Obituaries

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister, Viola Mae Mason. Viola passed away peacefully under the care of her family and the assistance of hospice at home on March 13, 2025. Like everything she did in life, she fought a hard battle with

LAWSON, Mo. – Iletta Faye (Swartz) Pulley, of Lawson, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, from natural causes. Iletta was born on Saturday, April 25, 1936, in Amity, Missouri, the daughter of the late Harry and Mollie (Hines) Swartz. After graduating from Clarksdale High School in 1954 she then attended Platt Business College,

ATCHISON, Kan. – Sister Frances Yarc, OSB, 97, a Benedictine sister of Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, Kansas, died Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at the monastery. The vigil service will be Thursday, March 27, at 7 p.m. in the monastery chapel, and the Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated there Friday, March 28, at 10:30 a.m.

Beth Ann Chalender, 56, of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in a Kansas City, Kansas, hospital. She was born Jan. 12, 1969, in St. Joseph. Survivors include three children, Jeanann Ashlock, Savannah Snyder, and Glen Chalender; brother, Randy Dunnihoo; and a sister, Ruth Andres. Services 2 p.m. Saturday, March 15, 2025, at

Nancy Jane (Courtney) Holmes, 77, St. Joseph, passed away March 10, 2025. Nancy was born March 5, 1948, in Kirksville, Missouri. She is survived by her husband, Stephen Holmes; children Greg (Tricia), David (Christyl) Holmes. Nancy was a gem of a person who appreciated all that life gave her. The family will gather with friends

Betty Jane (Myers) Harris, 96, St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2025. She was born March 12, 1929, to William and Eva Myers. Natural Farewell under the direction of Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Inurnment Memorial Park Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Friends of the Animal Shelter of

DEARBORN, Mo. – Charles “Chuck” Eugene Smith, 58, of Dearborn, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at his home in Dearborn. He was born Nov. 6, 1966, in Joplin, Missouri, son of Betty and Charles Smith. Chuck worked for many years as a painting contractor, mostly with Scott Gann Construction. He enjoyed sports, especially

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. – Terry Leon Ford, 68, of Summerville, South Carolina, husband of Deborah Lynn Cary Ford, passed away Monday, March 10, 2025, at MUSC. Memorial Services will be Friday morning, March 21, 2025, at 11 a.m. in Summerville Baptist Church. Flowers will be accepted or memorials in Terry’s name may be made to Summerville

Floyd William Jeffers Sr., 71, of St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, March 2, 2025. He was born Oct. 24, 1953, in St. Joseph, son of the late Frances and Andrew Jeffers. He graduated from Lafayette High School, class of 1972. He worked at Pasco Steel as a welder. He enjoyed crafts, fishing, collecting beer steins,

Eileen Rethemeyer, 58, St. Joseph, died Sunday, March 9, 2025, in St. Joseph. Born Nov. 21, 1966, St. Joseph, Survivors include daughter, Raeleen (Jacob Kimler) Owens; eight grandchildren; brothers, Mark (Vicki) Rethemeyer and Steven (Laura) Rethemeyer; Gina (Rick) Gilbert of Belton, Texas; significant other Chuck Drowns. Online condolence and full obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com. As published

HAMILTON, Mo. – Marvin Ross Nickell, 97, Hamilton, Missouri, passed away on March 11, 2025, at the Hillcrest Manor Nursing Home, Hamilton. Marvin moved to Hamilton in 1955 and previously lived in Columbia and Skidmore, Missouri. Marvin was born on June 18, 1927, in Daviess County, Missouri, to Gay and Jessie (Cox) Nickell. He earned

Larry E. Puckett, 86, St. Joseph, passed away Friday, March 7, 2025. He was born May 21, 1938, in Bolckow, Missouri, to Sylvester and Lena (Mozingo) Puckett. Enlisting at age 17, Larry proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy for four years. He married Phyllis Smith on April 9. 1960. She survives of the

Laura “Maggie” Margaret Brantley, 89, of St. Joseph, passed away Friday, March 7, 2025, in St. Joseph. She was born March 21, 1935, in Maryville, Missouri, daughter of the late Olevia and Byron Wray. She attended Benton High School, class of 1953, and married Arthur Brantley on Nov. 21, 1958. They shared 56 years together.

WATHENA, Kan. – Evelyn “Marie” Lehman, 85, of Wathena, Kansas, passed away Sunday, March 9, 2025, at the Maple Heights Nursing Home, in Hiawatha, Kansas. Marie was born on April 21, 1939, in Allendale, Missouri, to Lawrence and Gladys Faye (Hobbs) Thompson. She was a member of the First Baptist Church and American Legion Women’s

Patrick E. Fetty, 38, St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. He was born Feb. 25, 1986, to Rick and Dianna (Wilson) Fetty, in St. Joseph. Survivors include his mother, Dianna Fetty; children, Gage, Braiden, Chasen, Hayden, Jorden, and Kinzley; sister, Liberty Root. Natural Farewell under the direction of Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory.

APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz. – He wasn’t just an amazing father, he was an incredible human being. His love, wisdom, and strength has, and will, continue to guide us. He was an inspiration to so many of us and his legacy will always be a part of me. In lieu of flowers, please donate to: Best

Larry M. Markt Larry M. Markt, 80, formerly of Cameron, Missouri, passed away March 6, 2025, in St. Joseph. Family visitation was 1 p.m. Sunday, services followed at 2 p.m. at the Chamberlain Funeral Home, Oregon, Missouri. Interment was at Maple Grove Cemetery, Oregon. Memorials may be directed to the Larry Markt Scholarship Fund at

ALBANY, Mo. – Lorene Bell (Pierce) Mathews was born May 6, 1926, to Isaac R. and Stella (Folgate) Pierce near Stanberry, Missouri. Lorene passed away March 6, 2025, at the age of 98. She had two brothers, Lester Eldon Pierce and Leland Dale Pierce. Leland was injured in birth and passed away in 1932 and

Mark Duncan, 64, St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, March 2, 2025. He was born on March 2, 1961, to John Duncan and Peggy Green, in St. Joseph. Mark was a proud Lafayette High School alumnus, working later for over 15 years in the wire rope industry and in Walmart. A passionate individual, Mark’s life was

Betty Curtis Fisher, 96, of St. Joseph, passed away, March 4, 2025. Betty was born May 9, 1928, in Wichita, Kansas, to Wilbur and Ruby (McDaniels) Curtis. They moved to St. Joseph in 1944 and she was a graduate of Lafayette High School. Betty married Truman Wilson in 1952. Together they raised a daughter and

Carroll Bush, 87, of rural St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, March 1, 2025, at University of Kansas Hospital, in Kansas City, Kansas. He was born Oct. 2, 1937, in St. Joseph, son of Marie and Emerson Bush. He attended Bethel Grade School and graduated from Benton High School, class of 1955. Carroll spent his entire

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Joseph Portman, age 76, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away Feb. 28, 2025. Arrangements provided by Gorman Scharpf Funeral Home. Services will be held on March 10, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Missouri Veteran’s Cemetery. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.

EASTON, Mo. – Mary C. Fisher, 86, of Easton, Missouri, died on Feb. 26, 2025, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Mary Catherine (Claus) Fisher was born July 24, 1938, to Mary (O’Connor) and (John) Joseph Claus, in St. Joseph. She grew up in St. Joseph, attending the Convent of the Sacred Heart High School

Patricia Marie Thompson, 78, St. Joseph, passed away Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. She was born on Dec. 11, 1946, to Clarence and LaVerne (McGeorge) Thompson, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Patricia’s dedication to public service was evident in her more than 26 years of commitment to the General Services Administration. She will be remembered not

Rita Sarris, 96, passed away, Sunday, March 2, 2025. She was born Aug. 17, 1928, to Guy and Margie (Wilmot) Cianciolo, in St. Joseph, and lived here most of her life. Rita graduated from the Sacred Heart Convent and Missouri Western State University. From 1949 through 1953 she was a lab technician at Huron Road

SAVANNAH, Mo. – John Thomas Withrow, 75, Savannah, Missouri, passed away Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, at the Cameron Veterans Home, Cameron, Missouri. John was born on July 20, 1949, in Atchison, Kansas, to the late William Isaac and Geneva Rose (Wyatt) Withrow. He was a graduate of Platte City High School. Mr. Withrow proudly served

CRAIG, Mo. – Ronda Kathleen Phillipi, age 68, of Craig, Missouri, passed away in her home on Feb. 23, 2025. She graduated from Lafayette High School in 1974, in St. Joseph. She loved to golf, bowl, and garden, and acted like her mother. She was a Jill of all trades and an all around bad

SAVANNAH, Mo. – William “Bill” Patrick Snooks, 85, Savannah, Missouri, formerly of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. He was born May 5, 1939, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Richard and Jean (Murphy) Snooks. An alumnus of Christian Brothers High School, Class of 1957, Bill carried the principles and values learned there

STEWARTSVILLE, Mo. – Joseph Michael Vogel, 51, of Stewartsville, Missouri, passed away Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, at his home. He was born March 15, 1973, in Renton, Washington. He is survived by his wife, Anna; and 14 children; and 12 brothers and sisters. The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m., with a

Arlene Connie Castanada, 73, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at her home surrounded by family. She was born Feb. 14, 1952, in Osceola, Missouri, daughter of Jannie Lou and Dick H. Elliott. She graduated from Osceola High School, Central Missouri State University, and the University of Missouri, Columbia, with a Masters