Obituaries

By NewsPress Now SUGAR HILL, Ga. – Shirley A. Miller, 94, passed away on Aug. 30, 2024, at Benton House, in Sugar Hill, Georgia. Shirley was born Jan. 27, 1930 in Naponee, Nebraska, and lived in St. Joseph for over 50 years. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, 1 p.m.

By NewsPress Now AGENCY, Mo. – Gene Allen Staggs, 85, of Agency, Missouri, passed away Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at his home. He was born Oct. 14, 1939, in Agency, son of Ora Bell and Roy Staggs. He graduated from Faucett, Missouri, High School, class of 1957. On June 5, 1959, he married Genevieve Underwood

By NewsPress Now CUMMINGS, Kan. – Larry B. Jacobson, 81, of Cummings, Kansas, passed away Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in St. Joseph. A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, at Old Huron Cemetery, Lancaster, Kansas, with Pastor Jim Cormode officiating. Memorials are suggested to Second Harvest Community Food

By NewsPress Now Elaine C. Guenther, 91, St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. She was born May 11, 1933, to William H. and Clara G. (Hansen) Musgrove, in St. Joseph. She graduated from Central High School as class valedictorian in 1951 and received a four-year scholarship to Barnard College, where she graduated with

By NewsPress Now Guadalupe “Ramon” Gonzales, 68, of St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in St. Joseph. He was born April 2, 1956, in Atchison, Kansas, son of the late Barbara and Guadalupe Gonzales. Ramon graduated from Eisenhower High School, in Rialto, California. He worked at Triumph Foods as a janitor. Ramon enjoyed

By NewsPress Now Ernest Leroy Frye, 90, St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. He was born in Richland Center, Wisconsin, to Hallie and Cynthia Frye. Ernie had five siblings, Harold Frye, deceased, wife, Ester, also deceased, Helena Frye, deceased, husband, Junior, also deceased, Lyle Frye, deceased, wife, Merle, who is also deceased, Ruby

By NewsPress Now CAMERON, Mo. – Neva W. Davis, 91, of Cameron, Missouri, passed away Nov. 5, 2024. She was born June 28, 1933, to George A. and Cleda R. (McKeel) Pullen, in Oregon, Missouri. Neva was a 1951 graduate of Oregon High School in Oregon. She received her teaching certificate from Northwest Missouri State

By NewsPress Now Late Notices Richard W. Miller Richard “Popcorn” William Miller 83, of St. Joseph, passed away Nov. 5, 2024. Arrangements are pending at the Rupp Funeral Home. Larry D. Schwensen Larry Dean Schwensen 84. St. Joseph, passed away Nov. 4, 2024. at a local nursing home. arrangements are pending at the Rupp Funeral

By NewsPress Now Ernest Leroy Frye, 90, St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. He was born in Richland Center, Wisconsin, to Hallie and Cynthia Frye. Ernie had five siblings, Harold Frye, deceased, wife, Ester, also deceased, Helena Frye, deceased, husband, Junior, also deceased, Lyle Frye, deceased, wife, Merle, who is also deceased, Ruby

By NewsPress Now Late Notices Elaine C. Guenther Elaine C. Guenther, 91, St. Joseph, died Nov. 5, 2024. Services 1 p.m. Nov. 15, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Fr. Rene Guesnier O.S.B CONCEPTION, Mo. – Fr. Rene Guesnier, O.S.B., 91,

By NewsPress Now James “Jim” Paul Pitts, 89, passed away Nov. 6, 2024, at a rehabilitation care center in Indiana following complications from an accident. Jim was born Sept. 23, 1935, in Rushville, Missouri. He was a 1953 graduate of Benton High School. Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Ora and Ruth (Berkshire)

By NewsPress Now Wanda “Kay” (Stanley) Leidy, 80, St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. She was born Jan. 27, 1944, to Lawrence and Stella (Hixson) Stanley, in Horton, Kansas. She attended Savannah, Missouri, High School. Kay also worked in retail most of her life, specifically as a gemologist for the local Kay Jewelers.

By NewsPress Now KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Patricia “Pat” Lynn (Woyski) Jennings, 74, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away on Oct. 29, 2024, at her home. She is survived by her husband, Clay Jennings, of 42 years. Pat was born, Feb. 27, 1950, in St. Joseph, to the late George Woyski and Lorene (Wheeler Woyski)

By NewsPress Now Late Notices Victor R. Ury Victor R. Ury, 81, St. Joseph, passed away Nov. 5, 2024. Arrangements pending Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.

By NewsPress Now Theodore “Ted” George Lemon, 85, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, at his home. He was born Jan. 9, 1939, in Lenora, Kansas, to Arminda “Peggy” and Robert “Linn” Lemon. He graduated from Norton Community High School in Norton, Kansas. Ted worked as an Allstate Insurance Agent, and was

By NewsPress Now Marguerite A. (Ruhnke) Swartz, 97, St. Joseph, passed away Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at Mosaic Life Care. She was born in Wathena, Kansas, on March 5, 1927, to Dora and Paul Ruhnke Sr., who preceded her in death. Marguerite graduated from Atchison High School, in Atchison, Kansas. She worked at Chase Candy

By NewsPress Now BEL AIR, Md. – Gary D. Ballard, age 86, of Bel Air, Maryland, passed away peacefully on Nov. 2, 2024, at the Senator Bob Hooper House in Forest Hill, Maryland. Born in St. Joseph, he was the cherished son of the late Ed and Doris Ballard and the devoted husband of Bonnie

By NewsPress Now McLean, Va. – William Merrigan, of Conception Junction, Missouri, long-time legal counsel to CIA Proprietaries and DOD, passed away at 90 in Northern Virginia. William “Bill” Merrigan, a dedicated U.S. government lawyer who served both the Department of Defense and the CIA proprietary Air America over the course of half a century

By NewsPress Now Late Notices Christopher Crossfield Christopher “Bear” Crossfield, 51, St. Joseph, passed away Oct. 31, 2024. Farewell Services and Public Livestream 1 p.m. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Visitation 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.

By NewsPress Now Ralph William Fleck, Jr., 76, St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. He was born Oct. 25, 1948, in Savannah, Missouri, to Ralph William Fleck, Sr. and LaDonna (Haddenham) Fleck. Ralph served his country in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. He married Joan Charlene Keck.

By NewsPress Now Marilyn Kay Koch 73, of St. Joseph, passed away Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in a St. Joseph hospital. She was born Nov. 17, 1950, in Seneca, Kansas, daughter of the late Eileen and Charles Duryea, Jr. Marilyn married Eldon Koch on Jan. 9, 1971, in Seneca and he survives of the home.

By NewsPress Now Jimmie Morris Collins, 82, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, in a Kansas City, Missouri, hospital. He was born Jan. 6, 1942, in Maryillle, Missouri, son of the late Virginia and Herschel Collins. He served in the United States Army. Jimmie as an Auto Mechanic working for John Collins

By NewsPress Now HELENA, Mo. – Patricia Lee Ueligger, 80, of Helena, Missouri passed away Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at a Wathena, Kansas health care facility. She was born Dec. 21, 1943, in St. Joseph, daughter of Maxine (Bowman) and Fred Dodd. She graduated from Lafayette High School, class of 1962. Patricia married Lloyd Uelliger

By NewsPress Now MaKenzie Dawn O’Neal, 20, St. Joseph, passed away Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. She was born Nov. 10, 2003, to Kevin E. O’Neal and Beth A. Landes, in St. Joseph. MaKenzie enjoyed spending time with her family. She enjoyed being around her baby cousins and hanging out with her sister who was also

By NewsPress Now RUSHVILLE, Mo. – Todd Edward Servaes, 56, of Rushville, Missouri, passed away Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at his home in Rushville, Missouri. He was born July 20, 1968, in Atchison, Kansas, son of the late Mary and Richard Servaes. He attended DeKalb High School, and then met his wife, Sonja, in 1994

By NewsPress Now Melvin Paul Sale, age 94, went to his heavenly home Nov. 1, 2024. He was born in St. Joseph. Melvin graduated from Central High School. He was a proud Navy Veteran, receiving several merits over his enlistment. Melvin was a typesetter printer for the St. Joseph News-Press and Gazette for 40 years.

By NewsPress Now Late Notices Michael W. Carrico Michael Wayne Carrico 78, of St. Joseph, died Nov. 3, 2024. Arrangements are pending at Rupp Funeral Home. Steven Goacher Steven Goacher, 62, St. Joseph, died Nov. 1, 2024. Arrangements pending, Simplify Cremations & Funerals. Marilyn K. Koch Marilyn Kay Koch, 73, of St. Joseph, died Nov.

By NewsPress Now Mark Anthony Lukehart 55, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, in St. Joseph. He was born Feb. 18, 1969, in St. Joseph. Mark was preceded in death by parents, Ruby and George Lukehar; sister, Arletta Bequette. Survivors brother, Donald Lukehart Sr.; and sister, Carolyn Maddock. No services scheduled at

By NewsPress Now WATHENA, Kan. – Gerald “Jerry” Oren Pritchett, 80, passed away peacefully on Oct. 29, 2024. His family was by his side at his home in Wathena, Kansas. Jerry was born on June 14, 1944, to Dorothy (Van Vacter) and Charles Pritchett. At the tender age of 13, tragedy struck his family when

By NewsPress Now Rebecca “Becki” Lee, passed away on Nov. 4, 2024, in St. Joseph, at the age of 71. Born on Feb. 12, 1953, in Carthage, Missouri, Becki’s life was marked by her loving spirit, intelligent mind and boundless energy. Becki earned a bachelor’s degree that paved the way for a diverse and impactful