Vernon County Ambulance District welcomes new first responders

We would like to congratulate the Vernon County Ambulance District's newest first responder. 

All of the students passed the written exams tonight! 100% pass rate. Congratulations to each student for all their hard work and commitment to this program. 

Pictured from L to R: Thomas Short, Moses Gingerich, Hunter Yount, Stephanie Fox, Cody Hendrix, Tyler Cumpton and Instructor David May EMT-

Obituary - Virginia Mae Lucas

Virginia Mae Lucas, 69, of Clinton, Missouri passed away Friday afternoon, December 15, 2023 at her home. She was born January 19, 1954 in Anna, Illinois, the daughter of William Lee Andrews, Sr., and Barbara Lee (Linton) Andrews.

She married Eric Z. Lucas, Sr. on August 9, 1969 in Kansas City, Kansas, and he survives of the home. Virginia was a homemaker, choosing to stay home and raise their children. She enjoyed listening to music and working word puzzles. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by, one son, Eric V. Lucas, Jr. (Kayla), Clinton, Mo.; two daughters, Rebecca Murphy (James), St. Joseph, Mo., and Michelle Malotte (Leonard), Windsor, Mo.; nine grandchildren, Colby Murphy, Erica Lucas, Chris Malotte, Dylan Murphy, Matthew Malotte, Eric Lucas, III, Amanda Ott, Daniel Malotte and Zachary Lucas; six great-grandchildren; one brother William Andrews, Jr., Kansas City, Ks.; numerous nieces and nephews; and her furry friend Buttercup.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Gary Andrews, James Andrews, Bruce Andrews and Gordon Andrews; and three sisters, Brenda Hill, Barbara Bloomer and Roberta Eden.

A Celebration of Life will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, Clinton. Virginia will be cremated following the service.

Obituary - Forest Lynn Pettibon

Forest Lynn Pettibon, 86, Nevada, MO passed from this life on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at Medicalodges of Nevada. Forest was born July 27, 1937 in Deerfield, MO to Gaylord Franklin and Letha Irma (Roberts) Pettibon. He married Barbara Turnbull on February 26, 1999 at the First Christian Church in Nevada and she preceded him in death on May 12, 2018.

Forest was raised in rural Deerfield where he helped his dad on the family farm. In addition to farm life, he also enjoyed the restaurant business and spent 15 years working in a lodge in New Hampshire. As a result of growing up in the country, Forest developed a love of coon hunting. He attended the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Nevada.

Survivors include a sister, Anita Lightwine, Nevada; a brother, Jack Merril (Sharon), Pettibon, Deerfield; and a daughter, Alex Pettibon, New Hampshire. He was preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers, Keith Ray Pettibon, Burl Rex Pettibon, and Grover Gay Pettibon.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at Deerfield Cemetery in Deerfield, MO. Friends may call now and until noon on Wednesday at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

Santa visited children tonight at State Farm Insurance in Butler

Jolly old St. Nick was at Kellie Davidson State Farm Insurances tonight visiting with all the little boys and girls and getting last minute Christmas wants and requests. 

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported us tonight hopefully everyone had a great time! 

Kellie Davidson State Farm Insurance would like to wish all of you a very safe and Merry Christmas!

Traffic Alert in Vernon County

TRAFFIC ALERT: Vernon Co. Route KK CLOSED West of Nevada Dec. 19, 20 & 22 for Pipe Repair

When: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday, December 19, 20 & 22

Where: Three (3) locations on Route KK west of Nevada

Tuesday, December 19 – Between County Road 400 & County Road 50, Wednesday, December 20 – Between County Road 500 & County Road 600, Friday, December 22 – Between County Road 900 & County Road 1000

What: MoDOT crews replacing damaged pipes underneath the road
Traffic Impacts:

Route KK CLOSED where crews are working, Drivers will have access to driveways and entrances on either end of the work zone but will not be able to travel through the work zone, Drivers urged to find alternate routes.

No signed detours planned. Signs and message boards will alert drivers approaching the work zone. Check MoDOT’s 

Traveler Information Map for road closings/traffic impacts. Weather and/or scheduling conflicts could alter the work schedule.

Obituary - Robert "Bob" Thomas

Robert Earl Thomas 76, of Butler, Missouri, went to be with the Lord on Friday, December 15, 2023, with his loved ones by his side. Cremation, with private family services at a later date. Inurnment with military honors will take place in Rosehill Cemetery in Lisbon, Missouri. 

Services under the direction of Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Robert “Bob” Earl Thomas was born on October 6, 1947 in Boonville, Missouri. He was the son of Lester Lea and Leona Ailene (Buehler) Thomas. Mr. Thomas served in the United States Army, 121st St. Signal Battalion attached to the First Infantry Division. He was stationed in Vietnam from February 1968 to February 1969.

Bob worked for George Ross of Vit-A-Zine for many years until he got his truck driving calling in 1988 and drove for 20 years. He had a love of classic cars, truck and tractor pulls, and country music, especially Willie’s Roadhouse and Lori Morgan. 

A fun weekend to Bob was a car show, a tractor pull and good ‘ol country music. He enjoyed watching the Chiefs and the Missouri Tigers play ball. 

Bob would make a bet with anyone on who was going to win. He always loved when the grandkids came to visit, there was a lot of love and laughter. He was united in marriage to Debra Sue Pollard on December 16, 2002.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Cathy Reyes, Carolyn Thomas, and Janet Payne, great-grandson Wesley Rae Henry, and lifetime friend and former wife Carol Sue Thomas.

He is survived by his wife Debra Thomas, sister Mary Lee Haworth of Tucson, AZ, his three daughters Tammy, Rhonda, and Karen, grandchildren Cody, Courtney, Kristen, Maggie, Jazmin, Jamar, and Jaylah, great-grandchildren Courtlynn, Cannon, Elsie, Cora, and Brayden, step-children Rachel, Samantha, and George, step-grandchildren Chloe, Emmit, Elliot, and Illea, along with many nephews, nieces, friends, and extended family members.

Obituary - Presley Craig Evans

Presley Craig Evans, age 73, Rich Hill, Missouri passed away Friday, December 15, 2023.

Funeral service will be 2 pm Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at the Heuser Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Green Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm Monday December 18 at the Heuser Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the COPD Foundation. Online condolences can be left www.heuserfunerals.com.

BCMH Hospital News: Thank you Dr. Miller

Dr. James Miller has served as Medical Director for our Emergency Room and EMS departments since around 1999. Don't worry, Dr. Miller isn't going anywhere, but this year he decided to pass the ED/EMS Medical Director mantle to Dr. Ben Crary. 

Dr. Crary is employed with BCMH as our hospitalist and has taken care of our hospitalized patients since 2019.

Dr. Miller was recognized for his service today during Medical Staff meeting and was presented with an engraved crystal plaque by Troy Trumbore, ED Supervisor and Russ Whisenand, EMS Supervisor. 

Troy prefaced the presentation with a few comments about Dr. Miller: "He had a great dedication for the ER, EMS, this hospital and staff.

He always could be counted on for good advice, support and great perspective on dealing with issues that might arise. We truly appreciate everything you've done for us over the years."

We heartily agree! Thanks to both Dr. Miller and Dr. Crary for taking excellent care of our community.