Tandee Hiser Competes at Volleyball Nationals with KC Voltage

By Cody Morris, Tailgate TV

Butler High School student-athlete Tandee Hiser recently wrapped up a standout performance on the national stage, competing in the USA Volleyball Nationals held in Dallas, Texas.

Hiser joined a newly formed club team, KC Voltage, which entered the tournament as the 54th seed in their division. Despite being a new team facing top-tier competition from across the country, KC Voltage battled their way to an impressive top 25 finish.

The experience gave Hiser and her teammates a chance to match up with elite programs from coast to coast, and proved to be both a competitive and memorable experience.

Congratulations to Tandee on her success and continued development as a multi-sport athlete for the Butler Bears!

Obituary - Wilma Walley

Wilma Walley, 93 of Amsterdam, Missouri passed away Saturday, July 5, 2025 at her home in Amsterdam. A visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel Chapel (816-657-4400). Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am Wednesday, also at the chapel. Burial will take place in Scott Cemetery, Amsterdam, MO. Memorial contributions may be made in Wilma's memory to Scott Cemetery. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Wilma was born on September 20, 1931, at the Champlin home North of Vinton Ford, Bates County, Missouri to F. Dean Champlin and Thelma I. Erickson Champlin. She graduated Salutatorian from Drexel High School on May 12, 1949. Wilma married C. Dowane Walley, Jr. On February 27, 1950. In 1996 Wilma received the 4-H Ruby Clover Award with 30 years of service. She worked for Bass Buster Lures in Amsterdam for 20 years, and was a faithful member of the Amsterdam Baptist Church.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, stillborn son Douglas, husband Dowane Walley in 1986, son David Walley in 2018, granddaughter Marcie West in 2020, dear friend Deanie Jackson in 2019, two sisters Juanita Dyer and Opal Taylor, and one brother Dale Champlin.

Wilma is survived by daughters, Frances I. Walley-Brown of Harrisonville, MO. and Peggy Walley of Amsterdam, MO., daughter-In-law Carroll A. Walley, grandson Jeff & Shannon Kash and Jackson, granddaughter Kim & Mike Jones and their children, Kyle, Madison, and Isabelle, granddaughter Lori & Patrick Harriman and their children, Morgan, Stanley and Taylor, grandson-In-law Grant West and children, Colin, Ethan and Khloe, granddaughter Tamar & Marc Jackson and children, Kirk and Klyde, step-grandson Jimmy & Kim McLay and family, step-granddaughter Michelle & Bobby Brewer and family, twin Sister Vena Purkey, sisters Ellen Hartman and Patricia Highfill, and brothers Stephen Champlin and Martin Champlin

Reported structure fire in Rich Hill

The Rich Hill fire department is responding to a report of a structure fire at 101 west Oak street. Butler fire has been called for support, no further details are available at this time.

It's Bates County Fair week!

 

Another record breaking year for Rich Hill pie prices

"Boy, that will probably never happen again!" said Randy Bell and Larry Hacker following a top bid of $400 for a pie in 2007 during the Rich Hill 4th of July annual fundraiser.

But it did happen again. In 2011, then 17 year old Jara Mumma watched in disbelief when bids on her strawberry-rhubarb pie inched closer and closer $1,000 but it didn't stop there. 

$1,100...$1,200...$1,300. Comments from the crowd included "Are we bidding on a pie or a cow?"

It was a pie indeed and her grandfather Jerry Mumma was behind it all, along with wife/accomplice Linda, who held the checkbook in anticipation. It turned out that Jerry had purchased the same pie earlier for $700, re-donated it, and began bidding on it again. This time it cost him $2,600 making the grand total paid out at $3,300.

Oh, and it was the first time Jara had ever made that type of pie.

Some might have thought this case of (albeit loving) nepotism would have been an isolated incident, it was not. In fact, the amounts forked over for pies in Rich Hill have gone up every year- even bringing national attention to Rich Hill for what must be the very best pies on earth. 

Yes, they are delicious but it appears the Mumma's set the precedence for auctions to follow which has not only drawn plenty of enthusiasm, but greatly adds to the coffers when it comes to financing future 4th of July celebrations in the town that coal built.

But there's more. On Thursday evening, auctioneer Larry Hacker took the stage calling out numbers as Randy Bell, Riley Cameron and Greg Weaver helped confirm bids for the pies destined to find new homes which in the end, revealed some staggering totals.

"After conducting the Rich Hill pie auction for over 20 years" later said Hacker "I had the privilege to auction about 53 pies tonight that added up to the largest dollar total to date, $40,025!"

This year, one pie in particular brought $4,000- which also broke previous records.

"Over the years we have had some unbelievable supporters, year after year, after year. They are being joined by new supporters each year, and this year’s success is proof of a small community banding together rather than being divided, and what that unity can do!"

Closing a proud moment, Hacker added "Thank you to all who bake, bid, and buy pies, and help keep Rich Hill Famous for the 4th!"

Can it get any better? The answer is quite likely yes, thanks to you, who keep hometown pride alive and well.

Residential structure fire east of Adrian

Multiple agencies including Adrian and Butler fire departments are responding to a residential structure fire located at 11310 NE county road 14004 which is reported to be fully involved in fire.

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

Obituary - Sue D. Smith

Sue D. Smith, 81, of Butler, Missouri, was born April 11, 1944, in Gainesville, Missouri, the daughter of Edgar A. and Margaret H. (Herndon) Hinote. She departed this life Monday, June 30, 2025, at the St. Luke’s East Hospital in Lee’s Summit with family by her side.

Sue was a 1962 Hale, Missouri high school graduate.

On December 7, 1963, she was united in marriage to Ronald L. Smith at Mt. Zion Church in Lee’s Summit, and to this union one son, Nelson Lindsey Smith, was born.

Sue was a Vet Tec with the H&E West Missouri Veterinary Clinic in Appleton City for 27 years. She and Ron also owned and operated the RLS cattle ranch near Butler. She enjoyed playing the piano and was longtime pianist for both the Montrose Catholic Church and the Deepwater Christian Church for many years. Above all she loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Sue was preceded in death by her parents; and one grandson, Lance Corporal Gabriel Smith.

She is survived by her husband, Ron of Butler; her son and daughter-in-law, Lin and Traci Smith of Strasburg; two grandsons, Jacob Daniel Smith and Levi Allen Smith; one great grandson, Julien Lindsey Smith; Gabriel’s fiancé (at the time of his death) Brooke Young; one sister, Jimmy Early of St. Louis; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held July 3, 2025 with interment in the Strasburg Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.StanleyEdenburn.com

Arrangements: Stanley-Edenburn Funeral Home, 203 N. Armstrong St., Pleasant Hill, Missouri 64080 (816) 540-5550

Obituary - Esther Irene Thurman

Esther Irene Thurman age 73 of Rich Hill, Mo passed away peacefully at Research Hospital in Kansas City, Mo

Esther Was Born at home in Hume, Mo on April 24, 1952 to Ephraim (E.W.) Wonnel Hess and Hallie Maxine Marksberry.

Esther grew up on the family farm north of Hume where she spent her days making memories and riding horses with her two sisters. Esther's hobbies included painting, sewing, quilting, being a part of the “Sew Sisters,” Gardening and sitting on her porch with her husband of 32 years Kenneth Thurman while watching hummingbirds. Her favorite things in life were her children Christina, Richard, Melissa, Dave, Jessica and her grandchildren Van, Ali, Damian, Eli, Jeremiah, Drãgon, Gavin, Keera and Mattie.

Esther is preceded in death by her parents, two bother-in-laws Jerry Cheek and William (Bill) Baldwin. She is survived by husband Kenneth, children; Christina Baldwin Gaston, Richard Brockman, Melissa (Joe) Coke, Dave (Mandy) Brockman, Jessica (Denise) Stumpff. 9 grand children, 3 great grandchildren and sisters Harriett Cheek and Dixie Baldwin, 4 nephews. Stepchildren; Randy (Jennifer) Thurman, Donna (Jeff) Arnold, Kimberly (Randy) James., 8 Step Grandchildren, 8 Step Great Grandchildren. And a host of cousins and friends.

Courtesy Heuser Funeral Home