Obituary - Linda Sue Gollhofer

 Linda Sue Gollhofer, 84, Nevada, MO passed away on Monday, October 20, 2025.

     A Rosary will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nevada. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m. with Father Peter Savidge officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Nevada.

     Memorials are suggested in her name to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or Vernon County Cancer Relief c/o Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.  

Obituary - Wayne Burl Westerhold

  

Wayne Burl Westerhold, 93, Nevada, MO, passed away on Monday, October 20, 2025, at Moore-Few Care Center in Nevada. Wayne was born July 5, 1932, to Fred and Eula Westerhold. The youngest of eight children, he was affectionately nicknamed “Breeze” by his oldest brother, Oscar, after he wouldn’t stop talking as a child. “The 8” as they called themselves, grew up with very little during very hard times. They had very little to their names, other than an extremely strong sense of family and a very strong understanding of what it meant to work hard.

     After graduating from Metz High School in 1949, he was called to serve as an MP in the Korean Conflict from November 2, 1952, to October 19, 1954. After being honorably discharged, he returned to Metz where he got reacquainted with the love of his life. He married Peggy Ann Tourtillott on February 7, 1959, and they built one hell of a life. During their marriage, Peg and Breeze were blessed with three children. First came the twins, Tammy and Terry, and lastly their son, Denver. Their lives were filled with lots of love, lots of laughter, hard work and lots of family. They were blessed with six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Sadly, Peg left him way too early in 2004, but he continued to love her until his dying day. Loving her was one of the greatest gifts he gave his children.

     In the early years of their marriage, for a brief time, they owned Westerhold Grocery and Hardware Store in Metz. He then worked at Metz Grain approximately 14 years, before farming full-time with his brothers and later with his son, Denver. He could fix anything and derived great joy in running livestock, working dirt and growing big corn crops.

     Breeze wasn’t a man of many hobbies, other than hard work. But he was a man who believed in working hard and playing hard. In his younger years he enjoyed dancing, playing cards, quail hunting and going to the lake. He would often get up early and pull skiers behind his boat until he was tired enough that he needed to stop and take a nap on the picnic table. In his later years his free time was spent watching his grandkids, farming when he felt like it, collecting coins, and doing anything he could to solve family members’ problems or trying to make their lives easier. He was also never too busy to pass up a good visit, tell a story, or watch a John Wayne movie he’s already seen 100 times.

     Breeze was preceded in death by his loving wife, Peggy Ann Westerhold, six of his beloved siblings, and one granddaughter, Kerry Duncan. He is survived by one sister, Lois McCormick of Butler; his three children, Tammy (Tim) Forkner of Richards, Terry (H.M.) Logan of Sheldon, and Denver (Jane) Westerhold of Metz; five grandchildren, Nathan (Ashley) Forkner of Richards, Christy (Phil) Witt of Ozark, Katlyn Logan of Monroe City, Megan Westerhold of Metz, and Michelle Westerhold of Metz; eight great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

     He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, love and family, and he will be greatly missed.

     Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Greenlawn Cemetery in Rich Hill with Kerry Fowler officiating. The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

     Memorials are suggested in his name to Vernon County Youth Fair c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

Obituary - Barbara Gerke

Barbara “Barbie” Newton-Gerke, 59, of Harrisonville, Missouri passed away peacefully surrounded by family on October 19, 2025. In lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to support funeral costs.

Barbara was born on March 30, 1966, in Kansas City, Missouri to Katherine Elizabeth Gerke and the late Joseph William Gerke. Barbara loved her family, friends, and family pets, as well as every kind of craft you could imagine. Anybody that knew Barbara knew what a loving, caring, and protective person she was. Her legacy for her love of family and friendship will live on in our hearts always.

Barbara would always say that her greatest accomplishments in life was her daughter Katy. Barbara worked hard as a single mother and would do anything in the world for her daughter. One of her greatest joys in life was her grandson Weston. They enjoyed cuddling in bed, eating muffins in the morning or talking about their days before bedtime. Barbara enjoyed working for many years programming medical records with Ascension. Barbara also enjoyed being in the kitchen cooking and would teach anybody how to cook and bake. Her hands were always at work doing something whether it was working on diamond art, crocheting, or putting together a new journal.

Barbara is survived by her daughter Katy Neufeld (Peter). Her grandson, Weston Neufeld. Her brother Duane Gerke, her sisters Elizabeth Stolte (Ryan), and Cynthia Spencer (Steve). Her nieces and nephews Caleb Gerke, Savannah Coltrin (Jared), Benjamin Gerke (Emma), Chloe Baker (Alek), Cassidy Spencer, and Reece Stolte. Barbie is also survived by her great nieces and nephews: Rhett, Lucas, Cameron, Vivian and Eleanor.

Barbara has many extended family and friends that will love and miss her always.

Our family sincerely appreciates the outpouring of love, support, condolences, and prayers.

Rosary will be held 5:30 p.m. with visitation to follow from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville Missouri.

Funeral Mass with be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Harrisonville, Missouri.

Obituary - John Rollin Hiser

John Rollin Hiser passed away on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Per his wishes, no services are scheduled.

John was born on April 30, 1943, in Gassville, AR, to Wilburn and Magnolia (Davenport) Hiser. He grew up in Archie, MO, and graduated from Archie High School in 1961. John was a decorated veteran of the United States Army, where he served as an Infantry Sergeant in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969.

John was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Don Hiser. He is survived by his daughter, Connie Hallen, and her husband, Jeff; his oldest son, Brett, and daughter-in-law, Shannon; and his youngest son, Scott, and daughter-in-law, Rachelle. John will be missed by his five grandchildren: Jake, Emily, Jack, Ethan, and Sydney; as well as, his great-grandson, Jackson. John is survived by two sisters: Elaine Hatter of Harrisonville, MO; and Aneva Hiser of Kansas City, MO; and his sister-in-law, Josie Hiser.

Honorary pallbearers include: Meryl Bohannon, John Goethe, Vince Mazuch, Harvey Oberweather, Gary Paul, Mike Rumley, CE Sliffe, Steve Schindler, and Larry Varner.

Courtesy Atkinson Funeral Home

Nevada Safe Treat Parade set for Oct. 31st

 

Truck overturned on 52 highway west of Butler

 

According to witnesses, a dump truck is overturned on 52 highway at the curve/K highway intersection. A wrecker has arrived on scene to upright the truck and some time may be required to clear the highway of gravel.

An alternate route may be needed and updates will be posted as they become available.

Prescription drug take back program this Saturday in Nevada

 

On Saturday October 25th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Nevada Police Department in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

Bring your prescription drugs for disposal to the Nevada Police Department at 120 S. Ash Street in Nevada. Police personnel and volunteers will be stationed in the lobby for a convenient drive up and drop off option. Prescription drugs can also be dropped off at the permanent drop box in the lobby of the Nevada Police Department during regular business hours. These services are free and anonymous, no questions asked.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows year after year that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else’s medication being stolen from the home medicine cabinet.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 25th Take Back Day event, contact Lieutenant Williamson at the Nevada Police Department at 417-448-5100.

Fall Allergies or a Cold? How to Tell the Difference

 Sniffling and sneezing? Here’s how to determine what’s to blame.

As the air turns crisp and the leaves start falling, you may suddenly find yourself sneezing and sniffling. Your eyes may also be watery, and you may even feel like your head is in the clouds. When this happens, how do you know if you’re dealing with fall allergies or if you’ve caught a cold? The symptoms can be similar, which can make it tricky to determine what’s to blame.

Allergies vs. Colds: What’s the Difference?

Here’s a brief overview of these common conditions that highlights some differences to make it easier to figure out what may be causing your symptoms:

• Allergies are your body’s way of overreacting to things like ragweed pollen, mold or dust. Common symptoms include sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, itchy eyes and sometimes an itchy throat or ears. You usually won’t get a fever. Your symptoms can last for weeks if you’re around the trigger.
• Colds are caused by a virus. They can start with a sore throat, then move on to congestion, a runny nose, sneezing, mild fatigue, body aches and sometimes a cough. You might get a low-grade fever. Symptoms usually clear up within 7 to 10 days.

If your eyes are itchy and watery, allergies are more likely to blame. If you’re feeling achy, tired or have a fever, it’s probably a cold.

What About the Flu or COVID-19?

The flu and COVID-19 can have symptoms that are similar to colds, but they tend to cause more severe fatigue and body aches, as well as higher fevers. Newer strains of COVID-19 may also cause symptoms such as a very painful, scratchy sore throat (referred to as “razor blade throat”), hoarseness or a raspy voice.

Tips to Feel Better This Fall

Whether allergies or a cold are causing your symptoms, all you want to do is feel better. Here are some tips that can help:

If it’s allergies:

• Keep windows closed during high pollen days.
• Shower and change clothes after spending time outside.
• Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Use a saline nasal rinse to wash allergens out of your nose.
• Try over-the-counter antihistamines or nasal sprays to ease symptoms (follow directions carefully).

If it’s a cold:

• Rest as much as possible and drink plenty of fluids.
• Use a humidifier to help with congestion.
• Wash your hands often to help prevent the spread of germs.
• Listen to your body. If you feel run-down, take it easy.
• Try over-the-counter cold medicines to ease symptoms (follow directions carefully).

Allergies and colds can make you feel pretty similar, but paying attention to specific symptoms and when they’re at their worst can help you figure out what’s going on. Keep in mind that allergies usually stick around as long as you’re exposed to your triggers and don’t cause fever, while colds are short-lived but can make you feel more run-down. And remember that flu and COVID-19 can also be possible culprits.

If your symptoms are severe, last longer than expected or you’re not sure what’s causing them, it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor.

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