Butler Funeral Home

10/22/2026

Lois Elaine Werts passed away October 21, 2026, at Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar, MO at the age of 96. She was born on April 4, 1930. Lois married Loren Lee Werts on November 2, 1952. She lived her whole life in Polk County except for the first 3 years of marriage while Loren served in the Navy. Lois was preceded in death by her parents Paul and Ruth Armstrong, her sisters Joy Wilkinson and Neita Campbell, and her brother Paul Dean Armstrong. Lois is survived by her brother J.O. Armstrong and sister-in-law Rose. Her son Stanley Werts and daughter Jane Arnold, and son-in-law Glen, 5 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Lois was a member of Humansville Methodist church and played piano at Flemington Methodist Church. She was a long-time member of GFWC. Lois retired from serving as librarian at the Humansville Library after 25 years. She enjoyed drawing, painting, crafts, and sewing. Lois will be missed by family and her many friends.

A graveside service will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Monday, October 26, 2026 at the Humansville Cemetery in Humansville, Missouri. Visitation for Lois will be held at from 1:00 P.M. until 2:45 P.M. on Monday, October 26, at the Butler Funeral Home in Humansville, Missouri. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

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10/13/2026

Nettie Pearl Hansen was born in Kansas City, Kansas on September 9, 1943 to Keolna (Gough) Hansen and William “George” Hansen Sr.
She left this worldly place peacefully to spend eternity with her Lord, Jesus Christ. She was surrounded by family, (including her canine companion and best friend, Carley) on October 9, 2026 at her home of 40+ years in Stockton, Missouri.
Nettie's life will be uplifted in celebration on Saturday, October 24th from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the Butler House Family Reception Center, located at 407 E. Broadway, Bolivar, Missouri 65613. Please bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and your favorite memories to share. While we're intentionally gathering on this one day to honor Nettie's life together, we'll continue to celebrate and carry her in our hearts each and every day.
From the time she was a little girl until the very end, Nettie was known by her family and friends for her earnest kindness, curiosity, adventure-seeking nature, playfulness, quick-wittedness, generosity, and vivid imagination. She was the fourth born of 9 children from Keolna and George, with an additional 7 siblings from George’s first marriage. Nettie and her siblings grew up in and around the Kansas City metro + Stockton, MO. She often loved to reminisce on her childhood memories - many of these stories took place at their home at 75th and Indiana in Kansas City, or at their house in Arnica, Missouri. Growing up both in the city and the country, with an...

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10/11/2026

Thomas Paul Strange, 79, passed away on October 11, 2026. He was born on November 6, 1946.
Thomas grew up in Mexico, Missouri, and later attended Hannibal-LaGrange College before joining the military. He was honorably discharged with the rank of E-5. In 1980, he met and fell in love with Anna Potts, whom he later married.
Thomas worked for Stanley Furniture before moving on as a carpenter for Joe Cox. Later in life, he worked at Citizens Memorial Hospital until illness forced him to retire.
In his free time, Thomas enjoyed reading, collecting cameras, and following his beloved St. Louis Cardinals. He was also a long time member of the First Baptist Church of Bolivar.
He is survived by his wife, Anna Strange; son, Curtis Strange; daughter, Marjorie Arnold; grandson, Johnathan Strange; granddaughter, Jessy Strange; sister, Brenda Wright and her husband, Greg; brother-in-law, Roy Potts and his wife, Annette; and many dear friends who will cherish his memory.

Memorial services for Thomas will be held at Butler Funeral Home Bolivar on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 1:00 PM Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery following the services.

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10/11/2026

Wilma Jean Staffen Peninger, age 89 of Bolivar, Missouri passed away surrounded by family on October 11, 2026.
Wilma was born in Halfway, MO on April 9, 1937 to Ernest and Vera (Hoover) Staffen. She started her career at Teters Floral Products in October 1958. Wilma was a floral designer at Teters for many years and enjoyed traveling for the company. She retired after 43 years to spend more time with her grandchildren.
Wilma was a devoted member of Berean Baptist Church since 1972. She taught the love of Christ to pre-school children for many years and continued to make her amazing chocolate chip cookies for them after she was unable to teach.
Wilma is survived by her daughter, Darcus Harris; grandchildren, Lisa (Lyle) Barber and Tammy Harris; great-grandchildren, Tyler Cribbs, Breanna (Ezra) Piper, Mariah (Evan) Kirksey and Trenton Barber; great-great-grandchildren, Walter, Margaret, Milo and Talon Piper.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Ernest and Vera Staffen; siblings, Howard, Maxine, Willa and Anna Mae; her son, Con Scurlock; grandchildren, Michael and Kendra Scurlock; great-grandson, Gabriel Scurlock and son-in-law, Virgil Harris.
Visitation will be held Friday, October 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM with services following at 1:00 PM at Butler Funeral Home, Bolivar. Burial will follow at Red Top Cemetery in Buffalo, MO.

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10/11/2026

William Stewart Williams, 63 of Fair Play, Missouri, passed away on Friday, October 9, 2026, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield.

Services are under the care and direction of Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar.

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09/30/2026

Mary Lou Sanders, 79, passed away peacefully on September 29, 2026, in Bolivar, Missouri. She spent her final days surrounded by family and her loving husband of 60 plus years.
Born on March 23, 1947, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to Albert Eugene and Dorothea Marie Corrotto, Mary Lou was faithfully raised in the Catholic Church. Her faith was the cornerstone of her life, cherished deeply and shared generously with those around her. She graduated from St. Scholastica Academy and remained proud of her education and grateful for her parents’ sacrifices to make it possible.
She met her future husband, Donald Wayne Sanders, on the tennis courts at Creekmore Park, where he proposed just a few months later. They married on July 23, 1966, at Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Smith.
After briefly living in Texas for four years, they spent 23 years in Great Bend, Kansas, and 21 years in Sterling, Kansas, raising their family and building life-long friendships. They later moved to Bolivar, Missouri, for their retirement years.
Children were a great joy for Mary Lou: Donald Wayne Jr. (Tamara) Sanders of Hoisington, Kansas; and Rebecca Ann (Christopher) Pomeroy of Bolivar, Missouri, came earlier in life. One blessing came just a little later, Seth Buckley (Katie) Sanders of Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Mary Lou was an incredibly loving mother who never missed a moment to say, “I love you.”
God blessed Mary Lou with twelve grandchildren: Zane Sanders, Zachary (Kynnedy)...

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09/30/2026

Dean Gordon Kneller passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on September 24, 2026.

Dean was born on February 22, 1952, to R. Dean and Lois Kneller in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He graduated from Washington High School in Kansas City, Kansas, in 1970. Following graduation, Dean enlisted in the United States Army and served in Panama.

Dean was a printer by trade and a gentle giant by nature. He was a quiet, kind-hearted man who loved his family dearly. He also enjoyed fishing and spending time with his beloved cats.

Dean was preceded in death by his father, R. Dean Kneller; his brother, John Kneller; his stepson, Brett Kneller; and his granddaughter, Kourtnee Lewis.

Dean is survived by his mother, Lois Kneller of Clinton, Missouri; his brother, William Kneller of Ottawa, Kansas; his son, Rex Kneller and wife Niki of Lowry City, Missouri; his daughter, Meredith Lewis of Seattle, Washington; as well as a niece, nephew, numerous grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Dean also leaves behind his cousin, Tammy Kneller Dietz of Flemington, Missouri, who lovingly cared for him for more than 20 years. Her years of care and devotion will forever be a meaningful part of Dean’s life.

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09/27/2026

Betty Kay Johnson Cribbs was born on September 15, 1942, at McCraw Clinic in Bolivar, Missouri, to Clark and Hazel (Scroggins) Johnson of Bolivar, Missouri. She is preceded in death by her husband David; her parents Clark and Hazel Johnson; infant twin daughters, Terri and Sherri Cribbs; brothers Fred and Gene Johnson and sister Barbara Gilmore.

She is survived by her children Sandy (Jake) Jacobson, Mike (Jill) Cribbs, Susan (Brad) Coy, Betsy (Tony) Berry; 13 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; her brother in-law Diz Stepp, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Betty was a graduate of Pleasant Hope High School and attended Southwest Missouri State College. In high school, she was a cheerleader and played the flute in the band. She moved from playing the snare drum to twirler then became majorette of the Pleasant Hope Drum and Bugle Corp.

After graduating high school and while attending college, Betty worked part-time at The Pleasant Hope Bank. On December 9, 1961, she married David D. Cribbs and continued to work at the bank until 1964 when Sandy was born. From that time forward, she was a devoted wife, homemaker and mother. She volunteered at both her church and various community organizations. For over fifty years, Betty had been a member of PEO, serving as President, Vice President and Chaplain.

She was a library volunteer at Polk County Christian School while two of her grandchildren were students.
She also volunteered when...

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09/24/2026

Laquita Jewel Chrane, lovingly known by many as S***t and, most importantly, Granny, was a one-of-a-kind woman whose strength, humor, stubbornness, and enormous heart left an unforgettable mark on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Laquita was strong, caring, outspoken, and never afraid to let you know exactly what she thought. She lived life with a personality all her own. She loved bowling and taekwondo, enjoyed knitting and sewing, and had a special love for horror movies and Stephen King books. She was even the kind of granny who could sit down and play Resident Evil - something her family will always remember with a smile.
But more than any hobby or interest, Laquita loved her family. She was a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend whose family grew far beyond blood. If she loved you, you were family, plain and simple.

Laquita was preceded in death by her father, Nick Skaggs; her mother, Alta Foster; her husband, George Chrane; two sons, Bill Hibler and Richard Hibler; her brother, J.L. Skaggs; and her sister, Sandra Skaggs, who passed away at a young age.

She is survived by her children, Kelli Hibler, Larry Hibler, James Hibler, and Mark Hibler, as well as an adopted daughter whom she loved very much, Rita. Granny was blessed with many, many grandchildren, including Skiler and Kelsey, both of whom claim they were Granny’s favorite - although the rest of the family may have something to say about that. The truth is,...

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09/22/2026

With both sorrow and deep Christian hope, we announce that Sandra L. McIntire went to be with the Lord on September 17, 2026, following a short illness. Born on November 16, 1945, Sandra lived a life marked by faith, devotion, and steadfast love. Her unwavering belief in Christ shaped her days, her work, and the way she cared for others.

Sandra was blessed to share 61 years of loving marriage with her best friend and husband, Reverend Dr. Ronald L. McIntire. Together, they built a life grounded in faith, service, and mutual devotion. For many years, Sandra served as a journalist and editor, dedicating herself to thoughtful storytelling and the pursuit of truth. She also spent countless cherished years as a ministerial wife, faithfully supporting Ron’s ministry and touching the lives of congregations through her quiet strength, compassion, and grace.

She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, William Sr and Audrey Mead, and her brother, Robert Mead. Sandra is survived by her sister Susan Wigley of California, Her Husband Ron as well as her three loving children—Scott (Laurie) McIntire, Greg (Heather) McIntire, and Laura McIntire (Marshall) Hansel—along with numerous grandchildren and great‑grandchildren who carry forward her legacy of kindness, faith, and gentle wisdom. To her family, friends, and all who knew her, Sandra was a blessing and an enrichment to every life she touched.

As we grieve her passing, we also celebrate her well‑lived...

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