Sandra J. Cyr

Sandra J. Cyr, 77, passed away Thursday, February 25, 2021 at Freeman Hospital in Joplin. Sandra was born September 9, 1943 in Monterrey Park, CA to Clarence and Faye (Smith) Silvers. She was a long time resident of Carthage and served in the United States Marine Corp during the Vietnam Era. After the military, she worked in several positions before retiring.

Sandra is survived by two sons, Michael Cyr (Katie) Carthage and John Paul Cyr (Casey) of Springfield; one brother, Tony Silvers of Broken Arrow, OK; two sisters, Fern Ritchie of Camdenton, MO and Betty Beauchamp of Warsaw, MO; three grandchildren, Katelyn Cyr, Kaleigh Wilson (Chad) and Sadie Cyr.
Sandra was preceded in death by three brothers, Ralph Lee Silvers, Clarence Junior Silvers and David Silvers.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at Springhill Baptist Church, 7370 N. Farm Rd. 159, Springfield, MO. A private burial will be held at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield.

Online condolences may be made at www.ulmerfh.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.

Margaret “Peg” Thorpe

Margaret “Peg” Thorpe, age 73, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Thursday, February 25, 2021, at the Girard Medical Center in Girard, Kansas. She was born November 7, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of John Howard Raftery and Margaret Montgomery Raftery. Following high school, Peg attended Moser Secretarial School in Chicago. From 1967 to 1969, she served an internship at WGN Radio Station in Chicago. She later served as executive secretary for Midwest Contractor Assoc. in Geneva, Illinois. In 1980, Peg moved to Ft. Scott where she was part owner of the McDonald’s restaurant until 1989. Peg married Wayne Thrope on November 12, 1993, in Ft. Scott. She was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, the Red Hat Society and the American Legion Auxiliary. She and her husband, Wayne, also volunteered their time at the Presbyterian Village. Peg enjoyed knitting and reading.

Survivors include her husband, Wayne, of the home; her daughter, Jennifer Peters, of Leawood, Kansas and three granddaughters, Lydia, Ella and Madeline Anstoetter, all of Leawood. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Kate Rosenthal and a brother, John Raftery.

Rev. Reed Hartford will conduct graveside services at 11:30 A.M. Wednesday, March 3rd at the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 10:30 A.M. until leaving for the cemetery at 11:15 A.M. at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Shriners Transportation Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Betty Joy Robertson

Betty Joy Robertson, 94, a longtime Miami resident and member of the Wyandotte Nation, passed away peacefully at Oak Pointe of Neosho on the early morning of Wednesday, February 24, 2021. She was born on May 22, 1926 in Ottawa County, Oklahoma to Gus and Ruth Witte. She earned her Associates Degree from NEO A&M College where she met the love of her life, Harold “Robby” Robertson. They were blessed with two children, over 64 years of marriage (until his death in 2019), and an abundance of prosperity and joy in the home they built together as proud Okies. They were members of the First United Methodist Church in Miami. Betty worked as a telephone operator at Southwestern Bell for 33 years and in retirement became her husband’s partner at Robertson’s Real Estate. All who were fortunate enough to cross paths with Betty knew her for her quick wit, intellectual curiosity, and fierce devotion to her husband and family. She was a hoot. For decades, she and Robby maintained their pecan grove and homestead while being actively involved in their community. On any given day, they could be found at the Miami tribal cafeteria, hosting or visiting friends and family, or travelling for R.E.C. meetings. Wherever their interests and commitments took them, it was always together.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, parents Gus and Ruth Witte, son Stanley Wayne Robertson, sisters: Molly; Geneva; Lula “Binky”; and brothers: Otsy; Thomas. She is survived by her daughter Emily Ruthann Logan and her husband Greg, grandchildren Darcy Allred, Cray Allred and his wife Jessie Allred, and great grandchildren Lydia and Charlotte Allred.

Visitation will be 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM on Saturday, February 27, 2021 at Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Miami. Graveside burial service will be private-invitation at Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery in Miami.
Friends and family may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing Mrs. Robertson’s Tribute Page at brown-winters.com.

News to Know (3/1/21)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Americans are expected to begin receiving the nation’s first single-shot covid-19 vaccine this week. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine joins the Pfizer and Moderna shots in the nation’s war against the pandemic. Only four million doses of the J and J vaccine have been made but the company projects twenty million doses should be available by the end of this month.

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. – Officials with Spire say they’ve reconnected natural gas to a majority of homes in Carl Junction. The Energy Company posted door hangers with next steps for customers they were unable to reach. The shutdown comes after firefighters say a gas line exploded on the south side of Carl Junction during what Spire says was a ‘pipeline inspection process’. One worker was injured in the incident.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – An Oklahoma power company paid more for fuel during the winter storm than it did all through last year. The average annual power cost for Oklahoma Gas and Electric is around $600 million, but the price to keep Oklahomans warm last week was nearly a billion. That extra cost will likely be passed on to consumers. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission is also looking into a proposal from OG&E to spread out recovery costs over the course of ten years. If approved, officials say it would keep fuel-cost-related increases to less than 10 percent for an average residential customer’s bill.

JOPLIN, Mo. – May 22nd will mark ten years since a violent tornado tore a path through the heart of the city of Joplin. This year, organizers of the Joplin Memorial run wanted to offer a course preview. But there will be some changes due to the construction of the new Harry M. Cornell Arts and Entertainment Complex, organizers have changed the starting point of the race to Cunningham Park.

What are the best movies or shows you watched this past year?  http://koamnewsnow.com/vote

Phyllis J. Madl

Phyllis J. “Jeannie” Madl, 86, longtime Altamont resident, passed away at 12:14 a.m., Friday, February 26, 2021, at her home.

Phyllis Jean Shepard was born on April 11, 1934, to Arthur Moses and Eva May (Powell) Shepard in St. Paul, Kansas. As a young girl, she grew up and attended schools in rural St. Paul, including the Bloomer Country School. In 1951, she graduated from McCune High School. She continued her education at Labette Community College earning an Associates degree and then attended Pittsburg State University.

For many years Jeannie worked for the state of Kansas in Topeka. She began working at the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center in 1978 and moved to Altamont, where she has lived since.

She was a member of the Altamont First United Methodist Church. Her greatest enjoyment came from spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed doing ceramics, fishing and camping.

On August 29, 1958, Phyllis and Ronald L. Madl were united in marriage in Topeka, Kansas. He preceded her in death on December 14, 2012.

Survivors include:

One daughter – Debra K. Smith of Altamont, Kansas

Three grandchildren – Daniel Smith of Altamont, Kansas

Kendra Smith and her companion, Brian Johnson, of Owasso, Oklahoma

Kassia Bolden and her husband, Marshall, of Mound Valley, Kansas

Four great-grandchildren – Allison Eisenhour, Reagen Smith, Blake Bolden and Riley Bolden

One brother – Chauncy Shepard of Strauss, Kansas

Two sisters – Artie Lewis and her husband, Bob of McGregor, Minnesota

Carolyn Moore of Humboldt, Kansas

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ronald; two sons, David Madl in 2016 and an infant son, Michael; her son-in-law, Andy Smith; and two brothers, Verlin Shepard and Delbert Shepard.

The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 4, 2021, at the Altamont First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Altamont. Friends may call at the church from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, to sign the register and view Mrs. Madl. The funeral service can be viewed live on the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home Facebook page. For all events, social distancing guidelines will be followed, including the requirement of face masks.

Memorials are suggested to Grace Foundation to benefit Kindred Hospice. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Linda Joyce (Bittner) LaDue

Linda Joyce LaDue, 81, Nevada, MO passed away on Thursday, February 25, 2021 at her home in Nevada. Linda was born May 28, 1939 in Alva, OK to Clarence C. and Eloise E. (Vincent) Bittner.

Linda came with her family to Vernon County at a young age and lived on a farm south of Nevada. She graduated from Nevada High School in 1957. Her family operated the “Eat Well Café” in Nevada where she worked alongside of her family. Through the years, Linda also worked at several other businesses in Nevada including Joseph L. Pohls Construction, Nevada Daily Mail, and Nevada Regional Medical Center before retiring from US Bank in March of 2013. She loved being with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Linda was loved dearly by her family.

Survivors include one daughter, Sheri Davis, Nevada; and one son, Steve LaDue and his wife Lori, Springfield, MO; six grandchildren, Missi Cantrell and her husband John, Marshfield, MO, Amber Adams, Abilene, TX, Kayla Davis and her husband Eric, Lincoln, AR, Michael Davis and his wife Holly, Portland, ME, Matthew Davis and his wife Erika, Durant, OK, and Brandon Davis (Alyssa), Portland, ME; eight great grandchildren, Daytin, Garrett, Brennin, Gauge, Kynnidi, Tripp, Skylar, and Haisley; three sisters-in-law, Helen Armstrong, Nevada, Virginia Bittner, Oklahoma City, OK, and June Henson, Nevada; one brother-in-law, Sam LaDue, Parker, CO; two nieces, Julie Kemper, Nevada, and Janet Brown, Edmond, OK; and one nephew, Gary Bittner, Oklahoma City, OK. She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Noreta Kemper; two brothers, Calvin Bittner, Melvin Bittner; and one niece, Velynda Jones.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Pastor Terry Mosher and Chaplain Kenny Batson officiating. Interment will follow in Moore Cemetery in Nevada. The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested in her memory to Heartland Hospice or Calvary Baptist Church in Nevada c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

*** Those in attendance will be asked to maintain social distancing and are asked to wear face masks to protect themselves and others.

Jimmie Gene Gideon

Mr. Jimmie Gene Gideon, of Anderson, Missouri, departed this life suddenly on Thursday afternoon, February 25, 2021. Jimmie suffered a massive heart attack while opening a grave at Noel Cemetery, he was 62 years of age.

Jimmie entered this life on January 30, 1959, in Neosho, Missouri, born to the union of Kennith and Leatress (Leuellen) Gideon. He was a lifelong area resident and a 1977 graduate of McDonald County High School. He furthered his education at Missouri Southern State College in Joplin, graduating from the Policy Academy. Jimmie believed in hard work. He served as a McDonald County Sheriff’s Deputy, drove a school bus for the McDonald County School District, worked for the city of Granby, was a talented plumber and heavy equipment operator and owned and operated “Got It All” Auction House in Anderson. For the last several years he assisted his father in the grave opening business, opening and closing thousands of graves for families throughout Southwest Missouri. He was a member of the Missouri Governors Mounted Guard, was involved with Kidney Foundation Ride For Life and was a current member of the Anderson City Council. He loved his dog, playing pool, woodworking, lending a helping hand to others and spending time with his grandchildren, even rescuing them with they broke down.

A brother, Noah Wayne Gideon, preceded him in death.

Jimmie is survived by his two children, Tiffany Newhard and husband, Kennith, of Anderson and Matthew Gideon and wife, Sabrina, also of Anderson; seven grandchildren, Paige Newhard, Sara Newhard, Inman Gideon, Dixie Gideon, Allison Medlin, Ashley Medlin and Audrey Medlin; his parents, Kennith and Leatress Gideon of Anderson; a sister, Teresa Carlin and husband, Larry, of Stella, Missouri; a niece and nephew, Jennifer Wilson and Johnathan Carlin both of Stella; a great nephew, Adrian Carlin; as well as a host of other family and friends.

Funeral services will be held graveside on Monday afternoon, March 1, 2021 at Tracy Cemetery with Pastor Derald Compton officiating. Those honoring his life by serving as pallbearers are Matthew Gideon, Kennith Newhard, Troy Haviland, Randy Wilson, Rick Strong, Ty Kern and George Kepler with Larry Carlin serving as an honorary. The family will receive friends on Sunday afternoon from 2-4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Chapel of the Ozark Funeral Home. On-line condolences may be sent to the family through our website www.ozarkfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Missouri.

A chilly to mild week ahead of us

The start to our month of March will feature chilly temperatures for Monday and Tuesday. While we stay dry under mostly sunny skies for Monday, we’ll watch an upper-level wave pass to our south on Tuesday. Some moisture will try to clip us with a slight chance for some rain/snow showers late in the afternoon and into the evening. While we’re still expecting very little in the way of impacts or accumulations, it’s a wave that we’ll continue to keep an eye on. After a short stretch of quiet weather for Wednesday and Thursday with highs in the lower 60s, we’ll have another system bring in a better shot for scattered rain by Friday. After that, we’ll stay mild and quiet for the rest of the upcoming weekend.

Car wash forecast – March 1st-3rd

The car wash forecast is generally looking okay for the next 3 days. With no weather worries for our Monday with mostly sunny skies in the forecast, the day is looking good to get your car cleaned up with a fresh coat of wax. For Tuesday, we rated the day as a fair. With an upper-level wave passing just to our south, it has a slight chance to bring a few rain/snow showers into our far southern counties for the late afternoon and early evening hours. If you want to get your car cleaned on Tuesday, we recommend that you take care of that task during the morning hours. Once that wave moves on and we head back into mostly sunny skies for Wednesday, our rating goes back up to a good as we hit the middle of the week.

Latest updated blog – Staying quiet and chilly for Monday – Nick

Good Sunday evening, everyone. As advertised, we turned chilly to wrap up our weekend as our cold front rolled on through earlier today. Ahead of it, we saw some scattered rain and some t-storms late Saturday afternoon and into Saturday night before we had one last round of scattered showers roll through this morning. While it didn’t bring much in the way of accumulating rainfall, we did see early morning highs around 60 before we dropped back into the 50s for morning and into the afternoon.

Breaking down our weather setup, the cold front pushed to our east and has been producing strong to severe t-storms across parts of the Deep South and the Tennessee Valley. With us behind the front and with high pressure helping to keep our breeze out of the north, we’ll keep quiet to start the new work/school week out.

Upstairs at the jet stream level, we have our upper-level low that helped bring in the rain and t-storms yesterday and this morning lifting across the Upper Midwest and into southern Canada. Our next system to watch for the next few days is the upper low sitting in New Mexico.

For our Monday, we’ll keep things quiet across the region. While it is nice that skies have been clearing out this evening, the clear skies will work together with some drier air working in and a light north breeze to start us off on a cold note. Everyone will start out in the upper 20s to near 30 before our Monday AM drive gets going.

While the clear skies, light breeze and dry air means a cold start for Monday morning, those same conditions will allow us to warm up quickly throughout the day. After we see temperatures push into the upper 40s by the lunch hour, we’ll see afternoon highs top out around 53 across the region.

While we do stay quiet for Monday, let’s talk about Tuesday. The upper-level low sitting out in New Mexico will track just to our south across eastern Oklahoma and central Arkansas. Most of us will see partly sunny skies for Tuesday with highs in the lower 50s. By the late afternoon and early evening hours, we’ll keep an eye on this low. While much of the moisture wants to stay to our south, I’m not ruling out a slight chance for some rain showers for areas south of I-44 in Missouri and Oklahoma. However, the upper low will be strong enough to bring colder air down to the surface across the higher elevations of northwest Arkansas. That could support some snow trying to mix in. If any of that colder air aloft and at the surface can sneak into some areas south of Grand Lake and south of I-44 in MO, that could allow for some snowflakes to try and mix in.

The best chance for those rain showers (and possible snow showers) will be for the late afternoon hours and into the early evening hours. If any snow mixes in and tries to accumulate, we do not see this being a big impact for us. At worst, we see any possible snow amounts ranging between a dusting and a quarter of an inch.

Once that wave clears out by Tuesday night, we’ll have an upper-level ridge build in for Wednesday and Thursday. That will keep us quiet under partly to mostly sunny skies with highs topping out in the lower 60s. By Thursday, though, we’ll have our eyes on our next system that will work in from the west.

As we kick off the weekend, the upper low will start working into the region. This will bring mostly cloudy skies in here on Friday with a better chance for scattered rain as highs drop back into the middle 50s. Due to the slower approach of this wave and the moisture working with cooler temperatures, we have taken any t-storm chances out of the forecast with this wave.

That wave will quickly scoot off to our southeast as we head into Saturday and Sunday. The end result is our skies turning quiet once again. With partly to mostly sunny skies, we’ll hold on to highs near 60 for the rest of the weekend. Doug has your long range forecast for the whole month of March and the first few days of April down below.

Have a good night and a great Monday!

Nick

Next Monday-Saturday:  We’ll stay mild with rain chances on Monday.  Cooling down a bit Tuesday but back to mild temps by Wednesday.  Showers and thunderstorms on Thursday and Friday.  Cooling down and drier for the weekend.

March 14th-20th:  We start the week with rain or snow chances on Sunday.  The cycle before this system produced 1″ of snow.  With cool temperatures for Sunday, we’ll watch it.  Mild temperatures return for Tuesday and Wednesday with rain chances on Wednesday and Thursday.  This system gave us severe weather with some tornado warnings on January 30th, lets watch this one!  Cool for Friday before we turn milder for Saturday as we start a dry weekend out.

March 21st-27th:  We’ll be mild for Sunday and Monday before we turn briefly cooler for Tuesday. A brief jump to a mild Wednesday before we stay cool for the rest of the week. We’ll watch for slight rain chances on Monday and better rain chances for Wednesday and Thursday.

March 28th-April 3rd:  Cool temperatures for Sunday and Monday. We’ll briefly turn mild for Tuesday and Wednesday before we cool back down for the rest of the week. We’ll watch for rain chances on Sunday, slight rain chances on Wednesday, rain chances on Thursday and rain/snow chances to start the weekend out.