Obituaries

PLATTSBURG, Mo. – Gilbert Raymond Sander, 85, Plattsburg, Missouri, passed away Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. He was born Dec. 21, 1940, to Ermel Raymond and Violet Marie (Evans) Sander, in St. Joseph. He graduated from Plattsburg High School in 1958 and received his bachelor’s degree at NWMSU in Education. In addition to working on the

Thomas J. “Tom” Swafford Jr., age 83, St. Joseph, passed away Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. Mass of Christian Burial and Public Livestream 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Interment Mount Olivet Cemetery. Parish Rosary 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory, where the family will gather with

OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Beverly Jean Mitchell Whitsell was born Feb. 9, 1937, to Ralph Mitchell and Virginia Rose (Firner) Mitchell, in Hiawatha Kansas. She passed peacefully at her home in Osage City, Kansas, on Jan. 2, 2026. After high school, Bev married Don Whitsell. They had two children and later divorced. Bev is survived

James Thomas Graves, born on Nov. 14, 1934, passed away peacefully at home, in St. Joseph, on Epiphany, Jan. 6, 2026, surrounded by his wife of 68 years, Karen, his beloved cats, and his eldest daughter, Leslie. He was 91. Graves, known as “Jim” or “James T.” to friends and family, is also lovingly remembered

WATHENA, Kan. – Ruth Anna (Herpel) Bauman, 96, longtime resident of rural of Wathena, Kansas, entered the presence of the Lord Jan. 9, 2026. She was surrounded by family in her daughter’s home in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. Ruth was born to Elmer and Frieda (Meng) Herpel, in her parents’ country home north of Wathena. She

SAVANNAH, Mo. – Steven H. Brodsky, 77, Savannah, Missouri, passed away Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. Survivors include his wife, Wanda; children, David Brodsky, Natalie Elardo (Brian), Diane Brodsky, and Stacie Hasten (Randy); 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; younger brother, Arnold Brodsky; two nephews and several cousins. Celebration of Life planned for a later date. Natural Farewell

FLAMING GORGE, Utah – Brad Lorin Flinders, 68, of Kamas, Utah, passed away on Dec. 19, 2025, in Flaming Gorge, Utah. He was born on Nov. 14, 1957, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Samuel Terrance and Vicki June (Wilson) Flinders. On Dec. 12, 1980, he married Melece Louise Gale, in Salt Lake City. Brad

COSBY, Mo. – Alec Junior Hovey, 88, of Cosby, Missouri, passed away Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in St. Joseph. He was born Jan. 4, 1938, in St. Joseph. Survivors include wife, Jerrie Ann Hovey; children: Michael A. (Judy) Hovey, daughter, Rhonda R. (Randal) Salmons, Jeffrey S. (Jenny) Hovey, and Jody W. (Kristen) Hovey, of Gower,

Colleen Louise Jeffers, 97, St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. She was born Dec. 3, 1928, to Naomi Cecil Crouch, in Marshall, Missouri. She lived a full and vibrant life, marked by creativity, laughter, and a deep love for family and friends. Colleen was a longtime member of the Sparta Homemakers Club in

MILTON, Fla. – Gary Michael Roesle, 71, of Milton, Florida, died unexpectedly on Jan. 4, 2026. Gary was born in St. Joseph on Aug. 1, 1954, son of the late Louis R. Roesle and Dorothy (Powers) Roesle. He attended Cathedral Grade School and graduated from Bishop LeBlond High School. Gary began his career working at

Barbara “Barb” Rouse, 62, St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. She was born June 18, 1963, in Knob Noster, Missouri, to Jerry and Carol (Rogers) Brim. The family lived in many places, including a year in Italy, with her father’s military career before they settled in St. Joseph when Barb was 13. Barbara

Danny B. Blanchard, 76, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. He was born Nov. 5, 1949, in St. Joseph, son of the late Doris and Charles “Bud” Blanchard. Danny graduated from Benton High School, class of 1969. He shared 55 wonderful years with his wife, Vicki Bravo. Danny worked for many years

Jack L. Pearl, 88, St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. He was born March 23, 1937, in St. Joseph, to Tinsley and Mary (Glenn) Pearl. Jack served his country in the U.S. Army in Security Service. Jack married Janice M. Osburn on May 25, 1958. She preceded him in death in 1999. He

Max R. Shelman KEARNEY, Mo. – It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Max Randall Shelman at the age of 81 on Jan. 8, 2026, from Kearney, Missouri, but formerly from Cameron, Missouri. Max was born in Weatherby, Missouri, to Thomas (Tommy) and Bessie (Cooper) Shelman, and attended Taylor Mill Country

Phyllis Jane Walls, 89, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at a local health care facility. She was born Oct. 6, 1936, in St. Joseph. Phyllis devoted her love to children while babysitting and working at Head Start. Phyllis was preceded in death her parents, Ray and Helen Frame, and several aunts

COUNTRY CLUB, Mo. – Brenda Kay Bennett, 65, Country Club, Missouri, passed away Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. She was born March 12, 1960, in St. Joseph, to Robert and Violet (Pauley) Alders. Brenda married Carroll Omar Bennett of 37 years. He survives of the home. She was a member of Hosanna International Ministries church. Brenda

David Loren Snodgrass III came into this world on Jan. 25, 1934, and died on Jan. 4, 2026. Born in Plattsburg, Missouri, to David Loren Jr. and Almina Parr Snodgrass. When the family moved to St. Joseph he grew up alongside his brother, James Martin Snodgrass. After graduating high school with the class of 1952,

Joseph Marcus Strobl, Jr., 90, St. Joseph, died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, at home surrounded by his loving family, in St. Joseph. Joseph was born Dec. 28, 1935, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Joseph M. and Dorothy (Blanke) Strobl. Joseph graduated from Affton High School in 1953. He graduated from the University of Missouri (Columbia)

Carolyn “Susie” Guinn, 81, of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, at her home in St. Joseph. She was born Jan. 30, 1944, in St. Joseph, daughter of Viola and William “Bill” McDowell. Susie was a 1963 graduate of Benton High School. On Oct. 26, 1963, she married Bob Guinn. Susie was a

Betty Mae (Ward) Widner, 81, of St. Joseph, passed away Dec. 27, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Betty was born Jan. 17, 1944, in Otterville, Missouri, to Elmer Archibald and Goldie Ivery (Davis) Ward. She attended school in Otterville, and was a member of the Otterville Baptist Church. She retired after 25 years from

Charles E. “Chuck” Stewart, 79, of St. Joseph, went home to be with his Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in St. Joseph, surrounded by the love and prayers of family and friends. He was born Oct. 10, 1946, in Kansas City, Missouri, son of the late Bonnie (Alexander) Stewart Murphy

Robert “Bobby” Norman Brendle Jr., 71, of St. Joseph, passed away Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in St. Joseph. He was born July 22, 1954, in St. Joseph, son of Betty (Barnes) Johnson and Robert Brendle Sr. He attended Gower High School and graduated from Benton High School, class of 1972. He married Marsha Whithorn on

Ricky Dale Johnson went home to his Lord and Savior on Jan. 5, 2026, with a Hospice caretaker at his side in St. Joseph. He was a caring husband, father and grandfather blessed with two grandchildren named Austin and Miles, and one great-grandchild named Stetson. Ricky Dale was born to George and Cleo Johnson on

RAYMORE, Mo. – Annie “Jewel” Polk, age 89, of Raymore, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Dec. 16, 2025, at the Foxwood Springs Living Center. A Celebration of Jewel’s life will be held Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at Southern Roots Event Center, 239 Illinois Ave., St. Joseph, MO 64504 from 1 to 4 p.m. Jewel was

BARNARD, Mo. – James Winfred Galbreath, of Barnard, Missouri, passed away on Jan. 1, 2026, in Maryville, Missouri. Jim was born in Maryville on Feb. 9, 1938, to J. Winfred and Mary Patricia (O’Donnell) Galbreath. He married Judith Lynne Ray in Albuquerque on Feb. 23, 1962. Jim and Judy farmed for many years in Andrew

Dennis P. Kelly, 80, of St. Joseph, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. Dennis was born on July 20, 1945, in St. Joseph, to Royce and Genevieve (Drimmel) Kelly. Dennis graduated with the class of 1964 at Christian Brothers, then later attended Hillyard Technical to study welding and training

Gary I. Rosenthal, born on Sept. 13, 1932, in St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away on Dec. 31, 2025, in Dallas, Texas. He graduated from Central High School in 1950. Graveside Farewell Services and Interment 3 p.m. Wednesday, Shaare Sholem Cemetery. The family requests no flowers be sent but instead suggests memorial contributions to the Open

With love and heavy hearts we announce the passing of our beloved Barbara “JoAn” Thomas on Dec. 28, 2025. JoAn was born Dec. 20, 1927, in Sedalia, Missouri, to William Alva and Florence Crowder. She was raised on the Crowder farm in Sweet Springs, Missouri, growing up during the Depression. It was there that she

Herbert Leo Wilson Sr. passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Jan. 3, 2026. Herbert Leo Wilson Sr. was born on Aug. 21, 1960, in St. Joseph, to Anna May Honeycutt and Irvin Wilson, the cherished baby of eight siblings. He was preceded in death by his parents and six brothers and sisters,

Sheila Marie Morris, 58, of St. Joseph, passed away Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in St. Joseph. She was born April 19, 1967, in Parnell, Missouri, daughter of Susan and Eddie Clay Maxwell, of Maryville, Missouri. She graduated from Nodaway Northeast Nodaway R5 High School and attended Northwest State University. She worked at State hospital. She