Obituaries

Christopher Alfred Mejia, 56, of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, April 1, 2025, following a brief illness. Chris was born June 19, 1968, to Alfredo and Carmen (Hernandez) Mejia, in St. Joseph. He graduated from Benton High School in 1986 and served in the United States Army and the Air Force. He worked for the

James E. McQueen, 84, of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, March 29, 2025, at his home. He was born Feb. 13, 1941, in St. Joseph, son of Virginia and Hensley McQueen. Jim graduated from Benton High School, class of 1959. Jim worked for Armour’s and Quaker Oats. Jim was a great athlete, pitched multiple no-hit

BRANSON, Mo. – Darlene Marie Orr passed away March 28, 2025, in Branson, Missouri. Darlene was born May 20, 1936, in Nodaway County, Missouri, to Hazel and Ronald Winger. She married Robert Orr April 16, 1954. Darlene loved her family, working in the yard, old country music and watching old shows like “Little House on

Gary DeWayne Pettis, 65, of St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, March 30, 2025, in a St. Joseph hospital. He was born March 26, 1960, in St. Joseph, son of the late Myrlie and Harry”Bill” Pettis. He graduated from Lafayette High School, class of 1978, and married Kim Kerns, who survives of the home. He worked

Richard “Dick” K. Kuntz, 89, St. Joseph, passed away Friday, March 28, 2025. Dick was born in Madison, Wisconsin, on Feb. 9, 1936, to Louis and Pauline Kuntz. He graduated from Madison East High School. Dick was preceded in death by the love of his life of almost 46 years, Nancy (Shriver) Kuntz; brothers, Paul,

Sandra “Sandy” Jordan, 67, of St. Joseph, passed away Friday, March 28, 2025, at Mosaic Life Care following a short illness. She was born May 11, 1957, to Henry and Lyda Smith in Warrenton, Virginia. Sandy married in December of 1980, and of that marriage came one son, Clinton Jordan. She worked most of her

James “Jim” Loveless, 88, St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, March 29, 2025. He was born Jan. 7, 1937, in Nettleton, Missouri, to Fred and Viola (Goodwin) Loveless. He grew up in Hamilton, Missouri, and graduated from Penney High School in 1955. Jim proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, based in Washington, D.C., during

FAUCETT, Mo. – Edward “Eddie” Smith, 78, Faucett, Missouri, passed away peacefully Friday, March 28, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Eddie was born on March 3, 1947, in St. Joseph, to the late James and June (Rogers) Smith. He was a graduate of Lafayette High School. Mr. Smith worked as a

BETHANY, Mo. – Kathi Stewart, 66, of Bethany, Missouri, died March 30, 2025. Survivors: husband, Phil Stewart; son, Zachary Miller; step-children, Kenneth Stewart, Jennifer Wedgworth; brothers, Doug, Danny, and Randy Whisler; mother-in-law, Janice Forman; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; cousins; dog, Manny. Funeral Service: 11 a.m. Thursday, April 3, at Kirkley Chapel Church south of Ridgeway,

Linda “Kaye” Wells, 73, St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, March 27, 2025. She was born Dec. 16, 1951, in Chillicothe, Missouri, to Max Hagerty and Verietta Faye (Potter) O’Connell. Kaye married Stephen Wells on April 8, 1972. He survives of the home. She was a member of Hope United Church of Christ, Cosby Missouri. Kaye

Everett Jonas Sr. 71, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in St. Joseph. He was born Feb. 10, 1954, in St. Joseph. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday at the Rupp Funeral Home. Funeral services and public live stream 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at

Susan Gayle Jordan, 86, St. Joseph, passed away March 27, 2025, after a brief battle with cancer. She was born Nov. 23, 1938, to Lester “Red” and Naomi “Dee” (Schwope) Herbert, in St. Joseph. Susan married Donald Eugene Jordan on Jan. 18, 1962. He passed away on March 22, 2004. Susan dedicated 22 years of

Dona M. Constant, 69, St. Joseph, passed away Monday, March 24, 2025. She was born Oct. 3, 1955, to Donald M. and Charlotte M. (Heflin) Breese, in El Paso, Texas. Dona found solace and pleasure in her gardens, and her culinary talents mirrored the creativity she nurtured in her plants. Her adventurous soul led her

Christopher William Conner, 46, passed away March 24, 2025. Chris was born Nov. 27, 1978, in St. Joseph, to Norman and Janet (Rehm) Conner. He was a graduate of Plainview, Texas High School and a 1999 graduate of DeVry University. He worked for over 25 years as a service tech for R. K. Black. Survivors

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – After living more than 100 years and surrounded by family, Genevieve O’Brien departed this world on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. She was born on Feb. 19, 1925, in St. Joseph, to Anthony and Mary Martha Wegenka. Genevieve grew up in St. Joseph and after graduating from Central High School, married Edward Irving

Sandra Litton, 86, St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, March 25, 2025. She was born July 14, 1938, to Karl and Edna (Saunders) Manthey, in St. Joseph. On June 1, 1956, Sandra wed Paul Litton, her beloved husband of 60 years, until his passing in 2017. Their union was a testament to enduring love and shared

WARSAW, Mo. – Sue Zimmerman (July 13, 1942 to March 17, 2025) was the daughter of Cloe Gross and James Womble and legally adopted by her stepfather, Ray Jordan. She was born and raised in Windsor, Missouri. She was married to Bob Zimmerman for 62 years and was the mother of Machelle Zimmerman. Sue was

Judy Irene Goben, 84, of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in a Wathena, Kansas, health care center. She was born Aug. 30, 1940, in St. Joseph. Survived by son, Patrick Shanks; daughter, Amy Barter; sister, Elizabeth McVicker. Preceded in death by parents; two brothers; five sisters. Visitation 6 to 8 p.m. on

TROY, Kan. – Theodore “Tim” Matthew Gronniger, 80, of Troy, Kansas, passed away Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Abundant Acres, in Savannah, Missouri. Tim was born on June 15, 1944, in Leona, Kansas, to August and Eugenie (Davignon) Gronniger. He graduated from Troy High School and was a member of the St. Charles Catholic

ATCHISON, Kan. – John B. Kane Jr., 93, Atchison, Kansas, died Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Atchison Medicalodges surrounded by his loving family. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Church with Fr. Meinrad Miller, OSB, officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. A prayer

Elmer L. Hatheway Jr. “Mo”, 57, of St Joseph, passed away Thursday, March 20, 2025, at his home. He was born July 25, 1967, in St. Joseph, son of Billie and Elmer Hatheway. Elmer married Donna Lee on Sept. 5, 1996, in St. Joseph. He worked at the City of St. Joseph as an Equipment

Collene L. Paden 72, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, March 20, 2025, in St. Joseph. She was born March 17, 1953, in St. Joseph. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the Rupp Funeral Home. Funeral services and public live stream 10 a.m. Thursday, March 27, 2025, at

Mark Edward Schenecker, 54, of St. Joseph, passed away at his home Friday, March 21, 2025. Mark was born Dec. 30, 1960, to Charles “Chuck” and Mary Beth (Culver) Schenecker. He graduated from Bishop LeBlond High School and became a plumber, working alongside his father and brother at Schenecker Plumbing and Heating. Mark was an

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Elizabeth “Betty” Swagerty, 90, passed away March 23, 2025, at Nodaway Nursing Home with family at her side. Betty was born Nov. 8, 1934, in Clyde, Missouri, to Cornelius and Elizabeth (O’Connor) McManus. Betty attended six years at St. Benedict’s school in Clyde and two years at Fairview school, at Stanberry, Missouri.

BENDENA, Kan. – Neil Eddie Caudle, 55, passed away on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, on the farm in Bendena, Kansas. Neil was born Nov. 17, 1969, to Roger and Donna (Ricklefs) Caudle, in St. Joseph. He was a lifelong resident of Bendena. He grew up on the same farm where he raised his family in

WATHENA, Kan. – Nettie “Lucile” Wiedmer, 98, of Wathena, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Savannah, Missouri. Lucile was born on Feb. 24, 1927, in Troy, Kansas, to James J. Sr. and Dorothy (Keller) Davies. She worked as a sewing machine operator, in St. Joseph, for 25 years and was a member of

George L. Thuston BULLHEAD, Ariz. – George Leon Thuston Sr., 87, died Monday, March 17, 2025, at his home in Bullhead, Arizona. He attended Bartlett High School, in St. Joseph. George was preceded in death by father, Wade Thuston Sr.; mother, Anna Thuston; brothers, Wade Thuston Jr., Montelle Roberts, and Albert Bibb ins; sisters, Doris

TROY, Kan. – Grant Eugene Speaks, 97, of Troy, Kansas, passed away Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the Apostolic Christian Home, in Sabetha, Kansas. Grant was born on Oct. 5, 1927, in Sparks, Kansas, to John Terrance and Alice (Blanton) Speaks. He graduated from Troy High School. After graduating he joined the U.S. Army. Upon

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Sachiko “Sally” McGettigan, 94, passed away peacefully at home Saturday, March 15, 2025. She was born on March 7, 1931, in Miyoshi, Japan. She married Herbert McGettigan in 1954 and lived most of her life in St. Joseph. She worked at the H.D. Lee Company as a seamstress and retired in

Linda Sue Thomas 66, of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, March 15, 2025, in a St. Joseph hospital. She was born Dec. 7, 1958, in St. Joseph, daughter of the late Norma and Donald Giseburt. She graduated from Benton High School and was a homemaker. She was an excellent cook, who enjoyed playing computer games,