What’s Up by LeRoy Cook

 Look Before Landing

Thunderstorms rolled through on Wednesday of last week, knocking a few limbs down near the airport, but no damage was seen on the field. The SkyDive Caravan 208B is too big to fit in any of our hangars, but rode out the gusts okay. One of Sky4’s Cessna 150 trainers was stuck in Harrisonville while buying fuel, surviving on tie-down ropes.

Transient traffic observed last week included a 1956 Cessna 172, a 1964 Mooney Mark 21 (out of Des Moines, IA) and a noisy Beech King Air B100 turboprop, picking up passengers. The rare B100 uses 700-hp Garrett engines that run at a constant rpm, even on the ground, using propeller pitch to control thrust. The Missouri Army National Guard provided some Black Hawk helicopter fly-bys.

Local acts of aviation were performed by BCS’s AirTractor AT502 skimming over farm fields, Sky4’s Cessna 150s were busy training student pilots and SkyDive KC lofted some loads of jumpers. Former jumpmaster Chris Hall got current in a Cessna 150, Roy Conley flew his Grumman Tr2, and I was taken to Joplin and Springfield by a C-150.

This coming weekend, starting Friday morning, the Jefferson City airport is closed down for the annual Columbia-Jeff City airshow, with no provisions for flying in and out of the Capital City. Use Columbia Regional as an alternate.

A too-hasty traffic pattern, mixed with an ill-advised straight-in long approach, resulted in a tragic accident at Fort Morgan, Colorado on August 31st. A Cessna Skyhawk skipped entering the landing pattern, opting to make a straight-in, while at the same time an Extra 300 made a tight base-leg and turn to final, landing atop the unseen high-winger. The two entangled airplanes crashed onto the runway, where the wreckage was soon consumed by fire; the Extra is made of fiberglass. Only one person was killed in the Extra 300, the other one surviving with injuries, and the two occupants of the Cessna came out okay. The lesson is, once again, fly a regular traffic pattern and keep watch for unexpected traffic.

Budget carrier Spirit Airlines took Chapter 11 bankruptcy last Friday, the second time this year; it entered Chapter 11 back in March but isn’t making it yet. The bright yellow Airbuses based in Florida may not be around much longer unless the court and creditors can work something out. 

The much-ballyhooed “near midair” at Minot, ND on July 19th has turned out to be a non-event, after investigation. A Skywest Embraer regional airliner pulled up and went around after spotting a B-52 bomber, which had been cleared through the airspace by the tower so it could make a pass over the fairgrounds to the west at a public event. And a flight school’s Piper Cherokee was also just a mile away; it didn’t deviate.

Our previous weekly quiz was about term “vertical visibility” in an aviation weather report; no responses were received. It’s used when fog is so thick there’s no measurable ceiling height, so the machine records “VV100 ft.” For next week, tell us the Boeing B-52’s official name; hint—Fortress. You can send your answers to kochhaus1@gmail.com. 

Rain possible tomorrow

Obituary - Sally Joanne Hatten

Sally Joanne Hatten, 77, of Cleveland, Ohio, and formerly of Butler, Missouri, passed away on September 2, 2025, after a short illness. 

She was born on July 31, 1948, in Warrenton, Missouri, the daughter of Alvin Bert Gerdes and Mary Elizabeth (Wallace) Gerdes. A graduate of the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Central Missouri State University, she lived nearly 50 years in Butler and worked as a music teacher in the Adrian, Metz, Rich Hill, and Miami (Missouri) schools before moving to Cleveland to be closer to family.

Sally loved music, singing, Broadway shows, and playing the piano. She also enjoyed cooking, reading, and learning. She valued community service and education and took particular joy in catering events and parties and serving in leadership roles at the Butler Public Library. In her later years, she became connected with the Cleveland Sight Center, where she found meaningful resources and community. 

She is survived by her children: S. Alex Ruthmann and fiancée Carrie Lyu (Shanghai, China); Nick Ruthmann and wife Allison Girvin (Cleveland, Ohio); Beth (Hatten) Bornman and husband Donnie (Republic, Missouri); and Chris Hatten and wife Ali (San Antonio, Texas). Her grandchildren also survive her: Lilly, Charlotte, Shelby, Seraphim, Amelia, and Norah, along with extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Robert L. Hatten; her sister, Kay Caroline (Gerdes) Brown; her parents; and her beloved Great Pyrenees dogs.

A private memorial will be held among family. Friends, family, and former students are encouraged to visit her Facebook page to share remembrances, favorite songs, recipes, and memories: https://www.facebook.com/sally.hatten.9. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Butler Public Library (Butler, Missouri), Great Pyrenees Rescue Society, or the Future Vision Foundation (Cleveland, Ohio).

2025 Harrisonville street improvement set to begin Tuesday

 

The City of Harrisonville will begin the 2025 Street Program on September 9.

The program will last until September 13, with four local roads being milled and overlaid with new asphalt.

The roads that will be overlaid in this project will be:

Orchard Road - from Ann Avenue to just south of Orchard Place.

Thunderbird Drive - from E Elm Street to the intersection with Maverick Trail.

Maverick Trail - from the dead end to the intersection with Thunderbird Dr.

Falcon Drive - from Thunderbird Dr. to Maverick Trail.

During the project crews will close one lane of traffic at a time. Once that lane is completed and able to be driven on, they will reopen the lane and begin work on the other lane.

Obituary - George Duey Hagerman

 George Duey Hagerman, 82, Bronaugh, MO, passed away on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at his home in Bronaugh.  He was born August 28, 1943, in DeSoto, KS, to Ralph and Elva Joy (Compher) Hagerman.  He married Sharon Sue Yocum on November 9, 1963, and she preceded him in death on December 12, 2007.

     George came to Nevada at a young age with his family in 1943.  He attended school in Nevada where played football, ran track, and played the trombone.  He graduated with the Nevada High School Class of 1962.  Following high school, he attended Missouri Southern State College and received a 2-year degree in Mathematics.  George lived in Texas for a time before he returned to Vernon County to farm. He also drove a school bus for the Bronaugh School District for a number of years. 

    Family was very important to George and he supported each and every family member in all of their activities during all stages of their lives.

    In addition to his wife, Sharon, George was preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers, Ralph Hagerman, Roy Hagerman, and Johnny Hagerman; and a sister, Nellie Fishell.

    George is survived by his three children, Tony Hagerman, Chelsea, OK, George W. Hagerman, Moundville, MO, and Teressa Hagerman, Bronaugh, MO; other survivors including George Wendell Hagerman II and Michael Duey Hagerman, both of Nevada, MO; 13 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-granddaughter; numerous nieces and nephews; and 2 sisters, Naomi Williams, Independence, KS, and Mary Ann Pulliam, Neosho, MO.

    Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Ferry Funeral Home with Pastor Chad Bailey officiating.  Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m. in Swars Prairie Baptist Cemetery, Seneca, MO with Dr. William Cox officiating.  Visitation will be Monday, September 8, 2025,  from 5-7:00p.m. at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, MO.

    Memorials are suggested to Vernon County Cancer Relief in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

Obituary - Jackie Howard Shroyer

Jackie Howard Shroyer, age 85 of Prescott, Kansas passed away on Thursday, September 4, 2025. 

Funeral Service will be held at 11 am, Tuesday, September 9 at the Prescott United Methodist Church.  Visitation will be from 5 to 7 pm, Monday, September 8 at the Schneider Funeral Home, Pleasanton, Kansas.  Burial will follow in the Prescott Cemetery. Contributions are suggested to M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) and may be sent in care of Schneider Funeral Home P.O. Box 525 Pleasanton, Kansas 66075.  Online condolences may be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com

Obituary - Elsie Rosetta Klinksick

Elsie Rosetta Klinksick
May 18, 1916 — September 4, 2025
Rockville, Missouri

Elsie Rosetta Klinksick was born in Papinsville, Missouri to Fritz and Katie (Deopel) Steuck on May 18, 1916.  Elsie quietly departed from this life on the morning of September 4, 2025 at the age of 109 in Butler, Missouri surrounded by her family.  She eagerly crossed the river and joined her soul mate, Harold, who had been patiently waiting.  Hand in hand, they briskly walked into the warming light to join the place prepared for them by their God, with a gentle breeze flowing  thru their dark curls.  A life well lived, a just reward from a compassionate God.  Elsie grew up in Papinville with her four brothers, Walter, Boots, Bob, Don and one sister, Lorene.  She attended Papinville Public School for eight years.  After graduating, she kept busy performing many services in the area like being a teachers aide, assisting families during sickness and after childbirth, whatever her family or neighbors needed.  She worked several years at Central as a switch board operator in Papinville.  Mom never forgot those childhood memories or the people she grew up with.  Elsie was baptized as an infant at the Lutheran Church in Prairie City, Missouri.  She attended with her family, the Methodist Church in Papinville as a young woman and later became a lifelong member of the Evangelical Reformed Church of Prairie City.  She was a member of the Ladies Guild, a founding board member of the Papinville Historical Association, served on the election board for many years and any where she was needed.  At the age of twenty, she was united in marriage to Harold Klinksick on September 20, 1936.

This love affair lasted nearly 90 years and never left her thought.  To this union, three children were born, Connie, Bill and Stan.  They spent their life on the ranch south of Prairie City raising crops, cattle and horses.  Their love never ended.  

Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, Fritz and Katie Steuck, her loving husband, Harold Klinksick, sibling and spouses, Walter and Ethel Steuck, Robert and Margie Steuck, Don and Kessie Steuck, Boots and Dorothy Mae Steuck, Lorene and Merle Kline.  Brothers in law and spouses, Floyd and Berene Klinksick, Gene and Betty Klinksick.  Sisters in law and spouses, Florence and Andy Anderson, Opal and Charles Hanna, Allene and Frank Solito.  Nephews and nieces, Davie and Christine Klinksick, Lonnie Klinksick, Ray Solito and wife, Carol, Dale and Kathy Seider, Melvin and Genavie Rheuling, Roy Fleischer, Rick Fleischer, Krystal Rabourn and son, Payton. Elsie is survived by her children, Connie (Phil) Cook of Urich, Missouri, Bill (Cholista) Klinksick of Rockville, Missouri, Stan (Sue) Klinksick of Rockville, Missouri, thirteen grandchildren, David (Jeanie) Cook of Lees Summit, Missouri, Dennis (Dawn) Cook of Lees Summit, Missouri, Rusty (Cassie) Cook of Clinton, Missouri, Kavin Cook of Peculiar, Missouri, Angie (Billie Joe) Thompson of Hume, Missouri, Heath (Carey) Klinksick of Rockville, Missouri, Kelley (Leon) Robb of Rich Hill, Missouri, Chad (Linsey) Klinksick of Rockville, Missouri, Rhett Klinksick of Rockville, Missouri, Craig (Jennifer) Klinksick of Rich Hill, Missouri, Carrie (Ryan) Hartley of Ravenwood, Missouri, Austin Klinksick of Kansas City, Katie (Derek) Hawley of Lees Summit, Missouri, twenty-nine great grandchildren, twenty great great grandchildren, many nephews and nieces, and a host of friends and neighbors. 

She will be long remembered for her generosity, her delicious meals, the hundreds of beautiful quilts and her staunch family loyalty.  Rest in peace, Mom.

Funeral Services were held September 9, 2025 at the Heuser Funeral Home with burial at the Prairie City Cemetery.  Contributions are suggested to the Prairie City Cemetery.

VCSO investigating cattle thefts

The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office has received reports of cattle thefts around the state. This is a result of the increase in beef prices.

We are asking all farmers, ranchers, and livestock owners to be extra alert and take steps to secure their property. We will be increasing patrol in the rural areas and stopping to speak to anyone moving cattle.

What you can do:

Regularly check and count your livestock.

Ensure gates, barns, and corrals are secured and locked when possible.

Install or check security cameras and lighting around pastures and feedlots.

Report any suspicious vehicles, trailers, or individuals seen near livestock operations.

Share information with neighbors to keep our community aware.

If you notice anything unusual or believe you may have been a victim of cattle theft, contact the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office immediately at 417-667-6042 or in an emergency dial 911.

Together, we can protect our farms, our livelihoods, and our community. Thank you for your cooperation.

— Sheriff Buehler