Obituaries

By NewsPress Now Erma May Ritchie, 83, of St. Joseph, passed away Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, at a local health care facility. She was born April 23, 1941, in St. Joseph, daughter of Adelia and Shirley Leslie. She attended Dekalb, Missouri, High School. On Jan. 31, 1959, she married Jimmy Ritchie, who preceded her in

By NewsPress Now EASTON, Mo. – Pamela Arlene Osborn, 74, of Easton, Missouri, passed away on Sept. 22, 2024. Pam was born on March 5, 1950, in Long Beach, California, to John S. Courtney and Ida L. Courtney (Frogge) and lived a life full of passion and purpose. For 31 years Pam was the proud

By NewsPress Now Late Notices James R. Donaldson SAVANNAH, Mo. -James “Jim” R. Donaldson, 88, Savannah, Missouri, passed away Sept. 19, 2024. Visitation at Eastside Baptist Church Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. with the funeral service following at 11 a.m. www.heatonbowmansmith.com As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.

By NewsPress Now WATHENA, Kan. – Wayne M. Bruder, 90, Wathena, Kansas, passed away Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. He was born Jan. 5, 1934, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, to Charles and Evelyn (Fischer) Bruder. Wayne married Judith Diana Orrill on Oct. 9, 1955. She preceded him in death on May 17, 2020. He proudly served

By NewsPress Now Sharon Kay Maynard Royle, 79, St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, the evening of the harvest moon. She was born Feb. 9, 1945, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Col. Stanley Getchel Maynard Sr. and Mary Louise Jacoby Maynard. She received a degree in English literature at the University of Missouri.

By NewsPress Now GALENA, Mo. – Karen “K.J.” Buckman, 60, of Galena, Missouri, passed away Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri. She was born July 6, 1964, in Kansas City, daughter of Barbara and Walter Brickey. She graduated from Lone Jack High School and Missouri Western State University with a B.S.N. Bachelor of

By NewsPress Now SAVANNAH, Mo. – Marilyn Meyer, 84, formerly of Oregon, Missouri, passed away Sept. 21, 2024, at a St. Joseph care center. Celebration of Life Service: 10:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, at Chamberlain Funeral Home, Oregon, Missouri. Online condolences and complete obituary may be found at www.chamberlainfuneral.com. As published in the St.

By NewsPress Now It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Judy Ann “Nanie” Hill, on Sept. 21, 2024. Judy, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend will be remembered for her genuine warmth, endless compassion, unwavering strength and faith in God that touched the lives of everyone who knew her.

By NewsPress Now EASTON, Mo. — Pamela Arlene Osborn, 74, of Easton, Missouri, passed away on Sept. 22, 2024. Pam was born on March 5, 1950, in Long Beach, California, to John S. Courtney and Ida L. Courtney (Frogge) and lived a life full of passion and purpose. For 31 years Pam was the proud

By NewsPress Now LIBERTY, Mo. – Mark David Giddens, warrior and friend, loyal and true, passed away peacefully at the age of 55, at his loving home in Liberty, Missouri, surrounded by those who cherished him on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. Born on Thursday, Dec. 26, 1968, to James and Donna (Van Cleave) Giddens, of

By NewsPress Now SGM Tex “Conley” West Jr., U.S. Army (Ret.), 80, St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. He was born Jan. 26, 1944, in Kayjay, Kentucky, to Conley West Sr. and Sally (Lawson) West. Conley enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1963, where he became a skilled sniper. He served five tours

By NewsPress Now James Potter Jr. James “JT” Potter Jr. passed away Sept. 20, 2024, at home surrounded by family. JT was born in Plattsburg, Missouri, to Blanch (Hatcher) and James Potter. He graduated from Plattsburg High School and two years of college. After graduation, he joined the Army in 1962, serving three years, then

By NewsPress Now Mary “Denise” Lewis, 68, of St. Joseph, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. She was born on June 1, 1956, to Jim and Dee Jordan. Denise attended Cathedral Catholic School and graduated in 1974 from Bishop LeBlond High School. She spent over 30 years working at Cablevision. She then started a

By NewsPress Now Late Notices Edith Cook Edith Cook passed away Sept. 20, 2024. Edith’s service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sept. 24 at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel with David Mejia Officiating. Visitation will begin at noon on Tuesday. Interment will follow at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Agency, Missouri. Timothy D. Nelson Sr.

By NewsPress Now Jean (Ogden) Blanton, 93, St. Joseph, passed away Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. She was born Dec. 24, 1930, in Strickler, Arkansas, to Charles and Dona (Cantrell) Ogden. Jean married James “Buck” Blanton on April 19, 1947. He preceded her in death on Nov. 15, 2006. She was a pricing specialist for American

By NewsPress Now Caroline J. Fankhauser, St. Joseph, passed away Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s. Caroline was born Sept. 24, 1935, in St. Joseph, to Allen and Mary Calhoon. In 1953 she married Marvin Fankhauser Jr. after graduation from Central High School, and they shared 71 years of marriage together.

By NewsPress Now Our loving mother and grandmother, Betty June (Schaber) Crawford, age 95, passed away Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Betty was born June 20, 1929, in Amazonia, Missouri, the daughter of the late John and Cecil (Moser) Schaber. She graduated from Lafayette High School, and the

By NewsPress Now Sharon K. Miller, 82, St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. She was born March 12, 1942, to Voylet and Chastine McGaughey, in St. Joseph. Sharon enjoyed spending time with her family, especially watching her granddaughters grow. She was a dedicated Kansas City Chiefs fan and an avid bingo player, always

By NewsPress Now Lloyd Cecil Ridge was born Aug. 21, 1933. He passed away Sept. 19, 2024, in St. Joseph. He was preceded in death by wife, Alice, parents, Lloyd W. and Ola (Ray) Ridge. Surviving are son, Roger (Lisa) Ridge, of St. Joseph; daughter, Becky (Jim) Carlson, of King City, Missouri; four grandchildren; and

By NewsPress Now Cynthia Jo Hornbeck, 73, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. She was born April 13, 1951, in Kansas City, Missouri, daughter of the late Betty and Archie Allen. Cynthia was a loving mother, grandma and great-grandma who was a housewife and a wonderful painter who loved watching Law and

By NewsPress Now Late Notices As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.

By NewsPress Now Jane M. Copsey MAITLAND, Mo. – Jane M. Copsey, 92, passed away Sept 19, 2024, at a Mound City, Missouri, care center. Family visitation: Saturday, 1 to 2 p.m., Chamberlain Funeral Home, Mound City. Graveside services and interment: Monday, 10 a.m., I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Sullivan, Missouri. Memorials: Donor’s choice. A full obituary can

By NewsPress Now Late Notices Cynthis J. Hornbeck Cynthia Jo Hornbeck 73, of St. Joseph, passed away Sept. 18, 2024. Arrangements are pending at the Rupp Funeral Home. Marvin J. Pierce Marvin J. Pierce, 81, St. Joseph, passed away Sept. 18, 2024. Arrangements are pending at the Rupp funeral Home Stanley B.Tietjens ROBINSON, Kan. -Stanley

By NewsPress Now CHILLICOTHE, Mo. – Barbara Jeanette (Barber) Crane, 85, of Chillicothe, Missouri, passed away Sept. 13, 2024. Funeral Service: 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Roberson-Polley Chapel, Albany, Missouri. Burial in the Grandview Cemetery, Albany. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Friends may call anytime

By NewsPress Now MOUND CITY, Mo. – Susan Rippen, 77, Mound City, Missouri, passed away Sept. 4, 2024, at a St. Joseph hospital. Services: 11 a.m. Friday, United Methodist Church, Mound City. Family will greet friends beginning at 10 a.m. Private family inurnment: Mount Hope Cemetery, Mound City. Memorials: the Mound City United Methodist Women.

By NewsPress Now Wallace “Sonny” Dean Bittick, 81, of St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in St. Joseph. He was born July 26, 1943, in St. Joseph, son of Edna and Arthur Bittick. Sonny was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Arthur Bittick Jr.; twin sister, Donna Butner; sister, Ruby Catheral; and

By NewsPress Now COLUMBIA, Mo. – Donald Gene Malson, age 76, of Columbia, Missouri, passed away on Sept. 15, 2024, at Boone Hospital. He was born on Oct. 26, 1947, in St. Joseph, a son of the late Lester and Alma (Denham) Malson. He was united in marriage to Susan Lutz on Dec. 22, 1974.

By NewsPress Now Betty Lou Wilson, 85, St. Joseph, a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away on Sept. 16, 2024. She was born on July 4, 1939, in Clinton County, Missouri. Betty was a true firecracker who brought light and love into the lives she touched. She married Gordon W. Wilson Sr., on Oct.

By NewsPress Now Late Notices As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.

By NewsPress Now David Groenke, 83, St. Joseph, passed away Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. He was born Dec. 3, 1940, in St. Joseph to Lloyd and Inez (Hamm) Groenke. He was a graduate of Lafayette High School in 1958. David married his high school sweetheart, Helen Grant, on Dec. 16, 1961. She survives of the