Obituary - Freeman Stanfill

Funeral services for Freeman Stanfill of Amoret, Missouri will be 10 a.m. Saturday, March 2, 2024 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6665) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation will be 5 -7 p.m. Friday, March 1, 2024 with a Masonic service at 6 p.m. Friday where everyone is invited and encouraged to attend at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Adam Howell Cemetery in Amoret. Contributions to the Masonic Home of Missouri. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Freeman Stanfill, age 80, of Amoret, Missouri passed away at home on February 27, 2024. Freeman was born on June 28, 1943, to Walton and Francile Ruddell Stanfill in Amoret.

Freeman is survived by his wife of 60 years, Glenda Hill Stanfill; two children, Crystal Stanfill Irwin and husband RJ, and Doug Stanfill and wife Evie; four grandchildren, Laura Irwin Henrickson and husband Matt, Rey Irwin, Amanda Irwin and Mary Irwin; three great-grandchildren: Lyric Henrickson, Ryder Henrickson, and Rhythm Henrickson; and his three siblings: Carl Stanfill, Fern Barber and Gloria Huebert. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Suspect still not located after police chase ends in Drexel

On February 28th around 8pm officers of the La Cygne (KS) police department initiated a traffic stop which evolved into a vehicle pursuit. 

This pursuit entered Bates County (MO), at which time deputies from BCSO & troopers from Missouri State Highway Patrol assisted with the pursuit. The pursuit travelled N/B on Hwy 18 and entered the city limits of Drexel.

The suspect vehicle was eventually found abandoned in Drexel at the 200 Blk of Walnut St, and the suspect(s) have not been located.

This investigation is ongoing. This post will be updated as information becomes available. If you have information or home security footage you believe may assist in this investigation, please contact DPD.

-Drexel Police Chief Downey

Obituary - James Elmer Cox

James Elmer Cox, age 82, of Lowry City, Missouri passed away February 27, 2024. He was born February 18, 1942, in East Lynn, Missouri at his grandma Scott’s house to George (Lil) Cox, and Mary Elizabeth Scott (Marion) Pierce.

Jim was the oldest of 5 boys. As a teen he and his brothers survived the Ruskin tornado. He graduated from Ruskin High in 1960. For the next few years, he enjoyed racing his motorcycles on flat tracks locally. 

He was drafted into the Army in 1963, where he was trained as a medic. When he returned home, he enjoyed Bass tournaments and hunting with his brothers. He went to work in the printing industry until his retirement. After retirement, he enjoyed time with his family at his hobby farm near Truman Lake where he gardened, hunted, fished, and rode motorcycles.

Jim is survived by his wife Karen, brother Jerry (Linda) Cox, sister-in-law Mary Ann Cox, many nieces, and nephews, step-children Christy (Mike) Grippo, Sheri (Ed) Goddard, Tony (Tracey) Roepke and many step-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, late wife Sally Cox, step-son Steve Webb, brothers: Scotty Cox, Bob Maupin, and Donnie Lunsford.

Visitation:
Saturday, March 2, 2024
1:00 - 2:00 PM
Sheldon-Goodrich Chapel
Osceola, Missouri

Service:
Saturday, March 2, 2024
2:00 PM
Sheldon-Goodrich Chapel
Osceola, Missouri

Interment:
Lowry City Cemetery
Lowry City, Missouri

Obituary - Russell W. Logan

Russell W. Logan, 70 of Lamar, Missouri passed away Monday, February 19, 2024 at his home in Lamar, surrounded by the ones he loved. A Celebration of Life service has been scheduled for Saturday, March 23, 2024 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at The Vault, 1011 Gulf Street, Lamar, MO. 64759. Arrangements entrusted to Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made the Lamar Elks Lounge 2800, 58 NE 1st Lane Lamar, MO 64759. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Russ was born in Butler, Missouri in 1953 to Lowell and Waldeane Niggley Logan. He graduated from Butler High School in 1972 before studying at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. Then going on to Cleveland Chiropractic College in Kansas City where he graduated in 1977. He opened Logan Chiropractic just off the Lamar square, and practiced nearly 45 years before retiring in 2021.

When he wasn’t doing the work he loved most, you could find Doc among friends sharing a Coors light, a smoke, or a well-narrated joke.

Russ was preceded in death by his parents, Lowell and Waldeane Logan, and is survived by his wife of 44 years, Pam Logan (nee Powell of Monett, MO), daughters Abbey Logan and wife Jenny; Amanda O’Brien and husband Thaddeus of Kansas City; sisters Sandy Golden and Sheri Wheelen and partner Dave Strauch of Joplin, MO.

Community Blood Drive at Butler High School March 6th

 

Obituary - Vernon Ray Stout

Vernon Ray Stout, 56, was born on May 24, 1967, to Louis Delano and Phyllis Ellain (Kiger) Stout. He passed away on Feb. 26, 2024, at his home in Appleton City, MO.

Vernon was a self-starter and had an impressive work ethic at a young age. He got his first job cleaning an office on the Butler, MO square around age 8 or 9 years. Around 1977 (age 10) the family moved to Appleton City. There he and his brother were mowing lawns and shoveling snow. Then in high school, they hauled hay and Vernon got a part-time weekend job at Price Rite Lumber. He was known to be a good, honest, and dependable hard worker.

Vernon had many hobbies. Among them was his passion for music and writing. He enjoyed playing his guitar with family and friends and has written countless song lyrics and poems.

He also enjoyed many sports. He loved hunting, fishing and trapping, selling fur throughout his high school years. He played many school sports and was especially passionate about playing football. He was an all-state football player for Appleton City High School, graduating in 1985.

After high school, he went into carpentry and construction working for several large companies, latter of which was building bridges, however, it was concluded after he was hit and badly injured with a large crane hook. This started his decline in health. He managed to do some carpentry work off and on, but his declining health eventually forced him into early retirement on disability.

Vernon never got to have children of his own, but was an integral part of his nephew, Michael’s life. He was often the initiator of all things positive, fun and adventurous. He was also often a voice of reason and a force of understanding and encouragement for everyone.

Vernon always dreamed big, never small. He was a patient, loving, kind, considerate and generous person. He had a way of noticing when someone had a need or hurt, and he had a remarkably effective way of just reaching out to touch an arm and speak encouraging words of hope.

Sadly, and unfairly, his recent years have been years of pain and suffering, and even confusion. Amazingly, he often maintained positivity to his loved ones whenever he could, even though he was severely hindered at times. He didn’t get to accomplish what he wanted and hoped for, but everything he did get to do, he did with his whole heart.

He leaves many of us heartbroken and is already deeply missed. Vernon leaves behind two siblings, his brother, Louis “Dick” Stout and wife Ronda, and their daughters: Abby Sage and her children Arlo and Everlee, Sarah Bourland and husband Colby and their children, Taylor, Kenzie and Harlee, Baily Stout and significant other, Nathan O’Farrell; his sister Jeannie Wanstreet and husband Troy, and their children Michael and Shilo; also, a dedicated friend, Brian Thomas and many extended family and friends.

Visitation will be held Friday March 1st from 12pm-1pm with the funeral service to follow at Hill & Sons Funeral Home in Appleton City.

Osage Valley Electric Cooperative Rate Adjustment Effective in April

Rate Adjustment Effective in April
by Jarrod Campbell, OVEC CEO

For the first time since 2018, Osage Valley Electric Cooperative (OVEC) is adjusting their electric rates. In late 2022, our power supplier, Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AECI), informed their transmission and distribution cooperatives of the impending power supply rate increase scheduled for 2023.

While the majority of electric cooperatives in the State of Missouri increased their rates in 2023 with AECI’s announcement, the OVEC Board of Directors and staff worked to maintain the electric rates for the past year. And although we knew it would only be a matter of time before we were forced to increase rates, we pledged to hold rates steady as long as possible without causing any negative financial implications to the Cooperative.

The price of materials we purchase for day-to-day operations (poles, wire, meters, transformers, etc.) have increased substantially due to inflation, rising transportation costs, and supply chain disruptions. None of these items are an extravagance; they are a necessity for our operations.

Although material prices have increased, our largest expense for the Cooperative is wholesale power. And although we strive to keep your electric rates low, even utilizing revenue from our fiber operations, this increase is a cost our Cooperative simply can’t ab- sorb, resulting in the electric rate increase.

You are probably asking “how much will this increase be?” Our service availability fee will increase $4 per month, from $31 to $35. Our residential members will see an increase in kilowatt-hour rates from $0.08053/kWh to $0.08453/kWh. Billing Demand will increase from $4.60/kW to $5.60/kW. This rate increase equates to an average increase of 9% for our members. You may access all of the rates on our website at www.osagevalley.com under the “Billing” tab, then “Rates” tab.

This rate increase will be effective April 1, 2024, and will be reflected on your May 1, 2024, bill. We wish we did not have to make the decision to raise rates, but the current economic environment is driving these circumstances. 

Please know these new rates will keep your Cooperative in a strong position of providing safe and reliable power. We’ve done our best to ensure we can meet the needs of the Cooperative and we will continue to work hard every day to ensure the service you are paying for is the best possible value.

Thank you for your support.

A new face at the Y Factor!