Two seriously injured after motorcycle crash in Cass County

On Saturday July 6th around 12:30 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Cass County along with Cass County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a two vehicle accident involving a motorcycle on Missouri Highway 58 around 2 miles west of Pleasant Hill, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the west bound 2015 Chevrolet Impala driven by Joshua D. Sackuvich, 27, of Overland Park, Kansas attempted to turn into a driveway and was struck by a 2020 Harley Davidson Motorcycle driven by James M. Neitch, 62, of Grandview, Missouri.

Mr. Neitch along with a passenger on his motorcycle Sarah L. Wright, 59, of Grandview, Missouri both sustained serious injuries and both were transported by Pleasant Hill EMS to Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri for treatment.

View crash report below:
https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=240343184

Obituary - Betty Fyock

Betty Fyock, age 92, Prescott, Kansas passed away Thursday, July 4, 2024.

Funeral service will be 11 am Thursday, July 18, 2024 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel. Burial will be in the Prescott Cemetery. 

Visitation will be held from 10 am to service time at the Pleasanton Chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to Fulton Methodist Church. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

Obituary - Rolleen Diann Stites

Rolleen Diann Stites, age 73, La Cygne, Kansas passed away Thursday July 4, 2024. She was born on August 12, 1950, in Parker, Kansas the daughter of Rolla Everett and Helen Alice McCarty Hampton. 

Rolleen’s father passed away when she was a baby, leaving her mother to raise her and her four siblings on the farm outside of Parker. She met her lifelong friend Connie when she was only three, and the two have been inseparable ever since. 

Rolleen graduated from Parker High School in the spring of 1968. That same summer, she was united in marriage to Alvin Stites on June 14, 1968, at the Parker Methodist Church. Astute observers and the numerically adept will notice that she was not yet 18, and so Helen had to sign off on the marriage license. 

Before they had been married a year, Alvin was drafted into the army and sent to Vietnam. The two had been living in Red Oak, Iowa, where Alvin’s parents were then living. While Alvin was in the army and Vietnam, Rolleen lived with her sister Marilyn and Marilyn’s husband in Independence. She worked in an office in downtown Kansas City for an insurance company. 

When Alvin returned from Vietnam, the two lived at Fort Riley while Alvin finished his army service. They then moved to LaCygne and built their permanent home on land owned by Alvin’s grandfather and, in a poetic twist of fate, had been originally homesteaded by Rolleen’s great-great grandparents McCarty. After moving home to LaCygne, Rolleen initially worked as a bookkeeper for the Linn County Co-Op in LaCygne. 

She continued working there until Rex started school. After that, she worked from home, keeping books for Rural Water District #3. Rolleen was an avid reader; she enjoyed sewing, crocheting and cross stitch. She was a member of the United Methodist Church. She served for many years on the Parker Alumni Board. Family was always the most important thing to Rolleen. She could spend hours talking to her family—especially her sisters, Marilyn and Cheryl, and her “sisters” Connie and Naomi—whether in person or on the phone. She organized and hosted large family holiday dinners for both her and Alvin’s families. When nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews were born, she loved to make hand-made gifts for the new babies. 

Rolleen was preceded in death by her biological father and mother. She was also preceded in death by her step-father, Charles O. Haverfield; a brother, Philip A. Hampton, and a sister, Cheryl P. Erwin. Rolleen is survived by her husband, Alvin, a son, Rex Stites, a brother, Charles M. Hampton and wife Virginia, a sister, Marilyn J. Sheets-Rhoades, and three step-brothers, Charles L. Haverfield and wife Linda, Robert Haverfield and wife Sheila, and Steven Haverfield and wife Rose.

Funeral service will be 2 pm Monday, July 8, 2024, at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, La Cygne Chapel. Burial will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1 to 3 pm Sunday, July 7, 2024, at the La Cygne Chapel. Memorial Contributions are suggested to the Parker Community Historical Society. Online condolences can be left atwww.schneiderfunerals.com.

Two vehicle accident involving ATV injures Deepwater man

On Saturday July 6th around 5:35 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Henry County along with Henry County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a two vehicle accident involving a ATV on Missouri 52 Highway at CR SW 201 in rural Henry County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the 2004 Suzuki Quadsport ATV driven by 36 year old Michael L. Shoemaker of Deepwater, Missouri was southbound stopped at a stop sign and then pulled into the path and struck the drivers side of a 2000 Chevrolet driven by 58 year old Norman D. Lesmeister of Montrose, Missouri. After impact Mr. Shoemaker was ejected from the ATV.

Michael L. Shoemaker sustained moderate injuries and he was transported by ambulance to Golden Valley Memorial Hospital and later her was flown to Research Medical Center for treatment. 

View crash report below:

 https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=240343985

60 year old Kansas man drowns in Stockton Lake

On Saturday July 6th around 6:03 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol was called to a drowning near the Stockton Lake Dam.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the drowning occured 60-year-old Craig H. Olson of Shawnee. Kansas was swimming near a stationary pontoon boat just after 6 p.m. Saturday when he dove under it and originally resurfaced.

However, according to a drowning report, Olson swam toward the boat and went under again but did not resurface the second time.

The Cedar County Deputy Coroner pronounced Olson dead at the scene by 8 p.m. Next of kin notified.

View drowning report below:
https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/WP03/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=240344053

Blairstown man serious injured in Benton County rollover accident

On Saturday July 6th around 11:05 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Benton County along with Benton County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a one vehicle rollover accident on Route T just south of Route TT in rural Benton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the southbound 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by 49 year old Sidney L. Riley of Blairstown, Missouri traveled off the left side of the roadway, collided with a tree before overturning.

Mr. Riley sustained serious injuries and he was flown by air ambulance to University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri for treatment.

View crash report below:
https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=240344649

Obituary - Andy R. Anderson

Andrew Raymond Anderson born August 4, 1948 left this world on July 4, 2024 at his home in Milo, Mo following a lengthy illness. He was born in Jericho Springs, Mo to Lola Irene McDaneld and Raymond Edward Anderson, the only boy and youngest of 5 children.

Andy lost his father at a young age and was his momma’s protector until her death. He was sent to Vietnam with the Army fresh out of high school where he was a crew chief helicopter mechanic and door gunner. 

His and his fellow soldiers time at war was very important to him and he dedicated his life to recognizing all veterans he came in contact with. He wore the Vietnam colors with pride. After returning home he tried a few jobs and decided he needed to be his own boss. He attended barber college in Kansas City and started his 50 year barber career at Mayberry’s in Lamar before coming to the West Side Barber Shop in Nevada to work alongside Teddy Baldwin. 

Andy cut hair for several generations of the same families. If the walls of the barber shop could talk, boy would it have the stories to tell. There was an article done on him a few years back declaring him to be the cheapest barber in the US. He believed in helping those that needed it and made several house calls to his older clients. He also served the residents of the nursing home.

Andy loved to travel and the more the merrier. He liked talking to the locals because you find out the best places to go. He was a mountain man but loved the beach. Besides cutting hair he was a proud rancher. For years he raised pigs and cattle up until the end. He was an avid horse rider in his younger years.

Andy’s love of people had gained a wealth of friends over the years, and a few honorary family members. His family was his greatest joy in life. He loved holiday gatherings, especially fish camp and deer camp, and the yearly pheasant hunting trip to South Dakota. He was a collector of many things from cars to arrowheads. He loved the thrill of finding a neat old piece of history. His legacy will live on in all that knew him and he will be greatly missed by many.

He is survived by his wife Deborah of the home, daughter Angie and (Rick) Reasoner of Milo, Mo, Sons Sean and (Cynthia) Anderson of El Dorado Springs, Mo, Matthew and ( Angela) Scott of Kansas City, Mo, grandchildren Quincey and (Tonia) Anderson, Nicole Reasoner and (True Beisly), Amber and (John) Winters, Daniel Scott, Dylan Scott, great grandchildren Cameron Anderson, Kale Burhcell, Jordan Winters, Jaxon VanDerWoude, Oakley VanDerWoude, sisters Patsy Baker, Nadine Perkins, Darlene Winningham, Lorraine Sanders, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 am,Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Pastor Roger Beach officiating.. Interment with Military Funeral Honors will follow in the Olive Branch Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 6:30 pm Monday at Ferry Funeral Home.

Obituary - Frank Allen Droz

Frank Allen Droz, known affectionately as Uncle Frank, of Rich Hill, MO passed away peacefully June 28, 2024 surrounded by nieces, nephews and cousin at Medicalodge in Butler, MO at the age of 91. Frank was born December 6, 1932 to Ralph and Anna (Montibeller) Droz in Rich Hill, MO. 

Frank attended Rich Hill Elementary and High School, served 4 years in the Air Force during the Korean War as a Radio (Communications) Specialist. Returning home from Korea, Frank attended University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MO majoring in Industrial Arts. 

He taught Industrial Arts at Raytown High School in Raytown, MO for 25 years and influenced numerous students that extended far beyond the classroom, as well as enjoying numerous visits from his colleagues at his farm for fun, food and fellowship.

Frank’s hobbies included planting and harvesting pecan trees, raising/rescuing numerous dogs, one being his faithful dog Darla who lived for 16 years; an extensive collection of nutcrackers (600+) and raising ponies. Frank and his sister Francine always made it a priority to never miss an opportunity to attend birthdays, graduations, weddings, holiday gatherings and all family events that supported his nieces and nephews.

Frank was very active in the community of Rich Hill serving in the American Legion and July 4 th celebrations. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Anna Montibeller Droz; sisters Leana Droz Wheeler and Francine Droz.

He is survived by his sister, Wilma Droz Miller, 4 nieces/spouses, 4 nephews/spouses, great nieces/nephews, cousins and numerous friends. Frank’s life was a testament to his values: hard work, the importance of community, family, friends and the family farm. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him!

A celebration of life service will be at Heuser Funeral Home, Rich Hill, MO at a later date.