Obituary - John Robert Spradlin

John Robert Spradlin, 77, of Loves Park, IL passed away on September 23, 2025. Born March 28, 1948, in Belcher, KY, he was the son of Thomas and Odessa (Smith) Spradlin. John proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps, an honor and commitment he carried with him throughout his life. His time in the Marines shaped his character, instilling discipline, loyalty, and a deep sense of pride in service. Following his military service, John built a career as a cement mason, working in Southern California and Kansas City, Missouri, before his retirement. John was happiest outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman who enjoyed time in nature, whether on the water or in the woods. At home, he was a skilled vegetable gardener, always tending to his plants with patience and care. These passions reflected his love of the land and his appreciation for simple, hardworking living. 

On September 6, 1997, John was united in marriage to Suzanne Marie Metz in Lake Geneva, WI. Together, they shared many adventures, traveling to visit family and making special memories on trips, especially to Daytona Beach, Florida. One of his favorite activities was hanging out in the bar with his best buddy John Burns, drinking beers and catching up on local news. He is survived by his loving wife, Sue; children, Jason (Tania) Spradlin, Joanna (Chris) Lister, Christina Powell, Ivy (Brian) Ward, Ann Marie (Al) Hudson, Roger (Nicole) Floberg; grandchildren, Sophia Spradlin, Samuel Spradlin, Chase Lister, Connor Lister, Jonathan Rial, Amber Spradlin, Bryor Powell, Catelynn Cloyd, Leah McKnight, Gwenath McKnight, Joe Padgett, Alyssa (Taylor) Levesque, Cole Floberg, Hannah Floberg, Mason Floberg; numerous great-great grandchildren; siblings, Leonard Spradlin, Curtis (Sandra) Spradlin, sister-in-law, Helen Spradlin; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, James "Junior" Spradlin; sister, Lonna Romero, sister-in-law Hiroko Spradlin. 

Services were held in Rockford, Illinois.  Private family interment will take place at a later date in Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Union Grove, Wisconsin. Grace Funeral & Cremation Services assisted the family. Share a memory or condolence at www.graceFH.com.

A perfect Fall day for Wheatley reunion

 Four generations of the Wheatley family and some out-laws, 87 strong, gathered on Sunday, Nov 2nd, for the annual “Pecan Picnic”, and although pecans were in short supply, the weather could not have been nicer. Hot dogs and marshmallows were roasted and toasted over a central bonfire, while an antique hay wagon groaned under the weight of the potluck sides and desserts. 

Pete and Marian Eikenbary began hosting the picnic some 70+ years ago, a tradition that was revived in 2022,  when their granddaughter purchased their pecan grove. Attendees ranged in age from 85 to three months old, and six families of Fred and Nell Wheatley’s nine children were represented, numbering 81 in total, with six additional guests from the Henley side of the family.

One of the highlights of the day was watching the little ones roaming the pasture looking for treasures.  They found a black snake, but decided not to take it home!

“I was delighted to see so many young families attending,” said Kay Henley, daughter of Pete and Marian and granddaughter of Fred and Nell. “Everyone is looking forward to next year!”

 --Submitted with our thanks

Letters to the News-Review: "An amazing town"

 

My name is Kurt. I write you today from Pachuca Hidalgo, Mexico, about 1.5 hours from Mexico City. I'm a retired pilot living in Danang, Vietnam, and after three months in Butler, I'm on my way home.

I am originally from Charles City, Iowa.

When I arrived in Butler, it was to fly skydivers at Butler Airport, and I was staying in the one hotel in town. My employer, Skydive Kansas City, also owns a campground north of Butler Airport.  

So, as we only operate on weekends, I decided to remodel a vintage RV that was parked there, just to "stay busy". I asked around and was told that Midwest Lumber rented tools, so I went there. Unfortunately I learned that they no longer did.

While eating dinner one afternoon I told a fellow customer about it during our casual conversation. Within minutes, a complete stranger approached me and said "Hi, I'm Mike. I hear you need a Sawzall". Mike went to his his home, retrieved it, and loaned it to me. He would not accept any payment, deposit, nothing. I was so surprised, and amazed at this act of kindness.

As the weeks (and months) went by, I met more people. One day a met a farmer named Cody, was talking about my project, and within a day he had brought his pressure washer for my use. Again, on a handshake. 

I needed help cutting some wood, stopped by the local cabinet shop, met Jonathan, and same thing..... help, and would not accept a dime.

I went to the Carpenter's Cup to see if perhaps they knew someone who might make some curtains. Within minutes, I had a person ready to do it. 

I was eating breakfast at the Quick Dine and mentioned to Nora that I need to figure a way to cut a few boards. Within 5 minutes, a man walked in, came to my table, and said "You need a few boards cut?" We walked outside, he had a saw plugged in, we cut them, and once again.....

"What do I owe you?". Nothing......

Alicia at The Alley. Val at the Alley. Thank you!!!!

Brian at Midwest lumber, Vincente at Midwest Lumber, others who's names I have forgotten, the list goes on....

In the months in Butler, besides the above, I met so many people. All friendly, all welcoming, all kind. 

Butler embodies everything that "small town" America is, if you believe the stereotype. But it is much more. I've been to many small towns. Butler is special. People pointed out to me problems or issues of course, but there are problems and issues anywhere.

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who was kind to me and helped me complete my project. I have a story to tell for sure!

I have been invited back by Skydive Kansas City for the next season starting April, 2026. If it works out, I will have the pleasure to be in Butler again. I felt compelled to write this, with hopes that perhaps others will read it.  

Best Regards, Kurt

Bates County Court News

 Judge Julie Highley-Keutzer presiding

Fines do not include added court costs

St v Almas Fatima Haider- speeding, fine $200.50

St v John Charles Beaird Jr- no working horn, fine $144.00

St v Karyn LaHolley- no working horn, fine $200.00

St v Erin McCashin Ray- speeding, fine 4200.50

St v Jonathan Yi Heil- no working horn, fine $200.00

St v Jessie Edward Robey- no working horn, fine $200.00

St v Craig Patrick Trostle- driving while suspended, fine $105.50

St v Rylynn Amory Owens- speeding, fine $80.50

St v Sonia Marie Greyeyes- fail to register vehicle, fine $50.50

St v Craig Patrick Trostle- fail to drive on right half of roadway, fine $128.50

St v Jeffrey Dale Smoot- fail to drive on right half of roadway, fine $255.50

St v Brandi Dawn Williams- seatbelt violation, fine $10.00

St v Amber Lynn Ellefson- speeding, fine $80.50

St v Cain Michaelphil Butcher- no working horn, fine $200.00

St v Jason David Tosspon- fail to display plates, fine $64.50

St v Jason Lee Thompson- no proof of insurance, fine $108.50

St v Dakota Shaqua Johnson Cleaver- speeding, fine $120.50

St v Jerry Dean Ferguson- following too closely, fine $60.50

St v Shane Austindonal Bunn- fail to display plates, fine $50.50

St v Kishwar Ul Basith- speeding, fine $60.50

Honest AL

 

What’s Up by LeRoy Cook

Will The Avgas Flow?

A trip out to Emporia on Wednesday reinforced our belief in personal flight. The gusty surface winds abated above 4000 feet, leaving us in smooth air atop the haze as we buzzed back and forth in 45 minutes each way. As I told my seatmate, this is the best time of year to own an airplane.

In and out airport traffic this week included a Mooney M20, a couple of Cessna 182s and a Piper Archer. The biggest visitor was the Missouri Conservation Department’s chubby Kodiak turboprop from Jefferson City, which was in for a waterfowl survey. From the Butler hangars, Jim Ferguson was up in his Cessna Skylane, Jeremie Platt breakfasted in his Grumman Tiger, Chris Hall worked on his Cessna 182 and Pat Ryan exercised a Cessna 150. I did some ferry work in two Cessna 172s.

On Friday, we heard a report that the replacement gas pump for the long-thirsty Butler airport was “in Kansas City,” giving us hope we may soon be able to tap the stored aviation fuel that’s been sitting in storage for months. Can’t come soon enough. At least we have the advantage of leaded 100-octane avgas’ ability to store stably, unlike regular car gas.

On the Emporia trip we attempted to raise Flight Service on the charted 122.3 frequency, seeking a weather update, but couldn’t raise Wichita Radio. That leads us to suspect that the FAA’s plan to eliminate in-flight radio assistance has come to fruition. Another withdrawal from serving the flying public.

During the Guvinmint Shutdown, we had several folks ask me how the air traffic controller shortage was affecting private flying. They assumed a lack of ATC service was keeping us out of the air, like the canceled airline flights, but I explained that we in General Aviation have the option of staying under Visual Flight Rules, largely outside the air traffic control system. Thus, as long as the weather was good, which we how like to fly, we didn’t burden the over-stressed controllers. 

On the national front, the popular flight bag application Foreflight is no longer owned by Boeing. It and the Jeppesen data service were sold off to Thoma Bravo for $10.55 billion. The battered airframe manufacturer can use the money, after having to pay a $1.5 billion fine for allowing two 737 MAX airliners to crash. Boeing is having to concentrate on its core business to regain dominance..

On Friday, it was announced that Archer Aviation has bought the operating rights for the Hawthorne airport in Los Angeles, a historic 80-acre General Aviation field near downtown, only three miles from LAX. The city of Hawthorne retains ownership, but the worry is that Archer is a developer of electric autonomous aerial vehicles, who plans to use the airport to deploy its low-level flying Ubers over the coming L.A. summer Olympics. Based users at Hawthorne are concerned that they may soon be out of a home. Los Angeles doesn’t need to lose another airport to non-GA development.

There were no takers to our brain-teaser from last week, telling us at least one of the three disqualifying medical conditions that require a special issuance before a pilot can get a medical certificate. They are cardiac, diabetes and psychosis issues. For next week, what percent was the luxury tax Canada imposed on airplane purchases over $71,000, now repealed ? You can send your answers to kochhaus1@gmail.com. 

Bates County real estate transfers and marriage licenses

Standard Properties, LLC to Grah, Micheal L Bl 20 Butler, Original Town Of

Lee, David N to Lee, David (Trustee) Str 21-42-33 //Sw

Winder, Clay to Kantor, Christopher L Str 23-40-31 //Sw

Scott, Brent L to Iseman, Kevin & Patricia Trust 03-29-2022 Str 11-42-33 //Se

Stump, Darya to Johnson, Jennifer Dawn Lt 3 Bl 2 William's Addn

Johnson, Jennifer D to Smith, Ann Lt 1 Bl 11 Thompsons Addn

Allen, Carol Ann to Becker, Afton (1/5 Interest) Str 29-40-29 //Sw+

Williams, Brandi to Espinoza Sandoval, Mario Lt 3 Bl 7 Connelly's Addn+

Fry, Jeffrey W to Allen, Todd D Str 15-40-31 //Nw

Lile, Brian K to Gillette, Gabriel M Str 29-40-31 //Ne

Laning, Rick to Brandt, Robert T (Trustee) Str 25-39-32 //Se

Deutsche Bank National Trust Co (Trustee) to Nationwide Community Revitalization LLC Str 22-40-31 //Ne

Charbonneau, Robert (Trustee) to Deems, John Dillion (Per Rep) Str 27-40-31 //Nw

Marriage license

Watts, David Edward Jr and Harris, Jennifer D

Preston, Kellen Isaiah and Moody, Reagan Nicole

Brown, Tyler Brackston and Darr, Ta-Kira Nikole,Chy-Ann

Jarred, Christopher Michael and Wright, Sherri Lynn

Cahill, Maren Auston and Kazmier, Katelin Marie

Rice, Joseph Jude and Bosch, Tracy Lynn

Nichols, Cyrus Levi and Spencer, Anna Nicole

Fairly light night for Butler council

 It was a fairly short night for the Butler city council as Mayor Henry and councilwoman Doncella Liggins were not present.

Mayor pro tem Denny Rich led the session which included a discussion about a meeting with the Student Advisory Committee, to which Rich said was "really enjoyable" and that he is proud to see the kids getting involved; there are several events to be announced  that involve the council and the Butler high school panel of about 8 coming soon.

Councilwoman Carmin Behringer pointed out that the upcoming '26 April election will include open seats for the position of mayor and 4 council seats, each for a 2 year term. Filing information will be forthcoming for those interested in running.

Plans were set for the city of Butler employee Christmas dinner, The decision to have Steiner's Restaurant cater and a bonus of $350 for each employee was approved. 

Replacement of a pump at the wastewater treatment plant was also approved, coming in at a cost of about $12,000 which was less than half the price of other quotes received by the council, proving that shopping around can certainly save money.

Following the meeting, Butler City Clerk Gayle Alexander provided Mid America Live with the following information regarding the 'cold weather rule':

The City shall not discontinue municipal utility service to residential customers for non-payment of bills on any day when the National Weather Service local forecast between 6 am and 9am for the following twenty-four hours predicts that the temperature will drop below thirty degrees Fahrenheit and or when utility personnel will not be available to reconnect utility service during the immediately succeeding day(s) and the National Weather Service local forecast between 6 am to 9 am predicts that the temperature during that period will drop below thirty degrees Fahrenheit. More information about the rule can be found on page 6.

Remember the Butler city council meets on the first and third Tuesdays, 7 pm at city hall; the public is highly encouraged to attend.