Something special coming next week

 NEXT WEEK will be an extra special edition of the printed News-Shopper as we will adding some features including an 8 page spread highlighting local high school seniors. We will be doing a bulk mailing to everyone in zip code 64730 as well as extra copies on news stands.

Enjoy, and thank you for your support!

Code 1 Wellness receives $20,000 grant from CFO, Coover Foundation

Code 1 Wellness received a $20,000 grant from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, in partnership with the Louis L. and Julia Dorothy Coover Charitable Foundation and Commerce Trust, on April 30. The grant will allow the nonprofit to create the Rural Unity Initiative, a collaboration with Bates County Memorial Hospital that will close the gap in mental health services for rural communities in Cass, Bates and Henry counties.

“We are growing by the day, and are so thankful for this grant,” says Dawn Pruett with Code 1 Wellness. “It will not only help pay salaries but buy laptops we need for counselors out in the field, and things of that sort as we keep growing. We are so thankful for this.”

A total of $220,000 was granted to 14 nonprofits through the Coover Regional Vibrant Communities Grant Program to address the epidemic of loneliness and social isolation by creating meaningful ways to connect people with their communities. For a complete list of recipients, go to cfozarks.org/coover24.

“We’re grateful to fund these grants that will bring residents of rural communities closer together,” said Jill Reynolds, senior vice president at Commerce Trust and chair of the Coover Foundation grant selection committee. “We congratulate these agencies for their innovative approaches to building community.”

Julia Dorothy Coover, a 30-year Commerce employee, founded the Louis L. and Julia Dorothy Coover Charitable Foundation in 1992 to honor her husband’s memory. The private foundation, managed by Commerce Trust, has funded about $8 million in grants to benefit rural communities across the CFO’s service area since the partnership began in 2001. Earlier in April, the Coover Foundation, Commerce Trust and the CFO granted $80,000 to 18 rural school districts in the Coover/Rural Schools Partnership Grant Program.

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks is the region’s largest public charitable foundation serving donors, nonprofit partners and more than 50 regional affiliate foundations — including the Truman Lake Community Foundation — with assets totaling $427 million as of June 30, 2023. The CFO’s mission is to improve the quality of life for everyone in central and southern Missouri through resource development, community grantmaking, collaboration and public leadership.

from left to right: Winter Kinne, Dawn Pruett, Heather Haddad, Jill Reynolds

Obituary - Marie Ellen Hargrove

Marie Ellen Hargrove, 93, of Pleasanton, Kansas passed away Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at her home surrounded by her family. Marie was born, December 29, 1930, in Helena, Montana to Cliff and Katie (Schuele) Nettleton. During Marie's childhood the family lived on a ranch outside of Helena until 1945 when they purchased a ranch in Canyon Creek, Montana. Marie graduated from Helena High School in 1948. 

Upon graduation she worked at Western Life Insurance Company in Helena. Marie met a young handsome cowboy at the Country Dance in Clancy, Montana, John F. (Jack) Hargrove and married him on July 9, 1949, where they resided in the Helena Valley. They started their family in 1950, Marie was very active in 4H with her kids and enjoyed being home with them. She always had many animals including horses and bum lambs around the place. The house was always full of neighborhood kids, along with nieces and nephews.

Jack and Marie owned and operated J&M Auction Company until Jack's death. In 2004, Marie moved to Pleasanton, Kansas to be closer to her daughter and son and eventually the other siblings followed. She was very happy in Kansas and had a new home and brought horses and cat (Stubby) from Montana.

She loved her flowers and helping her daughter and son-in-law on the ranch taking care of horses, feeding cows, mowing pastures and running errands for the business. She was affectionately call "Ranch Manager". She spent a lot of time with her kids and grandkids going to lunches, basketball/football games and many youth rodeos. Living her life to the fullest and never acting her age. She was a huge part of her kid's life. 

She was loved very very much by her kids and special friends. She is survived by her daughters and Son-in-Law: Sherri & Greg Gentry of Pleasanton, Kansas; Karen Webb of Pleasanton, Kansas; Daughter-in-Law: Kym Hargrove of Pleasanton, Kansas; Grandchildren: Connor(Cheyenne) Gentry; Jack (Kara) Hargrove; Michelle Johnson; Bryon Hargrove and Jeff Hargrove. Sisters and Brothers: Madeline Songer, Elmer (Ruth) Nettleton, Jay (Barb) Nettleton, several nieces and nephews and many other family members and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 32 years, John Frank (Jack) Hargrove in 1981. Sons: John Allen Hargrove and Melvin Edward Hargrove; Parents: Cliff & Katie Nettleton. Funeral Services will be held at 1 pm, Saturday, May 4, 2024 at the Schneider Funeral Home 816 Main St. Pleasanton, Kansas. 

The family will receive friends from 12 pm until the time of service. Reception to follow at: Mound City First Baptist Church 8424 Paine Road Mound City, Kansas. The family suggest memorial contributions to: Alwaysandfurever.org or Rainbowmeadows-ranch.com Online condolences may be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com

Better check those lottery tickets!

Check your tickets! A Powerball ticket with Power Play resulted in a $100,000 in Wednesday’s drawing. 

The lucky ticket was sold at Rush Hour 2, 1101 E. 171st St. in Belton, resulted in a $100,000 prize.

Obituary - Gerald W. Stutzman

Gerald W. Stutzman, age 62, passed away on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at his home in Deepwater, Missouri.

Gerald Wayne Stutzman was born on March 10, 1962, to Stella and Jack Stutzman in Columbia, Missouri. He was the second of 4 children. Gerald was a calm, quiet child. 

He grew up in a loving family; he attended and graduated from Raymore Elementary School in Missouri. Gerald enjoyed sports and became very active at school. He loved football, golf, and bowling; in fact, he was actively engaged in bowling until two weeks before his death. 

His entire family actively bowled for many years – it was a family affair. It was said that he and his brother competed in several tournaments. Gerald would grow up to be a quiet, caring man and a wonderful husband to Cheryl, his loving wife. He was an extremely good papa to his granddaughter, Liliana.

Gerald worked as a Sanitation Engineer for 23 years. He was also employed at Arby’s- his last position- but stopped working due to the deterioration of his health. The consummate family man, Gerald, was also passionate about cars and was very good at mechanical work. He was a persevering and enduring man who never gave up but would press on until he found a resolution to a challenge. He quickly made friends wherever he went, and in his quiet, unassuming way, he touched many lives. He is survived by his loving wife (Cheryl), siblings (Johnny, Marla, and Sherrie), step-children, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He will be greatly missed.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri and are pending at this time.

Happy Retirement Robbie Barnes!

Adrian Bank invites you to a reception honoring the upcoming retirement of Robbie Barnes. 

The reception will be held May 13th at the Adrian Bank Butler Branch located at 1101 West Fort Scott Street in Butler. 

Stop by between 2-4pm and wish Robbie congratulations on her retirement.

Butler Community Food Pantry Summer Meal Drive

 

Obituary - Michelle Dione Van Horn

Michelle Dione Van Horn, 51, of Raymore, MO, passed away on Sunday, April 28, 2024 at Belton Regional Medical Center in Belton, MO. Memorial services will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 6:00 PM at First Baptist Church of Peculiar in Peculiar, MO, with the visitation beginning at 5:00 PM.

Michelle was born July 6, 1972 to Herbert and Lou Ella (Gary) Hubbard in Carlsbad, New Mexico. She graduated from Goddard High School in Roswell, NM in 1990 and attended Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell, where she met her husband, Michael (Mick) Van Horn. They were married on October 18, 1991, and had two children, Natalie and Ian Van Horn.

Michelle worked as the secretary at First Baptist Church of Peculiar, and was a beloved member of the church congregation there. Throughout her life, Michelle held many other positions, but none she cherished so much as being a stay-at-home mom and raising her children.

Michelle was passionate about travel and finding new places to explore with her husband and children. In her free time, Michelle loved reading, watching movies, coloring, painting, and playing games. She also enjoyed spending time with her family and pets.

Michelle is preceded in death by her father, Herbert Hubbard, and her son, Ian Michael Van Horn. She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Michael Van Horn; her daughter, Natalie Van Horn; her mother, Lou Hubbard; sisters: Jana Chrisman, Becky Keele, and Beth Miller; in-laws, Joe and Lonna (Gooden) Van Horn; as well as, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends.