all of the home; her mother, Geniese Rymer and husband Lee of Lenexa, Kansas; a brother, Jesse Cole and wife Alexis of Lenexa, Kansas; and two sisters, Trish Kendall and husband Blake of Nebraska and Canzadie Cole of Kansas City, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Canzadie Cole.

Whirlwinds championship parade December 2nd

Whirlwinds championship parade December 2nd 

Come celebrate the Archie High School 8-Man Football Championship as they have a celebration parade on Main Street on Saturday, December 2, starting at 6:45 pm!

Archie Whirlwinds 2023 8-Man High School Football Champions

Archie Whirlwinds 2023 8-Man High School Football Champions..

The #1 Archie Whirlwinds (14-0) won the 2023 Missouri State High School Football 8-Man Championship tonight in Columbia with a 40-26 win over the #3 Worth County Tigers.

Archie will win its first championship in school history! Archie was led on offense by Senior Quarterback Briar McIntire who had 26 carries 225 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns.

Archie was led on defense by Senior Defensive back Caden Sutton who had 3 interceptions on the game. Way to go Whirlwinds!!! So proud of you!

Butler junior high girls wrestlers traveled to Belton for a meet tonight

The Butler junior high girls wrestlers traveled to Belton for a meet tonight.

Results
Alayna Alkire-3-0.
Elizabeth Bedwell-2-1.
Riley Bordelon-1-1.
Raylynn Bowers-1-2.
Addy Cochran-1-2.
Mikayla Combs-Gibson-2-1.
Catherine Cook-2-0.
Emma Dixon-2-1.
Addy Kuda-2-1.
Breanne Mallatt-2-1.
Brittany Mallatt-1-2.

Brooklyn Conger and Ariel O’Connell fought hard tonight but didn’t get a win.

The girls wrestled well tonight. We lost some close matches that with minor adjustments we will win.

Next up the boys and girls travel to Mid-Buchanan on Saturday for a tournament.

- Coach Dixon

Happy retirement Dawn Wix

Adrian's Dawn Wix of Willow Creek retires after a 37-year career! Congrats, Dawn, we are so happy for you!!!

From Willow Creek Owner Christian Dennison and Dawn's sister Gayla (Wix) Boyd: 

Today, Dawn Wix retired from Bates County Industries (BCI) after 37 years of employment at shelter workshops. Dawn graduated from Green Valley State School in Springfield at the age of 21. 

She was then employed at the Tri-County Workshop in Butler, when it was across from the old jail. Dawn has been employed ever since. She worked a short time at Casco in Harrisonville, before returning to BCI to finish out her employment.

Dawn loved her job at the workshops and always had a smile on her face. BCI hosted a retirement party for her today. She will definitely be missed.

Obituary - Dr. Raphael John Torontow

Dr. Raphael John Torontow, 85, Nevada, MO passed away on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at Nevada Regional Medical Center. John was born July 5, 1938 in London, England to Jack and Sheila (Lee) Torontow. He was united in marriage to Vilia Jane Hartley and she survives of the home.

Born in London, England. John grew up during World War II. He was evacuated during The Blitz to the English countryside with his mother, brother, cousins, and other British children. John was educated at Sherborne school and received his medical degree from Trinity college Dublin. In his youth he enjoyed competitive sailing and he loved to fish. John married Jane Hartley in 1961, and they emigrated to the United States in 1962. He completed his internship at Griffin Hospital Derby, CT. John served as a flight surgeon in the US Air Force from 1962-1965. He completed post graduate training in internal medicine at the University of Missouri, Columbia. In 1969, John moved his young wife and 4 children to Nevada MO to join the Nevada Medical Clinic where he practiced medicine for over 20 years. Next, John worked in emergency room medicine where he received the McCune Brooks Humanitarian Award 2006. He then worked for NRMC rural health care, then Cedar County Memorial Hospital Clinic until his “retirement”. John went on to become the medical director of Nevada Community Health, currently Fast Comprehensive Health and worked for Signify Health Care until his death. John was actively involved in the community, a former board member of On My Own, and made several medical mission trips to Haiti. One of those trips he brought back his newly adopted grandsons, Gueslan and Muller to his son John and wife, Rosemary. John was an active member of All Saints Episcopal Church, serving in various roles. It was not uncommon to hear his booming voice above others. He had a unique zest for life, filled with compassion and humor. John lived his life in service to others and was most proud his children are endeavoring to do the same.

In addition to his wife Jane, he is survived by four children: Sarah Torontow, Nevada, Louise Lunkenheimer (Gary), Nevada, John Torontow (Rosemary McCloskey), Silver Spring, MD, and James Torontow, Nevada; four grandchildren, Aly Lunkenheimer, Noelle Lunkenheimer, Gueslan Torontow, and Muller Torontow; a cousin, Patty Young, England; his brother-in-law, Tim Hartley, England. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Harry Torontow, and his cousin Sally Moir.

Memorial services with Military Honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at the All Saints Episcopal Church in Nevada. The family will receive friends from 9:30-11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the church.

Those who wish may contribute in John’s memory to the All Saints Episcopal Church, or Honey’s Hope for Equine Rescue c/o Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

Butler High School Bears Boys Basketball advances to Championship game in the Warsaw Tournament

The Butler High School Boys Basketball team got the win tonight over the Cole Camp Blue Birds 60-29 in the 2nd round of the Warsaw Tournament.

Butler was led again by seniors Carter Trumbore who had 32 points and Dylan Davidson added 18!

Butler will play the winner of Knob Noster vs Weaubleau on Saturday in the championship game at 6pm.

Obituary - Jamie Jay Jepsen

Jamie Jay Jepsen, age 67, of Peculiar, Missouri passed away November 24, 2023 at St. Joseph Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.

A Celebration of Life visitation will be held on December 9, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Cullen Funeral Home, Inc., 612 W. Foxwood Dr., Raymore, Missouri 64083.

Jamie was born in Kankakee, Illinois on May 3, 1956 the son of Clarence E. Jepsen and Naomi M. Gaffney. Jamie and his brother Barry had a hard childhood and spent a lot of time growing up on the Momence River. After graduating from high school Jamie enlisted into the United States Navy to serve his country. In life, Jamie provided for his family as an electrician for IBEW Local Union #124 in Kansas City and retired after 30 plus years. 

He earned his Master's degree at UMKC simply for his love of learning. A history buff, lover of good music, and a walking wealth of knowledge who could talk to you about anything and everything. He devoted his life to his children and in them his love and legacy live on. Jamie is loved by so many. 

Always there to help anyone in his life who needed a hand. Known by everyone as one of the good ones; a great man, a great father, a great friend, and the best grandpa. A lover of all animals and in nature was his favorite place to be. 

In his spare time he was out in the yard, reading, volunteering, or spending time with his family including his cherished dogs Kona and Nikita and the cat that wandered into his life that he named Cat. He was a member of the Sierra Club, Missouri Prairie Foundation, the Missouri Department of Conservation, and volunteered at Lakeside Nature Center.

Jamie was preceded in death by his parents, Naomi and Clarence Jepsen; daughter, Montana Lewison; father in-law, James W. Stewart; and grandparents including his beloved Grandma Jepsen.

He is survived by his loving children, Jesten Jepsen (Kayla), Sara Jepsen (Cory Hawkins), and Robert Ellis; brother, Barry Jepsen (Vicki); two grandchildren, Ezra and Sophi; the mother to his children and his best friend, ReVae Jepsen; many nieces, nephews, cousins, his Uncle Paul and many other family members.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Missouri Prairie Foundation.

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Inc., Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278