Mid America Live

Thursday, February 13, 2025

BCMH announces new team member

Please join us in welcoming Laura Noble, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), who is now part of our Orthopedic Clinic working alongside Dr. Jon Blake, our newest orthopedic surgeon.

Laura grew up in Appleton City and is beyond excited to be part of bringing high-quality orthopedic care to our rural community.
"When I was in middle school, I sustained an injury (radius and ulnar fractures). I had to have this treated in Springfield, as there was no orthopedic specialist locally to provide this kind of care. I remember those long drives, and oh how nice it would have been to have access to this kind of care close to home! I am excited to be a part of something that brings specialized access to orthopedic care to a rural community, including surgical care."

With nearly 9 years of experience in family practice, Laura is now ready to dive into orthopedics. Starting in March, Laura will be seeing patients four days a week, working closely with Dr. Blake to provide specialized orthopedic care—everything from joint replacements to fracture care.

Scheduling for Laura will be open in early March, so you’ll soon be able to book appointments with her directly. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call us at 660-200-7006!

We’re proud to have Laura on board, and we know she’ll make a huge difference in our community’s health and well-being.

-Courtesy Bates County Memorial Hospital

Obituary - Ruth Carleen Poole

Ruth Carleen Poole, age 98, Mound City, Kansas passed away Thursday, February 6, 2025. She was born on August 7, 1926 in Boicourt, Kansas the daughter of Percy and Myrtle Nothstine Sherman. She graduated from La Cygne Rural High School. Ruth was united in marriage to Raymond Poole on July 22, 1946. He preceded her in death on December 14, 2015. She was also preceded in death by her parents. three brothers, James, Wayne, and Marvin Sherman, and three sisters, Madlyn Sherman, Evelyn Patterson, and Marjorie Virgin. Ruth is survived by a son, Jerry Poole and wife Linda, a sister, Alice Beemer Leisure and husband, Jack, two grandchildren, Shanna Connolly, and Christopher Poole and wife Niamh, and four great grandchildren, Ella, Ava, and Sophia Connolly and Vivian Poole.

No services are scheduled. Memorial contributions are suggested to Care to Share. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

Obituary - Robert Uerkwit

Robert Eugene “Butch” Uerkwitz, 93, Nevada, MO passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025 at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, MO. Butch was born November 26, 1931 in Morris, IL to Roy and Dorothy (Patton) Uerkwitz. He married Pauline Ada Webb on May 7, 1967 in Morris, IL and she survives of the home.

Butch was raised in Morris, IL. As an adult he worked at KERR Glass in Plainfield, IL for over 40 years until his retirement. In 1966 he moved with his wife Ada to Nevada, MO and worked for an additional 11 years at Camp Clark as a Security Guard until he again retired on April 30th of 2014.

In addition to his wife Ada, he is survived by one son, Thomas Uerkwitz (Peggy) of Coal City, IL; stepdaughter, Beverly McMurtry, Sikeston, MO; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Robert Uerkwitz; and two brothers and two sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, February 14, 2025 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. The family will receive friends from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park in Nevada.

Memorials are suggested in his name to “Boys Town” for orphaned children c/o Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

Obituary - Gabriella Mitsdarffer

Gabriella D’Amico Mitsdarffer, age 75, passed from this life February 4, 2025, at her home in Belton, MO with loving family.

She was born September 26, 1949 to the late Agostino and Anna (Zigrossi) D’Amico in Caramanico Terme, Italy, emigrating to the United States at the age of 10. She graduated from Joliet Township-Central High School then earned her license in Cosmetology. She met her husband, Drew, in Joliet, IL and married in 1972. After moving to California for a year, they settled in the Kansas City area where they have resided since 1975.

Beloved wife of 52 years to James Drew Mitsdarffer, loving mother of Andrea (Marty) Garner, Christopher (Jackie) Mitsdarffer, Matthew (Erhren) Mitsdarffer, and David (Andrea) Mitsdarffer; proud and devoted Nonna to Emma and Ben Garner; Chase, Parker, and Dominik Mitsdarffer; Sadie and Nash Mitsdarffer; and Graham and Hazel Mitsdarffer.

Dear sister to Franca (the late Tony) DeNovellis, Maria (the late Domenico) Coladipietro, sister-in-law Nancy (Jeff) Alldredge, and brother-in-law Joseph Mitsdarffer. Dear Zia and Aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Rocco D’Amico, Carmen D’Amico, and Pasquale D’Amico; and two sisters, Gabriella D’Amico and Antoinetta D’Amico.

Gabriella found great joy in cooking for her family, gardening, crocheting, and spending time with those she loved. She was an accountant and bookkeeper for House of Lloyd for 19 years then moved to Embarq before she retired. She then began helping care for her grandchildren in her free time. She was a proud member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and found great comfort in her faith.

Memorial Mass for Gabriella will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 11:00am at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Harrisonville, MO. There will be a Rosary service at 10:40am before mass begins.

Graveside service will be held on Friday, February 14, 2025 at 11:00am at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, MO.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gabriella’s honor to St. Croix Hospice and sent in care to Dickey Funeral Home, P. O. Box 432, Harrisonville, MO 64701.

Obituary - Michael Allen Greer

Michael Allen Greer, 59, of Adrian, Missouri, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025, in Kansas City, MO. Service times will be posted when they become available.

Michael was born on April 6, 1965, to Robert Greer and Betty (York) Greer in Butler, MO. He was the 1,000th baby born at Bates County Memorial Hospital. He was a lifelong resident of Adrian and a 1983 graduate of Adrian High School. Michael started out building cabinets then later started a construction company, Greer Construction, and built many homes in the area. He took pride in his work. He married Theresa (Gaskin) Greer on April 03, 1986, in Adrian, MO, and to this union of 38 years they had three children: Kendra, Heather, and Jonathon "Jon". Michael loved to watch sports, especially the Kansas City Chiefs and NASCAR. He also enjoyed hunting, playing horseshoes, and bowling. He bowled at Adrian Lanes for many years and bowled 2 perfect 300 games. He enjoyed spending time with friends and family. Always ready to make you laugh with one of his jokes or funny stories.

Michael is preceded in death by his mother, Betty, and sister, Dana Scrogham. He is survived by his father, Robert Greer; children: Kendra (Cody) Bennett of Adrian, MO; Heather (Bryce) Stucky of Kingman, KS; and Jon Greer of Adrian, MO; grandchildren: Emmit and Elliot; and nephews and nieces.

-Courtesy Atkinson Funeral Home

Obituary - Bonnie Dickerson

Funeral services for Bonnie Dickerson of Butler, Missouri will be 10 a.m. Thursday, February 20, 2025 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation prior to services 9 - 10 a.m. Thursday at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Graveside service and interment will be 3 p.m. Thursday, February 20 at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in St. Joseph,Missouri. Contributions to American Cancer Society. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Bonnie Juanita Dickerson, age 76 of Butler, Missouri died Monday, February 10, 2025 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. She was born June 22, 1948 to Ralph Wilbur and Rachel Ruth Lockard Welch in Butler, Missouri.

Bonnie is survived by her husband, Larry Dickerson of Butler, Missouri; three daughters, Jeanetta Howell of Ottawa, Kansas, Irene Hays of St. Joseph, Missouri and Christina Winterringer and husband Bobby of Ottawa, Kansas; 9 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Wilma Eide of Lawson, Missouri and Nancy Dillon and husband Mike of Kimberling City, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Leroy and Jewell Welch; and a sister, Terri Frazier.