Traffic accident in south Butler

The Butler Fire Department along with Bates County Sheriff's Deputies and Bates County EMS are on scene of a motor vehicle accident on NE CR 473 just north of the I-49 overpass off Rice Road at this time.

One vehicle is said to be off the roadway and struck a tree. Mid America Live News will update when more information is made available to us. 

Obituary - Curtis D. Parks

Curtis D. Parks, age 68, passed away on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at his home in Deepwater, Missouri. 

A Memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, July 21, 2024 at the Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri. The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 PM prior to the service. 

A private family burial will take place in the Parks Shady Grove Cemetery in Osceola, Missouri. Memorial contributions can be made to the Parks Shady Grove Cemetery and may be left in care of the funeral home.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri.

Obituary - Wyatt Boyd Koshko

Wyatt Boyd Koshko, 64, Schell City, MO passed away on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at Nevada Regional Medical Center in Nevada, MO. Wyatt, the youngest of three children, was born December 9, 1959 in Downing CA to Walter James and Eula Euredice (Henderson) Koshko.

Wyatt was a lifelong resident of Schell City. He attended Schell City High School where he graduated in 1978. Although Wyatt worked several jobs, he was most known for his auto body work, and he also drove a truck for a number of years. Wyatt enjoyed bow hunting and was an avid animal lover – he especially loved his dogs.

Survivors include his son, Aaron Boyd Koshko of Donaldsonville, LA; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Steve Koshko, and a sister, Danna Koshko.

A private graveside committal will be held at Green Lawn Cemetery in Schell City, MO.

4-H exhibit highlights at the Bates County Fair

Obituary - Helen Sue Fields

Helen Sue Fields, age 57, of Rich Hill, MO passed away on July 5, 2024 in Lamar, MO. Helen was born on May 25, 1967 to Johnny and Lucille Barnard. Helen grew up in Holden, MO where she went to school until the tenth grade before leaving to work for healthcare. Helen moved to Rich Hill in 1994 where she resided for the remainder of her life. Helen worked at various jobs throughout her life, her final job being the postal services.

Helen was known as “Momma” to her ten children, Travis, Luke, Daniel, Bill, Rhonda, Samantha, Ronald, Brian, Sabrina, and Joseph. She also left behind her husband Randy whom she married in the summer of 1981. She was known for many things, a great cook and an amazing grandma, being the most memorable.

She would not allow anyone to leave her house hungry. Helen never showed up to a dinner without candy or toys for her grandchildren, she loved them with everything she had, she especially loved to watch all of her grandbabies get their bellies full on mashed taters and mac and cheese and laugh at the many silly faces she would make at them.

Helen didn’t know a stranger, anytime she went to the store she would talk to everyone for what seemed like hours to her kids. She loved to dance, sing, and just have a great time with her family. Having dinner at her house with all of her kids and grandkids was her favorite thing to do.

Helen leaves behind 39 grandchildren as well as 4 great grandchildren. Along with her children and husband, Helen is survived by her siblings Janice Gardner, Nancy Stockton, Junior Barnard, and Dennis Barnard. 

Helen is preceded in death by her parents Johnny and Lucille Barnard, her son Luke Fields, her siblings Margaret Barnard, Bill Atkinson, Jack Barnard, and David Barnard, and her late husband Ronald Fields Sr.

Funeral Service will be held at the Myrtle Tree Fellowship Church at 11:00 am, Tuesday, July 9, 2024. Visitation will be from 10:00 am to service time. Burial will follow in the Taberville Cemetery. Any donations to the family are welcome at Heuser Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.heuserfunerals.com

Obituary - Mabel Elizabeth (Lawson) Brewer

Mabel Elizabeth (Lawson) Brewer passed away peacefully at home after an extended illness on July 1, 2024, at the age of 87, comforted by her daughter and family. Born at home in rural Montrose, Missouri, on October 6, 1936, Mabel was the third daughter and fifth child of Julia DeWeese and Cleveland Lawson.

Funeral services will be at the Hill & Son Funeral Home in Appleton City, MO on Friday, July 12, 2024, at 1 p.m. with Pastor Ryan Campos officiating. A Visitation will be held prior to the service, also at Hill & Son Funeral Home from 11:30 a.m. until the service time. Internment will be in the Appleton City Cemetery, Appleton City, MO.

Mabel was often described as a strong, independent woman filled with kindness, creativity, and resilience. Raised during the Great Depression, she attended school at Oak Grove and graduated from Appleton City High School. She pursued higher education at Central Missouri State University, now known as the University of Central Missouri (UCM), where she earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in education.

Early years on the family farm were filled with joy, adventure and hard work. Mabel created fun activities for her younger sisters, like painting circles around the eyes of their mule, Pete, and climbing wild grape vines. She also enjoyed taking her sisters to pick strawberries while riding their horse, Rex. As a young girl, she served as a teacher assistant during Vacation Bible School (VBS), showcasing her dedication to nurturing and guiding others from a young age.

Mabel's professional career in elementary education took her to various locations in Missouri, including Amoret, Lowry City, Hume, Hale and Ballard. She also taught in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, Colorado Springs, Colorado and taught English grammar in Hawaii. On September 10, 1966, she married Willard Brewer at the First Baptist Church in Appleton City. They lived on their farm near Appleton City, where they enjoyed crop farming and later cattle farming. Mabel loved taking her family on picnics and adventures around the farm and hosting family reunions. Even late in life, she found joy in checking on the cattle on the farm. She especially enjoyed hosting and visiting with family and friends.

Mabel spent several years as a homemaker and mother to Cynthia who was born in 1968. Camping and traveling were a longtime favorite pastime that she enjoyed with her daughter and husband. She also actively participated as a leader in the Hudson Hustler’s 4H club. In the late 1980s, she began teaching kindergarten at Hudson R-IX, where she worked for several years. Mabel was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Appleton City, helping with Bible school, teaching Sunday School, and supporting the church in numerous ways. After retirement, Mabel found joy in helping raise and homeschool her three grandchildren: Emily, Derek, and Benjamin.

 
Mabel is survived by her daughter Cynthia Brewer Spangler and her husband Larry Spangler; her three grandchildren, Emily, Derek, and Benjamin (Karmen); her sister Louetta Lawson Choat (Kenneth) of Colorado Springs; and her brother Robert Lawson (Janice) of Ames, Iowa. Mabel was preceded in death by her husband Willard in 2002, and her siblings John, Clyde, Helen, Mary, and Jeanette.
Mabel Brewer's life exemplified service, dedication, and love for her family, church, and community. 

Memories of her will be cherished by all who knew her, and we find comfort knowing she is now in her heavenly home with God her Father, walking among the most beautiful gardens and flowers.
Memorials can be made out to Little Reading Hour of Appleton City or Butler Library.

Heavy rain for eastern Missouri today

The remnants of Beryl will bring heavy rain to eastern Missouri today. Isolated to scattered storms are anticipated on Wednesday, some of which could be strong, with gusty winds and small hail possible. 

Hot and humid conditions will return this weekend and continue into next week, with temperatures reaching the mid to upper 90s and heat index values ranging from 100 to 105.

Obituary - Arlene Finklang

Arlene Finklang, 75 of Adrian, Missouri left this world on Sunday, July 7, 2024. Cremation with memorial services to be held 3:00 pm, Saturday July 27, 2024 at the United Methodist Church of Adrian. 

Arrangements entrusted to Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to United Methodist Church of Adrian. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Arlene Kay Finklang was a caring partner, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and

friend. Arlene was born to Ora Aldine and Clell Frederick Ogle on January 1, 1949. Arlene had two brothers, Wayne and Clell, and one sister, Janice. After graduating from high school, Arlene married Allen Lee Finklang in 1966, and had three children; Lisa Michelle, Lori Dawn, Kelley Lea.

Arlene loved spending time in the kitchen, creating delicious meals for her family. She was known for having the best fried chicken around, and she loved feeding the people that she cared so much for. There were always plenty of good snacks to be had at her house.

In the year 1989, Arlene met the love of her life, James ‘Jimmy’ Perkins, and they spent the next 17 years going on adventures until his passing in 2007. Arlene had a variety of careers throughout her long life. For a time, Arlene owned and managed the Fairport Cafe and a general store outside of Maysville, Missouri. 

She never backed down from a challenge, which included remodeling and living in older rustic farm houses. Arlene and Jimmy loved shopping at garage sales and flea markets, hunting for the best treasures they could find. Arlene enjoyed working and taking care of others, but mostly she enjoyed spending time with her family. Arlene often said her granddaughters were the light of her life.

Arlene is a beloved matriarch survived by many daughters, granddaughters, great-granddaughter, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Arlene is preceded in death by her parents, all siblings, and her daughter Kelley.