Obituary - John Leroy Wright

John Leroy Wright of Rich Hill, MO, formerly of Liberty, MO, passed away peacefully with his daughters by his side on January 30, 2024. John was born in Nevada, Missouri, on November 26, 1943, to John William and Frances Jewell (Henley) Wright. He was the youngest of three children. 

John grew up in Rich Hill, Missouri, learning foundry and mechanic skills in his father's machinery and blacksmith shop. He graduated from Rich Hill High School in 1961. John became a journeyman machinist and worked for Peabody Coal Company while supporting his family and earning a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Central Missouri State University. 

Upon graduation, he worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture until retirement in 2009. John was a car enthusiast and enjoyed working on cars, restoring antique cars, and attending car shows. John was very caring and often thought of the well-being of others rather than himself. His family adored him and will miss him greatly.

To mourn his passing, John leaves his wife of 31 years, Kay Wright; his daughters, Joneila (Miles) Henselman and Kristine (Michelle Brunell) Wright; his grandchildren, Anne Marie, John, and Natalia Henselman and Alaina, Ethan, and William Brunell-Wright. He also leaves his stepchildren Robert (Debra) Black and Joy (Mark) Ervin, and his step-grandchildren Dana Craig, Major (Amanda) Black, Jess (Ginger) Ervin, Aimee (Richie) Allen, and nine step-great-grandchildren, his sister, Velma Goforth, his niece Leta (Barry) Hogge, and many cousins and friends. 

John was preceded in death by his parents and his infant brother. The family would like to thank John's caregivers, Colleen Keller and Renee Mitchell, for their compassionate care and kindness. 

They would also like to thank Jerry and Pat Mellenbruch for their decades-long support and friendship. Services will be held on Friday, February 2, 2024, at 2 pm at the Heuser Funeral Home in Rich Hill, Missouri, with burial following at the Rich Hill Cemetery. Friends wishing to make memorial gifts may donate to the Kansas City Hospice House or St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Obituary - Kent Powell

Graveside services and interment for Kent Powell, age 89 of Butler, Missouri will be 2 p.m. Thursday, February 1, 2024 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler, Missouri. No visitation. 

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Medicalodge of Butler or The Children’s Center in Butler. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Richard Kent Powell, age 89 of Butler, Missouri died Sunday, January 28, 2024 at the Medicalodge of Butler. He was born September 6, 1934 to Kenneth Newton and Emily Mae Dewey “Hilliard” Powell in Butler, Missouri.

Kent, one of two children, was born and raised in Butler, Missouri. He attended Wemot Rural Country School and was a 1952 graduate of Butler High School. Kent was a farmer until his retirement in 1998. He was the first farmer in Bates County to bring irrigation to farming in the mid 70s. On December 2, 1956 he married Bettelue Bradley and to this union, two children were born.

Kent was known to be driven, determined, loving, stubborn and passionate. He enjoyed farming, flying–was a licensed pilot and member of the Flying Farmers–traveling and tractor pulling.

Kent is survived by his wife, Bettelue Powell of the home; a son, Bradley Ray Powell and wife Debbie of Butler, Missouri; a daughter, Kenette Rae Lindsay and husband Dennis of Apollo Beach, Florida; and a granddaughter, Stormy Mikala Lindsay of Watertown, New York. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Kay Wright.

Obituary - Ralph D. Fitzpatrick

Funeral services for Ralph D. Fitzpatrick, age 75 of Butler, Missouri will be 11 a.m. Friday, February 2, 2024 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. 

Visitation prior to services 10 - 11 a.m. Friday at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to The Frog Foundation or The Butler Food Pantry. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Ralph Dean Fitzpatrick, age 75 of Butler, Missouri died Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at the Medicalodge of Butler. He was born November 9, 1948 to Alvin Fred and Naderia Gerane Huff Fitzpatrick in Jamesport, Missouri.

Ralph is survived by wife, Joyce Fitzpatrick of the home; three children, Tena Rusher of Butler, Missouri, Alvin Dwayne Fitzpatrick and wife Sylva of Pocatella, Idaho and Laura Piland and husband Berry of Butler, Missouri; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Cathy Neely and husband Eldon and Judy Kisner and husband Doug all of Butler, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents and 10 siblings, Donald Fitzpatrick, Betty Wallis, Cheryl Sims, Mary Ray, Orville Fitzpatrick, Morris Fitzpatrick, Jack Stockdale, Lloyd Fitzpatrick, Gary Fitzpatrick and Rosa Austin.

Update: Charges filed after wild police chase in Cass County

45-year-old Jacob Rullman of St. Joseph, MO has been charged with Resisting Arrest, which is a Class E Felony. Rullman also faces a first-degree charge for Endangering the Welfare of a Child --- which is a Class D Felony. He is being held at the Cass County Jail on a $200,000 cash only bond.

Original Post:

On 01-29-24, at approximately 4:30pm, deputies with the Cass County Sheriff's Office attempted to stop a vehicle traveling Southbound on 7 Highway near Creighton. 

The vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit ensued. The driver continued throughout the county until a tire deflation device was used near the area of 2 Highway and Kauffman. The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a nearby field. 

As deputies were taking him into custody, they overheard the sounds of a small child from the backseat. Deputies were able to quickly extract the child from the vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle was transported to an undisclosed hospital for evaluation. The Child, who stated she was unharmed, was checked by EMS on scene and safely returned to her mother upon her arrival.

Way to go Mason!

We would like to congratulate Harrisonville High School Senior Mason Mitchell on hitting a milestone 1000 career points in last night’s double-overtime win.

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