Obituaries

Mark Alan Lawyer, 70, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph. He was born Aug. 19, 1954, in St. Joseph, son of Irene (Sullender) and Bernard Lawyer. Mark attended Helen Davis State School. He retired in 2020 from Specialty Industries after 35 years of dedicated work.

Shirley Ellen Sklenar, 89, St. Joseph, passed away April 23, 2025. She was born April 4, 1936, in Union Star, Missouri, to James and Nellie Opal (Munshaw) Shiverdecker. Shirley was described by both family and close friends as being kind, caring, sincere, loving, giving, and fun-loving. Her nieces, nephew, cousins, children, son-in-law, and granddaughter all

Danny Ray Smith, 69, of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in St. Joseph. He was born Dec. 31, 1955, in Cameron, Missouri, son of the late Betty and Burnie Smith. He worked at Artisian Ice Company. He enjoyed mowing grass, working on small motors, spending times with his friends, and hanging out

William “Brian” Lee Steltenpohl, 62, of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in St. Joseph, at his home. He was born Oct. 25, 1962, in St. Joseph, son of Marilyn and Billy Ray Steltenpohl. He graduated from Lafayette High School class of 1980. Brian married Tracy Frazer on Sept. 10, 1988 and she

GRANT CITY, Mo. – Mary Lou (Lambert) Cook, Grant City, Missouri, was born on July 18, 1932, on a farm southwest of Grant City to Owen and Lennis Lambert, and passed away on April, 17, 2025. Memorial services will be held at noon Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Andrews-Hann Funeral Home, Grant City. The

CALEDONIA, Mich. – Harold McClellan Harshman, age 94, Caledonia, Michigan, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away Friday, April 18, 2025. He was born on the family farm Nov. 12, 1930, in Pittsfield, Illinois, to Loren and Mabel (Moyer) Harshman. Harold proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict and was

BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Services for Theresa Hurley will be held Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Meyers Funeral Chapel, in Blue Springs, Missouri. Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. A private memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Theresa (Borowski) Hurley, 79, of Blue Springs, passed away peacefully at home on April

RUSHVILLE, Mo. – David E. Phelan, 77, passed away on April 20, 2025, at his Rushville, Missouri, home. Memorial service: 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Chamberlain Funeral Home, Oregon, Missouri. A complete obituary and online condolences may be found at www.chamberlainfuneral.com Memorials may be directed to the Phelan family to help with expenses.

LOCUST GROVE, Okla. – Ted Pierce was born in Edna, Kansas, on Nov. 23, 1940, to Gerald and Helen Rose Pierce. He passed away on April 19, 2025. He married his one and only Phyllis Jean Lafon on Sept. 20, 1958. They shared 66 years of marriage together. Ted had many different jobs as a

John L. “Suthdog” Sutherland, age 60, passed away Friday, April 11, 2025, at KU Medical Center, after a yearlong bout with cancer. He left this world the way he lived in it, on his own terms. While his life span may have been less than average, there was nothing average about the way John lived

Vernon “Vern” Dale Perkins, 92, of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, April 19, 2025, at his home. He was born July 24, 1932, in St. Joseph, son of the late Ethel and Oscar Perkins. Vern attended Benton High School, and joined the United States Air Force at the age of 17, then serving in the

Frederick Peters, 86, St. Joseph, died Saturday April 19, 2025, in St. Joseph. Preceded in death by his parents; wife; three brothers; and one sister. Survivors include five children; three brothers; one sister; 15 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and four great- great-grandchildren. Family to receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Funeral Service: 2 p.m. Wednesday,

Shawn Wilson, 48, of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, April 19, 2025, at his home. Shawn was born Aug. 18, 1976, in Hiawatha, Kansas, son of the late Betty and Rex Wilson. Shawn attended Lafayette High School. On Sept. 19, 1998, he married Sonya Cox, in St. Joseph. Shawn was a Member of the Laborers

CRESTON, Iowa – Michael William Emerson, 77, of Creston, Iowa, died peacefully at his home on Feb. 2, 2025. Michael was born to William Siggins Emerson and Jan (McKinney) Emerson, on April 1, 1947, in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael moved to St. Jospeh in 1955 with his father and stepmother, Jane (Barrow) Emerson, of St. Joseph,

Robert “Steve” Ham, 70, St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, April 16, 2025. He was born Dec. 2, 1954, in St. Joseph. He grew up in the North End, attending Lindbergh Elementary and Lafayette High School. He worked as a steelworker at Shamrad Metal Fabricators. Steve loved softball, mushroom hunting, fishing, bowling, and camping. He especially

LINCOLN, Neb. – Kimberly S. Wolfing was born Feb. 20, 1964, to Robert Wolfing Sr. and Beverly Newman. Kim passed away Friday, April 11, 2025. He is preceded in death by his wife, Cindy Wolfing (Tracy); both parents; brother, Robert Wolfing Jr.; sisters, Micki Jo West, Tammy Boydston and Stacy Curtis. He is survived by

Gerald “Cowboy” Bass, 75, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, April 17, 2025. He was born Sept. 14, 1949, in Holtville, California, son of the late Patricia and William Bass. He served in the Marines and worked as a Union Plumber. Survivors include companion, Connie Hatcher; stepdaughter, Amy Haynes; grandsons, Asher and Slayde; and a

STANBERRY, Mo. – With deep sorrow, we announce that Roy Blair Brown, 88, passed away on Monday, April 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri. Known as “Pops” to his family and friends, Roy was a cherished member of the community. Roy was born on Dec. 23, 1936, in Penn Run, Pennsylvania, to Jay and Naomi

A pillar of his community and a dedicated servant to his nation, Dr. George Fischer, DVM, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2025, at the remarkable age of 97. Born to Carl and Edith Fischer on Aug. 18, 1927, in Garden City, Missouri, George lived a life marked by commitment, leadership, and a deep care

Wilma Lee King, 98, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, April 17, 2025, at a local health care facility. She was born March 26, 1927, in St. Joseph, daughter of Hazel and Rufus Wood. Wilma graduated from Benton High School, class of 1945, where she was a member of the Gamma Aletha Club. On Nov.

Michael Miller, 77, St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, April 12, 2025. He was born May 4, 1947, to Leslie E. and Shirley J. (Rice) Miller, in Omaha, Nebraska. Michael married Rhonda Jean Payne on Nov. 23, 1985. He worked for Missouri Highway and Transportation for over 11 years. Michael enjoyed golfing and flying remote-controlled airplanes.

Richard H. Snyder, 77, St. Joseph, passed away Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. He was born June 29, 1947, in St. Joseph, to David Earl Snyder Sr. and Margarett Januita (Ide) Stoneburner. Richard married Dixie Sherlene Allen on April 25, 1987. Celebration of Life 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 26, 2025. 2009 Buckingham St, St.

WEATHERBY , Mo. – Helen Joeann Saunders, 85, Weatherby, Missouri, died at home on Monday, April 7, 2025. She was born July 19, 1939, in Parks, Kansas, to parents Mack and Laura Hurd. She graduated from Parsons Jr. College in 1958 and Bethany Hospital School of Nursing in 1961 and obtained her B.S.N from U.M.K.C

Dee Ann Sutherland, a beloved mother, musician, and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 76. To her children, Dee Ann was not just a mother but a source of music and joy from the very beginning. “From the beginning of my life until the end of hers, mom has always meant music to

Mary Lynn Wiedmaier, 68, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Family and Home Instead caregivers remained with her throughout the final weeks of her courageous journey, granting her wish of home-care comfort and companionship with the tenderest love. She was born March 2, 1957, in St. Joseph, to Albert John Wiedmaier Jr. and Mary

POLO, Mo. – Irma Lee (Wilson) Fewins, 94, passed away April 14, 2025. She was born Nov. 5, 1930, to Emmett and Anna (McDaniel) Wilson, in Stewartsville, Missouri. Irma married Benny Fewins Dec. 24, 1947, in Cameron, Missouri. She was a homemaker and helped her husband on the family farm. Irma was a member of

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Dr. Gary Walter Bell, 82, passed away at home on April 12, 2025. Dr. Bell was born on Aug. 14, 1942, in St. Joseph, to Harry and Vlasta (Spiegel) Bell. He graduated from Benton High School in 1960 where he participated in multiple sports and was senior class president. He graduated from

GREENSBORO, Ga. – Paul Nathan Livingston, 89, of Greensboro, Georgia, passed away Thursday, April 10, 2025. He was born Jan. 20, 1936, in Albany, Missouri. He married Kathryn Jean Lyle on Feb. 9, 1963. She sadly passed away March 16, 2007. Paul most enjoyed laughing and spending time with his family. He was especially fond

Taylor J. Lake 28, of St. Joseph, passed away Monday, April 14, 2025. He was born Feb. 10, 1997, in St. Joseph, and graduated from Benton High school. He worked at Silgan Containers. He enjoyed music, cars and his cats, especially “Joni B”. Survivors include brother, Michael Lake; father, Lawrence Lake Jr.; mother, Peggy Trent;

Steven W. Schroeder, 44, St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2025. He was born Sept. 9, 1980, in St. Joseph, to Allen and Elizabeth (Cogdill) Schroeder. He graduated from Benton High School, and the Missouri Western Regional Law Enforcement Academy. He worked for the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department as a reserve deputy, then the