Your vote counts!

 

2025 Small Town Showcase Voting is currently underway and it’s our chance to put Butler on the radar. You can vote for up to five communities to be Missouri Humanities Small Town Showcase Featured Five Communities. You do not have to be a Missouri resident to vote.

The five winners will work with Missouri Humanities next year on a podcast episode and short film about their town. For more information about Small Town Showcase, please visit https://mohumanities.org/small-town-showcase/. Questions? Contact caitlin@mohumanities.org

American Picker's TV show visits Bates County

 

The cast and crew of the popular History Channel TV show American Pickers paid a visit to Butler yesterday as star Mike Wolfe (inset) 'picked' the historic Henry home located at Mill and Maple streets in Butler. According to the producer, the segment will air sometime in February of 2025 and Mid America Live is putting together an interview with the homeowner to get their perspective on the experience. -Staff photos

Obituary - Doris Mae Heckadon

Doris M. Heckadon, 96, of Adrian, Missouri, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, August 23, 2024, at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Adrian, MO.

Burial will follow at the Virginia Cemetery in Virginia, MO. The family will receive friends from 6:00-7:30 PM Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Virginia Cemetery or Heartland Hospice. Doris Mae Heckadon was born July 30, 1928, to Claude Francis Williams and Hazel Gertrude (Miller) Williams in Drexel, MO. Her mother died when she was 4 years old, her dad remarried Esther (Higgins) who became her stepmother. To this marriage were born two sisters, Karen and Loretta, and then a brother, Joe, who passed away at the age of 2. Doris married Walter Heckadon on June 20, 1946, in Osawatomie, KS.

Together they had nine children, with two dying in infancy. She was a primarily a homemaker and helped her husband with farming, but went on to work at Bass Busters Lures, retiring after 14 years. She was a member of the Crescent Hill Church and then Adrian Christian Church, raising her children with Walter in the church. She was involved in the country neighborhood women's "Penny Savers Club" for many years, her children's 4-H club, and in church. Doris and her family moved to the town of Adrian in 1980. She stayed in her home after the death of her husband with children near until her passing.

Doris is preceded in death by her spouse; her parents; her sister, Karen Stroud; and sons-in-law, John Kershner and Danny Chastain. She is survived by her sons: Rodney and Stacy Heckadon of Adrian, MO; her daughters: Vickie (Randy Townsend) McElwain of Belton, MO; Penny (Ron McCunniff) Zerbe, Denise Kershner, Cynthia Chastain, and Lois (Steve) Hastings all of Adrian, MO; her sister, Loretta Estes; 13 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Obituary - Brian Michael Spear

Brian Michael Spear, 27, of Freeman, MO, tragically passed away on Friday, August 16, 2024 at Cass Regional Medical Center in Harrisonville, MO. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Brian was born on June 10, 1997, the son of Michael and Patricia (Wilbanks) Spear. He was a man of few words, but found joy in the simple things in life - hunting, fishing, listening to music, and cherishing moments with his family and friends. Brian pursued a career in construction. His love for the outdoors and his passion for his work defined him, leaving an indelible mark on those who knew him. Though Brian may no longer be with us, his spirit and memories will live on in the hearts of those who loved him.

Brian was preceded in death by his father, Michael Spear; his maternal grandmother, Millie Cullum; and his paternal grandparents, David and Sheila (Buhrle) Spear. He is survived by his loving mother, Patricia Spear, and her significant other, Justin Logemann; his siblings: Brittney, Brianna, and Johnathon Spear; bonus siblings: Ruby and Heidi Logemann; his maternal great-grandmother, Mary Alice Wilbanks; his maternal grandfather, Jerry (Delores) Willbanks; and a host of other relatives and friends. Brian will forever hold a special place in their hearts. His absence will be deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Quilt of Valor awarded in Butler this morning

 

A special ceremony was held at Rocking Chair Quilts in Butler this morning hosted by owner Marsha Youngblood and Linda Martien of the Quilts for Valor foundation.

The Quilts of Valor Foundation began in 2003 with a dream, literally a dream. Founder Catherine Roberts’ son Nat was deployed in Iraq. According to Catherine:

The dream was as vivid as real life. I saw a young man sitting on the side of his bed in the middle of the night, hunched over. The permeating feeling was one of utter despair. I could see his war demons clustered around, dragging him down into an emotional gutter. Then, as if viewing a movie, I saw him in the next scene wrapped in a quilt. His whole demeanor changed from one of despair to one of hope and well-being. The quilt had made this dramatic change. The message of my dream was: Quilts = Healing.

The model appeared simple: have a volunteer team who would donate their time and materials to make a quilt. One person would piece the top and the other would quilt it. I saw the name for this special quilt: it was Quilt of Valor, a QOV.

From the beginning, Catherine Roberts had definite ideas about standards of excellence for Quilts of Valor:

I knew a Quilt of Valor had to be a quality-made quilt, not a “charity quilt.” A Quilt of Valor had to be quilted, not tied, which meant hand or machine quilting. It would be “awarded,” not just passed out like magazines or videos, and would say unequivocally, “Thank you for your service, sacrifice and valor in serving our nation.”

A group of about 20 attended the ceremony this morning eager to learn more about the program which was followed with a special patriotic themed quilt presentation to Veteran Don Crawford of Clinton, Mo who was visibly humbled by the experience.

From seeing the enthusiasm for the program today, Youngblood says she is "working to expand the QOV program here, in the Bates county area and would like to make presentations to local veterans as well." With that, she said our local chapter has been named Sew Honored and those interested in helping should contact her at the shop located at 21 N. Main street in Butler.

QOV has presented nearly 400,000 such quilts in their existence and more every day. More information can be found at https://www.qovf.org/  

Marsha Youngblood, owner of Rocking Chair Quilts, quilt recipient

Don Crawford and QOV spokesperson Linda Martien

Obituary - Emily Joyce Considine

Emily Joyce Considine passed away after a long battle with bone cancer just after her 73rd birthday, August 18, 2024, with her loving husband Michael by her side. She was born August 15, 1951 to Elmo and Arlene Stump in Kansas City, MO.

Emily is survived by her loving husband of 20 years, Michael (Mickey) Considine, her two sisters, Jane Gibson and Anita Giese, her two children, Garrett Blaco and Kira Timm, her granddaughter, Taylor Blaco, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Emily grew up in Belton, Missouri, the youngest of three daughters - the youngest one in curls as she liked to say. She and her sisters had an unbreakable bond, supporting each other throughout their lives.

After graduating from Belton High School in 1969, Emily and Clyde Blaco married and later had two children who were the center of Emily’s life. She was very proud of her children in everything they did. The invention of smartphones was a godsend to her as it provided visuals to show everyone she met how wonderful her children, and later her granddaughter, were.

When her children went to college, she took a risk, sold her home, and moved to Ireland. The risk was worth it though because it was there that she met her husband, Mickey, who has been the love of her life. After living in Ireland for many years, they decided to return to Missouri and settled down in the town of Weston with their dogs. They lived in Weston for fourteen years and made many friends among their neighbors and the community. Mickey supported and cared for Emily through several forms of cancer. She was a fighter, tough as wood pecker lips (as she liked to say), with the strength of her husband behind her.

Everyone who knew Emily was touched by her big heart, compassionate nature, and quick wit. She loved a good laugh, a long chat, and sharing in everyone’s triumphs or struggles. She will be deeply missed.

A celebration of her life will be held at Cullen Funeral Home, 612 W. Foxwood Drive, Raymore, Missouri 64083. A visitation will be held from 1 pm to 2 pm on Friday, August 23, 2024, followed by a memorial service and interment at the Raymore Cemetery in accordance with her wishes.

The family would like to thank the staff at Aspire Senior Living in Platte City, Missouri as well as Harbor Hospice of North Kansas City for their compassionate care during Emily’s stay. They’d also like to thank all of their family and friends for their support and prayers.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that any donations be made to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) or Harbor Hospice (www.harborhospice.com)

Obituary - Michael David Spear

Michael David Spear, 47, of Freeman, MO, passed away on Friday, August 16, 2024 in Freeman, MO. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Michael was born on March 26, 1977, in Wichita, KS, the son of David and Sheila (Buhrle) Spear. A dedicated construction worker, Michael's labor was a testament to his work ethic and determination, taking on various construction jobs throughout his life and learning various skills. 

Michael was a man of simple pleasures, finding solace in fishing, cherishing moments with his beloved family and his loyal companion, Blue, the bearded dragon.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Ryder Aaron; and his son, Brian Spear, shortly after his passing. He is survived by his children: Brittney, Brianna, and Johnathon Spear; his sister, Veronika Spear; brothers: Danny Spear and Shawn Brakey; his two cherished granddaughters, Alice Irene and Matilda Mae; and his longtime girlfriend, Misty Stufflebean.

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