Obituary - William Allen Grimes

Graveside Memorial Services with Military Honors for William Allen Grimes will be 2:00 p.m., Sunday, JUNE 14, 2020 at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler, Missouri

William Allen “Al” Grimes, age 73 of Urich, Missouri died Sunday, March 29, 2020 at University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas. He was born February 27, 1947 to William “Peanut” Ivan and Ruth Maxine Cox Grimes in Butler, Missouri.

Al, one of four children, grew up a farm boy in Henry County, Missouri where he graduated from Sherwood High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in History at the University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg. He was a member of the Steelworkers and United Auto Workers unions in the late 1960s. Al was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy for 23 years--deployed on a battleship, an aircraft carrier and an Aegis cruiser serving overseas in Guam, Japan, Italy and England. He also served in the White House for the U.S. Naval and NATO Atlantic Forces. A community servant as well, he was elected to two terms as Mayor of Urich, Missouri, co-founder of a nonprofit community betterment organization, Commander of the American Legion Post #371, and member of the Missouri 4th District Democrats.

Al is described as being honorable, passionate, loyal, loving and compassionate. He enjoyed spending time with his daughter and granddaughters, traveling all over the world, standing up for a purpose in politics, making friends, and supporting the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. Al was not only a loving father, son and brother . . . but a devoted Harry Truman Democrat who believed in the power of government to improve the lives of Americans.

Al is survived by a daughter, Michelle Grimes Martell and husband Eddie of Westlake, Louisiana; a son, Justin Grimes of Westlake, Louisiana; four grandchildren, Kaitlyn Trahan, Breanne Martell, Hunter Grimes and Nathaniel Grimes; and three brothers, Wayne “Red” Grimes, Jerry Grimes and Jim Grimes and wife Judy. He was preceded in death by his parents, William “Peanut” Ivan Grimes and Ruth Maxine Cox Grimes.

Military honors and memorial graveside services will be 2:00 P.M., Sunday, June 14, 2020 at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler, Missouri under direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555), Butler. Contributions to Henry County Democratic Club for an Al Grimes Scholarship may be sent to the chapel. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

With the restrictions on the number of people who can gather in one location, it's going to be difficult to bring our community together when a death occurs. Visitations and funerals are more than just ceremonies--they are avenues to bring family and friends together to support one another. If you know Al Grimes, a card or phone call to his family would go a long way in remembering him. If you don't have family addresses, feel free to mail notes or cards to us at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (1301 N. Orange St., Butler, MO 64730) and we will send to the family.

Obituary - Darlene McCoy

Darlene McCoy, age 91, Mound City, Kansas passed away on Wednesday, May 27, 2020. She was born on February 5, 1929 in Moran, Kansas the daughter of John F. and Ada L. Hibbs Brown. She was married to Raymond Ridge, to this union, four children were born. She later was united in marriage to William McCoy on June 18, 1973. He preceded her in death on October 13, 2014. She worked as a beauty operator. She was a member of the Friendly Circle Club. She enjoyed square dancing in the Country Ramblers and the Iza Stompers. 

Darlene was an avid Kansas City Chiefs Fan. She was also preceded in death by a sister Peggy Jo Eastland and her parents. Darlene is survived by two sons, Jim Ridge and wife Karen and Tom Ridge and wife Mary, three daughters, Linda Nation and husband Danny, Shirley Snyder and husband Merle, and Kerry McCoy, two stepsons, Steve and Charles McCoy, two sisters, Ruth Ann Kelley and Wanda Lee Smith, nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

Private family service will be live streamed 10 am Monday June 1, 2020. Graveside service will be held 11 am Monday at the Linville Cemetery. Darlene will lie in state Sunday May 31, 2020 from 12 noon to 4 pm at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory Mound City Chapel. Contributions are suggested to Integrity Hospice, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box J, Mound City, KS 66056.

Obituary - Rose Mary Pilcher

Rose Mary Pilcher, 65, Nevada, MO, passed away on May 26, 2020 at Nevada Regional Medical Center. She was born on January 5, 1955 in Kentucky to William Leon and Edna Lou (Greer) Neely. She married John Austin Pilcher on January 30, 1971 in Nevada and he preceded her in death on September 21, 2004.

Rose came to Nevada in the early 1970’s. She worked at the Nevada Habilitation Center and later Barone Alzhheimer’s Center until her retirement.

Survivors include her children, John Pilcher, Jr. and his wife Ronda, Deerfield, MO, and James Pilcher, Shawn Pilcher, Dallas Pilcher, and Charlotte Evans all of Nevada; 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; brother Bill Neely, Alabama; sister Sharon and her husband Don, Rogers, AR; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, John.

No services are planned. Following cremation the cremains will be interred in Milo Cemetery, Milo, MO.

Adrian woman injured in one vehicle accident on KK Highway

On 5/28/20 around 2:55pm the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Bates County along with Bates County Sheriff's Deputies, Adrian Fire Department and Bates County EMS responded to a one vehicle accident KK Highway north of 18 Highway east of Adrian.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the 2015 Ford driven by 68 year old Judy D. Francis of Adrian, Missouri struck a bump in the roadway and traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a mailbox.

Judy D. Francis sustained moderate injuries in this accident and she was transported by ambulance to Cass Regional Medical Center in Harrisonville for treatment.

The vehicle was towed from the scene of this accident by Adrian Tow.

Copyright Mid America Live News 

Details released for Appleton City graduation

Appleton City Baccalaureate and Graduation 2020

The Appleton City High School baccalaureate will be held Sunday, June 7th at 7:00 pm at the First Christian Church of Appleton City.  Each graduate will be allowed to bring 4 guests with them to this ceremony due to facility size and CDC guidelines regarding social distancing.

 The Appleton City High School graduation will be held June 21st at 7:00 pm on the high school football field. Each graduate will be given 10 tickets for their guests to present upon entrance to the ceremony.  This ticket will be required for admission to the ceremony. The graduates will be seated in the bleachers on the track in front of the press box. Spectators will need to bring their own chairs and spread out on the football field. All spectators are asked to follow CDC guidelines regarding social distancing at all times while on school property. Parking will be available behind the school (high school, middle school, and elementary lots) and the gravel lot on the west end of the high school.  Guests will enter the football field from the high school parking lot and follow the path marked in RED.  Handicap parking will be marked in the high school parking lot on the west side of the fence and the south side of the high school building.  ALL vehicles, ATV/UTV's, and golf carts are prohibited from entering the track/field area.

If the field is too wet for spectators, or if there is a high chance of rain during the ceremony, the decision to move to the alternative indoor plan will be made Saturday, June 20th by noon.  The alternate plan is as follows: Beginning at 7:00 pm, graduates will enter the gym through the south gym doors, in alphabetical order, in approximately 5-7 minute increments. Each graduate will be allowed to bring a maximum of 10 guests in with them. During that time, the graduate will walk onto the stage and receive their diploma. Family members will be able to take photographs at that time as well. Again we ask that families adhere to social distancing guidelines. Following the presentation of the diploma and pictures, the graduate and their family will immediately exit the gym through the east doors and exit the building through the south high school entrance. Any graduate that would like to watch their classmates receive their diplomas are welcome to, but MUST be seated in the gym NO LATER than 6:50 pm.  There will be no readmission of graduate once you leave the gym. 

Guests should not attend any of these events if they are ill.  Please remember to follow CDC guidelines regarding social distancing while attending these events.  We understand this may not be a traditional ceremony, but we do want to celebrate our graduates.  The graduation will be streamed LIVE on the school’s Facebook page the evening of graduation for those unable to attend and following the ceremony, there will be a parade processional through downtown. Graduates will be allowed to ride with their families, one per vehicle, unless the graduates are siblings. This will allow spectators to spread out along the parade route and honor our graduates. We are proud of our seniors and want them to have their special moments, but above all, the health and safety of our students and community is our number one priority. 

Graduation practice will be Friday June 19 at 10:00 AM. Graduates need to report to the football field area. Please remember to socially distance!

Obituary - Robert R. Farr

Robert R. "Bob" Farr, 92, passed away Friday, May 22, 2020 with his children by his side. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 28, 2020 at the Freeman Cemetery in Freeman, MO. Contributions may be made to the Harrisonville Golf Club (sand greens) in c/o the funeral home.

Bob was born in Freeman, Missouri on January 16, 1928. He was the son of James LeRoy Farr and Mary Amanda (Wilson) Farr. He was one of six children, Chrystal Hayes, Wilson (Dick) Farr, Don Farr, Charlene Atwater and Dale Farr. He graduated from Freeman High School in 1945 and joined the Navy. Memories of his travels across this country and sailing the seas on the USS Turner destroyer ship were treasured memories of his.

When Bob returned to Freeman from his time in the Navy, the love of his life, Maxine Richardson, was waiting for him. They married on November 28, 1948 at the First Christian Church in Harrisonville and started a nearly 72 year union that brought them 3 children, Debbee, Robert and Amy. He worked many years as a carpenter and built many of the homes in Raytown and Independence. Eventually, he started working at the Amoco Pipeline station in Freeman. He retired in 1990. Bob and Maxine lived in Freeman until moving to Harrisonville in 1985, and then to Raymore last year. His retirement years were filled with family time, bowling, and playing golf on the Harrisonville Sand Greens. He also continued to enjoy building projects and puttering in his shop. Bob was a member of the First Christian Church in Harrisonville.

Bob is survived by his wife, Maxine, and his children, Debbee (Dennis) Long, Peculiar, MO; Robert (Jacqueline) Farr, Warsaw, MO; and Amy (Craig) Newman, Harrisonville; 5 grandchildren, Brooke (Chad) Charpie, Christopher (Lindsay) Sturgeon, Tessa (Anthony) James, Lindsey (Ben) Adams, Michael (Sierra) Farr; 8 great-grandchildren, Ella Charpie, Cameron Charpie, Layden James, Kyser James, Easton Watson, Sophia Adams, Sybil Adams, and Olivia Farr. He is also survived by one brother, Dick (Mary Lou) Farr, Lee’s Summit, MO; and sisters-in-law, Joyce Farr Hart, Dickinson,TX and Donna Farr, Raymore, MO; many nieces and nephews and a lifetime of friends.

Flood warning in effect

Gradual flooding is possible in Bates County through Sunday evening.. Use caution and never drive through flood waters.

From the Butler Elementary School

Parents of Incoming Kindergarteners: Next week during screening, please plan to arrive at your screening time. We will only have the parents of the four students being screened inside the building filling out paperwork at a time. We ask that if it is possible, do not bring siblings to screening. 

Please wait outside or in your vehicle until it is time for your appointment. If you have any questions, please call the office at 660-679-6591. Thank you for your support!