Obituaries

Harry Elder passed away on Jan. 27, 2026. Harry Elder was born in Hays, Kansas, in 1942, to Willard and Lennie Doris (Kirkman) Elder. While his father worked as an administrator and his mother a teacher, he attended elementary school in many districts surrounding the Smith Center, Kansas area. By junior high he knew the

PLATTSBURG, Mo. – James William Downey, 82, Plattsburg, Missouri, passed away Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, at American House of Burlington Creek. He was born July 10, 1943, in California to Kenneth and Grace (Powers) Downey. On April 2, 1969, James married Sharon Lynn Johnson. She survives of the home. James owned and operated James Downey

PARIS, Texas – Linda Kay Hayter, age 75, passed away on Jan. 30, 2026, surrounded by her husband and daughters. Linda was born on May 1, 1950, in St. Joseph, to Robert Lee Hepburn and Virginia Hepburn. She was the first of two children. Linda graduated from Bishop LeBlond High School, a Catholic school in

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – Leonard “Bob” Robert Lowry Jr., 77, of Independence, Missouri, passed away Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born Jan. 5, 1949, in Denver, Colorado. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Jacob Fleming; stepson, Tim Clark; sister, Barbara Blocker. Survivors include wife, Edie Lowry; children:

Michelle Yvonne (Melville) Stagner, 74, St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. Farewell Services and Public Livestream 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 13, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will gather with friends 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Kenneth Warren Evans Jr. was born in 1945 in Tulsa Oklahoma to Billie Marie and Kenneth Warren Evans, Sr. Kenneth “Ken” Warren Evans Jr., 80, passed away peacefully on the last day of 2025 at Jefferson Hospital, surrounded by his loved ones. Ken is survived by his wife of 44 years, Carmhiel

COUNTRY CLUB, Mo. – Barbara E. Johnson, 72, Country Club, Missouri, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. Farewell Services and Public Livestream 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will gather with friends two hours prior to the service. The family suggests

Richard Joseph Garvey, 71, passed away on Feb. 1, 2026, following a brief illness. He was born on Sept. 30, 1954, in St. Joseph. He was preceded in death by his parents. Richard attended Christian Brothers/LeBlond High School, graduating in 1972, and continued his education at Benedictine College, in Atchison, Kansas, later completing his degree

Theresa Gayle (Vaughn) James, 70, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister, passed away Feb. 2, 2026, in St. Joseph. Theresa was born June 12, 1955, to Rosie (Fleshman) and Norman Vaughn Sr., in Maysville, Missouri. The second of nine children, Theresa attended school in Amity and Union Star, and graduated from Maysville High School, class

DEKALB, Mo. – Wanda McCaulley, 79, DeKalb, Missouri, passed away Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Kansas City, Kansas. Survivors include husband, Dick McCaulley; sons, George (Tammy) Wheeler, Joseph McCaulley; grandchildren, Autumn Rose Crane, Bernie Wheeler, Robert Wheeler; and numerous great-grandchildren. Funeral Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, at DeKalb Christian Church, where

James “Dick” Cook Jr., 72, St. Joseph, died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in St. Joseph. Born July 22, 1953, Louisburg, Kansas. Preceded in death by parents and four siblings. Survivors include one son; two daughters; two grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; three siblings; and multiple friends. Mr. Cook has been cremated under the care of Rupp Funeral

ATCHISON, Kan. – In Loving Memory of Cindy Louise (Jones) Hoverson, 72, a lifelong resident of rural Doniphan County, Kansas, entered the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Jan. 30, 2026. Known throughout Atchison and Doniphan Counties as “Miss Cindy” or the beloved “Story Lady,” she leaves behind a legacy defined by

DEKALB, Mo. – Colt “Cole” Thornton Cox, 63, DeKalb, Missouri, passed away Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. He was born April 21, 1962, in Kansas City, Missouri. Cole played collegiate baseball at Southwestern College in Iowa and then transferred to Missouri Western State College and received his Bachelor of Science degree. Having tied the knot with

AMAZONIA, Mo. – Hester Charlene (Smither) Hess, of Amazonia, Missouri, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on Jan. 29, 2026, at the age of 95. Born on June 15,1930, in Holt County, Missouri, Hester was the daughter of Enos and Grace Smither. She graduated from Savannah High School with the class

Retha Gelene Jensen passed peacefully at Living Community on Feb. 1, 2026. Retha was born in Santa Rosa, Missouri, to Willie Rush and Iva Fisher. She was a sister to seven siblings. Retha raised her family on her own while working full-time for 25 years at Burnham Simpson Insurance Agency as a secretary Retha married

ATCHISON, Kan. – Sister Mary Lucy Kramer, OSB, 92, a Benedictine sister of Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, Kansas, died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, at the monastery. The vigil service will be Thursday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m. in the monastery chapel, and the Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated there Friday, Feb. 6, at 10:30

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Jeffrey Allen “Lumpy” Lumb, who left us on Dec. 27, 2025, at the age of 56, following a courageous battle with cancer. Friends and family are invited to honor Jeff’s life on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, from 5 to 10 p.m. at 3005 Pear

Jo Ellen Moore, 77, of St. Joseph, passed away Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in a St. Joseph health care center. She was born Jan. 7, 1949, in Westboro, Missouri. She worked as a court recorder, and served as the Mayor of Westboro. Jo Ellen was preceded in death by her mother, Ellen Estes. Survivors include:

Roberta Ann Starmer, 74, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, at a local health care facility. She was born Feb. 3, 1951, in St. Joseph, daughter of Winifred and Jake Wright. She graduated from Lafayette High School and Missouri Western State College. She married Ronnie Pasley and together they had two children,

John Doyle Vannaman, 79, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, at Providence Medical Center, in Kansas City, Kansas. He was born Dec. 22, 1946, in St. Joseph, son of Betty and Doyle Vannaman. John attended Benton High School. Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. On April 7, 1972, he

SALINA, Okla. – Fernalee “Fernie” Elizabeth Earhart, 92, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, in Salina, Oklahoma. She was born on April 11, 1933, in Afton, Oklahoma, to Fern and Amos Neel. Fernalee graduated from Afton High School in 1951, where she was a proud member of the marching band

The Honorable Suffragan Bishop Emeritus James Phillip Foster Jr. peacefully transitioned to his eternal home on Jan. 28, 2026. Farewell Services and Public Livestream 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, Word of Life Church. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family

WEATHERBY, Mo. – Elizabeth Ann (Odell) Carroll went to be with her Lord Wednesday morning, the 28th of January. Born on Feb. 8, 1938, in Kingston, Missouri, Ann spent her early days attending school and learning many skills while helping at home. As early as eighth grade, she took a job helping a family, work

SCOTTDALE, Ariz. – Dr. Edward M. Beheler passed away Jan. 24, 2026, at the remarkable age of 95½ years. Born on June 30, 1930, in Marlin, Texas, to Edward and Nona Beheler, Ed Beheler led a life marked by dedication, compassion, and service. His journey in medicine began at Tulane University, where he earned his

Mary Lee (Lankard) Cornett, 90, of St. Joseph, was born in Anderson County, Kansas, to John “Jack” and Josie (Drybread) Lankard, on Aug. 6, 1935. The family moved to Coffeyville, Kansas, in 1945 where she wed Jim Cornett on Aug. 28, 1955, and shared 41 years of marriage. Mary went to Field Kinley High School

Robin Gail Crockett, 62, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. She was born Feb. 3, 1963, in St. Joseph. She graduated from Benton High School class of 1981, and was a caretaker in the health care industry. She married Ricky on July 13, 1980. She enjoyed fishing and going to car races,

COWGILL, Mo. – Rodney Gene Gasper, 53, of Cowgill, Missouri, passed away Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, at a Hamilton, Missouri, health care facility. He was born Aug. 11, 1972, in St Joseph, son of Mary and Robert Gasper. Rodney was a 1990 graduate of Mid-Buchanan High School. He worked as an Installer with both Time

Charles Edwin Hogan, 72, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in St Joseph. He was born March 2, 1953, in St. Joseph. He graduated from Lafayette High School and worked at Polsky Motors, and Hogan’s Alley in car sales. He was preceded in death by parents, Violett Hyder and Charles Hogan; daughter,

Ernest “Ernie” Marshall Robinson Jr., 58, of St Joseph, passed away Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, at Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph. He was born Oct. 30, 1967, in Las Vegas, Nevada, son of Janis (Mayfield) and Ernest Robinson Sr. He attended Arro Grande High School, in California, later relocating to St. Joseph. He was

MAYSVILLE, Mo. – Frederick David Kiehl (Fred, or “Doc” to many), my dad, was given the gift of life on May 18, 1950, at University Hospital, in Columbia, Missouri, by Dr. Elmer and Helen Kiehl, both of whom preceded him in death, and he made the very most of that gift for the next 75