Obituary - Maureen R. Jackson

Maureen Ruth Jackson, 67, of Clinton, Missouri, formerly of Pleasant Hill, MO, passed away Friday, December 20, 2024 at the Golden Valley Memorial Hospital in Clinton. She was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Charles J. Lintner and Mary (Mastrangelo) Lintner. She married Terry Ray Jackson on December 30, 2017 in Archie, MO. He survives of the home.

Maureen was employed with the St. Clair County Health Department in Osceola, MO as a nurse. She formerly worked at the Villages of Jackson Creek for 5 years and the John Knox Village for 18 years.

She enjoyed being on the farm. Spending her days outdoors tending to her and Terry’s cows. She appreciated all animals and enjoyed going to the lake, boating and tubing.

In addition to her husband, Terry, surviving are two daughters, Heather A. Shore (Jamie), Pleasant Hill, MO and Amanda Dennis (Harley), Oak Grove, MO; three sons, Brandon Jackson ( Heather Taylor), Lee’s Summit, MO, Will Jackson (Jennifer), Birmingham, Alabama, and Dustin Jackson (Regan), Lee’s Summit, MO; three grandsons, Tyler Shore, Pleasant Hill, MO, Kaeden Dennis, Liberty, MO and Kamden Dennis, Oak Grove, MO; five granddaughters, Emma Taylor, Lee’s Summit, MO, Maci Taylor, Lee’s Summit, MO, Lillian Haynes, Birmingham, AL, Kennedi Dennis, Oak Grove, MO and Khloe Dennis, Oak Grove, MO.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Adam Jeffers; and one brother, Charles Lintner.

Graveside services and interment will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, January 4, 2025 at the Englewood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, Clinton. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Clinton Animal Shelter. Condolences may be left online at www.bradleyhadley.com.

Colonel Eric T. Olson Announces His Retirement

Colonel Eric T. Olson, 24th superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, has announced he will retire effective February 1, 2025, after more than 34 years of dedicated service.

“I appreciate the support and friendships I have made across the state the last 34 years. The privilege to serve as a trooper has been a rewarding and humbling experience. I thank my family as well for their unwavering support throughout my career."

“Colonel Olson is a dedicated public servant whose commitment to law and order and improving public safety across our state will be greatly missed,” Governor Parson said. “Appointing Eric as MSHP Superintendent was one of the first appointments we made. After responding to natural disasters, train derailments, civil unrest, a global pandemic, and the list goes on, we couldn’t be more proud of the exceptional work Eric has done in leading our state’s top law enforcement agency. On behalf of all Missourians, Teresa and I thank Eric and his family for their service and wish them all the best in his well-earned retirement.”

Olson was appointed to the Patrol on July 1, 1990, as a member of the 63rd Recruit Class. Upon completing his training at the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop H where he held the ranks of trooper, corporal, and sergeant.

In 2004, Olson was promoted to lieutenant and assigned to Troop B Headquarters in Macon, MO. In 2014, Olson was promoted to the rank of captain and designated commanding officer of Troop A, Lee’s Summit. In 2015, he transferred to the Division of Drug & Crime Control where he served as director. Olson was promoted to major in 2017, where he served as commander of the Criminal Investigation Bureau, General Headquarters, Jefferson City, MO. Olson was promoted to lieutenant colonel March 9, 2017, and designated assistant superintendent of the Patrol. On September 1, 2018, he assumed the role of acting superintendent.

On March 5, 2019, Governor Michael L. Parson appointed Olson the 24th superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. He was confirmed by the Missouri Senate on March 14, 2019.

Colonel Olson grew up in Chillicothe, MO. He graduated from Chillicothe High School in 1986. Olson earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from William Jewell College in Liberty, MO, in 1990. He completed the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA, in 2011 and attended the FBI National Executive Institute in 2023. Colonel Olson and his wife have two sons.

Obituary - Marcus Riley Pedigo

Marcus Riley Pedigo, age 22, of Peculiar, Missouri passed away on December 15, 2024, at the Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

A Celebration of Life is pending at this time.

Marcus was born in Shawnee Mission, Kansas on April 4, 2002, the son of Brian K. Pedigo and Buffy J. Pedigo. After graduating from high school, Marcus worked as a machine operator at the concrete mixing plant in Harrisonville, Missouri. He loved spending time riding motorcycles and weightlifting.

He is survived by his parents, Brian Pedigo and Buffy Pedigo; his brother, Zachary Pedigo; his grandparents, Robert and Imogene Pedigo and Robert and Kathy Welborn; uncle, Michael Yelton; and aunt, Stacey Pedigo.

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Inc., Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278

2024 Bates County Coats For Kids

DSWA CPAs and Carol Ann Winburn are pleased to announce the winner of the Coats for Kids participant drawing for 2024.

Tom and Mary Beth Stock of Butler, MO have a won a $50 gift card to Udderly Nuts, located just off the Butler square, and a $50 gift card to Brew Haven, located just north of the stoplight on Business 49 in Butler.

The photo above, from left to right, shows Raegan Page, DSWA associate, Carol Ann Winburn, program organizer, Tom Stock, drawing winner, and Julienne McGuire, DSWA tax professional.

Every year DSWA receives contributions from customers, friends, and organizations throughout the Bates County area. Then, with the help of school nurses and teachers from eight area schools who know where the need lies, every dollar is used to purchase coats, jackets and lined hoodies for deserving pre-school, elementary and secondary students. This year 225 brand new warm coats have been delivered.


A huge thank you goes to all the generous contributors who helped put warm smiles on so many young faces.

Obituary - Janelle Schultz

Betty Janelle Clark Schultz, 76, of Frisco, Texas, passed away on December 18, 2024, after a long hospitalization at Presbyterian Hospital, Plano, Texas, and Carrollton Regional Medical Center. Memorial services are pending and will be held at a later date in Butler, Missouri.

Services under the direction of Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Cancer Society in Janelle’s Memory. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Born on June 20, 1948, at Butler Memorial Hospital, Janelle was the daughter of James F. “Hap” Clark and Ruby Helen Dalgetty. At a young age, Janelle accepted Christ at the First Baptist Church in Butler and shared her musical talent by playing the piano for services. She graduated from Butler High School in 1966 and went on to attend Central Missouri State University, majoring in Education, following in her mother's footsteps.

At CMSU, she joined the Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority and met the love of her life, Francis (Frank) K. Schultz. They married on March 6, 1971, at Butler First Baptist Church, following her graduation in 1970. Janelle began her teaching career in the North Kansas City, Missouri area and later moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where their son Neal was born.

Her teaching journey continued across several school districts in Missouri and Florida before the family settled in Frisco, Texas. The greatest joy of her life was the arrival of her grandson Austin. She cherished working as an assistant in Austin’s classroom and eventually enjoyed her retirement. Janelle was known for her warm and welcoming nature.

She always had a kind word for everyone. She often kept the mailman and trash collectors refreshed with cold water during hot weather, and delighted neighbors with cookies and cakes. Her special bond with her sister Gayle brought daily phone calls and deepened their relationship over the past few years.

Janelle was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Francis (Frank) Schultz; her parents, Hap and Helen Clark; parents-in-law, Genny and Orlan Schultz; brother-in-law, Jerry Cook; and nephew, Brent Cook. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Neal and Johanne Schultz, and grandson, Austin, of Frisco, Texas; sister, Gayle Cook, of Martin City, Missouri; nephew, Brian (Dana) Cook, of Leawood, Kansas, and their daughters, Brenna, husband (Austen) and son, Casen, Charleston, South Carolina; Bailey Cook of Dallas, TX; niece, Gena Cook, and her daughter, Tess, of Lee's Summit, Missouri; along with a host of loving cousins and special friends.

Obituary - Bryan Lee Turpen

Bryan Lee Turpen, age 47, La Cygne, Kansas passed away Saturday, December 21, 2024. He was born on March 25, 1977 in Paola, Kansas, the son of Joe Junio and Phyllis K LeRoy Turpen. He graduated from Prairie View High School in the Class of 1995. He attended Pittsburg State University where he received a bachelor's degree in education.

He was currently employed as an operations lead for Hostess Brands. Brian loved his family, especially his two nephews, Mason and Chase. He had other family besides blood family. He loved kids and would do anything he could to help them. He enjoyed fishing and playing golf. He was an avid collector of shoes.

He was a fan of Jayhawk basketball, the Royals, Chiefs, and NASCAR. He was preceded in death by his father, Joe, aunt, Diane Vanwinkle, and uncle, LeRoy Turpen. Bryan is survived by his mother, Phyllis, a brother, Scott Turpen(Jamie), and two nephews, Mason and Chase Turpen.

Funeral service will be 11 am Saturday, December 28, 2024, at the Schneider Funeral Home, La Cygne Chapel. Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm Friday, December 27, at the La Cygne Chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to Grady's Kids or Ray of Hope.

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.