Obituary - Norma J. Johnson

Norma Jean Johnson, age 87, of Clinton, Missouri passed away on Monday, July 22, 2024 at Adair Village Care Center in Clinton, Missouri. Norma will lie in state from 12:00-5:00 PM on Sunday, July 28, 2024 at Vansant-Mills Chapel in Clinton, Missouri. 

Graveside service will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, July 29, 2024 in the Vansant Road Cemetery in Clinton, Missouri. Memorial contributions can be made to the Truman Lake Cancer Fund and may be left in care of the funeral home.

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

A special thanks to Rich Hill Mayor Kassner

Thank you to Mayor Kassner for providing dinner tonight for first responders. Tonight's dinner was a thank you for working the 4th of July Celebration. 

Members from the Bates County Sheriffs Office, RHPD & RHFD were able to make it. We also ran meals up to Bates County EMS as well as dispatch.

Obituary - Donna E. Stoneking

The family of Donna Eager Stoneking of Clinton Missouri are saddened to announce her passing on July 19, 2024 at the age of 72 years.

Donna Eager Stoneking was born on September 29, 1951 in Carrollton, Missouri. She was the daughter of George and Blanche Eager.

Donna was a loving mother of one daughter Tammera. She was a world renowned poet. She loved to dance and recite her poems.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

Donna is survived by her daughter Tammera Rahn, 7 grandchildren; Brytni Anderson, J. Michael Hebert, Christian Stoneking and David Clamp, James and Sarah Stoneking, Skyler and Kennady Stoneking, Steven Stoneking , and Dalton Stoneking, 15 great grandchildren; Huter Anderson, Summer Anderson, Marcus Anderson, Bently Anderson, Oakley Anderson, Rylie, Cage, and Maxon Stoneking, Everly Clamp, Rowan Stoneking, Nova Clamp, Jaxon Stoneking, Mason Stoneking, and Sophia Stoneking, and a host of other friends and family.

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.