Obituaries

SAVANNAH, Mo. – Douglas W. Burkert, 64, Savannah, Missouri, passed away Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. He was born Aug. 30, 1960, to Donald and Frances (Fox) Burkert. Douglas married Amy Diane Johnson on Aug. 12, 1988. Farewell Services and Public Livestream 1 p.m. Friday, March 28, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will gather

STANBERRY, Mo. – Janice Marie Nolan, 80, of Stanberry, Missouri, passed away on Feb. 23, 2025, at Mosaic Life Care. Janice was born to Charles and Elaine Wells on March 21, 1944, in Bolcow, Missouri. On Sept. 2, 1959, she married Claude “Tony” Brashears. They adopted their son, Brian, on Feb. 26, 1973. Later, on

Katherine “Kathy Sue” Crippen, 66, of St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in a Kansas City, Missouri, health care center. She was born July 10, 1958, in St. Joseph. She is survived by husband, Michael; sons, Danny and Michael; daughters, Crystal and Michelle; four brothers; and two sisters. Cremation under the care of

Casey Lamar Jackson Sr., 53, of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in a St. Joseph hospital. He was born Feb. 28, 1971, in Wetumpka, Alabama. He worked at BlueScope Buildings for four years. He was a workaholic, and liked taking care of his family. He enjoyed lifting weights, playing basketball, and boxing.

Nancy Rullman, 79, of St. Joseph, passed away on Feb. 20, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering dedication to her family and community. Born on Nov. 3, 1945, in St. Joseph, to Ed and Ella Roberts, Nancy was a woman of warmth and resilience. She dedicated over 30 years of her

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Margie Ellen (Beaty) Strautman, 103, Kansas City, Missouri, passed away Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. She was born June 11, 1921, to Louis C. and Myrtle (Tennis) Beaty, in St. Joseph. Margie graduated from Benton High School, St. Joseph, in 1939, and Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, in 1941. She married Everett

Wanda (Turpin) VanVacter, 78, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, at Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph. She was born May 12, 1946, in Robinsville, North Carolina, daughter of Rosie Turpin and David Birchfield. She graduated from Mainland Senior High School, in Daytona Beach, Florida, in 1964, where she met her future

SAVANNAH, Mo. – Faye Ella Atkins, 92, Savannah, Missouri, passed away peacefully Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, surrounded by her family. Faye was born on Dec. 4, 1932, in Fillmore, Missouri, to Zelma and Ammon Steeby. Faye attended Savannah High School. She was united in marriage to Billy Joe Atkins on March 20, 1951, in Savannah.

Norman Dale Akers was born on March 17, 1936, on a farm northeast of Gravity, Iowa. He passed away at home surrounded by his family on Feb. 19, 2025. When he was four his family moved to a farm 10 miles east of Bedford, Iowa. He attended Bedford High School where he graduated in 1954

MAITLAND, Mo. – E. Lucille Zachary Boswell, 96, of Maitland, Missouri, passed away Feb. 22, 2025, at Tiffany Heights nursing home, in Mound City, Missouri. Services: Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, with visitation starting at 10 a.m. and services starting at 11 a.m. at the CrossPointe Church, 2501 S. Belt Highway, St. Joseph, MO. Interment: Mount

Marvin “Dan” Daniel Harmon, 78, of St. Joseph, passed away Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in a St. Joseph hospital. He was born April 21, 1946, in Albany, Missouri, son of the late Carrie and Frankie Harmon. Dan was an over the road truck driver for many years. He served in the Army during the Vietnam

PLATTSBURG, Mo. – John R. Burnside, 89, of Plattsburg Missouri, died Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, at St Luke’s Hospice house. in Kansas City, Missouri. Born on Oct. 14, 1935, in Mecca, Missouri, to Roland and Kathilene (Bell) Burnside. He attended Washington School, in Plattsburg, and was a graduate of Bartlett High School, in St Joseph.

Frances M. Jeffers, 70, St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. She was born Jan. 24, 1955, in St. Joseph, to Morris and Esther (Johnson) Ashlock. Frances married James Jeffers on June 12, 1981. He survives of the home. She was a very crafty, gifted person who loved ceramics, Tupperware, sewing, and gardening. Frances

Cynthia Lynn Hendrix, 64, of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri. She was born Aug. 25, 1960, in St. Joseph. The family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, at Rupp Funeral Home. Funeral services: 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, at the

Michael A. Mignery CLINTON, Mo. – Michael Allen Mignery, 39, of Clinton, Missouri, passed away Feb. 13, 2025. Visitation 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, funeral services 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Rupp Chapel, interment at the Oak Hill Cemetery, Severence, Kansas. Memorials are requested to the Michael Mignery memorial fund in care of Rupp Funeral

John L. Palmer, 91, a loving father, grandfather “Papa”, and proud Korean War veteran, passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 15, 2025, in St. Joseph, surrounded by his family. Born on April 6, 1933, he served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1953 as a Sergeant First Class, 2nd Division, Company A, 9th Infantry Regiment.

HELENA, Mo. – Kenneth E. Nold, 90, Helena, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. He was born Feb. 24, 1934, in St. Joseph, to Emmett and Ruby (Lancey) Nold. Kenneth married Darline Delores Schottel on Sept. 25, 1955. She preceded him in death on July 30, 2017. Kenneth and Darline owned and operated K&D

UNION STAR, Mo. – Tammy Parks Barnett took her final breath on Earth and took her first steps in Paradise on Feb. 18, 2025. She was surrounded by the people she loved and cared for most. Tammy was 59 years young. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, at Frazier Baptist Church

Norman Woodrow Johnson Sr. (Woody), of St. Joseph, has passed away at home on Feb. 14, 2025. He was 70 years old. Born June 4, 1954, to Catherine and Roy Johnson. A U.S. Marine, a local business owner, devoted son, brother, uncle, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He never stopped loving and grieving his former late

Basilka Billie Catherine Smith, 74, of St. Joseph, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. She was at home and surrounded by her family when she passed. She was born Dec. 30, 1950, in St. Joseph. She graduated from Benton High School. She was a member of

Danny H. Embrey of St. Joseph, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Feb. 13, 2025 at the age of 87. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1937. Danny proudly served his country in the United States Navy, spending the majority of his service aboard The Destroyer Leader. After his time in the

Jenette Irene Brown, 82, of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, at her home. She was born Sept. 6, 1942 in Leavenworth, Kansas, daughter of Carmoletta and Earl Lucas. She graduated from Benton High School, class of 1960. On June 4, 1961, she married John Brown. Most of Jenettes work life was spent

Frederick John Lederer III, 54, of St. Joseph, passed away on Feb. 15, 2025. He was born in St. Joseph, on July 12, 1970. He was baptized at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church where he attended school until going to Savannah R III. He played football, wrestling, and gymnastics. He also was in the building trade,

Richard E. Merritt Sr., born on July 23, 1942, passed away at the age of 82 on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. Richard was born in Valparaiso, Nebraska, to Clifford and Lyndell Merritt. He was the fourth of five children: Jim, Bill, Lee and Kay. At a young age Richard joined the Navy. After returning home,

Ruth Young, 91, St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. She was born Aug. 7, 1933, in Dora, Missouri, to Fred and Lola (Shipley) Ingram. Ruth married James Maxwell Young in January 1951. He preceded her in death on March 1, 2015. Ruth enjoyed traveling. She and Jim spent much of the summer months

James “Jim” Fielding Dale Jr., 82, of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, at a local health care facility. Jim was born on May 2, 1942, to James Fielding Dale Sr. and Margaret (Wyeth) Dale. He moved with his parents to St. Joseph from Maryville, Missouri, in 1947. After attending Western Reserve Military

Mary Lou Miller, 77, of St. Joseph, passed away Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, at her home. She was born April 22, 1947, in Tazewell, Virginia, daughter of Virginia and James Short. Mary most recently had been working as a Caregiver for InterServ. She loved spending time with her family and was a member of the

Robert was born on June 7, 1956, in Sedalia, Missouri, to Felix and Annie (Knott) Scheerer. He entered the gates of Heaven on Feb. 16, 2025. He was raised in Stover, Missouri, where he graduated from Morgan County R1 High School and attended trade school for auto body in 1974. He was united in marriage

Jessie A. Sykes, a devoted Christian and loving son, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on Feb. 6, 2025, at the age of 50. Born on Feb. 13, 1974, in Burlington Hills, Michigan, to Clifford A. Sykes and M.L. Deretha Sykes (Hicks), Jessie spent most of his life in St. Joseph. Jessie attended

Chester LaVern Burks, 77, St. Joseph, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, at his home. Chester was born on Aug. 17, 1947, in Gentry, Missouri, to the late Chester Ross “Chet” and Imogene Ann (Steinman) Burks. He was a 1965 graduate of Stanberry High School. Mr. Burks retired from Affiliated Foods as a forklift