Obituary - Johnny Lee Spears, Sr.

Johnny Lee Spears, Sr., age 65, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, January 29, 2024, at the Freeman West Health Center in Joplin, Missouri. He was born September 30, 1958, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Marion Lee “John” Spears and Esie Shaffer Spears. Johnny grew up in Kansas City and later moved to Ft. Scott where he graduated from Ft. Scott High School in 1976. Following graduation, he enlisted with the United States Navy. He served with the Navy for nine and a half years and was stationed in Connecticut and Virginia.

He served as a missal technician on submarine crews. Johnny married Kathy Seal in June 1983. Following his discharge from military service, the family relocated to Texas for several years prior to returning to the Ft. Scott area. Johnny completed the Harley Davidson program at Ft. Scott Community College. He worked for a year at a Harley Davidson dealership in Louisiana. Johnny loved listening to music and reading. In earlier years he enjoyed fishing and recently had taken up the hobby of grilling and smoking meat. He was a great fan of the Las Vegas Raiders and of NASCAR. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Kathy, of the home; three children, April Sloan (Robert) of Pittsburg, Kansas, Jennifer Spears of Covington, Kentucky and Johnny L. Spears, Jr., of Ft. Scott; eight grandchildren, Michael Woodward, Michelle Robinson, Kyle, Brady and Scott Sloan, and Aliziegh, Marley and Astonia Spears and three great-grandchildren, Anthony, Avery and Alexander Robinson. Also surviving are four brothers, Danny Spears, Warsaw, Missouri, Kenny Spears Fulton, Kansas, Jessee Spears, Pleasanton, Kansas and John Jenkins, of Nevada, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Crystal White and a sister, Lillian Vanderford.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 A.M. Thursday, February 1st at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Johnny Spears 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.

Clinton School District Teachers Receive Recognition

We would like to congratulate a couple Clinton Intermediate School teacher, Hallie Fairchild and Clinton High School teacher, 1SG Tom Collison who recently received awards and recognition from VFW Post 1894.

These awards are given to teachers who help instill a sense of national pride and patriotism in students.

#CardinalPride

Animal Cruelty Investigation in Miami County Kansas

 

Obituary - Connie Rae Quick

Connie Rae Quick 79 of Springfield MO formerly of Butler and Kansas City, MO passed away January 29, 2024 at The Montclair Senior Living in Springfield MO. A visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 10:30 am Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). 

Memorial services will follow at 10:30 am Saturday, also at the funeral home. Messages, and memories for the family may be left at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Connie was the oldest daughter of Hershell L. and Ruby M. (Adams) Barnett born April 27, 1944 in Butler MO. Connie had four children; Carol, Calvin, Judd and Sally Jo.

Connie lived a full life and was a pioneer for women and minorities as a member of Teamsters Union Local 541 Road Construction. She worked for companies such as J. A. Tobin and Clarkson. She retired with a 20-year pension, then she took up her love of sewing. She loved to make scrappy quilts and crafting.

Connie was preceded in death her parents, her 30-year companion Gene Reiss, her son Calvin Embry, and her sister Lora Lee Busherd.

Connie is survived by her children Carol Criswell, husband Roy of Springfield MO, Kenny Justin “Judd” Quick, significant other Nannette New Kirk of Butler MO, Sally Jo Ratzburg, husband Scott of Raytown, MO, grandkids and great grandkids. She is also survived by brother-in-law Jerry Busherd of Moses Lake Washington.

Obituary - Ellery Benjamin Calkins

Ellery Benjamin Calkins, age 76, Pleasanton, Kansas passed away Monday, January 29, 2024. He was born on June 7, 1947 in Kansas City, Missouri the son of Virgil and Alvalean Henson Calkins. He graduated from Pleasanton High School. He served his country in the United States Navy doing three tours in Vietnam. Most of his working career was spent as a parts manager for Ford Motor Company. 

Ellery was united in marriage to Willa Appleberry in 1982. He was preceded in death by his parents. Ellery is survived by his wife, Willa, three sons, Dallas Calkins, Tim Kenney, Christopher Calkins, a daughter, Kimberly Gutierez, two sisters, Molly Richards and Carol DeAngelo, and two grandchildren, Jaylin and Mckenna.

Funeral service will be 11 am Friday, February 2, 2024 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel. Burial in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler, Missouri. Visitation will be held from 10 am to service time a the Pleasanton Chapel. 

Memorial contributions are suggested to Wounded Warriors, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 525, Pleasanton, KS 66075. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

Obituary - Janet Lynn Lee

Janet Lynn Lee passed away peacefully at Centerpoint Medical Center on 1/27/2024.

Janet was born at home in Belton, Missouri to Gene and Evelyn Higgins on May 4, 1952. She was a lifelong resident of Belton. Janet attended school in Belton and graduated in 1970.

She was a lover of all things involving gardening and flowers. She enjoyed sewing, cooking and baking. She also loved her dog, Puddles, and could be seen taking her for walks through downtown Belton or out to the park. Janet always had a smile on her face, a wicked sense of humor, and willingness to help anyone who she saw needed her help.

Janet also was involved in and attended church, most recently going to Vox Dei Community Church. She continued bible study and prayer groups during her time at Carnegie Village. As her family knows, she was a big fan of God and he was a big fan of hers.

Janet is survived by her sister Sheila Strong, nieces and nephews and many friends. Janet was proceeded in death by her parents, brother Terry Higgins and sister Lori Higgins.

A memorial visitation will be held from 6-7:00 p.m. on May 9, 2024 at Cullen Funeral Home, Inc., 612 W. Foxwood Dr., Raymore, MO 64083 with family condolences shared at 7:00 p.m. Private family inurnment at the Belton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association Heart of America Chapter at 8001 Conser, Suite 240, Overland Park, KS 66204 or alz.org or to a charity of choice.

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Inc., Raymore, MO 816-322-5278

Structure fire Tuesday night in Butler

Structure fire Tuesday night in Butler...

Around 8:15 p.m. this evening the Butler Fire Department along with mutual aide from the Adrian Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 309 S. Main Street.

Crews remained several hours on scene of this fire and the cause is still under investigation. No one was reported injured.

Mid America Live News will update when more information is made available to us.

Obituary - Lawrence Eugene Daniels

Lawrence Eugene Daniels, 74, Nevada, MO, passed away on Sunday, January 28, 2024, at his home following a lengthy illness. Lawrence was born on March 8, 1949, in Deerfield, MO to Ninian Barnsback “N.B.” and Wanda Lee (Wyckoff) Daniels. He married Connie Jean Compton on November 30, 1968, in Nevada and she survives of the home.

Lawrence was raised in Moundville, MO and graduated from Nevada High School in 1967. He served in the U.S. Army for two years and was stationed in Vietnam from December 1968 thru December 1969. Following his time in the service Lawrence returned to Moundville where he farmed and raised cattle and worked at Crane Plumbing for a time. He also worked in construction as a heavy equipment operator and as a concrete worker. Lawrence was a member of the VFW and Past Commander of Post #2175.

In addition to his wife Connie survivors include his two daughters, Staci Daniels, daughter, Marionville, Marci Daniels (William Walker), Nevada; three grandchildren, Austin Strickland (Fawn) and their daughter, Persie, DeSoto, KS, Dallas Strickland (Kamryn), Carthage, MO, and Kourtney Workman, Stow Ohio; his mother Wanda Haley, Ft. Scott, KS; three sisters, Janice Williams, Nevada, Janet Murphy (Pat), Ft. Scott, and Liz Lechman, Nevada; one brother, Paul Daniels (Sherry), Moundville; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and one brother, Charles Daniels.

Military Honors will begin at 5:00 p.m. Friday, February 2, 2024, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada followed by visitation until 7:00 p.m.

Memorials are suggested in his name to Hospice Compassus c/o Ferry Funeral Home.