Obituaries

John Christian Stehle, 99, of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025 at his home in Rural St. Joseph. He was born July 18, 1926 in Elwood, Kansas, son of John M. Stehle. John graduated from Elwood High School, class of 1945. Following high school, John was drafted in the US Army. While on

Jacqueline Joyce Detwieler, 79, of St. Joseph, passed away Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, at her home. She was born Dec. 18, 1946, in St. Joseph, daughter of Jessie and Robert Carl. She was a Supervisor for Golden Eagle Casino. Jaqueline loved being together with her family. Much of that time she enjoyed fishing, playing volleyball,

SAVANNAH, Mo. – Jeanne Ann Graham, 70, of Savannah, Missouri, passed away Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, at her home in Savannah. She was born Sept. 4, 1955, in Lincoln, Nebraska, daughter of Betty and Robert Chriswisser. She was a 1974 graduate of Burleson High School, in Burleson, Texas. Jeanne was a devoted In-Home Caregiver. She

Brenda Jo (Cunningham) Riggs, 69, of St. Joseph, passed away Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in St. Joseph. She was born July 12, 1956, in St. Joseph, daughter of Florence and Robert Cunningham. She graduated from Benton High School, class of 1974. She married Dennis Riggs on Jan. 29, 1999. She worked at Mead Products as

John Christian Stehle, 99, of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025 at his home in Rural St. Joseph. He was born July 18, 1926 in Elwood, Kansas, son of John M. Stehle. John graduated from Elwood High School, class of 1945. Following high school, John was drafted in the US Army. While on

WASHINGTON, Utah – Lavada “Ruth” Clark 83, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Washington, Utah. She was born Aug. 2, 1942, in St. Joseph. She taught at Hosea Elementary for over 30 years. Ruth is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard “Dick” A. Clark; brother, Clyde West.

Dr. Robert “Bob” D. Couldry, 78, of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born Jan. 17, 1947, in St. Joseph. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Bertha “Babe” and Richardson Couldry, and a son, Scott Couldry. Survivors include wife, Patty Couldry;

DENVER Colo. – Becky Stuber MacDonald, 53, Denver, Colorado, passed away Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. She was born May 8, 1972, to Robert Ronald and Mary Elizabeth (Bianchi) Stuber, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Becky graduated from Central High School in 1990. A proud University of Kansas alumna of Gamma Phi Beta, Becky carried the spirit

Sharon (Vulgamott) Mackey, 82, St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. She was born Oct. 4, 1943, in St. Joseph, and raised in Plattsburg, Missouri. Sharon married Robert Wesley “Bob” Mackey on Aug. 1, 1964. Farewell Services and Public Livestream 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, Ashland United Methodist Church. The family will gather with

Gloria Nikes, 76, St. Joseph, passed away peacefully from her earthly home to be joined with the Lord on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Gloria was born on Aug. 30, 1949, in St. Joseph, the oldest of four children to the late Leo and Elizabeth (Mejia) Valencia. She was a 1967

Gloria Nikes, 76, St. Joseph, passed away peacefully from her earthly home to be joined with the Lord on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Gloria was born on Aug. 30, 1949, in St. Joseph, the oldest of four children to the late Leo and Elizabeth (Mejia) Valencia. She was a 1967

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Charles Richard Hays, affectionately known as “Bud,” passed away Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He was born on Nov. 9, 1948, to parents Charles Hays and Leha Maxine McCardie, in St. Joseph. He attended Christian Brothers High School, in St. Joseph, where he completed his education before enlisting In the

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Helen Lee Morrison, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, at the age of 85. Born on Jan. 28, 1940, in Clearmont, Missouri, Helen was a cherished resident of Hopkins, Missouri, and Maryville, Missouri, where she spent the majority of her life surrounded by family

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

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

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,

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

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

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

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