Doris J. Brewster
Nov. 6, 1960 – March 27, 2021
Doris Jean Brewster, 60, Oak Grove, formerly of Raymore, died March 27 at her home in Oak Grove. Doris was born Nov. 6, 1960, in Kansas City, the daughter of Eugene Arthur and Betty Jo (Smith) Derby.
Doris was a 1978 graduate of Raymore-Peculiar High School and had lived in Cass County most of her life until moving to Oak Grove last year.
Doris was a registered nurse and received her Associate Degree in Nursing from Penn Valley Community College in Kansas City. She had worked at St. Luke’s Hospital and Research Medical Center before her retirement.
She married Darrel B. Brewster Feb. 9, 1984, in Cass County.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Darrel, Sept. 2, 2019.
She is survived by a son, Jacob and Katrina Brewster, Raymore; a daughter, Jessica Estes, Oak Grove; two brothers, Greg Derby, Peculiar, and Fred Derby, Bolivar; a sister, Denise Williamson, Kingsville; and three grandchildren, Drake, Evelyn and Bentley.
No services are scheduled at this time.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Kenny L. Butler
Oct. 21, 1950 – March 26, 2021
Kenny L. Butler, 70, Harrisonville, died March 26 at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas. Kenny was born Oct. 21, 1950, in Cushing, Oklahoma, the son of Leroy and Dolores June (Kendall) Butler.
The family lived in Cushing before moving to Harrisonville in 1961. After graduating from Harrisonville High School in 1968, Kenny attended State Fair Community College, Sedalia, on a basketball scholarship.
He married Georgann Nicholls Nov. 22, 1970, in Harrisonville. Kenny worked for Kansas Power & Light in the gas meter department until his retirement in 1987.
Along with his father and brother, he formed Butler Farms and ran the farm for a number of years. Kenny was a fireman, an EMT and served on the board of directors for Central Cass Fire Department 38 years before his retirement in January 2021.
He was a member of the Harrisonville First Baptist Church.
Kenny was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Georgann, Oct. 8, 2019; and a daughter, Michelle Renee, Aug. 25, 1972.
He is survived by a son, Justin and Jennifer Butler, a daughter, Heather Butler, a brother, Larry and Abbie Butler, a sister, Lanita and Danny Myler, all of Harrisonville; and six grandchildren, Kelly, Dakota, Venessa, Gage, Wyatt and Lukas Butler.
Funeral services were April 2 at the First Baptist Church in Harrisonville with burial in Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Harrisonville First Baptist Church.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Carol J. Campbell
Nov. 15, 1939 – March 25, 2021
Carol J. Campbell, 81, Peculiar, died March 25 at the Kansas City Hospice House, Kansas City. Carol was born in Kirkwood, Illinois, Nov. 15, 1939, the daughter of Roy L. Campbell and Mable J. (Hickok) Campbell.
After graduating high school, Carol attended Galesburg Cottage Hospital School of Nursing. For more than 40 years, Carol worked as a registered nurse in Galesburg. As a woman of faith, she was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church in Galesburg, Illinois, for many years and was an active participant in the Hilltoppers.
She enjoyed working in her backyard garden and will always be remembered for making strawberry jam each year for her family.
Carol is now reunited with her parents, Roy L. and Mable J. Campbell.
She leaves behind her two brothers, Franklin L. Campbell and Shirley and William Dale Campbell and Judy; sister, Janet Reagor and Tom; three nieces, Shiri Wikstrom and Jason, Nancy Bartlett and Mark and Jennifer Hunt and Jay; a nephew, Steve Reagor; and several great nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Hilltoppers at Bethel Baptist Church, 1196 N. Academy St., Galesburg, IL 61401 or the Alzheimer’s Association P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.
A graveside service was April 8 in Center Grove Cemetery in Kirkwood, Illinois.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore.
John W. Freeman, Jr.
March 27, 1946 – March 27, 2021
John W. Freeman, Jr., 75, Gardner, Kansas, died March 27 at his home in Gardner. John William Freeman, Jr., was born March 27, 1946, in Poplar Bluff, the son of John W., Sr., and Mary Entemann Freeman.
The family moved from Winona to Hardin and he attended and graduated school from Hardin. John enlisted in the United States Air Force before his high school graduation and started basic training in December 1964. John did a tour in Vietnam during his first four-year tour.
John and family saw tours from Germany, Las Vegas, California to Hawaii, eventually moving to the Drexel area to be closer to family.
John enjoyed fishing, golfing and traveling in the RV.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John William Freeman and Mary Entemann Freeman; and his sister, Ernie Joann Shideler.
Surviving are John’s wife of 51 years, Judith Shideler Brocker, Freeman; stepson Raymond Brocker; and son, John M. Freeman; along with many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were April 2 at Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel Chapel. Cremation followed the services. Memorial contributions may be made to Wayside Waifs.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler.
Kevin L. Morris
May 14, 1934 – March 27, 2021
Kevin L. Morris was born May 14, 1934, at the Ross family farm south of Creighton. He died March 27 surrounded by his family in his home south of Creighton. He was 86 years old.
Kevin moved to Venice, California, at the age of 7, where his dad was a welder for Douglas Aircraft during the war. They moved back to the family farm in Creighton after the war.
Kevin went to Creighton High School where he was an avid basketball player.
He graduated in 1953. Kevin married Wanda Jo Nay Nov. 27, 1955. He was a member of the Creighton Baptist Church.
Kevin was drafted into the Army on March 11, 1957. While in the Army, he drove a tank. He was honorably discharged Feb. 28, 1963. Kevin and Wanda then purchased part of the family farm.
He was blessed with four wonderful children, Barbara, Beverly, Russell and John.
Kevin was a cattleman and a farmer. He owned and operated Morris Trucking. He hauled water and he hauled livestock to the Kansas City Stockyards until they shut down, then he hauled to and from local sale barns until he retired in 2011.
Kevin was always up for a game of burn out in the yard, or always happy to help catch a horse for the kids. For many years, he hauled horses for the Creighton Wrangler’s Saddle Club to the American Royal parade.
He loved watching Barbara and the high school boys play basketball. Kevin enjoyed being in the hayfield with the boys during hay season and liked mowing pasture as late as last October.
He was married to Mary Helms in 1983 and to that union he gained three more daughters, Jan, Susie and Dorothy. He was loved by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Kevin was preceded in death by his parents, Russell H. and Naomi Morris; two brothers J.L. and Keith; and a baby sister, Imogene.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, of the home; his children, Barbara Morris, Tampa, Florida; Beverly Cline, Pleasant Hill; Russell Morris, John and Joni Morris and Jan Helms, all of Creighton; Susie and Nick Saubers, Adrian, Dorothy Hankins, Butler; a sister, Colleen Branum, Lee’s Summit; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Wadesburg Cemetery, Creighton, in care of the Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, MO 64701.
A private family graveside service with military honors was held.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Max D. Overbey
Dec. 3, 1963 – March 27, 2021
Max Douglas Overbey was born Dec. 3, 1963, in Clinton, the youngest son of Max Eugene and Glenna Jean Overbey.
He attended school in Harrisonville where he graduated in 1981. Doug enjoyed sports including hunting, fishing, swimming and water skiing. He really loved the outdoors and spent many happy hours with his cousins on their family farm near Mound City, Kansas.
At a very young age, he met and married Kelly Ann and joined the United States Army. After he was discharged, he began working for Calmar Industrial Corporation in Lee’s Summit and enrolled in night school at Longview Community College, majoring in the field of electronics.
Doug later joined the family business and was in charge of maintenance and repair of housing units. He was highly skilled in most technical areas and did precision finish work.
His biker name was given to him at a very young age by his big brother who nicknamed him Buzzard. The moniker stuck. Buddies near and far knew him as Buzzard and he usually introduced himself to new peers that way.
Throughout his life, Doug was family oriented and enjoyed spending time with his brothers, who were his best buddies.
He was always fascinated by the idea of owning, building and riding motorcycles. He was injured in a previous motorcycle accident in 1992, where he lost his left knee joint, crushed his left hand and injured his back. However, he continued to be determined to rebuild his bike and get into the wind.
He was the proud father of twins, Frank Douglas Overbey, Grain Valley, and Jessica Sue Overbey, Archie.
Doug met his dearest friend and companion, Darla Sue Worsley, in 2016 and together they began their quest for knowledge and salvation through Bible study each morning at home and became members of the Life Church in Lee’s Summit for Sunday worship.
Doug was a dedicated Christian who always tried to help others in need, often at the expense of his own well being. Where many rescued stray dogs and cats, Doug rescued wandering, needy souls.
He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his father, Max Eugene Overbey; and his brother, Dennis Ray Overbey.
Doug is survived by his children, Frank and Jessica; his significant other, Darla Sue Worsley, of the home; his mother, Glenna Jean Overbey, Harrisonville; two brothers, Michael Eugene Overbey, Urich, and Robert Glenn Overbey and wife, Cheryl, of Wichita, Kansas; nieces, Amanda Jean Owsley, Harrisonville, and Rachael Lynn Nam, Adrian; nephews, Michael Kristopher Overbey and Sean Eugene Overbey, both of Urich, and Daniel Eugene Overbey, Harrisonville; aunts, Margaret Ann Kerns, Urich, Bobby Jean Bohannon, Harrisonville, Louise Mae Overbey, Kansas City, and Theresa Josephine Cipolla, Odessa; and a host of cousins and dear friends.
Funeral services were April 1 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, with burial in the Urich Cemetery, Urich.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Lillian I. Strack
Feb. 18, 1926 – March 31, 2021
Lillian Irene (Pollien) Strack was born Feb. 18, 1926, in Lincoln County, the daughter of Fred Gottlief Pollien and Lydia Wilhelmena (Sanker) Pollien.
The family briefly moved to a farm near Angola, Kansas, where her sister, Dorothy, was born. After returning to the farm in Lincoln County three more sisters, Helen, Ida Mae and Anna Marie were born. Lillian was a second mother to her sisters.
She taught herself how to sew and made dresses for the family from feed sacks. Lillian helped her father in the fields and with the livestock. They survived the years of the Depression and the droughts.
Lillian attended eight years at Schroer School, the local one-room school. She always regretted not being able to attend high school. Lillian obtained her GED in her 40s.
Leroy William Strack and Lillian were married Aug. 23, 1946. They had met at a dance at the Schuetzen grounds. Leroy courted her braving dirt roads and creek crossings.
They had three children, Fred Louis, Marie Lydia and Larry Leroy. They lived in Warrenton until moving to a Lincoln County farm in 1957.
Lillian was a loving mother who made each birthday special by making two decorated birthday cakes. She sewed lovely dresses. Lillian was a hardworking farm wife with garden produce to can and strawberries to freeze.
Lillian was a 4-H leader for many years and led varied projects. She served on the boards of both Strack Church (Harmonie) Cemetery and the Steinhagen Cemetery located in rural Warren County.
Leroy and Lillian moved to Harrisonville in 1992 to be near their children and grandsons. The family enjoyed many dinners together relishing her delicious food. She often treated her family to her special homemade cinnamon rolls.
Pinochle games were the focus of many family evenings. Lillian enjoyed attending the grandchildren’s activities. She enjoyed sewing and gardening.
Lillian and Leroy joined the Harrisonville United Methodist Church. She was an active member of the United Methodist Women. She organized the lap robe project for many years and volunteered at the rummage sales and annual ham and bean dinner. Lillian baked many pies for church events and potlucks. She received the Outstanding Methodist Woman Award in 1996. She also was a member of several extension clubs.
Lillian stayed active with daily walks and water aerobics until she was 93. She did her own yard work and planted flowers and vegetables.
Time with family was treasured. She used email and Facebook to stay in touch with family and friends.
She moved to Benton House in April 2019, enjoying their many activities until COVID. Lillian died March 31 at Crown Care, Harrisonville.
Lillian was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy; son, Fred; son-in-law, Jim Vallee; parents, Fred and Lydia Pollien; sisters, Dorothy Herzberg, Ida Mae Gerding, Anna Marie Warner; brothers-in-law, Eddy Lester, Ralph Gerding, Harold Warner, William Fischer; and sister-in-law, Esther (Strack) Fischer; parents-in-law; Louis and Alma Strack; two nieces, Jeanette Van Beek and Debbie Herzberg; all her aunts and uncles and many cousins.
Lillian is survived by a sister, Helen Lester, Troy; two children, Marie Vallee and Larry Strack and wife, Dorothy, all of Harrisonville; three grandsons, David Vallee, Ken Vallee and wife Kourtney, and Keith Strack and wife Erin; and three great-grandchildren, Isaac, Felicity and Autumn Strack; many nieces and nephew and numerous friends.
The family wishes to thank Crown Care and St. Croix Hospice for their care during her final weeks.
Donations can be made to the American Heart Association or the Harrisonville United Methodist Women.
Graveside services were April 5 at Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Charlotte A. Tillett
April 1, 1934 – March 24, 2021
Charlotte Ann Tillett, 78, Blairstown, died March 24 at her home.
Charlotte was born in the St Louis area. In her early years, she and her sister spent much time with their great-grandparents in Bonne Terre.
The family eventually moved to the Kansas City area. She graduated from Ruskin High School and went on to cosmetology college for two years, obtaining her beautician’s license. She cut hair the rest of her life, but that wasn’t her chosen career.
She worked many jobs, including factory and laborer and she loved the time spent working at a battered women’s shelter. However, she eventually discovered driving for senior citizens and special needs and that was the work she loved.
She was always one to give and never met a stranger. She always enjoyed driving and being on the go. She worked hard and loved hard. She was outspoken and funny and had the strength of a warrior, before it was cool.
She was a gifted and self-taught artist, pianist and she loved animals. She always had many pets and sometimes of all kinds. She enjoyed fishing and being outdoors.
She married a few times before she met Leroy. They married in July 1982, joining their two big families into one huge family. She loved them all unconditionally, as well as the many children she adopted in her heart along the way. She touched so many lives in so many ways and will be dearly missed.
She was preceded in death by her mother Clementine and stepfather, Artie Foster; and her father, Lawrence Edmund Pierce; a sister, Angela Reimen; a brother, James Foster; a son, Robert Tillett; a daughter, Roberta Jo Sipple; and a grandson, Christopher Sidwell; and many other loved ones and pets.
She is survived by her husband, Leroy Tillett, of the home; her children, Angela Rose Sidwell and husband Tony, Garden City, Joseph Robert Sipple, Blairstown, Richard Tillett and wife Michelle, Cleveland, William Sipple, Tipton, Robert Sipple and wife Shelly, Harrisonville, Michael Don Sipple, Blairstown, Daniel Tillett and wife Cathy, Belton, David John Tillett, Harrisonville, Ronnie Tillett and wife Amanda, Cape Girardeau, Damon Tillett, Miami, Oklahoma; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a sister, Stephanie Davies and husband Steve, Denver, Colorado; a brother, Tyra Pierce and wife Kristine, Springfield; other relatives and many friends and the pets she loved so much. Scrappy was always at her side.
Cremation. A celebration of life visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m., April 10 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
The family suggests memorial contributions to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and may be left at or sent to the Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, MO 64701.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Donald Vanskike
Feb. 29, 1936 – March 26, 2021
Donald “Doe” Vanskike, 85, Shelbyville, died March 26 at Salt River Community Care, Shelbina. Doe was born Feb. 29, 1936, in Shelbyville the son of Rufus Carson and Virginia Lee (Wilcox) Vanskike.
He married Nancy Mae Buckman May 22, 1954, in Shelbina. Doe enjoyed spending time with his coffee crew and bench buddies in Bethel.
He was a heavy equipment operator and hobby farmer and loved listening to country music and reading. In his younger years, he enjoyed coon hunting with his friends.
Most of all, he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Nancy on March 23, 2020; two brothers, James Paul and Charles Eugene Vanskike; and a sister, Barbara Mae Vanskike.
He is survived by his three children, Donald E Vanskike, Longview Texas,Peggy Vanskike Helt and Ronnie, Harrisonville, and Michael Vanskike and Amy, Shelbyville; six grandchildren, Ben Helt and Sarah, Raytown, Sarah McDowell and Sam, Harrisonville, Stephanie Magruder and Brent, Smithville, and Dandy Vanskike, Rowdy Vanskike and Mackenzie Vanskike and Adam Dodd, all of Shelbyville; seven great-grandchildren, Zane Helt, Brody Helt, Savannah Helt, Ava Helt, Kooper Magruder, Karter Magruder and Spencer McDowell; and many special nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews.
Funeral services were March 30 at the Greening-Eagan-Hayes Funeral Home, Shelbina. Burial followed the funeral service at the Bethel Zion Cemetery, near Bethel.
Memorials can be made to the Bethel Zion Cemetery.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Greening-Eagan-Hayes Funeral Home, Shelbina.
Theresa M. Friederich
June 29, 1957 – March 28, 2021
Theresa Friederich, 63, Butler, died March 28 at Bates County Memorial Hospital, Butler, after a hard fought battle with cancer. Theresa Mae Friederich was born June 29, 1957, in Harrisonville, the daughter of Jim and Faye Osborn Beebe.
She grew up in Adrian and graduated from Adrian High School in 1976.
She met her former husband, Jeff Friederich, in Butler. Two children were born to this union, James and Tricia.
Theresa enjoyed life and being a military spouse she had the opportunity to travel the world with her family. The family eventually settled in Butler in 1997.
She then joined the team at Bates County Memorial Hospital, where she worked for 17 years before retiring in 2020.
Theresa loved to watch movies and play games with family, but her greatest joy in life was her grandchildren. She never missed an opportunity to make no-bake cookies either with them or for them.
Theresa was preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her daughter, Tricia Cook and husband Daniel, and son, James Friederich and wife Staci; grandchildren, Daniel and Hope Morris, Ally and Olivia Cook, Grace Friederich and Spencer Cook; four sisters, Cheryl Beebe-Snell, Brenda Beebe, Lori Bezdek and Jamie Scrogham; nieces, Sasha Snell and Kimberly Bezdek, a nephew Zachary Scrogham and their families.
Memorial services were April 3 at the Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler.
