Butler Saddle Club seeking royalty candidates

The Butler Saddle Club Rodeo Queen Committee is now accepting candidates for the 72nd annual BSC Rodeo for June 20-22.

Rodeo Queen Requirements:

-16-21 years of age

-Judged on 4 categories: horsemanship, ticket sales, appearance and personality

-required to ride a horse and bring a horse practices

-winner has a chance to earn the title, buckle, crown, saddle and money

-All candidates will receive 10% of total ticket sales regardless of placing

Rodeo Princess Requirements:

- 9-15 years of age

- Judged on 3 categories: ticket sales, appearance, and personality

- Winner has a chance to earn the title, crown and buckle

- All candidates will receive 10% of total ticket sales ticket sales regardless of placing.

Deadline to sign up is Thursday May 15 at 6:30pm. We will have an informative meeting and “meet and greet” the same time as well.

To sign up please contact Lacey Lee at 660-464-4732 or for any other questions.

Rich Hill FFA State results

 Courtesy Rich Hill Tiger Talk

BCMH April 2025 Rock Stars

Join us in celebrating our BCMH Rock Stars for April

- Leslie Phillips, Patient Accounts Financial Representative — recognized for her outstanding customer service, strong communication skills, and commitment to patient satisfaction.

- Sierra Cameron, RN, Surgery — honored for her positive attitude, teamwork, and dedication to delivering excellent patient care.

Thank you, Leslie and Sierra, for making a difference every day!

Courtesy Bates County Memorial Hospital

Obituary - Beth Ann (Winters) Reeves

Beth Ann (Winters) Reeves, 40, departed this life following a fatal motorcycle accident on Friday, April 25, 2025. Beth was born July 8, 1984 in Nevada, MO to Rex and Cindy (Hamersley) Winters. She was united in marriage to Everett H. Reeves III on July 10, 2004.

Beth was born and raised in Nevada, MO, and graduated from Nevada High School in 2003. She lived most of her life in Nevada, except for a couple of years in the Kansas City area. Beth was a member of Rinehart Church. She worked for US Bank as a loan auditor until January, when she started her dream job at Cottey College as an Administrative Assistant for Student Opportunities.

Beth was a woman of unwavering determination. True to her stubborn and passionate nature, she never gave up on her dreams, earning her college degree on April 27, 2024. Her accomplishment was a testament to her resilience to her strength, qualities that inspired everyone who knew her.

Beth had a heart that knew no bounds, and nowhere was that more evident than in her dedication to the Nevada Crimson Sound High School Band. She volunteered countless hours, not only supporting her own daughter, Lilly, but for all the band kids. Whether it was organizing events, offering an ear or simply cheering the loudest. She poured her love and time to each member of the band family. Her kindness, encouragement, and unwavering support left a lasting mark on the lives of so many Young people who knew they could always count on her for a smile, a helping hand, and a heart full of pride in their accomplishments.

In addition to her husband, Everett, Beth is survived by her daughter Lillian M. Reeves of the home, her parents Rex and Cindy Winters, Nevada, MO, a brother John R. Winters II (Amber), Nevada, MO, her grandparents Eddie and Bobbie Jean Hamersly, Nevada, MO, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her grandparents John and Dorothy Winters.

Service times will be announced at a later date.

Obituary - Mary Margaret Koefod

Mary Margaret Koefod age 71, Milo, MO passed away April 25, 2025. She was born October 20, 1953 in Hanover, New Hampshire to David Lomas and Marion Irene (Iverson) Koefod. Mary grew up and went to High School and College in Minnesota. She had a Bachelor’s degree in Geology. She worked full time for a ranch in Minnesota working cattle, horses and sheep, while maintaining her own horse farm.

Mary started endurance racing horses in 1981. In 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987 Mary won the American Race of Champions and was the one to beat on her beloved horse, Dana’s Northlite + also known as Diamond. In 1987 she went on to win a gold medal for the Unites States Endurance/ Olympic Team. Also in 1987 Mary rode, what was proclaimed as the toughest 100 miles in the world and was the first person to ride with no crew for help and made 3rd only minutes away from first place. In 1988 Mary rode the same horse again, only this time winning the solo division and overall race, with no crew. In the late 80’s Mary was contacted by Brown’s Saddle Company in Neveda, MO and was offered a job, due to her accomplishments in horse racing, to come all expenses paid, and help design and test ride the Ortho-flex Saddles. She worked in the stirrup department there as well. Mary rode her horses from Milo to Nevada to and from work at Brown’s keeping herself and horses in tip top shape.

Mary raised and trained many horses on her farm in Milo. She was well known for her Palomino horses that descended from “Dana’s Northlite +”. Mary also loved and rescued animals, including cats and Mustangs. She especially loved her cats, in what seemed like, more than life itself. She rescued countless numbers of cats over the years and volunteered for “Vernon County People for Pets” and local veterinarians in Vernon County.

Mary was proceeded in death by her parents, Mary never had children, but she was a cherished mentor and guiding light for others, including Wendy Justice in the art riding and training horses as well as lessons on life. Mary provided guidance and wisdom without judgement to her mentees giving them the tools to think on their own. She passed down hard work ethics and how to be humble as well as the legacy of her cherished horses. She was highly respected by many of her friends and neighbors.

A celebration of life for Mary will be announced at a later date by Ferry Funeral Home.

Obituary - John O. Hough

Celebration of life service for John O. Hough of Rich Hill, Missouri will be 10 a.m Thursday, May 1, 2025 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. No visitation. Inurnment with military honors immediately following service at Green Lawn Cemetery, Rich Hill, Missouri. Contributions to Rich Hill American Legion Post #67. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

John O. Hough, age 96 of Rich Hill, Missouri died Monday, April 21, 2025 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born April 18, 1929 to Lawrence and Flossie Bell Stewart Hough in Nevada, Missouri.

John is survived by one son, Kip Hough of Kansas City, Missouri; one daughter, Patricia “Tish” Burchell and husband Randy of Rich Hill, Missouri; four grandchildren, John Hough and wife Sabrina of Texas, Bret Hough and wife Irene of Texas, Courtney Briggs and husband Camden of Clinton, Missouri and Amanda Nichols and husband Wyatt of Rich Hill, Missouri; 13 great-grandchildren and one on the way; and one sister, Sharlene Lyle of Arizona. John was preceded in death by his parents; wife (November 15, 2019); two sons, Johnnie Hough (June 21, 2014) and Bret Hough (1993); and four brothers and three sisters.

Obituary - Betty Jane Masoner (Nelson)

Betty Jane Masoner, age 91, of Huntington Beach CA, formerly of Peculiar, Garden City and Weaubleau MO, departed this life Friday April 25, 2025.

Funeral services are pending.

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

Courtesy Dickey Funeral Home

Obituary - Alleen Rodriguez

Alleen Rodriguez age 71 of Harrisonville, Missouri departed this life Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Cass Regional Medical Center, Harrisonville, Missouri. 

Cremation with no services scheduled. 

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

Courtesy Dickey Funeral Home