Obituary - Loretta Faye Crews

Loretta Faye Crews also known by the nickname of “Rita” passed away on Thursday, April 4th, 2024 at the age of 87. Loretta resided in Nevada, Missouri. She passed peacefully at Nevada Regional Medical Center with her loved ones surrounding her.

Loretta was born June 19th, 1936 in Hutcherson Kansas. Father being Samuel Arthur Helm and mother being Lula Mae Gowin Helm Meier. During early childhood Loretta had 6 siblings (3 brothers and 3 sisters). Loretta attended Nevada schools whilst receiving her education completing the 11th grade. She later married Frank Crews on November 27, 1952 in Eureka Springs Arkansas and went on to become the starting of a massive family. 

Loretta worked at several restaurants in the Nevada area and then later worked at Nevada State Hospital for 34 years before retiring and settling down with her family. Loretta enjoyed many things such as camping, fishing, boating, vacations, auctions, shopping, animals, and most of all, her kids, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Loretta was also a part of the CB Club where she was known as “Sexy Granny” while her husband Frank was known as “Fuzz Man”. Loretta was a very caring person as she put other people before herself. Loretta was a firm baptist as she was baptized at First Baptist Church in Nevada Missouri. Loretta was skilled at playing the accordion, the cello, and the organ and most of all Loretta enjoyed being “Mom” and “Grandma” to everyone and cooking for our get-togethers.

Loretta is survived by her children including Nick Crews and wife Minon of Jasper, Yvonne Colton and husband Jim of Hepler, Kansas, Rick Crews and wife Annette of Nevada, Cordia Cox and husband Jerry of Nevada, Robert Crews and wife Lisa of Nevada, Jim Crews of Nevada, Larry Crews and wife Tammy of Nevada, John Crews of Nevada, Candi Pettibon and husband Tony of Nevada, and Mike Crews and wife Dena of Nevada. She is also survived by her 34 grandchildren, 87 great grandchildren, 24 great great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, 6 siblings (3 brothers, 3 sisters), 1 grandson Ricky Lee Crews, 1 great granddaughter Hayley Nicole Smith, and one great grandson David Junior Shelton.

Loretta’s celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, April 10th, 2024. Starting with Brunch at The Nazarene Church of Nevada at 11:00 AM. Visitation services will be held at 1:00 PM at Ferry Funeral Home with services to follow with interment at Newton Burial Park of Nevada.

“Mothers and Grandmothers hold their children’s hands for awhile, but their hearts forever.”

Obituary - Jay Douglas Long

Jay Douglas Long, 63, of Clinton, Missouri passed away Wednesday morning, April 3, 2024 at the Clinton Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Clinton. Jay was born November 16, 1960 in Clinton, Mo., the son of James Douglas Long and Elberta Christine (Crowder) Long.

He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America as a young man. He graduated from Clinton High School where he excelled in football and baseball. He enjoyed welding, casinos and following the Kansas City Chiefs.

Surviving are one daughter, Kaitlyn Marie Heigelmann (Ryan), Stow, Ohio; three sisters, Cynthia Ann Lewis (Mike), Raymore, Mo., Cherye L. Jones, Clinton, Mo., and Debra Christine Bonnewitz, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Elberta and his father, Douglas.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, Clinton. The family will receive friends from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., just prior to the funeral service. Mr. Long will lie in state from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Englewood Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to C.A.R.E. (Clinton Animal Rescue Endeavor), and these donations may be left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left online at www.bradleyhadley.com.

Offense hard to come by for Butler Lady Bears Softball team in Friday night loss to Lamar

Offense hard to come by for Butler Lady Bears Softball team in Friday night loss to Lamar...

The Butler Lady Bears lost to the Lamar Lady Tigers on Friday evening 10-5.

Lamar jumped out to a early lead in the bottom of the first inning after an error scored two runs. Lamar Senior Alyssa Powell drew a walk, scoring one run and freshman Ashlyn Hayworth tripled, scoring two runs.

Lady Bears Freshman Kylee Dubray stepped in the circle to pitch for Butler. The right hander allowed nine hits and 10 runs (Three earned) over five and one third innings, striking out five and walking four.

Butler Senior Haven Humphrey drove the middle of the line-up leading the Lady Bears with two runs batted in. Senior Cloey Fritts went 2 for 3 at the plate to lead the team in hits.

The Butler Lady Bears will host LaMonte on Wednesday evening at 5pm. Come out and support these girls.

Butler High School FFA News:

Butler High School FFA Students participated in Career Development Events on Tuesday, April 2nd. We are proud of the students and their hard work that they have put forth!

Poultry- 8th Overall Team (State Qualifier)
Dara Ramage- 14th Overall Individual
Kole Tarvin
Natalee Kennedy
Anna-Marie Cope
(Picture of team coming soon)
Other participating teams:
Dairy Foods
Floriculture

Windy Conditions Saturday

Windy conditions are forecast Saturday afternoon across the area, with gusts between 35-45 MPH. A wind advisory is in effect for portions of northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas.

 
Showers and thunderstorms are forecast late this evening across the area. A few strong to low-end severe storms possible, mainly west of I-29/I-49. General non-severe thunderstorms/showers for central and eastern Missouri.

Obituary - Billy Ray Stevens

Billy Stevens, age 47, of Warsaw, Missouri, passed away Sunday March 31, 2024 at home. He was born on July 13, 1976 in Clinton, Missouri unto John and Bonnie Gaylord Stevens.

Billy was a lifelong resident of Warsaw, graduating from Warsaw High School in 1994. He made a statement of faith in 1986 and was baptized. He was a member of the Cedar Grove Baptist Church.

Billy worked several jobs in Clinton, Lowry City and Warsaw, the last one being Wal-Mart in Warsaw where he loved working there.

Billy was an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan and loved to watch them play. He also was a fan of and enjoyed professional wrestling where he admired "The Rock" and all the others. Billy was also known as a "want to be" golfer.

He is preceded in death by his father, John Stevens, grandparents, Jesse and Ruby Gaylord, 2 step sisters and one step brother.

He is survived by his mother, Bonnie Stevens, of Warsaw, one step brother and two step sisters, all of St. Louis, Missouri, 3 aunts, 2 uncles and a host of cousins and friends.

There has been a huge hole left in our lives now that Billy is gone but he will always be in our hearts. He enjoyed being with friends and family and loved them with his whole heart.

Funeral services for Billy Stevens will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday April 8, 2024 at the Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Warsaw, Missouri with Pastor Barry Edwards, officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to services. Graveside services and interment will be at the National Cemetery in Warsaw.

Obituary - Freda Engelhart

Freda Engelhart, age 84, of Clinton Missouri, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024 at her home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, April 8, 2024 at the Clinton Christian Church in Clinton, Missouri. 

Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 AM prior to the service. Burial to follow in the Englewood Cemetery in Clinton, Missouri. Services will be livestreamed on the Clinton Christian Church website starting at 11:00 AM. Memorial contributions can be made to the Clinton Christian Church and may be left in care of the funeral home.

Freda Areline (Cornell) Engelhart was born on January 26, 1940 in Bolivar, Missouri. The daughter of Fred Raymond Cornell and Hazel Alice (Fahnestock) Cornell. Freda attended school in Clinton, MO and graduated in May 1957.

On September 21, 1958, Freda was united in marriage to Norman Joseph Engelhart, who preceded her in death on December 30, 2010 after 52 years of marriage. To this union two children were born: Bruce W. and Mark A. Engelhart all from Clinton, MO.

Freda was baptized at an early age at the Butler, MO Baptist Church. She was an active member of the Christion Church (DOC), Clinton, MO, where she served as board member, church clerk, several committees and belonged to the Phoebes Women Church Group.

Freda worked as Deputy City Clerk, bookkeeper and payroll clerk for twenty years for the City of Clinton, serving five different mayors, before moving to Moberly and Macon, MO area because of her husband’s work for Associated Electric Mining Company.

In Moberly she worked at the Moberly Area Junior College in the registration and records department. Later they moved to Macon, MO where Freda worked for District 2 Missouri Department of Transportation in the accounting and credit union departments until the mine closed. She transferred to District 4 Missouri Department of Transportation in Kansas City, MO. She worked in the accounting department and back up for the District 4 Credit Union. The last 5 years she was one of the first customer service representatives for MODOT for the State of Missouri.

Because of her husband’s health she retired September 1, 2000 and moved back to Clinton, MO to be near her family and friends.

She loved being around her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and close friends. She belonged to three bridge clubs until Covid hit the community. She currently belonged to long time canasta club, bunco, Wednesday pitch at the Senior Center, Lorna Kemper Club, and a member of the Henry County Historical Society and volunteered as a docent. She enjoyed traveling with her friends and the Hawthorn Elite travel club.

Her parents, husband, and two sisters, Marie Wilson and Joann Good preceded her in death.

Surviving are her two sons, Bruce (Nancy), and Mark (Tara), all of Clinton, MO. Freda had six grandchildren, Andrew (fiancé, Anna Edmonson), Eric (Stephanie), Kyle all of Clinton, MO. Aaron (Amber) of Lee’s Summit, MO, Tyler (Maegan) of Altoona, Iowa, and Jennifer Engelhart of Clinton, MO. She has 8 great-grandchildren; Gloria Chaney, Ellie and Reagan Bettencourt, Kacie and Carly Engelhart, Lanie, Easton, Kenzie Engelhart. Freda is also survived by her sister Betty Blumhost and (Ray Mayes) of Vinita, Oklahoma, her brother Richard Dale (Laura Lee) Cornell of Harrisonville, MO and sister Connie (Gary) Sanchez of Sparta, Nevada, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

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

Obituary - Andrew Shawn Green

Andrew Shawn Green, 55, passed away on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024, in the comfort of his home. A celebration of his life will be held on from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm Saturday, April 6th, 2024 at English Landing Park in Parkville, MO, with an additional service planned for June 2024 in Olive Branch, Mississippi. Arrangements entrusted to Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Andrew was born on May 9th, 1968, in Ankara, Turkey, to June & Jewel Green. Born into an Airforce Military Family, he was an adventurous soul. He was always the life of the party, knowing no stranger, and spreading joy and laughter everywhere he went.

Andrew attended school in Bellevue, Nebraska, where he played football throughout high school. He worked at a Military Base as a young man and soon after, he met the love of his life, Kandy Miller-Watkins, at just 24 years old. Shortly after, he moved to Kansas City, where he became a part of the Miller Clan and a diehard Chiefs Fan for the next 31 years. 

He took great pride in raising his stepsons, who were just 2 and 5 years old at the time, and he soon became the favorite Uncle to many nieces and nephews in the bunch. 

Andrew worked in the construction business most of his career, but was the jack of all trades, accomplishing anything he put his mind to. He absolutely loved a good game of poker, and it was clear that he didn’t like to lose.

In his final years, his greatest joy was being a cherished Papa to Gavin, Lilly, Jack, David, Felipe, and Liam. He absolutely loved his family and was proud to have been a part of raising his stepsons, Jayce, and Nick. There was truly no greater joy than family to Andrew. He is deeply missed but forever remembered for his vibrant spirit and loving nature.

Andrew was preceded in death by his mother, June Green, born in Scotland and his retired Airforce father Don (Jewel) Green.

He is survived by his lifelong love, Kandy, his two stepsons, Jayce Watkins (wife Michelle), Nicholas Watkins, his two Brothers, Stuart “Scott” Green (wife Rose), Brian Green (wife Stephanie), his cherished grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and friends near and far.