Courthouse News for June 21st, 2023

On June 4th, the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department arrested Austin Bolles (32) of Mount Ayr on a charge of Criminal Mischief. Bond was set at $2,000, cash only.

On June 12th, the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department arrested Kody Kibbe (18) of Diagonal on a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault. He was being held on no bond until seen by the magistrate.

On June 14th, the Bethany, New Hampton, Pattonsburg, Ridgeway, and Eagleville fire departments were called to a large fire at Waste Management Systems in Bethany. 

On June 15th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Jackson Garvin (28) of Maryville alleging Harassment (Felony). Bond was set at $10,000, cash or corporate surety.

On June 15th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Brett Wilmes (34) of Rosendale alleging Kidnapping and Domestic Assault. 

On June 15th, Special Prosecutor Tara Cluck filed charges against Jerry Bammer (36) of St. Joseph in Nodaway County alleging Non-Support (Felony). 

On June 16th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Patrick Wolvin (26) of Maryville alleging two counts Child Abuse (Felony). Bond was denied.

On June 16th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Pamela Vanta (45) of Globe (AZ) in Harrison County on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Charges were subsequently filed by Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt. Bond was set at $30,000, cash only.

On June 16th, Harrison County Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt filed charges against Jaden Finney (19) of Cainsville alleging DWI, No Tail Lights, and No Seat Belt.

On June 16th, Harrison County Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt filed charges against Austin Tidwell (17) of Bethany alleging DWI and Failure to Register.

On June 17th. The Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Roniece Green (30) of Kansas City in Nodaway County on charges of Driving While Revoked, No Plates, Failure to Secure Child in Booster Seat, and a Platte County Warrant (Driving While Revoked).

On June 17th, Harrison County Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt filed charges against Matthew Johnston (39) of Austin (TX) alleging Sexual Misconduct. Bond was set at $10,000, cash only.

On June 18th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Ricardo Hernandez-Garcia (30) of Bethany in Harrison County on charges of DWI and Failure to Drive on Right Half of Roadway.

On June 18th, the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department arrested Randell Osborn (56) of Tingley and Kristina Pierce (36) of Tingley on a charge of Operating Motor Vehicle Without Owner’s Consent. Bond was set at $2,000, cash or corporate surety.

On June 19th, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges against Hermelindo Zecena (22) of Eagle Grove (IA) alleging No Valid License and Careless & Imprudent Driving (Accident).

On June 19th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Daniel DeShon (43) of St. Joseph in Nodaway County on charges of No Plates, No Insurance, No Seat Belt, and a Felony Warrant from St. Joseph Community Supervision Center (Parole Violation). 

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.

Tigers, Bluejays in Little League Finals Tuesday

Worth County and Northeast Nodaway’s Little League teams are in the finals Tuesday after they both won their semifinal round games last night. 

Previously, Northeast Nodaway beat one of the King City teams 21-6 after falling behind 3-0 in the first inning. Worth County beat the other King City team, scoring four in the first, two in the second, and four in the third. King City scored one tally in the fourth, but Worth County answered it to win 11-1. Owyn Wuillay crushed a double to right center in the first that brought in two runs, while Brock Healy dug out a pitch for an RBI double in the second and Mason Hiatt ended it in the fourth with a triple which turned into a score when King City mishandled the cutoff and the ball got away as Mason crossed the plate. 

That pitted Worth County against Platte Valley and NEN against Albany.

The Albany game had the potential to be a good game as the Warriors put Stanberry away easily in the four versus five game 11-2. They were peaking at the right time. But Wyatt Scadden opened the Bluejay first with a monster shot that went clear to the wall and he was already rounding third by the time the left fielder got to the ball to make it 1-0. Bentin Roberts got a single and took third on an error as another run scored, and Roberts came home on a wild pitch. Jackson Taylor walked and Jace Burns turned on a high pitch and crushed an opposite field double to left field to score another run to make it 4-0. 

With two outs in the second, the next 11 Bluejay batters reached safely as Wyatt Scadden doubled to keep the inning alive. Brady O’Connell singled and took second on a wild pitch, scoring on Liam Cordell’s single. Bentin Roberts’ pop fly double put runners on second and third, and Jackson Taylor walked. Jace Burns got his second extra base hit, crushing a double to left center to score all three runs. Gracin Runde and Landon Moore walked and Brock Adwell provided another big blow as he singled and the ball got away from the center fielder as three more Bluejay runs scored to make it 12-0 after two.

But Albany was not finished, and three walks loaded the bases for Freeman, a big kid who promptly clubbed a double to right center to make it 12-2. T.J. Anthony grounded out to cut it to 12-3.

With two outs, Jace Burns once again showed his speed and beat out an infield hit to keep the inning alive. He stole second and third and then Gracin Runde stretched a single into a double as Burns scored to reestablish the tun run cushion after three.

Liam Cordell shut down the Warriors in the fourth to preserve the win and allow the Bluejays to go home early.

We were halfway home to a Worth County-NEN showdown, but sometimes, getting there can be an adventure as a tough Platte Valley team stood in the way of Worth County. Platte Valley had lost by only one run to the Bluejays earlier in the year. 

Sure enough, the first two blue shirts walked on 3-2 pitches, Redden scored off a wild pitch, and the third batter, Grady Gockel, hit a screamer off pitcher Brock Healy’s bare hand and into center for a base hit. Later, McQueen grounded out to score another run and Platte Valley led 3-0. It would have been worse, but then Tiger catcher Jarrett Gilland gunned down Nolan Wallace trying to steal second to get out of the inning.

Jordan Dannar crushed a pop fly double behind second base to start the Tiger first. Hudson Cameron and Brock Healy walked, and Jordan Dannar stole home on a return throw to the pitcher to cut it to 3-1.

Tiger pitcher Brock Healy settled down in the second and worked around a walk to strike out three batters. Both pitchers battled a tight strike zone all game, and the Tigers walked seven times in the second inning, forcing in four runs to take a 5-3 lead.

Holaday walked to start the third for Platte Valley and then Grady Gockel hit a single that got away from Tiger right fielder Owyn Wuillay. But Owyn stuck with the play and uncorked a perfect throw to pitcher Brock Healy, who threw a perfect relay to nail Holaday at the plate. Later, an error would score Gockel from third to cut it to 5-4, but the Tigers were able to survive a scare and preserve the lead.

Mason Hiatt singled with one out, Cole Hardy reached on an error in the Tiger third, and then Clayton Oberhauser singled in Hiatt to make it 6-4.

Brock Healy ran out of pitches in the fourth, but Jordan Dannar was able to work around a walk by striking out Gockel, Platte Valley’s best hitter, to preserve the two run cushion. 

With one out in the Tiger fourth, Brock Healy doubled and went to third when the cutoff throw got away. Tucker Fletchall’s pop fly dropped behind short and Healy scored to make it 7-4. Weston Hill singled up the middle. Owyn Wuillay forced Fletchall at third, but Jarrett Gilland took a close pitch for ball four and Mason Hiatt singled to score all three baserunners to make it 10-4.

Jordan Dannar got two outs to start the Platte Valley fifth, but then Nolan Wallace walked and Everett Hayden crushed a shot down the right field line. But Owyn Wuillay made a great play to hold him to a single, and Dannar kept Platte Valley off the scoreboard when Landon Holtman went around for strike three.

Tucker Fletchall reached on an error to put the Tigers ahead 11-4 as Hudson Cameron scored before the game was called due to the two hour time limit. 

Worth County will play Northeast Nodaway Tuesday at 5 pm in Ravenwood for the championship. Last year’s game between the two went nine innings.

North Nodaway Accepts Two Resignations, Hires Several Personnel, Approves Repairs to School

The North Nodaway School Board accepted two resignations and hired several new personnel for the 2023-2024 school year at their regular meeting last Wednesday.

The board voted to accept the resignation of Sarah Emery as the Elementary Special Ed teacher and Tana Wymer as the 5th Grade Teacher.

The board named Lori Harris as the 6th-8th grade math teacher, MacKenzie Black as the High School and Basketball Cheer Coach, Zaire Sutton as the Assistant High School Football Coach and a substitute teacher, Lindsey Bird as the 5th Grade Teacher, Brylie Goff as the 1st Grade Teacher, and Tracy Westfall as the Elementary Special Ed Teacher. All votes were unanimous.

The school board voted to award the bid to Herner Construction to repair damages from the April hailstorm at a cost of $351,357. All the costs will be covered by the school’s insurance. The repairs will cover the following:

Recreation Center:

–Replace all vinyl siding;

–Replace three vinyl windows;

–Replace two light fixtures;

–Paint two doors;

–Replace all gutters and downspouts;

–Replace roof shingles.

Ag Building:

–Replace metal wall panels on south side of building;

–Replace gutters and downspouts on south side of building;

–Paint two doors;

–Replace OH door;

–Replace three window screens and frames;

–Replace louvers on greenhouse and the one on the south side of the Ag building.

Commons Building:

–Replace metal wall panels on south side;

–Replace gutters and downspouts on south side.

High School:

–Replace blue metal wall panels on south side;

–Replace coping cap on south side;

–Replace gutters on south side;

–Replace 12 window screens;

–Replace all blue standing seam metal roofing and flashing on south facing section.

Bus Barn:

–Replace roof steel

–Replace metal wall panels on south side;

–Replace two man doors.

Elementary:

–Parapet wall panels and coping cap on south side.

The board amended the budget to reflect the Rickard Grant, the State Security Grant, and the Preschool Startup Grant.

The board voted to name Hallelujah Counseling Services, owned and operated by Courtney Koch, to provide mental health services for the school. A licensed professional counselor will be in the elementary for one day a week. This is in the teletherapy services that the school is already utilizing. 

The board voted to approve the bid from Chris Kiddo to refinish the hardwood floors at the Elementary for a cost of $6,800.

The board voted to approve the purchase of new science textbooks for grades K-12 from McGraw-Hill for a cost of $40,608.07.

The board voted to award the trash bid to Porter Trash of Maryville. The bid went up from $372 to $410 this year. They were the only bidder. The bid for LP went to Agriland. The bid went from 1.634 per gallon to 1.0375 per gallon, saving the school several thousand dollars for the upcoming year. The school typically uses 20,000 gallons of propane. MFA Oil bid 1.35 per gallon and Consumer Oil bid 1.55 per gallon. The milk bid went to Anderson-Erickson, which was the only bidder. Milk went down 1-2 cents. Cottage cheese, sour cream, and yogurt went up. Graves Menu Maker and Fall City Mercantile submitted bids for the food. Graves Menu Maker had 60 random items out of 75 that were cheaper. They have had the food bid for years. 

High School Principal Roger Johnson reported that they are switching the ELA Reading Room and the High School Math Room. This will keep middle school and high school classes located on the floors where their lockers are located. 

Several students have been attending summer athletic programs. Jacquelyn Cline will be attending the National FBLA Contest in June. Morgan Pope will attend District Officer training.

Preparations for registration, Back to School night, and 6th grade orientation are being made for August. Sports and activity schedules and master activity calendars for 23-24 are completed and can be viewed online.

Staff professional development days have been planned and scheduled. Emphasis will be on ELA, data teams, and professional learning communities. Another point of emphasis will be on incorporating technology into classrooms.

The class schedule was finalized earlier this spring, and students were able to register. The school will be offering leadership and character education classes at various levels, a senior seminar, additional service learning, and entrepreneurship opportunities. The school is building time for the counselor to work with middle school students on bullying, Internet safety, coping skills, and other topics. 

The school counselor will also work with seniors and juniors on scholarships, ACT and Accuplacer testing, job shadowing, college visits, and other student needs.

Teachers will have an extra 120 minutes per week to work in teams on curriculum development, data collection, and intervention and mentoring programs.

School supply lists will be sent out in early August.

Richardson Blanks Bluejays; Kohlleppel Bright Spot for NEN

Brooklyn Richardson set the tone for Worth County by mowing down nine Bluejays in three innings of work and freshman pitcher Kristen Tracy took it home from there as the Tigers blanked Northeast Nodaway 9-1.

Worth County got off to a bad start this year, but has recently found their stride. Northeast has won most of their games this year, but without Baylie Busby (fibula), they had to plug some new faces in. A freshman, Brianna Meyer, was pressed into service as catcher. But Gracie Kohlleppel was a bright spot for them, getting two hits for the Bluejays. 

The Tigers scored in every inning but the fifth before breaking it open in the sixth. Northeast got their lone tally in the sixth.

Rylee Ruckman started off the Tigers in the first by beating out a slow roller in the first. She took second on a passed ball, stole third, and came home on Kynah Steele’s groundout to make it 1-0.

Richardson worked around two walks by striking out three Bluejays in its half of the first.

Kara Staton tripled all the way to the wall, 270 feet away in right to start the Tigers in the second. Brylee Rush doubled to center to score Kara but was out trying for third as Sasha Deardorff threw a bullet to Jill Boswell at short, whose relay was in time to Blair Nelson for the out. 

After Richardson struck out the side in the Bluejay second, Katie Fletchall came home on a wild pitch to make it 3-0 in the third.

Richardson struck out the first two Bluejay batters of the third, but tired after that, walking two batters and hitting a third. But she recovered to get the final out. Brylee Rush stole home as Northeast was getting an out at first on a dropped third strike and Rush broke for the plate and made it to make it 4-0.

Kristen Tracy came on in relief in the fourth. Gracie Kohlleppel broke the ice for the Bluejays with her first hit when she dug a pitch out of the first Bluejay hit. But Tracy was able to work around some traffic in both the fourth and fifth innings. 

Evalyn Gilland beat out a slow roller that went up the middle and nobody could get to in the Tiger sixth. Rylee Ruckman started a whole series of at bats where the Tigers would dig the ball out of the dirt for base hits. Rylee Ruckman dug one out and hit a shot off Bluejay pitcher Lindsey Jackson’s bare hand and beat it out. Kambree Briner grounded out to advance them, and then Kynah Steele dug another ball out of the dirt and singled to left to score Gilland, putting runners on first and third. Kristen Tracy hit a screamer down the left field line for a triple to score two more and then Brylee Rush’s Texas leaguer dropped in right for a base hit to get her home. She took second and third on wild pitches and Keira Hardy grounded out to score her to make it 9-0.

Gracie Kohlleppel got her second hit when she dug out a pitch and singled to center. But she tried to steal second on the freshman catcher and Keira Hardy, who was inserted at catcher for the Tigers that inning, gunned her down trying to steal. The Tigers may have just found two new catchers if Autumn Cousatte doesn’t return (knee). Rylee Ruckman caught for much of the game Monday.

Keira has catching in her blood; her mother, Vicki (Wake) Hardy, had never caught a game before, but she was pressed into service during her playing days back in 1997 as the Tigers were split into two teams, but the other team’s catcher was gone for the Jefferson game. Worth County won the game 7-6 in Jefferson as Vicky tagged the tying run out at the plate for the final out to preserve the win.

Down to their last out, Northeast tried to get a rally going as Hadley DeFreece walked and Blair Nelson turned on a change and crushed it into left field. The Bluejays may have found a new first baseman as well; Nelson made some outstanding stretches at first to save some errors. Nelson’s shot would have been extra bases had not Rayleigh Smith not used her body to stop the ball and get it in quickly. DeFreece and Nelson went to second and third on a wild pitch and another wild pitch broke the shutout as Hadley crossed the plate. 

Jill Boswell was next, and she had come up big on the same field two years ago as she had crushed a triple for a 10-9 nine inning walkoff win over North Harrison. Sure enough, she crushed another one that looked headed for extra bases. But Tiger second baseman Katie Fletchall speared it for the final out.

Worth County School Board Purchases New Football Lights

The Worth County School Board voted to award the football stadium light bid to Techline Sports Lighting at their regular meeting Wednesday. 

On April 29th, a set of three lights attached to one of the nine light poles at the football field fell and landed on the fence and track. The current lights are discontinued. Insurance stated they would give a $117,000 allowance to repair or replace the lights. United Electric will donate the demolition and disposal of the old lights. The goal is to get the lights done this summer so they will be ready in time for the fall football season.

The board received three bids. The first was from Techline Sports Lighting. It included 50 foot light poles, $124,000 for materials, $73,700 for installation and electrical, and a $5,000 discount for a total of $192,700. The district cost after insurance was $77,700.

Musco Lighting submitted a bid for 40 foot light poles; a 50 foot pole would have been $32,000 extra. Materials were $198,000 with installation and electrical $62,000. Total cost was $260,000 with the district cost after insurance being $145,000.

Jeanne’s Distribution bid $16,798.80 to replace the current lights with LED. However, no labor or wiring was included.

The district transferred $199,722 from fund 1 to fund 4 and will be able to transfer a similar amount this year. There will be around $500,000 in fund 4 after summer expenses and fund transfers.

The board approved Charlie Bliley as a substitute bus driver.

School lunch meal prices were raised for the upcoming school year. Lunch prices will increase by 35 cents and breakfast prices by 25 cents. Lunch prices had only increased by 10 cents since 2020 due to free lunches in 20-21 and 21-22.

The district facilities were rated as “Above Average.” Strengths included dedicated personnel who take pride in the buildings’ upkeep, new carpet in some high school offices, concrete and new bleachers at the softball field, painting and refurbishing the high school lockers, repairs on the ag roof, renovation of the high school workroom and teacher restrooms, improved drainage at the football field, roadway safety grant signage, ag building exterior renovation and heating, upcoming work painting the metal siding and bus barn, asphalt maintenance and construction, and air purifiers in every room provided by the Missouri Department of Health; library security and door lock installed, and an updated buzzer system for the high school secretary.

Concerns listed included maintenance of the HVAC systems, the need to replace the asphalt pad northwest of the elementary, drainage between the ag building and school, the need for an enclosed walkway between the ag building and school, sewer drainage on the south side of the school, the need to replace the high school guttering, and lighting at the football and softball fields. After this evaluation was written, the board voted to replace the lighting at the football field.

Recommendations included appointing a committee to evaluate the facility master plan to include the items listed above, as well as other items. Other recommendations include that the district prioritize facility needs and formulate a long range plan to guide discussions around a possible no tax increase bond issue in April 2024.

The board voted to declare various items as surplus and is seeking bids. Bids are due no later than 3 pm on July 13th. Bidders should list the items by lot number and the amount they are willing to pay. The bidder should write their name, address, and phone number on the outside of the envelope along with, “SURPLUS PROPERTY BIDS.” Bids should be delivered or mailed to the school office.

Items listed include a scrap bus, a 2,100 field barrel, nine video cameras and digital cameras, three photo scanners, 25 Chromebooks (updates expired), seven laptops, 11 desktop computers, 1 projector, and four typewriters.

The district was awarded funds from a grant to pay for summer school for this year. The board voted to pay teachers Megan Humphrey, Jamie Stalder, Leena Hightshoe, and Rachel Lane $1,680, Summer School Administrator Josh Smith $2,500, paraprofessionals Malori Moellenberndt and Jamie Degase $1,000, elementary secretaries Anita McClellan and Amanda Campbell $750, cooks Peggy Richardson and Carissa Snead $1,420, and bus drivers Ann Adams, Dale Healy, Loren Jackson, and Jeannie Fletcher $952. 

The annual bus inspection report came back for the school. All of Worth County’s buses were approved by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The board voted to transfer up to $162,326 from fund 1 to fund 4 for the purpose of capital improvements and/or bus purchases. The board voted to transfer an additional $37,119 from fund 1 to fund 4 in accordance with the Transportation Calculated Cost Transfer. The board voted to zero out the Fund 2 account, which is used to pay teachers.

The board approved the budget for the upcoming school year. Enrollment is expected to be 275, with average daily attendance at 256. This year, the elementary is expected to serve 158 students. There are nine full time classroom teachers and school wide Title 1 service. Two full time teachers and one part time teacher supports the Title programs. There is special education support for the elementary, with one full time teacher, one part time teacher, and three full time paraprofessionals. Part time teachers also help with elementary music, art, and PE. 

The junior high and high school are expected to serve 120 students. There are seven full time teachers and one part time teacher. There are three full time teachers offering career technical education courses in Business, Vo-Ag, and Consumer Science. High school art, music, and PE are provided by three part time teachers and two full time paraprofessionals, who work to support the high school special education program. There will be 10 students who will take courses at the Northwest Technical School. The district has one teacher supporting the Missouri Options Program, which works with students who are a year behind academically.

The third grade will continue to require additional support. There will be two sections of kindergarten and two sections of first graders due to high numbers in those grades. There will be three staff members new to the district, two teachers and one paraprofessional. The school is still trying to full 1.5 bus driver positions.

The 2023-24 budget will reflect a 3.1% increase in salaries and benefits from last year. The district will continue to contribute $500 a month towards employees’ district health care plans. Health insurance is offered to all employees who work 20 hours or more a month. Employees get a $15,000 life insurance police, paid for by the school.

The projected beginning balance for all funds beginning on July 1st is $3,026,033. The projected revenues are expected to be $4,428,947, with expenses at $4,600,662. The projected ending balance for June 30th, 2024 is $2,854,318. The school typically presents a worst-case scenario budget each year.

Obituary -- Dorothy Mackey 1943-2023

Dorothy Ann Mackey, 80, of Maryville, MO, passed away on Thursday, June 15, 2023, after a lengthy illness.

Dorothy was born at the old St. Francis Hospital in Maryville on February 6, 1943, to Elias Walter and Cornelia Augusta (Grotewiel) Starke.  They preceded her in death.

She graduated from Jefferson C-123 High School in Conception Junction, MO, at later a beauty school in St. Joseph, MO.  She was of the Christian faith.

On July 28, 1962, Dorothy was united in marriage to Richard Dean Arthur Mackey at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Clyde, MO.  Dick passed away on June 2, 1994.

She lived in Conception, then in St. Joseph, MO after getting married.  She and Dick moved to Maryville in the mid 1960’s, and 1975, then moved to Parnell, MO.  She moved back to Maryville in 2007. 

Dorothy had many jobs over the years.  She had been a beautician, and a telephone operator in Maryville, she had worked at Uniroyal and Maryville Forge, she did housekeeping at local nursing homes, and was a caregiver for the elderly.  She retired from Federal Mogul in Maryville. 

As a youth Dorothy enjoyed roller skating at Mickey’s in Maryville.  She enjoyed gardening and growing her indoor flowers.  She put together puzzles and enjoyed old westerns on TV.  She was a worker and didn’t mind overtime.  She took care of Dick for many years during his illness.  

She leaves behind her 2 sons, Dean M. (Mae) Mackey, Parnell, MO, and Danny K. Mackey, Bedford, IA, her 3 brothers, Dennis (Rosalie) Starke, Stanberry, MO, Raymond Starke, Liberty, MO, and Leo (Michele) Starke, Maryville, MO, 5 grandchildren, Daniel (Kaylee), Andrew, and Anetra (Ethan) Sherrard, Nathan (Alexa) Mackey, and Samantha (James) Davenport, 6 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dorothy has been cremated under the care of the Bram Funeral Home, Maryville, MO.  

Memorial services will be at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at the Bram Funeral Home, Maryville, MO.  Friends and family can come to the funeral home at 9:30 AM.  The burial will follow in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Parnell, MO.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested in Dorothy’s name to the St. Francis Foundation Cancer Care Fund, 2016 S. Main St., Maryville, MO 64468.

Obituary -- Lorin Sowards 1932-2023

Lorin Franklin Sowards, Age 91, was welcomed to heaven in the early morning hours of Tuesday, June 13, 2023.

 He was born May 24, 1932 in Allendale, Mo. to Joe & Velma Sowards. As a youth he learned the skill of carpentry, while traveling with his father, building houses.

After proudly serving 4 years in the Navy, as First Gunners Mate, on the USS Wedderburn, he settled in Los Angeles , CA. There he worked various jobs, ranging from picking fruit in the orchards to managing a small gas station.

While visiting family in Missouri, he was introduced to the love of his life, Ann (Brumett) Sowards. They were married 6 months later and ultimately settled their home in Maryville, MO. They would have celebrated their 61st anniversary this June 16th.

 In his free time, Lorin could be found at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee in his hands, ready to greet and chat with any of the numerous friends and family that visited him throughout the day. In the evenings, you could often find him at Hardee’s or Burger King playing cards with his buddies and drinking coffee. He was very proud of each of his grandchildren and enjoyed many exciting games of speed solitaire with them, along with dazzling them with his ability to wiggle his ears.

 Lorin was always “tinkering” or fixing something, and was a perfectionist at making sure it was done right.

 He loved anything related to John Wayne and enjoyed watching all of his movies, and honestly, any Western. He was fiercely protective of those he loved and family always knew they were safe when he was around.

During the last few months of his life, he resided at Medicalodge Nursing Home in Fort Scott, where he quickly became one of their favorites, with his big smile and infectious laugh. He was often lovingly referred to as “Grandpa” by everyone who met and interacted with him at the facility.

His humor, laugh, and ever on-going shenanigans no matter his age, will be deeply missed by his family. In his honor, hug your loved ones a little tighter and play a rowdy round of Speed Solitaire.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Joseph Henry and Velma Mabel (Carter) Sowards; Sister Dolores Francis (Sowards) Wilson; Brother Lewis “Mike” Henderson Sowards, Sister Loree Ruth (Sowards) McMichael, Brother Wilmer “Duane” Sowards; and Sister Ruby Gail (Sowards) Keiling. Lorin is survived by his children Renae Lynn Erickson, Minnesota, Dale “Buzz” (Kerry) Sowards of Freemont, CA., Loree (Dewayne) Tyler, of El Dorado Springs, MO., Rob Sowards, of St Joseph, MO., Catherine Wemhoff, of Bakersfield,CA., John Sowards, of Maryville, MO. and Christina Ouda, of Dalyyan, Turkey; grandchildren; Brittany Schweizer, Tiffany (Bradley) Bailey, Tyler (Faith) Schweizer, Justin (Amanda) Tyler, Jason (Edin VanAnne) Tyler, Amanda Mann, Colby (Liz) Wemhoff, Bevin Wemhoff, Tara Williams, John Joseph Sowards, Christian Light, Courtney Sowards, Caylee Sowards, Corin (Janele) Schrader, Lydon (Tracy) O’Dowd, Talin (Abi) Schrader, Viviana “Vivi” Ouda, and Casandra “Clo” Ouda; Sisters, Leona Morris, Iowa, Iona Chaplin, Oklahoma, Wilma Darlene (Earnie) Airington, Oklahoma and brother Homer “Eldon” Sowards, Iowa; 31 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral Service was 2 pm Saturday, June 17th at Price Funeral Home. Mr. Sowards was cremated following the services.  

www.pricefuneralhomemaryville.com