Obituary - Jack Cherry

Jack Holden Cherry, 91, passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at The Manor at Elfindale in Springfield, MO.

Graveside services will be at 3:00p.m., Friday, June 26, 2026, at Newton Burial Park, Nevada, MO.

Additional family information will be announced by Ferry Funeral Home.

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Obituary - Carolyn Jean (Claxton) Snyder

Carolyn Jean (Claxton) Snyder, 82, former teacher in the Nevada R-5 School District, passed away on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at Addington Place of Shoal Creek in Kansas City, MO. Carolyn was born on April 9, 1944, in Lebanon, MO to Bud and Alice (Barkley) Claxton. She married James E. “Jim” Snyder and he preceded her in death on June 11, 2025.

No services are planned at this time, courtesy Ferry Funeral Home

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Obituary - Craig Alan Wood

Craig Alan Wood, age 74, Pleasanton, Kansas passed away Thursday, June 18, 2026. He was born on June 20, 1951 in Fort Scott, Kansas the son of Virgil Leon "Ab" and Delma Dorene (Brown) Wood. He graduated from Prescott High School in the Class of 1969. He served in the Army National Guard and worked his way up to sergeant while also earning medals for marksmanship. Craig was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Linda Earnest on July 31, 1971at the United Methodist Church in Prescott, Kansas. Craig worked for Foote Construction and later purchased the company which built many bridges and structures across Linn County. In retirement, Craig ran the Jayhawk Greenhouse and refurbished furniture for the 517 Vintage shop. You could often find him with a Diet Coke in hand at garage sales and flea markets across the county. Family was the number one priority with Craig. He enjoyed spending time with his three daughters and teaching his girls and grandchildren about the hobbies he loved including fishing, hunting, woodworking, gardening, and antiquing. He has also enjoyed watching his grandchildren’s sporting events and music programs. On occasion, he even showed off the Wood family basketball skills to his grandkids. He was ornery in a good sort of way - always teasing, presenting his grandkids with “special” gifts, and getting a laugh out of everyone he knew. He also enjoyed his morning routine of meeting with the guys at PDQ in Prescott. Family reunions, horseshoes, card playing, and game nights are always a part of Wood family fun. Craig was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Leland and Kenny Wood, and a great granddaughter, Parker. Craig is survived by his wife of nearly fifty-five years, Linda, three daughters, Christy Nickelson and husband Chris, Melayna Johnson and husband Raymond, and Jamie Hall, two brothers, Dave Wood and wife Deb, and Kevin Wood and wife Kathy, a sister, Carol Majors and husband Bruce, two sister in laws, Mary Wood and Vicki Wood, ten grandchildren, Whitney, Zach, Madisyn, Dylan, Tucker, Baylee, Caden, Lilly, Landyn, and Mariah, and three great grandchildren, Owen, Karter, and Hannah. With hard work and a kind, gentle spirit, Craig Wood built a life devoted to his family and community. He will be greatly missed.

Funeral service will be 10 am Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at the Schneider Funeral Home, Pleasanton Chapel. Burial in Littell Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm Monday, June 22 at the Pleasanton Chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Diabetes Association. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

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Obituary - Sharion Uvonne Gillespie

Sharion Uvonne Gillespie, age 89, Pleasanton, Kansas passed away Wednesday, June 17, 2026. She was born on February 2, 1937 in Forest City, Missouri the daughter of Lawrence and Bertha Spiegel Baker. She lived in Forest City until age five. The family then moved to Bethany, Missouri until her senior year of high school. The family made their way to Ridgeway, Missouri where she graduated from Ridgeway High School in the Class of 1956. Sharion was a cheerleader, played in band, and was class president. Sharion was united in marriage to her childhood sweetheart, Darryl Gillespie, in October of 1956. They were blessed with three boys. She very much enjoyed watching two of her boys and a grandson race on the dirt track. She loved the outdoors and fishing with Darryl. Sharion was a member of the Pleasanton Presbyterian Church and volunteered at Concern Inc., where her friendly personality shown through. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Darryl, and two sons, Roy and Darryl. Sharion is survived by her son Donald "Butch" Gillespie, grandchildren, great grandchildren, extended family and friends.

Funeral service will be 11 am Monday, June 22, 2026 at the Pleasanton Presbyterian Church. Burial will be in the Pleasanton Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm Sunday, June 21 at the Schneider Funeral Home Pleasanton Chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to Concern Inc. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

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Obituary - Jesse Conner

Jesse Conner age 73 of Urich, Missouri departed this life Friday, June 19, 2026 at his home in Urich, Missouri.

Visitation will be held 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.

Funeral Service will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri with interment at Garden City Cemetery, Garden City, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the family to pay for funeral expenses. Donations can be sent through Cash App with the ID $JesseConnerMemorial or mailed to Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.

A complete obituary will be posted once that information becomes available.

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Obituary - Johnnie Rice

Johnnie Rice, 74 of Butler, Missouri passed away Thursday, June 18, 2026 at Butler Care Center in Butler.  Funeral arrangements are pending at this time.  Services under the direction of Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009).  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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McGennis Youth Center receives special grant

We are excited to announce that The Mary A. McGennis Agriculture Park & Youth Center has been awarded a $6,100 grant from the Missouri Humanities Council for the project, Living History & Learning: Interpreting Rural Heritage.

This project will help preserve and share the rich history of our center and community through:
• New interpretive signage at the historic schoolhouse and chapel
• Immersive “Day in the Life” living history experiences during our Annual BBQ and a new spring event
• Accessibility enhancements to improve visitor access and engagement

The Missouri Humanities Council is the only statewide agency dedicated exclusively to humanities education for Missourians of all ages and has served as Missouri’s affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities since 1971.

We are grateful for this investment in preserving local history and creating meaningful educational experiences for future generations.

For more information about the grants program of the Missouri Humanities Council, call 314/781-9660 or 800/357-0909 or email clarice@mohumanities.org

Courtesy McGennis Youth Center


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America's 250th: Highlights from Old Settler's Day in Butler

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