Obituary - Jerry Lee McCullick

Jerry Lee McCullick, age 66, of El Dorado Springs, Missouri went to the shooting range in the sky the afternoon of September 11, 2024, after a short illness. Jerry was born December 14, 1957, to Leo and Joann (Hardy) McCullick. Jerry attended school at Fort Scott Christian Heights through eleventh grade, then graduated from El Dorado Springs High School in 1975, where he earned the apt nickname “Tree.”

After meeting on a blind date, Jerry married Julie Ann Loyd of Walker, Missouri on February 5th, 1982. They went on to have three children, Jeremy Lee, Luke Harrison, and Megan LeAnn.

Jerry graduated from the Police Academy at Missouri Southern State University and was a reserve police officer for El Dorado Springs in his mid-thirties. He retired from O’Reilly Auto Parts after over 40 years of service. After retirement, he spent his time at Bear Arms gun shop sharing his love of guns with others.

He was a man of many talents including racing go carts, stock cars, dragsters, and dirt bikes, building motors, fixing cars, competition shooting, and gunsmithing, among many other skills. People could always call him and describe a sound their car was making or an issue their gun was having, and he could immediately diagnose the problem.

In addition to being a dedicated husband, father, and Papa, Jerry enjoyed building cars, jeeping, riding his motorcycle, spending the summers with his grandsons, traveling with family, dominating at shooting competitions, camping, reloading, working in his shop, and making things go fast to satisfy his need for speed.

Jerry might have been a “gentle giant,” but he was a fierce protector of his family. There’s no doubt he left us too soon, but because of who he was, we have countless memories and experiences that will last us a lifetime.

Jerry joins his mother, Joann, along with his sister and brother-in-law, Leola and Wayne Downer in heaven. He is survived by his wife, Julie; his son and daughter-in-law, Jeremy and Jami McCullick; his son, Luke McCullick; his daughter and son-in-law, Megan and Jason Biddlecome; his grandsons, Anthony and Gunner Biddlecome; and his father, Leo McCullick.

Visitation
Sunday, September 15, 2024 at 6:00PM - 7:00PM
Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home
3130 East Highway 54
El Dorado Springs, MO 64744

Service
Monday, September 16, 2024 at 10:00AM
El Dorado Springs Church of God (Holiness)
1607 S. Park Street
El Dorado Springs, MO 64744

Public Service Announcement: Be on the lookout

Be on lookout for shoplifter who stole a Dremel tool set from Corner Hardware in Butler on Sept 3, 2024. 

If she comes into your business with a large shopping bag, you might check it before she leaves.

Anyone with information on who this woman is please contact the Butler Police Department.

McGennis Youth Center Barbecue and Auction Set for Sunday, September 29th

This year’s annual McGennis Youth Center Barbecue and Auction are set for Sunday, September 29th

The McGennis barbecue is a tradition that spans 55 years. The first barbecue was held in 1969.

In conjunction with the barbecue this year will be the Eighth Annual Car and Truck Show. Car show registration is from 12 to 1 p.m. For more information on the car show contact Jared Rankin at 417-448-4903 or rankinfarms@hotmail.com.

Children’s games will start at 12:30 p.m. Horse and wagon rides will also start at 12:30 with Harry Byram on hand with his team and wagon.

Serving for the barbecue is at 1 p.m., with barbecued beef, pork and chicken, along with beans, cheesy potatoes, coleslaw and bread. A wide variety of cakes will be available for dessert. Everyone is invited to bring a cake for the dessert table, if they’d like to. The meal is catered by Food Fair of Rich Hill.

The auction will start about 1:45. Larry Hacker will be our auctioneer this year.

A popular part of the auction will again be featured this year. The Mad Hatter features ten McGennis Youth Center caps donated by Roof Power Solar. These caps, each numbered, will be auctioned off. At the end of the auction one of these numbers will be drawn. That winning number will win this year’s gun donated by Bell Farms.

In the same vein, Bob Schlyer has donated not one but two beautiful jewelry items. One is a 14K gold emerald and diamond bracelet, and the other is a gold diamond ring. Numbered envelopes will be auctioned off. Two winners will be drawn from the ten high bidders. The first winner will have their choice of the two items.

For more information about the auction or to donate an item call Marc or Alison Bell at 660-832-4196. The generosity of those who donate and those who bid has made the auction a major revenue source for the Youth Center.

Admission to the barbecue is $12.00 for adults and $5.00 for children (ages 6-12). Tickets are for the meal and are not required for the auction.

From Rich Hill, the McGennis Youth Center is located five miles west on A Highway and four miles south on WW Highway.

Natural gas leak in Rich Hill

The Rich Hill Fire Department along with the Bates County Sheriff;s office is currently on scene of a natural gas leak in the 100 block of west Maple Street. Please avoid the area.

We will update when we know more!

Obituary - Judy Arnold

Judy Arnold, age 83 of Rich Hill, Missouri passed away Saturday, September 7, 2024 at Medicalodge of Butler. 

She is survived by daughter, Theresa and Tom Deems, Butler, Missouri, Step-daughter, Cynthia and Steve Stewart of Kirbyville, Missouri, son, Keith Arnold, Branson, Missouri, fifteen grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hubert Edward Arnold and step-son, William Morgan Arnold.

Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, September 21st at 11:00 am with Visitation from 10:00 am - 11:00 am at the Double Branch Christian Church. 

Funeral Services and Cremation under the direction of the Heuser Funeral Home, Rich Hill, Missouri.

Obituary - Sullivan Gray Allison

Sullivan Gray Allison, baby boy to Chandler and Staci Allison of Belton, Missouri, passed away too soon at home in his parents loving arms on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.

Sullivan was born in Olathe, Kansas on January 27, 2024. He loved stories before bedtime, bath time with dad, and lullabies with mom. Sullivan gave the best snuggles and enjoyed cuddling with his dog, Maggie.

Sullivan was preceded in passing by his maternal great grandmother, Henry Ella Gray; maternal grandfather, Clifford Keith; and paternal great grandfather, Dennis Kennon.

Cherishing Sullivan’s memory are his loving parents, Chandler and Staci Allison; maternal grandmother, Sherri Keith; paternal grandmother Gina Allison; paternal grandfather, Troy Allison, wife Nikki; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, Sullivan’s family requests that you bring a new children’s book that will later be donated to the NICU at Children’s Mercy that can be gifted to the children in care.

Services will be held on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at Cullen Funeral Home, 612 W. Foxwood Dr. Raymore, Missouri 64083. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 12:00 p.m. It is at the request of Sullivan’s family that you wear bright colors to commemorate Sullivan’s bright and happy spirit.

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278

Obituary - Kim "Lamar" Melvin

Kim “Lamar” Melvin, age 56, of Joplin, MO, went to be with his Lord and Savior on September 11, 2024, following a tragic accident.

Lamar, as most knew him, was a free spirit full of life, love and joy. Lamar had many things he loved in life, but his first love was God. Lamar enjoyed spending time with family and friends, talking about God, riding his Harley and “pimping” out his truck with all the accessories he could find.

Lamar was born and raised in Dothan, AL, attending Dothan High School. Lamar had a deep love for sports, especially football and watching the Kansas City Chiefs. Lamar was an evangelist minister in Dothan before moving to Florida. Lamar got his CDL in 2007 and drove a semi until his death. Lamar moved to the Kansas City area in 2016. He met and married the love of his life, Dannielle Hardy-Melvin on November 6, 2021, and she resides of the home.

Lamar was preceded in death by one grandson Larente Dawkins, Jr. In addition to his wife, Dannielle, Lamar leaves behind his mother, Lucy Melvin, Dothan, AL; his brothers, Chris Melvin and Gerald Melvin and a sister, Shea Melvin, all of Dothan, Alabama; five children, Renae Clyde (Michael), Larente Dawkins, Antonio Carroll (Christina) all of Alabama, Shani Melvin and Savannah Henderson of Florida; 13 grandchildren; in-laws, Suzanne and Greg Prough (Baelynn), Jessica and Steven Dood, Ashley and Harry Ramey (Grace, HJ), Renea and Jason Arlint, Darla and Allan Arlint (Zane); and a multitude of nieces, nephews and friends who will miss him greatly.

Lamar is loved by many and will forever be a treasured part of our hearts.

Funeral services for Lamar Melvin will be at 10:00a.m. on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada. Burial will follow in Green Mound Cemetery, Harwood, Missouri. The family will receive friends from 5:00-6:30p.m. on Monday, September 16, 2024, at Ferry Funeral Home.

Blackhawks get back on winning track at Holden

The Adrian Blackhawks took the trip to Holden Friday evening to try and get back on the winning track after losing last week to Warsaw.

The Adrian Blackhawks scores late and win 41-28 over the Holden Eagles to move to 2-1 on the season.

Adrian travels to arch-rival Cass-Midway next Friday to take on the Vikings in “The Big Game”.

Photo courtesy of the Adrian News Leader