Obituary - James E. "Mack" Miles

James E. "Mack" Miles age 88 of Peculiar, Missouri departed this life on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at his home in Peculiar, Missouri surrounded by loved ones.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 19, 2024 at 2:00pm with internment at Cleveland Cemetery in Cleveland, Missouri.

Visitation will be 1:00pm - 2:00pm on Friday, April 19, 2024 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Judes Children's Hospital or Children's Mercy Hospital and may be sent to P.O. Box 432 Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.

A complete obituary will be posted once that information becomes available.

Clinton High School announces new softball coach

Clinton High School is proud to announce that it has selected Nolan Wilson as the head coach of Clinton High School softball team for the 24-25 school year. Nolan will also be a fifth grade teacher at Clinton Intermediate School next year.

Coach Wilson is a proud 2009 graduate of Clinton High School where he played baseball all four years under the direction of Coach Jim Garvin. He was a 3-year letterman and during his senior year he received First Team All Conference and First Team All-District honors as a pitcher. He also played football and basketball during his years as a Clinton Cardinal.

Nolan has coached football in the Lincoln, Clinton, and Warrensburg school districts. At Lincoln, he was the defensive coordinator for the team during the year they went to the state championship game.
Nolan is married to Dr. Hannah Braden, a veterinarian at the Warsaw Vet Clinic. They have two daughters, Cambrie and Carlie Wilson. In his free time, Nolan enjoys coaching his daughters’ softball, soccer and basketball teams. He also coaches a U12 travel baseball team. Nolan is active with the youth at First Baptist Church in Clinton, and enjoys spending time with family and friends.

“I am excited to be back in the Clinton School District,” says Coach Wilson. “This is my home and I want to see every student succeed and grow to their full potential. I am excited to take the next step in my coaching career by becoming the head softball coach. This program means a lot to me and my family. My oldest sister was a part of one of the first softball teams Clinton ever had, and my dad helped grow the program by taking over the summer program for many years. I can’t wait to lead this great program!”

Activities Director, Kevin LaFavor, is looking forward to Coach Wilson rejoining the Cardinal coaching staff. "We are very excited to bring back another former Cardinal to the Clinton School District. For many years, Coach Wilson could be found at a ball field here in Clinton watching his sisters play softball, and he has a wide variety of knowledge when it comes to the sport. Nolan will be a crucial part of our coaching community, and will contribute greatly to our goal of aligning our youth, middle school, and high school programs. His vision and strengths are not only noticeable on the field, but off of it as well. I look forward to seeing the girls play this fall, and I could not be more excited for them to get started."

Way to go Lucas!

We would like to congratulate Butler High School Senior Lucas Johnson for taking 5th place (of 100 competitors) at State in Business Calculations!!

Obituary - Jacqueline (Jackie) Lee Diehl

Jacqueline (Jackie) Lee Diehl, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and registered nurse, passed away on April 11, 2024, at the age of eighty-three.

She was born in Leeper, Missouri on March 23, 1941, to Leonard and Mae Knapp with siblings, Gene, Bill, La Don and Jerri. All whom have preceded her in death.

Jacqueline began her journey in life as a loving daughter, sister, and friend. On April 27, 1964, she married Rex Edwin Diehl, and in their over fifty-two years of marriage they built a family, home, and thriving farm in Schell City. Rex preceded Jacqueline in death in February 2017.

In her early years, Jacqueline dedicated herself as a homemaker and beautician. Later, her calling led her back to school, where she pursued a career in nursing. Her dedication and compassion led her to serve her community at the Nevada Regional Medical Center for over 15 years, touching countless lives with her care and kindness.

Jacqueline cherished her children and grandchildren. Though she experienced the heartache of losing her son, Scott Edwin Diehl, as a small child, her love for her surviving children, Nancy Simmons (Todd), Rexanne Diehl, and Renee Fesperman (Brent), was steadfast and constant. Her legacy lives on through them and her grandchildren: Scott, Jack, Landon, and Landry; great-grandchildren: Madison, Peyton, and Auburn; and great-great-grandchildren: Julyan and Nolan.

Her faith was an integral part of her life, and she was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Schell City, where she found solace and strength in her community and many friends.

Jacqueline Lee Diehl will be remembered for her unwavering love, quick wit and easy laugh, and her dedication to others. She leaves behind a legacy of compassion, kindness, and love that will continue to inspire all who knew her. May her soul rest in eternal peace.

A memorial service to honor and celebrate Jacqueline's life will be held at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, Missouri at 11AM on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Visitation to be held at 10AM prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials to the Joe Clark Residential Care Home in Nevada may be made in c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

Senior night for Butler Bears Baseball Team

Come out this evening as we will be celebrating Senior night as the Butler Bears host the Buffalo Bison at 4:30pm. 

The senior night events will be held after the varsity game and before the JV game.

Butler has 4 seniors this year Maddox Fennewald, Cameron Anderson, Jude Kershner and Logan Brakeville.

Photo courtesy of C&S Graphics 

Barton County Sheriff's Office drone used to locate stolen UTV

On April 3rd, 2024 at approximately 1540hrs a Barton County Sheriff's Deputy was dispatched to the area of 160 Hwy and SE 30th Ln in rural Barton County for a stolen 2022 Kubota UTV. The Kubota was last seen heading east from the area. An alert citizen noticed the Kubota being taken and gave a great description of the suspects and vehicle. Unfortunately, when the Deputy got to the area, they were unable to locate the suspects or the Kubota. Five days later, Deputies were given a tip on the possible location of the Kubota. Deputies responded to the area and began to search.

While on scene a Deputy who is assigned to our recently purchased Drone was able to deploy the drone within minutes. After approximately 15mins searching the area with the drone, they were able to locate the Kubota in a heavily wooded area. The drone pilot was able to mark its location and Deputies were able to walk in on foot and recover the Kubota that was valued at $20,000. The Sheriff’s Office was able to return this piece of equipment back to the owner the same day.

In an interview with Sheriff John Simpson, it was asked why this piece of equipment (DRONE) was important for the Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Simpson stated that not only were we able to use the drone to locate an expensive piece of equipment but there are so many other things we will be able to use it for as well. Sheriff Simpson stated that every year there is at least one young child that wanders off and the amount personnel it takes to search an area will now be cut down thanks to the drone.

He also stated that it will be used for other things such as search warrants, locating suspects that have fled from Law Enforcement and many other situations where time is crucial. Sheriff Simpson also stated that the drone can be deployed within 30seconds once the Deputy arrives on scene. He stated the Drone has many capabilities such as Thermal imaging, Infrared imaging, Laser Range Finder, and many other features as well. Sheriff Simpson stated one of his Deputies is a certified Pilot and has done a fantastic job at learning and becoming proficient with this new piece of equipment.

Sheriff Simpson and Chief Deputy Ehrsam want to say thank you to Lamar Arvest Bank, Lockwood Arvest Bank and the Arvest Foundation for their generous donation of $12,500 for the purchase of the drone. All of this would not have been possible without the help and effort of Matt Brown, (Arvest Commercial Banker). Again, this was a major advancement for the Sheriff’s Office in obtaining this piece of equipment to provide service and safety to our valued citizens of Barton County.

Obituary - Stephen W. Parks

Stephen W. Parks, age 74, departed this Earth on April 13, 2024 after a long battle with leukemia. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 PM on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at the Vansant-Mills Chapel in Clinton, Missouri. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, April 19, 2024 also at the Chapel. Burial will follow in the Englewood Cemetery in Clinton, Missouri. Memorial contributions can be made to the Kansas City Fisher House and may be left in care of the funeral home.

Steve, as he was better known as, was born on February 19, 1950 to William and Gloria Parks. He grew up in Clinton until his father’s untimely death brought the family to Sedalia, Missouri. Steve graduated from Smith-Cotton High School in 1967. This is where he met his best friend Jeffery Williams. Oh, the stories and jokes they could tell!

Steve met the love of his like, Deborah, in 1955. Both Deborah and Steve’s grandmothers were friends. Both grandmothers held a mock wedding where Debbie was the bride and Steve was the groom. They would tell people that they were betrothed before they even knew it. A few years later in 1967, they met again and fell in love. In May of 1968 Steve finished the U.S. Trade School and enlisted in the Navy. He started service in the fall of 1968, coming in as a Seabee and heading to Vietnam. After two years in the Navy he was honorably discharged and sent home.

In 1972, these lovebirds tied the knot and had two beautiful daughters, Tamie and Susan. Steve worked several jobs, mostly mechanical or automotive related, before starting his career at the Clinton Fire Department. His first day at the CFD was November 4, 1980. While working for the department, Steve served as fire prevention officer. He was busy in the month of October, visiting area schools, teaching fire safety and prevention. Steve worked hard to learn new ways to keep kids entertained while delivering safety messages, including attending the National Fire Academy in Emmetsburg, Maryland on Several occasions throughout his career. He was proud of this work and looked forward to it every year. He also loved Project Christmas Cheer. Due to hearing loss after 26 years of service, he retired from the CFD in 2005. Steve spent his retired years working on and off for others driving trucks and servicing farm machinery.

In his spare time, Steve loved fly fishing at Bennett Springs State Park. He loved to tie his own trout flies and had numerous fish mounted. Steve enjoyed catching rainbow trout while sporting a fish hat gifted to him by his brother. March 1st (opening day of Trout season) was a national holiday in his eyes. Steve would often say, “A bad day of fishing is still better than a good day at work!”

Steve is preceded in death by his parents William and Gloria (Warnock) Parks, one brother Phillip Mikel (Mike) Parks, one sister Gail Jaynean Parks and a nephew Phillip W Parks, and his best friend Jeffery Williams.

Steve is survived by his wife of 52 years, Debbie, their daughters Tamie Gann (Jamie) of LaMonte, Missouri, Susan Kedigh (Arian) of Urich, Missouri, granddaughter Daphanie Watson (Andrew) of Richmond, Missouri, 4 grandchildren Brody, Emalee, Preslee, and Charlee, and his newest addition, great granddaughter Charlotte Isabelle Sue Watson.

Obituary - Robert (Bob) Eugene Markley

Robert (Bob) Eugene Markley, 88, was born on his family farm north of Mound City, Kansas April 11,1936, to Aaron R. and Hallie (Bell) Markley. He passed from this life on April 15, 2024, at the very place he was born, his family farm.

Bob attended the one-room school of Moneka through the eighth grade. He completed his high school years at Mound City, graduating in the class of 1955. After graduation Bob chose to return to the farm starting his career as a farmer and stockman.

He proudly tended the farm that had been in his family for over 144 years raising registered and commercial livestock, along with various grain and forage crops.

He received the Kansas Bankers Association Award for Soil Conservation in 2013 and the Linn County Grassland Award in 2022 for his conservation efforts and land management.

When Bob was not on the farm you could find him doing a bit of traveling and socializing. He enjoyed attending all of the 4-H and various activities his daughters and granddaughter participated in. Through the years he was a member of many area organizations: Linn County Shrine, Mirza Shrine, Mound City Lodge #33 A. F. & A. M., Scottish Rite, Linn County Farm Bureau, Mound City Grange, Linn County Extension Council and was a 4-H Leader.

Bob is survived by his daughters Angela Ragland (J.D.), Canyon, Texas; Melinda Markley (Rick Bowman), Mound City, Kansas; granddaughter, Jessica Rewerts (Ryan), Stafford, Kansas; step-grandson Brady Ragland (Carlie Shea), Amarillo, Texas.

He was preceded in death by infant daughter, Theresa Chard Markley; parents, Aaron R. and Hallie Markley; siblings, John, Leroy and Dorothy Markley.

Funeral service will be 11 am Friday, April 19, 2024 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm Thursday, April 18, at the Mound City Chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to Shriners Children's Hospital or St Jude Children's Hospital. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.