Obituary - James Melvin McElwain

James Melvin McElwain of Butler, Missouri died on October 25, 2023 at his son’s, Stephen, home in Wichita, Kansas of Lewey Body Dementia.  He was born February 20, 1931 to Melvin and Beatrice (Chitty) McElwain in Twin Falls, Idaho.

James and his parents moved back to Bates County to care for his maternal grandfather when he was about six months old.  James and his sister, Jewel attended a one-room school–the teacher was their Aunt Hazel Chitty Nelson.  He attended and graduated from Ballard High School in 1949 where he played on the basketball team.  He retired from General Motors on October 1, 1985.  On March 28, 1954 he was united in marriage to Ellen June Herman.  In the 1960s James was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.  He loved watching the Kansas City Chiefs play and his Polka programs.

James is survived by his wife, Ellen; sons, Stephen McElwain and wife Lisa of Wichita, Kansas and Daryl McElwain of Butler, Missouri; grandchildren, Crystal Eldred and husband Billy of Butler, Missouri, Sheila Morrow and husband Bryan of Kansas City, Missouri, Matthew McElwain and wife Kristina of Clearwater, Kansas and Andrew McElwain and wife Marishka of Wichita, Kansas; great-grandchildren, Avery Eldred, Lyla Eldred, Calla Eldred, Jamyn McElwain, Malachi McElwain, Sophia McElwain, Malana McElwain, and Aviana McElwain; and a great-nephew, Joshua Felts.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Jewel Gibson; a niece, Julie Spears; and a nephew, Jeffrey Gibson. 

Cremation has taken place.  Inurnment at Oak Hill Cemetery will be at a later date.  Services will be on Zoom, Saturday December 23, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. 

Zoom Meeting ID: 639 325 3228

Zoom Passcode: 816660

Memorial contributions can be made to: 
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.
attn: Donor Support
900 Red Mills Road
Wallkill, NY, US 12589-5200

Obituary information courtesy of Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Welcome to the Harrisonville Police Department

On Friday morning the Harrisonville Police Department the pleasure of "welcoming" Shaylee Broockherd as a Harrisonville Police Officer!

Broockherd had been part of the HPD family for the past couple of years, serving the department as a dispatcher before making the decision to enroll in the Cass County Sheriffs Office Academy.

Shaylee was consistently one of the top students in her academy class and took on leadership responsibilities while at the academy.

Welcome to your new role in the family, Officer Broockherd! We are thankful for your dedication to the Harrisonville Police Department.

Structure fire in Foster

Shortly before 8 p.m. Foster Fire was notified of a structure fire. Foster then requested mutual aid from Hume Fire and Rich Hill Fire.

The home was a total loss. No one was injured in this incident. Rich Hill had 5 trucks and 9 firefighters respond.

Appleton City JH Boys Basketball finish first

We would like to Congratulate the Appleton City Junior High Boys Basketball for their first place victory in the WEMO Conference Tournament! Go Bulldogs!!
 

Butler Girls Basketball Tournament in the books

In a sloppy game that say over 60 total turnovers, Rich Hill fell to the Raytown Lady Blue Jays with a final of 54-46. 

The Blue Jays were led by Leataat Igala with 16 points and 16 rebounds to go along with 4 blocks. The Tigers had 3 ladies in double figures with Miller scoring 17, Phelps getting 15 and Burris pitching in 10.

The second game of the night saw the Adrian Blackhawks top the KIPP Gators 44-32. Adrian's leading scorer was Riley Essenpries with 17 points. The gators were led by Jazem Fennel with 12.

In the battle for the championship the Butler Bears squared off against University Academy. The Gryphons would prove victorious with a final of 50-27. 

The Bears were led in scoring by Jenna Tourtillot with 9 points and 3 steals. The Gryphons are led by Ananda Ford who ended the game with 25 points, 11 rebounds, 7 steals, and 4 blocks.

The Gryphons win the 1st place hardware, while the Lady Bears walk away with 2nd, and the Blackhawks earned the 3rd place trophy with their win.

See more Tailgate TV here https://linktr.ee/tailgate_tv

Rain tonight into Saturday

Rainfall continues into Saturday with amounts around a quarter to half inch for most. Dry weather is expected to return for Saturday afternoon and continue into next week. Above normal temperatures are also expected next week.

Sawyer Brown coming to Rich Hill

Your 2024 Rich Hill 4th of July Entertainer July 6th at 8pm is SAWYER BROWN!!!Sawyer Brown won Star Search in 1983 and the rest is history.

Sawyer Brown was named the Vocal Band of the Year from 1993-1998. They have had 3 #1 singles, "Step That Step", "Some Girls Do", and "Thank God For You".

Sawyer Brown will be performing a FREE concert on July 6, 2024 at 8 pm in Rich Hill's Park Place (West Park)

Stay tuned for more schedule announcements!!

Obituary - Rebecca "Becki" A. Crossland Baker

A Celebration of Life Service for Rebecca "Becki" Crossland Baker of Jacksonville, Florida formerly of Butler, Missouri will be 11 a.m. December 16, 2023 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. No Visitation. Inurnment at a later date in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to Ohio Street United Methodist Church. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Rebecca “Becki” Anne Crossland Baker, age 74 of Jacksonville, Florida formerly of Butler, Missouri died Thursday, November 16, 2023 at Oakview Health Rehabilitation Center in Orange Park, Florida. She was born September 30, 1949 to Henry Harold and Helen Juanita Herman Crossland.

Becki, one of two children, grew up and attended grade school in Butler, Missouri. She moved to Baxter Springs, Kansas and attended school from 7th grade to her junior year in high school. Becki then came back to Butler and was a 1968 graduate of the Butler High School where she was a member of the FHA, mixed chorus, pep club and student council. She continued her education at Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Missouri studying history and psychology. 

Becki lived in several places before moving back to Butler in 2000, then to Spring Hill, Kansas and to Florida in March of 2023. She was employed as a front desk clerk at the Lexington Inn in Lexington, Missouri. Becki was a member of the Ohio United Methodist Church in Butler. She married Stanley John McHenry and to this union, a daughter was born. Later she married Ricky Alan Baker and to this union, two sons were born.

Becki was known to be friendly, kind hearted, happy, loving, caring, witty, generous and an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan. She loved playing cards, reading, and coloring pictures in the nursing home.

Becki is survived by her daughter, Amanda McHenry Montgomery of Butler, Missouri; two sons, Brandon Baker and companion Yunias Dodson of Middleburg, Florida and Justin Baker and wife Corissa of Spring Hill, Kansas; two granddaughters; two grandsons; a great-granddaughter; a great-grandson; and a brother, Barry Crossland and wife Barbara of Maryville, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her parents.