Obituaries

By NewsPress Now SAVANNAH, Mo. – Cecil Harold Thornton Jr. 91, of Savannah, Missouri, passed away Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, in a St. Joseph health care center. He was born July 30, 1932, in Doniphan County, Kansas, son of the late Helen and Cecil Thornton Sr. He married Helen Hendrix on May 28, 1960, she

By NewsPress Now WICHITA, Kan. – William “Bill” O. Irwin Jr., 73, passed away Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, in Wichita, Kansas. He was born on March 22, 1950, to William Sr. and Virginia Irwin. He graduated from Savannah High School, in Savannah, Missouri. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Michael Irwin.

By NewsPress Now Debra “Debbie” (McEnaney) Stafford, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on Feb. 10, 2024, at the age of 67. She was born on April 13, 1956, in St. Joseph, to Darrell G. and Patricia J. (Hendrix) McEnaney. Those who knew Debbie will fondly remember her resilient spirit and her remarkable

By NewsPress Now Steven Wayne Cook, 71, of St. Joseph, died Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, in St. Joseph. He was born Dec. 3, 1952, in St. Joseph, son of the late Shirley and Robert Cook. Steven was preceded in death by his parents, and brother brother, Robert Cook Jr. Survivors include sister, Bobbie Wright, and

By NewsPress Now Late Notices Lois V. Brewer Lois Vivian Brewer, 100, passed away Feb. 9, 2024. Visitation 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 22 at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel. Services 11 a.m. Feb. 23 at St. Francis Baptist Temple. Visitation at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment to follow at Leavenworth National

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

By NewsPress Now STEWARTSVILLE, Mo. – Catherin Laverna (Gann) Mink, 82, of Stewartsville, Missouri, passed away, Feb. 8, 2024. She was born on Feb. 6, 1942, to William Theodore and Edna Pearl (Wheeler) Gann, in Easton, Missouri. She was a 1960 graduate of Easton High School. On June 9, 1963, she was united in marriage

By NewsPress Now Don T. Morris, 90, cherished father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on Feb. 8, 2024. He was born on Oct. 14, 1933, in St. Joseph, to Thomas and Estella A. (Richie) Morris. Don’s lifelong partnership with his wife, Shirley Jean Mallory, began on July 4, 1952, and they shared a loving marriage

By NewsPress Now Steven “Steve” Myers, 75, St. Joseph, passed away Feb. 8, 2024, at home surrounded by the love of his family. Steve was born in Murphysboro, Illinois, on Aug. 21, 1948, to Glen and Ruth (Twyman) Myers. Steve is survived by his loving wife of 36 years Ruth; daughters, Angela Lehan (Chris), Olathe,

By NewsPress Now KING CITY, Mo. – Loretta Jean Snuffer, 90, King City, Missouri, passed away Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, at Nodaway Nursing Home, Maryville, Missouri. She was born on Jan. 20, 1934, in Gentry County, Missouri. Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13 at Roberson Funeral Home, King City. Burial

By NewsPress Now Ken Beck, 87, St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, at his home surrounded by family. He was born Sept. 30, 1936, in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Lock Haven, then proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, based in Tokyo, Japan. Between being in the military and

By NewsPress Now Late Notices Stacy M. Bishop STEWARTSVILLE, Mo. – Stacy Marie Bishop, 61, passed away Feb. 7, 2024. Celebration of Life at Turner Family Funeral Home of Stewartsville with visitation 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 10, 2024. www.turnerfamilyfuneral.com Steven A. Myers Steven A. Myers, 75, St. Joseph, passed away on Feb. 8, 2024.

By NewsPress Now Lila G. Albertson, 104, a lifelong resident of St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. She was born on Sept. 21, 1919, to Hugh Taylor and Lila Gladys (Black) Montgomery, in Faucett, Missouri. Lila graduated from NWMSU and later earned her master’s degree from the University of Iowa. She was called

By NewsPress Now Brandon “B-Poz” Polsgrove, 49, St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. He was born July 6, 1974, in St. Joseph, to Gregory and Linda (Campbell) Polsgrove. He was a firefighter for the St. Joseph Fire Department for 11 years. He was given the nickname “B-Poz” because his dad, who also worked

By NewsPress Now AGENCY, Mo. – Rhonda Jo Felt 59, of Agency, Missouri, passed away Wednesday Feb. 7, 2024. She was born Nov. 4, 1964, in St. Joseph, daughter of the late Beverly and Eugene Swoboda. She graduated from Wathena High School and worked at E-Z Money loan as a cashier. She enjoyed knitting, reading,

By NewsPress Now TROY, Kan. – Carol Whetstine, 85, formerly of Highland, Kansas, passed away Feb. 6, 2024, at her home in Troy, Kansas, surrounded by family. Carol was born on June 27, 1938, in St. Joseph, Asa and Wilma (Blakley) Mace. Carol married Ray Lee Whetstine on June 26, 1954, who preceded her in

By NewsPress Now CLINTON, Mo. – Robert Dreier of Clinton, Missouri, passed away Feb. 2, 2024, at VA Medical Center in Columbia, Missouri. Robert (Bob) was born on Aug. 8, 1927, to Frank and Mary Dreier. Memorial service Feb. 16, 2024, at 10:30 a.m at Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton. Graveside inurnment with military honors

By NewsPress Now SHAUMBURG, Ill. – With deep sorrow we announce the unexpected death of our precious daughter, Melissa Jeannine Taylor, on Jan. 26, 2024, due to cardiac arrest at age 52. Melissa was born in St. Louis County, Missouri, Sept. 6, 1971. She graduated from Horton Watkins, Ladue, Missouri, High School where she was

By NewsPress Now Late Notices Hazel R. Anderson Hazel Roberta Anderson, 105, of St. Joseph, passed away Feb. 6, 2024. Funeral 11 a.m. Monday at the Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation prior to the service 10 to 11 a.m. also at our chapel. Macil M. Laughlin GUILFORD, Mo. -Macil Marie Kiser

By NewsPress Now WATHENA, Kan. – Walter Leroy Ridge, 79, of Wathena, Kansas, passed away Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, at his home. Walter was born on Nov. 29, 1944, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Paul and Stella (Spoor) Ridge. He worked for the Railroad as a switchman for 15 years, and then for Markt Trucking

By NewsPress Now MAYSVILLE, Mo. – John E. Halter, 82, of Maysville, Missouri, passed away Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, at his home in Maysville. He was born Sept. 27, 1941, in rural DeKalb County, to Lawrence and Viola (Morgan) Halter. He graduated from Maysville High School in 1959. He was united in marriage to Twila

By NewsPress Now SAVANNAH, Mo. – On Sunday, Feb. 2, 2024, Jean Ann Arn, 78, of Savannah, Missouri, peacefully passed from this world and entered her Heavenly home. Jean was a Godly woman who deeply loved the Lord, her family and her many friends. She enjoyed quilting, gospel music, Cherry Mash candy bars, gardening and

By NewsPress Now Late Notices William R. Weese William R. Weese, 72, of St. Joseph, passed away Feb. 5, 2024. Visitation 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel. Graveside service Friday at Gentryville Cemetery. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.

By NewsPress Now INDEPENDENCE, Ky. – Patricia “Patty” Ann Chesser, age 60, of Independence, Kentucky, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. She was born in St. Joseph on Dec. 11, 1963, to Donald and Christine (Boling) Chesser. Patty attended Benton High School, in St. Joseph. She worked at 1st Street Graphics, in St.

By NewsPress Now ALBANY, Mo. – Norma Jean (Dietz) Davidson, 88, of Albany, Missouri, passed away Feb. 1, 2024. Survivors: daughters, Peggy (Jeff) Davis, Dixie (Bob) McGinley, Becky (Bruce) Shisler, Brenda (Pat) Collins; 12 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; one great-great- grandchild; nieces; nephews; and extended family. Memorial graveside service at a later date. Memorials: St. Jude’s

By NewsPress Now SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Norman Dowell, 86, passed away on Jan. 21, 2024. Norman was the son of Leon and Iva Dowell. He was married to Edna Dowell on Aug. 16, 1964, until her death in 2013. Norman served his country as a member of the U.S. Army. He was retired from Gray’s

By NewsPress Now RUSHVILLE, Mo. – Ruth Niemann, 91, of Rushville, Missouri, died on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, at her daughter’s home at Sugar Lake, Rushville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Marty Reed officiating. Burial will follow in the Nortonville Cemetery.

By NewsPress Now CAMDENTON, Mo. – Marta J. (Sutton) Dark, age 79, of Camdenton, Missouri, passed away Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, at Caring Hearts and Hands, in Columbia, Missouri. She was born Dec. 14, 1944, in Dodge City, Kansas, to Deloris and Stanley Sutton. She married her high school sweetheart, Joseph Dark. They moved to

By NewsPress Now Late Notices Douglas Y. Galloway Sr. Douglas Y. Galloway Sr., 66, St. Joseph, passed away Jan. 30, 2024. Natural Farewell under the direction of Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. www.meierhoffer.com. Jean A. Gauger Jean Ann (Marietta) Gauger, 75, of St. Joseph passed away Feb. 2, 2024. Per her wishes, Mrs. Gauger has

By NewsPress Now Mary Hill Whitten Fiste, 83, St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. She was born March 3, 1940, in St. Joseph, to John and Claudia (Fitzgerald) Hill. Mary enjoyed many things like quilting, sewing, gardening, crafting, watching movies, cooking, and traveling around the country. She loved the holidays, especially Christmas and