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.

#MidAmericaLive

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.

#MidAmericaLive

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.

#MidAmericaLive

Obituary - Chris Anderson

W. Chris Anderson, age 50, of Harrisonville, Missouri, passed away on April 12, 2026, at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Memorial services will be held 2:00 pm, Monday, April 27, 2026 at Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Burial will take place in Steeleville Cemetery, Steeleville, Missouri at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Bates County Industries. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Wallace Christopher Anderson was born to William and Rosalee Agers Anderson. He grew up in the Bates County area, where he spent much of his life surrounded by a community that knew and cared for him. He attended Rich Hill High School and later worked at Casco and BCI, where he took pride in his work and the friendships he made along the way.

Chris was a man with a joyful spirit and a heart full of kindness. He had a great sense of humor and loved playing practical jokes, always bringing laughter to those around him. His lighthearted nature and warm personality made him a loyal friend to many.

He found happiness in life’s simple pleasures—spending time around horses, casting a line while fishing, and cheering on his favorite team, the Kansas City Chiefs. Chris also enjoyed bowling and proudly participated in the Special Olympics, where he shared his enthusiasm and determination with others.

Chris will be remembered for his genuine kindness, his laughter, and the joy he brought into the lives of those who knew him. His presence will be deeply missed, but his spirit will live on in the many memories he leaves behind.

Chris was preceded in death by his parents, sister Lula Hawkins, and brother Joseph Lee Anderson. He is survived by his sister, Tina Anderson, brothers, Henry, Fred, and James Anderson, as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

#MidAmericaLive

Obituary - Scarlet LeeAnn Butts

Funeral services for Scarlet LeeAnn Butts of Gladstone, Missouri formerly of Butler, Missouri will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 17, 2026 at the King of Kings Lutheran Church in Gladstone, Missouri. Visitation from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Friday. Arrangements under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel and Crematory (660-679-6555) in Butler. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler at 3 p.m. Friday. Contributions to the American Association for Cancer Research or the American Lung Association. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

On April 9, 2026, Scarlet LeeAnn (Jackson) Butts fell asleep in the Lord at her home in Gladstone, Missouri. Scarlet was born on February 13, 1961, in the small community of Butler, Missouri, to John and Violet Jackson. At age 12, Scarlet and her family moved to Belton, Missouri. Scarlet gave birth to her son, Brian Matthew Jackson, in 1978. She eventually settled in Cameron, Missouri. While in Cameron, Scarlet gave birth to her daughter, Adrienne Rochelle Potts, in 1981.

In 1987, Scarlet started at Missouri Western State College (now University). It was there that she met her future husband, Rodney Lynn Butts, in 1988, and they were married later that year. Scarlet graduated from Missouri Western Summa Cum Laude in 1990 with a degree in Political Science. Three years later, she graduated Cum Laude from the University of Missouri – Kansas City with her Juris Doctorate degree, having served as the Editor of the UMKC Law Review.

As an attorney, Scarlet continued her academic excellence with an amazing legal career, starting with a lifelong private practice. Additionally, Scarlet had a partnership with her friend Kimberly Brown in Hamilton, Missouri; served as the municipal prosecutor for the City of Cameron, MO; was the Assistant Prosecutor for Caldwell and DeKalb Counties; and worked as the Child Support Prosecutor for the Hamilton Project, which served a five-county area.

While these roles were rewarding, the one that she was most proud of was her work as a Guardian Ad Litem, where she liked to think of her work as “on the side of the angels.” Scarlet’s life has been guided by her faith. When she and her husband moved to Gladstone, Missouri, in 2011, they found a home at the King of Kings Lutheran Church of Kansas City, Missouri. Scarlet loved her church, her community, and perhaps most of all her seven grandchildren.

Scarlet is preceded in death by her father, John Jackson, Jr. She is survived by her mother, Violet Irene (Sturm) Jackson-Artinger (Kansas City, KS); her sister, Teresa (Jackson) Honn (High Point, NC) and her family; her brother, John Jackson III (Kansas City, MO) and his family; her son, Brian Matthew and Brian’s wife, Lindsay Hannah (Bair) (Greensboro, NC); her daughter, Adrienne Rochelle (San Diego, CA); and seven grandchildren that she adored beyond words, Brytin David Broussard, Samuel Matthew Jackson, Elijah James Robert Jackson, Bryana Jocelyn Castillo, Chloe Elizabeth Jackson, Hadley Grace Jackson and Noah Finn Jackson. Scarlet is also survived and deeply missed by her husband of 37 years, Rodney.

Scarlet’s obsequies are as follows: Visitation at the King of Kings Lutheran Church (1701 NE 96th St, Kansas City, MO) at 9 AM, Christian Funeral at King of Kings at 11 AM, after which the church will serve a meal. A Graveside Service will follow at 3 PM at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, we encourage you to honor Scarlet’s life by taking time to help the weak or marginalized,

forgiving someone, encouraging others, and being gentle. We would also ask that you consider contributing to the American Association for Cancer Research (https://www.aacr.org/) and/or the American Lung Association (https://www.lung.org/).
#MidAmericaLive

Flip through this week's News-Review and Shopper

Click here to flip through the pages https://online.fliphtml5.com/xgttb/Mid-America-Shopper-04_15_2026/


#MidAmericaLive

Tornado warning issued for Bates County

The national weather service has issued a tornado warning for Bates County. A tornado was confirmed on the ground near Worland Missouri moving northeast at about 30 mph. It is recommended that those in the Butler and Passaic areas to take cover. 


#MidAmericaLive

Bates County Memorial Hospital Hosts Lifesaving Blood Drive to Support Local Patients

Community Blood Center urges donors to help replenish the region's supply

Butler, MO -- Community Blood Center {CBC}, the primary provider of blood to 70+ hospitals across Kansas and Missouri, will host a blood drive on Wednesday, April 29 at Bates County Memorial Hospital, located at 615 W Nursery St..

For more than 65 years, CBC has served the region by providing over 150,000 lifesaving blood products annually to more than 70 hospitals, EMS, and healthcare partners.

"A strong, consistent blood supply is the backbone of patient care in our community," said Chelsea Tibbetts, Executive Director at Community Blood Center. "We are deeply grateful to our blood drive hosts for stepping up to help save lives and support patients in our local hospitals."

Every day, nearly 600 donations are needed to meet hospital demand in the Greater Kansas City region. Blood has a short shelf life and must be constantly replenished to ensure it's available when and where it's needed. Just one hour of your time can help save up to three lives.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 29

WHERE: Bates County Memorial Hospital, 615 W Nursery St.

WHO: Blood Donors, Volunteers, and Community Blood Center Representatives

WHY: One in three people will need blood in their lifetime, and nearly one in seven hospital admissions requires a transfusion. Blood donations support cancer patients, trauma victims, surgery patients, new mothers, premature infants, transplant recipients, those living with chronic conditions like sickle cell disease and thalassemia, and many more.
To make an appointment at this drive, donors can visit savealifenow.org/group and enter Group Code: KCBS, or call 1-877-468-6844.

Blood donors can give every 56 days and are encouraged to give at least once per season. In light of recent updates to FDA guidance, more people than ever may now be eligible to give. To view current eligibility guidelines or learn more about donating blood, visit savealifenow.org.


#MidAmericaLive