Rickie Lee Bales
Oct. 16, 1954 – Jan. 14, 2019
Rickie Lee Bales was born Oct. 16, 1954, in Independence, and died Jan. 14 at his home in Harrisonville at the age of 64 years, 2 months and 29 days.
He was the son of Donald Lee and Dorothea A. (Mayabb) Bales.
Rickie spent most of his life in Holden, graduating from Holden High School in 1972. Two years ago, he moved to Harrisonville to make his home.
Rickie worked as an over-the-road truck driver for many years. In recent years, following in the footsteps of his father, Rickie owned a woodworking shop where he created beautiful wooden bowls and other wood products.
Rickie loved the majesty of nature and anything to do with the outdoors. He had a gift for bonding with animals of all kinds, especially owls. In his spare time, he loved to fish.
Rickie was preceded in death by his father, Donald Lee Bales.
He is survived by two sons, Tyrel Bales and Talon Bales, both of Odessa; a daughter, Trisha Smith, Holden; his mother, Dorothea (Mayabb) Stephens and husband, Louis, Harrisonville; a brother, Terry Don Bales and wife, Judy, Springfield; four grandchildren; and other relatives and many friends.
Cremation has been accorded. A celebration of life service was Jan. 23 at the Wallace Funeral Home, Pleasant Hill. Inurnment will be at a later date.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Wallace Funeral Home in Pleasant Hill.
Robert “Bob” H. Downing
Jan. 9, 2019
Robert “Bob” H. Downing, 76, Harrisonville, formally of Clinton, died Jan. 9 at St. Luke’s Hospice House.
Bob was born in Clinton, the son of Timothy and Dollie (Taylor) Downing. He graduated from Clinton High School.
Bob married Kay Garrett June 15, 1968, and to this union two sons were born. Bob worked as a meat cutter at Safeway in Clinton until it closed and then worked in the city until he retired. He was a member of UFCW No. 2.
Bob is survived by his sons, Rob (Shannon) Downing and Todd (Gayle) Downing; grandchildren, Madison and Abigail; brothers, A.J. Downing and Bill (Karen) Downing; sister, Bonnie Long; brother-in-law, Donnie Bradshaw; and nieces and nephews and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Kay; a brother, Calvin Downing; and a sister, Hazel Bradshaw.
Funeral services were Jan. 14 at Consalus Funeral Home, Clinton, followed by interment at Englewood Cemetery, Clinton.
Condolences may be left online at www.ConsalusFuneralHome.com.
Billy “Butch” James Morgan, Jr.
Aug. 7, 1976 – Jan. 4, 2019
Billy “Butch” James Morgan, Jr., Harrisonville, was born Aug. 7, 1976, in Kansas City, the son of Billy James Morgan, Sr., and Mary Ann Tucker. He died Jan. 4 at his home at the age of 42 years, 4 months and 8 days.
Butch was employed as a cook for several restaurants in the area, including Halfway Restaurant and Allie’s Sports Bar and Grill. He loved to collect and sharpen knives and swords and loved to shoot pool.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather and his paternal grandparents.
Butch is survived by a son, Tristan James Morgan, Cuba; his mother, Mary Tucker, Garden City; his father, Billy J. Morgan, Sr., Harrisonville; a brother, James Marshall Morgan, Garden City; a sister, Jamie Yoder and husband, David, Harrisonville; his maternal grandmother, Roselee Tucker, Seattle, Washington; and other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were Jan. 14 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, with cremation to follow the service.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Robert L. “Bob” Lewis
Nov. 10, 1924 – Jan. 7, 2019
Robert L. “Bob” Lewis, 94, Butler, died Jan. 7 at his home in Butler. He was born Nov. 10, 1924, in Amsterdam, to Abram Henry and Ethel Eliza Bell Lewis.
Bob, one of five children, grew up in Amsterdam and moved to Butler at the age of six. He graduated from Butler High School in 1942. Bob served his country during World War II in the United States Navy aboard the USS Ringness, a destroyer escort in the Pacific Theater. On Feb. 16, 1952, he was married to Mary Mae Epperson, and to this union four children were born.
In his early years, Bob raised dairy cattle on a dairy farm. In 1960, Bob was elected Recorder of Deeds and served in that position until 1995, when he retired.
After retirement, Bob raised Missouri Foxtrotter horses. His memberships included American Legion Post No. 6, VFW, Elks Lodge 2653 and the Missouri Foxtrotter Association.
Bob enjoyed farming, hunting, shooting pool, raising horses and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Michael Lewis in 1998; one brother, A.H. “Buddy” Lewis; and two sisters, Frances Tucker and husband, Tommy, and Eileen Smithey and husband, Homer.
Bob is survived by his wife, Mary Mae Lewis, Butler; one son, Steve Lewis and wife, Julie, Butler; two daughters, Lee Ann Kershner and husband, Randy, and Carol Platt and husband ,Jim, all of Butler; one brother, Dee Lewis and wife, Donna, Marshfield; six grandchildren, Abe Lewis and wife, Heather, Harrisonville, Will Lewis and wife, Trista, Hartzburg, Nicole Kershner and friend, Garry Helms, Blue Springs, Travis Kershner and wife, Jessica, Butler, Jeremie Platt and wife, Natalea, Rich Hill, and Jamie Jennings and husband, Adam, Warrensburg; and 11 great-grandchildren, Cody, Layton, Nealy, Violet, Moriah, Rory, Devin, Maggie, Aralyn, Mavora and Tucker.
Graveside services were Jan. 13 at the Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler.