Roy Rinehart 1930-2026

Roy Lee Rinehart, age 95, son of Irvin and Effie Dale Rinehart, was born December 23, 1930, in Grant City, Missouri. He passed away peacefully on February 23, 2026, at Liberty Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral services for Roy and his late wife, Jean, will be held at Hidden Valley Funeral Home in Lawson, Missouri, on Thursday, March 12, 2026, with visitation from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., followed by a combined Celebration of Life service.

Roy married Ellen Jean Brown on April 14, 1951, in Grant City, Missouri. Jean preceded him in death on December 7, 2024. They shared 73 years of marriage, building a life rooted in love, education, and family.

From this union, four children were born: Mitzie Lea Wiley (Mike) of Gallatin, Missouri, Cheryl Ann Deardeuff Swearingin of Lathrop, Missouri, Rodney Lynn Rinehart (Johnna) of Maysville, Missouri, Paul Douglas Rinehart (Dawn) of Cameron, Missouri.

Roy is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Scott Wiley, Bob Wiley, Vince Wiley, Sarah McCleary, Adam Deardeuff, Seth Deardeuff, Ethan Deardeuff, Bo Rinehart, Tyler Rinehart, and Blake Rinehart; three step-grandchildren: Kaycee Crockett, Adam Swearingin, and Trevor Stark; 23 great-grandchildren; three step great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Roy graduated as Salutatorian of the Class of 1949 from Grant City High School. He attended Northwest Missouri State College, later returning to Grant City to teach at Fletchall Rural School during the 1950–1951 school year.

On June 24, 1952, Roy was drafted into the U.S. Army and served two years at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, from 1952 to 1954. After his service, he returned to college and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in August 1955.

Roy and Jean lived in Maryville, Missouri, where Roy taught at Pickering High School from 1955 to 1957. They later moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma, where Roy completed his Master of Science degree, which included a Principal’s Certificate, during the 1957–1958 school year.

The family returned to Grant City, Missouri, where Roy taught science and math at Worth County R-I from 1958 to 1964. During the summers, he attended classes at the University of Kansas and participated in a summer institute at Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

In 1964, Roy accepted the position of High School and Junior High Principal at Worth County R-I, serving until 1973. In 1973, the family moved to Maysville, Missouri, where Roy served as High School and Junior High Principal. In 1983, Roy and Jean moved to Hamilton, Missouri, where Roy became High School and Junior High Principal, a position he held until his retirement in 1985.

On December 6, 1999, Roy and Jean moved to Lawson, Missouri, to be near their daughter Cheryl.

Roy’s favorite pastimes included attending auctions, fishing, gardening, and collecting Zebco fishing rods and reels.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jean; his sisters Fern Aldeen Motsinger and Fay Arlene Rinehart; his brother James Wesley Rinehart; his brother-in-law Channing Motsinger; his sister-in-law Joan Rinehart; his sons-in-law Galen Deardeuff/Earl Swearingin and his grandson Jared Deardeuff.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to United Christian Presbyterian Church in Lawson, Missouri, and/or Kirk Cemetery, c/o Joy Miller, 12492 Highway T, Grant City, MO 64456.

Graveside services will be held at Kirk Cemetery in Allendale, Missouri, at a later date.

 

Hailey McClure Paces Gilman City Past Pirates 64-29

Gilman City rolled on through sectionals Monday as they beat Norborne 64-29 behind 17 points from Hailey McClure. The Hawks had four players in double figures and six in the scoring column in the win.

Hailey was on from the beginning when she went to the rack, drew a foul, and hit both free throws to put the Hawks up 2-0. Tenley Griffith got a steal and drive, Alli Burke hit a 3-pointer, and Avery Gregg converted a third-chance putback to make it 9-0.

But the game was not without a couple of scary moments. The first happened after Millea Miller hit a triple for the Pirates, and then Khloey Sperry got the wind knocked out of her while scrambling for a loose ball. She was out until the start of the second quarter, but the Hawks held their ground as Tenley Griffith connected again before Avi Leabo took advantage of a carom and scored to make it 11-5 after one.

Sperry came back for the second quarter and Alli Burke splashed a triple, Sperry turned a third-chance try into a free throw, Sperry got loose in transition and got a pass from Avery Gregg, and Avery went coast to coast to make it 19-5.

But Norborne would not go quietly; they were in the Sectionals for a reason and they may have been playing their last game, given they have seven players on the roster, five of them seniors, and only one eighth grader listed on their junior high roster. They were following Mercer’s lead by faceguarding Avery Gregg and Khloey Sperry and daring someone else to beat them. And they lived and died by their press, which they were not afraid to use even after a missed shot.

Avi Leabo slashed and scored and then Kristin Waters stole the ensuing inbounds pass to cut it to 19-9. The teams traded blows for the rest of the quarter, leaving Gilman City ahead 26-16.

Leabo cut it to 26-18, and Norborne got the ball back with a chance to cut it to two possessions, but Khloey Sperry jumped a pass and scored, starting a big Hawk run. All of a sudden, with the Pirates swarming Gregg and Sperry every time they touched the ball, Hailey McClure realized it was her time to step up and score, and she did, slashing and scoring . Alli Burke pulled up and hit a 3-pointer in transition, McClure slashed and got to the line, making both tries, and then added a triple to make it 38-18.

Carleigh Ellis hit a 3-pointer to break the run, but then Avi Leabo clotheslined Tenley Griffith, who was fighting for a rebound, picking up her fourth foul. Griffith was shaken up on the play, but Paisley Taggart came in and Griffith came back later.

Hailey McClure knocked one down from the high post, Avery Gregg cashed in off a Khloey Sperry steal, and then Paisley Taggart stole an errant outlet pass and threw it in at the buzzer to make it 44-21.

Millea Miller picked up her fourth foul to start the fourth quarter for Norborne. As the foul trouble mounted for the Pirates, the Hawks found a lot more open lanes to the basket. Khloey Sperry made one of two after Norborne got to five fouls in just the first minute of the fourth quarter. Sperry cashed in off a Pasiley Taggart steal and Alli Burke made her second pullup three of the night to make it 50-21.

Norborne made one last stand as Kristin Waters cut inside and scored and Leabo came back and added a triple to make it 50-26. But Avery Gregg made one of two at the line, Alli Bruke got loose in transition against the press, Khloey Sperry drew a foul after a second-chance putback try and cashed in at the free throw line, Khloey Sperry aired one out to Hailey McClure for two, Khloey Sperry blocked a shot, rebounded it, and aired it out to Avery Gregg for two, and Paisley Taggart got a steal and fed Hailey McClure for two to make it 61-26.

The Hawks subbed freely at that point, but they kept pulling away as Avery Gregg made one more free throw before checking out and Hailey McClure got loose in transition again at the buzzer.

Hailey McClure had 17 points for the Hawks. Alli Burke had 14, Avery Gregg 13, Khloey Sperry 12, Tenley Griffith 6, and Paisley Taggart 2.

Khloey Sperry had 3 blocks and Alli Burke 1.

Tenley Griffith had 13 boards. Khloey Sperry had 9, Alli Burke 8, Hailey McClure and Avery Gregg 5, and Paisley Taggart 4.

Khloey Sperry had 5 assists. Alli Bruke and Avery Gregg had 3, Hailey McClure and Paisley Taggart 2, and Tenley Griffith 1.

Tenley Griffith had 9 tips. Khloey Sperry had 8, Paisley Taggart, Avery Gregg, and Hailey McClure had 5, and Alli Burke had 2.

Khloey Sperry had 6 steals. Paisley Taggart had 4, Tenley Griffith 3, Avery Gregg 2, and Alli Burke 1.

 

 

Bills in the Missouri Legislature for March 4th, 2026

House

Bentley’s Law — A bill being considered in the Missouri Legislature would require people convicted of DWI to pay child support if their drunk driving killed the parent or parents of a child. On April 13th, 2021, David Thurby (26) was involved in a fiery crash in Jefferson County that resulted in the deaths of Cordell Williams (30), Lacey Newton (25), and Cordell Williams II (4 months). Mr. Thurby was convicted of three counts of Involuntary Manslaughter in 2023. Six other states have passed similar laws. As a result, two children are orphaned and are being raised by their grandmother.

HB 1643, 1717 — Legalizes psilocybin for mental health treatment purposes and allows it to be prescribed by licensed physicians. (Rep. Matthew Overcast, Rep. Richard West)

HB 1792 — Establishes a two-year pilot program through the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education to teach media literacy and critical thinking. DESE would select 5-7 school districts to integrate media literacy skills into classroom instruction and report back to lawmakers. Students would learn to analyze news content, recognize bias, understand digital citizenship, and identify misinformation.

HB 1905, 2097 — Authorizes the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to make an agriculture education pilot project into a statewide program. Participation by schools would be voluntary and not required. Schools would implement it at their own expense or from existing streams of funding. (Rep. John Martin, Rep. Adrian Plank)

HB 2034 — Requires the Mo HealthNet program, health carriers, and other health benefit plans to cover at least three devices for multiple uses. (Rep. Carolyn Caton)

HB 2167 — Allows Attorney General appointed investigators to make arrests and collaborate with other law enforcement agencies. Also extends the power to House and Senate security guards. Such officers would have to go through the same training any other Peace Officers go through. (Rep. Dolan David)

HB 2202 — Makes hunting and fishing permits free for military personnel and disabled veterans. Dependents would get the same benefit. (Rep. Don Mayhew)

HB 2874 — Prevents air ambulance companies from selling memberships to recipients of Medicaid. Life flights are already covered by Mo HealthNet. (Rep. Bill Allen)

HB 3362, 3364 — Requires permits for certain levels of utility use and subjects large-load customers like data centers to different payment rules. Requires large water customers which use over 2 million gallons of freshwater or 80% or more of the available water capacity of a given locality to get a permit from the DNR. Customers above the large loan threshold would be required to pay an increased rate. If permit holders far exceed the minimum use for a permit, they would be required to cover the costs to build additional infrastructure. (Rep. Collin Wellenkamp, Rep. Mike Costlow)

Senate

SB 854, 1494 — Automates record expungement for eligible nonviolent offenders. Currently, eligible defendants must petition the court. The new bill would automatically expunge certain low-level offenses after a period of one to three years. (Sen. Brian Williams, Sen. Nick Schroer)

SB 859 — Declares that AI systems are not considered people. All harm caused by an AI would be considered the responsibility of the owner or user of that system. (Sen. Mike Moon)

SB 889 — Investigators who handle cases of child abuse, elder abuse, or domestic abuse will receive training to identify signs of animal abuse under this bill. Animal control officers and others who investigate animal cruelty would be trained to recognize warning signs of abuse against people. If an investigator uncovers evidence of a different type of abuse while responding to a case, they would be required to report it. (Sen. Tracy McCreery)

SB 928 — Expands the definition of Stalking to allow police to act based on victims’ fears rather than wait until a violent or dangerous act occurs. (Sen. Patty Lewis)

SB 1012 — Requires a disclaimer for any use of AI in political advertisements. Makes it a Class A Misdemeanor if such a disclaimer is missing. (Sen. Joe Nicola)

SB 1043, 1150 — Establishes the offense of Masked Intimidation. A person can be charged if they use their face covering to conceal their identity while harassing, threatening, or intimidating another person or group. A person cannot be charged if the covering in question is used for religious, medical, celebratory, occupational, or weather-related reasons. The law cannot be construed to diminish or infringe on First Amendment rights. According to FBI statistics, 44.2% of hate crimes in Missouri in 2021 were classified as intimidation. (Sen. Barbara Washington)

SB 1094 — Modifies legal notices for all elections. County clerks would have the option of mailing a legal notice to each registered voter in the jurisdiction. If they do that, they only have to public election notices once. Currently, counties publish ballots in local papers twice. In the case of any bond election, if the election is not contested within 30 days after the official announcement of the election results, then all conditions of the state election law will be deemed to be satisfied. (Sen. Cindy Crawford)

SB 1617 — Prohibits state funds from going to “low-earning” degrees. It would apply to fields where graduates from a college do not earn more than someone with only a high school diploma in the same field. (Sen. Rick Brattin)

Federal

Homes for American Families Act. Prohibits large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes, townhouses, and condominiums. Empowers the Justice Department with enforcement authority for civil violations and prioritized antitrust review for purchases of residential real estate by large institutional investors. (Sen. Josh Hawley, Sen. Jeff Merkley)

 

Connie Rush 1956-2026

Born Dec. 3, 1956, in Mount Ayr, Iowa, to Lewis M. and Dorothy L. (Lamb) Rush.  Connie passed away Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at Advanced Care in St. Joseph, Missouri.

She graduated from Lafayette High School in 1975 and was a member of Community Pres. Church.

Worked many years at TG& Y. Loved spending time with family and friends. She loved going to McDonalds with her mom. She will be passing out candy in heaven.

She was proceeded in death by parents.

She is survived by, siblings, Lewis Dean Rush (Pat), Ava Thompson, Lonnie Rush (Julie), Lori Wachtel (John), Uncle Nate Lamb, Aunt Martha (Wink) Andrews (Ron) many cousins, nieces and nephews, best friends Etta Wildberger, Pam Ousley, Carolyn Wandfluh.

Thanks so much to Mosaic hospice, especially Jason. Memorial gifts to Community Presbyterian Church.

Graveside service and burial were 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 28, 2026 at the Middle Fork Cemetery near Redding, Iowa.  Family received friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Community Presbyterian Church at 5409 St. Joseph Avenue, St. Joseph, Missouri.

 

Route 46 Bridge West of Grant City to Close Thursday

Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc., working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, has been contracted to replace the Marlowe Branch Creek Bridge on Worth County Missouri Route 46. The bridge is scheduled to close beginning Thursday, March 5.

Traffic Impacts: The Marlowe Branch Creek Bridge on Route 46 will be closed from March 5 through May 2026. Motorists will need to seek an alternate route during the closure.

As a part of this project, the West Fork Grand River Bridge replacement on Route W in Worth County was completed Feb. 12.

MoDOT asks drivers to work with us by always buckling up, keeping your phone down, slowing down and moving over in work zones.

When visiting modot.org, sign up online for work zone updates. Information is also available 24/7 at 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or by connecting with us on social media. 

 

Trump Accounts Aim to Jump Start Retirement Savings for Children

A new type of tax-advantaged account created under recent federal tax law changes could give some children a significant head start on long-term investing, but families should understand both the opportunities and the limits before jumping in.

“Trump accounts” are available for all children under age 18 by the end of the year. For each child born in 2025-2028, the federal government will deposit $1,000 into a newly established account. The child is the account owner, even though parents and others may control the account and make additional contributions.

“These accounts are designed to encourage long-term investing from birth,” said Andrew Zumwalt, director of the University of Missouri’s Personal Financial Planning program.

No withdrawals are generally allowed until the child turns 18. Once the child reaches adulthood, the account functions much like a traditional IRA. Earnings are tax-deferred, meaning taxes are owed when money is eventually withdrawn, not while it is growing.

Families and others can contribute up to $5,000 per year to a child’s Trump account. Those contributions are considered “basis,” meaning they have already been taxed. Earnings, along with any government or employer contributions, are taxable when withdrawn.

Investments within the accounts must be placed in low-cost index funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs), a requirement intended to keep fees low and returns more predictable over time.

Accounts can be established now using IRS Form 4547 filed alongside a tax return, and additional information is available at https://trumpaccounts.gov. While the child owns the account, multiple parties may contribute. Zumwalt noted examples such as employer or family contributions. An initiative by Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell and his wife, Susan, will contribute to $250 to accounts for children age 10 and under in ZIP codes where the median income is less than $150,000 per year. Zumwalt notes that this would include almost all Missouri ZIP codes.

Zumwalt shared a hypothetical example to illustrate the long-term potential. A child born in January 2025 receives the initial $1,000 government deposit. If parents contribute $5,000 annually until age 18 and the account earns an average annual return of 7%, the account would be worth nearly $170,000 at age 18. Of that total, $90,000 would be basis, with the remainder tax-deferred growth.

At adulthood, funds can be rolled into other retirement accounts. In Zumwalt’s example, the tax-deferred portion moves into an employer sponsored plan, while the basis rolls into a Roth IRA. Over decades, that early start can translate into several million dollars in retirement savings.

Trump accounts do not replace existing family tax benefits, Zumwalt noted. The child tax credit remains $2,200 for 2025 and will increase with inflation, while dependents who are not eligible for the child tax credit remain capped at a $500 credit. The child and dependent care credit for 2025 is unchanged from prior law, though the dependent care flexible spending account limit increases to $7,500 beginning in 2026.

As with any new program, Zumwalt encourages families to weigh how Trump accounts fit into their broader financial picture. “They can be powerful,” he said, “but only if families understand the rules and commit to the long-term horizon these accounts are built for. Families should consider other accounts, like 529 plans, for needs related to higher education expenses.”

Zumwalt discussed this and other changes to federal income tax law at a recent training for volunteers in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, in which IRS-certified volunteers discuss and prepare tax returns for free. For more information, visit the Missouri Taxpayer Education Initiative website at https://muext.us/motax.

 

Phillip Richmond 1940-2026

Phillip James Richmond (Phil) of Kansas City, MO passed away peacefully at his home Wednesday February 25, 2026 with his wife and son at his side following a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Phil was born November 22,1940 in Leon, IA to James B.W. Richmond & Florence Irene (Jarvis) Richmond. Phil grew up in Ringgold County Iowa, in the town of Mt. Ayr. He graduated with honors from Mt. Ayr High School in 1959.

Phil graduated from Northwest Missouri State College (now University) in Maryville, MO with a history/social studies degree. Phil was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity. He would meet his wife of 62 years, Joyce Elizabeth Campbell, at Northwest. Phil received his Master’s Degree in Education from Northwest in 1966. He was proud to be a Bearcat and would support NWMSU in numerous ways for the rest of his life.

Phil would then soon become known as Mr. Richmond as a first year 6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher for The St. Joseph School District at Neely Elementary in 1963. In early 1964 Mr. Richmond learned that he was transferred to Lafayette High School for the next coming school year. What would follow for the next 29 years at Lafayette High School would become truly special for Mr. Richmond.

On February 5th, 1964 in St. Joseph, MO, Phil Richmond married Joyce Elizabeth Campbell of Grant City, MO. In July of 1964, in St. Joseph, Mr. & Mrs. Richmond welcomed their son, James. 

For the next 29 school years Mr. Richmond was a teacher, coach, and administrator at Lafayette High School in St. Joseph, MO. In the early to mid 1970’s he would serve as the local leader of the Missouri State Teacher’s Association (MSTA).  Phil taught U.S. History, Government, European History, World History, American West, and Sociology. Mr. Richmond encouraged his students to be proactive problem solvers in their communities, set personal goals in life and to question things that they did not understand going on around them. Teaching young people about the democratic process was Phil’s passion. Mr. Richmond coached football, basketball, and track in the early 1960’s serving as head track coach from 1969-1972. Mr. Richmond was the school’s first ever cross-country coach from 1971-1981 and then coached the team again from 1984-1988. Mr. Richmond designed and mapped out the cross-country course through Krug Park in St. Joseph which was used by Lafayette runners for 54 years. Mr. Richmond was promoted to part-time Assistant Principal in 1974, then full-time Assistant Principal in 1975 until 1978 when he would return to the classroom. Mr. Richmond retired in 1993, moved to Kansas City, MO with wife Joyce and worked for The United States National Parks Service at the Harry S. Truman Home in Independence, MO as a tour guide for eight years. Phil loved fishing in northern Minnesota with family and friends. He loved his pets, sports, playing cards, singing, and spending time with his wife & family which would usually lead to “spirited conversations” about history or current events.

Phil was the youngest of three siblings. He was preceded in death by both of his parents, brother & sister-in-law Donald & Kathryn Richmond along with sister Patricia & brother-in-law Lawrence Jefferson Sr.  He is survived by his wife of 62 years Joyce Richmond of Kansas City, MO and son, James Richmond (Janet) of Country Club Village, MO. Also surviving are three grandchildren through marriage, Michael (Rachel) Nold, St. Joseph, MO, Kim (Adam) Roske, Smithville, MO, Tim (Haley) Nold, Savannah, MO, eight great grandchildren by marriage and his beloved dog companions Jaxson and Shelby. Phil is also survived by many of his former Lafayette students and colleagues as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. 

The family would like to thank Harbor Hospice of Kansas City for their care and support during Phil’s final months of life. The family requests no flowers at this time.  The family asks that memorial contributions be made in the name of Phil Richmond either directly to one of the following organizations or through the funeral home to one of the following organizations. The St. Joseph Foundation School Lunch Debt Relief Fund 1415 N. 26th St. Joseph, MO 64506, Pleasant Valley Baptist Church 1600 State Route 291 Liberty, MO 64060 or The Alzheimer’s Disease Research Bright Focus Foundation 22512 Gateway Center Drive Clarksburg, MD 20871. 

Mr. Richmond has been cremated under the direction of Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home in Grant City, MO where service and celebration of life arrangements are currently pending.