Obituaries

By NewsPress Now Dara Sue Griffin, 70, of St. Joseph, passed away Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, in St. Joseph. She was born Dec. 6, 1953, in St. Joseph, daughter of the late Mildred and Glenn Roberts. She graduated from Mid-Buchanan High School and worked at the Chase Candy Company, Stetson Hats, and Stone Container. Dara

By NewsPress Now Barbara Ann (Archdekin) Pasley, 90, of St. Joseph, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, at Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph. She was born on Aug. 14, 1933, in St. Joseph, to James “Ray” and Rose (Nold) Archdekin. She attended a one-room schoolhouse in Andrew County and graduated from Central High

By NewsPress Now PLATTE CITY, Mo. – William “Leon” Reese, 80, of Platte City, Missouri, formerly of Dekalb, Missouri, passed away Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Platte City. He was born Jan. 27, 1944, in Dekalb, son of Beatrice and Miles Reese. He graduated from DeKalb High School, class of 1962. Leon retired from Rockwell

By NewsPress Now Karla L. Williams POWHATTAN, Kan. – Karla Louise (Strube) Williams, of rural Powhattan, Kansas, with family by her side, passed away Feb. 13, 2024, at her home. Survivors: husband Dale, children: Scott and Theresa Williams, Mitch and Sarah Gerving, Eric and Dana Williams; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. Services: 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb.

By NewsPress Now SAVANNAH, Mo. – Donna Vogel 65, of Savannah, Missouri, passed away Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, in Savannah. She was born July 23, 1958, in St. Joseph. The family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m. on Monday at the Rupp Funeral Home. Funeral services and public live stream 2 p.m. Monday,

By NewsPress Now Late Notices As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.

By NewsPress Now Dennis Michael Taylor, 78, of St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, at his home in St. Joseph. He was born at home on April 7, 1945, in Savannah, Missouri, son of the late Marjorie and Harvey Taylor Sr. On Dec. 28, 1986, he married his best friend, Pati Brown Taylor.

By NewsPress Now Joy Cole, 86, St. Joseph, passed away Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, at her home. She was born on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 1937, to Hugh E. and Julia F. (Norris) Taylor, in Savannah, Missouri. She graduated from Savannah High School, and later attended both Missouri Western State University and University of Missouri

By NewsPress Now Late Notices Dara S. Griffin Dara Sue Griffin, 70, St. Joseph, passed away Feb. 12, 2024. Visitation 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Funeral Services 10 a.m. Monday at the Rupp Funeral Home. Interment Ashland Cemetery. Arrangements Rupp Funeral Home. Barbara A. Pasley Barbara Ann (Archdekin) Pasley, 90, St. Joseph, passed away Feb.

By NewsPress Now SAVANNAH, Mo. – Elizabeth “Betty” Ann Harvey, 90, of Savannah, Missouri, passed from this life to her precious Lord on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, at Living Community, in St. Jospeh. She was born on Dec. 5, 1933, to Lloyd and Helen (Reno) Harvey on their family farm between Savannah and Amazonia, Missouri.

By NewsPress Now DES MOINES, Iowa – Loren Gene Velvick, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on Feb. 7, 2024, at his residence. Born on March 10, 1948, in Seneca, Kansas, he was the son of Woodrow and Naomi (Lyder) Velvick. Gene was preceded in death by his parents and his twin brother, Leslie Dean

By NewsPress Now Herbert “Herbie” Leo Burkeybile, 83, of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, at Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph. He was born Dec. 14, 1940, in St. Joseph, son of Cora (Weiser) and Gilbert Burkeybile. He married Pamela “Penny” Proud on Feb. 1, 1975, in Chicago, Illinois. He spent many

By NewsPress Now SAVANNAH, Mo. – Cecil Harold Thornton Jr. 91, of Savannah, Missouri, passed away Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, in a St. Joseph health care center. He was born July 30, 1932, in Doniphan County, Kansas, son of the late Helen and Cecil Thornton Sr. He married Helen Hendrix on May 28, 1960, she

By NewsPress Now WICHITA, Kan. – William “Bill” O. Irwin Jr., 73, passed away Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, in Wichita, Kansas. He was born on March 22, 1950, to William Sr. and Virginia Irwin. He graduated from Savannah High School, in Savannah, Missouri. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Michael Irwin.

By NewsPress Now Debra “Debbie” (McEnaney) Stafford, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on Feb. 10, 2024, at the age of 67. She was born on April 13, 1956, in St. Joseph, to Darrell G. and Patricia J. (Hendrix) McEnaney. Those who knew Debbie will fondly remember her resilient spirit and her remarkable

By NewsPress Now Steven Wayne Cook, 71, of St. Joseph, died Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, in St. Joseph. He was born Dec. 3, 1952, in St. Joseph, son of the late Shirley and Robert Cook. Steven was preceded in death by his parents, and brother brother, Robert Cook Jr. Survivors include sister, Bobbie Wright, and

By NewsPress Now Late Notices Lois V. Brewer Lois Vivian Brewer, 100, passed away Feb. 9, 2024. Visitation 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 22 at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel. Services 11 a.m. Feb. 23 at St. Francis Baptist Temple. Visitation at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment to follow at Leavenworth National

By NewsPress Now Late Notices As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.

By NewsPress Now STEWARTSVILLE, Mo. – Catherin Laverna (Gann) Mink, 82, of Stewartsville, Missouri, passed away, Feb. 8, 2024. She was born on Feb. 6, 1942, to William Theodore and Edna Pearl (Wheeler) Gann, in Easton, Missouri. She was a 1960 graduate of Easton High School. On June 9, 1963, she was united in marriage

By NewsPress Now Don T. Morris, 90, cherished father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on Feb. 8, 2024. He was born on Oct. 14, 1933, in St. Joseph, to Thomas and Estella A. (Richie) Morris. Don’s lifelong partnership with his wife, Shirley Jean Mallory, began on July 4, 1952, and they shared a loving marriage

By NewsPress Now Steven “Steve” Myers, 75, St. Joseph, passed away Feb. 8, 2024, at home surrounded by the love of his family. Steve was born in Murphysboro, Illinois, on Aug. 21, 1948, to Glen and Ruth (Twyman) Myers. Steve is survived by his loving wife of 36 years Ruth; daughters, Angela Lehan (Chris), Olathe,

By NewsPress Now KING CITY, Mo. – Loretta Jean Snuffer, 90, King City, Missouri, passed away Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, at Nodaway Nursing Home, Maryville, Missouri. She was born on Jan. 20, 1934, in Gentry County, Missouri. Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13 at Roberson Funeral Home, King City. Burial

By NewsPress Now Ken Beck, 87, St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, at his home surrounded by family. He was born Sept. 30, 1936, in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Lock Haven, then proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, based in Tokyo, Japan. Between being in the military and

By NewsPress Now Late Notices Stacy M. Bishop STEWARTSVILLE, Mo. – Stacy Marie Bishop, 61, passed away Feb. 7, 2024. Celebration of Life at Turner Family Funeral Home of Stewartsville with visitation 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 10, 2024. www.turnerfamilyfuneral.com Steven A. Myers Steven A. Myers, 75, St. Joseph, passed away on Feb. 8, 2024.

By NewsPress Now Lila G. Albertson, 104, a lifelong resident of St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. She was born on Sept. 21, 1919, to Hugh Taylor and Lila Gladys (Black) Montgomery, in Faucett, Missouri. Lila graduated from NWMSU and later earned her master’s degree from the University of Iowa. She was called

By NewsPress Now Brandon “B-Poz” Polsgrove, 49, St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. He was born July 6, 1974, in St. Joseph, to Gregory and Linda (Campbell) Polsgrove. He was a firefighter for the St. Joseph Fire Department for 11 years. He was given the nickname “B-Poz” because his dad, who also worked

By NewsPress Now AGENCY, Mo. – Rhonda Jo Felt 59, of Agency, Missouri, passed away Wednesday Feb. 7, 2024. She was born Nov. 4, 1964, in St. Joseph, daughter of the late Beverly and Eugene Swoboda. She graduated from Wathena High School and worked at E-Z Money loan as a cashier. She enjoyed knitting, reading,

By NewsPress Now TROY, Kan. – Carol Whetstine, 85, formerly of Highland, Kansas, passed away Feb. 6, 2024, at her home in Troy, Kansas, surrounded by family. Carol was born on June 27, 1938, in St. Joseph, Asa and Wilma (Blakley) Mace. Carol married Ray Lee Whetstine on June 26, 1954, who preceded her in

By NewsPress Now CLINTON, Mo. – Robert Dreier of Clinton, Missouri, passed away Feb. 2, 2024, at VA Medical Center in Columbia, Missouri. Robert (Bob) was born on Aug. 8, 1927, to Frank and Mary Dreier. Memorial service Feb. 16, 2024, at 10:30 a.m at Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton. Graveside inurnment with military honors

By NewsPress Now SHAUMBURG, Ill. – With deep sorrow we announce the unexpected death of our precious daughter, Melissa Jeannine Taylor, on Jan. 26, 2024, due to cardiac arrest at age 52. Melissa was born in St. Louis County, Missouri, Sept. 6, 1971. She graduated from Horton Watkins, Ladue, Missouri, High School where she was