Obituary - Kathleen "Kathy" (Kanemori) Baker

Kathleen “Kathy” Anne (Kanemori) Baker, 76, of Independence, MO (Formally of Harrisonville, MO) was born on July 25, 1947, in Philadelphia, PA to William A. & Bernadette (Whitcomb) Havel. She departed this life on Monday, April 15, 2024, at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, MO surrounded by her family.

Kathy graduated in 1966 from Rancocas Valley Regional High School in Mount Holly, NJ. After graduating high school Kathy worked as a bookkeeper for Sleeper Publications, a newspaper organization in Mount Holly, NJ. Then in 1968, she enlisted in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and served during Vietnam before she was Honorably discharged as a Lance Corporal in 1969 when she married and started a family.

On February 28, 1969, Kathy was united to marriage to Yutaka Edward “Ed” Kanemori in San Diego, CA. Kathy & Ed met while both were serving in the USMC. In 1972, they moved to Harrisonville, MO when Ed transferred to the Marine Corps Finance Center in Kansas City, MO to finish out his military career. After moving to Harrisonville, Kathy worked as a waitress/hostess at various restaurants in Harrisonville and later went back to school and became a Certified Nursing Assistant working at Golden Years Nursing Home. She remained in Harrisonville until Ed’s Passing in 1990.

Kathy married Donald (Don) Baker on September 4, 1992. They later divorced in 1998.

Kathy was preceded in death by an infant twin brother, her parents, husband Ed, one infant grandson, one infant great granddaughter, and a son-in-law.

Kathy is survived by her daughters, Barbara Waltz of Raymore, MO, Mary Fisher of Archie, MO, Kelly (Pat) Kittilstad of Raymore, MO, and Colleen (Rodney) Harding of Olathe, KS; 7 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Also surviving are two sisters, Christine (Lou) Auriemma, Medford, NJ and Geri (Terry) Hill, Flowood, MS and a brother, Bill (Carol) Havel, Richmond, TX.Cremation with a Memorial Graveside Service and Military Honors will be held at a later date.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Harrisonville Honor Guard, Harrisonville, Missouri and may be sent in care to Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri.

Clinton man sentenced to 16 years in MDOC

The Henry County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announces that on April 17th, Airic Norman Brauer, 21, Clinton, Missouri was sentenced to serve a total of 16 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for his convictions in a 2022 shooting in Clinton, Missouri.

In July of 2022, an incident occurred at Artesian Park in Clinton. Two young men, Mason Roskop and Mitchell Andrew Raines, were shot by the defendant and died of multiple gunshot wounds. 

The defendant was charged for the death of Mitchell Andrew Raines and pled not guilty. A jury trial was conducted on the week of January 8, 2024 and the jury heard evidence from the parties for four days. After deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of guilty for voluntary manslaughter, a class B felony with a maximum of fifteen years, and armed criminal action, an unclassified felony with a maximum of fifteen years.

On April 17th, 2024, a sentencing hearing was held. After hearing argument from both sides and statements from the Raines and Roskop families as well as the defendant himself, the court sentenced Brauer to ten years for voluntary manslaughter, and six years for armed criminal action. 

The sentences shall run consecutively to one another, for a total of sixteen years. Brauer must serve three years by law for the count of armed criminal action before being eligible for parole for the six-year sentence.

Remembering Retired Clinton Fire Lieutenant Steve Parks

We are sad to acknowledge the death of Retired Clinton Fire Lieutenant, Steve Parks. Lieutenant Parks began his career with the CFD in 1980 and retired on December 30, 2005 after 26 years of service to the citizens of Clinton.

Lieutenant Parks played a vital role in the implementation of our departments fire prevention program. For many years, Lieutenant Parks would travel to the local schools and deliver fire prevention programs to school age children. He thoroughly enjoyed his time spent with the children and always had a way to make things fun. From puppet shows, to theatrical props, Lieutenant Parks made sure that the children received the information in a way that they would understand.

Lieutenant Parks was a mountain of a man, passionate about the fire service and proud to be a fireman even after retirement. His faith in Jesus Christ was evident and he was not afraid to talk about it. His passionate prayers over each fireman, active or retired, during our holiday dinners demonstrated his love for his savior and fellow brothers in the fire service. His frequent visits to the fire station to share a new joke or drop off some pecans will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to this wife, Debbie, and Lieutenant Parks' family as they go through this season of grief.

 
Visitation services will be today, Thursday, April 19, 2024, from 6-8:00pm at Vansant-Mills Funeral Home. Funeral service will be tomorrow, Friday, April 19, 2024 at 1:00pm. Fire and Military service honors will be presented during the funeral with a fire truck led funeral procession following.

City of Harrisonville Electric Crews working hard after storms

We want to give a quick shout out to the City of Harrisonville Electric Crews for their quick responses during Tuesday’s severe storms.

Crews responded to 2 major incidents and a handful of other much smaller issues during the storms.

Our two major incidents included a power pole that was blown over by heavy winds, and. A large tree limb that fell and landed on a power line.

Crews were able to quickly complete repairs in both areas, with only 1 customer ever losing power.

We are grateful for the ongoing efforts of our Electric staff to improve our electric system and for their quick responses in times of crisis. Great job team!

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.