Obituary - Jo Ann Wilson

Jo Ann Wilson, 91 of Butler, Missouri passed away Saturday, July 26, 2025 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. A visitation will be held from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Friday, August 1, 2025 at Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Funeral services will follow on Friday at 2:00 pm, also at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Newton Burial Park Cemetery, Nevada, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Butler Public Library or Adrian Optimist. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com

Jo Ann Underwood Wilson was born May 1, 1934 in Nevada, Missouri. The daughter of Ernest and Violet Raines Underwood. She grew up in the Nevada area and graduated from Nevada High School. Jo Ann was united in marriage to H. De. Wilson in 1951. Together they moved to Harrisonville, Missouri, then to Butler, Missouri in 1966 for H. De’s work.

During Jo Ann’s years in Butler, she worked in the Butler school cafeteria, Montgomery Wards, and became the manager of Bowen’s Hallmark when it opened in 1979 until 1994. Many people that couldn’t remember her name affectionately referred to her as one of the “Hallmark ladies”.

H. De. and Jo Ann retired in 1994 and were able to fulfill their life-long wish to travel. They took numerous trips to Las Vegas and visited many of the states, but Jo Ann said she would never go to Hawaii because she was afraid to fly over water. Over the last 15 years or so, they stayed in Gulf Shores as “Snow Birds”. That way they were able to be close to their youngest daughter and grandchildren who all lived nearby. Many happy memories were made over the years. Jo Ann and H. De. both enjoyed taking bus trips to casinos and hardly ever missed a Monday night Bingo in Adrian.

Jo Ann was preceded in death by her parents, husband H. De. Wilson and daughter Tonia Wilson Miller. She is survived by daughters Teresa Wilson of Butler, MO., and Tamara Deardorff and husband Rich of Gulf Shores, AL. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Mike Miller and wife Emily, Jennifer Hays and husband Steve, Samantha Dixon, Lauren Zarate and husband Donnie, along with seven great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Obituary - Donna Marie Wheeler

Donna Marie Wheeler, the only child of Dolphus and Dorcus (nee Fancher) Wheeler was born on December 11, 1937, in Berryville, Arkansas. Of humble roots and an ill mother, she became a caretaker early in her life, and continued to share her warmth by taking care of and relishing in feeding emotionally and with food everyone in her life.

She began working as a soda jerk at 16 and held various service and administrative positions before retiring as an administrative assistant from the Paola Middle School after 26 years in 1998. She probably applied bandages to half the students matriculating to PMS between 1972 and 1998.

She loved reading books, magazines, and anything she could get her hands on, including cookbooks and recipes found in the Miami County Republic. Those around her benefitted from her interest in trying new recipes. She filled the deck with flowers every spring and spent the summers watering and talking to the flowers. She had a soft spot for dogs and cats, who quickly identified her as their source for extra treats. With her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren all playing various sports, her beautiful white hair could often be seen in the stands or on the sidelines.

She was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church in Denver, Colorado, in 1961, and has been an active member of the First Lutheran Church in Paola, Kansas, since the mid-1960s. She continued to believe and find comfort in the church through the Sunday before she died.

She was loved by John H. Brandt of Paola for 70 years. They began dating at 16 and were then married for 66 years. Together they traveled and worked in several states before settling in Paola and eventually moving to the family farm.

She was also loved by her children, Kerry and Carole Brandt of Paola, Jerry and Marsha Brandt of Paola, and Randy and Catherine Brandt of Nixa, Missouri.

She developed a special bond with each of her grandchildren, Alicia (nee Brandt) Martin, Shawn Brandt, Hank Brandt, Katie Brandt, Caleb Brandt, Daniel Brandt, and Abbie (nee Brandt) Roesler.

And the great grand children (Jeremy Brandt, Alex Brandt, Gunnar Martin, Silas Martin, and Hadley Brandt) always brought new smiles and laughter to her.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025, beginning at 10 am and a memorial service to follow beginning at 11 am and the First Lutheran Church of Paola.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Lutheran Church of Paola or to the Miami County Cancer Foundation c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary-Paola Chapel 305 N. Pearl St. Paola, KS 66071.

MU Extension offering family centered online workshop

 

Join the Building Strong Families virtual program running Aug. 7 – Sept. 11 for valuable info to help you strengthen communication, manage stress, boost your child’s self-esteem and more!

Learn practical skills

Improve family communication

Build resilience

Just $40 per person or $60 per couple

Wednesdays & Thursdays | 6 – 8 p.m.

Virtual – Join from anywhere!

Register today: https://brnw.ch/21wUtMg

Obituary - Timothy Dale Payne

Tim D. Payne, 68, of Harrisonville, Missouri passed away Saturday, July 26, 2025 at his home in Harrisonville. A memorial visitation will be held from 2:00-3:00 PM, with family remarks at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville. A full obituary will be added when it becomes available.

Obituary - Barbara Crawford

Funeral services for Barbara Crawford of Amsterdam, Missouri will be 11 a.m. Friday, August 1, 2025 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri.  Visitation prior to services 10 - 11 a.m. at the Schowengerdt Chapel.  Burial in Mulberry Cemetery, Amoret, MO. Contributions to Mulberry Cemetery or Heartland Hospice.  Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Barbara Crawford, age 77 of Amsterdam, Missouri died Friday July 25, 2025 at her home.  She was born April 20, 1948 to George Albert and Ada Shaw Miller in Butler, Missouri.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Dennis Crawford of Amsterdam, Missouri; three sons, Brian Crawford and wife Shannon of Amsterdam, Missouri, Kevin Crawford and wife Crystal of Rio Rancho, New Mexico and Dustin Crawford and wife Ruth of Amoret, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Jaclyn Wingate and husband Adam, Luke Crawford, Devin Byrd and wife Cassie, Amber Crawford, Zachary Crawford, John Crawford and wife Angeleea and Tyler Crawford; and two great-grandchildren, Blair Wingate and Brynlea Rose Crawford.  Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; George and Ada Miller; one sister, Carol Sue; one half brother; and one half sister.

Hey kids!

 

Harrisonville's Jason Dieckhoff earns Distinguished Service award

 

Congratulations to Cass Career Center’s own Mr. Jason Dieckhoff!

Over the weekend Mr. Dieckhoff was honored as one of only nine recipients of the Distinguished Service Award from the Missouri Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association. His dedication to agriculture education, his students, and the Harrisonville community is truly inspiring. We’re so proud to see his hard work and service recognized at the state level

Courtesy Cass Career Center

Miami County Fair Royalty

 

Thank you to all contestants!

Congratulations to Queen Shelby Hatcher, Princess Aliyah Lester and Sweetheart Adaline Weir