Obituary - Janice (Wheatley) Bolser

Janice (Wheatley) Bolser age 92 of Rich Hill, Missouri passed away Friday September 11, 2026 at Medical Lodge of Butler, MO. Funeral Service will be held Wednesday September 16, 2026 at 2 pm with family received friends from 1-2 pm at Heuser Funeral Home, Rich Hill. The family suggest memorial contributions to the Mark Wheatley Scholarship Fund or Rich Hill Methodist Church. Private Interment in the Carbon Center Cemetery in Rich Hill, MO.

Janice is survived by her husband Ronald Bolser, Rich Hill, three daughters, Sharon Love, Eureka Springs, AR, Jill & John Galate, Lee’s Summit, MO, Janell & Shane Ledford, Lee’s Summit, MO, two grandchildren, two great grandsons and 1 sister Joanne Buhr, Adrian, MO, one sister-in-law, Phyllis Wheatley and special family friend, Mitsuko Knight.

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Obituary - Bruce Mellenbruch

Bruce Mellenbruch age 58 of Rich Hill, MO passed away Sept. 11, 2026 at the Bates Memorial Hospital in Butler, MO. Bruce is survived by his wife Chanda Mellenbruch of the home, his mother Norma Lea Mellenbruch, Rich Hill, children Colton & Kassity Mellenbruch, Kendra & Josh Smith, Brittany & Dakota Williams, Brenna Tourtillott, and 8 grandchildren. One brother Mike & Vianne Mellenbruch, Rich Hill, MO and one sister Lori King & husband Rick, Butler, MO.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held October 10, 2026 at Rich Hill Christian Church at 10:00 am. The family suggest memorial contributions to the Missouri Department of Conservation in care of the Heuser Funeral Home. Service and Cremation under the direction of Heuser Funeral Home, Rich Hill, MO.

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Obituary - Larry "Mike" White

Funeral services for Larry "Mike" White will be 11 a.m. Thursday, September 17, 2026 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation prior to services 10 - 11 a.m. Thursday at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to the VFW of your choice. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Lawrence Michael White, age 76 of Conroe, Texas passed away on Sunday, September 6, 2026 while in hospice care for cancer in Conroe. Larry was born on July 4, 1950–sharing the same day with his grandfather 72 years later.

Larry was the second of two sons born to Lawrence Clayton Gragg and Kathryn B. Gragg. Lawrence passed away in July 1951. Kathryn married Walter Clifton Gragg (brother of Lawrence) who was in the Marines and family then moved to San Diego in April 1952. They later divorced and the family moved back to Kansas City. In November of 1953, Kathryn married Robert H. White, who was in the Navy, and moved to Bremerton, Washington. A sister, Deborah Lynn, was born February 1955. In September 1956, Robert was reassigned to Guam, Mariana Island. Kathryn and children then moved to Kansas City, Missouri. In February 1957 the family moved to Guam to join Robert. In August 1958 Robert fell ill and the family was evacuated to Oakland, California, where he was discharged from the Navy. The family then returned to Kansas City where they remained until Larry (Lawrence) join the Army in May 1968. He served two tours in Vietnam and one tour in Korea and was discharged.

Larry was married June 1976 into this union two children (Christopher and Alyssa) were born. He had completed training to be an aircraft mechanic and was working with heavy equipment when he sustained a life-altering back injury. He had back surgery returned to work, but was laid off. The family then moved to Texas where Larry began work as a mechanic in the oil industry; including work on the oil platforms in the Gulf. The back injury later became significant and he was applied for 100% disability in Texas, unsuccessfully. He moved back to Butler and lived with his mother, after a year, was able to get disability. He then returned to Texas.

Larry was an avid history buff; really enjoyed talking with his brother (Rodney) and niece (Kelly) about anything Sci-Fi related. He loved sailing and would take his sailboat out as often as he could before he wasn't physically able to. He had an avid interest in the stock market and enjoyed trading penny stocks.

Larry is survived by a son, Christopher, of Conroe, Texas; one brother, Rodney and wife, Cheryl, Butler, Missouri; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceeded in death by his paternal grandparents, Lawrence Clayton (1878 -1925) and Mary Emma (Davis) Gragg; maternal grandparents, John and Minnie Critcher; father, Lawrence Clayton Gragg (1925–1951); stepfather, Walter Clifton Gragg (1915–1981); stepfather, Robert H. White (1923 – 1988); mother, Kathryn B. White (1925–2006); sister, Debbie Humphrey (1955–2020); and daughter, Alyssa Fielder (1980–2007).

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Obituary - Richard "Dick" Niggley

Funeral services for Richard "Dick" Niggley will be 11 a.m. Saturday September 19, 2026 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation 4 - 6 p.m. Friday September 18 at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to Parkinson's Foundation (parkinson.org) or Walnut Council Foundation (walnutcouncil.org). Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.


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High depreciation value comes into question

Minutes from the Bates County Commission meeting September 9, 2026

The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

Chris Gach was present for all meetings.

Jami Page, the Bates County Clerk, informed the Commission that her office received another Sunshine Request from Gayle Beachner. The request included minutes, votes between the Commission and a certified letter.

She also presented the Property and Liability Insurance and had them look it over and sign it. Trent made a motion to accept and pay the Insurance. John seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.

She then showed them the Chapter 100 Bond she received and told them it will be stored in the Clerk’s Office.

John mentioned that he received an email from NonStop, needing signatures.

Jami then spoke to Jim about a comment he had made to a citizen during a meeting. Jim was looking into CART Funded roads for this specific citizen and spoke about another township that was upset with their valuation. Jim went on to tell the citizen that it wasn’t the Assessor’s Office’s fault, but Jami’s fault and she had no answer for the upset township that was asking her questions.

Jami printed out the information as to why the total was what it was and explained to Jim that she told the City Clerk exactly why it came to the amount it did, due to the valuation the Assessor assessed it as. She then told Jim that this certain individual was not mad like Jim had mentioned and wished that Jim would have come to her and voice any concerns he had, instead of telling this certain citizen that it was her fault and she had no answers which was false.

After learning this information, John was questioning the one million plus of depreciation in one year that Carl had assessed and wondered if they shouldn’t call Carl and ask him how he came up with this Assessment. Jim also felt that it was a weird assessment. Jami stated she only goes off the information Carl’s Office gives her and she could not speak for Carl or answer those concerns.

Nik Soto, with Gades Sales, came in and met with the Commission to speak about Traffic Signal Detection. He presented a machine that he called an Armadillo and explained how it worked. The Commission stated that they would not have much use for it and felt that this would be up to Townships to determine if they needed it or not.

They then gave them their email so he could send over more information so they can have it if a Township needs one.

John made a motion to proceed with iNetVisions proposal. Trent seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.

C & C called and spoke with Jim about a check they had not received. Jim told him he would work out the issue and get it to him as soon as possible.

Gabriel Gillette gave his resignation letter to the Commission. John made a motion to accept the resignation letter. Trent seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.

John made a motion to appoint Corbin Wainscott as Trustee of Mt. Pleasant Township. Trent seconded the motion. All were in favor. No opposition.

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Obituary - Marilyn J. Sampson

Marilyn J. Sampson, 91, of Cleveland, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Saint Luke’s South Hospital, Overland Park, Kansas.

She was born on May 5, 1935, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Martin and Dorothy (Hayes) Robbins. Marilyn grew up in Peculiar, Missouri, and graduated from Peculiar High School in 1953, as the class valedictorian. After high school, she enrolled at Research Hospital School of Nursing. She graduated in 1956. She later attended Avila College where she earned her Bachelors of Science in Nursing in 1974 and Webster University in 1978, earning her MAT.

Marilyn worked as a registered nurse for 38 years. During that time, she worked for Olathe Hospital, DeSoto School District and retired from the Shawnee Mission School District. After retiring, she volunteered for Carondelet Hospice for seven years, and also for the American Red Cross for 12 years.

On September 18, 1955, Marilyn was united in marriage to Harold Sampson. The couple celebrated their 70th wedding Anniversary in 2025, and were just nine days shy of their 71st anniversary. During their life, they traveled in an RV for 30 years, making many friends in the Escapee’s RV Club. The couple lived in DeSoto, Kansas for 36 years. After retiring, the couple moved to the farm in Cleveland, Missouri.

Marilyn is preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Dorothy Robbins, and son, Steve Sampson.

She is survived by her husband of over 70 years, Harold Sampson, son, Darrell (Brenda) Sampson, grandsons, Abe (Megan Moore) Sampson and Adam (Bel Young) Sampson, and two great grandchildren, Hallie and Summer Sampson.

Funeral services were held September 14, 2026, at Dengel & Son Mortuary – , Louisburg, Kansas with bural at the Silent City Cemetery, DeSoto, Kansas.

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Andie Ingrassia named CCC’s Rotary Club Young Professional of the Month

Congratulations to Andie Ingrassia, CCC’s Rotary Club Young Professional of the Month for September! Andie, a senior from Harrisonville High School, is a leader in our Marketing Program and serves as the DECA President of Marketing, our Cass Social Media Intern, a member of National Technical Honor Society, and a Cass Student Ambassador. She exemplifies the Triple C Program at Cass Career Center—demonstrating consistency, curriculum, and conduct in all she does. We are so proud of you, Andie!

Sponsored by the Harrisonville Rotary Club


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McGennis Youth Center Barbecue and Auction Set for Sunday, September 21

This year’s annual McGennis Youth Center Barbecue and Auction are set for Sunday, September 27.

2026 marks the 60th anniversary of the McGennis Youth Center. To mark this milestone, several things have been added to the barbecue along with all the traditional events.

This year there will be special demonstrations of blacksmithing and quilting, plus an historical reenactment of Betsy Ross. Youth Center board members will also be available to provide history of the Center and its founder, Mary McGennis.

As he has for a number of years, Harry Byram will be on hand to give horse and wagon rides starting at 12:30. Harry will also be available to answer questions and talk about his team and wagon.

In conjunction with the barbecue this year will be the Tenth Annual Car and Truck Show. Car show registration is from 12 to 1 p.m. For more information on the car show contact Jared Rankin at 417-448-4903 or rankinfarms@hotmail.com.

Children’s games will start at 12:30 p.m. 

Serving for the barbecue is at 1 p.m., with barbecued beef, pork and chicken, along with beans, cheesy potatoes, coleslaw and bread. A wide variety of cakes will be available for dessert. Everyone is invited to bring a cake for the dessert table, if they’d like to. The meal is catered by Food Fair of Rich Hill.

The auction will start about 1:45. Larry Hacker will be our auctioneer this year.

A popular part of the auction will again be featured this year. The Mad Hatter features ten McGennis Youth Center caps donated by Pony Keg. These caps, each numbered, will be auctioned off. At the end of the auction one of these numbers will be drawn. That winning number will win this year’s gun donated by Bell Farms. 

In the same vein, Bob Schlyer has donated a beautiful diamond ring. Numbered envelopes will be auctioned off and a lucky winner drawn at the end of the auction.

For more information about the auction or to donate an item call Marc or Alison Bell at 660-832-4196. The generosity of those who donate and those who bid has made the auction a major revenue source for the Youth Center.

Admission to the barbecue is $13 for adults and $7 for children (ages 6-12). Tickets are for the meal and are not required for the auction.

From Rich Hill, the McGennis Youth Center is located five miles west on A Highway and four miles south on WW Highway.

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