Obituary - Michael Eugene Rash

Michael Eugene Rash, age 72 of Clinton, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2023 at the Harry S. Truman Veterans Hospital in Columbia, Missouri. 

Celebration of Life services will be Thursday, January 4th, 2024 at 2:00 PM at the Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri. Family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 PM at the chapel. Burial with Military Honors will follow in the Englewood Cemetery, Clinton, Missouri. 

Memorial contributions can be made to Heartland Women's Recovery Program (HWRP) or the Children's Cancer Research (Alex's Lemonade Stand www.alexslemonade.org/contribute/7) and may be left in care of the funeral home.

Michael Eugene Rash was born on October 11, 1951 in Kansas City, Missouri. He always joked that he was born “going up in the world” because his mom was going up in the elevator when his birth started.

Mike accepted Christ as his Savior in 1969 when he was a senior in high school and loved sharing his testimony.

He joined the Air Force in December 1970 and served his entire enlistment at Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster, Missouri.

On July 24, 1971 Mike married Marie Long, the love of his life and they were blessed with a daughter Stacey and son Michael. They later were blessed with a bonus son Dave and bonus daughter Amy. Mike said the only thing that surpassed the birth of his 2 children was when his grandson Miles was born in 2013.

He was so proud of Stacey and Dave, Mike and Amy and Miles. He loved family and in the words of his son, “He would do anything for his family if he could. He taught me that family comes first and Dad loved his.”

Mike and Marie served as foster parents for many years and still have relationships with many of those that passed through their home.

Mile remembered as a young child being asked what he wanted to be when he grew up and his answer was a pastor. He pastored his first church in 1972 in Warrensburg, Missouri. He later became ordained as an Assembly of God minister and for 50 years fulfilled his calling so faithfully pastoring churches in Columbia, Missouri, Knox City, Missouri, Greenfield, Missouri, Unionville, Missouri and Lyndon, Kansas.

He loved the years he served as a bus driver especially driving local sports teams to games and driving vo-tech students to classes. He enjoyed sports and was a lifelong Chiefs, Royals and Mizzou fan.

Mike will always be remembered for his strong faith and positive attitude along with his ever present smile.

Michael is preceded in death by his father Ernest Rash, his nephew Brandon Ruopp, his niece Nichole Long and brothers-in-law Marvin Long and Donald Long.

Survivors include his wife Marie Rash, his mother Pauline Hess of Richmond, Missouri, his daughter Stacey Schnapf (Dave) of Bethel, Missouri, his son Michael Rash (Amy) of St. Louis, Missouri, one grandson Miles Rash of St. Louis, Missouri, his siblings; Jim Rash (Phyllis) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Cheryl Karl (Ronnie) of Richmond, Missouri, Patty Ruopp (Wade) of Marshalltown, Missouri, and Sandy Warnell (Jeff) of Conrad, Iowa, his sisters-in-law; Kathy Collins of Clinton, Missouri, Linda Long of Republic, Missouri, his brothers-in-law; Lester Long (Karen) of Clinton, Missouri, Alvin Long (Verecia) of Clinton, Missouri, and David Long (Cindy) of Deepwater, Missouri.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri

From the Butler Elementary

 

Thank you for the donation

Vernon County First Responders were honored to receive a donation from Dustin with Smithfield Foods, to help with equipment and operating costs.

Shown in the photo is Director Leland Splitter receiving the funds from Korey Yount, current Bronaugh VCAD First Responder.

Obituary - William "Bill" S. Ketron Jr.

Military and Celebration of Life services for William "Bill" S. Ketron Jr. formerly of Butler, Missouri will be 11 a.m. January 19, 2024 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation prior to services 10 - 11 a.m. at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Inurnment in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler following the service. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

William S. Ketron Jr., age 89 formerly of Butler, Missouri passed away Thursday, December 21, 2023 at Heritage House in Platte City, Missouri. He was born February 2, 1934 to Bud and Louise Ketron in Butler, Missouri.

Bill, as he was known, attended Tygard School and graduated from Butler High School in 1951. He enlisted in the Air Force on March 12, 1952 and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant on March 11, 1956. Bill held various jobs through the years including insurance agent, Bob and Glenn’s equipment salesman, and owner of Bill’s Sport Shop and an employee of The Xchanger. On February 2, 1963 he married Margaret Yazel.

Bill enjoyed working in his garden and playing cards with family and friends. He was a member of the VFW Post #4416, Bates County Elks and Ohio Street Methodist Church.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Donna Smith (Bill) of California, Missouri; stepson, Ricky Yazel (Marilyn) of Enid, Oklahoma; five grandchildren, Deanna Minyard (John) of Camden Point, Missouri, Dustin Minnick (Kristy) of Oak Grove, Missouri, Mark Keefer (Jennie) and Kevin Keefer all of Enid, Oklahoma and Derrick Yazel (Breanne) of Vinita, Oklahoma; 10 great-grandchildren, Samatha Young, Cheyenne Minnick, Chase Kampe, Austin Kampe, Ashlin Kampe, Travis Kampe, Alex Keefer, Drew Keefer, Keiley Yazel and Koltyn Yazel; three great-great-grandchildren, Abby Young, Jax Young and Hazel Howerton; a sister-in-law, Gerry Ketron; a niece, Judy Warren; and a cousin Pat Bigler. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Jim Ketron and Bob Ketron; and a sister-in-law, Charmaine.

MSHP Reports 5 Traffic Fatalities, 0 Drownings, and 0 Boating Fatalities Over New Year’s Holiday Weekend

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, provides the following preliminary statistics related to the New Year’s holiday weekend:

Five people died and 59 were injured in 115 traffic crashes during the 2024 New Year’s holiday counting period, which began at 6 p.m. Friday, December 29, 2023, and ended at 11:59 p.m. Monday, January 1, 2024. There were 0 boating crashes and 0 drownings over the 2024 New Year’s holiday counting period.

2024 New Year’s Holiday Traffic Statistics
Troopers investigated the following:

Traffic Crashes — 115
Traffic Crash Injuries — 59
Traffic Crash Fatalities — 3
DWI — 139

[Note: During the 2023 New Year’s holiday counting period, six people were killed and 345 injured in 925 traffic crashes statewide. During last year’s New Year’s holiday, troopers worked 236 of those crashes which included 81 injuries and 2 fatalities. Troopers arrested 105 people for driving while intoxicated last year.]

One traffic fatality occurred in each of the following areas: Troop C, Weldon Spring Area, Troop D, Springfield area, and Troop G, Willow Spring area. The Columbia Missouri Police Department and the Kansas City Missouri Police
Department each worked one fatality crash.

One fatality occurred on December 29, 2023. Jeremy L. Moore, 40, of Springfield, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a concrete bridge support. The crash occurred on Farm Road 102, west of Farm Road 151, north of Springfield. Moore was pronounced dead by Dr. Wycoff and Dr. Beard at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MO. Moore was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Three fatalities occurred on December 30, 2023. Joseph L. Kish, 42, of Lakeview, AR, died when the vehicle he was driving crossed the center of the road and struck another vehicle. The crash occurred on Highway 5, five miles south of Wasola. Kish was pronounced dead at the scene by Ozark County Coroner Gene Britt. Kish was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The driver of the second vehicle was wearing a seat belt and sustained moderate injuries in the crash. The crash is being investigated by the Patrol's Major Crash Investigation Unit. The Ozark County Sheriff's Office and the Gainesville Fire Department assisted at the scene.

Brady L. Ewing, 55, of Columbia, MO, died after being stuck by a vehicle. Ewing was a pedestrian. The crash occurred on East Broadway, west of North Fifth Street, in Columbia, MO. The driver of the vehicle was not injured. The crash is being investigated by the Columbia Missouri Police Department.

Jeffrey M. Stoppelmann, 52, of Fenton, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving traveled off the right side of the road, returned to the road, traveled off the left side of the road and struck a fence. Stoppelmann's vehicle then struck a large rock, overturned, and struck a tree. The crash occurred on Mapaville-Hematite Road, north of Debbie Drive, in Jefferson County. Stoppelmann was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. Stoppelmann was not wearing a seat belt.

One fatality occurred on December 31, 2023. Hmdovzoo Vue, 19, of Kansas City, MO, died when the vehicle he was driving traveled off the road, struck the center guardrail impact attenuator, and overturned. The crash occurred on 71 Highway near Truman Road. Vue was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The crash is being investigated by the Kansas City Missouri Police Department.

There were no fatalities on January 1, 2024.

The fatality statistics in this news release could change if late deaths occur, or if other departments report fatal traffic crashes after this news release is sent to the media.

Too many people die in traffic crashes each year in Missouri. The choices you make when you’re behind the wheel matter. Make good choices, so you’ll never have to say, “If I could just go back.”

Obituary - Gaynelle May Barnett

Gaynelle May Barnett, age 74, of Peculiar, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, December 30, 2023.

Services will be held on Friday, January 5, 2024 at Cullen Funeral Home, 612 W. Foxwood Dr. Raymore, Missouri 64083. 

Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 3:00 p.m. A reception for friends and family will follow at Johnny’s Tavern, 716 W. Foxwood Dr. Raymore, Missouri 64083.

Gaynelle was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on May 28,1949 to William French and Phyllis (Hobbs) French. After graduating high school, Gaynelle dedicated much of her life honorably serving her country in the United States Marine Corps. After retiring from the Marine Corps, Gaynelle worked as a Relocation Specialist at Richards-Gebaur before ultimately retiring from there. In life Gaynelle was the biggest advocate for veterans and especially women in the Marine Corps. 

She was a master gardener as she received much joy from gardening. Gaynelle volunteered much of her time and energy with the Elks Lodge in Harrisonville where she gave back to the community and veterans. She also loved cooking, and later in life very much enjoyed her grandchildren.

Gaynelle was preceded in death by her parents, William and Phyllis French; and husband Mike Haas.

Here cherishing her memory are her loving daughter, Lisa Gould and her husband Nathaniel; her two grandchildren, Sawyer and Lucille Gould; sister, Lea Fendley and husband Jim; nephew Andy Fendley and his wife Helen.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Cass County Elks Lodge via mail at P.O. Box 768 Harrisonville, Missouri 64701-0768.

Obituary - Claude Eugene Robertson

Claude E. Robertson age 51 of Clinton, Missouri, passed away on Friday, December 29, 2023 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. A Memorial Visitation will be held Friday, January 5th, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Claude E. Robertson Memorial Fund and may be left in care of funeral home.

Claude Eugene Robertson was born on November 11, 1972 in Morgantown, West Virginia. He was the son of Eddie and Floria (Shaffer) Robertson.

Claude loved to hunting mushrooms, fishing, and loved to cook. He was a wonderful husband, father, and brother. He enjoyed working as a carpenter, playing his guitar and listening to music. A dream of his was to have another Harley Davidson someday.

Claude is survived by his wife Natasha of the home, six children; Claude Robertson Jr., Paris Robertson, Breezey Robertson, Grace Robertson, Lance Robertson, and Garrett Robertson, four sisters; Tina Davis, Angela True, Amy Lyman, and Donna Blevins, 7 nephews and 5 nieces, and numerous aunts, uncles and family and friends.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri.

Dense Fog Advisory

Fog is starting to develop, and is expected to linger into the morning. If you are driving, please turn the low-beam headlights on, give yourself extra time, and increase following distance.