Obituary - Helen Sue Brasher

Helen Sue Brasher, age 77, left this world on Saturday, October 12th, 2024 at Kansas City Hospice House following a brief illness surrounded by family.

She was born on May 2, 1947 in Adair Co., Iowa to Merlin T. Meisenheimer and Theresia A. (Karhoff) Meisenheimer. She grew up and attended school in Nevada, MO, where she continued to live off and on her entire life.

Helen worked in several hospitals and nursing homes in Kansas City, Nevada, and Arkansas, before retiring locally to be around her family. She enjoyed bingo, a good slot machine, and was a lover of all things sweet.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, multiple siblings, the love of her life, Emmett Helm of Nevada, her eldest daughter, Vicki S. (Brasher) Brown of Kansas City, MO, and her son in law Richard C. Smith of Nevada.

Survivors include her son, Jerry L. Brasher and daughter Terry L. Smith, as well as grandchildren, Josh Brasher, Kendra Brasher, Kaisi Smith, Jakob Smith, Tessie Hurshman, Reba Dempsey and Stevie Dempsey, brother Don Meisenheimer (Pat), 24 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held for family and friends to honor and remember Helen on Saturday, October 19th at 1pm at the Elks Lodge in Nevada, MO.

Obituary - Karen Kay (Smith) Gardner

Karen Gardner, 82 of Butler, Missouri passed away October 13, 2024 at her home in Butler. A graveside service will be held 1:00 pm Friday, October 18, 2024 at Smith Cemetery, Butler, Missouri. Services under the direction of Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Memorial contributions may be made to the Butler Educational Foundation or the Bates County Health Foundation. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Karen Kay Smith Gardner was born January 14, 1942 in Butler, MO to Buford "Bum" Smith and Louise Burke Smith, the oldest of four children.

Karen grew up on the family farm east of Butler and spent her days playing in the creek, working in the fields with her dad, cooking for thrashers, getting sent to her room with sister Martina for laughing at the dinner table. This laughing and talking continued in high school, and she was sent to the hallway, which she loved--MORE people to talk to!

As an adult, Karen had many jobs. She worked at Butler State Bank; was a stay-at-home mom while running MFA Oil bulk delivery service; drove a bus and a gas truck; worked as a florist; taught Sunday school at both Ohio Street United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church; was a checker at Price Chopper; balanced the Butler R-V School District's books "to the penny", something of which she was very proud. She retired in 2006.

In retirement, she did not just sit around doing nothing. She babysat grandkids, volunteered at Pantry Thrift Store and the food pantry. She baked countless chocolate chip cookies for family and friends. She was a master at breads and rolls, chocolate sheet cake, cooking in general. Karen's fried chicken in her huge cast iron skillet was a family favorite. She enjoyed gardening and attending garden club. Her yard had a variety of flowers that all grew well because she tended them when able and had a very green thumb! She enjoyed sewing and was the family mender. If your jeans had holes "Meme can fix it!"! Pillowcases were also a specialty. Everyone in the family has a quilt made specifically for them by her because she was a master quilter as well. There were few things she couldn't do or figure out. Karen was always current on politics and loved to discuss them....and definitely had strong opinions!

More than anything, she loved Jesus. Though she battled MS for years, she put her trust in Him and continued on....and the days were long and difficult. Karen was stubborn and strong-willed and persevered anyway. Her family declares her victorious over that horrible disease. She read and studied her Bible daily. Many family events, big and small, were recorded in her Bible. Some days family members would get texts about things that had happened 'on this day'. Those, and she, will be missed.

Her girls and their guys and grandkids were the loves of her life, and they knew, without a doubt, that they were loved.... always. Karen always wanted to know how everyone was doing, and she was the family prayer warrior after the passing of Grannie. She was the very best mom, Meme, big sister, and friend.

On October 13, 2024, a beautiful fall day, Karen met her Jesus face to face and was reunited with her mom and dad, who precede her in death, as well as her nephew, Darren Gilmore. Though her family is heartbroken, they are so, so thankful for a nap in her chair, with her best dog Buster, watching football....that turned into laughing and talking with Jesus and her people. Thank you, Jesus!

Karen is survived by her faithful companion and rescue dog, Buster; two daughters: Lora (Hugh) Gustin, Butler, MO and Nancy (Landon) Simons, Ft. Scott, KS; five grandchildren: Sydney Cullison and Kinsey Simons, Ft. Scott, KS, "Main Man" Hayes Gustin, Caden Gustin, and Trey (Taylor) Gustin, Butler; two great-granddaughters: RaeLynn and Lorynn Gustin.

Also surviving are Karen's favorite siblings: Martina (Walter) Gilmore, Anita Smith, and baby brother, Jim Smith, all of Butler. Nieces and nephews: Elizabeth (Jeff) Cox and boys, Cordell, Jake, Burke, and Reid; Curtis (Brenda) Gilmore and daughter, Adelyn Knipp; Zephaniah (Haylee) Smith and children, Brayden, Olivia, and Luke; Casinda Smith, Adrian, MO

Memorial donations may be made to Butler Educational Foundation or Bates County Health Foundation. Karen wanted to be a nurse or a teacher when she grew up. It didn't happen for her, but she got one of each through her daughters!

Local effort garners huge support for North Carolina hurricane victims

     It started with a Facebook post by Bates county Sheriff Chad Anderson empathizing with victims of hurricane Helene. "About 5 years ago my family lost everything due to a fire. We got a little taste of what those folks are experiencing. I simply put it out there and it came with an incredible response from not only our community but others in the region."

    Literally within a few hours of making the post, the sheriff was inundated with messages and calls from local folks wanting to help the victims; now, fast forward to today as two large trailer loads of supplies will caravan to Buncombe, North Carolina courtesy of the Bates County Sheriff's Office with those local donations in tow.
    While news of relief efforts from North Carolina are mixed, leading some to believe that not all supplies are quickly getting to those who desperately need them, Anderson and his organizers decided to work directly with sheriff offices in Buncombe county as well as two other adjacent counties.

    "In talking with them, we found out that despite being in the worst of conditions, these folks are still working and  helping others. That's when we decided to take these local supplies straight to them."       
    Anderson also discovered in his communications that dire conditions have lead to many sleeping in tents and cooking over a campfire, all while not having the luxury of hot showers along with other things we might take for granted. Hence the items in route include about everything imaginable including hygiene products, fans, blankets, towels and more. 

    With water and food high on the priority list, one generous donation came in the form of over 2,000 MRE's (meals ready to eat) from the Bates County Commission, to which Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley along with Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson and Northern Commissioner Ken Mooney, said they are glad to be able to aid with the effort.

    And without delay the caravan pulled out of Butler this afternoon heading east hoping to land around Knoxville, Tennessee later tonight before continuing to Buncombe tomorrow.
    "Even the trailers are donated for the trip" said Anderson "It's unbelievable how much folks here want to help in any way they can." He went on to say that fielding calls and answering questions has taken just about as much time as loading the trailers and getting everything ready.
   But that's not all. The caravan not only will include 11 volunteers and two escort vehicles, but one added item personally owned by Anderson and his wife Courtney.
    "We realized our camper is just sitting there and it might as well as be put to good use." Hence, it will be included in the caravan to be used by Buncombe county sheriff's office personnel. As of now, plans are to return at a later date to retrieve it after things calm down.
    While chatting with Anderson this morning, we found that donations came from points further away including Lee's Summit, Overland Park, Cass county, Henry county and others. "Some donations were left in the foyer at the Sheriff's Office and we don't even know who it's from. Not to mention, we have received some astounding monetary donations, one from an individual was $2,500. Another was a shopping cart full worth about $1,200."
   While organizing this trip has happened in short order it appears everything is well packed and ready for the 950 mile or so journey that likely will require some additional time due to a detour as some local highways have been washed away.

   Even with that, it be a short turnaround as the plan is to unload late tomorrow or early Thursday then be back home sometime late Friday. 
   "But well worth it" he added. "The outpouring of support is incredible. This is why I call Bates county the best community in the world. I don't know of another one like it."

Mid America Live will continue to follow this story and provide updates both during and after the crew makes this every important trip east.

A quick pic before departure

A prayer for safe travels

   

Bates county sheriffs office caravan headed to North Carolina with hurricane victim relief

Cedar County Sheriff’s Office Arrests Local Man Following Execution of Search Warrants

Cedar County, MO — On October 13, 2024, the Cedar County Sheriff's Office, and its Special Response Team executed two search warrants that led to the arrest of a local man on multiple charges, including unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and endangering the welfare of a child.

The search warrants were part of an ongoing investigation into illegal activities within Cedar County. During the operation, deputies encountered two additional individuals who were cited and released, one for unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, and one for endangering the welfare of a child.

Sheriff McCrary commented on the operation, stating, "The safety and well-being of our community, especially our children, remains a top priority.

 
The arrested individual is currently being held at the Cedar County Jail, awaiting formal charges. Additional details will be provided as the investigation progresses. It is important to note that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Cedar County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend its appreciation to the Nevada Police Department and K9 Edo, as well as the Missouri State Highway Patrol, for their vital assistance during this operation.

The Cedar County Sheriff's Office appreciates the continued support of the community and urges anyone with information on illegal activities to come forward.

For further information, please contact the Cedar County Sheriff's Office at 417-276-5133.

-Sergeant C. Jeffries

Obituary - Donna J. Wiyrick

Donna J. Wiyrick, age 61, of Deepwater, Missouri passed away Monday, October 14, 2024 at her home. She was born on April 1, 1963 in Mountain Grove, Missouri the daughter of Pete and Delsie (Tooley) Hastings. Donna grew up in Mountain Grove and graduated from Mountain Grove High School.

Donna was employed as Social Services Director for the Lincoln Community Care Center where she has been employed for the past twenty-three years.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband Oscar Wiyrick and two brothers; Frank and Ronnie.

Donna is survived by two children; Matthew Harness and Amanda Harness, five grandchildren; Hunter, J.J., Evan, Hailey and Charles and three sisters; Evelyn, Shirley and Amy.

Arrangements for her cremation are under the direction of the Reser Funeral Home, Warsaw. A Celebration of Life will be held by the family at a later date.

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Happy Pharmacy Technician Day From Summers Pharmacy

Happy pharmacy technician day to our amazing staff at Summers Pharmacy in Butler that help make the pharmacy run smooth everyday!! Big thanks to Jessica, Heather, Kennedy, and Tiffany!!