Rollover accident in St. Clair County

Two St. Clair County residents needed treatment at a hospital after being injured in a single-vehicle St. Clair County accident Monday.

According to a report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 9:53 a.m. Monday, December 23rd on Route Z, five miles north of Iconium, as a westbound 1999 Ford F250, driven by a 48-year old man of Osceola, traveled off the right side of the road and overcorrected before traveling off the road again and overturning.

Following the accident, the driver and a 47-year-old Osceola woman, who was a passenger of the vehicle, were both taken by EMS to Golden Valley Hospital in Clinton with moderate injuries. Both occupants of the F250 were wearing safety devices at the time of the crash.

View crash report below:

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=240640678

Obituary - Benjamin David Smith

Benjamin David “Benji” Smith, age 22, a former resident of Mapleton, Kansas, left this troubled world and was welcomed into the arms of the Lord Jesus Christ on December 12, 2024. He was currently serving in the United States Navy at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, on the USS Florida (SSGN-728). Benji was born March 25, 2002, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the son of Randall Douglas Smith and Tonya Linn Hill Smith.

Shortly after his birth, the Smith family moved to France in preparation for the mission field. They served as missionaries in the West African nation of Ivory Coast and later in Burkina Faso. Even at a young age, Benji had a very outgoing personality and loved interacting with the African people. The family occasionally returned to the United States for furlough but returned for good in 2017.

Benji dearly loved his church family at Xenia Baptist Church. He graduated from the Christian Learning Center in 2020 and went on to receive an associate’s degree from Ft. Scott Community College. He later enlisted with the United States Navy. He had completed the Naval Nuclear Power Training Course and currently held the rank of Petty Officer Second Class. Benji loved being outdoors and running. He was very meticulous and intelligent but also possessed a keen wit and a sharp sense of humor.

Survivors include his parents, Randy and Tonya Smith of Mapleton and siblings, Jonathan, of Ft. Scott, LaRée of Lexington Kentucky, and Joshua, who is also serving in the Navy at the Naval Nuclear Power Command in Charleston, South Carolina. Also surviving are his maternal grandparents, Bill and June Hill of Mapleton as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Benji was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Norman and Kay Smith.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, December 30th at the Xenia Baptist Church. Burial with full military honors will follow in the Mapleton Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 P.M. Sunday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Xenia Baptist Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Adrian Optimist Club Presents Cosmic Bingo January 4th

 

Obituary - Louise Foster

Funeral services for Louise Foster of Butler, Missouri will be 2 p.m. Friday, December 27, 2024 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation prior to services Friday 12:30 - 2 p.m. at the Schowengerdt Chapel. 

Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to First Christian Church of Butler. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Louise Foster, age 87 of Butler, Missouri died Friday, December 20, 2024 at her home. She was born March 8, 1937 to Harry Wilford and Velma Good Cherry in Butler, Missouri.

Louise is survived by five children, David Foster and wife Susan of Joplin, Missouri, Denise Adams-Barnes and husband Bobby of Butler, Missouri, Dana Maugans and husband Shawn of Springfield, Missouri, Daryl Foster and wife of Dianne of Appleton City, Missouri and Dustin Foster and wife Misty of Butler, Missouri; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a sister, Julia Perkey and husband Bill of Rich Hill, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bob Foster on December 20, 2022; and a sister, Kathy McCoy.

Obituary - David Porter

David Porter, age 72, passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2024 at his home in Clinton, Missouri. The family ask that you join us to celebrate his life well lived at 2:00 PM on Saturday, December 28, 2024 at the Vansant-Mills Chapel in Clinton with visitation from 1:00-2:00 PM prior to the service. 

And to really celebrate his life they ask that you wear jeans, a pocket tee, a flannel shirt, your favorite sports team gear, boots or Converse all-stars. And bring your favorite David Porter story to tell. 

Burial will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to the GVMH Hospice or the Truman Lake Youth Baseball Association and may be left in care of the funeral home.

David Porter was born on August 30, 1952 in Independence, Missouri to Lonnie and Nadine Porter. He was raised on a small dairy farm. He graduated from Chilhowee High School in 1970.

He is survived by his wife Brenda Porter of Clinton, Missouri, daughters Heather Tackett and Amanda (Dustin ) Himes and his pride and joy, his grandkids: Drew Tackett (17), Haskell Himes (13), Caroline Himes (11), and Margaret Himes (9), his sisters Shirl McMullen and Kris Swope and his brother Doug (Karen) Porter.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Jim.

David was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. He loved to share all of his knowledge of Cardinals history and his thoughts on the coaching staff or line-up. He loved the great outdoors and would rather be outside than anywhere else. He loved bird hunting but even more than bird hunting he loved to watch his dog “work”. He loved his Britney Spaniels and loved to train them to hunt.

He proudly served the community as the owner operator of Dave Porter Ditching. He was always a phone call away for any job that needed done. His customers have all became friends over the years. There wasn’t anything that he would not do for a friend or neighbor.

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

Henry County Sheriff's Office Recent Crimes Highlight

Thieves Target Local Churches and Businesses – Stay Vigilant...

Recent burglaries and thefts across the county highlight the importance of community vigilance and proactive measures to deter crime. Our deputies are actively investigating these incidents and working to ensure justice is served.

Incident Updates:
Montrose
On December 23, deputies responded to a burglary at Parts City Auto Parts in Montrose. Thanks to vehicle photos and suspect descriptions provided by witnesses, two suspects were identified. This incident is under active investigation, with one suspect arrested in a neighboring county. We will continue to work with other jurisdictions to hold the subjects accountable.

New Life Christian Outreach Ministries (Between Clinton & Calhoun). Also on December 23, thieves broke into this church, stealing Christmas gifts meant for multiple families. Stolen items include:
A PS5
A Nintendo Switch
Dungeons & Dragons cards and books
Unique antique gifts
The church's bass guitar
These gifts were meant to bring joy to families this holiday season, and their absence has left a void.

First Baptist Church in Windsor
On December 13, thieves broke into the church, causing damage and stealing items such as a custom-built computer. The damage disrupted church activities and added hardship during this season.

Attempted ATM Theft in Windsor
Early this morning, suspects stole a local vehicle and used it to further their attempt to steal an ATM from a local bank. Deputies interrupted the thieves during the attempt, causing them to flee on foot and abandon their plans. Shortly after, a similar burglary occurred in a neighboring county, using the same methods. These incidents are under active investigation as we work with other jurisdictions to hold the subjects accountable.

How You Can Help:
These crimes show how vital community awareness and timely reporting are to resolving incidents. You can help by: Staying Alert: Report suspicious activity and provide details such as vehicle descriptions or suspect appearances. Securing Your Property: Lock doors and windows at home and work, and install surveillance cameras and adequate lighting. Sharing Information: Talk to neighbors, share updates, and work together to protect our community.

Ongoing Investigations
The Henry County Sheriff’s Office is aggressively investigating these incidents and will continue working to bring those responsible to justice. If you have information or observe suspicious activity, contact us at 660-885-7300.

Obituary - Glenda E. Percival

Glenda E. Percival age 72 of Harrisonville, Missouri departed this life Sunday, December 22, 2024 at her home in Harrisonville, Missouri surrounded by love and family.

Visitation will be held 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, January 3, 2025 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.

Funeral Service will be held 2:30 p.m. Friday, January 3, 2025 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.

Graveside Service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 4, 2025 at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Urbana, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Cass Regional Center Foundation and send in care to Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.

Obituary - Robin LeeAnn Fisher

Robin LeeAnn Fisher age 50 of Harrisonville, Missouri departed this life Saturday, December 21, 2024 at her home surrounded by love and family.

Cremation with a Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to HAS Friends (Harrisonville Animal Shelter) in her memory and send in care to Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.

A complete obituary and service details will be posted once that information becomes available.