Obituary - Donnie Joe Crusha

Donnie Joe Crusha, age 56, passed away peacefully at his home on October 14, 2026, leaving behind a profound legacy of service, dedication, and deep love for his family. Born on January 18, 1970, Donnie was the cherished son of the late Willie "Bill" and Eileen Crusha.

Donnie grew up in a bustling household as the proud oldest of six siblings: Wayne, Shawn, Gary, Kathy, and Amy. He attended school in Appleton City, Missouri, graduating with the Class of 1988. Following high school, Donnie answered the call to serve his country by joining the U.S. Army. Over a distinguished 17-year military career, he served three tours of duty and earned multiple commendations for his bravery and leadership, including the prestigious Bronze Star.

On September 23, 2010, Donnie married the love of his life, Angela, in Appleton City. Together, they shared 16 wonderful years of marriage. The couple later moved to Oklahoma, where they built a beautiful life filled with lasting, fond memories.

Donnie brought that same military work ethic to his civilian career, spending 15 years with Lugreg Trucking. He started out driving on the road and earned his way up to Yard Manager at the Marshall field. Known as a man who simply did whatever it took to get the job done. Donnie seamlessly wore many hats over the years-working as a truck pusher, salesman, driver, and dispatcher.

To know Donnie was to love him. He was a beloved friend to everyone he met and a foundational pillar for his family. He excelled at being a loving husband, father, uncle, and a doting grandfather ("Papa").

Donnie is survived by his beloved wife, Angela Crusha; his three children, Anthony (Jessica) Crusha, Willie(Jael) Crusha, and Aleshia (Anthony "Tony") Bunch; and his six treasured grandchildren, Sawyer, Maevis, Hazel, Louie, and Ophelia Crusha, and Addison and Evalynn Bunch. He also leaves behind all his brothers, sisters, and their spouses, alongside a large, loving network of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will miss his strength and warmth dearly.

Visitation for Donnie will be on Sunday, October 18, 2026 at Sanders Funeral Service Chapel from 1:30 pm-6:00 pm.

Funeral services were held October 19, 2026, at Sanders Funeral Service Chapel with burial at Appleton City Cemetery in Appleton City, Missouri, under the direction of Sanders Funeral Service.

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Obituary - Sonja Lee McLanahan

Sonja Lee McLanahan, 65, of Archie, Missouri, passed away surrounded by family on Sunday, October 18, 2026. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 23, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, https://American Cancer Society/.

Sonja was born on November 20, 1960, to James P. Willoughby and Freda (Anderson) Willoughby in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. On February 14, 1982, Sonja married the love of her life, Michael McLanahan. They shared 44 years of marriage, building a life centered around family and love.

Sonja spent her life helping others through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and Pathways Community Behavioral Healthcare. She later retired from Cass Regional Medical Center, where she worked as an Emergency Room admitting clerk.

She loved her family and friends and cherished spending days with her mom. Together, they loved watching game shows, Hallmark movies, and the Chiefs play football. Sonja was loved by many and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Sonja is preceded in death by her father, James P. Willoughby; her brother, Paul "Butch" Willoughby; her granddaughter, Evalynn Thiele; and her grandparents, aunts, and uncles. She is survived by her husband, Michael McLanahan; her mother, Freda Willoughby; her brother, James Willoughby; her daughters: Tousha Dillon (Chris) and Trisha Thiele (Louis); her son, Travis McLanahan (Kayla); her grandchildren: Zane (Shelby), Emma, Dakota (Brittany), Mason, Kolten, Lyle, Adalee, Aiden, Keagen, and Gracie; and her two great-grandchildren, Axel and Creed. She also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends who will cherish her memory.

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Archie music department well represented at West Central Honor Choir

Choir members Avery Brown and Kailee Ruby represented the Archie Music Department this weekend at the annual West Central 9/10th Grade Honor Choir in Oak Grove, MO. Outstanding choir students from all over the district met with their clinician, Dr. Jordan Cox, to rehearse his chosen musical repertoire themed around "light". These student musicians spent time growing as choral singers by experiencing high level musicianship and ended the day with a concert to showcase their hard work- Bravo, Avery and Kailee!

Courtesy Archie Schools


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MDC offers more information on Chronic Wasting Disease in deer

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a contagious, deadly brain disease of white-tailed deer and other members of the deer family, called cervids. The disease is caused by a misfolded protein and can be spread by direct contact between deer, when deer encounter the carcass of an infected deer, or when deer encounter the misfolded proteins shed in the environment (urine, feces, saliva) by an infected deer. Read more here https://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer/chronic-wasting-disease


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Upcoming Halloween Happenings

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Learn more about prussic acid poisoning

Recent rains may have greened up pastures, but they can also increase the risk of prussic acid poisoning in cattle and horses. Young regrowth of Johnsongrass and other sorghum species may contain dangerous levels of compounds that release prussic acid, especially after periods of drought followed by rainfall.

MU Extension specialists recommend avoiding grazing on these forages until plants reach about 24 inches tall and feeding hay or grain before turnout so hungry animals are less likely to consume large amounts of potentially toxic forage. Clinical signs can appear quickly and may include rapid breathing, muscle tremors, excessive salivation, staggering and collapse. If poisoning is suspected, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Get more info: https://brnw.ch/21x6vZF

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Unwanted drug take back coming to Nevada October 24th

On Saturday October 24th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Nevada Police Department in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

Bring your prescription drugs for disposal to the Nevada Police Department at 120 S. Ash Street in Nevada. Police personnel and volunteers will be stationed in the lobby for a convenient drive up and drop off option. Prescription drugs can also be dropped off at the permanent drop box in the lobby of the Nevada Police Department during regular business hours. These services are free and anonymous, no questions asked.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows year after year that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else’s medication being stolen from the home medicine cabinet.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 24th Take Back Day event, contact Lieutenant Williamson at the Nevada Police Department at 417-448-5100.

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Ellett Memorial recognizes Matthew Desbien

Please join us in wishing a very Happy Respiratory Care Week to Ellett Respiratory Therapists: Matt Desbien, Robert Marez, and Michael Nilbert

A respiratory therapist (RT) helps diagnose, treat and manage conditions that affect your lungs. They perform tests and evaluations, manage ventilators, administer oxygen and medication, and work alongside physicians and other healthcare providers to develop treatment plans to help restore or maintain lung and breathing function. They are an often overlooked, but nonetheless essential part of a patient's care team.

This Respiratory Care Week we also wanted to take a moment to spotlight Rural Sleep Solutions, who we partner with to provide our patients with in-hospital and at-home sleep studies. Thank you for partnering with us to help us provide diagnostic Sleep Studies to our rural community!

Courtesy Ellett Memorial Hospital

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