Obituaries

Richard E. Merritt Sr., born on July 23, 1942, passed away at the age of 82 on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. Richard was born in Valparaiso, Nebraska, to Clifford and Lyndell Merritt. He was the fourth of five children: Jim, Bill, Lee and Kay. At a young age Richard joined the Navy. After returning home,

Ruth Young, 91, St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. She was born Aug. 7, 1933, in Dora, Missouri, to Fred and Lola (Shipley) Ingram. Ruth married James Maxwell Young in January 1951. He preceded her in death on March 1, 2015. Ruth enjoyed traveling. She and Jim spent much of the summer months

James “Jim” Fielding Dale Jr., 82, of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, at a local health care facility. Jim was born on May 2, 1942, to James Fielding Dale Sr. and Margaret (Wyeth) Dale. He moved with his parents to St. Joseph from Maryville, Missouri, in 1947. After attending Western Reserve Military

Mary Lou Miller, 77, of St. Joseph, passed away Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, at her home. She was born April 22, 1947, in Tazewell, Virginia, daughter of Virginia and James Short. Mary most recently had been working as a Caregiver for InterServ. She loved spending time with her family and was a member of the

Robert was born on June 7, 1956, in Sedalia, Missouri, to Felix and Annie (Knott) Scheerer. He entered the gates of Heaven on Feb. 16, 2025. He was raised in Stover, Missouri, where he graduated from Morgan County R1 High School and attended trade school for auto body in 1974. He was united in marriage

Jessie A. Sykes, a devoted Christian and loving son, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on Feb. 6, 2025, at the age of 50. Born on Feb. 13, 1974, in Burlington Hills, Michigan, to Clifford A. Sykes and M.L. Deretha Sykes (Hicks), Jessie spent most of his life in St. Joseph. Jessie attended

Chester LaVern Burks, 77, St. Joseph, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, at his home. Chester was born on Aug. 17, 1947, in Gentry, Missouri, to the late Chester Ross “Chet” and Imogene Ann (Steinman) Burks. He was a 1965 graduate of Stanberry High School. Mr. Burks retired from Affiliated Foods as a forklift

Patsy Ruth Griggs, 80, of St. Joseph, died Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Patsy was born in Joplin, Missouri, Oct. 11, 1944, to Clarence and Hazel Hewitt. Patsy was a 1962 graduate of Central High School. She worked at Tootle-Enright and Park Bank, until she married Jerry T. Griggs on Jan. 6, 1967. Patsy raised two

Robert Earl Jones, 71, St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. He was born Jan. 15, 1954, in St. Joseph, to James and Marion (Weitlich) Jones. Robert was a 1973 graduate of Lafayette High School, where he was an excellent marksman in J-ROTC and a popular guy – because he was one of the

WHITE SPRINGS, Fla. -Gale Douglas Venable, of White Springs, Florida, passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones Monday, Feb. 11, 2025, age 87. Born Nov. 15, 1937, in St. Joseph, to Roy and Rebecca (McMurry) Venable. 1957, Gale was married to Fonda Ardelia (Parker) Venable and they had two sons. Gale was a professional Numismatist and

John Dixon Boeh, 72, of St. Joseph, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in St Joseph. He was born on Sept. 20, 1952, in St. Joseph, to Vincent and Geneva Boeh. John graduated from Wathena, Kansas, High School class of 1970. He then graduated from Washburn University with his bachelor’s degree in 1974, followed

Jack Edward Fredrickson, 87, of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, at Benton House Assisted Living, in Blue Springs, Missouri. He was born to Edythe and Oscar Edward Fredrickson on Sept. 6, 1937, in St. Joseph. He graduated from Benton High School class of 1955. After graduation he was employed at the St.

SAVANNAH, Mo. – Randy Gillispie, 71, Savannah, Missouri, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Farewell Services and Public Livestream 1 p.m. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Private Inurnment Whispering Pines Cremation Garden at St. Joseph Memorial Park. The family will gather with friends 6 to 8

David R. Langlais, 71, St. Joseph, passed away Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. Farewell Services 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Inurnment Whispering Pines Cremation Garden at St. Joseph Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Online guest book and

Mary Lou Veraguth, 86, St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. The family will gather with friends 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. The family suggests memorial contributions to Freudenthal Hospice or the Gower Convalescent Center. Online

Patrick Howard Thomas, aka “Bub”, aka “The Old Man”, passed away peacefully in his home on Feb. 11, 2025. He held his wife Susie’s hand as he drifted up to heaven. He was 81 years old. Pat was born on Jan. 3, 1944, to Charlotte and Howard Thomas in Maryville, Missouri. He was the youngest

James Richard Long, 73, of St. Joseph, passed away peacefully on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. He was born on Oct. 17, 1951, in St. Joseph, to Clarland and Helen Long. James dedicated his life to service, both to his country and his community. He proudly served in the United States Air Force before providing for

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – James Richard “Dick” Powell passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Feb. 10, 2025. He was born on Feb. 28, 1937, to Marion Caryll and Eva Maude (Lizar) Powell, in Trimble, Missouri. He attended school at East Buchanan High School in Gower, Missouri, where he was active in many sports

SAVANNAH, Mo. – Theresa “Terri” Holt, 76, Savannah, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, at Living Community of St. Joseph. Terri was born on Dec. 19, 1948, in St. Joseph, to the late Calvin and Maxine (Wampler) Shreve. She was a 1966 graduate of Savannah High School and graduated from Methodist Hospital School

Marjorie “Margie” Joanne Kendall, 77, of St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in a Savannah, Missouri, health care center. She was born Oct. 20, 1947, in St. Joseph, daughter of the late Marjorie and Westley Chancey. She graduated from Lafayette High School, and worked at Sisters Hospital, Heartland Regional Medical Center, and retired

David A. Anderson, aged 72, of St. Joseph, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, at his home, surrounded by his son and daughter-in-law. He was born on July 28, 1952, in Wilmer, Minnesota, the son of the late LaVonne and Ardell Anderson. David was a dedicated worker, being one of the starting crew with

James “Jim” McIntosh, 80, of St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. He was born April 7, 1944, in St. Joseph, to Dorothy (Hagele) and Jesse “Buddy” McIntosh. He married Betty Lynn Parsons in 1964. He graduated from Benton High School in 1962. Jim was drafted in the Army and served from 1967-1969. During

James “Jim” McIntosh, 80, of St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. He was born April 7, 1944, in St. Joseph, to Dorothy (Hagele) and Jesse “Buddy” McIntosh. He married Betty Lynn Parsons in 1964. He graduated from Benton High School in 1962. Jim was drafted in the Army and served from 1967-1969. During

PRINCETON, Mo. – Doyle E. Nigh, 94, died Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, at Princeton, Missouri. Mr. Nigh was born on March 1, 1930, in the Kirby house in Modena, Missouri, the son of Clell E. and Edith V. (McCloud) Nigh. He was a 1947 graduate of Princeton High School and was married to Helen Brassfield

GOWER, Mo. – Terry Batchelder, 78, of Gower, Missouri, passed away, Feb. 6, 2025. He was born on Nov. 12, 1946, in Belton, Missouri. Terry grew up in Belton and graduated from Belton High School. On Aug. 13, 1972, he was united in marriage to Roberta Whippo. After their marriage they lived near Gower where

Lloyd Walter Hope, 78, of St. Joseph, passed away Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at his home. He was born June 1, 1946, in St. Joseph, son of the late Helen and Lloyd Hope. He married Sharon Brady on July 3, 1981, and she survives of the home. He graduated from Lafayette High School, and worked

BRANSON WEST, Mo. -Franklin Wayne Hubbard, Branson West, Missouri, passed away Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. Wayne, a native of the St. Joseph area, was born to Franklin and Alene Hubbard on Aug. 31, 1950. Preceding him in death were his parents; first wife, Donna; brother, Vernon; and infant sister, Kathleen. Survivors include his wife, Kathy;

OTTUMWA, Iowa – Carol Diane Geib, 77, of Ottumwa, Iowa, died on Feb. 7, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, from Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Carol was born April 28, 1947, in Des Moines, to Robert and Mary Keller Copeland. She married Jerry H. Geib on Nov. 7, 1971, and they had two daughters,

Bobby Ray Scott, of St. Joseph, passed peacefully in his home surrounded by loved ones on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, at the age of 92. He was born on Oct. 31, 1932, in Palmer, Missouri, to Glen A. Scott and Pearl E. (Sago) Scott. In 1956, Bob was united in marriage to Carol Marvine Turnbough

TROY, Kan. – Sue Ann (Taylor) Blanton, 74, of Troy, Kansas, passed away Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, surrounded by her loving family at Mosaic Life Care, St. Joseph. Sue was born on April 29, 1950, to Bennie and Alice (Plautz) Taylor. She graduated from Troy High School in 1968 and was a member of the