Obituary - Ellen Marie Baker

Funeral services for Ellen Baker of Independence, Missouri will be 10 a.m. Friday, December 13, 2024 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler,

Missouri. Visitation prior to services 9 - 10 a.m. Friday at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Virginia Cemetery in Virginia, Missouri. Contributions to Pleasant Grove Bible Church, 4916 Lees Summit Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64136 . Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Ellen Marie Baker, age 98 of Independence, Missouri went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Saturday, December 7, 2024 at her home. She was born March 12, 1926 to Marion Grover and Olive Ellen Judy Hedger in Amsterdam, Missouri.

Ellen is survived by two sons, Doyle Baker and wife Teresa of Lee’s Summit, Missouri and Bryan Baker of Independence, Missouri; a daughter, Sheryl Schmidt and husband Al of Marshfield, Missouri; five grandchildren, Elizabeth Shott, Lydia Thompson (Matt), Phil Schmidt (Nikki), Steve Schmidt (Amanda) and Sean Baker (Rashel); 19 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Etha Pearl Black of Adrian, Missouri and Joan Luttrell of Overland Park, KS. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 56 years, Marion Baker; and three sisters, Catherine Taylor, Anna May Baker and Mary Barnhill.

Obituary -John Arthur Hamel

John Hamel, 64, of Shawnee, Kansas, passed away peacefully on December 7, 2024, preceded in death by his beloved wife, Audrey Johnson Hamel, his parents Edward Logan and Janice Sue Hamel, sisters Janice E. Carter and Vickie Shirley McConnaughey. He is survived by his brother, Rick (James) Hamel, as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews who will cherish his memory.

John proudly served his country in the Army as a Sergeant of the 82nd Airborne Ranger Division. His service and dedication to his country were a testament to his character and strength.

John was a man with a big heart who found joy in simple pleasures. He looked forward to deer season each year, loved fishing, and enjoyed playing cards and cribbage with friends and family. He enjoyed cookouts with loved ones and took great delight in his annual vacations to Lake Taneycomo. A dedicated fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals, John was always ready to cheer for his teams.

His generous giving spirit and willingness to help others were trademarks of his character. John’s presence will be greatly missed by all who knew him, but his legacy of kindness, love for family, and passion for life will live on in the hearts of those he leaves behind.

A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held in his honor from 10:00 am - noon on December 14, 2024 at Ferry Funeral home, 301 South Washington, Nevada, Missouri with Military Honors at 11:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in John's memory.

Adrian Blackhawk Bryler Ford named Ozark Highland Defensive Player of the Year

Well deserved. Congratulations Bryler!!!

Obituary - Shirley Lee Francis

Shirley Lee Francis, 87, Nevada, MO passed away on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at Nathan Richard Health Care in Nevada.

Shirley was born to Oscar Lee and Zelma (Prior) Cheney on October 3, 1937, in Vandalia, Missouri. She grew up as the only child of a farming family in the shadow of the Great Depression. After graduating from Vandalia High School in 1955, she moved to the big city of Chicago to work for the Army Corps of Engineers. In 1958 she returned home to Missouri, where she married Howard Francis. They had two children together: Janice, born 1960, and Dwain, born 1962.

Always a lover of learning, Shirley decided that after raising her children, she would go back to school to study nursing. In 1988 she enrolled at License Practical Nursing School in Nevada and graduated the next year at the top of her class. She went on to earn an Associate Degree in nursing from Fort Scott University in 1992 and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Pittsburg State University in 1996. She earned both degrees with magna cum laude honors and practiced as a nurse until her retirement.

Shirley will be remembered for her dedication to farm life, her enduring fashion, and her love for animals. She was beloved by her neighbors and community.

Shirley is survived by her two children and their spouses: Janice (Daniel) Super of Murray, Kentucky, and Dwain (Samantha) Francis of Richards, Missouri; and by her four grandchildren: Kylee (Reid) Nodine of Richards, Missouri, Kail (Kaitlyn) Francis of Bronaugh, Missouri, Katie Super of Washington, D.C., and Sam Super of San Francisco. She is also survived by a special adopted daughter, Karen East, and four especially dear friends: Carmen Flater, Kristi Hinkle, Pat Hope and Sharon Pitts.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 13, 2024 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Dr. Kevin Daugherty officiating. Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park in Nevada. The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m. on Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the Parkinson’s Foundation c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

Butler Junior High Boys and Girls Wrestling home scramble results

The Butler Junior High Boys and Girls Wrestling team competed at home this evening:

Individual results:
Emmalee Nieder-3-0.
Jarrett Blomquist-3-0.
Alayna Alkire-2-0.
Brandon Brunson-2-0.
Brooke Conger-2-0.
Breanne Mallatt-2-0.
Brittany Mallatt-2-0.
Brayden McGuire-2-0.
Ariel O'Connell-2-0.
Jordan Bradley-2-1.
Carter Evans-2-1.
Raylynn Bowers-1-1.
Izlyn Fisher-1-1.
Addi Kuda-1-1.
Bentley Myers-1-1.
Erica Wilbers-0-1.
Colby Dugan-0-2.
Landon Nieder-0-2.
Liam Pool-0-2.

Next up is the Holden Quad tomorrow. 5PM start time.

Tough night for Butler JH Lady Bears Basketball in Adrian

Tough night for Butler JH Lady Bears Basketball in Adrian...

The Butler Junior High girls had a tough night as they traveled to Adrian to face the lady Blackhawks. The Lady Bears B team lost 27-17. They were lead in scoring by Kenzley Anderson with 4 points.

The A team also had a tough defeat with a 29-26 loss to the Lady Blackhawks. They were lead in scoring by Kiersten Dubray who had 19 points.

The Junior High Lady Bears will travel to face the Midway Lady Vikings tomorrow. Best of luck ladies! Enjoy some photos from this game below:

Butler Junior High Boys Basketball sweeps Adrian tonight

Butler Junior High Boys Basketball sweeps Adrian tonight...

The Butler Junior High Boys Basketball team traveled to Adrian tonight, and both the A and B teams picked up victories.

The Butler Junior High Boys B team got a 24-17 victory over the Adrian Blackhawks. 

Butler Junior High B team was lead in scoring by Jaxon Wheatley that had 7 points for the Bears. The Butler Junior High A team picked up a 33-26 victory over the Blackhawks.

The Bears were lead in scoring by Renner Martin that had 18 points, and Kyson King added 11 points to help secure the victory for the bears. Butler will hit the road again tomorrow as they travel to take on the Midway Vikings.

Candlelight Vigil for Miles Humbird