Butler Pantry thrift store closing early

 Please help spread the word, the Butler pantry thrift store will be closing early at 3 pm on December 30th for the holiday weekend. Thank you.

Obituary - Harvey Preston Green, Sr.

Harvey Preston Green Sr., a devoted husband, loving father, and dedicated community member passed away on December 25, 2023, at his home in Shawnee, Kansas. He was born on May 14, 1935, in Licking, MO, to Charles and Martha Green.

Harvey was preceded in death by his eight siblings: Fred Andrew Green, Arngie Green, Delphia Dodson, Melba Cooper, Albert Green, Charlie Green, Bessie Morgan, and Melvin Green. He was also preceded in death by three children: Debra Jones, Ida Rene Davis, and Timothy Green. Despite the sorrow of losing his siblings and three children, Harvey leaves behind a legacy of resilience and strength.

Harvey is survived by six children: Darlene Atkinson, Robert Green, Karen Winters, Janice Zickefoose, Harvey Green Jr., and Susan Leichter. He is also survived by many loving grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In his early years, Harvey served with honor in the United States Army, showcasing his commitment to duty and country. Following his military service, he utilized his skills as a maintenance technician, working across the country. Harvey's dedication to learning was evident as he earned two Associate’s degrees, one as an insurance adjuster and the other in HVAC. Harvey was a proud Shriner and a member of the Rising Sun Masonic Lodge in Fort Scott, Kansas. His commitment to service extended to his role as the President of the resident group at the Homestead of Shawnee, where he also contributed as the editor of the assisted living newsletter, "The Spade."

A man of many talents and passions, Harvey enjoyed playing musical instruments, spending quality time with his family and friends, and expressing himself through writing. Recently, he dedicated his time to serving as the President of the resident group at the Homestead of Shawnee, leaving a lasting impact on those around him.

Harvey's love story with Wilma Jo Green, whom he was married to for 33 years, was a central part of his life. In a final tribute to their enduring love, Harvey was laid to rest in the Clarksburg Cemetery, next to Wilma.

A memorial service to celebrate Harvey's life will be held at the Cheney Witt Funeral Chapel on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 10:30 AM. Following the service, a family meal will be served at the Cheney Witt Carriage House at 301 S. Main in Fort Scott, Kansas.

Harvey Preston Green Sr. will be remembered not only for his accomplishments and contributions but also for the love and warmth he shared with those fortunate enough to know him. May he rest in peace, leaving behind cherished memories that will forever be etched in the hearts of his family and friends.

Words of remembrance may be left online at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary - Daniel Wayne Sogner

Daniel Wayne Sogner, 48 of Monegaw Springs, Missouri sadly passed away on December 20, 2023 at Warsaw Health and Rehabilitation Center in Warsaw, Missouri. The family is not planning a service at this time. 

However, his ashes will be spread at a later date according to Daniel’s wishes. Arrangements entrusted to the Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler Chapel (660-679-0009). Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

It is with a heavy heart we announce Daniel's passing. He leaves behind a loving family. His friends shared a special bond with Daniel, creating cherished memories that will be forever treasured. Daniel fought battles throughout his life. Daniel put up an amazing fight throughout the time he had cancer. As we bid farewell to Daniel, let us honor his memory by cherishing the joy, love, and laughter he brought into our lives.

He was preceded in death by his stepfather Robert M. Suster, grandparents and great-grandparents.

Survivors include his mother Sheri M. Robinson-Stogner-Suster who was by his side during his last moments. He is also survived by his brother Daryl L. Stogner, his best friend Johnny Spohn, aunts, uncles, nephews, and nieces, and close family friends.

Obituary - Billy Joe Fort

Billy Joe Fort, 74, of Freeman, Missouri, passed away at home on Thursday, December 21, 2023 and went to be with the Lord. Graveside services, with military honors, will be held at 11:00 on Thursday, December 28, 2023 at Glenwild Cemetery in Cleveland, MO. A Celebration of Life will be held at later date as well. Memorial contributions may be made to Crossroads Hospice (Child Grieving Camp) Independence, MO or St. Luke's Cancer Institute.

Bill was born January 18, 1949 in Freeman, MO, a son of Oliver Harvey and Mildred Louise (Scott) Fort. He was a graduate of Boonville High School, Boonville, MO, where he was an honor student. He earned his Bachelors Degree in Physics from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, MO. Bill served in the United States Army for two years, and always had an admiration for veterans.

Bill was a petrophysicist for Shell Oil in Houston, Texas, and worked as an engineer for Honeywell in Missouri for over 15 years. He considered himself blessed to work with NASA for two years, working on the space station project. Bill had many contract jobs, working overseas and in various states here in the United States.

In 1983, Bill met Roberta Dickens in Houston, TX, and a love relationship evolved very quickly. They were united in marriage on October 13, 1984. Bill was a beloved and devoted husband to Roberta (Bobbie) for 39 years and will be in Bobbie's heart and the hearts of his family and friends forever. He truly enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Bill was great inspiration, mentor and roll model that helped many people work through personal problems. He enjoyed camping, canoeing, fishing, gardening, genealogy, and anything historical. Bill was a member of the West Line Christian Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a step-son, Henry Dickens; and a sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Gene Goddard. Bill is survived by his wife, Bobbie, of Freeman, MO; his two sons: Douglas Fort, Pittsburg, PA; and Joseph Fort and his wife, Aviva, Jerusalem, Israel; a step-daughter, Virginia Dickens, Houston, TX; a brother and sister-in-law, Ronald and Lois Fort, West Line, MO; two grandsons, Zevie and David Fort; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

MDC announces new conservation agent in Cass County

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has assigned Sierra Page as the new conservation agent for Cass County. 

Page will be serving people who enjoy the outdoors while also protecting Cass County’s natural resources of forest, native grassland, fish, and wildlife.

Page is from Raymore in Cass County. She is a graduate of the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg.

“I have always loved the outdoors and enjoyed spending time in nature,” Page said. “As a conservation agent, I look forward to sharing my passion with others and teaching them responsible ways to hunt, fish, and appreciate the outdoors like I do.”

Page graduated in October from MDC’s Conservation Agent Training Academy in Jefferson City. The new agents received more than 1,200 hours of training in criminal investigations, defensive tactics, firearms qualifications, and technical instruction in fish, forest, and wildlife management. Training also included courses in legal studies, communications and conducting education programs, and First Aid/First Responder and CPR certification.

“While this is the county I am from, I have learned so much more about it,” Page said. “MDC has conservation areas here that I didn’t know about, and the areas are so beautiful and diverse. Everyone I have met since starting here, whether from the public, other MDC staff, or other agencies, has been very welcoming and kind.”

For questions about conservation or to report wildlife violations, contact Paige at 816-944-6836, or by email at Sierra.Page@mdc.mo.gov.

Peculiar man arrested for multiple car thefts

On December 27, around 5 a.m., Cass County Sheriff's deputies began pursuing a person of interest believed to be involved in multiple car thefts.

The pursuit began at the Eagle Glen Apartments in Raymore. The person eventually fled their vehicle after it was disabled in the roadway on 155th St. just west of Foxridge Dr.

Deputies spent several hours looking for the person who fled. He was found and arrested just east of Foxridge Dr., on the southside of 155th St around 8:15 a.m.

The suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Melvin Hobbs III of Peculiar, Missouri. Cass County Prosecutors charged Hobbs with a Class D felony for stealing. He also faces a misdemeanor charge for resisting arrest. Hobbs is currently being held on $25,000 cash only bond at the Cass County Jail.

Our detectives are also investigating Hobbs as a suspect in several other theft-related incidents. Belton, Lee’s Summit and Raymore Police all assisted in our efforts to track down Hobbs. The Missouri State Highway Patrol also helped.

Disclaimer: Arrest records are public information. Any indication of an arrest does not mean the individual identified has been convicted of a crime. All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Obituary - Joyce Elaine Stephens

Joyce Elaine (Flynn) Stephens, 72, born in Nevada, Mo on April 18, 1951 to John & Florence (Covington) Flynn. Joyce passed peacefully on Sunday, December 24, 2023. She was the third of five children. On August 2, 1969 Joyce married Michael Brown; of this union two children were born, Lori and John Brown. On March 3, 1978 She married Gregory Stephens; of this union two daughters were born, Angelique and Kelly Stephens.

Joyce had worked most of her life in the healthcare field as a CNA and CMT. She retired from the Nevada City Hospital, behavioral health unit in 2018. She also worked at Nevada Habilitation Center, Moore-Few Care Center, and Medicalodges.

Everyone who ever met her just absolutely loved her. She was a wonderful and caring woman with a huge heart and a great sense of humor. Joyce would become the life of the party with her joke telling, and she would keep on until your belly hurt and tears were rolling. You could hardly understand the joke because she would be laughing so hard!

She enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, playing card and board games, fishing, doing crossword puzzles, reading, listening to music and dancing. Even after her hip replacement this year in January 2023 she was back to boogeying in no time. Her lifetime friend was Jeanna Breckenridge. No matter how much time had passed since they last seen each other they would always pick up where they left off.

Joyce is preceded by her parents John and Florence Flynn. She is survived by her brothers and sisters; John (Charlene) Flynn, Judy (Bob) Rice, Jim Flynn and Janet (Charles) Cullison. Her children; Lori (Shane) Norbury, John Brown, Angelique (Tom) Hartline, Kelly (Preston) DuCharme. Grandchildren; Kaleob Norbury, Kyle (Tawni) Norbury, Jeweliah (Michael) Freeman, Ethan DuCharme, Edwin DuCharme, Breiann DuCharme; and Great Granddaughter Karmyn Freeman who will greatly miss her Ninny Jo

You will always be loved and missed forever in our hearts.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 28, 2023 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with John Flynn officiating. A rosary will be held at 5:30 p.m. with visitation following until 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested in her name to the National Kidney Foundation c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

Obituary - Mark Sisson

Mark Sisson, age 61, passed away December 24, 2023, at his home in Nevada, MO. Mark was born February 4, 1962, in Nevada, MO to Donald Sylvan and Bonnie Sue (Bousell) Sisson. At a young age, Mark moved to McCook, NE and married Krea Hanniford, to which they had a son, Donald Sisson, who lives in Gerring, NE.

Mark worked a variety of jobs throughout his life, taking an early retirement from Walmart, after 20 years of employment, due to his declining health. Mark enjoyed watching football games, particularly the Kansas City Chiefs, playing Texas Hold’em with his friends and playing in a pool league until his loss of sight made it impossible for him to see well enough. Mark also enjoyed visiting with his family and friends and was a master of telling corny jokes.

Mark leaves behind five siblings, Linda (Russ) Fanning of Nevada, MO, Steve (Amber) Tracy of Harrisonville, MO, Diana Hood, of Basehor, KS, Donna Crews of Milo, MO, and Debbie Meisenheimer, of Milo, MO.

He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Sisson, his mother, Bonnie Bush, a sister, Susie Baldwin, and a brother, Michael Sisson..

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 29, 2023, at Ferry Funeral Home.

Contributions may be made payable to Ferry Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses.