Obituary - Lester (Les) Loyd Unruh

Lester (Les) Loyd Unruh, 93, of Harrisonville, Missouri, died September 19 at Crown Care Center in Harrisonville MO.

He was born July 19, 1933, in Great Bend, Kansas. He was the second of three sons to Arline and Frances Unruh. He graduated from Great Bend High School in Great Bend, KS.

He married Carma L McClelland, a resident of Hutchinson, Kansas and had three children: Chyrell, Karen and Scott.

He was married to Bonnie Sprenz in 1988 of Kansas City, Missouri. They later moved to Harrisonville, Missouri.

Les served in the United States Naval Reserve & enjoyed a long career as a pastor, teacher and coach across a variety of settings and geographical areas.

After acquiring his ordination in the Nazarene Church, Les pastored several churches in Kansas. He was the paster at Minneapolis Church of the Nazarene in Minneapolis, KS. He also pastored the Church of the Nazarene in Kirwin, KS. He then began pastoring at the Lyons Church of the Nazarene in Lyons, KS while enrolling at Sterling College to complete his bachelor’s degree. While attending Sterling College, Les also played center on the football team and was selected as captain of the team.

After graduating from Sterling College, Les and his family moved to Emporia, Kansas where he began work on his master’s degree in education at Emporia State University. Upon graduating with his master’s degree, Les and his family moved to Phoenix, Arizona to begin his full-time coaching at teaching at Phoenix Christian High School. The family attended Maryvale Church of the Nazarene.

After one year in Phoenix (1966), Les moved his family to begin teaching and coaching at Bethany Nazarene College (now Southern Nazarene University) in Bethany, OK. Les was the head coach of the baseball team at BNC and also served as an assistant and interim head coach for the football team at Bethany High School.

Upon completing 3 years of work at BNC (1969), Les, took a position as teacher and Head Football Coach at Paradise Valley High School (PVHS) in Phoenix, AZ. He also assisted with the boys’ basketball, baseball and track programs at PVHS. Les also served at the Maryvale Church of the Nazarene as Associate Pastor.

In 1973 Les became the first Head Football Coach at Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, AZ. He taught history and social studies as well as establishing the football program at Chaparral.

Les returned to his Alma Mater in the summer of 1977 to be the Head Football Coach at Sterling College in Sterling, KS. After three years at Sterling College, he was hired as the Head Coach of the Wichita Flyers semi-professional football organization in Wichita, KS. He coached that team for two years.

In 1985 Les was appointed Head Football Coach at Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, KS. At Wyandotte, he also taught American History. He retired from teaching and coaching after 14 years with the Kansas City Kansas Public Schools.

Upon retirement from coaching, Les worked with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as a representative to high schools in the area to include Harrisonville High School.

Les served as the Board Secretary and Sunday School Teacher at the Harrisonville Church of the Nazarene for many years and up to his death.

He is preceded in death by his parents Arline Unruh and Frances Unruh. Also by his brother Ronald Unruh, Herbert (Herb) Unruh and infant child Curtis Alan Unruh.

He is survived by his wife Bonnie of Harrisonville, MO and his children, Chyrell Unruh of Fayetteville, AR, Karen Deal (Donald) of Bella Vista AR, and Scott Unruh (Nita) of Kearney, NE. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Patty Unruh of Lyons, KS as well as three step-sons Tom Sprenz of Las Vegas, NV, Mark Sprenz (Stacey) of NC, and Matt Sprenz (Susan) of Lee’s Summit, MO. His nephews Rodney McClelland & Roger McClelland, his nieces Linda Wilson (McClelland), Andrea Ingram (Unruh) & Mandy Unruh. Les had 9 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Funeral Service will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 25, 2026 at Harrisonville Church of the Nazarene, Harrisonville, Missouri with interment at Freeman Cemetery, Freeman, Missouri. 

Visitation will be held 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 25, 2026 at Harrisonville Church of the Nazarene, Harrisonville, Missouri. 

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Obituary - Judy Dianne Lacy

Judy Dianne Lacy, 83, of Adrian, MO, passed away on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at her home. A graveside memorial service will be held Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Crescent Hill Cemetery in Adrian, MO.

Judy Dianne Lacy was born November 15, 1942, to Albert Joe "Bud" Jilek and Henrietta Bell "Hank" (Martin) Jilek in Crystal Lake, Iowa. She was proud of her Crystal Lake roots and often reminisced about growing up near the lake, especially the beautiful scenery and the large catfish caught there. Judy attended high school in Adrian, Missouri, until her senior year, when her family moved to Rich Hill, where she graduated. Though she was saddened to leave Adrian, she eventually returned to the area and made her home west of town.

Judy married Bryan H. "Red" Lacy Jr. on May 16, 1966, in Harrisonville, Missouri, and they were blessed with two sons, Nathan and Jeff. She was a longtime bus driver for the Adrian School District and took great pride in caring for the children she transported. Judy loved horses, whether riding them in her younger years or taking care of her horses, especially Buttermilk. She had a gift for tending her vegetable and flower gardens. She also enjoyed bowling and, later in life, visiting the casino. After her years as a school bus driver, Judy continued working at Russ and Jeff's wedding venue, A Secret Garden.

Judy Dianne Lacy is preceded in death by her parents; siblings: Pete Jilek, Larry Jilek, Jeanette Woodall. She is survived by her husband, Bryan "Red" Lacy Jr.; sons: Nathan Lacy and Jeff Lacy, and his husband, Russ Lawrence; and nephews and nieces.

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Obituary - Patricia K. "Patty" Sutton

Patricia K. "Patty" Sutton, 77, of Butler, Missouri, passed away peacefully, Sunday, September 20, 2026, at her home in Butler. A graveside service will be held, 11:00 AM Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at the Freeman Cemetery, Freeman, MO.

Patty was born on July 12, 1949, in Harrisonville, MO, a daughter of William P. and Verna Mary (Carroll) Mills. She spent her early years in Archie, MO, and was a 1967 graduate of Archie High School. Patty was united in marriage to Dennis Sutton, January 25, 1969, at the United Methodist Church in Garden City, MO. They spent a few years in Harrisonville and have lived in Butler for thirty years.

Patty worked in food services at Harrisonville High School as a baker for twenty-five years, retiring in 2010. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Daugherty, MO.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Lamont Mills. Patty is survived by her husband, Dennis, Butler, MO; a son, Brian (Lois) Sutton, Archie, MO; a daughter, Christy (Kevin) Graves, Harrisonville, MO; her brother, Robert (Sheri) Mills, Tonganoxie, Kansas; four grandsons: Wyatt Sutton, Osawatomie, KS; Morgan (Aubree) Sutton, Fayetteville Arkansas; Cole (Ayden) Sutton, Columbia, MO; and Conner Graves, Harrisonville, MO; a granddaughter, Karsen Graves, Harrisonville, MO; and many other relatives and friends.

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Shots fired call ends with death, arrest made

Vernon County Sheriff's Office and Missouri Highway Patrol responded to a shots fired call in rule Milo Mo after a 911 call received on 9/20/2026 in the afternoon. After Deputies arrived on scene they discovered a deceased male and a severely injured male that was later transported via air flight. Joshua Janiszewski was arrested and placed on an investigative hold until formal charges were filed

Vernon County, Missouri — September 21, 2026 — Authorities have announced that Joshua Janiszewski has been charged in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation in Vernon County.

Janiszewski is currently facing the following charges:

Murder in the Second Degree — Class A Felony

Assault in the First Degree — Class A Felony

$500,000 Cash only bond

The case remains ongoing. Investigators and prosecutors continue to review evidence and information related to the incident, and additional charges may be filed as the investigation progresses.

All charges are allegations at this stage. Joshua Janiszewski is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Because the investigation and court proceedings are ongoing, no further details are being released at this time that could interfere with the investigation or legal process.

Additional information may be released as it becomes available.

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Reminder: 50th annual Amsterdam Jubilee this weekend

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Obituary - James “Ed” Harris

James “Ed” Harris, 86 of Drexel, Missouri passed away on September 19th, 2026. A visitation will be held Saturday, September 26, 2026 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel (816-657-4400). Funeral services will follow on Saturday at 2:00 pm, also at the funeral home with burial in Sharon Cemetery, Drexel. Memorial contributions may be made to the Drexel Public School Foundation. Messages of condolence may be left for family and friends at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Ed was born in Amsterdam, New York on August 4th, 1940 to Chester Clay and Frances Bolling Harris. The Harris family moved to Drexel when he was 14 months old. He grew up with two older sisters and one brother He was often spoiled rotten by his sister Lucille and often had great sibling fights with his other sister Renee. This however did not keep them from all being close and getting together every chance they could. Getting together often meant an aggressive game of Wahoo, where Lucille and Ed would whip up on you. Ed could roll six’s back-to-back, often being accused of having loaded the dice.

Ed grew up in Drexel and graduated from Drexel High School in 1955. He was drafted into the US Army in May of 1963, and stationed in Fort Leonard Wood, where he was discharged with a honorable medical discharge. Ed never classified himself as a veteran because he felt like he didn’t serve his country to the level that others had. He said others gave their life and you can’t compare that to what I did.

Ed worked at a glass company and shortly after almost cutting off his fingers, and standing up Kay for their first date, he was united in marriage to Katherine Louise Cummins on September 24th 1965. They made their long-term home in Drexel where they raised two children, Jim and Sheryl. Ed spent many years at the Drexel Elevator going through three ownerships. He drove a bulk truck and semi-truck for the majority of those years. Ed retired in 2013 from the elevator after making long-term friendships with many people along the way.

Ed was blessed with five grandsons, Stephan Ogden, Christopher Harris, Ethan Harris, Andrew Gilbert, and Adam Gilbert. He received an extra blessing when he was blessed with three great-granddaughters; Brylynn, Maelynn and Blakely.

Ed was proceeded in death by his wife Kay Harris, parents; Chester and Frances Harris, and his brother Windy Harris.

He is survived by his son Jim Harris, daughter Sheryl (Darrell) Gilbert, sisters, Dorothy “Lucille” Tucker, Renee Cooper, and sisters-in-law Rosalee Demott and Sue (Rick) Neubauerand along with grandsons; Stephan Ogden, Andrew (Britney) Gilbert, Christiopher Harris, Adam (Makenna) Gilbert, Ethan Harris. As well as his great-granddaughters; Brylynn, Maelynn and Blakely and many nieces and nephews that he adored.

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2nd annual Celebration of Whistles now in the books

EAR PLUGS REQUIRED On Saturday the second annual Celebration of Whistles was held at Frontier Village in Adrian featuring a wide variety of the steam powered sounders.

A special thank-you goes to David Vandeberg for running the South Prairie Railroad, also Jim Petty for running the Sawmill and all the crew for all their help setting this up and making it happen.

Thanks to the enthusiasm of this event, there will be a 3RD Annual Celebration of Whistles next year!

Courtesy WMATAMA

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Rich Hill remains under boil advisory until further notice

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