A love story that began at marching band practice entered its next chapter over Thanksgiving weekend at the spot where it all began.
     Cheyanne Arnold (GVHS 2017) and Andrew Craig (GVHS 2018) met for the first time as members of the Grain Valley Marching Eagles in 2014 on the 38 yard line during practice. Craig’s marching route on the field caused him to step on Arnold’s flag on the count of 1 as she was supposed to stand up from behind a box and begin her routine.                  
     The band directors told Cheyanne she had to hit count 1.  She finally told them, “I can’t!  The freshman’s on my flag!”  The freshman was Andrew Craig at the 38 yard line. 
     Craig surprised Arnold by proposing on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, on the spot on the 38 yard line where it all began. 
     Craig said he created an excuse to get Arnold out of the house by claiming he needed something from the grocery store. Once the couple headed out, their families headed over to the high school football field. As the couple left the store, Craig volunteered to drive and headed the opposite way toward the high school. Arnold was confused, but wasn’t really expecting a proposal, as she said both of their families had strongly suggested they wait until both graduated from college to become engaged.
     “When we got to the field and I found the spot where it all began, I told her this spot started the best 8 years of my life, and it was the best mistake I ever made,” Craig said.
     They began dating in December 2014 and have been together ever since.  Arnold was a member of the Grain Valley Color Guard and Winter Guard. Craig played the trumpet in the Marching Eagles, pep, and concert bands.   
     The couple were members of the 2016 GV Marching Eagles who traveled to New York City to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and were asked to perform on Good Morning America.   
     Arnold graduated in 2017 and went on to K-State where she has obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture with an emphasis on Landscape Design and Greenhouse Management.  She is currently employed by Ryan Lawn & Tree as a landscape designer.  Andrew is a Senior at K-State and will be obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology in May 2022.   The couple is planning a Fall 2022 wedding.
 

​     Stephen and Rose Brashears of Grain Valley will celebrate their 50th anniversary on September 4th.
     They were married at North Cross United Methodist Church on September 4, 1971, and raised a family in Blue Springs. Stephen is retired from General Motors; Rose is retired from American Family Insurance.
     They’ve provided unconditional love and support to their children Cory and Colin, son-in-law John, and granddaughters Sara and Kate (even when they didn’t deserve it).
     Wishing you both a very happy anniversary!
 

​James Guillemot, age 83, passed away on Tuesday August 17, 2021 at the Hilltop Grand Village in Wisconsin Rapids.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday September 5, 2021 from 1:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. at the Grain Valley Community Center. 713 Main Street, Grain Valley, MO.
Jim was born on December 21, 1938 in Lexington, MO to Pierre and Goldie Lee (Swafford) Guillemot. He married Helen Joyce Kelly on November 4, 1961 at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Higginsville, MO He graduated from Lexington High School and also attended Wentworth Military Academy.
Jim was an all-conference Missouri River Valley conference football player and a lifelong enthusiast of the sport. He was also the #1 tireless fan of anyone in his family and an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan. He was an enthusiastic supporter of his wife’s horse obsession and enjoyed attending and supporting horse shows. Jim had recently moved to Wisconsin Rapids to be closer to family. He was very much a dedicated family man and a loving husband.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Joyce Guillemot of Wisconsin Rapids; children: Russell Eugene (Kay) Guillemot of San Diego, CA, and Michael Kent (Teresa) Guillemot of Wisconsin Rapids; grandchildren: Matthew, Daniel, Bree (Steve) Cox, and Cori all of San Diego, CA, Thomas of Naperville, IL, and Samuel of Dubuque, IA; great grandchildren: Skyler, Tatum, Lennex Cox of San Diego, CA.
He is preceded in death by his brother, Pierre Guillemot Jr. and his parents Pierre and Goldie Guillemot.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Heart Association.
Herman-Taylor Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the Guillemot family.
 

​Diana Lynn Johnston, 73, of Grain Valley, passed away after an extended illness on Thursday July 29, 2021 at St. Mary's Hospital. Memorial services will be held Friday August 6, 2021 at Royer Funeral Home 100 Royer Lane in Grain Valley, Missouri 64029. Visitation is from 6:00pm to 7:00pm and the Memorial Service will start at 7:00pm. Zoom video chat is available if you are unable to attend. Please contact family for details for zoom prior to 9:00pm Thursday August 5, 2021. (816)847-8333. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Grain Valley Assistance Council or Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Blue Springs, Missouri in Diana’s name. https://donate.jw.org
 

     Virgil E. Clark, 69, of Richmond, died Friday, July 9, 2021, at Shirkey Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Richmond.
     Virgil was born on September 11, 1951, in Mt. Vernon, OR, the son of Virgil and Lotti Jean Wiley Clark.  He was first united in marriage to Kathy Copenhaver of Odessa in 1970; they later divorced.  He was then united in marriage to Susan J. Hofmann of Kansas City, KS, on July 9, 1983; they later divorced.
    Survivors include: son, Chris Niemeyer of Sacramento, CA; three daughters: Jennifer (Glenn) Gillam of Grain Valley, Julie Houseman of Blue Springs, and Jill (Tim) Welty of Odessa; 9 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and numerous other relatives and friends also survive.
     He was preceded in death by his parents.
     Virgil was reared and educated in Odessa, graduating from the Odessa High School.  He loved fishing, hunting, sailing, and boating.  Virgil enjoyed his job as a truck driver.  He loved watching TV and enjoyed devotional listening to Shepard’s Chapel, daily.
     The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Virgil Clark Memorial Fund.  They can be left at or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home, 507 East Main Street-P.O. Box 190, Richmond, MO 64085.
    Graveside service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Concord Baptist Cemetery, Bates City.  Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond is in charge of arrangements.  Please remember to share your memories of Virgil with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.
 

     Each semester, students at Missouri State University who attain academic excellence are named to the dean’s list. 
     For undergraduate students, criteria include enrollment in at least six credit hours during the summer semester and at least a 3.50 grade point average (on a 4.00 scale).
     Grain Valley:
     Molly Dixon
 

​     Jesse Frank Long, 94, of Bolivar, Missouri passed away Sunday, November 17, 2019 at his home in Bolivar, Missouri, surrounded by his loving family.
     Jesse was born on April 27, 1925 in Eureka, Kansas to John and Mable Coulter Long, the youngest of nine children. Jesse primarily grew up in Reece, Kansas, also living in Neosho and Burlington, Kansas. At the age of 17, Jesse enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he earned the distinguished title of Navy Frogman. He served his country with honor in the Second World War. Following his time in the military, Jesse moved back to the Midwest, where he joined the Santa Fe Railroad as a mechanic, retiring after 33 years.
     From the age of eight, Jesse was an accomplished harmonica player. It was a talent that he cultivated over years and enjoyed playing until the end. Jesse was also a very gifted storyteller and shared his life with many around him. He could often be found fishing, fixing cars, or playing cards with his friends or family. Jesse was generous to a fault, and loved his country, his family and his God. His example leads the way for those who loved him most to follow.
     Jesse is preceded in death by his loving wife of over 60 years, Marjorie Elizabeth Long.
     He is survived by his wife, Barbara Long of Bolivar, Missouri, as well as his two sons, Lewis Michael Long and Steven Alan Long. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Norma Jean Henry, Michael Anthony Long, Morgan Macrae Dolan, Jessica Ann Long, Robert Alan Long, Justin Wessel, Logan Varner, Lacey Varner, April Doherty, and his great-grandchildren: Lawson James Henry, Tressa Anne Henry, Caleb Delaney Dolan, Roman Ezekiel Harris, Josiah Mason Long, Braelyn Grace Harris, and Sabra Watkins.
     Visitation for Jesse Long will be held Thursday, November 21, 2019 at 1:00pm at the Heritage Baptist Church in Bolivar, MO. Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 21, 2019 at 2:00pm at the Heritage Baptist Church in Bolivar, MO. Burial will be held at Royer Cemetery in Grain Valley, MO on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 1:00pm.
Memorial contributions can be made in Jesse’s honor to the Heritage Baptist Church in Bolivar, MO.
 

Michael Shane Fisk
​
It is with great sadness that the family of Michael Shane Fisk announce his passing on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at the age of 45 years. “Shane” was a general contractor. He attended schools in Grain Valley, Stockton, Harrisonville, Butler, Higginsville, and Appleton City, respectively. “Shane” will be lovingly missed by his wife Melena and his children Ember Blaze (18 months) and Stormy Rain (6 months), Branson, first born son Damon Michael Fisk, 26, Kansas, and second son Caleb Fisk, 13, of Branson.
He leaves behind his parents Carl Ray Fisk of Grain Valley and Kathryn Self of Clinton, sister Carla Ball of Leawood, Kansas, brother James E. Cantrell III of Fair Play, two half brothers Danny Fisk and Shawn Fisk, along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 24th at 2:00pm at Bear Creek Methodist Church, 9655 NE 300 Road, south of Osceola. We will meet at Casey’s in Osceola and form a procession line to the church for our celebration of Shane’s life.