Obituary - Clifford D. Ginnings

Clifford D. Ginnings, 82, of Harrisonville, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at his home in Harrisonville. Funeral services will be 10:00am Saturday, January, 18, 2025, at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO. Interment in Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville. The family will receive friends 5:00-7:00pm Friday, January 17, at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville. A complete obituary will be posted when it becomes available.

Little Apple News

The Senior Class of Appleton City High School is holding a soup and chili lunch 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 29 at the AC Depot. Please come out and enjoy some lunch and support the class with fundraising for their senior trip. The menu includes your choice of chili, vegetable, chicken noodle, or potato soup, dessert and drink for $10.00. You can dine in or carryout.

AC PTO is collecting Food Fair receipts and Best Choice UPC labels January 17 (the date was postponed due to school weather closures). Food Fair receipts need to be from August, 2024 to the present. If they are older, they cannot be submitted. Please send them with students or place them in a plastic bag or envelope and drop them off in the Elementary School Office, St. Clair County State Bank with Janet Payton or Little Apples Learning Center by Friday, January 170. This on-going fundraiser raises a substantial amount of money for PTO to use for the children's classroom trips and teacher requests for supplies.
Golden Apples will meet at Forest Park building at 5:00 p.m. Thursday January 16, 2025. Golden Apples will be providing pizza. Please bring sides and desserts to go with pizza. Come for some pizza and enjoy a few games of bingo.
The Appleton City Board of Aldermen meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday January 21, 2025.
The Appleton City Alumni Association luncheon will be 11:30 a.m. May 24, 2025. If you are in a class that ends in 5 or 10 they have information to share with your class coordinator. For questions, contact acmolampkin@yahoo.com
The 7thannual Farm to Fork Summit and Expo, hosted by New Growth, will be held 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 7, 2025, at the Nevada Community Center in Nevada, Missouri. The event connects Midwest farmers, food producers, buyers, and advocates to strengthen the local food supply chain. Sessions will cover diverse topics from marketing to financing such as selling through regional food hubs to using AI for small businesses and participants will enjoy a locally sourced lunch. Tickets are $45 online ($50 at the door), with discounts available for beginning farmers with less than 10 years’ experience. For more information, visit newgrowthmo.org/farmtofork or email info@newgrowthmo.org.
Funds are needed for the backpack program. Trinity United Methodist Church in AC houses this project, which is funded by you, the community. They now are sending 37 packs of food home with school kids weekly. Donations may be made to: TUMC, with memo: Backpack. Thank You.
The Appleton City Ministerial Alliance meets throughout the year providing community services and opportunities for the area churches to gather together for worship. Additionally, the ACMA helps people through the region in a variety of ways. In 2023 the ACMA founded the Tony Reynolds Memorial Scholarship, a $1000 scholarship awarded locally to an area student pursuing continuing education post-high school. Some in the community have asked about the ability to make donations directly towards the scholarship fund that are not used in other ACMA endeavors. At any time, you may make donations towards the ACMA and they encourage you to do so. You may make donations at any of their community meetings, or feel free to contact one of the ministers serving in the ACMA for more information.
The Ellett Memorial Hospital Foundation was established in 2000 by a local couple to benefit and carry out the purposes of Ellett Memorial Hospital. The Foundation has played a major role in the Hospital’s recent renovation/expansion project. The Foundation is a 501c3 organization and plays an important role in ensuring the future of the Hospital by providing an avenue for individuals, groups and corporations to lend their financial support through tax-deductible contributions. The Ellett Memorial Hospital Foundation would like to extend an invitation to the community to assist with this project. They would like to welcome all current and past members of the community and service area to make a donation to the Ellett Memorial Hospital Foundation. Donations can be restricted or non-restricted for use as the donor identifies. Recognition will be given for all contributions. For further information, contact Julee Snyder, Ellett Memorial Hospital, 660-476-211.
“The Little Apple” was started by the A. C. Economic Development as way of informing residents of news and events sponsored by area businesses and organizations. Items of a clearly personal nature, such as birthdays, anniversaries, awards (not group sponsored), personal sales and the like are not accepted for publication. Items may be edited for accuracy, grammar or space restrictions. Please email articles for “The Little Apple” to dcp81@embarqmail.com by Tuesday evenings or bring them to Dr. Payton’s office to be included in that week’s edition. To receive "The Little Apple" free by e-mail, or to be removed from the email list, send your e-mail address to dcp81@embarqmail.comIf you have changed your email address, please send the current address, so the list can be updated.
Ellett Memorial Hospital Appleton City offers outpatient specialist services for January 2025. Call 660-476-2111 for appointments: Jan 15– Upper GI, Colonoscopy-Dr. Namin, Jan 16– Podiatry- Dr. Pace, Jan 22- Ortho-Dr. Gray, Jan 27 – Ophthalmology, Dr. Soni
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Jan 13-18 43rd Annual Appleton City Basketball Tournament continues
Jan 16 Golden Apples meeting 5:00 p.m.at Forest Park building
Jan 21 AC Board of Aldermen meeting 7:00 p.m. (Rescheduled)

Obituary - Brian David Benson

Brian David Benson, of Raymore, MO, passed away on January 8, 2025 at home. He was 65 years old. He departed life surrounded and supported by his loving wife, Lisa, as well as his children and extended family.

Faith was of the utmost importance to Brian. It guided him through his everyday walk in life and he never wavered from it during his courageous cancer journey. Brian knew heaven awaited him and that gave him true comfort. 

Services for Brian will be held on Monday, January 20, at Dickey Funeral Home in Harrisonville. Visitation is scheduled for 1-2 p.m., followed by the service at 2 p.m.

He was born in Anchorage, AK, and, throughout his life, also lived in Minneapolis, MN, Springfield, MO, and Columbia, MO, before finally moving to the Kansas City area. He graduated from Evangel College, where he played tennis. He also enjoyed playing softball. 

A longtime computer programmer, Brian was an accomplished IT Developer. He took great pride in and thoroughly enjoyed his computer career and how it provided for his family. He owned his business, HELP Software, for 25 years. Among his list of computer program clients were the United Nations, the Pentagon, IBM, FedEx, General Motors and Hewlett-Packard. 

Brian will most be missed for his sense of humor, his kind and gentle spirit and his enjoyment of music, movies and traveling. He relished many family vacations and special trips with Lisa, including seeing the Northern Lights. 

Brian is preceded in death by his mother, Ruth. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Lisa (Ibarra) Benson, his father, William, his sister Debbie O’Reilly (Patrick), his daughters Jennifer Gordon (Jason), Courtney Hatcher (Chad), and Lauren Franks (Ben), son Jacob Benson and grandchildren Haleigh, Isabella, Cohen, Addison, Sawyer, Reagan, Beckett and Kennedy.

Obituary - Carol Jean Brown

Carol Jean Brown age 87 formally of Garden City, Missouri departed this life Sunday, January 12, 2025 at Sunterra Springs, Independence, Missouri.

Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 17, 2025 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri with interment at Garden City Cemetery, Garden City, Missouri. 

Visitation will be held 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Friday January 17, 2025 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri. 

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

BREAKING: Rollover accident south of Butler

 

12:22 PM Butler and Rich Hill first responders have been called to the scene of a rollover accident in the northbound lanes of I-49 near mile marker 125 just north of Rich Hill. 

Use caution if traveling through the area; more information will be posted as it becomes available.

Update  First responders have been recalled, accident appears to not be as reported, we are awaiting further details.

Obituary - Timothy Joe Jones

Timothy Joe Jones, age 63 of Kansas City Missouri went home to be home with the Lord on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at St. Luke's Hospital-Plaza. He was a beloved husband, son, brother, uncle and friend.

Tim was born in Harrisonville MO on February 26, 1962 to Robert and Ann (Spinning) Jones. Tim spent his entire childhood in Harrisonville. He graduated in 1980 from Harrisonville High School. Tim loved to sing and was heavily involved in the high school pop choir. Tim loved singing so much he sang his way through William Jewel College from 1980 to 1983.

Tim met Patty A. Besaw at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Harrisonville and they became best friends. This friendship developed into a life-long love and they married on October 13, 1984. They recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. Although they didn’t have children of their own, they always had their fur-babies and their nieces and nephews who were the love of their lives.

Tim worked at Waddell & Reed Financial Services for 30+ years. He began in the mail distribution department, then advanced to the accounting department, and ended his career with them as a Customer Service Representative when the company was sold. He then worked at Ace Westlake in their distribution center (Lenexa, KS) for 3 ½ years until he retired in June of 2024.

Tim was a very devoted Christian. He and Patty were members at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church where they were married. They later moved to South KC Baptist Church and then to Abundant Life where they have been members for 20 plus years. Throughout his journey in faith, he was a choir director, greeter, volunteered at the food pantry twice a week and much more.

Tim’s favorite pastime was traveling. He and Patty took numerous cruises and trips to all inclusive resorts. He loved the beaches and being out in the sun – even if that meant going to the pool and lounging in the lazy river. He also loved going to Southern Gospel concerts. Tim also loved QuikTrip and went multiple times a day. 

Tim is preceded in death by his mother Ann Jones, father-n-law Ray Besaw and mother-n-law Barbara Besaw.

Tim is survived by his devoted wife of 40 years, Patty Jones, of the home; father Robert (Barb) Jones of Freeman MO, brother Jim (Karla) Jones of Harrisonville MO, brother-in-law Jerry (Kelly) Besaw of Aurora CO, sister-in-law Shelli Coleman of Harrisonville, niece Cindy (Ryan) Blackburn, niece Jessica (Nelson) Vazquez, niece Ashley Milburn, nephew Steven (Anne) Jones, niece Maddie Browns, and great nieces and nephews Clinton Coones, Aron Jones, Piper Coones, Hunter Jones, Kenzie Coones, Dawson Jones, Raegan Jones, Athena Vazquez, Ava Vazquez and best friends Jim Moore and Jeff Titus.

Funeral Service will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, January 20, 2025 at Abundant Life Church, Lee's Summit, Missouri with interment at Freeman Cemetery, Freeman, Missouri. 

Visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Sunday, January 19, 2025 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Abundant Life Food Pantry and sent to Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.  

Obituary - Donald Wayne Speer

Donald Wayne Speer, age 86 of Harrisonville, Missouri was welcomed into Heaven peacefully with his family by his side on January 11, 2025 at his home. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.

Donald (Don) was born on November 29, 1938 in Booneville, Arkansas, son of Lee and Lillian (Cole) Speer. During his childhood, Don’s family lived in several places and settled in Peculiar, MO. He graduated from Peculiar High School in 1957. 

Don married Matilda Brewster on December 6, 1958 and they made their home in Harrisonville where they raised their 3 children, Kenny, Kris and Karla until Matilda’s passing on January 25, 1998. He married Patricia (Pat) Shanks in March 2004 and gained a daughter, Patrese. Don and Pat made many precious memories during their marriage, and enjoyed living in their Harrisonville home and Warsaw lake cabin. 

Don served in the U.S. Air Force from 1957 to 1962. He worked at Western Electric from 1960 to 1990 until he retired after 30 years of service. While at Western Electric, and after his retirement, Don also enjoyed making custom cabinets, building homes and raising cattle on his farm. He was known for his kindness, strong work ethic and the joy he brought to people around him. He loved spending time watching his children and grandchildren participating in sporting and school activities. 

Don was a devout Christian and member of the Freeman Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for many years.

Don is preceded in death by his parents Lee and Lillian Speer, wife Matilda Speer, brothers Shannon Speer and Harrel Speer, and son Kris Speer.

Don is survived by his devoted wife of 20 years, Pat Shanks, of the home; siblings Coleene Debrot, Raymore MO, Joetta Fraser, Gun Barrel City TX, Denny (Peggy) Speer, Belton MO; son Kenny Speer and wife Brenda of Harrisonville, daughter Karla Jones and husband Jim of Harrisonville, daughter Patrese and partner Dylan of Kansas City MO, daughter-in-law Margaret Speer of Raymore; grandchildren Chad (Karla) Speer, Brandon (Brandy) Speer, Ashley Milburn, Josh (Sam) Speer, Steven (Anne) Jones and Austin (Megan) Speer; 17 great-grandchildren Alyssa Speer, Gavin Speer, Clinton Coones, Aron Jones, Piper Coones, Hunter Jones, Kenzie Coones, Dawson Jones, Morgan Speer, Macie Speer, Kyson Speer, Lane Speer, Kyler Speer, Hayden Speer, Raegan Jones, Ellis Speer and Maverick Speer; father-in-law Louis Coleman and brother-in-law Roy Brewster; and many other family members, friends and neighbors.

Visitation will be held 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. with Memorial Service immediately following on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri. 

Memorial Contributions may be made to Freeman Baptist Church Memorial Fund, Freeman, Missouri and sent to Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.

Obituary - Joe Kropf

Celebration of Life Visitation for Joe Kropf of La Cygne, Kansas will be 5 - 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri.  In lieu of flowers, contributions to the ALS Association, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or American Cancer Society.  Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Jerry Joe Kropf, age 82 of La Cygne, Kansas formerly of Butler, Missouri died on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at his home.  He was born April 13, 1942 to John Douglas and Doris Belle Burk Kropf in Butler, Missouri.

Joe is survived by his wife, Jeanie Kropf of the home; two sons, John Kropf and wife Gina of Cambria, California and Chris Kropf of La Cygne, Kansas; a daughter, Kasey Hartnett and husband Brian of Overland Park, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Colton Kropf, Mary Kaitlyn Gammon (Blaise), Maureen Hartnett, Molly Hartnett, Meghan Hartnett, Kelly Moorman (Anthony) and Courtney Kropf; five great-grandchildren, Sophia, Zoey, Emme, Blakely and Brenlee; and a sister, Sherry Hannah and husband Arnold of Butler, Missouri.  He was preceded in death by his parents.