Obituary - Ellen Kathryn Talley

 

Ellen Kathryn Talley, 95, of Nevada, MO, passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at Moore-Few Care Center.   Kathryn was born on August 13, 1931, in Aurora, MO to Herman and Ella (Sullivan) Carl.  She married Norman Talley in Aurora, MO on April 1, 1950.  He preceded her in death in 2023.

    Kathryn was raised on a farm near Crane, MO.   She graduated from Crane High School in 1949.  In 1962, she and Norman moved to Nevada, MO from Arkansas where he worked for the railroad.  Primarily a homemaker and after raising her family, she worked for Nelly Don/Junior House, retiring when they closed.   She was a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church.

    Kathryn is survived by her children, Aletta Borders (Jim), and Dennis Talley (Della), all of Nevada, MO; eight grandchildren, Andrea Pyle (Jonathan), Randy Borders (Katrina), Tyler Borders (Jill), Scott Borders (Kristy), Kyle Talley, Ryan Talley (Kellie), Seth Talley, and Rachelle Renwick (Ryan); thirty great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and numerous nieces and nephews.   She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman; three sisters; and four brothers.

    Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 19, 2026, at Calvary Baptist Church, Nevada, with Pastor Terry Mosher officiating.  Interment in Moore Cemetery will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Calvary Baptist Church are suggested and can be made in care of Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

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Obituary - Terry James Highley

Terry James Highley 82, was born in 1944 to William James and Uva Mae (Dade) Highley at Butler, MO.

Terry attended several rural schools in Bates and Cass Counties as his parents moved for jobs. He graduated eighth grade at Hickory Grove School, rural Archie, MO., Attended Archie High School graduating in 1962.

He worked at Limpus Quarry for a short time. Farmed with his dad, and summer hay jobs. Got married to Lela Gilmore of East Lynne at Gunn City, MO. on 4-5, 1964, Then he started working at Anaconda Wire and Cable in Harrisonville, MO. in January of 1965, because of a baby was on the way, needed insurance. Anaconda closed after 23 years. He took a part-time job at Archie, MO. with no insurance, wife nagged him to get a better job. He then applied at Sioux Chief at Peculiar, MO. He worked as a Machinist for 15 years. As he got closer to retirement he cut down to 4 days a week then 3 days, he really didn’t want to work out, just farm. He raised hogs and had cattle.

In 1965 Ronald James was born. In 1969, Melanie DeAnn was added to the family. Our family was complete for 15 years until Randy Lee surprised them in 1979.

Terry was a prankster and liked to play jokes on everyone. Sometimes if people didn’t know him, very well the jokes backfired.

Terry liked to horseshoe pitch; bowl; golf once in a while. He attended two World Horseshoe tournaments. For our 50th Anniversary in 2014. Ron; Victoria and little Warren took us in (our truck and camper) to New York. Ron paid Terry entry fee to pitch, my gift was to see Niagara Falls and get drenched with the rest with very COLD water. At the World Tournaments in 2015 in Topeka, Kansas, 4 generations of his family pitched, Terry; Ron, Granddaughter Paige and great grandson Warren.

Several summers were spend in Colorado high country trails with friends and almost relatives on 4-wheelers. Terry guessed we did about 600 miles there over the years. Terry was baptized on 31st of August of 2010 in very cold pool of water on a mountain top, get this, called Lost Canyon, by Pastor Larry Hess of Everett Church. God thought it was about time for this. He lit the sky up with beautiful blue and pick colors, tried to capture a picture, but this was between him and God.

Terry leaves behind his wife, Lela of 62 years; son Ron; daughter Melanie. Losing Randy Lee in 2022. Also, three Daughters-in-law Victoria; Lindsey and Cari. One Son-in-law Stacy Troby. 5 granddaughters, 4 grandsons; 4 great-grandsons and 7 great-granddaughters.

Terry’s greatest fun was making trouble, not forgotten!!

A celebration of Life will be held 5:00 p.m. Saturday, October 17, 2026 at Lake Agnes, 307 Highway, Harrisonville, MO 64701. Signs will be posted at the lake for directions. The family suggests to bring a lawn chair, a side dish, Iced tea, and bottles of water no alcohol. If it is raining or too muddy the celebration of life will be held at Everett Church, Archie, MO.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Western Missouri Antique Tractors & Machinery Association and send in care to P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701. 

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Adrian Junior breaks 2,000 assists

Adrian Junior Grace Engeman was recognized at last night's game for 2000 assists in volleyball!

That’s a big accomplishment Grace, congratulations!

Left to right: Mia Russell, Grace Engeman, Danica Mizell.

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Killin' it in Butler volleyball

Congratulations to Butler High School seniors Kylee Dubray and Tandee Hiser for their milestone accomplishments. Last week, Kylee tallied her 1000th career kill and 1000th career dig; Tandee tallied her 1500th career kill.

Well done, ladies!


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String of Vernon county burglaries result in arrests

An investigation by the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office into a series of burglaries and attempted burglaries at the Fraternal Order of the Eagles near El Dorado Springs has resulted in charges against Brenton Lee Kafer

Between April 22 and September 9, 2026, the Eagles Lodge experienced four burglaries and two attempted burglaries. During the completed burglaries, forced entry was made into the building, and cash was reported stolen.

During the September 9th incident, deputies conducting surveillance encountered a suspect on the property. The suspect fled on foot after being ordered to stop, leaving burglary tools behind.

Deputy Tabitha Nance, Deputy Frank Brumfield, and the Midwest Missouri Career Criminal & Drug Task Force (MMCCDTF) assisted with the investigation.

The MMCCDTF is a cooperative effort among the Sheriff’s Offices of Bates, Barton, Cedar, Dade, Henry, St. Clair, and Vernon Counties. By combining personnel, resources, and intelligence, these agencies work together to combat career criminals and illegal drug activity throughout West Central Missouri.

On October 14, 2026, the Honorable Judge Jacob Dawson issued an arrest warrant charging Kafer with six counts of second-degree burglary, four counts of stealing $750 or more, and two counts of second-degree property damage.

The warrant was served in Lawrence County. Judge Dawson ordered Kafer held without bond.

The investigation remains ongoing. Additional charges may follow, and information developed during this investigation may help solve other cases.

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A beautiful day at the Papinville picnic

Families of the Papinville Historical and Cemetery Association founders pay tribute

 

L-R, front row: Evan Swarnes, Lorrie Swarnes, Gracelea Swarnes, Alisa Swarnes, Marilyn Hay & Baelynn Hay; Middle row: Angela Stangel, Alaina Greer, Paula (Stangel), Robert Swarnes, Montana Stangel, Eric Hay. Back row: Matt Johnson, Tesah Swarnes, Little Ron Gilkey, Daniel Salazar, Leon Crockett (Arleta Stangel) and John Swarnes

It was a great day at the Papinville picnic. It sprinkled a few times, but the event went on with a lot of people having fun.

There was a lot of good food, great auctions, games, contests, wagon rides, music and the children enjoying the big inflatable slide.

The association put on a great event and they all worked hard to make the event successful. The following people helped to make this years event the biggest one yet. Angela Stangel, Alisa Swarnes, Trent and Janet Nelson, Lori Stewart and Kevin Colborn, John and Phyllis Stewart, Elvin and Brenda Henley, Bob and Lorrie Swarnes, Roc and Zack Marquardt, Dave and April Stewart, John and Connie Coffman, Jeff Watts, Beverly Sullins, Kathy Heuser, Arthur Stewart, Carrie Klinksick, Jeff Miller ( for the wagon rides), music entertainment by Kent Paige, face painting by Meghann  Case and for all the helpers who helped with games and serving food. A thank you to the pie contest judges Sandy Hendren, Barrett Case and Kim Jacobs and to   Tom Altinburg for the Papinville Bridge painting that was auctioned. Roc Marquardt was the high bidder. Thanks goes to Phyllis Stewart for the quilt (Winner Christy Jones) and for the history stories in Mid America and Butler Radio Station. We thank the business people and individuals that donated items for the silent auction and live auction. There were 130 items  in the silent auction to bid on. Thanks to the bakers who baked pies for the pie auction, cakes for the cake walk and dinner table. We appreciated the donations you gave for the dinner. 

If you enjoyed the Papinville Picnic tell someone from the organization. We hope you will come back next year. The following are the results from the contests:

Coloring contest; 2-5 years : 1st place Sam Salazar, 2nd place Keleigh Sales:  6-10 years : 1st place Gracelea Swarnes, 2nd place Liam Greer:  11-15 years : 1st place Baelynn Hay, 2nd place Guage Fisher

Pie contest: Juniors 15 and younger:  1st place Gracelea Swarnes(Strawberry and Rhubarb): 2nd place Clayanna Johnson (Pineapple)

Adults 16 and older: 1st Place Alisa Swarnes (Cinnamon roll apple): 2nd place Montana Stangel (Apple)

A honor ceremony was held to honor the only surviving board member  ( Bob Swarnes), who got the Papinville Historical and Cemetery Association started in 1989. The other board members  honored were Paul and Jerry Stangle family, Harold and Shorty Klinksick  family and Ron Gilkey  Sr. family.  

Until next year have a wonderful year and thank you for your support helping to keep the history of this community alive.     

 Submitted by Phyllis Stewart

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Huckster's Day forecast looks promising

Forecasters say rain will move out by tomorrow, leaving a cool, sunny, Fall-like weekend ahead. See you at Huckster's Day on Saturday in Butler!

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Obituary - Bill Isenhower

Bill Isenhower, 93, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2026.

When he was 12 or 13 years old, his family moved to Louisburg, Kansas, to the Kay Ranch, where they lived and worked together. The values of hard work, perseverance, and community that he learned there would guide him throughout his life.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Vern and Verbal Isenhower; his brother, Herbert Isenhower; and his beloved wife, Marlene Isenhower. He is survived by his loving daughter, Marla (Dedrick) Anderson; his sisters, Shirley Picek, Sue Knecht, and Betty Zeigler (Dennis); and many extended family members, dear friends, and loved ones.

Bill lived a life defined by hard work, service, and connection with others. Over the years, he farmed, raised horses, worked as an auctioneer, sold real estate, and retired from Delco. He and Marlene enjoyed years of traveling the country in their RV. Bill always remained active, continuing to sell RVs right up until the end. He was also a lifelong musician who found great joy in sharing music with those around him.

In June 1955, Bill married Marlene. Together they built a life anchored in faith, family, and commitment, sharing 60 wonderful years of marriage before her passing in 2015. To know Bill was to know someone who never met a stranger. He seemed to know people everywhere he went, and everywhere he went, people knew him. His warm smile, easy conversation, and genuine interest in others made lasting impressions and lifelong friendships. He was deeply loved by his family and touched countless lives through his work(s), his music, and his kindness.

Above all, Bill was an amazing father to his daughter, Marla. He was a source of unwavering love, encouragement, wisdom, and support throughout her life. The bond they shared was one of his greatest blessings and one of the treasures he leaves behind. Bill's legacy lives on through the family he loved, the friendships he cherished, and the many lives he touched. He will be remembered for his generous spirit, musical talent, and the genuine care he showed to everyone he met.

Graveside service will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at the Hillsdale Cemetery. Celebration of life and lunch will follow at the Hillsdale Presbyterian Church. 

Family and friends are invited to gather, share memories, and celebrate a life well lived. Bill will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved him.

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

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