Obituaries

Wallace F. Furtado, 83, St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, June 29, 2025. He was born July 27, 1941, in Carver, Massachusetts, to Noy and Carolyn (Gomes) Furtado. He grew up in Massachusetts, and after graduating from high school he proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. He retired as

FAUCETT, Mo. – Marilyn Kay Goodlet, 72, of Faucett, Missouri, went to be with the Lord on July 1, 2025. She was born July 20, 1952, to Lowell “Poodle” Laurence and Catherine Laurence and lived her childhood years in New Market, Missouri. She attended North Platte High School, graduating in 1970. Marilyn attended Missouri Western

Betty Louann Peters, 65, of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at her home. She was born June 25, 1960, in St. Joseph, daughter of the late Betty and William “Bill” Kuehner. She graduated from Benton High School, class of 1979, and married David Peters on Sept. 21, 1979. She worked in the

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – James Patrick Hawkins Sr., 94, passed away surrounded by family on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. James was born on Aug. 24, 1930, in Sioux City, Iowa, to John Edward and Mary Celestine Hawkins. James graduated from Trinity High School in Sioux City and then served in the United States Army from

Karen Sue Chavez, 76, of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, June 28, 2025, at her home, She was born July 30, 1948, in St. Joseph, daughter of the late Ethel and Frederick Penland. She attended Benton High School and worked at the Northwest Psychiatric Rehab Center as a custodial supervisor. She was a member of

Shirley Ann Wheeler Simmons, 96, of St. Joseph, passed away June 29, 2025, after a short illness. She was born in St. Joseph on Dec. 29, 1928, to Paul and Ethyl Wheeler. She lived in St. Joseph her entire life. She was a lifetime member of Ashland Avenue Methodist Church. Shirley attended Humboldt and Pickett

Larry Michael Lutz, 79, peacefully passed away surrounded by family on June 25, 2025, in St. Joseph. He received great care and kindness from the staff at Mosaic. Larry was born in St. Joseph on Dec. 8, 1945, to George Adam Lutz and Lola Amy (Dysart) Lutz. Larry graduated from Central High School in 1964.

COSBY, Mo. – Willard “Willie” Petitt, 64, of Cosby, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in a St. Joseph hospital. He was born Oct. 3, 1960, in St. Joseph. Survivors include wife, Belinda Petitt; and three children; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, with

Randall Lee Schenk, 65, a lifelong resident of St. Joseph, passed away June 21, 2025, after a very brief struggle with stomach cancer. Randy was born Nov. 11, 1959, and graduated from Central High School. Randy enjoyed a competitive game of pool as well as riding his bicycle or motorcycle along the St. Joe parkway.

GRANT CITY, Mo. – Marvin Lee Mercer, 89, Grant City, Missouri, passed away June 24, 2025. Marvin was born June 18, 1936, to Cleo and Rubye Mercer. Surviving are children: Richard Mercer, David (Nancy) Mercer, Kent Mercer and Anita Henggeler; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, June 28, 2025,

Dr. John William Slayton, 83, St. Joseph, passed away Monday, June 23, 2025. He was born on July 30, 1941, to parents John William Sr. and Margaret Elizabeth (Dobbins) Slayton ,in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He valued care for others above all and carried this principle through his life and studies, emerging as a wise and skilled

Dianne Lynn Hund, 61, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus on Monday, June 23, 2025. Dianne was born Dec. 8, 1963, to Dennis Ray and Sally Ann Myers, in Rimersburg, Pennsylvania. She married Tom Hund on July 20, 1991, in Wilmore, Kentucky. Farewell Services 1 p.m. Saturday, Green Valley Baptist Church. Visitation

WATHENA, Kan. – Lester J. Shalz, 87, of Wathena, Kansas, passed away surrounded by his loving family on June 20, 2025. Lester was born on May 15, 1938, in Wathena, to the late Nicholas and Esther (Dyer) Shalz. He was a graduate of Wathena High School and received his B.S. in mortuary science from the

ATCHISON, Kan. – Glenda Kay Mercer, 69, of Atchison, Kansas, passed away Friday June 20, 2025, at Atchison Senior Village. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home. The burial

DEKALB, Mo. – Jack Whalen Meyer, 67, of DeKalb, Missouri, passed away Saturday, June 21, 2025, in DeKalb. He was born Nov. 5, 1957, in Leavenworth, Kansas, son of the late Lucille and Donald Meyer. He graduated from Lansing High School and worked on the Union Pacific Railroad for 40 years as a Maintenance Supervisor.

Robert Verne Packman II, 69, of St. Joseph, passed away June 20, 2025, at Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph, after a short battle with esophagus cancer. He was born on Oct. 20, 1955, to Robert Verne and Clarice Louise Packman. He grew up in Kenosha County, Wisconsin and graduated from Mary D. Bradford High

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Matthew Winters, 48, Overland Park, Kansas, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, June 19, 2025. He was born Jan. 10, 1977, in St. Joseph, to Gary and Joy (Pedersen) Winters. Matthew graduated from Central High School and attended Johnson County Community College. Matthew was a service tech for Royal Cup

WICHITA, Kan. – Ken Griggs, 78, Central High School graduate of 1965, and NWMSU graduate of 1969, passed away on June 20, 2025. For the complete obituary, service and memorial information, and to share condolences, please visit www.cozine.com. Services by Cozine Memorial Group-Cozine Life Events Center, Wichita, Kansas. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.

Karen Kline, 37, a spirited and loving individual from St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, June 21, 2025. She was born Jan. 1, 1988, at Fort Hood, Texas, to William and Susan (Bullard) Kline. Karen was a proud graduate of Helen Davis State School. Her enduring love for art and photography allowed her to capture and

Judith Kay Reed, 82, St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, April 12, 2025. She was born Oct. 16, 1942, in St. Joseph. Farewell Services and Public Livestream 1 p.m. Friday, June 27, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will gather with friends one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests

RIVERSIDE, Mo. – Anita Lorine Headrick, 85, of Riverside, Missouri, passed away Saturday, June 14, 2025, at North Kansas City Hospital. She was born Feb. 18, 1940, in Indianola, Oklahoma, daughter of Mary and Carlton Lewis. She graduated from high school in McAllister, Oklahoma, and married Wayne Headrick in Alameda, California. She worked for the

COLUMBIA, Mo. – With love and gratitude for a well lived life, we remember John Mier, who passed away unexpectedly on June 2, 2025, at the age of 70. More than 70 people’s lives were lengthened or improved by John’s final gifts of organ and tissue donation. Even in passing, John’s legacy lives on in

Margaret Ann Pickerel, 93, of St. Joseph, passed away Monday, June 16, 2025, in Columbia, Missouri. She was born June 25, 1931, in St. Joseph, daughter of the late Fern (Taylor) and Harold Filbert. She graduated from Benton High School and married John “Jack” Pickerel on April 25, 1953. She worked at Buchanan County Recorder

Charles D. “Doug” Timmons, 70, St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, June 11, 2025. He was born Nov. 17, 1954, to the late Charles A. and Bessie F. Timmons, in St. Joseph. He worked at Clark Gas Station and HPI, Chapel Ridge Apartments. Doug enjoyed fishing, traveling, and watching TV. Survivors include his wife, Robin J.

GULFPORT, Miss. – Barbara Illene Tunks was born on Sept. 9, 1947, to Bob and Mary Pruett, in St. Joseph. She passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at her home. On Dec. 30, 1974, she married the love of her life and soul mate, Gary L. Tunks. Barbara was a registered nurse who

Cole Ruger Weber, 33, of St. Joseph, passed away unexpectedly on June 18, 2025, at Mosaic Life Care. Cole was born to Lisa (Swymeler) Adams and Dave Weber, in St. Joseph, on Nov. 26, 1991. Cole attended St. Francis Xavier School and Bishop LeBlond High School where he graduated in 2010, before earning both his

Clover Elizabeth Cleveland, 39, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in St. Joseph. She was born Oct. 8, 1985, in St. Joseph. She graduated from Savannah High School and was working at Altec industries. She love to draw and paint, listen to music and most especially she loved her children and grandchildren,

Terri Sue Francis lost her battle with pancreatic cancer on June 17, 2025, while at home in St. Joseph. Terri was born July 16, 1955, in St. Joseph, born the daughter of Mary and Forest J. Stafford. She graduated from Benton High School and attended Missouri Western State University. Terri married Mark E. Francis on

June 17, 2025, Verda was called home by her Heavenly Father following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Verda was born Feb. 1, 1942, in Morrowville, Kansas, the second of four children, to Lawrence and Mildred (Niemann) Stigge. She was raised in Frankfort and later Washington, Kansas, where she graduated in 1960 as the Valedictorian

SAVANNAH, Mo. – Brian Lee Graves, 59, Savannah, Missouri, passed away Monday, June 16, 2025. He was born Sept. 4, 1965, in St. Joseph, to Wayne and Charlotte (Miller) Graves. Farewell Services and Public Livestream 1 p.m. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6 to