Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Obituary Mike Cummings
Micheal Dean Cummings was born September 8, 1959 in Amsterdam, Missouri the son of William and Rannie Moore Cummings. He attended Miami R-1 School and graduated with the class of 1977.
Mike was known for his mechanical skills. He enjoyed working on cars and fixing things, often lending his talents to help friends and family. When he wasn’t working, Mike enjoyed fishing, camping, and spending time with his family and friends sharing laughs and stories. He will be deeply missed by those close to him.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved son Zeke Cummings, and by his sister Beverly Armstrong. He is survived by his children, Micheal Cummings II, and daughter Destiny Fletcher and husband Kent, along with their three sons. He also leaves behind his brothers, William Paul Cummings (Kay), Ray Cummings (Marian), as well as his sisters, Evelyn Douglas (Paul), Hazel Hall (Kent), and Kathy Bowers (Virgil), along with many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
BCMH offering Heartsaver classes
Sign Up for AHA Heartsaver Classes at BCMH
Whether you're a parent, teacher, or professional, knowing CPR and First Aid can save lives. BCMH is offering two essential American Heart Association Heartsaver Classes in March, led by AHA certified instructors:
CPR/AED Class
First Aid Class
March 26 | 5-9 pm
Only $50 per class (materials included) or $60 for BOTH classes—a great deal for your health and safety!
Location: BCMH Education Center, 615 W. Nursery Street, Butler, MO 64730
To reserve your spot, call 660-200-7007 and leave a message.
Learn more: BCMH Heartsaver Classes
Take action today! These skills could make a difference in an emergency.
Blackhawks wrestle in Columbia this week
Updates here for Wednesday, February 26!
**Carter Duba wins by Technical fall (17-0) in 3:12 over Tharon Harper of Central New Madrid County. He moves on to the Quarterfinals. Congrats!
** Hank Tenholder loses by fall to Andrew Scott of Lathrop. He will wrestle in the first round of wrestle backs later on. Let’s go, Hank!!
** Carter Duba loses by fall to Cooper Houser of Trenton. He will wrestle in the second round of wrestle backs later on. Go for it!!
**Hank Tenholder wins by fall over Gabriel Finn from Kelly in 2:41. He will wrestle in the second round wrestle backs later on.
Appleton City area news
Remember that March 1 is the deadline to submit your St. Clair County Property Tax Assessment forms without a penalty. The County Assessor’s office is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Immaculate Conception Church Lenten Fish Fry Dinners will be served March 7, March 21 and April 4 from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. in St. Mary’s School Hall, Montrose. They plan to serve dine-in and carry out. The menu is fried fish, Suzy Q’s, cole saw, corn bread, cookies and a drink. Adults eat for $12, children under 10 for $6. They are serving the best fish around!
The 7th annual 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.
Grace Christian Academy will have their 5th annual hog roast dinner with silent and live auctions fundraiser Saturday, March 8 4:00-7:00 p.m. in the Lowry City Civic Center, 4th & Cleveland in Lowry City. The hog roast dinner for $10 includes meat, sides, dessert and drink. Children 4-12 years eat for $6, 3 and under are free. Carry out is available. Silent auction from 4:00 – 6:30 and live auction starts at 7:00 p.m. Shuttles depart every 15 minutes from Landmark Tickets are available at the school or at the door.
First Christian Church is excited to announce the return of their weekly Bible Study beginning Thursday, March 6. Join them at 10:30 a.m. or 7:00 p.m. in their Fellowship Hall. The first series will be Top 13 Questions about God. They hope to see you there.
The next Meet Me On Main, Second Wednesday Shop and Stroll, will be March 12, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Join local businesses in celebrating St. Patrick's Day and the arrival of spring.
The AC Spring City Wide Garage Sale dates will be April 25 and 26. Information regarding permits will be posted at a later date.
It has been decided that this will be the last year that DbarJ Quilts etc will have the Elva Huffman Essay Contest. If you always thought about entering for your non-profit group, it is now or never. All essays must explain the purpose of your group, how you would use a quilt to earn money for your purpose, and when your event will be happening. All essays need to be received by March 30, as they will be deciding the winner on April 2, which was Elva's birthday. You can mail the essay to DbarJ Quilt etc, PO Box 48, Rockville MO 64780, or email it to joyce@dbarjquilts.com. If you want more info call 660-598-2222 or 660-679-1809.
The MU St. Clair County Extension office is offering a free Pruning Fruit Trees at Home Workshop on March 6 from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. at the St. Clair County Library in Osceola. Register for this free workshop before March 6 by calling 417-646-2419. Ramon Arancibia, Horticulture Specialist, will be the presenter at this workshop you won’t want to miss!
If you have not done so yet this year, please stop by City Hall next week and get your ATV/UTV registered with the City. All-terrain vehicles must carry and display a special permit sticker issued by this City. The City Clerk will issue the special permit sticker and charge a fee of $5.00 each, with a replacement fee for a lost or damaged permit of $3.00. Each permit sticker is good for 1 calendar year. The applicant must provide proof of liability insurance covering the ATV/UTV, a copy of a paid personal property tax receipt from the most recent tax year, and a valid driver's license.
You should also get your dog licensed with the city. All dogs must be licensed annually with the City. License cost is $5.00 per animal.
“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.com If 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 March, 2025. Call 660-476-2111 for appointments.. Mar 5 – Upper GI, Colonoscopy-Dr.Vardakis, Mar 6 – OB/GYN, Dr. Kallberg, Mar 12 – Upper GI, Colonoscopy-Dr.Vardakis Mar 14- Ortho-Dr. Gray, Mar 19 – Upper GI, Colonoscopy-Dr. Namin, Mar 20– Podiatry- Dr. Pace, Mar 25- Rheumatology-Dr. John, Mar 26 Ortho – Dr. Gray, Mar 26 – Ophthalmology-Dr. Soni, Mar 27-Neurology-Dr. Shoaib.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
March 1 St. Clair County Property Tax Assessment forms are due
March 3 AC Schools in session
March 7 Immaculate Conception Church Lenten Fish Fry Dinner 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. in St. Mary’s School Hall,
March 7 7th annual Farm to Fork Summit and Expo, hosted by New Growth, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at the Nevada Community Center
March 8 Grace Christian Academy 5th annual hog roast dinner and auctions fundraiser 4:00-7:00 p.m. in the Lowry City Civic Center
Obituary - Billy Joe Perry
Billy Joe Perry, 96, Nevada, Missouri passed away on Friday, February 21, 2025, at the Bungalows in Nevada. Born on October 15, 1928, in Horton, Missouri, Bill was the son of Joseph and Marie (Grove) Perry. He attended Horton Grade School and graduated from College High School in Pittsburg, Kansas. He completed one year of higher education at Pitt State University.
In 1950, he married Mildred Marie Johnson. They shared a joyful marriage lasting 68 years, during which they enjoyed watching their children’s and grandchildren’s sports together, engaging in numerous home and landscaping projects, square dancing, and traveling, particularly to Branson, Missouri.
Drafted into the army in 1952, Bill served for two years in the Korean War as part of the communications unit. Upon his return, he worked at Karbes Grocery Store before cofounding Bills’ Paint and Wallpaper in 1960 with his brother-in-law Bill Johnson. He later embarked on a career with the U.S. Postal Service in 1965 as a postal clerk, retiring in 1991. Additionally, he was recognized for his skills as a sign painter and picture framer.
Bill had a profound passion for baseball from a young age, playing with the Nevada Red Sox until their disbandment and continuing with softball from 1949 until the rise of slow pitch. A dedicated St. Louis Cardinals fan, he remained actively involved in sports throughout his life.
Known for his supportive, easy-going, and fun-loving nature, Bill deeply cherished his family and grandchildren. His home was always welcoming, offering an array of movies, candy, sodas, and ice cream. He was a devoted father and husband, remembered for his kindness and love. To know him, was to love him. He was a friend to all.
Survivors include his children, Michael Wayne Perry (MaryEllen), Ft. Collins, CO, and David Allen Perry (Shannon), El Dorado Springs, MO; grandchildren, Joshua Perry (Melissa), Lenexa, KS, Raechel (Perry) Laughlin (Christopher), Springfield, MO, Caleb Perry (Kristin), Pleasant Hope, MO, Michael Perry, Jr., Denver, CO, and Samantha Perry, Monument, CO; great-grandchildren, Parker and Ellie Laughlin, and Jensyn and Ledger Perry; as well as nieces, nephews, and many cousins.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Marie (Grove) Perry; his wife, Mildred; his sister, Shirley Zehr; and a brother-in-law, Lee Zehr.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Pastor Bob Beaver officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow in Newton Burial Park in Nevada. The family will receive friends from 1-2:00 p.m. on Wednesday prior to the service at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested in his memory to the Bungalows of Nevada Activity Fund c/o Ferry Funeral Home.
Obituary - Dorothy Mae Durst
Funeral services for Dorothy Mae Durst of Butler, Missouri will be 11 a.m. Thursday, February 27, 2025 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation prior to services 10 - 11 a.m. Thursday at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to Pleasant Gap Christian Church or Moss House in Nevada, Missouri. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.
Dorothy Mae Durst, age 95 of Butler, Missouri died Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler. She was born March 3, 1929 to Roland and Emma Martha Fox Hirni at her family home in Pleasant Gap Township in Southwest Bates County, Missouri.
Dorothy is survived by a son, Mike Durst and wife Ruth of Butler, Missouri; her daughter, Deborah Seider and husband Wayne of Butler, Missouri; four grandchildren, Stacey Lawson of Butler, Missouri, Whitney Mott and husband Cole of Kansas, Oklahoma, Carly Murdock and husband Brad of Appleton City, Missouri and Alison Dickey and husband Will of Grandview, Missouri; seven great-grandchildren, Maylen Lawson, Vertrece Lawson, Cooper Mott, Caydo Mott, Hannah Murdock, Mackenzie Murdock and James Dickey; a nephew, Gary Yarick; and a very special niece, Brenda Ward. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gene Durst on November 25, 2005; and a sister, Allyne Yarick and her husband Jim.
Tuesday night basketball scoreboard
To be updated as more scores become available
Boys:
Nevada 78
McDonald county 60
Harrisonville 75
Pleasant Hill 72
Girls:
Drexel 45
Rich Hill 22
Hume 51
Miami 12
Montrose/Ballard 52
NE Vernon county 28



