Obituaries

LOCUST GROVE, Okla. – Ted Pierce was born in Edna, Kansas, on Nov. 23, 1940, to Gerald and Helen Rose Pierce. He passed away on April 19, 2025. He married his one and only Phyllis Jean Lafon on Sept. 20, 1958. They shared 66 years of marriage together. Ted had many different jobs as a

Vernon “Vern” Dale Perkins, 92, of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, April 19, 2025, at his home. He was born July 24, 1932, in St. Joseph, son of the late Ethel and Oscar Perkins. Vern attended Benton High School, and joined the United States Air Force at the age of 17, then serving in the

Frederick Peters, 86, St. Joseph, died Saturday April 19, 2025, in St. Joseph. Preceded in death by his parents; wife; three brothers; and one sister. Survivors include five children; three brothers; one sister; 15 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and four great- great-grandchildren. Family to receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Funeral Service: 2 p.m. Wednesday,

Shawn Wilson, 48, of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, April 19, 2025, at his home. Shawn was born Aug. 18, 1976, in Hiawatha, Kansas, son of the late Betty and Rex Wilson. Shawn attended Lafayette High School. On Sept. 19, 1998, he married Sonya Cox, in St. Joseph. Shawn was a Member of the Laborers

CRESTON, Iowa – Michael William Emerson, 77, of Creston, Iowa, died peacefully at his home on Feb. 2, 2025. Michael was born to William Siggins Emerson and Jan (McKinney) Emerson, on April 1, 1947, in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael moved to St. Jospeh in 1955 with his father and stepmother, Jane (Barrow) Emerson, of St. Joseph,

Robert “Steve” Ham, 70, St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, April 16, 2025. He was born Dec. 2, 1954, in St. Joseph. He grew up in the North End, attending Lindbergh Elementary and Lafayette High School. He worked as a steelworker at Shamrad Metal Fabricators. Steve loved softball, mushroom hunting, fishing, bowling, and camping. He especially

LINCOLN, Neb. – Kimberly S. Wolfing was born Feb. 20, 1964, to Robert Wolfing Sr. and Beverly Newman. Kim passed away Friday, April 11, 2025. He is preceded in death by his wife, Cindy Wolfing (Tracy); both parents; brother, Robert Wolfing Jr.; sisters, Micki Jo West, Tammy Boydston and Stacy Curtis. He is survived by

A pillar of his community and a dedicated servant to his nation, Dr. George Fischer, DVM, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2025, at the remarkable age of 97. Born to Carl and Edith Fischer on Aug. 18, 1927, in Garden City, Missouri, George lived a life marked by commitment, leadership, and a deep care

Wilma Lee King, 98, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, April 17, 2025, at a local health care facility. She was born March 26, 1927, in St. Joseph, daughter of Hazel and Rufus Wood. Wilma graduated from Benton High School, class of 1945, where she was a member of the Gamma Aletha Club. On Nov.

Michael Miller, 77, St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, April 12, 2025. He was born May 4, 1947, to Leslie E. and Shirley J. (Rice) Miller, in Omaha, Nebraska. Michael married Rhonda Jean Payne on Nov. 23, 1985. He worked for Missouri Highway and Transportation for over 11 years. Michael enjoyed golfing and flying remote-controlled airplanes.

Richard H. Snyder, 77, St. Joseph, passed away Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. He was born June 29, 1947, in St. Joseph, to David Earl Snyder Sr. and Margarett Januita (Ide) Stoneburner. Richard married Dixie Sherlene Allen on April 25, 1987. Celebration of Life 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 26, 2025. 2009 Buckingham St, St.

Gerald “Cowboy” Bass, 75, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, April 17, 2025. He was born Sept. 14, 1949, in Holtville, California, son of the late Patricia and William Bass. He served in the Marines and worked as a Union Plumber. Survivors include companion, Connie Hatcher; stepdaughter, Amy Haynes; grandsons, Asher and Slayde; and a

STANBERRY, Mo. – With deep sorrow, we announce that Roy Blair Brown, 88, passed away on Monday, April 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri. Known as “Pops” to his family and friends, Roy was a cherished member of the community. Roy was born on Dec. 23, 1936, in Penn Run, Pennsylvania, to Jay and Naomi

POLO, Mo. – Irma Lee (Wilson) Fewins, 94, passed away April 14, 2025. She was born Nov. 5, 1930, to Emmett and Anna (McDaniel) Wilson, in Stewartsville, Missouri. Irma married Benny Fewins Dec. 24, 1947, in Cameron, Missouri. She was a homemaker and helped her husband on the family farm. Irma was a member of

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Dr. Gary Walter Bell, 82, passed away at home on April 12, 2025. Dr. Bell was born on Aug. 14, 1942, in St. Joseph, to Harry and Vlasta (Spiegel) Bell. He graduated from Benton High School in 1960 where he participated in multiple sports and was senior class president. He graduated from

GREENSBORO, Ga. – Paul Nathan Livingston, 89, of Greensboro, Georgia, passed away Thursday, April 10, 2025. He was born Jan. 20, 1936, in Albany, Missouri. He married Kathryn Jean Lyle on Feb. 9, 1963. She sadly passed away March 16, 2007. Paul most enjoyed laughing and spending time with his family. He was especially fond

WEATHERBY , Mo. – Helen Joeann Saunders, 85, Weatherby, Missouri, died at home on Monday, April 7, 2025. She was born July 19, 1939, in Parks, Kansas, to parents Mack and Laura Hurd. She graduated from Parsons Jr. College in 1958 and Bethany Hospital School of Nursing in 1961 and obtained her B.S.N from U.M.K.C

Dee Ann Sutherland, a beloved mother, musician, and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 76. To her children, Dee Ann was not just a mother but a source of music and joy from the very beginning. “From the beginning of my life until the end of hers, mom has always meant music to

Mary Lynn Wiedmaier, 68, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Family and Home Instead caregivers remained with her throughout the final weeks of her courageous journey, granting her wish of home-care comfort and companionship with the tenderest love. She was born March 2, 1957, in St. Joseph, to Albert John Wiedmaier Jr. and Mary

Taylor J. Lake 28, of St. Joseph, passed away Monday, April 14, 2025. He was born Feb. 10, 1997, in St. Joseph, and graduated from Benton High school. He worked at Silgan Containers. He enjoyed music, cars and his cats, especially “Joni B”. Survivors include brother, Michael Lake; father, Lawrence Lake Jr.; mother, Peggy Trent;

Steven W. Schroeder, 44, St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2025. He was born Sept. 9, 1980, in St. Joseph, to Allen and Elizabeth (Cogdill) Schroeder. He graduated from Benton High School, and the Missouri Western Regional Law Enforcement Academy. He worked for the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department as a reserve deputy, then the

Charles R. “Charlie” Burri, 94, St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2025. He was born March 24, 1931, in St. Joseph. Charlie married Clara Patricia “Patti” Wilson on June 11, 1956. He was a graduate of Christian Brothers High School, received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Northwest Missouri State University in 1958 and

WARRENSBURG, Mo. -Kenneth Roy Bowland, 93, Warrensburg, Missouri, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2025. Farewell Services 1 p.m. Thursday, Skidmore Christian Church. Interment Hillcrest Cemetery. The family will gather with friends one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Skidmore Christian Church, 106 N Orchard, Skidmore,

John Corwin OMAHA, Neb. – John Corwin, 79, passed away on April 13, 2025, in Omaha, Nebraska. A U.S. Army veteran, he enjoyed fishing, mushroom hunting, playing the guitar, casino trips, and Nebraska sports. Preceded in death by his parents, Tolbert and Dorothy Corwin, and sisters, Susan Metzger and Barbara Coleman. Survivors include son, Pete

Judith Kay Reed, 82, St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, April 12, 2025. She was born Oct. 16, 1942, in St. Joseph, to Homer and Opal (Bear) Root. A proud graduate of Lafayette High School, Judy cherished her membership in the Shamrock Sisters. Judith married Robert “Bob” R. Reed on Aug. 27, 1960. They shared 60

Liss Hartley was born in Kimballton, Iowa, Jan. 19, 1943, and died at 82 after a courageous battle with cancer on April 10, 2025, at her home in St. Joseph, in the constant care of her family. She was the second oldest daughter of Danish immigrants, Andrew and Karen Korsgaard, and was fully invested in

Charles Henry Pryor passed away April 10, 2025. He was born May 11, 1930, in Rosendale, Missouri. He was raised in Savannah, Missouri, but spent most of his life in St. Joseph. He served in the army during the Korean conflict. He was employed at Gerber Baby Goods and later retired from U.S. Postal Service

Ricardo Santana, better known as “Rico”, 64, St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, April 12, 2025. He was born on Dec. 19, 1960, to Nicholas Guzman and Josephine Martinez, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Rico enjoyed playing the guitar and the drums from time to time. He also had a deep love for drawing, TV shows and automobiles,

Bill Tyer, 77, St. Joseph, passed away Friday, April 11, 2025. He was born Aug. 11, 1947, in St. Joseph to Marks and Thelma (Norris) Tyer. He grew up in Gower, Missouri, where he was named an All-State tackle for Gower High School, from which he graduated. Bill attended St. Joseph Junior College for two

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Beverly Ann Kowalczyk, 84, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed peacefully April 10, 2025. She was born to James and Catherine (Bennett) Halter May 26, 1940. After graduating from the Convent of the Sacred Heart, St. Joseph, and Fontbonne College, St. Louis, she earned a master’s degree in Education at the University