Obituary - Mary J. Silka

Mary J. Silka, 87, of Leeton, Missouri passed away peacefully, on Saturday, July 20. 2024. Mary was born in Gunnison, Colorado on March 20, 1937. Her parents were Carl E. and Ann J. Silka. Carl was a hard-working coal miner and Mary had the same work ethic as her parents. Mary had one brother, Bob Silka, also from Gunnison, who pre-deceased her.

Mary and her longtime companion, Roy Lee Williams, lived on a ranch near Leeton, where they raised quarter horses and cattle. They owned racehorses for a period of time and owned a home in Ruidoso Downs, N. M., where they would spend part of the racing season during the summers. Roy passed away in April of 1989.

Mary continued to raise cattle at her ranch and with the help of many neighbors and friends she was able to keep her beloved ranch up and running. There was always a fence needing to be mended or a pond to be dug, or thistles that needed done away with. She tried to keep her pastures in pristine shape and would be found many times after dark mowing the yard around her home. Working only sun up to sunrise meant nothing to her. If work needed to be done, the time of day did not matter. Mary knew how she wanted things done...enough said.

Mary had many, many friends in and around the Henry County area and all over the USA. She traveled extensively when Roy was alive but her favorite place was her ranch. Mary loved her friends and nothing more than a great conversation and maybe a slice of pie and a cup of coffee, too. She was always available to lend a helping hand or assist her friends with paying a bill or two. Her friendship knew no bounds.

Mary has been cremated and her ashes will be taken to Colorado where her good friend will take Mary's ashes by horseback to South Castle Basin where she will be laid to rest with her parents and brother. Peace to our Mary. She was loved and will be missed.

A quiet service of remembrance will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, Clinton. Condolences may be left online at www.bradleyhadley.com.

Butler man arrested on multiple charges

On 7/23/2024 at approximately 2332 hours Butler Officers were dispatched to a residence in reference to a fight.

Upon Officers arrival, they immediately observed one victim with a large amount of blood on his face and head. Another person at the residence was physically restraining a subject later identified to be the aggressor, Elijah Brockman. Officers then detained Brockman in handcuff.

The fight occurred when Elijah Brockman was confronted about stealing approximately $20,000 worth of jewelry and prescription medication. Elijah Brockman then became aggressive and attacked the victim striking him in the face with a closed fist until the victim fell to the ground. At which point Brockman continued to assault the victim by slamming his head into concrete until Brockman became physically restrained.

Brockman was taken into custody and on 7/24/2024, a warrant was issued for Elijah Brockman with the following charges:
Domestic Assault - 2nd Degree
Stealing - $750 or More
Assault 4th Degree
Assault 4th Degree

Brockman is currently in custody in the Bates County Jail and has been assigned a bond amount of $20,000 Cash or Surety.

Disclaimer: Arrest records are public information. Any indication of an arrest does not mean the individual identified has been convicted of a crime. All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Obituary - Sheldon L. Castleman

Sheldon L. Castleman, age 87, of Raymore, Missouri passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Monday, July 22, 2024.

Funeral services will be held Monday, July 29, 2024, at Cullen Funeral Home, Inc., 612 W. Foxwood Dr., Raymore, Missouri 64083. Visitation will be from 11:00-12:00 p.m. with the funeral services at 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow in the Raymore Cemetery, Raymore, Missouri with United States Air Force Funeral Honors.

Sheldon was born in Cassopolis, Michigan on January 9, 1937, the son of Charles Castleman and Grace L. Wilson. After graduating high school, Sheldon decided to serve his country in the United State Air Force and retired after twenty years of service. While in the service he met the love of his life, Chiyoko and they were later married on February 16, 1959. Together, they were blessed with two sons, Joshua and Jon. Sheldon also worked as a commercial claim adjuster for Farmers Insurance for over twenty-five years. He spent several years as a volunteer for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for Children. He also spent many years on the board for both the Grandview Parks and Recreation department before eventually moving to the Raymore Parks and Recreation department where he also served several years on their board. Sheldon was a very active participant in all sporting activities in high school and during his years in the military service. He was a true standout athlete. He especially loved spending time with his family and friends. His pride and joy were his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He never missed any of their activities or their special moments.

The minute Sheldon met you, you were his life-long friend. He loved hard, and his loyalty to you was never ending.

Sheldon was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Grace Castleman; his loving wife of 61 years, Chiyoko Castleman; and his sister, Norma Castleman.

He is survived by his two sons, Joshua S. Castleman and Jon C. Castleman (Janet); five grandchildren, Jenna Spiegel (Michael), Julie Kemna (Joe), Justin Castleman (Stacy), Mary Heydon (Ryan), and Hannah Castleman (Phil Gittens); seven great-grandchildren, Oliver, Quinn, Mila, Rosie, Cohen, Lainey and Wade.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer, 15954 Mur-Len Rd. #124 Olathe, Kansas 66062.

Man Arrested on Multiple Charges

On Wednesday July 24th at around 1:25 p.m. arrested 53 year old Perry W. Parker of Harrisonville, Missouri.

Mr. Parker was arrested on the following charges of 1.)Felony possession of a controlled substance. 2.) Possession of drug paraphernalia. 3.) Failed to stop at a stop sign.

Perry W. Parker was arrested and booked into the Bates County Jail. He was later released

View arrest report here:
https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP71/ArrestDetailsAction?TW01REPORTNUMBER=I493630A

Disclaimer: Arrest records are public information. Any indication of an arrest does not mean the individual identified has been convicted of a crime. All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Obituary - James E. Wright

James Wright, Mound City, Kansas passed away Sunday, July 21, 2024. He was born in DeWitt, Missouri and graduated from Brunswick High School. James served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. He worked as an equipment operator for several construction companies. He was a member of the Brunswick Christian Church and the American Legion.

James enjoyed reading and woodworking. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, three brothers, and three sisters. James is survived by his wife, daughter, many nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.

Visitation will be held 3 to 5 pm Monday, July 29, 2024 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Brunswick Christian Church, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box J, Mound City, Kansas 66056. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

Butler Teen Arrested on Multiple Charges

On Wednesday July 24th at around 2:49 a.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested 18 year old Layne A.Webb of Butler, Missouri.

Mr. Webb was arrested on the following charges 1.) Driving while intoxicated. 2.) Failed to drive on the right half of the roadway resulting in accident. 3.) Failed to display valid plates. 4.) No insurance.

Layne A. Webb was arrested and booked into the Bates County Jail in Butler. Missouri and was later released.

View arrest report below:
https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP71/ArrestDetailsAction?TW01REPORTNUMBER=I493620A

Disclaimer: Arrest records are public information. Any indication of an arrest does not mean the individual identified has been convicted of a crime. All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Fatal Crash in Barton County

On Wednesday July 24th at around 1:35 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol along with Barton County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a two vehicle accident at Missouri Route T 6 miles West of Golden City.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occured when the southbound 2022 Chevrolet Malibu driven by a Aubren D. Dudley of Rogersville, Missouri failed to yield and struck the side of an eastbound 2020 Freightliner Cascadia driven by a Patrick L. Wright of Houston, Texas

Aubren D. Dudley was pronounced dead at the scene of this accident by the Barton County Coroners office and she was taken to Chapel Casket Company in Webb City, MO. This fatality is the 53rd in 2024 in Missouri Highway Patrol Troop D. The next of kin has been notified.  

View crash report below:

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=240376334

Obituary - Betty Jean (Garrett) Pitts

Betty Jean (Garrett) Pitts, 89, Nevada, MO went home to meet the Lord on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at Nathan Richard Health Care in Nevada. Betty was born January 31, 1935, the daughter of Robert Glenn “Blue” Garrett and L. Inez Folkner Garrett.

Betty grew up in the Montevallo area. She attended rural schools and Olive Branch Baptist Church. She graduated from El Dorado Springs High School in 1953. After high school she worked as an operator for the telephone company in Nevada. She met the love of her life, Alfred Leon “Throck” Pitts and they married on October 20, 1953.

Betty loved God, her husband, her family and her friends. Betty was full of life. She always had a project of some sort to work on. Shuffling 5 kids to events, volunteering to be home room mother for multiple kids at the same time, growing and canning vegetables, cooking meals for any “strays” that showed up at the dinner table, crocheting a wedding dress because a son asked her to for his future wife, sewing quilts, crocheting baby blankets and afghans for everyone she knew, sewing suits and formal wear, baking specialty cakes, and being a 4-H leader for years. She started the 4-H Dairy Goat project in Vernon County in the 1970s.

In 1983, Betty started a whole new career in life. She and Throck had dreamed and planned to go on the road together when the kids were raised. So, she became an over the road team drive with Throck: 16 years, 24/7 together they spent driving all over the United States. It gave them the opportunity to see the country and to also visit some old friends in California and family in Florida. When they decided to quit taking the coast to cost runs and Betty decided to stay home, she still didn’t “retire”. Betty volunteered at the church to help answer the phone and send notes of encouragement to older members or anyone suffering a hardship in their life.

Betty was also a member of community clubs over the years and a long-time member of the First Baptist Church. Betty was loving and nurturing to every living being, exception of snakes.

Betty is survived by her children: Terry and Judy Pitts of Springfield, MO, Nick and Sheryl Pitts of Kirksville, MO, Alfrenita Pitts of Walker, MO, and Marjeana and Mike Smith of Milo, MO; daughter-in-law Nancy Thomas Pitts Wallace of Moundville, MO; grandchildren: Thomas Pitts, Travis Pitts, Tabitha and Brian Matthews, Suzanne and Kyle Riddle, Garrett and Stephanie Pitts and Benjamin Pitts; five great-grandchildren: Katherine and Christopher Pitts, Elaina and Eden Pitts and Leon Matthews.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 50 plus years, Alfred “Throck” Pitts; son, Tracy Pitts; infant son, Dustin Pitts; her parents; her sister, Doris Keener and brother, Marvin Garrett.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at Ferry Funeral Home, with Pastors Dr. Kevin Daugherty and Hubert Fox officiating. Interment will follow in Milo Cemetery. The family will receive friends at 10:00a.m. prior to the service. The family requests memorials to the Nevada R-5 Foundation for the Pitts Family Memorial Scholarship in care of Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.