Obituary - Gilbert Lee Willson

 

Gilbert Lee Willson, 84, Nevada, MO, passed from this life on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Moore-Few Care Center in Nevada. Gilbert was born November 30, 1941, in Sheldon, MO, to R.L. and Anna Mae (Kessler) Willson.

     Gilbert grew up in rural Vernon County and graduated from Metz High School in 1959. He met Eleanor on a blind date in December of 1959. They were married on October 21, 1960, and two children were born to this union. A daughter, Deborah (Debbie) born April 16, 1962, and a son, Robert (Rob) born April 11, 1970.

     Gilbert was very hard-working and a good provider for his family. He farmed using all the latest techniques, some he innovated until he rented the farm in 2009. He loved working with the dirt and continued building waterways, terraces, etc. until just a few days before he entered the hospital.

     He also loved to travel, so each year after the Vernon County Youth Fair he, Eleanor, Debbie, and Robby would take a summer trip in their RV. Most Christmas’ was spent in Arizona.  After retiring from farming, he and Eleanor took guided tours to Ireland, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, and Lake Michigan. They also enjoyed road trips to 45 other US states.

     Gilbert was very active in the community and served on many boards including NFO, Ruritan Club, Harwood -12 years, Walker School Board -21 years, Director of Sac Osage Electric Board -5 years, Director Representing Sac Osage on KAMO Board in Vinita, OK, and Production Credit Association Advisory Board.

     He was awarded Vernon County Conservation Farmer of the Year, Goodyear Conservation Award of Merit, Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City and MU State Achievement Award, Nevada – Vernon County Chamber of Commerce Agri – Business Pacesetter Award, and University of MO Extension Leader’s Honor Roll. 

     In addition to farming, he also worked for the MO Dept. of Transportation for 8 years, after which in 1970 he started a fertilizer business and later a ridge till equipment business. 

     After becoming a grandpa in 1998, he made time for his granddaughters. He rarely missed a ball game, or program, and especially tried to never miss a birthday.

      Left to grieve his passing is his wife Eleanor of 66 years; four granddaughters, Kelsey (Mikel) Bailey, Emily Willson, Breanne Willson, and Claire Willson; siblings, Dee Jacks, Ruby (Everett) Forkner, Peggy Hunt, Mary Ellen Comstock, and Janet (Gary) Nichols; a cousin, Eugene (Karen) Story; and numerous nephews, nieces, and friends.  He was preceded in death by his children, Debbie Wheatley and Rob Willson; his parents, R.L. and Anna Mae Willson; two sisters, Joyce Emory, Freda Raabe; and four brothers-in-law, Roy Emory, Walt Jacks, Raymont Hunt, and Gary Comstock.

     Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 6, 2026, at Marvin Chapel Cemetery in Nevada with Terry McKinney officiating. The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m. on Thursday evening at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

     In lieu of flowers Gilbert requested donations to Marvin Chapel Cemetery c/o Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

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Obituary - Joyce Evelyn Fitzpatrick

Funeral services for Joyce Evelyn Fitzpatrick of Butler, Missouri will be 11 a.m. Friday, November 6, 2026 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler. Visitation from 10 - 11 a.m. Friday prior to services at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions to the Community Food Pantry of Butler. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

A full obituary will be provided at a later date.

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Obituary - Linda Meyer

Linda Meyer, 79 of Louisburg, Kansas passed away peacefully on October 31, 2026 at the Olathe Hospice House in Olathe, Kansas. A visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Louisburg First Christian Church, 602 N 1st St, Louisburg, KS 66053. Graveside services will follow at 11:30 am Saturday in the Bucyrus Cemetery, Bucyrus, Kansas. Services under the direction of Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel (816-657-4400). Memorial contributions may be made to the American Spinal Injury Association or the American Alzheimer’s Association. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Born on July 25, 1947, in LaCygne, Kansas, Linda was the cherished daughter of Calvin and Ellen Craven Medlen. Her life was a testament to the power of positivity and unwavering faith, traits she carried with her since her early days in LaCygne.

A proud graduate of Louisburg High School in 1965, Linda soon embarked on a lifelong journey with her beloved husband, Larry Dale Meyer, whom she married on August 7, 1965. Their union was a beautiful testament to devotion and partnership, enriched by shared experiences and mutual support.

Linda was a member of the Louisburg United Methodist Church, where her faith was both a guiding light and a source of comfort throughout her life. Her belief in God was unshakeable, and she inspired those around her with her steadfast spirituality and kindness.

Traveling and gardening were among Linda's many passions, pursuits that allowed her to embrace the beauty of the world and cultivate a nurturing environment for all who visited her home. She was an enthusiastic fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals, cheering on her teams with the same fervor and joy that she brought to every aspect of her life.

Linda had a zest for life that was infectious. She found delight in the simple pleasures—cooking, floating in the pool, savoring ice cream drumsticks, and most importantly, spending time with her cherished friends and family. Her gatherings were filled with laughter, warmth, and a sense of belonging that she effortlessly provided.

Throughout her life, Linda faced challenges with grace and determination, emerging stronger each time. She possessed a unique ability to find the good in every situation, greeting each day with a smile and a heart full of love. Her strength, faith, and radiant spirit touched everyone who knew her, leaving an indelible mark on their lives.

Linda was preceded in death by her dear son, Randy Meyer; her sister, Laura Medlen; her brother, Wesley Medlen; and her loving parents, Calvin and Ellen Medlen.

Her memory will continue to be cherished by her surviving family: daughters Rhonda (Ben) Ross and Jennifer (Matt) Baker, daughter-in-law Angela Meyer, and her treasured grandchildren—Heather Key, Bryan Ross, Krisitan Johnson, Brooke Berve, Dalton (DJ) Meyer, Dylan Meyer, Shayla Meyer, Dominic Baker, and Hanna Baker. Her legacy also lives on through her great-grandchildren—Katie Pate, Kylie Johnson, Arya Berve, Kenzie Berve, Bodhi Ross, Maxx Ross, Holt Meyer, Dean Meyer, and Rosie Meyer.

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Obituary - Doris Mills

Doris J. Mills,90 of Bartlesville, Oklahoma was called to her heavenly home October 28, 2026. A visitation will be held from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Friday, November 6, 2026, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Prairie City, Missouri. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 pm Friday, also at the church with burial in Myers Cemetery. Services under the direction of Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Memorial Contributions may be made to the church or to Myers Cemetery. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Doris was born March 11,1936, to William A. And Lucy (Schenker) Bern. She was the 5th of 7 children. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Prairie City, Mo. Doris started 1st grade at Zion Lutheran School in Prairie City. Then second grade at Brush College. The following 8 years at Rockville Mo. Schools until Rockville integrated with Appleton City schools, where she attended her last 2 yrs of High School and received her GED.

Doris married Kermit Moffatt in 1953 and to this union 2 daughters were born, Cynthia Gayle and Cherie Dawn.

She was employed at Western Electric in 1961 and was employed there 5 years.

Later Doris married Robert E. (Bob) Mills on October 11,1962. To this union one daughter was born Candace (Candy) Jean.

They raised their family in Butler until 1978 when they moved to Copan OK. Doris then went to work for Phillips Petroleum Co. In Bartlesville OK. They lived on the Crossbell Ranch where Bob was employed. After Bob retired, they moved to Colony KS. Then in 2011 they moved back to Butler Mo. Making it there home until 2019 when they moved back to Bartlesville OK., to be closer to family.

Doris was proud of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren. She was steadfast in her faith and belief heaven is her home and we will all be together again. She was an avid reader of books and loved Facebook to catch up on all her extended family. Doris was an accomplished seamstress and wonderful cook. She was a wonderful mother, homemaker, and wife. She was also known for her witty sense of humor, stories, jokes and laugh.

Doris is survived by her husband Robert and daughters Cherie Marshall of Bartlesville, OK. Candace and Jamey Dunlap of Bartlesville, OK., Son in law Don Gillam of Bartlesville, OK. Grandchildren Maria and Jason Pierce of Scottsboro Alabama, Leigh and Ryan Bird of Sublette KS. And Loni and Ed Kaufmann of Bartlesville OK. And eight great grandchildren.

Two sisters Elaine Hellwig of Butler Mo., and Bonnie Stair of Pleasant Hill Mo.

She was proceeded in death by her parents Bill and Lucy Bern, her daughter Cindy Gillam, brothers Bill and Chuck Bern and sisters Eileen Losey and Betty Pratt.

Bob and Doris were very proud to have celebrated their 64th wedding Anniversary on Oct 11, 2026. She will be forever missed by her loving family and many dear friends.

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Obituary - Dixie Dawson

Dixie Dawson, 74 of Butler, Missouri passed away November 1, 2026 at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler, Missouri. A visitation will be held from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Thursday, November 5, 2026 at Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Funeral services will follow at 2:00 pm Thursday, also at Mullinax Funeral Home, with burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler, Missouri. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

A complete obituary is pending at this time.

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Ellett Memorial Employee of the Month, Billie Jean Creasy

Join us in congratulating our November EMH Employee of the Month, Billie Jean Creasy

Billie Jean's nomination write-up shares some of the ways she has shown her HEART and DEDICATION to EMH:

I would like to nominate this individual for EOM as they embody our company’s HEART values through their dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to both our patients and our team. Honesty is reflected in their character every day. They are dependable, trustworthy, and take ownership of their work. When mistakes happen, they don’t make excuses. Instead, they accept feedback gracefully, learn from it, and work to improve. Their integrity and professionalism set a positive example for those around them. Empathy is one of their greatest strengths. They genuinely care about patients and go above and beyond to ensure their needs are met. Whether it’s taking extra time to listen, helping a patient feel comfortable, or finding solutions to their concerns, they treat every individual with kindness and compassion. Patients can feel that they matter when they are in their care. Accountability is evident in their outstanding work ethic. They are always on time, rarely miss work, and consistently find ways of staying busy throughout the day. They never misuse company time and are constantly looking for ways to be productive and help the department run smoothly. They take instructions well, follow through on responsibilities, and can always be counted on to get the job done. Respect is something they show to everyone they encounter. They treat patients, coworkers, and providers with professionalism, courtesy, and kindness. Their positive attitude creates an environment where people feel valued and appreciated. Teamwork is where they truly shine. They are a provider favorite because they are friendly, supportive, and a pleasure to work with. Their willingness to help wherever they are needed contributes to the success of the entire team. Their upbeat personality can brighten even the busiest and most stressful days. They rarely complain and instead focus on what needs to be done, encouraging those around along the way. Their dedication does not go unnoticed. Every day they demonstrate what it means to go above and beyond in service to our patients and our organization. They are hardworking, compassionate, accountable, and an essential member of our team. Simply put, this individual exemplifies the HEART values in everything they do and is truly deserving of Employee of the Month recognition.

Congratulation Billie Jean! Thank you for all you do!

Courtesy Ellett Memorial Hospital

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In the deer world, it's car season. Be careful!

Drivers are reminded to watch for deer. Last year Missouri had 2,829 traffic crashes where deer-vehicle strikes occurred. In these crashes, six people were killed and 435 injured.


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Is volunteer corn safe to graze?

With early corn harvest and recent moisture, many producers are seeing volunteer corn emerge in harvested fields and wondering whether it can be safely grazed.

Volunteer corn and corn residue can provide an inexpensive source of forage and help stretch hay supplies, but nitrate accumulation may be a concern, especially following drought, excess nitrogen application or cold weather. The safest way to know if forage is safe is to have it tested before grazing.

Learn how nitrates develop and how to collect a sample for testing: https://brnw.ch/21x6Q7U

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