Obituaries

Dawn R. Beasley
Aug. 15, 1940 – Sept. 11, 2021

Dawn Rose Beasley, Creighton, was born Aug. 15, 1940, in Clinton, the daughter of John and Thelma (Pinkston) Hamilton. She died Sept. 11 at the Crown Care Center, Harrisonville, at the age of 81 years and 27 days.

On Aug. 18, 1958, Dawn married Carl Eugene Beasley in Urich. Dawn owned and operated The Sherwood Free Press for many years.

She was a member of the Creighton United Methodist Church and a former Cub Scout leader. Dawn enjoyed butterflies, collecting dolls, taking pictures, drawing, painting and writing poetry.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Catherine Pinaire; a brother, John Hamilton; two sisters, Lucinda Rogers and Mary Robbins.

Dawn is survived by her husband, Carl Beasley, of the home; three sons, Carl Beasley, Jr., and wife, Susan, Creighton, Dennis Beasley and wife, Stacy, Garden City, and David Beasley and wife, Mechelle, Creighton; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Cremation. A private family inurnment will be at the Pitts Chapel Cemetery, Harrisonville.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.

John D. Crabtree
July 9, 1968 – Sept. 10, 2021

John David Crabtree, 53, Peculiar, died Sept. 10 at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, surrounded by his family and his closest friends.

David was born in Kansas City July 9, 1968, the son of Terry E. Crabtree and Norma R. (Stephens) Crabtree.

After graduating from Ray-Pec High School, David chose to attend UCM, Warrensburg, where he studied criminal justice.

After college, David began an enterprising career with Crabtree-Harmon Corp, eventually venturing into his proudest career accomplishment when he began Crabtree Transportation. Here David not only built a solid company and career, but a lifetime of friendships with employees that respected and loved him.

He married Becky J. Harrison Sept. 28, 1996. Together they began building their loving home where they were blessed with three children, Brooke, Grace and Cole.

Thus began David’s journey into coaching football and softball and being a hands-on rodeo dad. His ability to deliver a well-timed “rub some dirt on it” was known far and wide.

These activities were intermingled with serving on the Ray-Pec School Board and the Country Club Bank Board of Directors, all the while never forgetting to find time for riding horses and making a valiant effort on the golf course.

David did not live a charmed life, instead, he charmed life. He did so with humor, sarcasm, a magical laugh and an endless supply of dad jokes.

David had a Christian heart and used it to gift the world with an abundance of love. We know Dave’s love for life and everyone around him was his key for success. He showed everyone what a kind heart truly is.

David his survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Becky Crabtree; two daughters, Brooke Crabtree and Grace Crabtree; a son, Cole Crabtree; a sister, Donna Trusk and Tim; and parents, Terry and Norma Crabtree; and a never ending disgruntlement over having come in in second place in the Mr. RPHS contest despite his stellar performance. This will surely live well beyond time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Missouri Special Olympics, to honor David’s love for children with special needs.

A funeral service was Sept. 14 at the Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, followed by burial in Peculiar Cemetery, Peculiar.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore.

Michael S. Garlock
March 22, 1962 – Sept. 14, 2021

Michael Steven “Steve” Garlock, 59, Springfield, formerly of Harrisonville, died Sept. 14 at the Select Specialty Hospital, Springfield. Steve was born March 22, 1962, in Kansas City, the son of Edward and Beverly (Fields) Garlock.

He had lived in Harrisonville before moving to Springfield in the mid-1990s.

Steve was a master machinist for Letco Industries and Custom Metalcraft, Inc., in Springfield.

Steve was an avid fisherman and enjoyed being outdoors. One of his favorite pastimes was hunting for arrowheads to add to his collection. Steve was also a huge Kansas City Chiefs fan.

Steve was preceded in death by his grandparents and parents.

He is survived by his significant other, Bobbie J. Jensen, Belton; a son, Nathan Garlock and his wife, Leanna, Harrisonville; a daughter, Cynthia Worth, Kansas City; a brother, Eddie Garlock, Independence; a sister, Barbara Garlock, Buckner; and three grandchildren, Brian Garlock, Cayden Garlock and Tyler Bloomquist.

There will be a celebration of life gathering at a later date for family and friends.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.

Michael A. Godfrey
Dec. 20, 1973 – Sept. 10, 2021

Michael “Mike” Anthony Godfrey, 47, Clinton, died Sept. 10 in Kansas City, Kansas. Mike was born Dec. 20, 1973, in Kansas City, the son of James and Melinda (Farrar) Godfrey.

He lived in Peculiar and was a 1992 graduate of Raymore-Peculiar High School.

Mike was the owner and operator of M & B Godfrey Trucking Co. Mike married Billie Briggs Jan. 1, 2016.

He had lived in Cass County most of his life before moving to Clinton in March 2021. He was a member of the Clinton Eagles Lodge.

Mike was the most selfless man who cared more for other people and their well being and would literally give the shirt off his back helping someone else, even when it meant he would have to struggle or work double to take care of himself.

Mike was known for always brightening people’s day and helping everyone around him, friend or stranger, feel at ease in times of crisis or struggle as he worked on, lent a helping hand or gave moral support for everyone in need.

We lost not only an amazing husband, father, son, brother and friend, but an asset to society. I hope by reading this we can not only give a fraction of what Mike did for others, but everyone can appreciate and recognize the pain and suffering a person internalizes as they care more about everyone else’s well being while they hide theirs.

Robin Williams said it best, “I think the saddest people always try their hardest to make people happy because they know what it’s like to feel absolutely worthless and they don’t want anyone else to feel like that.”

Mike is survived by his wife, Billie Godfrey, of the home; a son, Michael Godfrey, Kansas City; two daughters, April Bahr, Kansas City, and Jasmine Godfrey, Sedalia; his father, James Godfrey, Omaha, Nebraska; his mother, Melinda Godfrey, Springfield; a sister, Crystal Godfrey, Springfield; four grandchildren and a niece.

A memorial celebration will be held at a later date.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.

Julia Howerton
Sept. 13, 2021

Julia Howerton, 95, died Sept. 13 surrounded by her four loving children. She was born in Pierce City, the daughter of Joseph and Julia Zebert.

At the age of 18, she graduated from Pierce City High School and shortly after moved to Kansas City, Kansas. She worked at Sealright Company for 10 years.

On Nov. 26, 1955, she married John W. Howerton.

In 1960 they moved to a farm in Harrisonville where she lived her most wonderful life. Julia was an inspiration to all sharing her unconditional love, her kind spirit and her warm and uplifting presence.

She never met a stranger and she made the world a better place. Some of her greatest pleasures were spending time with family and friends, tending her flower gardens, listening to wind chimes and enjoying nature, especially hummingbirds.

During her earlier years, she loved dancing the polka, traveling and spending winters in Tucson, Arizona, with her loving husband, John. Julia was a loyal fan of the Royals and Chiefs and loved watching them on TV.

Julia was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; three sisters, Evelyn Zebert, Eleanor Cendroski and Mary Pearson.

She is survived by her children, Allen Howerton, Tucson, Arizona, Connie Clark and Dave, Raymore, Cheryl Petersen and Frankie, Canton, Georgia, Deborah Howerton, St. Charles, Illinois, Mark Howerton and Susan, Platte City; 11 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Due to COVID, a private family funeral was Sept. 20 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville. Everyone was invited to a celebration of her life Sept. 20 at City Park, Harrisonville. Everyone was invited to share stories, laugh and celebrate this wonderful, loving woman.

Flowers are appreciated, but in lieu of flowers, a contribution can be made in her name to St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.

Stephen R. Miller
May 9, 1960 – Sept. 14, 2021

Stephen Ray Miller, 61, Adrian, died Sept. 14 at Research Medical Center, Kansas City. No services are scheduled.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Adrian.

Gary D. Pennington
April 9, 1945 – Sept. 13, 2021

Gary D. Pennington, 76, Adrian, died Sept. 13 at Bates County Memorial Hospital, Butler. No services are scheduled.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Adrian.

Joyce E. Robertson
Jan. 13, 1931 – Sept. 12, 2021

Joyce Elaine Robertson, 90, Butler, died Sept. 12 at Medicalodge of Butler. She was born Jan. 13, 1931, the daughter of George Daniel and Alpha Delta Jennings Carlock in Albany.

Joyce is survived by a son, Steven Robertson, Albany; two daughters, Carol Hayes and husband, Alan, Butler, and Mary Floyd and husband, Jeffrey, Columbia; a sister, Virginia Zee and husband, Paul, Knoxville, Tennessee; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were Sept. 16 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler.

Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler.

Contributions are suggested to the American Lung Association or Salvation Army. Arrangements were under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler.

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