Robert Lee Mott
July 24, 1933 – March 30, 2022
Robert Lee Mott, 88, Peculiar, died March 30 at his home.
Bob was born on July 24, 1933, in Aaron, to Carl and Cleo Mabel (Reynolds) Mott.
He graduated from Peculiar High School. He went on to serve in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955 during the Korean War.
Bob married Dorlene Lotz on June 8, 1956 in Polo.
After his service, he went on to work for MFA Oil Company in Harrisonville, working as a truck driver and nulk plant manager for 20 years until his retirement in 1998.
Bob served as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff in Cass County for 35 years, Director of West Peculiar Fire Protection District and Sunday School Director for Peculiar Baptist Church. A big accomplishment while serving was passing the directive for free ambulance services to anyone in the West Peculiar District.
Bob enjoyed water skiing and boat racing, winning several trophies for both sports. He also enjoyed riding motorcycles and spent most weekends going camping at the lake so he could teach younger people how to water ski. He enjoyed traveling, making it to 49 out of the 50 states and went scuba diving. For fun and extra income, Bob and Dorlene rebuilt and sold nine houses in their spare time together and he was a skilled welder, building a pontoon with a friend. He was a member of the Lions Club, Bendix Boat Club and Peculiar Baptist Church.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents; his brothers: Leroy Mott and Gene Mott; and his sister, Bertie Mae Smith.
He is survived by his wife, Dorlene Mott, of the home; his children: Teresa Mott, Peculiar, and Robert “Bobby” Mott, Vancouver, Washington; his brother, John Mott, Harrisonville; his sisters: Wilma Henderson, Butler, Nita Johnson, Pleasant Hill, and Geneva Springer, Harrisonville; and his grandchildren, Sebastian Mott, Layla Mott and Sadie Mott.
A Celebration of Life was held April 4 at the First Baptist Church, Peculiar. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Frank D. Thurman
March 29, 1953 – March 17, 2022
Frank David Thurman, 68, Archie, died March 17. A celebration of life service was March 26 at the New Covenant Fellowship, Garden City. In lieu of flowers it was Frank’s wish that donations be made toward supporting the mental healthcare of his community.
We’ve selected Pathways via the Compass Health Network. Donations can be made online at the following link or by check made payable to Compass Health Network. https://compasshealthnetwork.org/donate/
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Carol Jayne (Schmidt) Wells
Feb. 12, 1943 – March 20, 2022
Carol Jayne Schmidt Wells, 79, Butler, died March 20 at Medicalodge of Butler.
She was born to Wilbert and Fern (Nichols) Schmidt, on Feb. 12, 1943, at Ellett Memorial Hospital, Appleton City.
She spent her formative years on the family farm in Schell City. Carol attended Prairie Valley School, just two miles from her family home. Although she wasn’t 6 years old on Jan. 1, on the recommendation of her teacher, Mrs. Lucille Kirby, she attended first grade when she was only 5 years old.
Carol said she had to go to school because her best friend, Lovell, who was already 6, was attending. At the completion of that year, Mrs. Kirby advanced her on to second grade. She attended Prairie Valley through the seventh grade and then continued her education at Schell City.
Carol was a member of the Osage Prairie Valley 4-H Club in Vernon County starting as a junior member and continuing until she graduated. She received the “I Dare You” Award. She was enrolled in cooking, sewing and even did a swine project for one year.
She was a member of the Schell City Christian Church and was baptized Nov. 16, 1952. Carol taught a Sunday school for children for several years. Carol graduated from Schell City High School in 1960.
She was active in softball, basketball and cheerleading. Carol was also active in choir and on the yearbook staff.
Immediately after high school, she worked as a secretary at Cottey College in Nevada. In 1961, she went to work for Western Casualty and Surety Company in Fort Scott, Kansas, and worked there until September 1964.
On Sept. 12, 1964, she married Harry Edwin Wells. They were married for 56 years. He preceded her in death Aug. 8, 2020.
To this union, one daughter, Robyn Fern Schmidt Wells, was born.
After living in Independence for three years, they moved to Butler in 1968.
When Carol and Harry purchased their present “pretty place,” it was overgrown in weeds. After a lot of work, they made it home and Hilldale Farm where they lived for 52 years.
Carol started babysitting in July 1979. She babysat many of the neighborhood children and she and Harry treated them just like their own.
Carol loved attending all events – ball games, band, choir, plays, rodeos and weddings – supporting her “kids” in everything they did. Her favorite place was sitting on the sidelines cheering them on. She also served as the club leader and project leader for the Hudson Hustler’s 4-H Club for many years.
She began attending Pleasant Gap Christian Church in Butler in 1968, and moved her membership there in 1972. She and Harry were very active in their faith and involvement in the church.
In 1985, Carol became the custodian of Hudson R-9 Elementary School and worked there until 1988. Carol and Harry became the owners of Main Street Feed Station in Butler in 1987. In 1991, they purchased Town Square Hardware on the south side of the Butler square and continued until it closed in 2014. Her favorite activity for the store was Girls’ Night Out.
Carol was extremely proud of her two granddaughters, Kirstyn Wren and Kalyn Wells Eckhoff. They were her pride and joy.
She was always interested in what they were doing, who their friends were and what they wanted to do. She loved attending all of their events. She loved them “a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.”
Christmas was her favorite holiday and she loved decorating both inside and out.
She and Harry entertained the Butler community during the holidays to view their Christmas lights and displays. She always had a variety of homemade cookies on hand to serve with coffee.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry; and her parents, Wilbert and Fern Schmidt.
Carol is survived by her daughter, Robyn (Rob) Eckhoff, Butler; two granddaughters, Kirstyn, Fulton, and Kalyn, Butler; one sister, Elayne (Don) Hillsman, El Dorado Springs; sisters-in-law, June Gardner, and Dorothy (Sam) Vantellman; brother-in-law, Robert (Dorothea) Wells; nephews, Brent (Vicki) Hillsman, Todd Hillsman; niece, Kelly (Scott) Barton; great-nephews and nieces, many extended family, and dear friends.
Funeral services 24 at Hill and Son Funeral Home, Appleton City. Burial was in Green Mound Cemetery, Harwood. Memorials are suggested to the Appleton City Fire Department or Pleasant Gap Christian Church and may be left at the funeral home.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Hill and Son Funeral Home, Appleton City.