Obituaries

HIGHLAND, Kan. – Brenda Gene Bennett, 69, of Highland, Kansas, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, at her home in Highland. Born on Oct. 13, 1956, in St. Joseph, the daughter of Martha and Clinton Burns. Brenda graduated from Benton High School. She was married to Ronnie Bennett. Brenda had

Retired CMSgt Paul M. Graves, 85, passed away on Nov. 7, 2025. His wife Sharon, daughters, Wendy and Jennifer, and son, Marshall, were with him. Farewell Services 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, First Christian Church, St. Joseph. Inurnment Leavenworth National Cemetery Monday, Dec. 29. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com. As published in the

FORTH WORTH, Texas – Marie Anita Roberts, 67, of Fort Worth, Texas, passed away Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, at her home surrounded by loved ones. She was born June 3, 1958, in St. Joseph, daughter of the late June and Alton Wallace. She graduated from Lafayette High School class of 1976 and married Gary Roberts

Ronda Kay Sahagan, 65, of St. Joseph, passed away Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in a St. Joseph hospital. She was born May 20, 1960, in St. Joseph, daughter of the late Jneva and Glen Huston. She attended Lafayette High School, and worked at Stetson Hats in the Quality Control Department. She enjoyed spending time with

Deborah Diana Skeen, aged 70, of St. Joseph, passed away on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in a St. Joseph hospital. Born on April 5, 1955, in St. Joseph. She was the daughter of the late Jneva and Glen Huston. Deborah attended Lafayette High School, and married Tony Skeen Sr. on Oct. 22, 1982, who survives

Charles Fredrick Eckart, 88, of St. Joseph, passed away Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in St. Joseph. He was born Aug. 1, 1937, in St. Joseph. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, at the Rupp Funeral Home. Funeral services and public live stream 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec.

MOUND CITY, Mo. – Wanda Jean King Blevins, 91, Mound City, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. She was born June 7, 1934 in Maryville, Missouri, to H.G. and Ada Mae (Hawkins) King. She was a 1952 graduate of Central High School. Private Services and Inurnment, Mount Hope Cemetery, Mound City, Missouri. Arrangements under

Norma Gene Brown, 82, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in St. Joseph. She was born Jan. 25, 1943, in St. Joseph, daughter of the late Hazel and James West. She attended Benton High School and married John Brown March 25, 1951. Norma worked in food service at HP catering, also as

Patricia Lee Hoecker went to the open arms of her Lord and Savior on Dec. 15, 2025, surrounded by her family at her home. She slipped into eternity after a lengthy fight with cancer. Patty was born April 28, 1948, and was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Velma Raymond, and her brother,

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – Dorothy Marcella Massey died Dec. 8, 2025, at an Independence, Missouri, hospital. Funeral Service Friday 1 p.m., Dec. 19, Emmanuel Seventh Day Adventist Church, Interment Bellemont Cemetery, Wathena Kansas, visitation Thursday 5 to 7 p.m. Bullock Family Funeral Chapel. Complete obituary www.bullockffc.com. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.

LARKSPUR, Colo. – Diane Elaine (Jacoby) Willis, age 70, passed away at her Perry Park home in Larkspur, Colorado, with many of her family present on Nov. 22, 2025, succumbing to Lymphoma cancer. Diane is survived by her husband of 47 years, William Garry Willis; and her two sons, Courtney James Willis, wife Kelli Suzanne

Gloria G. Johnson, St. Joseph, died Dec. 6, 2025, at a local hospital. Funeral Service Saturday, Dec. 20, noon, St. Francis Baptist Temple, visitation 11 a.m. at the church. Complete obituary www.bullockffc.com. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.

CAMERON, Mo. – Amelia Jean Machetta, 86, of Cameron, Missouri, passed away Dec. 14, 2025, at her home. She was born Aug. 13, 1939, to Guy Albert and Amelia Marian (Pitman) Ricket, in Wichita, Kansas. Jean was a graduate of Wheeling High School and a 1986 graduate of Missouri Western State University with a bachelor’s

Fannie Lane Bottorff, 77, passed away peacefully on Dec. 12, 2025, after a hard-fought battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Born on Oct. 25, 1948, in St. Joseph, Fannie will be deeply missed but forever remembered for the love she gave so freely and the light she brought to the lives around her. She was preceded in

Vernelle Anna Bluhm was born Jan. 19, 1919, in Nebraska to Herman William Bluhm and Anna Caroline (Rocker) Bluhm. She passed away peacefully Dec. 4, 2025, only 46 days shy of 107 years of age. The Bluhm family farmed in eastern Nebraska, moving to eastern Colorado just before the start of the Great Depression. As

FAUCETT, Mo. – Cynda Faye Dean, 80, Faucett, Missouri, passed away Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. She was born Jan. 2, 1945, to Everett Fay and Georgia “Betty” (Crockett) Cotter in St. Joseph. On Nov. 27, 1965, Cynda married the love of her life, Ronnie M. Dean. Cynda’s passion for life was evident in her active

AGENCY, Mo. – Billye Ann Hitchings, 98, Agency, Missouri, passed away Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. Farewell Services and Public Livestream 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Blakely Cemetery, Easton, Missouri. The family will gather with friends 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family

Vincent Crowley Jr., 44, St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025. Vincent was born in St. Joseph on June 19, 1981, to Velda King and Vincent Crowley, Sr. Farewell Services and Public Livestream 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, Wyatt Park Baptist Church. The family will gather with friends 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec.

Sandy Duncan, 78, St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. She was born Feb. 5, 1947, in Freeport, Illinois, to F. Donald and Dorothy (Weckerly) Whalen. The family moved to Herington, Kansas, when Sandy was a small child, eventually settling in Wichita, Kansas. She graduated from Wichita High School Southeast, then earned her associate’s

Karen Marie Vavra was born on Sept. 6, 1938, to Emerich and Janet (O’Rear) Vavra, in St. Joseph. She passed away peacefully on Dec. 2, 2025, in St. Joseph. She was loving, grateful, fun to be around, and had an incredible zest for life. The cornerstones of her life were family, friends and faith. She

William “Bill” Meade, 95, born on Nov. 30, 1930, in King City, Missouri, passed away on Dec. 9, 2025. William was a loving husband to Helen Stevens, whom he married in 1952. She passed in 2002. Together, they had one child, Peggy Meade Shaw. William then married Charlotte Reinschmidt in 2003. She survives of the

URBANDALE, Iowa – Linda Ann (Carnes) Pioch, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away surrounded by family on Dec. 10, 2025. A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel, in West Des Moines, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial will

Timothy Bryan Johnson Sr., 84, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, at his home. Timothy was born June 25, 1941, in Wathena, Kansas, son of Gladys and Leonard Johnson. He graduated from Wathena High School. On Jan. 6, 1997, he married Tamara Guilliams in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Timothy was a Master Crain

SARASOTA, Fla. – Alfred Warren “Al” Leak, 90, passed away on Dec. 5, 2025, in Sarasota, Florida. Born in St. Joseph on May 24, 1935, Al spent his early years on the island of Aruba, excelling at spearfishing, golfing, and athletics and graduating from Lago High School there. He returned to Aruba often, relishing reunions

RIVERSIDE, Mo. – William Craighead Bridwell, aged 74, of Riverside, Missouri, passed away on Dec. 4, 2025. He was born on Sept. 6, 1951, at Sister’s Hospital, in St. Joseph, to Dr. Robert K. Bridwell and Vivian M. Bridwell. William worked with radios in his youth and was active in the Theatre at Central High

Mark Anthony Canchola, 63, of St. Joseph, was born on June 1, 1962, and passed away on Dec. 7, 2025. A proud United States Marine, Mark served his country with honor and dedication. He achieved the rank of Lance Corporal (LCpl) and worked as a Freight Operations Clerk (MOS 3111) during his service. He is

Joyce E. (Thompson) Peterson Coffey, 78, St. Joseph, passed away Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was born Feb. 18, 1947, in Maryville, Missouri, to Wayne and Wilma (Hammond) Thompson. Joyce grew up in Northwest Missouri and graduated from Ravenwood High School in 1967. Joyce earned her licensed practical nurse certificate and

ATCHISON, Kan. – Lee Eckert, a towering figure in the world of sporting goods sales, passed away on Dec. 7, 2025, at The University of Kansas Health System at the age of 85. He was born on May 6, 1940, in Horton, Kansas, the son of Andrew and Ethel (Reynolds) Eckert. As a graduate of

Leslie Alexander Gresham, 4 years old, passed away Dec. 6, 2025. Leslie was born June 6, 2021, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Jessica Alexander and Leslie Brandon Skye Gresham. Leslie was a boy full of joy and happiness with smiles that would light up the room and melt your heart. He acquired the nickname “Boo”

ELLISVILLE, Mo. – Marilyn Louise (Hydorn) Phillips, 78, of Ellisville, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at a care facility in Wildwood, Missouri. She was born in Cainsville, Missouri, on May 10, 1947, daughter of Forrest and Jaunita (Snow) Hydorn. After graduating from Cainsville High School, Marilyn married her childhood sweetheart, Larry Dale Phillips,