Obituary - Vernon Ross

Vernon Lee Ross, age 70, Pleasanton, Kansas passed away Friday, April 10, 2026. He was born on December 1, 1955 in Fort Scott, Kansas the son of Verne and Ruth Bernice Gilmore Ross. Vern was in the last class to graduate from Blue Mound High School. He was a carpenter by trade and was a member of the Carpenters Union Local #714. He was united in marriage to Penny Spickler. Vern liked to hunt and fish. He also enjoyed riding his motor cycle. He was preceded in death by a sister, Sharon Ala. Vern is survived by his wife, Penny, six children, Charity Ross, Joshua Ross and spouse Carla, Amber Ross, Michael Morris and spouse Cheyanne, Cheyenne Boswell and spouse Katie, and Cody Ross, two brothers, Gary Ross, and Jerry Ross, and thirteen grandchildren, Brylee, Bailee, Breana, Zachary, DeLaynee, Ryder, Carter, Corbin, Jonathan, Keaton, Ezekiel, Bentley, and Rowan.

A memorial service will be held 4 pm Friday, April 17, 2026 at the Schneider Funeral Home, Pleasanton Chapel. Visitation will follow the service until 6 pm. Memorial contributions are suggested to Linn County Care to Share. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

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Obituary - Barney Fisher

LtCol Barney J. Fisher, USMC (ret), passed away into eternal reward on Friday, April 10, 2026. He was born in Nevada, Missouri, on December 17, 1947, to George and Fay (Hinds) Fisher. He married Mary Burroughs on June 7, 1967. They met around 1962 and have been together ever since.

Barney graduated from Nevada High School with the class of 1965. He went on to earn his degree from the University of Missouri in Physical Education in 1969. He earned a lifetime teaching certificate and began teaching History and Physical Education and coaching high school basketball at Wellsville, Missouri. In 1972 he entered basic training with the United States Marine Corps. Upon completion of basic training, he began pilot training to become a Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) in the backseat of the F-4 Phantom. After serving as a RIO in the Phantom for a few years, he went to additional pilot training in Beeville, Texas to upgrade to the front seat of the Phantom as the pilot. Around 1986, Barney moved from the F-4 Phantom to the F/A-18 Hornet, and flew that airframe until 1989 when he was assigned to the Pentagon. Barney retired from the Marine Corps in 1993 as a Lt. Colonel.

After retirement from the Marine Corps, Barney began service to his new boss, Mary, in their dog grooming/boarding business known as Kritter Kleaners/Kamp Kritter. He could be found driving around town in the short yellow bus with dogs painted on it, picking up that day’s dogs to be groomed. For about a decade they cared for and loved on the dogs of the families in this community.

After closing Kritter Kleaners, Barney was approached to run for State Representative for the 125th District. Barney was elected to the maximum of four two-year terms. It was one of his greatest pleasures serving the people of his district. Many people still have the laminated newspaper articles he would send congratulating them for noted accomplishments. This tradition was carried on by the Representatives that followed after him.

By the time Barney and Mary had been married 23 years they had moved 22 times. Mary was always the constant in Barney’s life, and, in the words of his sister, Ellen Balk, “Barney was smitten from the first time he met her.” Throughout the chaos, changes and long deployments within a military career, Barney and Mary created an amazing home for their three children: Melissa Franks (Alex), Brandon Fisher (Amanda) and Justin Fisher (Amy).

Barney could often be found at the White Grill and truly treasured the staff, particularly Sam. Barney loved to hunt quail over his English Setters, and dreamed of having a miniature dachshund named Gracie. Much to the chagrin of his children, he achieved this dream, and he and Gracie were buddies for about 14 years.

Whether it was in the Marine Corps, as a small business owner in Nevada, or as a State Representative, Barney was the epitome of service above self. He always made sure his family was cared for on his long deployments, many of which had him missing birthdays, Christmases and anniversaries. He loved being a fighter pilot, loved his Marine Corps brothers, treasured his wife, and adored being a father to his kids and DD to his eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary, and his three children; grandchildren, Emily Franks, Charlotte Smithson (John), Colson Fisher (Kennadi), Eden Fisher (fiancé Justin), Hayleigh Fay Fisher, Blaine Witte (Holten), Junie Fisher and Jozie Fisher; great-grandchildren, Derek Busch, Violet Smithson, Dom Smithson, Rowen Witte, Stevie Witte and Reeve Witte; sister Ellen Balk and Brother-in-law Gary Balk; nephews Chip Balk (Jenny), Jason Brown (Cheryl), J. Grant Kennedy and Dean Green. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Fay Fisher, his father-in-law William Burroughs, sister-in-law Billie Arnold, sister-in-law Ruth Rogers, brother-in-law Kenny Rogers, and niece Loni Green.

The family would like to thank Linsey Klinksick and her staff at the Bungalows and Whitney Shupe and her staff of Gentiva Hospice. Words cannot express the how much we appreciate the love and care our father received over these past few months. These staffs treat your loved one like family. We could never repay the debt owed to these amazing people.

The family would like for any active-duty, veterans, firefighters, police or other first responders, if they wish, to feel free to wear clothing representing their service. We ask all others to dress as formally or informally as you wish, as we desire this to be a celebration of a life well lived. While there will be tears, we also know Dad would have wanted us to celebrate his life as a family and community.

Service will be held on Friday, April 17, 2026, at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, with Pastor Steve Russ officiating. Internment with military honors will follow at Rinehart Cemetery. The family will receive visitors at Ferry Funeral Home from 5 pm to 7 pm on Thursday, April 16, 2026. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made through Ferry Funeral Home to the Bungalows of Nevada or Gentiva Hospice.

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Obituary - Donna Wise

Donna Jean Wise, 62, Nevada, MO, passed away on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Nevada Regional Medical Center.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Moore-Few Care Center in Nevada.

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Obituary - Dennis Ray Williamson

Dennis Ray Williamson, 74, Rockville, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at the Solace House of the Ozarks in Joplin, Missouri. He was born on December 8, 1951, the son of Harvey Townsend and Sylvia Hester (Bean) Williamson. Dennis spent his entire life in Rockville, Missouri, where he loved to hunt, fish, ride horses, raise coon dogs and enjoy time with his friends, family and especially grandkids.

Throughout his years, Dennis worked as a pressman at Rival in Clinton and Ward Paper Box in Butler, Missouri where he later retired.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents: Harvey and Sylvia Williamson; his brothers Bill Williamson and James Williamson; his son Eric Williamson. He is survived by his siblings: Norman Williamson, Mike (Debbie) Williamson, Cheryl Farrell, Cindy Sargent and John (Kayla) Williamson; one daughter Charlotte Presley; two grandchildren, Vanessa Stafford and Colin Presley; two great-grandchildren, Cole Harris and Penelope Stafford; many nieces, nephews and cousins that he loved dearly.

The family requests memorial donations be made to Solace House of the Ozarks, and may be left at the funeral home.

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Obituary - Betty Gay (Waite) Stephan

Betty Gay (Waite) Stephan, 72, Montrose, MO passed away at KU Medical Center in Kansas City on April 9th, 2026, with her husband and children holding her hands. Betty was born November 1st, 1953, in Osceola, MO to Van and Ruth (Tandy) Waite. She married her best friend and love of her life, Gerald, on April 18, 1975. To this union two children were born, Matt and Erin.

Betty grew up on a small dairy farm east of Rockville, MO. She was the third of four daughters blessed to loving parents. She was a hard worker from an early age and would rather be outside helping her dad bale hay and doing chores. She loved playing softball in the summer on teams coached by her dad. They lived in a small four-room house and attended Mt. Zion Church just up the gravel road. She always cherished the memories of those times that influenced her grounded nature the rest of her life.

Betty attended school in Appleton City, graduating in 1972. She was voted Homecoming queen her freshman year, she was a class officer and was voted best athlete her senior year. After graduation, Betty attended college in Springfield, MO for a short time before returning home to work for local doctors at the Appleton City Clinic. It was at this time that she began dating her future husband and lifelong friend and love of her life, Gerald Stephan. After about a year Gerald and Betty were married in a small ceremony at the Methodist Church in Appleton City. Their marriage would become over 50 years of mutual love and respect for each other. They complimented each other perfectly and were never apart over the years. When she knew she was near the end of her life, she said to her children, “take care of your Dad for me!” It would be impossible for anyone to love their family more than her.

Betty was a very hard worker. For the first years of their marriage, she worked side by side with Gerald on the farm. After their children were born, she went back to work at Ellett Memorial Hospital, Appleton City Clinic as a doctors’ assistant, and later for West Central Community Action Agency. She worked for Head Start and Housing, and cherished the friendships she made, retiring in 2018. Her favorite work of her life though was being with Gerald on the farm working ground, driving trucks, and helping with their cattle.

Betty was saved and baptized at a young age. In recent years, she attended church at the First Christian Church of Appleton City. Her faith was always strong and set an example for her family. Her faith never wavered as she began to have health issues in recent years. She was a selfless servant of the Lord, always giving 100 percent of herself to not only her family but everyone she knew.

The pride and joy of her life were her children Matt and Erin and their families. Throughout the years, Betty never wanted to miss their activities, no matter how big or small. The family lived close and grandkids were usually there every day just to talk and see each other. Betty became an excellent cook over the years and loved preparing meals for the family or anyone who came by. She learned to make her own clothes from her mother when she was young and would still patch the family clothes. She would always say that her favorite hobby was her grandkids.

Betty is survived by her husband Gerald of the home, son Matt (Jessica) Stephan of Appleton City, MO and daughter Erin (Chad) Vogel of Montrose, MO. She has six grandchildren: Coy Stephan, Lila Stephan, Reid Stephan, Abby (Tanner) White, Mason Vogel, Case Vogel, and one great-grandchild Rhett White. She has two sisters, Sandra Long of Appleton City, MO and Skip (Jack) Mead of Nevada, MO and brother-in-law Dean Walker of Nevada, MO. She has a very special mother-in-law, Wilma Stephan of Appleton City, MO. She also has sisters and brothers-in-law and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many, many wonderful friends. She is preceded in death by her parents Van and Ruth Waite, father-in-law Warren Stephan, brother-in-law Bill Long, and little sister and best friend Debbie Walker.

Memorials suggested to the Betty Stephan Love Fund.

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Obituary - Sharon Sue Connely

Sharon Sue Connely was born to Robert and Iona on July 10th, 1946. After graduating from high school, she received her associate’s degree in accounting at Longview College. She went on to work as a GSA employee for 20+ years before retiring and becoming a substitute teacher in Holden, MO, for approximately 5 years. Sharon was an energetic lady who loved to go out dancing with her friends for hours on end. She also loved to travel to outdoor places, including camping and exploring while doing so. She took lessons in painting and created beautiful artwork that still remains to this day. When she wanted an easy day, she would spend her time sewing, doing puzzles, or cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Sharon had a big heart for not only her family, but for animals and insects of all shapes and sizes. She loved dogs, cats, farm animals, birds, butterflies, etc. Even going as far as naming a pair of hummingbirds, Hadley and George, after two of her many great grandkids. As years went by, her favorite pastime was spent with her grandkids and great grandkids, teaching them how to bake, crochet, and even garden.

She is survived by her loving kids, Garry (Chris) Wyatt, Michelle Wyatt, Rod (Tammy) Wyatt, Natalie (Kevin) Mackey, and Franny (Jordan Johnson) Hack, and her adoring grandkids, Seth (Joni) Wyatt, Annie (Andy) Jones, late grandson George Wyatt, Brandon Wyatt, Jenna (Darren) Rose, Ashley (Dominic Moseley) Wyatt, David Williamson, Trent (Angalic) Garton, Stacey (Donnie) Paddock, Justin (Courtney) Wyatt, Taylor Hill, Kylie (John Limback) Wyatt, Dalton Cusick, Levi Cusick, Tony Hillman, Henry Johnson, and Hermoine Johnson. As well as her great grandkids, Tyson Wyatt, Leland Wyatt, Charlie Wyatt, Axel Wyatt, Kashton Wyatt, Case Hill, late great grandson Jared Jones, Kimber Jones, Paisley Jones, Jolene Rose, Jameson Rose, Maggie Williamson, Lucas Williamson, Lane Paddock, Colt Paddock, Ona Paddock, Emi Paddock, Hadley Wyatt, George Wyatt, Kenna Wyatt, and expecting great granddaughter Rhea Sue Limback.

Sharon had a big heart for her family, always keeping tabs on them, and welcoming others into her life as family. Some will say that she was the grumpy old lady that held this big blended family together, others will agree that she was very opinionated and spoke her mind freely, but she was loved dearly by many. She loved everyone like her own, making sure bellies and hearts were always full. 

Rosary will be held 4:45 p.m. Friday, April 17, 2026 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri with funeral service to follow at 5:00 p.m.

Visitation will be held 4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Friday, April 17, 2026 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Harrisonville Animal Shelter and sent in care to Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.

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Obituary - June Eileen (Zimmerman) Buerge

June Eileen (Zimmerman) Buerge, 94 years and 10 months old, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 10, 2026, at home surrounded by her family. She was born June 11, 1931, in Eureka, Illinois. She was the second child of Theo and Clara May (Meekins) Zimmerman.

June graduated from Eureka High School in 1949. She worked in a bakery and did housework, helping take care of her grandmother who had a stroke and helping mothers with new babies. She attended Goshen College in 1952 for one year and then graduated in 1954 from the School of Practical Nursing in Indianapolis, Indiana. She worked in Indianapolis at the James Whitcomb Hospital for Children for three years. In 1957 June served in Puerto Rico for two years in voluntary service under the Mennonite Church.

On March 31, 1961, June was united in marriage to Frank Eugene Buerge of Garden City, Missouri, at the Roanoke Mennonite Church in Roanoke, Illinois. They made their home on the farm in Garden City.

The home was blessed with three sons Kevin, Gregory, and Michael. She was a busy farm wife raising a big garden, canning, sewing, and quilting. June loved spending time with friends and family sharing a freezer of homemade ice cream. Her home was always open for grandchildren who needed a second home while mothers and fathers worked. June loved to travel with friends and tour groups. She traveled from coast to coast and two trips abroad visiting the Holy Land and a European tour.

June accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior in her late teens and was baptized in the Roanoke Mennonite Church. She was active in the Harrisonville Mennonite Church as a Sunday school teacher, Bible school teacher, and was active for several years in the WMSC (women’s group). She served two years on the South Central Executive Committee as Vice President and President of the WMSC.

She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers, Lewis Lee, Merrell, Eugene, Richard, and Daniel, a son Michael, and a granddaughter Michaela.

June is survived by her husband, Frank; two sons Kevin and wife Diane of Garden City, MO, Gregory and wife Amy of Garden City, MO; eight grandchildren Emily (Adam Shoulders), Michael, Christian (Abbie), Mattea, Randi (Jarrod Elliott), Jonathan (Brook), Jacob, and Jessi (Matthew Masek); six great-grandchildren Oakleigh, Oliver, Austin, Emerson, Ollie, and Zion; two sisters Geraldine Zoss of Roanoke, Illinois, Gladys Ulrich of Edmond, Oklahoma; one brother Raymond Zimmerman and wife Ruth of Eureka, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews and friends.

Cremation with a celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Inurnment at Clearfork Cemetery, Garden City, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Croix Hospice or Harrisonville Christian School and sent in care to Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.

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Obituary - Patricia Nichols

Patricia Elaine (Ellis) Nichols, 81, of Adrian, MO, passed away on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at her home. Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 PM, at Adrian Christian Church. A private family graveside service will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Show-Me Christian Youth Home.

Patricia "Pat" was born on March 14, 1945, to Paul Ellis and Lorraine (McCullough) Ellis in La Plata, MO. She grew up in the St. Louis area and graduated from Ritenour High School in St. Louis, MO. She then went on to attend the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in political science. While at MU, she met and married James Preston "Jim" Nichols, Sr. on December 30, 1967, and became a bonus mom to James Preston "Jay" Nichols, Jr. They remained residents of Columbia with Pat working a research/office assistant position until Jim completed his Masters Degree in Electrical engineering at Mizzou, and gave birth to their first girl, Aimee Lynn Nichols (Dryden) in 1971. Soon after that, Jim took a job with Kansas City Power & Light at the LaCygne, KS, station, so the family moved to Adrian, MO.

Pat became a stay-at-home mother to Jay and Aimee. In 1974, Pat gave birth to their second girl, Angeline Marie Nichols (Preston). Pat continued to care for her family at home through her husband's death in February of 1990, until she and Aimee chose to attend Penn Valley Community College, graduating as a member of Phi Theta Kappa with an Associate's Degree in Health Information Management in 1995. From there, Pat worked briefly at Children's Mercy and St. Joseph Health Center in medical records. However, she decided that the commute and city driving were not for her, so she then took a position as the evening Unit Secretary for Bates County Memorial Hospital. She held that position for over a decade until she decided to retire.

While she missed her co-workers, she enjoyed her retirement and loved living in her country home. Flowers, trees, birds, nature, and animals were some of her favorite things, especially her dog, known as Scottie MacDougal. She followed politics closely, but she knew in the end that this world was not her forever home. She enjoyed music and art, as well as her BBC programs. She was an amazing seamstress and she could tackle home-building projects, as well. Her mind was always sharp and active, constantly learning new things, and her generous heart gave to many different causes that had her mailbox overflowing with charity requests. Whether she was working outside of the home or not, she continued to care for her family by assisting her children with their own children and fulfilling her favorite role as "Granny Pat." The role of the most loving, caring, strong, kind, praying Christian mother and granny is how her family will always remember her.

Patricia is preceded in death by her parents; husband; and brother, Richard Franklin Ellis. She is survived by her daughters: Aimee (Jim) Dryden and Angeline "Angie" (Josh) Preston; son, James "Jay" Nichols, Jr.; grandchildren: Devon (Amanda) Nichols, James "J.P." Dryden, Jeremy Dryden, Nicholas (Maycie) Preston, Kellen (Reagan) Preston, and Isabella Preston; great-grandson, Luke Preston; and one great-granddaughter arriving soon, Finley June Preston.

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