Obituary - Richard L. “Dick” McGowen

Richard L. “Dick” McGowen, 82, of Harrisonville, Missouri, passed away Saturday, April 13, 2024 at Delmar Gardens of Lenexa in Lenexa, Kansas. Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm, on Monday, April 22, 2024, with a visitation beginning at 1:00pm, at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO. Burial, with military honors, will follow services in Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Harrisonville Dog Park.

Richard was born February 2, 1942 in Kansas City, MO, a son of Willard Robert and Lela May (Davis) McGowen. He grew up in rural Harrisonville, attended grade school at Rodman Rural School #128, and was a 1959 graduate of Harrisonville High School. His passion was art, and after high school he attended college at C.M.S.C. in Warrensburg, MO, studying industrial art. Never one to sit still, he started working towards his black belt in Judo from the Midwest Judo Academy in 1962.

Richard served in the US Army from 1964 to 1966, and then served in the Army Reserves until 1970. Richard was united in marriage to Mary Helen Grijalva on February 26, 1966 in Hurley, New Mexico. She preceded him in death on March 22, 2000. Over the years, Richard worked for Western Electric, the IRS and Fred Horn’s Chap Shop in Harrisonville, but found his true calling when he became a carpenter and could use his artistic abilities building things for other people. He lived at “Prairie Hollow” near Roach, MO for 20 years before moving back to Harrisonville.

Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; and two brothers, Robert and William. He is survived by three sons: Fred McGowen, Harrisonville, MO; Richard L. McGowen II, Tacoma, WA; and Juan E. McGowen, Green Castle, MO; two sisters: Mary Thompson, Harrisonville, MO; and Margaret Coons, Chariton, IA; and seven grandchildren.

Miami County Kansas Sheriff's Office Wanted Wednesday

 

Butler Area Chamber of Commerce April Business of the Month

We would like to congratulate the Butler Area Chamber of Commerce April Business of the Month Crosco Electrical Service.

Give owner Kevin Crosswhite a call at 660-424-3620 for your electrical needs around the area! - Staff Photo

Senior Maddox Fennewald drove in four runs on two hits as the Butler Bears Baseball team beats Adrian 8-5

Senior Maddox Fennewald drove in four runs on two hits as the Butler Bears Baseball team beats Adrian 8-5 on Wednesday evening.

Butler opened the scoring in the top of the first thanks to two singles. The Bears first got on the board when Fennewald singled, scoring one run.

Adrian tied the game in the bottom of the first thanks to a single by Brock Ford, and a tag up by JB Lile. A single by Gage Hastie gave Adrian the lead 3-2, in the bottom of the third.

Butler flipped the game on its head in the top of the sixth, scoring six runs on three hits to take a 8-4 lead. The biggest blow in the inning was a double by Fennewald that drove in three.

Junior Eli Cox earned the win for Butler Varsity Bears, he allowed nine hits and five runs over six and two-thirds innings, striking out four and walking three. 

Ford stepped on the mound first for Adrian. They allowed five hits and six runs (two earned) over five and two-thirds innings, striking out 10 and walking three. Sophomore Jake Chandler collected the save.

Fennewald, Cox, and Sophomore Bryson Kash each collected two hits for Butler. The Bears were sure-handed in the field and didn't commit a single error. Chandler had the most chances in the field with seven.

Adrian collected nine hits in the game. Hastie and Ford were a one-two punch in the lineup, as each drove in two runs for Adrian. Ford went 4-for-4 at the plate to lead Adrian in hits. Adrian stole four bases in the game.

The Butler Bears baseball team will look to collect its 5th win in a row on the road Monday against the Liberal Bulldogs. 

Obituary - Ron “Big Ronnie” McKellips

Ron “Big Ronnie” McKellips, age 85 of Amsterdam, Missouri passed away Sunday, April 14, 2024 at home surrounded by family. A visitation will be held Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 2:00 to 3:00 pm at Amsterdam Baptist Church, Amsterdam, Missouri. 

Memorial services will be held 3:00 pm Saturday following the visitation, also at the Amsterdam Baptist Church. Services under the direction of Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel Chapel (816-657-4400). 

Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com

Ronald Marion McKellips I, was born on November 17, 1938 in David City, Nebraska the son of Troy McKellips and Leona Byrom McKellips.

He was a horse trader and livestock dealer for many years, and he loved the sound of an auctioneer. He drove a semitruck for many years as well, and hauled everything from cars to livestock. Ronnie was a cowboy to the heart. He rode bareback horses and bulls, and dogged steers. Even as a teenager he would perform in Wild West shows. Big Ronnie loved his family and friends, and was always the life of the party.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents Troy and Leona (Byrom) McKellips, an infant son Troy Mckellips, his wife of 25 years Evelyn McKellips, three brothers Vernon McKellips, Delbert McKellips, Bob McKellips, and one sister Freda (McKellips) Mitchell.

Survivors include son Ron (Little Ronnie) McKellips and wife Kelly, daughter LeaAnna (McKellips) Foster and husband Jack, son Rick McKellips and wife Sharon, daughter Sharron Tarwater, numerous grandkids and great grandkids, five brothers Buzz, Jerry, Macky, Dick, and David McKellips, four sisters Juanita (McKellips) Campbell, June (McKellips) Blevins, Judy (McKellips) Crawford, and Doris (McKellips) Warner, as well as his companion of 28 years Judy Johnston McKellips.

Third-Inning Burst Enough To Lead Stockton Past Butler Lady Bears Softball On Senior Night

Third-Inning Burst Enough To Lead Stockton Past Butler Lady Bears Softball On Senior Night...

The Stockton Lady Tigers scored eight runs in the third inning, which helpers them defeat the Butler Bears 15-5 on Wednesday.

Stockton got on the board in the top of the first inning after Ellie F singled, Gracie A tripled, Ellie P singled, Riley G singled, and Megan L singled, all scoring one run.

Junior Avery Eldred pitched four and one-third inning in relief for the Butler Bears. The right-handed pitcher gave up eight hits and four runs (two earned) while, striking out two and walking three. 

Freshman Kylee Dubray started in the circle for the Butler Bears. The righty surrendered nine hits and eleven runs (five earned) over two and two-thirds innings, striking out one and walking three. P started in the circle for Stockton. They gave up nine hits and five runs (three earned) over six and two-thirds innings, striking out six and walking none.

Senior Ella Buckner, Sophomore Taylor Hudson, and Senior Haven Humphrey each collected two hits for the Butler Bears. Hudson, Humphrey, and Senior Miranda Foster each drove in one run for the Bears. Stockton piled up 17 hits in the game. 

The four seniors where honored as it was senior night. Thank you for the dedication to the Lady Bears Softball Team Ella Buckner, Cloey Fritts, Miranda Foster and Haven Humphrey. 

Next up for the Butler Lady Bears is a game against the Buffalo Bison on Monday.

Obituary - Gwen Coquillette

Gwen Coquillette, 64, Sheldon, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, after battling cancer for the second time. Gwen was born on December 3, 1959, in Lamar, CO, to Wesley L. and Jean (Osban) Kirbey.

Gwen moved to Sheldon, MO in 1965 where she attended elementary school and met a life-time friend in Vicki (Raynor) Jadlot. Her family moved to El Dorado Springs, MO, in the summer of 1972 where Gwen attended 8th grade through graduation in 1977. She started working at Chicken Mary’s restaurant at age 13 and continued to work there throughout high school and for a semester of college at SMSU in Springfield.

Gwen continued to work at different jobs until starting Draughon Business College in 1979. After graduating on the dean’s list at Draughon, she moved to Springfield where she got a job at Central Mortgage Bancshares, Inc. in the Loan Servicing Department. Gwen continued working there until transferring to Citizen’s State Bank in Nevada in 1986.

On August 29, 1986, Gwen was united in marriage to Andrew Coquillette to which 4 boys were born; Andrew (Heather), El Dorado Springs, MO, Shane, Sheldon, MO, Joshua (Tricia), Nevada, MO, and Nicolaus (Kaley), Springfield, MO. They raised their children in Sheldon, MO.

Survivors include her mother, Jean, Sheldon, MO; husband, Andrew; her four sons; three grandsons and one granddaughter, Isaac, Andrew, and Jerod, all of El Dorado Springs, MO, and Jennifer, St Charles, MO. Gwen was preceded in death by her sister, Erma (Kirbey) Leonard; father, Wesley; brother, Gordon; and brother, Gerald.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Gwen’s memory to the Sheldon R-8 School District in c/o Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. Gwen was blessed to work for Sheldon Schools for many years.

Obituary - Etta Jane Webb

Etta Jane Webb, 84, Nevada, MO, passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at Moore-Few Care Center in Nevada. Etta was born October 21, 1939, in Duncan, AZ, to William Von and Belva Mae (Garrett) McGuire. She was united in marriage to Eugene Webb on April 7, 1956, in Clovis, NM, and the couple celebrated 68 years together.

Etta was raised in Arizona and later Clovis, NM where she met her future husband in 1954. The couple lived in numerous states, including Illinois where they began raising their family. They came to Nevada in March of 1976. Etta and her daughter Donna went to RN school in Ft. Scott, KS where they graduated together. She worked at the Nevada City Hospital from 1976 – 1994 until her retirement. Following her retirement, she traveled with her husband Gene overseas, his work took them to Ireland, Australia, Indonesia, and numerous other places. Etta was active in the American Legion and VFW Women’s Auxiliary and volunteered for the Nevada Senior Center.

Survivors include her husband, Eugene, of the home; five children, Arnold Webb (Terri), Nevada, Kelly Webb (Jerry D. Moore), Harwood, Scott Webb (Janice), Nevada, Donna Dahmer (Don), Nevada, and Jeri Miller (Chip), Camdenton; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews also survive. Etta was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 19, 2024, at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park, Nevada.

Those who wish may contribute in her memory to the Nevada Senior Center c/o Ferry Funeral Home.