Obituary - Gail Marie Jones

Gail Marie Jones has cracked off. 

It was important to her that we said it just like that, because that's who she was: a total hoot! 

Gail, or Gail Re to her family, was born in Rich Hill, Missouri, on April 18, 1953 to Carley Franklin and Alta Mae (Swope) Jones. She graduated from Rich Hill High School in 1971 and spent most of her adult life in Rich Hill and Nevada, Missouri. Gail was so much fun. She had the best laugh and used it often, cracking jokes and making other smile. No matter where she worked, from the Nevada State Hospital to the Vernon County Sheriff's Department to Nevada Mental Health, she made the spaces she occupied better. Not at home though--she hated to clean! Life was way more fun without it! 

She was a bird loving mom, aunt and friend, spoiling those fortunate enough to be in her orbit. She was also a wonderful artist and her pencil and charcoal portraits were beautiful. Additionally, she did volunteer work, helping backstage at the Little Alley Theater in Nevada, for several CCPA productions. 

Gail was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings Ray "Gene", Lillian "Joanne", Carl Edward "Buster", Kenneth Lee and Teddy Lynn and her dear friend, Lois "MawMaw" Johnson Eastland. She is survived by her brother, Jack (Terresa), sister, Sue, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, her "closer than a sister" friend, Joni Eastland (Tim) McHargue, dear friends, Danny and Marie Baker and many more cherished friends and loved ones.

Gail passed from this life on May 19, 2026 at the age of 73 and entered into the presence of the Savior she loved and served. Per Gail's wishes, there will be no service. Cremation is under the direction of Heuser Funeral Home, Rich Hill, Missouri. 

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Obituary - Gale Arlin Robinson

Gale Arlin Robinson, 78, of Rich Hill, Missouri, passed away April 8, 2026. He was born June 20, 1947, in Chillicothe, Missouri, to Lee Arlington Robinson and Mary Emmaline Reynar Robinson. He married Edith (Margaret) Hanvy Mannering. 

A proud Army veteran, Gale served with the 6th Battalion, 80th Field Artillery near the DMZ at Camp Knox, Korea, and was honorably discharged in October 1969. He spent his professional life in food service management, where he was respected for his steady leadership and dedication to those he worked with. 

Active in his faith, Gale was a longtime member of Rich Hill United Methodist Church where he served on the church board of trustees. His commitment to community and church life was a central part of who he was. 

Gale was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret, and his parents. He is survived by his sister, Rita Davis of Kansas City, Missouri; nephew, Spencer (Katie) Robinson Davis; and two grandnephews, Calvin and Patrick, who brought him great joy. 

Gale received exceptional care from the staff at the Kansas City VA Medical Center. He was incredibly grateful for the kindness shown to him during his extended illness. 

Family and friends will remember Gale for his quiet strength, loyalty, and the kindness he brought to family, church, and work. In lieu of f lowers, memorial donations may be made to organizations dedicated to supporting veterans or to the Rich Hill United Methodist Church. Service and memorial arrangements will be announced by the family at a later date.


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Little Apple news

May 27, 2026

The yellow roses at the Appleton City Cemetery will be picked up on Monday, June 1, 2026 at 8:30 a.m., with a rain date of Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.  All individuals, families, clubs or groups are welcome.  For information, contact Pam Bartz, 417-321-4177.

St Clair County Alzheimer’s / Dementia Support Group will meet 1:00 p.m. May 28 at Rivers Crossing Senior Center and every 4th Thursday.  The group provides support and education for the caregivers and families of our community.  On May 28, the guest speaker will be Kara Colby with Hospice Compassus.  Refreshments are provided.  Please contact Amy Dwyer at Truman Lake Manor 417-644-2248 with any questions.

Appleton City Carousel will be open Memorial Day through Labor Day week-ends, Friday-Sunday 4:00-7:00 p.m. It will close if inclement weather is happening. There have been people from 37 states and 7 countries that have visited.

The AC Pool is open to the public Sunday-Saturday 12:00-5:00 p.m. General Daily Admission Costs are ages 11+ $3.00, ages 4-10 $2.00 and ages 0-3 free with paid adult. Sundays and Wednesdays are $1.00 for everyone. Season Pool Pass Costs are $60 for 1 person and $20 for each additional person added. Pool Party Costs are 1 hour $90 and 2 hours $150. Start time for parties is 6:00 p.m.

Appleton City Public Library has registration open for 4th-6th Grade Book Club and Adults Summer Reading programs. Register via Facebook OR stop by the library. Programs for 4th-6th Grade begin June 8 and Adult's Reading Programs begin June 3. See their flyers for more information

There will be a Quilt Show at the Appleton City Museum June through August.  The Museum will be open Fridays 1:30-4:30 and the same hours on second Saturdays, June 13, July 11 and August 8.  Appleton City Landmarks Restoration is celebrating 40 Years this year. Forty two quilts have been pulled out of storage for showing.  They range in age from 1876-2016, the oldest traveled on a covered wagon from Indiana to Missouri.   There are friendship quilts from surrounding communities, scrap quilts, quilted wall hangings and more. You are invited to visit the Museum and Clark House to see the collection and vote for your favorite quilt. The Museum is located at 503 N. Maple, one block north of the caution light.

The AC Rural Health Clinic is excited to announce that Dermatology PA, Dylan Timmerman, is increasing his dermatology clinic days through the summer months. Traditionally, Dylan's dermatology clinics have been scheduled for one Friday per month. In June, July, and August he is increasing that to four clinics per month. Along with Fridays, some of Dylan's additional days over the summer will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For scheduling or any other dermatology clinic questions, please call the EMH Outpatient Clinic at 660-476-5257.

The Appleton City Rural Health Clinic is offering free Sports Physicals on Wednesdays throughout the month of June.  An appointment is required to be seen.  To schedule an appointment, please call the clinic at 660-476-2121.

Ellett Memorial Hospital Foundation is sponsoring 2 raffles to support local healthcare. You can buy tickets to enter for the chance to win 1/2 a hog. There will be two chances to win and winners will be drawn at the AC Fair on June 13. The hog was donated by Ethan Bracher family and processing by Murray’s Butcher Block. The second raffle is for a chance to win a Stihl air inflator or Blackstone Griddle.  Winners will be drawn at the AC Car Show July 11. All tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. All money raised will support local healthcare through Ellett Memorial Hospital.

The Knights of Columbus will have their monthly pancake and sausage breakfast at the Knight’s Hall in Montrose on Sunday, June 12 from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.  Treat your family to a hot breakfast you don’t have to cook or clean up.  A free will donation will be greatly appreciated

Ellett Memorial Hospital Appleton City offers outpatient specialist services for May and June. Call 660-476-2111 for appointments. May 27 – Ophthalmology, Dr. Soni, Thursday,  May 28– Neurology- Dr.- Shoaib,  Friday,  May 29 – Podiatry – Dr. Pace, Tuesday, June 2 - Rheumatology- Dr. John, Wednesday, June 3 – Upper GI, Colonoscopy- Dr. Namin, Thursday , June 4 - OB/Gyn- Dr. Kallberg, Friday, June 5 - Dermatology- Dylan Timmerman, PA, Tuesday, June 9 – Dermatology- Dylan Timmerman, PA, Friday, June 12 –Orthopedic-Dr. Gray, Tuesday    June 16 - Rheumatology- Dr. John, Thursday, June 18 – Podiatry– Dr. Pace, Friday, June 19   Dermatology- Dylan Timmerman, PA, Tuesday, June 23– Upper GI, Colonoscopy-Dr. Namin, Wednesday, June 24 – Orthopedic- Dr. Gray, Wednesday, June 24 – Ophthalmology, Dr. Soni, Thursday, June 25 - Neurology- Dr. Shoaib, Friday, June 26 – Orthopedics- Laura Noble, FNP, Tuesday, June 30 – Dermatology- Dylan Timmerman, PA

“The Little Apple” was started by the A. C. Economic Development as way of informing residents of news and events sponsored by area businesses and organizations.  Items of a clearly personal nature, such as birthdays, anniversaries, awards (not group sponsored), personal sales and the like are not accepted for publication. Items may be edited for accuracy, grammar or space restrictions. Please email articles for “The Little Apple” to dcp81@embarqmail.com by Tuesday evenings or bring them to Dr. Payton’s office to be included in that week’s edition. To receive "The Little Apple" free by e-mail, or to be removed from the email list, send your e-mail address to dcp81@embarqmail.com If you have changed your email address, please send the current address, so the list can be updated.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

May 28    St Clair County Alzheimer’s / Dementia Support Group 1:00 p.m. Rivers Crossing Senior Center

June 1      Yellow roses pick up at AC Cemetery 8:30 a.m.

June 12-13     AC Fair

June 14     Knights of Columbus pancake and sausage breakfast 8:30-10:00 a.m. at the Knight’s Hall in Montrose

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One dead following crash near Appleton City

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, a 79 year old man succumbed to injuries in a rollover accident about 1 mile east of Appleton City MO around 2 pm on May 26th.

The report indicates a 1997 Ford pickup driven by the Appleton City man went off of the right side of 52 highway and overturned; the driver was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedic James Head.

This is the 52nd fatality reported by the Missouri Highway Patrol for 2026.


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Rich Hill brush site now open

Contact city hall for more information (417) 395-2223

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Attention Bates county 4-Her's

4-H families and FFA advisors, please be on the lookout for emails regarding the 2026 Bates County Fair. This year, we will be sending livestock rules, entry forms, schedules of events, information regarding cleanup days and times we will need help during the week of the fair, etc via email.

If you are an FFA member, please check with your advisor regarding all fair information and updates. For all FFA members, if you would like to be added directly to our email list, please email batescountyfair@gmail.com, or message us here on Facebook with your email address, so we can include you in future updates and information.

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Weather to be a bit more active starting tonight

Good morning everybody. Mild & boring weather has kept my posts to mostly morning updates! The pattern gets a little more active starting tonight into tomorrow, but still -- no severe weather expected in the days ahead. Can't rule out a thunder storm here and there and we may see a few as early as tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon. A few pockets of instability will be out there but far and few between. Meaning most of us get showers off and on, and some of us will get a thunderstorm. Here's a possible radar picture of around 8am tomorrow as precipitation will slowly work its way up from the southwest overnight tonight. You can see it reaches the KS side first, and will be the heaviest over there. Showers and storms don't get into west central MO much until tomorrow afternoon. -Greg@660weather


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Obituary - Kenneth Cummins

Kenneth Cummins, age 59, of Clinton, Missouri, passed away, Saturday, May 23rd, 2026 at Adair Village, Clinton, Missouri. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri and are pending at this time.


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