Obituaries

Judith Lee Wilson, 78, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, May 29, 2025, in a St. Joseph hospital. She was born Sept. 6, 1946, in St. Joseph, daughter of the late Alice and Charles Ellis. She graduated from Benton High School class of 1964, she then married Harold “Sonny” Wilson on July 30, 1966. He

PATTONSBURG, Mo. – Joetta (Murphy) Peterson, 83, of Pattonsburg, Missouri, passed away Sunday, May 25, 2025, in a Maryville, Missouri, health care center. She was born Sept. 28, 1941, in Pattonsburg, daughter of Anna and Homer Savage. She graduated from Pattonsburg High School class of 1959. She was the owner operator of the L&M Tavern,

Edward “Ed” Jewell Rickel, 61, St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Cameron Missouri Hospital. He was born Sept. 26, 1963, to Ty and Opal (Long) Rickel, in St. Joseph. Ed graduated from Lafayette High School in 1981. He served in the United States Army for four years. Ed enjoyed skating in his

Janet E. Miller, 80, of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in a Kansas City hospital surrounded by her family. She was born Dec. 16, 1944, in St. Joseph, daughter of the late Velma and Earl West. Janet was preceded in death by husband, Hillert “Sonny” Miller; her parents; and a brother, Richard.

HILO, Hi. – John R. “Skip” Blake, age 78, died at home in Hilo, Hawaii, on April 2, 2025. He was born on Aug. 5, 1946, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Buell E. Blake and Jeanne A. (Short) Blake. Skip graduated from Platte Valley Grade School (1960), Central High School (1964), and UMKC School of Pharmacy

CLINTON, Mo. – Robert Graham, age 72, passed away on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at his home in Clinton, Missouri. A Celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel (3609 Frederick Ave) in St. Joseph. The Rosary will be at 10 a.m.

SAVANNAH, Mo. – Geraldine “Gerry” Fry Hall, Savannah, Missouri, passed away on May 26, 2025, in her home surrounded by her loving family. Gerry was born to Thomas and Camilla (Kirk) Fry on Nov. 20, 1933, in Plattsburg, Missouri. Gerry attended Central Methodist College and the University of Missouri with a master’s in social work

OSBORN, Mo. – Earl D. Grimes, 90, passed away May 24, 2025. He was born July 9, 1934, in Mirable, Missouri to J.L. and Alice (Hubble) Grimes. Earl graduated from Cameron, Missouri, High School and attended the University of Missouri, receiving a degree in mathematics and physics. He was a United States Army Veteran. He

Kendel G. Kafer, 60, St. Joseph, passed away Monday, May 26, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was born Aug. 4, 1964, in Blackwell, Oklahoma, to Kenneth and Lily (Hopson) Kafer. The family will gather with friends 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Private Family Inurnment at a later date,

GEORGETOWN, Texas – Vernie Shat, 87, of Georgetown, Texas, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, May 18, 2025. He was born Jan. 14, 1938, in Deer, Arkansas. He is survived by his wife, Marcella Shat; daughters, Laverne Habig, Cindy Shat, Sheila Pottenger, Leona Holahan, and Corey Brown. The family will receive friends from 1

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Dorothy Charlyn Thurnau, 100, Maryville, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, May 21, 2025. She was born July 31, 1924, in Craig, Missouri, to Frank and Lula (Pebley) Wright. Farewell Services and Public Livestream 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 3, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Mound City, Missouri. Interment I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Craig, Missouri. The family will

STUART, Iowa – Linda Ann Jorgensen Underwood, a beacon of love and kindness, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2025, at the age of 72 in Stuart, Iowa. Born on July 6, 1952, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Linda’s life was a testament to the power of nurturing relationships and the joy of lifelong learning. Raised

DUKE, Mo. – Angelica Leigh Swinchoski, of Duke, Missouri, passed away Thursday, May 22, 2025, at the age of 25. She was born on Aug. 26, 1999, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Timothy J. Swinchoski and Kristin (Buddenhagen) Swinchoski. Angel was preceded in death by her grandfather, Edwin Swinchoski and Emmett Merklin. Angel was employed

CHILLICOTHE, Mo. – James E. Vaughn, 91, Chillicothe, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2025. He was born April 28, 1934, to James and Ellen (Harris) Vaughn, in Greenfield, Missouri, where he grew up. Farewell Services and Public Livestream 1 p.m. Saturday, May 31, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family

WESTFIELD, Ind. – Claudia Kay Smith (Dennison), of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Westfield, Indiana. She was born Dec. 8, 1942, in Maitland, Missouri, daughter of Reva and Oliver Dennison. Claudia graduated from Maitland High School in 1960. Claudia married James Lee Ray Smith June 7, 1961, in St. Joseph. Claudia

Jacquelyn “Jackie” Stufflebean, 85, St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, May 22, 2025. She was born Feb. 13, 1940, in Brookfield, Missouri, to Henry and Louise (Grant) Adams. Henry passed away when Jackie was young, and her mother married Gene Amen, who helped raise Jackie. Jackie married Ray Stufflebean on Dec. 27, 1958. He survives of

SAVANNAH, Mo. – Victor G. Dye, 86, of rural Savannah, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at a local health care facility. Victor was born Aug. 4, 1938, son of Charles and Helen (Barton) Dye. He was a 1956 graduate of Savannah High School. Victor spent many of his working years in the can

Nellie M. Johnson, 86, of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in St. Joseph. She was born Nov. 28, 1938, in St. Joseph, daughter of Gladys and Bill Sullivan. Nellie was preceded in death by husband, Max Leroy Johnson; parents; sisters, Sarah Wall, Mary Fimple, Lennie Joswick; brother, Jim Sullivan; and daughter-in-law, Janice

MONROE, Wis. – Mary Louise Connor, age 89, passed away peacefully on April 25, 2025, at Pleasant View Nursing Home, in Monroe, Wisconsin. She was born on June 15, 1935, to Sydney and Cora Hoberg and grew up in a rural southern Minnesota farming community. She graduated from Butterfield High School and married Richard “Dick”

Larry “Butch” Haynes, 80, St. Joseph, passed away Monday, May 19, 2025. He was born May 10, 1945, to Lloyd and Catherine (Walsh) Haynes, in St. Joseph. Butch married Janice L. Davis on Aug. 30, 1963. He dedicated many years as a respected conductor for Union Pacific Railroad. Butch’s passion for the outdoors was evident

WICHITA, Kan. – Charles W. “Chuck” Hill, 82, founder of Heartland Motor Coach, went home peacefully to be with his heavenly father on May 15, 2025. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 22, 1943, Chuck settled in Maryville, Missouri, where he met his wife, Connie Long, at Northwest Missouri State University while completing his B.S.

COUNTRY CLUB VILLAGE, Mo. – Kathryn Langley, 82 years old, of Country Club Village, Missouri, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, May 19, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. Kathryn was born on October 19, 1942, the seventh of 13 children, to the late Henry and Goldie (Prather) DeFreece in Parnell,

William “Pete” Russell Mitchell Sr., 84, St. Joseph, died Monday, May 19, 2025, in St. Joseph. Born Dec. 14, 1940, Pattensburg, Missouri. Preceded in death by his parents; wife; son; two brothers; sister; and grandson. Survivors include three daughters; two sons; one brother; three sisters; 16 grandchilren; 26 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchilden. Visitation: 5 to 6

SAVANNAH, Mo. – Donn L. Wright, 76, of Savannah, Missouri, passed away Thursday, May 15, 2025, surrounded by his family at home. He was born Feb. 3, 1949, in Maryville, Missouri, son of Vida and Dean Wright. Donn attended Central High School. He married Sandra Clark on July 27, 1967, in St. Joseph. Donn worked

Brian Glenn Seward, 48, passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 15, 2025. Brian was such a blessing to his family. He was a loud and proud Dallas Cowboys supporter and even prouder Papa. His legacy will live on forever. He leaves behind his fiance, Donita; daughter Katelynn (Alex); his beloved grandson, Dawson; his

GOWER, Mo. – Charley Golden, 97, of Elwood, Kansas, passed away Sunday, May 18, 2025, at the Gower Convalescent Center in Gower, Missouri. Charley was born on Feb. 26, 1928, in Mill Grove, Missouri, to Bertie and Edna (Mantlo) Golden. He was a member of Elwood Baptist Church and worked as a tractor mechanic for

Phyllis Horton, 60, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in St. Joseph. She was born Oct. 15, 1964, in St. Joseph. She is preceded in death by husband, Rob II; son, Robert III. Survivors include son, Findley; sisters, Katherin McMullen and Cindy Gove. Memorial services 2 p.m. Tuesday, at the Riverside Baptist

Jeffrey L. O’Neal 54, of St. Joseph, passed away Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Joseph. He was born Dec. 29, 1970, in St. Joseph. He graduated from Central High School and He was working at Securitas as a security officer. He enjoyed anything outside, camping, fishing, going on drives, chasing storms and spending times

James “Jim” Craig Long went on his final adventure April 24, 2025, after a long battle with Progressive Supra-nuclear Palsy. He was born on Thursday, Nov. 23, 1944, to Roy and Peggy Long. Jim owned Long Lighting Center from 1990 to 2015. Services and Public Livestream were held 1 p.m. April 29 at Central Christian

Rodney Quigley, 79, of St. Joseph, passed away May 15, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was born Aug. 22, 1945, in Bethany, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, W. Walter and Florence (Lemley) Quigley, and brother, Bill. He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 41 years,