Obituary - Mark Martin Meanor

Mark Martin Meanor, age 48, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at the Cox Medical Center South in Springfield, Missouri. 

He was born February 21, 1975, in Niskayuna, New York the son of Martin Wayne Meanor and Linda Lee DeLapp Meanor. When Mark was young, the Meanor family moved from New York to Uniontown, Kansas.

Mark graduated from the Uniontown High School with the Class of 1993. While growing up, summers were often spent with his grandpa in New York. Many special memories where made on the banks of Lake Champlain. Mark married Kate Wilson on June 16, 2001, at Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

Throughout his life, Mark worked primarily as a mechanic. He enjoyed working on cars and always had a project going. He was also a great fan of NASCAR. Mark was a devoted husband and a loving father to his two children. He enjoyed fishing and also helping his daughter with her horse. The photo was lovingly taken by his son.

Survivors include his wife, Kate and his two children, Claire Meanor and Cole Meanor all of the home. Also surviving are his parents, Martin Meanor and Linda Meanor both of Ft. Scott; a brother, Michael Meanor of Uniontown, Kansas and several nieces and nephews.

Following cremation, a graveside service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, January 11th at the Uniontown Cemetery. Friends and family will meet at the cemetery. 

Memorials are suggested to the Mark Meanor Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

A special night in Drexel

The Drexel Bobcats hosted the Lakeland Vikings tonight for a Coaches vs Cancer game. There was a free throw shooting fundraiser at halftime of the boys game. 

Special participant, “Granny” Rose Marsh took her shot. The pep band was in full swing, and there was a wall of honor. The night brought in $300 to be donated to the American Cancer Society.

Butler Boys Basketball blown out by Nevada

Butler Boys Basketball blown out by Nevada...

The Butler Bears Varsity Basketball Team traveled to Nevada tonight to take on the tigers in basketball action Butler lost 79-45.

Butler was led in scoring by Senior Carter Trumbore who had 25 points and Brandon Hammett had 6 points in the loss. 

The Nevada Tigers was led in scoring by Jack Cheaney who had 18 and Brice Budd with 13 points. Butler will move to 7-4 on the season and Nevada will move to 7-5 on the season. 

Winter Weather Probable Early Next Week

A winter weather system is still on track to impact the region Monday into Tuesday. Total accumulations are still uncertain, but it is possible that at least portions of the region could receive 3"+ of snow. The forecast should come into better focus this weekend.

Obituary - Diane Lee Dighero

Diane Lee Dighero, 65, Nevada, MO passed away at her home on Thursday, January 4, 2024, following a lengthy illness. Diane was born January 15, 1958, to Joe and Frieda Jean (Homrighouse) Leer. She married Terry Dighero on April 17, 1976, in Nevada, MO and he survives of the home.

Diane was raised in Nevada and attended Nevada Schools. In her younger years she worked at Fox Theater and Drive in Theater, then worked for a number of years at Nevada State Hospital as an aide, and lastly at 3M in Nevada for over 20 years until her retirement. Diane enjoyed coon hunting and had a love of all animals although she especially enjoyed raising horses and cattle. She was a 30-year member of the Nevada Eagles Lodge.

In addition to her husband Terry, she is survived by two children; Jeremy Dighero, Nevada, and Ashley Dighero (CJ), Nevada ; six grandchildren, Colby Dighero, Collen Dighero, Gage Dighero, Ethan Dighero, Chance Dighero and Mallory Dighero; one great-grandson, Grayson Dighero; siblings, Larry Leer, Lamar, MO, Alfred Leer, Nevada, MO, Pam Kelley (Scott), Lamar, Linda Leer, and Rick Morris, El Dorado Springs, MO; numerous nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins; as well as many friends.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. The family will receive friends from 10-11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested in her name to the Vernon County Cancer Relief c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

Obituary - John "Johnnie" Russell Watts

John “Johnnie” Russell Watts, 63, Nevada, MO passed away on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at Moore-Care Center in Nevada. John was born January 3, 1960 in Rich Hill, MO to John Ivan and Diana Rose (Bybee) Watts.

John is survived by a daughter, Natasha Watts, Nevada; three grandchildren; a brother, Terry Lawson (Hazel), Independence, MO; nieces and nephews, Renee (Kevin) Brooks, Richards, Jason Litten, Nevada, Sherry Lawson, Rolla, MO, Leona Bostow (Rodney), Amarillo, TX, Danny Stevenson (Ashley), Blue Springs, MO, Josh Lawson (Natalie), Nevada, and Audra Fleeman (Tony), Nevada; as well as several great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Robert Lawson, and a sister, Tina Groves.

No services are planned at this time.

Obituary - Leslie "Francine" Riggs

Leslie Francine Riggs, 62 of Nevada, passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2023 at Nevada Regional Medical Center. Francine was born on April 22, 1961, in Nevada, MO to Alfred and Rosetta (Owens) Nichols. She married Gerald “Jerry” Riggs on April 21, 1989 in Nevada.

Francine was raised in Nevada and attended Nevada High School. She worked in food service at Cottey College and Nevada Middle School, at On My Own for several years, and the Nevada Habilitation Center for 14 years until retiring due to illness. Francine loved being with family and spending time with her grandchildren.

Francine is survived by her husband, Jerry, of the home; her children, John Murphy (Megan), Nevada, MO, and Shea Moore (Brandon), Centerton, AR; 7 grandchildren, Jeremiah, Madison, Jamin, Jaxson, Gabriel, Natalie, Camden; and her mother, Rosetta Nichols, Nevada, MO. She was preceded in death by her father, Alfred Lester Nichols; and her father- and mother-in law, Junior and Betty Riggs.

Memorial services for Francine Riggs will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Pastor Ray Adams officiating. Committal will follow at a later date in Newton Burial Park. Those who wish may contribute in Francine’s memory to the COPD Foundation in c/o Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, MO.

Butler Wrestling Tournament Weekend is here!

The Butler High School girls wrestling tournament starts at 3:30PM tomorrow. 20 teams from Missouri and Kansas.

Then on Saturday the Butler High School boys tournament starts at 9AM.

Come out and cheer our wrestlers this weekend!