Obituaries

Born in Highland Park, Illinois, on Jan. 6, 1940, Shirley Dale Lawrence was the second of five children and a lifelong resident of St. Joseph. She spent nearly 50 years on North 25th Street, where she grew up, raised her sons, and later returned to live independently with strength and grace. Shirley attended Central High

COUNTRY CLUB, Mo. – Charles G. Dew, 72, Country Club, Missouri, passed away Sunday, April 6, 2025. He was born Dec. 17, 1952, in St. Joseph. Charles married Carla Glasbrenner on March 18, 1978. He worked in construction, then taught building trades at Hillyard Technical School for 30 years. The family will gather with friends

Zion Michael Allen Meers-Chavez, infant child of Rebecca and Rion Meers, passed away on April 2, 2025, in St. Joseph. Zion is survived by his parents: Rebecca Chavez and Rion Meers; and siblings, River, Drayden and Maddie, all of St. Joseph. No services are scheduled at this time. Online condolence, obituary www.ruppfuneral.com. As published in

CAMERON, Mo. – Lester Eugene “Gene” Simmons, 98, passed away peacefully April 2, 2025, at Mosaic Hospital. Gene was born July 5, 1926, in King City, Missouri, to Roy and Ottie (Meeker) Simmons. He graduated from King City High School in 1944 and University of Missouri in 1949. Gene served in the Army Infantry from

SAVANNAH, Mo. – Steven Ray “Steve” Beattie, 62, of Savannah, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday April 2, 2025, at his residence. Steve was born in St. Joseph on June 18, 1962, to the late Billy and Kay Beattie. He was a 1980 graduate of Savannah High School and during his career he lived and worked

Juana Bradley, 86, St. Joseph, passed away Friday, April 4, 2025. She was born Aug. 23, 1938, in St. Joseph, and graduated from Central High School. She married Don Bradley on Aug. 7, 1959. They were married 63 years before his death on April 9, 2023. Juana had a passion for baking and gardening. She

Danny Lee Bramble, 64, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, April 3, 2025. He was born June 22, 1960, in Leavenworth, Kansas, son of the late Gloria Jean Shaver and Omar “Tex” Bramble. Survivors include lifetime companion, Trish Newton; daughters, Desiree and Samantha Newton; son, Joshua Lee; four brothers; five sisters; four grandchildren: Alexi, Liliana,

Lillie Mae Cook, 75, St. Joseph, passed away Friday, April 4, 2025. She was born March 13, 1950, to the late Raymond and Lucille (Garner) Gelvin, in St. Joseph. Lillie was a graduate of Benton High School and carried with her the sense of community fostered there throughout her entire life. In 1988 she embarked

Cherie Sue Crockett, age 71, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 3, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born on April 11, 1953, to Jean and Henry Mattice, in St. Joseph. Cherie graduated from Benton High School and later married the love of her life, Charles “Chuck” Crockett, in December of 1971. Cherie

Patricia “Patty” Hatfield, 66, of St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, April 6, 2025, at her home. She was born Aug. 14, 1958, in St. Joseph, daughter of Karen and Edward Amos. Patty attended Benton High School. She worked as a Med-Tech at several area nursing facilities. Patty enjoyed working with her flowers, being outdoors and

TIFFANY SPRINGS, Mo. – T. Joan Lang (McWilliams), 87, passed away April 4, 2025, at Benton House of Tiffany Springs, Missouri. Joan was born Feb. 17, 1938, in Easton, Missouri, to Coval and Thelma (Hines) McWilliams. She worked as Foundation Accountant for Missouri Western State University, retiring in 2002. Joan was a lifelong member of

Masae Ludwig, 68, of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in a St. Joseph hospital. She was born Feb. 27, 1957, in the Federated States of Micronesia. Survivors include husband, After Ludwig; daughters, Aflyn Ludwig, Afly Ludwig, and Afmi Ludwig (IM Sewell); and numerous other family members. Funeral services and public live stream

WORTH, Mo. – Franklin Edward Pigg, 91, of Worth, Missouri, passed away April 4, 2024. Survivors: sons, Kenton (Susan); Allen (Peggy); and Roger (Kerri); six grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Funeral Service: 2 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at Roberson-Polley Chapel, Albany, Missouri. Burial: Knox Cemetery, Worth. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service

Phillip Saverino Jr., age 82, after a life richly lived, passed away at home on April 6, 2025, surrounded by his family. Born on April 5, 1943, Phil was a lifelong resident of St. Joseph. He was preceded in death by his parents, Philip (1969) and Georgia (2007); brothers, Melvin (1961), Floyd (2003); and son,

ELWOOD, Kan. – Charles E. Baskins, 81, of Elwood, Kansas, passed away Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph. Charles was born on Sept. 17, 1943, in Elwood, to Spencer and Joyce (Sanderson) Baskins. He worked for Armours and Monfort companies. He was a member of the Elwood Fire Department.

STEWARTSVILLE, Mo. – Mr. Leonard Wayne Woosley, 76, of Stewartsville, Missouri, passed away Saturday, March 29, 2025, at his home. He was born Oct. 18, 1948, in the state of Kansas, son of the late Minnie (Gill) Woosley and Leonard Woosley. He graduated from Highland High school and served in the United States Navy. Leonard

Sylva J. Summers, 68, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at her home. Sylva was born Feb. 1, 1957 in Ottawa, Kansas, daughter of Retha and Donald Lewis. She graduated from Central High School, class of 1975. On Dec. 29, 1977, she married Robert “Bob” Summers, in St. Joseph. In 1977, Sylva

GUILFORD, Mo. – Marla Jean Manship, 61, Guilford, Missouri, passed away Sunday, March 30, 2025. She was born July 8, 1963, to Elwyn D. and Juanita R. Middleton, in Aurora, Colorado. She worked for Access Personal Care for 13 years. Marla enjoyed arts and crafts, her flower gardens, fishing, and spending many hours reading books.

Theodore “Ted” Stanley Pankiewicz, 71, St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, April 3, 2025, with family. He was under hospice care after a courageous 18 month battle with terminal cancer. Ted was born in St. Joseph on June 5, 1953. He was the son of Francis and Josephine (Klein) Pankiewicz. Ted attended elementary school at the

Betty Mae McClanahan Headrick, 95, of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in a St. Joseph hospital. She was born May 31, 1929, in Hemple, Missouri, daughter of the late Florence Pearl Smith and Robert Lee McClanahan. She graduated from Gower, Missouri, High School in 1947 and attended business school in St. Joseph.

PARKVILLE, Mo. – John Thomas “Tom” Keller, 77, Parkville, Missouri, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. He was born Aug. 18, 1947, in Mexico, Missouri, to John Thomas Keller II and Dorothy (Ingwersen) Keller. Tom grew up in different parts of Missouri before the family settled in St. Joseph when he

Carolyn Sue Bayer 71, of St Joseph, passed away Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at a local health care center. She was born June 10, 1953, in St. Joseph, daughter of Bonnie and Carl Leer. Carolyn was married to Roland Bayer for 40 years and was a devoted housewife and mother to her family. She enjoyed

Hector J. Ponce 65, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in a St. Joseph hospital. He was born Jan. 29, 1960, in Mexico, son of Amelia and Manuel Ponce de Leon. He worked at Triumph foods for over 20 years. He is survived by daughter, Cheyenne Ponce; granddaughters, Brielle and Alaya; as

Gary Lee Reynolds, 82, St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, March 19, 2025. He was born Oct. 7, 1942, to Fred and Helen (Stumpf) Reynolds, in St. Joseph. Gary married Dona Joan Pearl on Oct. 23, 1964. He was a graduate of Central High School, and his commitment to excellence propelled him in his career with

Jima T. Whitmore, 46, of St Joseph, passed away Saturday, March 29, 2025, at her home. She was born Feb. 2, 1979, in St. Joseph, daughter of Sharon and James Whitmore. She graduated from Central High School and Missouri Western State University. Jima was preceded in death by mother, Sharon Whitmore. Survivors include husband, J.D

Charles Edward Branham, 89, of St. Joseph, passed away Friday, March 28, 2025, at his home. He was born Oct. 15, 1935, in Springfield, Colorado, son of the late Esther and Sam Branham. He graduated from the Oklahoma Panhandle State University with a Bachelors degree in Soil Science. He worked for the U.S. Federal Government

Wilma (Willie) J. Clark, 90, of St. Joseph, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 3, 2025. Wilma was born Dec. 7, 1934, in St. Joseph, to the late Floyd and Xerma Dowdy. She was a 1952 graduate of Lafayette High School. She married Eugene (Gene) Clark on Aug. 21, 1952. They celebrated 57 years of marriage

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – Herman Ray Collins, 85, of Independence, Missouri, peacefully passed away at his home on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Born on June 24, 1939, in Oregon, Missouri, to Campbell and Gladys (Montgomery) Collins, Herman married his beloved wife, Connie, on May 4, 1984. An avid fisherman and hunter, Herman also enjoyed woodworking, leather

SEVERANCE, Kan. – John M. Ellsworth, 51, of Severance, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Troy, Kansas. John was born on Oct. 13, 1973, in St. Joseph, to Neale I. and Peggy Lee (Bennett) Ellsworth. John married Sherry Duncan on Oct. 6, 2000, in Las Vegas, Nevada. She survives. He was a truckdriver

John Henry Fennewald, 92, a long-time resident of St. Joseph, passed away on March 30, 2025. John was born May 14, 1932, in St. Elizabeth, Missouri, to Henry H. and Marie E. (Koehne) Fennewald. He grew up on the family farm, graduated from St. Elizabeth High School, and served in the United States Army, stationed