Debra Coonce Miller, age 69 of Rich Hill

 Debra Coonce Miller, age 69 of Rich Hill, MO passed away July 31st at her home.

Graveside services and visitation will be held Wednesday, August 5th from 10-11:00 am at the Heuser Funeral Home with graveside services following in the Green Lawn Cemetery in Rich Hill.

Debra is survived by her children Shyla Coonce, Slade and Michelle Coonce, 3 sisters, 1 brother, 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Debra Miller Memorial Fund

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Joyce Keith, 90, of Rich Hill, MO

 Joyce Keith, 90 of Rich Hill, Missouri passed away Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at her home in Rich Hill.  Cremation, with private family services to be held.  Arrangements entrusted to Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009).  Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Joyce Lavern Rogers Keith was born March 9, 1936 in Current View, Missouri, the daughter of Roy and Ruby Maxine Stone Rogers.  She grew up and attended Current View schools graduating in 1954.  She lived in St. Peters, MO. for 50 years where she raised her two daughters, Mona and Kathy before moving to Rich Hill, MO where she had resided for 15 years.  Most of her life Joyce worked various jobs including a lot times work in factories.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents.  She is survived by her daughters, Kathy Keith of Rich Hill, MO., and Mona Keith of Hawk Point, MO.

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What's Up by LeRoy Cook

 Aviators avoided the scorching heat most of last week, preferring to have the plane back in the hangar by noon, when the ground temp topped 100 F. We found 80-degreea  flight at 4000 feet on Monday, but we couldn’t stay there because it was a training sortie and landing circuits were on the agenda. The welcome cooling over the weekend bode well for August flying.

 

Among the transient travelers were a nicely-restored 1947 Globe Swift, a Cessna Skylane and a Piper Archer.. Locally, the Koehn Skyhawk was out and I flew in a Cessna 182.

 

ere was some flying done last week, by getting out early. From the local hangars, Jim Ferguson had his Cessna Skylane up, Jeremie Platt flew his Grumman Tiger, Randy Miller exercised the club Skyhawk and Jon Laughlin came through with his Piper Cherokee 180C. The BCS AirTractor was out doing spraying early and late, and Chris Hall brought his Beech King Air E90 home from the shop.

 

We received word over the weekend of the passing of long-time pilot and Merwin resident Leslie “Buster” Chambers. I was proud to call Buster one of my pilot graduates, although he was mostly taught to fly by WW-II instructor Bob Leuthart. He’s now gone on to fly higher than ever. We’ll miss him here but hope to see him later on. At ease, Colonel Chambers.

 

Now that the FAA released the final guidelines for new aircraft certification under the MOSAIC rules, permitted in a new FAR Part 22, the first such airplanes are being delivered. The first one was turned over to its new owner at Oshkosh last week, a Van’s RV-12is that’s being put to work at a Tennessee flight school. Once known as light sport certification, MOSAIC replaces the LSA with no weight limitations, only stall speed limits. To move from Experimental to Part 22 certification, the RV-12 had to incorporate turnover structure, a canopy breaker and a standby alternator.

 

There continues to be confusion about the Sport Pilot rules, compared to Light Sport Aircraft certification, now replaced by MOSAIC. First, the pilot rules: There is a Sport Pilot license, that can be earned with lighter training requirements and no need for an FAA medical certificate. It allows the holder to fly aircraft meeting MOSAIC standards, including those already flying under earlier certifications. However, if a pilot already holds a higher grade of license (Private Pilot or higher), he or she can operate such aircraft as a Sport Pilot, under sport-pilot restrictions.

 

Now, the aircraft rules: What used to be Light Sport Airplanes, with a gross weight of 1320 pounds (600 kilograms) or less, are now covered by MOSAIC certification standards, set by ASTM consensus instead of FAA supervision. MOSAIC has no weight restriction, just low stall speed standards, and older aircraft certified under FAA Part 23 rules can also be flown by Sport Pilots or higher pilot certifications, as long as Sport Pilot restrictions are followed, such as one passenger only, with no more than four seats. But if you want to build and sell a new aircraft, you now have the choice of certifying it under Part 23 or the less-rigorous MOSAIC standards.

 

Companies from the third-world cheap-labor countries are salivating over the chance to make plastic planes powered by non-traditional engines, certified under MOSAIC, which they can sell to the gold-mine U.S. market. Problem is, by the time they get them equipped like American buyers want, the price climbs to $250,000 or more, so the envisioned sales aren’t there. We’d rather fix up good old used planes for less money.

 

From last week’s column, our question was “What’s the Republic/Fairchild A-10 attack plane’s official name?” As Dennis Jacobs knew, the old Warthog is officially the Thunderbolt II, named from Republic’s P-47 Thunderbolt fighter. For next week, what airline did Howard Hughes fly for in 1932? You can send your answers to [email protected].

-END-

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Butler Business of the Month

 

Hands-On Care for Our Community Families

What makes the Health Center so special is how deeply they care about our kids and families beyond clinic walls. They work year-round to keep our community safe, equipped, and supported through fantastic local programs:

• 🚗 Child Passenger Safety & Car Seat Classes: Certified technicians guide expectant moms and parents through proper car seat installation—providing free convertible seats and boosters to help keep our smallest neighbors safe on every drive.

• 🚲 Bike Safety & Helmets: Distributing helmets through local events to keep kids active and protected.

• 🎒 Back-to-School Support & Safe Sitter Training: Helping young students get ready for the school year and empowering youth ages 11–13 with essential babysitting, safety, and first-aid skills.

🌼 Core Services They Offer Every Day:

• 👶 WIC & Family Support: Nutrition guidance, health screenings, and healthy food support for growing families.

• 💉 Immunizations & Vaccines: Walk-in childhood and adult vaccinations keeping our community protected year-round.

• 🩺 Lab Screenings & Health Education: Accessible health monitoring and wellness guidance tailored for local groups and organizations.

• 📜 Vital Records: Quick, helpful assistance securing birth and death certificates.

📍 Visitor & Contact Information

• Location: 501 N. Orange St., Butler, MO

• Phone: (660) 679-6108

• Website: batescountyhealthcenter.org

• Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

  (Extended Hours: Open until 7:00 PM on the first Thursday of every month!)

Thank you to Administrator Missy Lancaster and the entire dedicated team at Bates County Health Center for over 50 years of keeping Bates County healthy, safe, and strong! 

Samantha Stump
Executive Director
Butler Area Chamber of Commerce

660-464-1339

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BCMH Photo Contest

 Show Us Bates County Photo Contest

Celebrating the Beauty of Bates County Through Photography

Bates County Memorial Hospital invites community members of all ages to help celebrate the beauty of Bates County through photography.

The Show Us Bates County Community Photo Contest will accept photo submissions from August 1 through August 31, 2026. Whether you're a student using a smartphone or a hobby photographer with a DSLR, we invite you to share your view of Bates County. Show us the landscapes, nature, and unique places that make our community special.

More than a photo contest, this project is an opportunity to celebrate the place we call home. Award-winning and selected photographs may become part of a lasting community collection displayed throughout Bates County Memorial Hospital and its clinics, helping create a welcoming environment for patients, visitors, and staff while showcasing the beauty of Bates County.

The contest is open to photographers of all ages and experience levels, and students are especially encouraged to participate. Whether you photograph with a smartphone, mirrorless camera, or DSLR, we welcome every perspective and every experience level.

Winning photographs will be announced following judging in early September. Finalists will also be displayed during the BCMH Health Fair on October 6, where community members can vote for a People's Choice Award. Selected photographs will later become part of the hospital's growing community collection as display spaces are prepared

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Health Foundation Scholarship Recipients

 Bates County Community Health Foundation Announces 2026-2027 Scholarship Recipients

 

Bates County Community Health Foundation (BCCHF) received an abundance of qualified applicants this year.  We are pleased to announce that the recipients of the 2026-2027 scholarships are Michale Ashberger, Valerie Craft, Emma McIntire, Mackenzie Shipley, Megan Switzer, and Piper Wiley.  The BCCHF scholarship is $1,000 ($500 per semester) and is awarded based on criteria established by BCCHF for Bates County residents pursuing a career in the healthcare field.

Michale Ashberger attends the Research College of Nursing in Kansas City, MO where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

Valerie Craft attends Research College of Nursing in Kansas City, MO where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.  

Emma McIntire will be attending Drury University in Springfield, MO where she is pursuing a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree.

Mackenzie Shipley works at Bates County Memorial Hospital attends Rockhurst University in Kansas City, MO where she is pursuing her Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree.

Megan Switzer works at Bates County Memorial Hospital and is attending Pittsburg State University Irene Ransom Bradley School of Nursing where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

Piper Wiley attends the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO where she is pursuing a degree in the Occupational Therapy Assistant-Baccalaureate program. 

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Sex Offender Arrest in Butler

On Tuesday, July 28th, 2026, Butler Police Officers received information that a registered sex offender had used Wal-mart’s address, 400 S. Fran, to fictitiously register. A short investigation verified that Larry Eyer, age 59, had indeed utilized Wal-mart’s address to register as a sex offender. 

Eyer was located and arrested a short time later and placed on 24 hour hold for failing to register as a sex offender.  A warrant was applied for and subsequently issued for Eyer’s arrest, with a bond of $4,500 cash or surety.  Eyer currently remains in custody.

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MInutes from the Bates County Commission meeting July 27th 2026

 Minutes from the Bates County Commission meeting July 27, 2026

The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

Chad Anderson, the Bates County Sheriff, came in and sat down with the Commission to discuss the Bates County Sheriff’s Audit. Chad told the Commission about the Task Force Grant that they could not apply for in time this year and said he would try again next year. He explained that the county has to maintain the SAMS website and hadn’t done that so they were not able to get that accomplished this year.

Chad then asked the Commission about the check for the Rodeo and if that was going to get approved. They informed him that the check was pulled to check minutes from last year. They found in the minutes that it had been voted on last year and now all they need to do now is write the check. He then informed them about funeral plans for one of his employees. Afterwards, two patrol cars will escort him to Ochelata, OK.

He spoke over an invoice that keeps getting kicked back dealing with Health and Wellness. He explained that they have an individual that his employees take classes from. She is a personal trainer that can do meals, body scan and set workouts and the class is done in the Bates County Sheriff's Office Gym. Any employee is welcome to join, and she also offered it to First Responders, which then made other names show up on the invoice. Chad told the Commission he doesn’t care who shows up, he just knows that his offices fee is $40.00 each session no matter how many people join. The issue is the multiple names showing up on her bill, so Chad is going to redo it and make it to where there is just a flat rate without names, so she doesn’t have to go back through her bill and take off names that aren’t employed with the Sheriff’s office. John mentioned that was what he understood of the situation, but it was brought to their attention. Chad then stated that he is not paying for everyone in the County.

Chad mentioned that he met up with Motorola, as Mark Alford's office has confirmed they are allocating money for the 911 system upgrade, and they are in high hopes that goes through with Congressional Funding. He also met with the radio consultant and could lock in prices and purchase new handheld radios for deputies. The old ones would then be donated to fire departments so they could talk on the system and have their own frequencies, but now he is second guessing this decision and has concerns since the audit. He stated he is no longer going to worry about other agencies. He also cannot lend Amsterdam their UTV’s to help with set up, but after reading the report, their job has nothing to do with Law Enforcement so he cannot loan them. He pointed out that this audit report will now be affecting more than just his agency, and the people that the Bates County Sheriff's Office would normally help because it was the right thing to do will now be affected. He then stated, with all this being said, he is immediately ceasing the 911 Addresses at the Sheriff's Office. He said for the record, “I am no longer doing someone else’s (expletive) just to be kicked in the (expletive).” He suggested the Assessor’s Office get someone trained because he will be redirecting everyone over to that office.

Surplus items will no longer be offered out to other departments. He stated he has been the Sheriff that tries to take care of everyone and that day has ended. He is taking accountability. He hopes that the whistleblowers are happy with themselves, that the people of surrounding towns will no longer get the things that could make their lives easier and for agencies that are less fortunate.

Trent asked if he would now only be able to help small town agencies, just not fire departments, and Chad said that was correct. He then stated that they will still respond to calls and assistance for help but anything they have that can be donated and would have been donated, will no longer be. He is concerned that after the audit, that could be another issue. It is surplus and there are laws that say that they must auction them off.

He mentioned that his office will be implementing 95% of the recommendations from the audit and mentioned, "If anyone talks to Greg Mullinax, I would like to have his badge and ID back. That is County property." John wondered how that even got into the audit but Chad stated he knew, but wasn't going to talk about it.

Chad then went over more of the audit and the recommendations and said they will be implementing the things that they already haven’t. He claimed that majority of the things in the audit have already been fixed. “Lesson learned” he said. He then told the Commission they should be concerned that they are trying to control the Bates County Sheriff’s Office spending and asked if the Commission had any plans for the reserve his office has built. Jim replied, telling Chad it would be up to him to decide what that money is spent on. Chad then asked Jim to say that again and said that in 2023 he received a letter from the Missouri Auditors saying there was a whistleblower complaint. He then brought up that there was a closed-door meeting with the Commissioners and the Coroner the day before he received that letter. He feels as if it’s hard for him to say that those four people aren’t involved in the complaint. He then explained that hearing Jim say that it was his money and to spend it was shocking, and Jim said he was just going off what Chad is saying, but John spoke up and said that Jim was not understanding Chad’s point.

Chad says that he is eager to work with the Commission to do things correctly but doesn’t expect a plan right now but wants to work towards one. He then stated that the only thing he really hasn’t implemented is the expenditure’s and what they are going to spend the money that Chad's Office worked so hard to build up. That money was for funds if the federal government were to ever shut down and they had to wait until the end of the year for a check. He then listed other offices within the county that has a “savings” for emergencies, but it's only an issue when Chad has one. Trent said he was all for Chad having money on hand for emergencies. John then stated he feels like Chad does a wonderful job, makes personal sacrifices, is involved in the Community, helps those in need, built up the Sheriff's office and doubled it, brought in new vehicles, gear to protect the officers and training to protect then during a mission. He sees hate and jealousy from the county and Elected Officials and feels as if the Sheriff's office is a target of that. Chad then asked John how long it has been since John asked the Auditors Office to release the Audit. John stated that he had been in touch with them multiple times and they had not followed through at all. John feels like this was a witch hunt and felt as if the auditors have told us and shown us who the whistleblowers are. John feels as if the auditors owe Chad an apology. Chad says he doesn’t expect one and thinks he will never get one, anyway. His main worry is doing what is right and fixing whatever issue is at hand.

He stated he is taking the audit seriously, even though he may joke.

Chad then mentioned that there will always be haters and pointed out that him and Jim have the same one right now.

Chad then said if the Commission is going to tell the Sheriff what he can and cannot spend then they might as well give the job to the Commission and let them deal with all the late-night calls and the things that come along with job.

John is appreciative that Chad is open and willing to change the things that need changing and assured him he was willing to work with him and does not have any intentions on taking back any money from him.

Chad then spoke to Jim specifically and asked about the rumor he was told, that Jim and the County Clerk called Ivan Schrader to ask how he could be removed based off this. He then informed Jim that even after learning that he would still never try and have Jim Wheatley removed from office and reminded him of a time when he stood up and said, “Let the voters hold people accountable.” Chad then stated that he would stand up today and say, “We are not going to spend the money to have Jim Wheatley removed, that’s up to the voters.” because that is the type of person he is. He then stated, “If I am removed from office for the good things I have done for the youth, because headlines read ‘wasteful spending’ like we were having frat parties with hookers and cocaine but in reality we are having dinners to honor men and women who put their lives on the line every day, I can go out knowing that I made a difference in my community and I will hold my head up high.” He feels as if this was fueled by a picture painted by elected officials who continue to fuel this and paint the picture. He says he is not mad at the auditor; he disagrees and knows that the voters will take care of what they want.

He also pointed out that for the 17 years that he has been Sheriff, every year his office has driven a high school student, sometimes multiple, to their prom. He explained that his children are also tax-paying Americans and just because his dad is the sheriff doesn’t mean they need to be excluded. “Will I do it again? No. Will I do it for other kids? Absolutely not.” John said he was sorry to hear that, but he understood.

He says that he wants to work together and move forward from here. He said he appreciated what the Commission does, Trent thanked Chad for what him and his employees do and John agreed and thanked Chad as well.

After the meeting with Chad, Jim asked Jami Page about the SAMS number not being renewed. Jami informed the Commission that she had renewed it in January of this year. Jami printed out the email that she had received from sam.gov and gave it to Jim, showing the SAMS number had been renewed and was active.

She then addressed Trent and John about the statement that Chad had made in his meeting with the Commission about her. Jami stated that she has never talked to Ivan Schrader about having Chad removed from Office and has never spoke to Ivan about any issues, as she has her own attorney. She stated that Jim might have contacted him, she did not. If Jim did, she was not involved in their conversation and had no knowledge of it happening. Jami then asked John if he was the one that had told Chad that because it wasn’t true and John did not think he did. John then stated that if he did then he had misspoken. (John made a revision stating "No I did not. I can honestly say I did not.")

Jim told John and Trent that he had not contacted anyone about having Chad removed. The only way an elected official can be removed is by the people voting them out of office or an investigation, charges filed and convicted.

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Demolitian Derby and Tractor Pull

 THE 2026 LINN COUNTY FAIR & RODEO, MOUND CITY, KS KICKS OFF WITH THE DEMOLITION DERBY SATURDAY, AUG 1^ST  7:30 PM FOLLOWED BY THE OUTLAW TRUCK & TRACTOR PULL SUNDAY, AUG 2^ND AT 7 PM. IT’S ALL PART OF THE TWO-DAY MOTOR SPORTS WEEKEND FOLLOWED BY THE PRCA FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AUG 7 & 8^TH. COMPLETE FAIR INFORMATION AT LINNCOUNTYFAIR. ORG, LINN COUNTY FAIR & RODEO ON FACEBOOK OR AT 92.1 NEWS NOW. SEE YOU AT THE ONLY KANSAS FAIR WITH A PRCA RODEO AND OUTLAW TRACTOR PULL. MOTORSPORTS WEEKEND AUGUST 1^ST AND 2^ND IN MOUND CITY KANSAS

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Message from Ellett Memorial to the public

 A message to the Community from the Ellett Memorial Hospital CEO:

In our rural community, we take care of one another. As your local hospital, we are deeply committed to the safety and well-being of every family we serve. Our district operates with one ambulance crew per shift, and our EMS team works around the clock to respond as quickly as possible when a call comes in. When our crew is already on a scene or transporting a patient, that ambulance is temporarily out of service. In those moments, one of our neighboring districts steps in through mutual aid. If you live outside our district as defined by the Missouri Board of EMS, we cannot come to get you unless it's through mutual aid, as required by Missouri law.

This can mean response times may be shorter or longer, depending on where the mutual aid crew is coming from. We want you to know this isn’t a lack of effort — it’s simply the reality of rural emergency care, and we are doing everything we can to minimize delays.

Our EMS team is trained not only to respond, but to guide you to the right care. If they determine that your situation requires a specialist or service we do not have onsite, they will direct you to the nearest hospital that can begin your treatment faster. Your health and safety always come first.

We are proud to serve this community. We are your neighbors, your friends, and your family — and we will always do our very best to be there when you need us.

Our EMS District Covers Portions of Three Counties. Ellett Memorial Hospital sits in Appleton City, which is positioned near the intersection of St. Clair, Henry, and Bates Counties. Rural EMS districts in this region typically cover portions of all three. St. Clair County is our primary county. Your ambulance district almost includes: Appleton City city limits, rural areas north, south, east, and west of town, County roads and farms extending several miles outward and the immediate Appleton City School and residential areas. Appleton City sits right on the Henry County line, so our EMS district typically covers residences just north of Appleton City, rural Henry County roads that are closer to our hospital than to Clinton and farms and homesteads that rely on Appleton City as their nearest EMS resource. We also border Bates County to the west. Rural EMS districts often extend into western rural areas near the Bates–St. Clair line, homes and farms closer to Appleton City than to Butler and shared mutual aid zones where dispatch chooses the closest available ambulance. 

Rural EMS districts are drawn based on proximity and response time, not strict county borders. Appleton City sits at a tri county junction, so your district naturally includes: the closest homes and farms in three counties, areas where your ambulance is the fastest responder and mutual aid zones where neighboring districts backfill when you’re out on a call. This is normal for rural Missouri EMS and is exactly how dispatch ensures families get the fastest possible help. If you need to call 911 in case of an emergency, it may be helpful to tell the dispatcher that you would like them to send Ellett Memorial Hospital Ambulance staff if that is what you want.

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Karen Gregory, 88 of Amsterdam

Karen Gregory, 88 of Amsterdam, Missouri passed away Sunday, July 26, 2026 at Medicalodges Butler, Butler, Missouri. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, July 31, 2026 in West Point Cemetery, Amsterdam, Missouri. Services under the direction of Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Memorial contributions may be made to West Point Cemetery c/o Mullinax Funeral Home. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Karen Alyce Boswell Gregory was born October 3, 1937 in LaCyne, Kansas, the daughter of Leonard and Maxine McClanahan Boswell. She was united in marriage to Willis "Pod" Gregory. They made their home in Amsterdam and three children were born to this union. Karen worked for many years as a cook at the Miami School and would occasionally drive a school bus.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, husband Pod Gregory, and daughter Jody Midkiff. She is survived by her sons, Clay Gregory, and Cole Gregory. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Stephanie Gadsby and husband Dusty, Chance Gregory, Casey Gregory, along with great-grandchildren, Brandi and Jessie Gadsby.

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Les “Buster” Chambers, age 90 of Amsterdam

Les “Buster” Chambers, age 90 of Amsterdam passed away Saturday, July 18 in St. Joseph. Graveside service and inurnment will be 10 a.m. Saturday, August 1, 2026 at West Point Cemetery, Amsterdam, Missouri. Gathering and lunch after the service will be held at Daily Objective Distillery in Amsterdam. Arrangements under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Contributions to West Point Cemetery. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Leslie Bartley (Buster) Chambers, 90, of Merwin, Missouri, passed away Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Field Pointe Assisted Living in St. Joseph, Missouri. He was born November 5, 1935, in Watonga, Oklahoma to A. Leslie and Virginia (Bartley) Chambers. In fourth grade, his family moved to the Brookside neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri.

Leslie graduated in 1953 from Southwest High School in Kansas City, then from the University of Missouri. He worked for the Columbia Police Department during his time there. Leslie was a studious man and led an adventurous life. He wanted to be a Highway Patrolman but became a Rancher when his father died unexpectedly. Leslie married Beverly Beadles in 1961 and they honeymooned in Steamboat Springs, Colorado before moving to Rocking Chair Ranch in Merwin. They had 3 daughters, Cyndy, Janet and Debbie.

In 1967 they moved to Ft. Carson, Colorado while his guard unit prepared to deploy to Vietnam. Leslie spent a year in Vietnam as the Field Artillery Unit Commander with the Service Battery, 7th Battalion, 13th Artillery. He documented his tour in letters he sent home and through hundreds of photos that he took. He returned to Merwin and a few years later (1973) accepted a full-time position with the Kansas National Guard in Hiawatha, Kansas as the 2nd Battalion Commanding Officer, 130th Field Artillery, 69th Infantry Brigade. Leslie retired from the military with 33 years service. Then in 1978, he bought a dry cleaning business and moved his family to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, an area he always enjoyed. After selling his business, Leslie worked operating big trucks and heavy equipment. In the summer of 1981, he joined the “Last Hope Alaska Partnership” and spent 6 weeks drilling for gold in the remote wilderness of the Stony River area of Alaska. He returned for another 6 weeks in Feb of 1982. Leslie kept a daily journal documenting their hardships and adventures. He went to work for TIC out of Steamboat Springs and spent the next 7 years roaming the remote areas of the Northwestern United States, hauling massive equipment to and from various mines and industrial sites. In 1989, after the birth of his first grandchild, he “retired” and moved back to Merwin where he ran the ranch until 2022 when he was moved to St. Joseph.

Throughout his life he loved flying his (small planes) Cessnas and being involved in anything aviation related. Early on, he was a member of a group called the Flying Farmers who traveled together around the U.S. Leslie attended many International Cessna 180 annual fly-ins. He was a member of the EAA and at one time was even building a Kit Fox. Leslie was a member of the Young Eagles, an organization that gave children the opportunity to experience flying in a small plane. He loved his flying buddies.

Leslie enjoyed fast motorcycles and fast cars in his single days. The family often went snow skiing, including many trips with the Shannon’s and the Fritz’s. He was an avid reader, enjoyed Hillbilly music, and explored every new technological gadget that came out, but wasn’t fond of Windows 11! He was an avid investor and could talk in great detail about the companies in his portfolio.

Leslie is survived by his children, Cyndy (Bob) Mahlandt, Janet (Don) Garnett and Debbie (Devin) Kanapilly; grandchildren, Cord Lane, Kelsey Mahlandt, Taylor (Erin) Mahlandt, Amanda and Elizabeth Kanapilly; a great-granddaughter, Ellery; and one cousin, Preston Chambers. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jim.

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Clayton Dale Nichols, age 81 of Butler

Clayton Dale Nichols, age 81 of Butler passed away Sunday, July 19 at his home. Funeral services will be 2:30 p.m. Friday, July 31, 2026 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation prior to services 1 - 2:30 p.m. Friday at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Bethany Mennonite Cemetery, Rich Hill, Missouri. Memorials are suggested to Gospel Tract and Bible Society or Good Shepherd Hospice in care of the funeral home. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Our father, grandfather, and great-grandfather Clayton Dale Nichols was born on September 24, 1944, in rural Haskell County, Kansas, to Noah and Frances Koehn Nichols. After a lengthy illness, he was granted his wish and peacefully passed away at his home on July 19, 2026, at the age of 81.

He was raised on the family farm in Haskell County and attended Lakeside Country School, just a half a mile down the road. He often told stories of finishing chores before school and then hurrying to make it there on time.

In June 1962, dad was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. Life had its struggles, but living a Christian life and reading the Bible were important to him. In June 1965, he went to Denver, Colorado, for 1-W service. Two weeks after arriving there he met our mother Judith Ann Quint (Judy) at the local A&W Drive-in. They were married on January 22, 1966, and shared 44 & 1/2 years together until mom was called home on Father's Day, June 20, 2010. Four children were born to this union.

In 1967, dad and mother moved to the Copeland, Kansas, area, where they began farming. He was a meticulous farmer and taught his children that if a job was worth doing, it was worth doing right. In 2007 after retiring and selling the farm, our parents moved to Wathena, Kansas. After mom passed away, he resided for two years at Grain Valley, Missouri and then in 2015 dad moved to Butler, Missouri, to be closer to his children. In the following years he drove taxi, volunteered at Bates County Hospital, and helped at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel. He enjoyed spending his retirement years helping others and making new friends.

Our dad never knew a stranger and genuinely enjoyed people. He loved doing tract work and connecting with others on a spiritual level. He also dearly loved his grandchildren, took interest in each of their lives, gave them plenty of attention, and enjoyed teasing them. His children and grandchildren will remember the many stories he told about his childhood and growing-up years, singing with him, his home cooked meals, and even his pies.

He is survived by one son, Gerald and wife Lois of Garden City, Kansas; three daughters, Kristi and husband Doug Penner of Swan River, Manitoba, Shelli and husband Daryl Koehn, and Sheri and husband Bryan Jackson of Rich Hill, Missouri; Twelve grandchildren, as Dad would say, "6 and a 1/2 dozen (6 of each flavor)": Jonathan Nichols, Jaylon Penner (Dana), Tyler Koehn (Maura), Dwonn Penner, Brandon Koehn, Kaden Koehn, Anda Nichols (Todd Koehn), Kaitlyn Penner (JoVan Friesen), Lindsey Koehn, Jayla, Makayla and Shayla Jackson; and two great-grandsons, Anthony and Colton Koehn.

He is also survived by his brothers Howard Nichols of Montezuma, Kansas; Milton Nichols (JoAnn) of Almena, Wisconsin; Chester Nichols (Connie) of Branson, Missouri; Lester Nichols (Sondra) of Canon City, Colorado; Milferd Nichols (Peggy) of Young Harris, Georgia; and Wilferd Nichols (Jackie) of Copeland, Kansas; his sisters Valetta Koehn of Sublette, Kansas; and Velda Wadel (Darrell) of Spavinaw, Oklahoma; one brother-in-law, Harold Quint of Thornton, Colorado; and two sisters-in-law, Delores Nichols, Montezuma, KS; and Cindy Quint of Commerce City, Colorado as well as special friends Henry & Ann Peters; & Ernie Koehn, Butler Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; his parents-in-law, Isidor and Jane Quint; one brother, Manford Nichols; one sister, Joyce Wiebe; three brothers-in-law John Koehn, Kenneth Wiebe, and Terry Quint. Three sisters-in-law Josie Nichols, Sandy Henderson, and Linda Quint.

Memorials are suggested to Gospel Tract and Bible Society or Good Shepherd Hospice in care of the funeral home.

The family wishes to thank everyone for their expressions of sympathy, prayers, and food. Special thanks to Henry & Ann Peters; and Ernie Koehn for your friendship, care, and concern for our dad over the last several years. We appreciate each and every one of you!

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Adrian Optimist Bingo Jackpots for Monday, Aug. 3rd

 Enjoy Monday Night Bingo weekly from the Optimist Building in Adrian. The doors open at 5pm with food and concession selections from the kitchen.

Bingo starts promptly at 7pm, so grab your friends and family and head to Adrian every Monday night for an evening of fun and excitement!

You must be 16 years old or older to play bingo.

This week’s jackpots for Monday night: 08-03-2026

Hot ball:   950.00

Blackout:  2550.00

King of Diamonds will pay: 6791.00

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Rainz Gerleman, 22 of Amsterdam

 Rainz Gerleman, 22 of Amsterdam, Missouri passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at his home in Amsterdam.  Memorial services will be held at 3:00 pm, Sunday, August 9, 2026 at the Amsterdam Baptist Church in Amsterdam.  Arrangements entrusted to Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel (816-657-4400).  Memorial contriutions may be made, in lieu of flowers, to Phoenix Home Health Care.  Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

 

Rainz Jaret Gerleman was born on August 27, 2003. He came into this world with a rare genetic disease, Non-Ketotic Hyperglycinemia, but that never stopped him from laughing and moving to the best of his ability. He enjoyed light displays, books being read to him & music. He often laughed with the angels only he could see, and we loved that most about him. Without ever using words, Rainz showed us how to truly care for others. He changed how we see the world and taught us what matters most.

 

On July 21, 2026, Rainz parted ways with his mortal body to be with his family in spirit. He can now run, talk, sing, and jump in heaven alongside our Almighty Jesus Christ. While we mourn his loss deeply, we comfort ourselves knowing how happy he is in heaven. Imagine how loud that beautiful laugh must have been when he realized he could finally walk. 

 

Rainz leaves behind his loving parents, Shane and Heidi; his brother, Chanz (Bree); his sisters, Seara and Reyo (Logan); and his nephew, Kaden. His lessons of love will stay with us forever. Fly high little bee.

 

“Though shall be perfect with the Lord thy God.” Deut. 18:13

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