Obituary -- Jerry Wiley 1942-2023

Jerry Wayne Wiley was welcomed into this world on September 7, 1942, in Worth County, Missouri, by his father, C. Wayne Wiley, and mother, Avesto Betty Ray Wiley, and was later joined by baby sister, Lois June Wiley, on May 1, 1945. Jerry lived a good Christian life.

At the age of eighty, he passed away at his home in Pensacola, Florida, on March 11, 2023, and was cremated so that his cremains could be returned to rest with his parents at the Grant City Cemetery in Grant City, Missouri.

Jerry graduated from Sheridan R-II School in 1961 and worked for Ford Motor Corporation in Detroit, Michigan and other automotive manufacturing places for many years. He later became an Over-the-Road truck driver and crossed the United States many times. When he was not working, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, dancing, and basketball. Jerry really just wanted everyone to have a good time.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Betty Wiley, and his sister, Lois Wiley Fletchall Rodrick, who passed in 2006, and friend, Ruth Kobbe Allen.

Left to remember him fondly are his niece, Darla Shelly Ladner, and countless friends: Dennis Warren of Pensacola, Florida, and many from Worth County, C. Ralph Kobbe, Larry Hibbs and Burl Huff, to name a few.

Jerry was inurned at the Wiley family plot in the Grant City Cemetery, on August 14, 2023.

Worth County Land Transfers for July 2023

July 3rd – Book 206, Page 201; Union Bank & Trust to William & Linda Engel; Deed of Release; Book 178, Page 137.

July 3rd – Book 3, Page 313; Missouri Department of Revenue to Casey Greenwell; State Tax Release.

July 3rd – Book 3, Page 314; – Missouri Department of Revenue to Molly Ueligger; State Tax Release.

July 3rd – Book 3, Page 315; Missouri Department of Revenue to Worth County Lumber; State Tax Release.

July 3rd – Book 3, Page 316; Missouri Department of Revenue to Kimberly Fletchall; State Tax Release.

July 3rd – Book 3, Page 317; Missouri Department of Revenue to Tammy Ueligger; State Tax Release.

July 5th – Book 206, Page 202; BTC Bank to Randy & Diane Osborn; Deed of Release; Book 194, Page 39.

July 5th – Book 206, Page 203; Randy & Diane Osborn to Aaron & Tara Varnado and Sloan Erdey; Warranty Deed; See Record.

July 5th – Book 206, Page 204; Shadoe & Shelby Miller to Elisha Gilbert and Justin Vieth; Warranty Deed; See Record. 

July 5th – Book 206, Page 205; Elisha Gilbert and Justin Vieth to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems; Deed of Trust; See Record.

July 5th – Book 206, Page 207; Duane & Patricia Warner Revocable Living Trust to Nodaway Valley Bank; Deed of Trust; See Record.

July 12th – Book 206, Page 209; City of Grant City to Larkin Investments LLC, Larry & Janet Kinsella, Robert Hull; Order Vacating Public Street.

July 13th – Book 206, Page 210; Tyrel & Ashley Briner and Jo-Quetta Briner to Debra Jo Briner; Quit Claim Deed; See Record.

July 13th – Book 206, Page 211; Debra Jo Briner to Tyrel Briner and Jo-Quetta Briner; Beneficiary Deed; See Record.

July 14th – Book 206, Page 214 – Grand River Family Farm LLC to NextEra Energy Transmission Midwest LLC; Easement; See Record.

July 14th – Book 206, Page 215; Dianne and Gerald Reynolds and Helena and Richard Foster to NextEra Energy Transmission Midwest LLC; Easement; See Record. 

July 14th – Book 206, Page 216; Laton Goodson to NextEra Midwest Transmission LLC; Easement; See Record.

July 14th – Book 206, Page 217; Maurice Brand and Kathy Brand Revocable Trust to NextEra Energy Transmission Midwest LLC; Easement; See Record.

July 14th – Book 206, Page 218; William Jenel Jr. to NextEra Energy Transmission Midwest LLC; Easement; See Record.

July 17th – Book 206, Page 219; Mark & Jeannie Fletcher to Jamie Allee, Benjamin Fletcher, Rebecca Thomas; Beneficiary Deed; See Record.

July 17th – Book 206, Page 220; Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems to Shadow Miller; Deed of Release; Book 188, Page 200.

July 20th – Book 206, Page 221; First Interstate Bank to Findley Boys Partnership; Release of Rents; Book 200, Page 147.

July 20th – Book 206, Page 222; First Interstate Bank to Findley Boys Partnership; Deed of Release; Book 184, Page 95.

July 24th – Book 206, Page 223; BTC Bank to Michael Cook; Deed of Release; Book 191, Page 210 and 211.

July 24th – Book 206, Page 224; Michael Cook to J&L Land LLC; Warranty Deed; See Record.

July 24th – Book 206, Page 225; J&L Land LLC to Michael Cook; Deed of Trust; See Record.

July 24th – Book 206, Page 226; Brian & Kathryn Sherer to Grand Oak Pastures LLC; Warranty Deed; See Record.

July 24th – Book 206, Page 227; Brian & Kathryn Sherer to Randy Low and Lynn Haddock-Low; Warranty Deed; See Record.

July 24th – Book 206, Page 228; Randy Low and Lynn Haddock-Low to Brian & Kathryn Sherer; Right of First Refusal; See Record.

July 24th – Book 206, Page 229; Brian & Kathryn Sherer to Andrew & Stormy Brown; Warranty Deed; See Record.

 July 24th – Book 206, Page 230; Andrew & Stormy Brown to US Farm Service Agency; Deed of Trust; See Record.

July 25th – Book 206, Page 231; BTC Bank to Brian & Kathryn Sherer; Deed of Release; Book 195, Page 181.

July 25th – Book 206, Page 232; BTC Bank to Sherer Pipe & Steel; Deed of Release; Book 195, Page 211.

July 26th – Book 206, Page 233; Larkin Investment to Larry & Janet Kinsella; Warranty Deed; Lot 1, Block 4, Weigart’s Addition.

July 26th – Book 206, Page 234; Larkin Investment to Larry & Janet Kinsella; Quit Claim Deed; See Record.

July 26th – Book 206, Page 235; Dawson Lee to Fairway Independent Mortgage; Deed of Trust; Lot 1, Block 4, Weigart’s Addition.

July 27th – Book 206, Page 237; Tammy Summa to Timothy & Udana Summa; Quit Claim Deed; See Record.

July 28th – Book 206, Page 238; Ronald Stephenson and William & Teena Stephenson to Randy & Diane Osborn; Warranty Deed; See Record.

July 28th – Book 206, Page 239; Randy & Diane Osborn to BTC Bank; Deed of Trust; See Record.

July 28th – Book 206, Page 240; Carolyn Jones, Bobby McNeese, Jane Kuryluk, Ronald McNeese, Gina McNeese, and Angie Lamb to NextEra Energy Transmission Midwest LLC; Easement; See Record.

Obituary -- Janice Wilson 1950-2023

Janice Louise Wilson passed away peacefully at home in Bedford Iowa on Sunday morning, August 6, 2023. She leaves a legacy of love and commitment to her family and her patients. Jan was born on the family farm on May 15, 1950 to Wilma and George Spencer of Bedford. She graduated from Bedford Community High School and matriculated at Northwest Missouri State University, majoring in English and concentrating in Music performance. She married Jim Wilson, the love of her life on April 26, 1970 and settled in Bedford where she taught English and Music at the Bedford Community High School.

She was an intuitive and versatile musician, playing classical, religious and popular pieces, and for many years accompanied the high school vocalists and instrumentalists locally and at state competitions. She founded and accompanied the vocal group, ”One Voice” in numerous performances over the years and was sought after to play for most local weddings and funerals.

She volunteered constantly; on the board of the Bedford Country Club, played for numerous community musicals in Southwest Iowa, and mentoring young women serving as a Girl Scout leader, and Grand Deputy for the International Order of Rainbow Girls. She was devoted to the United Christian Presbyterian Church and was active in leadership of its board. For most years of her adult life, you would find her playing the piano or organ at Sunday morning services. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Bedford Chapter 228, and served as Grand Organist in 2012, directing the music and playing at events throughout the state of Iowa. She was also a member of Chapter CU. P.E.O.

In mid career she returned to Northwest, obtaining a Masters in Clinical Psychology. She first counseled patients for the Shenandoah Medical Center and subsequently joined Midwest Mental Health in Shenandoah. She was very attached to her patients and cared for them throughout her illness and at the end of her struggle was more concerned for their welfare than her own.

She was predeceased by her parents George and Wilma Spencer, her son James Wilson and grandson Derek Jackson. She is survived by her husband Jim of 53 years, her children Jina (Dennis) Jackson, Jackie (Miles) Spainhower, Michelle Wilson, her brother Dennis (Mary Louise) Spencer, and six grandchildren, Devan, Danyelle, Evan, Emsley, Maizey (Wyatt) and Atticus.

Visitation will be from 4-8 PM on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 in the United Christian Presbyterian Church. The family will be in attendance from 6-8 PM. Funeral services will be held in the church at 10:30 AM Thursday, August 10 with internment following at Fairview Cemetery.

Philanthropic Gifts in Jan’s name should be sent to Kindra Weston at Midwest Mental Health, 523 West Sheridan Ave, Shenandoah, Ia, 51601 and will be used for uninsured patientcare and designated educational scholarships.

Courthouse News for August 2nd, 2023

On July 25th, Harrison County Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt filed charges against Sean Sweat alleging Peace Disturbance. Bond was set at $20,000, cash only.

On July 26th, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Department reported that someone dropped a bag of crystal meth in the aisle of one of Lenox’s businesses. A citizen turned it into the Taylor County Sheriff’s Department.

On July 26th, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Department reported that someone was the victim of a hit and run on Main Street in Lenox. Charges are pending following a completed investigation.

On July 27th, the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office arrested Joseph Cody Foster (34) of Diagonal on charges of Felon in Possession of Firearm (Felony), Theft (Felony), and Domestic Abuse Assault. Bond was set at $12,000, cash only. The arrest occurred after a manhunt conducted by the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Department, the Adams County Sheriff’s Department, the Page County Sheriff’s Department, and the Iowa State Highway Patrol.

On July 27th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Matthew Deck (41) of Rockford (IL) in Harrison County on charges of Possession of Fentanyl (Felony), Tampering with Evidence, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, No Valid License, Littering, No Seat Belt, and a warrant from out of state. Harrison County Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt filed charges the next day. Bond was set at $50,000, cash only.

On July 27th, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department arrested Mohamoud Hire (42) of Minneapolis (MN) on a Ramsey County (MN) Warrant for Arson. Bond was set at $5,000.

On July 27th, the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department arrested Joseph Rumple (39) of Mount Ayr on charges of Domestic Abuse, Obstruction of Emergency Communications, and Possession of Contraband in Correctional Institution. Bond was set at $5,000, cash or corporate surety.

On July 28th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Dillon Strum (30) of Burlington Junction alleging Resisting Arrest (Felony) and two counts Assault. Bond was denied.

On July 28th, a dark grey SUV with Nebraska license plates sped through Sheridan on 246 at around 50 mph in a 25 mph zone headed east and subsequently ran the stop sign at Route 246 and 46.

On July 28th, the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department arrested William Powell (65) of Diagonal on charges of Public Intoxication, Disorderly Conduct, and Interference with Official Acts. Bond was set at $300, cash only.

On July 29th at around 12:36 am, the Iowa State Highway Patrol reported that a 2015 Polaris Razor driven by Clelland Beason (24) of Bedford was northbound on Forest Avenue between 190th Street and 185th Lane in Taylor County when it skidded into the west ditch. The driver corrected back onto the roadway and skidded into the east ditch. The driver corrected again, and the vehicle rolled over. The driver was ejected and the vehicle landed on him. Beason was killed in the accident.

On July 29th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a 2007 Kan Am Defender driven by Larry Allenbrand (78) of Albany was eastbound on Daniel Street in Albany when it left the south side of the roadway, continued through a yard, crossed 16th street, struck a mailbox, went airborne, and struck a residence. Allenbrand received moderate injuries and was taken to Mosaic in Albany. 

On July 29th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Jacob Vinzant (36) of Stanberry in Gentry County on a charge of DWI (Felony). On July 30th, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges. Bond was set at $1,000 cash or 10% corporate surety.

On July 29th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Scott Alkire (66) of Barnard alleging Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony), Sexual Abuse, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond was denied.

On July 30th, multiple news outlets reported that Jessica Tangen of Riverside passed out and died during the Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western. A cause of death was not given.

On July 30th, Harrison County Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt filed charges against John Merritt (32) of Ridgeway alleging Domestic Assault (Felony) and Harassment (Felony). Bond was set at $15,000, cash only.

Charges listed are merely allegations. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty it is to determine guilt or innocence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Obituary -- Leonard Cracraft 1926-2023

Milton Leonard Cracraft was named Leonard Milton according to his father’s diary.  He went by Leonard Milton until he received a copy of his birth certificate when he was drafted into WWII at 18. The birth certificate name was a surprise.  He was born July 8, 1926, the second child to Benjamin Leonard Cracraft Jr. and Esther Marie Cabaret Cracraft, in Amarillo, Texas.  He left this earthly life on July 31, 2023 at the age of 97 years and 23 days.  He wanted to make it to 97 because his mother did.  On his birthday, he said, “I finally made it to 70.” And he chuckled…

At age 15, Leonard’s family left Texas and went to Vancouver, WA to work in the ship yards during WWII.  Child labor laws made Leonard lose his job, so he worked for a farmer milking cows by hand twice a day.  When Leonard turned 18, between his junior and senior year in high school, he was drafted into WWII.  He fought in the last battle of the war in Okinawa to capture the Shuri Line. One hundred eighty men went into that battle; he was one of 17 that walked out, and as he put it “without a scratch.” He was dreading invading mainland Japan.  When the atomic bombs were dropped, the war ended, probably saving his life.  Leonard was then assigned to Tokyo as part of the occupational forces.  As Leonard’s memory slipped away, he continued to sing “You’re in the Army Now,” sometimes 10 times a day.

When Leonard was discharged from the military, he came to Eagleville, MO where his parents had moved while he was away at war.  He came home to a place he had never been before.  His cousin from Diagonal, Iowa introduced him to Bethel Wauneta Huber. One blind date turned into a 44-year marriage with six children and 15 grand-children.

Engineering would have been Leonard’s chosen career if he hadn’t fallen in love with farming.  He developed a broad diversity of skills useful for farmers. When he started farming with his father in 1949, he built farm equipment to be used with the new B Farmall tractor that replaced horses. Over the years he worked in the shop overhauling neighbor’s tractors and re-engineering equipment. If he needed something, he built it, or bought something to modify. He designed and built an over-head crane system in his shop to enable him to work on major projects.  Leonard used to poke fun at engineers including himself.  He would say, “You can always tell an engineer, but you can’t tell them much.”  And he chuckled…

In 1960 the family farm was hit by a tornado and destroyed the barn and other equipment. It wasn’t long before Leonard, his preacher at the time and some neighbors started building a new one. When everyone was done and left, he kept building. He put a grain elevator in it and built overhead grain bins. That poor old barn went through a lot of changes through the years, from a dairy barn to a feed grinding facility, to storage and shop until it burned down.

Working the land he loved was Leonard’s fun. He only began reading and watching Western TV shows when he became too old to work. He never owned a piece of land that he didn’t improve. He always said he wanted to leave the land better than when he found it, saying, “the first step to improving fertility is to stop erosion.” So he built ponds, terraces and put in drainage tiles. Over the years he saved tons of top soil on his land. He farmed more for the future generations than he did for himself. 

Leonard and Neta moved to Arkansas in 1986 when farming wasn’t profitable. Leonard worked for the Army at Ft. Chaffee and the army needed a device to pull a convoy of jeeps and trucks along a path so the fighter jets could get experience shooting at a moving target.  This project was called a JRTC Live Fire Convoy Mover. The army had never had anything like this before, they just knew it would help in their training. So just like Leonard did on the farm, he started going through all the surplus piles of junk and started putting together something that might work. He did a lot of trial and error and eventually came up with something that worked. It worked so well that the army wanted the blueprints so it could be duplicated at other army bases and he told them that there were no blueprints, that it was all in his head. For his work on this project the army recognized him with a certificate and a ceremony. When Ft. Chaffee closed they took it apart and moved it to another location. 

While living in Arkansas, Neta and Leonard started walking daily for exercise.  Leonard walked almost every day for 37 years.  He only stopped walking on his treadmill when he became too weak about a month before he passed.

Leonard’s dad, Ben was a carpenter and helped Leonard learn how to construct buildings.  He constructed many of the buildings on the farm including the home he lived in for the past 43 years.  In retirement he enjoyed building furniture starting with a log. He gave furniture pieces to all his children and many grand-children.

Leonard and Neta had a large family of 6 children, in-laws and 15 grandchildren.  When Neta died, Leonard married neighbor Alice Nadine Snethen Darnell and doubled the size of their family.  He was a married man at heart, as he was married 75 years total. He grew to love each child, grandchild and great-grandchild equally for he had a great capacity for love.

Despite memory loss, Leonard maintained his wonderful sense of humor to the end, always cracking a joke.  Leonard told pastor Bruce Williams that he doesn’t ever get upset about what the preacher says in church anymore – because he can’t hear what was said.  And he chuckled…

Leonard was a builder of family and faith in God. He made sure his family was in church every Sunday – a value he learned from his mother. He first joined the Eagleville Christian Church when he was discharged from the army at 20 years old.  All his life he served God with whatever was needed, from Sunday school superintendent, to teaching the young married class for many years, to helping build class rooms on the old church building, and setting a good example for all.  He often said God was extremely good to him and that he had a wonderful life because God gave him the ability to do anything he wanted to do.

In the last years of his life he lost his hearing. He always wanted to go to Church on Sunday, even though he couldn’t hear what was said. But he loved to sing the familiar hymns.  He couldn’t hear the organ or the audience, but he sang loud and clear. He sang and praised the Lord. 

Psalm 18:49

“Therefore I will give thanks to you o Lord, among the Gentiles. And sing praises to your name.”

Leonard is now singing in the presence of God.

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Esther; his first wife, Neta; his siblings Grace Garrett, Lucille Charleston and John Cracraft; one brother-in-law Don Snethen, and two sons-in-law, Bill Vosburg and Tony Sturdevant.

Survivors include: his wife of 31 years, Nadine of the home, six children: Greg (Jeanne) Cracraft, Eagleville; Jim (Sheri) Cracraft, Lamoni, IA; Peggy Sturdevant, Ridgeway; Cecil (Kathy) Cracraft, Blythedale; Larry (Donna) Cracraft, Albany; and Richard Cracraft, Archie, MO; one sister, Mildred Parkhurst, Farmington, Utah; two sisters-in-law Marlene Cracraft, Port Royal, SC, and Becky Huber, Creston, IA; two brothers-in-law, Rich Vollbrecht and Dick (Cindy) Snethen; Six step-children: Terry (Craig) Miller,  Streetsboro, OH; Pam Vosburg, Grinnell, IA; Ron (Susan) Darnell, Beaver Falls, PA; Rob (Cathy) Darnell, Overland Park, KS; Wes (Kathy) Darnell, Country Club, MO; Janie (Mark) Miller,  Kailua, HI; 35 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, and a host of cousins, nephews, nieces, in-laws and step loved ones.

Funeral Services will be held at 4:00 p.m. Friday, August 4 at the Eagleville Community Christian Church, Eagleville, MO under the direction of Roberson Funeral Home, Eagleville, MO. Burial with Military Rites will follow in Masonic Cemetery, Eagleville, MO. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Eagleville Community Christian Church in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 46, Eagleville, MO 64442. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com

Obituary -- Cliff Friend 1968-2023

Clifford “Cliff” Eugene Friend, 55, of Hopkins, Missouri passed away on Monday, July 31, 2023 at his home.

Cliff was born on July 14, 1968 in Dighton, Kansas to Gerald O. and Thelma L. (Suttle) Friend. He was a 1986 graduate of Dighton High School in Dighton, Kansas. He enjoyed fishing and was a Truck Driver and worked at Kawasaki. 

He was preceded in death by his mother, Thelma Friend and brother, Jerral Friend.

Survivors include, two sons, George Friend and Jerral Friend; father, Gerald Friend; two sisters, Beth Miller and Wanda Friend; former wife, Danielle Friend and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Friend has been cremated under the care of Price Funeral Home. 

Celebration of Life 5 pm Friday, August 4th at the Lions Club Shelter at Mozingo Lake. The family suggests memorials be sent to Cliff Friend at gofundme.com

Obituary -- Paul Besco 1948-2023

Paul Lynn Besco, age 74, Grant City, Missouri died Sunday, July 30, 2023 at Orilla’s Way Residential Care Facility in Grant City.

Paul was born August 7, 1948 in Maryville, Missouri; the son of the late Elvin and Helen (Myers) Besco.

Paul was a graduate of Savannah High School, Class of 1965.

As a weaver, Paul worked in the retail market selling yarn and looms.  He was an artisan who loved operating looms and machines to weave fibre into fabrics. His joy of weaving made him right at home in all the many Renaissance Festivals that he attended.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Elvin Glenn Besco, Jr, Marion Besco, Daryl Besco and a sister, Cora Ahrens.

He is survived by his sisters, Cathy James, Grant City, Missouri, Carol Besco, Rose Hill, Kansas, and one brother Keith Besco, St. Joseph, Missouri, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and a host of other friends and loved ones.

Per his wishes, Paul’s body has been cremated under the care of the Andrews-Hann Funeral Home, Grant City.  Private family services will be held at a later date in Santa Rosa, California.