Obituaries

ATCHISON, Kan. – Sister Esther Fangman, OSB, 80, a Benedictine sister of Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, Kansas, died on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, at the monastery after a brief illness. The vigil service will be Friday, Aug. 22, at 7 p.m. in the monastery chapel, and the Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated there Saturday,

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. – Cathy Beth Fitzsimmons, Ormond Beach, Florida, died Aug. 5, 2025. She was born Nov. 30, 1949, in St. Joseph. She was preceded in death by her son, Ridgley B. Fitzsimmons, and her father, LeRoy Hausman. Cathy is survived by her daughter, Nicole Willis (Marcus); granddaughter, Ridgley L. Willis; brother, Michael Hausman

DeAnna “Dee” Kay Hatten, 85, St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. She was born July 14, 1940, to Don E. and Fern (Polston) Williams, in Lucerne, Missouri. She grew up in New Hampton, Missouri, then graduated from Southwest Harrison High School in Bethany, Missouri. It was there that she met her high school

Sandra M. Meeks Sandra Marlene Meeks, 72, of St Joseph, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at her home. Survivors include son, Jay Stewart (Sarah Roettgen); two brothers: Lonnie and Steve Stewart; and sister-in-law, Sherry Meeks. Full obituary and online condolences at www.ruppfuneral.com. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.

SAVANNAH, Mo. – Kathy K. Lance, 77, of Savannah, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Kathy was born on March 10, 1948, in St. Joseph, to the late Franklin and Erma Hubbard. She graduated from Lafayette High School and earned an Associates Degree at Missouri Western State University.

Kevin Scott Filley, 63, passed away Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, at his home. He was preceded in death by parents, Paul and Pat Jones and Bill Filley Sr.; brother, Billy J and twin, Kermit Filley; grandparents, Red and Gladys Filley and James and Frances Murrary. Survivors include daughter, Debbie Filley; sisters, Lori (Phil) Bish and

Bette Lou Tolbert, 96, of St. Joseph, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, at Carriage Square Convalescent home. She was born on Jan. 26, 1929, in St. Joseph, daughter of the late LeRoy Maxwell Sr. and Eva (Linder) Maxwell. Bette graduated from Benton High School class of 1944, and

Nadine Whitehead, 65, of St Joseph, passed away Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, at a Savannah, Missouri, health care facility. She was born Oct. 2, 1959, in Billings, Montana, daughter of Merthyl (Ferguson) and Lawrence Warn. They lived in Worden, Montana, where she joined older brother, Bob, and three younger siblings followed. In 1967 the family

Richard “Rick” Flores, 67, St. Joseph, passed away Monday, August 11, 2025. He was born March 16, 1958, in St. Joseph, to Viviano and Frances (Lopez) Flores. He worked at Continental/Screw Conveyor for 36 years. Rick loved listening to music and singing, telling stories and shooting pool, especially at the Shamrock. He couldn’t walk past

FAUCETT, Mo. – June D. Geiler, 83, of Faucett, Missouri, passed away Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025. She was born June 29, 1942, in Wathena, Kansas. She graduated from Benton High School. June was preceded in death by husband, Charles; parents, Leo and Amy Wood. Survivors include daughters, Pam Meng, Charlyne Burns and Shelly Lake. Memorials

Dorothy J. Smith, 96, St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025. Farewell Services and Public Livestream 10 a.m. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com. As published in

Evelyn H. Cook, 85, of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, at Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph. Evelyn was born Nov. 4, 1939, in St. Joseph, to Melvin and Velma (Perman) Amos. On March 9, 1957, she married Frank Cook, in St. Joseph. Evelyn made the most of her time spending it

Eva Dugan passed away peacefully on Aug.8, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Eva was a woman of faith, kindness, and generosity. She loved the Lord Jesus Christ and trusted in Him throughout her life, finding comfort and peace in her faith until the very end. She was a devoted member of Maxwell Heights Presbyterian

Cecilia Mangraviti Cecilia Mangraviti, Aug. 3, 2025. Beloved wife of the late Joseph Mangraviti; devoted mother of Nicholas (Diana); loving grandmother of Michael; dear daughter of the late Michele and Rosa Dassero; survived by nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to her Life Celebration on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, from 10 to 11

NORMAN, Okla. – Donald Lee Murphy Sr., 93, formerly of Troy, Kansas, passed away Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. He spent the sunset of his life at his daughter’s home in Norman, Oklahoma, where he was cared for by his daughter, Terry, his son-in-law, Bill, and his granddaughter, Brittany. Donald was born on Feb. 24, 1932,

BOISE, Idaho – Marlys Castle, 94, passed peacefully Aug. 3, 2025, with her daughter by her side. Marlys retired as Executive Secretary to the President of Wire Rope Corporation, in St. Joseph. Marlys was devoted to her family and friends. She was married to her husband, Bill, for 74 years, a partnership marked by enduring

Barbara Jean Heath passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at her home in St. Joseph. Memorial service 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at Abundant Life Center Community of Christ Congregation. Inurnment will follow the memorial service at Mount Hope Cemetery in Mound City, Missouri. The family will gather with friends 6 to 8

Tony Shutts, Sr., 95, St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025. He was born Nov. 20, 1929, in St. Joseph, to James and Cresia (Head) Shutts. Tony married Betty Lou Kelly on Nov. 10, 1945. She preceded him death on March 31, 2000. He worked at Swift & Co. then began a long career

MANDEVILLE, La. Mary Teresa Wawrzyniak Sanger, a longtime resident of St. Joseph, and a resident of Mandeville, Louisiana, for the past 10 years, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, in Mandeville, at the age of 93. Mary was born Sept. 19, 1931, in Halls, Missouri, to Francis Joseph and Mary Eta Roberts Wawrzyniak. In

OSAWATOMIE, Kan. – Nancy Lea Nix 81, of Osawatomie, Kansas, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, in a Ottawa, Kansas, health care center. She was born Jan. 6, 1944, in King City, Missouri, daughter of the late Darlene and Arvin Nix. She graduated from Savannah High School and worked at Truman

Christina L. Rothwell Christina Lee Rothwell, 42, of St. Joseph, passed away on July 27, 2025, following a diagnosis of brain cancer in October of 2024. She is survived by her mother, Mary Strouth; husband, Dave Rothwell; children Hayden Rothwell and Lindsay Cunningham; sister, Jessica Purser; brother-in-law, Kyle Purser; and niece, Vivienne. Christina was a

SAVANNAH, Mo. – Rosemary Tunks, 94, of Savannah, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, leaving behind her loving family. Rosemary was born on April 6, 1931, in Lone Wolf, Oklahoma, to the late Raymond and Mildred (Simmons) Lemaster. She graduated from King City High School in 1949 and obtained her Missouri cosmetology license.

Leanne Webber-Thon, 69, of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, in St. Joseph at her home. She was born Jan. 9, 1956, in St. Joseph. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. on Monday at the Rupp Funeral Home, with a memorial service to be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday,

Albert “Bud” Neidel, 98, of St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, at his home in St. Joseph. He was born July 26, 1927, in Maryville, Missouri, son of Mae Neidel. On Nov. 24, 1962, he married Nancy Greiner in Miami, Oklahoma. Bud devoted over 30 years as a truck driver, retiring from the

ABILENE, Kan. – Sharon Kaye (Lady) Evers was born Sept. 7, 1944, in Abilene, Kansas, the daughter of Gerald and Auline (Milham) Lady. She passed away Sunday, July 27, 2025, at Village Manor, in Abilene. Sharon grew up in the Abilene area, graduated from Abilene High School, and received her Bachelor’s Degree from Kansas State

OSBORN, Mo. – “Life changes in the instant. The ordinary instant.” Joan Didion, The Year of Magical Thinking. So it was for the Innumerable lives Hannah Elizabeth Ford, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, touched in her short, but profoundly accomplished, 31 years, which ended on Saturday, July 26, 2025. She meant so much to so many,

BETHANY, Mo. – Isabelle Ward Graves “Billie” was born Elna Isabelle Doyle on May 28, 1934, in Cainsville, Missouri, to Clara Gertrude (Stoner) Doyle and James E. “Jimmy” Doyle. She was welcomed into her heavenly home on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. When she was born, the doctor told her parents about news of the birth

John David Davis, 59, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at his home. He was born July 21, 1966, in St. Joseph, son of Kay and Charles B. Davis. The family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, at the Rupp Funeral Home. Graveside Services and

Shirley J. Hocking-Gabriel, 89, St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. She was born Oct. 29, 1935, to George and Martha (Dickinson) Sauter, in Halls, Missouri. Shirley, a graduate of Benton High School in the class of 1953, went on to further her education and passion for helping others by earning her nursing degree

Kathleen Lewis 76, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, July 31, 2025, in St. Joseph. She was born Jan. 31, 1949, in St. Joseph, daughter of the late Maureen Lucille and Joseph Francis McCue. She graduated from LeBlond High School, and then she received her LPN from Sisters Hospital. She retired from Mosaic Life Care