Bradley Mathers was convicted of one misdemeanor count of 3rd degree assault after entering an Alford plea.
Nodaway County Prosecuting Attorney Bob Rice was appointed special prosecutor in the case last September after officials accused Mathers of running a pencil up the girl’s leg and back.
Atchison County Associate Circuit Judge Corey Keith Herron sentenced Mr. Mathers on March 31. Judge Herron ordered Mathers to serve two days in the Atchison County Jail beginning April 15 and must permanently surrender his teaching license
Ronald “Kent” Ahrens 79, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at his home, in Saint Joseph, MO. He was born January 16, 1937 in Edwardsville, IL, son of Bernice and Edward Ahrens. He graduated the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science in Management. He then served as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army as a Helicopter Pilot. He worked at Ralston Purina, Blueside Tannery, and retired from Shelter Insurance as an agent. Kent was known for his positive, can do attitude and was very involved in the community serving as a St. Joseph City Councilman in the 1970’s, and on numerous boards, such as Meril. He was a member and past president of Sertoma and was instrumental in establishing a deaf camp located at Camp Marvin Hillyard every summer. His other passion with his former wife Phyllis was their love for animals and his numerous adopted new friends. He was a member of ASCAP and the Wyatt Park Christian Church of which he was also very active. After Phyllis passed away he formed a cooking ministry, which cooked meals and baked goods for people that recently had a death in their family. That was Kent, he was always doing things for other people. Kent was preceded in death by 1st wife Nancy, and 2nd wife, Phyllis, and his parents. Survivors include, daughter, Darcy Ahrens (Robyn Walter) of Shawnee Mission, KS, son, Jeff (Gail) Ahrens of Saint Louis, MO, grandchildren, Amy, Chris, Emily Ahrens of Ferguson, MO, and Duncan and Owen Walter of Shawnee, KS, two brothers, Gary (Kathy) Ahrens and Bob (Ella) Ahrens of Edwardsville, IL. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on Saturday with a celebration of life to be conducted at 3:00 PM Saturday at the Rupp Funeral Home, Pastor Joe Costephens officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials are requested to Friends of the animal Shelter, in care of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.
Barbara Jo Callaway Miller, 78, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at home with family and friends, battling lymphoma and arthritis. She was born October 7, 1937 in St. Joseph, MO, daughter of Marjorie and Earl Calloway, they preceded her in death. She worked at Twin Cedars, her family’s restaurant, Snow White Restaurant, Missouri Methodist Hospital as a surgical nurse, and Bender’s Home Health. Barbara Jo put herself through Methodist Hospital Nursing School. She married her loving husband, Jerry Lee Miller on August 22, 1958 in St. Joseph, MO, and he survives of the home. Barbara Jo loved her family and spent as much time as possible together. She was a member of Agency Christian Church, Christian Women’s Fellowship, St. Joe Garden Club, Herb Club, and a member of KC Roadrunner Club. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, her grandson, Kevin Martin Crossfield, Jr. to cystic fibrosis and her brother, Earl, and sister-on-law, Charlotte to cancer. Barbara Jo is survived by husband, Jerry, daughter, Sandy Jo (Benny) Freeman, two sons, Dannie Lee (Jackie) Miller of Agency, MO, and Randy (Bibi) Miller of St. Joseph, MO, grandchildren Stormy (Rich) Davis, Margie (Mark) Hamaker, Skyler (Paul) Free, Dylan and Colby Miller, great grandchildren, Jaxon, Tufton, Addalyn, Lexi, Griffin and Freeman, a Sister Sharon (Joe) Pflugradt, Brothers, Carl Callaway, Richard (Jura) Calloway, Ross (Rhonda) Calloway, and extended family and friends. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 AM Monday, at the Rupp Chapel, with Chaplain Scott Jensen officiating, the family will receive friends from 4-6 PM Sunday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials are requested to the American Cancer Society. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.
Craig “Shades” Carl Sonderegger 64, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at his home. Born August 9, 1951 in Wichita, KS, son of Carl and Elenore Sonderegger. He served in the Marines and is a veteran of the Vietnam War. He worked at Union Millrite Carpenter. He loved going to Bike Rally’s and riding his motorcycle. He had lots of friends and loved playing with his grandbabies and his animals. He also enjoyed flower gardening, a member of Freedom of Road Riders and a Christian. Craig was preceded in death by his parents, and step-daughter, Adrianne Hart. Survivors include, companion Janice Hart of the home, step-son, Christopher Hart, grandson he raised, Dylan Hart, other grandchildren, Emily & Baylee Bercegay, and Felicia Campbell, two sisters, Anne Yegge of Albuquerque, NM, and Janet St. Clair of Yakima, WA.
