Obituaries

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 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 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 BIG LAKE, Mo. – Daniel “Dan” Edward Means, 68, of Big Lake, Missouri, passed away peacefully Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, at home. Dan was born Oct. 16, 1955, in Atchison County, Kansas, the son of John and Joann Means. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. Dan married Mary Carter

By NewsPress Now Joseph Elwood Colwell, 74, of St. Joseph, passed away Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in a St. Joseph hospital. He was born Nov. 26, 1949, in St. Joseph. Survivors include wife, Mary Dale Hamilton-Colwell, of the home; stepson, Jeff (Rachael) Hamilton; grandchildren: Jordan (Hailey) Hamilton, and Maddy Hamilton; three sons; and a sister.

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

By NewsPress Now Francis “Frenchie” French, 94, St. Joseph, passed away Friday, Feb. 2, 2024,at his home. He was born May 5, 1929, in Spickard, Missouri, to Richard and Susie (Croy) French. They preceded him in death. Frenchie married Lois Blackburn on Jan. 8, 1950. She preceded him in death. He served in the U.S.

By NewsPress Now Philip Len Greer 57, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in a St. Joseph hospital. He was born Oct. 4, 1966, in St. Joseph. He graduated from Benton High School. Philip enjoyed fishing and bowling. He was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara Greer. Survivors include: daughter, Nancy

By NewsPress Now DEKALB, Mo. – Esther Ellen Teaney, 100, of DeKalb, Missouri, passed away Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, in a Kansas City, Kansas, assisted living facility. She was born June 27, 1923, in DeKalb, daughter of the late Annie (Hiatt) and Frank Downing. She graduated from DeKalb High School class of 1941 and married

By NewsPress Now Late Notices Donnie L. Berry Donnie L. Berry, 88, of St. Joseph, passed away Feb. 1, 2024. Visitation: 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel followed by a Prayer service: 11 a.m. also at our chapel. Interment with full Military Honors will follow the service at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

By NewsPress Now On Jan. 26, 2024, Roxanna U. Phillips, passed away peacefully at the age of 88 after a brief illness. After she and her husband retired to St. Joseph (Avenue City) in 1997, she became very involved with the community and church. This included Welcome Wagon, water aerobics, quilting, stitch ‘n chat, and

By NewsPress Now Reba Lynne Crawford-Lemmon, 61, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, at her home. She was born Dec. 15, 1962, in Gardina, California, daughter of Janice and Percy Crawford. Reba graduated from Judson High School, class of 1981. She worked many various jobs, but primarily spent many years babysitting. She

By NewsPress Now KEARNEY, Mo. – Mack Alan Porter, 96 years of age, of Kearney, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. Mack was born, Nov. 23, 1927, in Paradise, Missouri, to the late Claud Porter and the late Grace Porter. He was raised on the Porter family farm in Paradise, where he

By NewsPress Now Paula Rae Linder, 76, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, at Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph. She was born Dec. 19, 1947, in Wathena, Kansas, daughter of Mary and Buford Patterson. Paula graduated from Elwood High School, class of 1965. On March 7, 2009, she married Perry Linder,

By NewsPress Now STOVER, Mo. – Steve McQueen, age 79, of Stover, Missouri, passed away Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, at the Good Shepherd Care Center, in Versailles, Missouri. He was born June 24, 1944, the son of Hensley C. and Virginia (Fibert) McQueen, in St. Joseph. He was a hard worker. He worked as an

By NewsPress Now Late Notices Jeffrey H. McCorkle FAIRVIEW, Kan. – Jeffrey H. McCorkle, 61, of Fairview, Kansas, died Jan. 29, 2024. www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.

By NewsPress Now Gerald C. Pasch, 90, St. Joseph, passed away Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. He was born Dec. 6, 1933, to Truman E. and Stella A. (Langley) Pasch in Nodaway County, Missouri. Gerald married Neva Atwoil Bowman on Sept. 7, 1954, and they were married for 64 years before her passing on Dec. 14,

By NewsPress Now PLATTE CITY, Mo. – Thomas Vincent Edlin, 92, a lifelong resident of Platte County, Missouri, passed away peacefully at his home in Platte City on Jan. 29, 2024, surrounded by family. Tom was born Jan. 6, 1932, near Platte City, to Walter Thomas and Lillian Lucile (Wade) Edlin. He lived in Platte

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

By NewsPress Now David Louis Hees, 53, from St. Joseph, passed away Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. He was born on Oct. 28, 1970, in St. Joseph, to Frank and Vicki Hotaling Hees. David graduated from Central High School where he was well regarded and served as the football mascot. This led to a lifelong interest

By NewsPress Now Late Notices Roxanna U. Phillips Roxanna U. Phillips, 88, St. Joseph, passed away Jan. 26, 2024. Farewell Services 9:30 a.m. Feb. 8, Savannah United Methodist Church. Arrangements under the direction of Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.

By NewsPress Now Barbara S. Buckley KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Our very smart, funny, loving, wife, daughter, sister, aunt and great-aunt, Barbara Sue Keller Buckley, passed away Jan. 20, 2024, after a battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her baby sister, Debra Diane, and her father, Robert Keller. Barb had a wonderful