Obituaries

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Billie “Bill” Ray Belcher departed this life Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. He was born, in St Joseph, Sept. 5, 1951. Bill’s college degrees in Criminal Justice and Mortuary Science guided him to a career with Buchanan County, Missouri, Sheriffs Department for many years before becoming a dispatcher for Iowa State Highway

FORT WORTH, Tx. -Donald M. Brown, 91, passed away Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. The only child of Miles L. Brown and Dorothy (Barbee) Brown, he was born on May 17, 1934, in St. Joseph. He graduated from Dearborn High School in Dearborn, Missouri in 1952. He worked on the family farm outside of Dearborn, raising

Marilyn R. Harvill LINCOLN, Neb. – Marilyn Rose Harvill, 88, Lincoln, Nebraska, passed away Sept. 11, 2025. Funeral service: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, Roper and Sons Midtown Chapel, 4300 ‘O’ St. Visitation one hour prior to service. Memorials to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Condolences online at Roperandsons.com. As published in the St.

Steven DeWayne Hicks, 52, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, in St. Joseph. He was born June 20, 1973, in Chelsea, Massachusetts, son of the late, Nancy Mahoney and Gerald Hicks. He worked at Walmart as a Retail Manager. Steven was a hard-worker who loved spending time with his grandchildren. He was

Kathy “Kat” Ann Linder, 59, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, at her home. She was born Jan. 7, 1966, in St. Joseph, daughter of Carolyn and Buster Mosier. Kathy attended Benton High School. Kathy devoted many years as a caretaker. Besides taking care of others, she loved her dog and cat.

Beverly (Bev) Archibald, 97, St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 10, at a local healthcare facility. She was born July 27, 1928, in St. Joseph. She was a graduate of Central High School in 1946. She planned numerous reunions and monthly luncheons for the Class of ’46. On June 6, 1948, she married Charles Coventry

Sherry Faith Blake, 72, of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, at a local health care facility. She was born Nov. 30, 1952, in Clarinda, Iowa, daughter of Freda (Hiles) and Gerald Blake. She graduated from Benton High School. Sherry enjoyed going out to eat, listening to music, crocheting and playing cards, specifically

ATCHISON, Kan. – Mickey Steven Brown, 89, of Atchison, Kansas, passed away at Tiffany Springs Senior Living Community, Kansas City, Missouri. He was born in St. Joseph to John and Mabel (Chambers) Brown. Mickey grew up in Elwood, Kansas, and later moved to St. Joseph. He graduated from the University of Kansas, where he earned

Martha Rose Canchola (Hixson), 85, of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. She was born April 26, 1940, in St. Joseph, to William Hixson and Jesse (Roesch) Carl. Martha married Jessie V. Canchola on June 23, 1956. They shared 53 years together before his passing in April 2009. Martha worked at Sherwood Medical

Susan J. Jennings, 77, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, at her home in St. Joseph. She was born Aug. 5, 1948, in St. Joseph. Survivors include son, Joey (Brenda) Huff; five grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; a brother, Stanley; and sister Virginia, companion. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m.

KING CITY, Mo. – Connie Oliver Kennedy, 83, of King City, Missouri, passed away at her residence in King City on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. She was born in Maryville, Missouri, on Jan. 29, 1942, to Lee and Virginia (Rasnic) Oliver. She married E. Dean Kennedy on Nov. 20, 1973, and he preceded her in

Tara Michelle O’Callaghan, 37, of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, in St. Joseph. She was born Jan. 11, 1988, in St. Joseph, daughter of Tammy and John OCallaghan. She graduated from Lafayette High School, class of 2006. Tara married Phillip Berger on May 29, 2014. She loved listening to music, cooking and

Vincent Joseph Paolillo, “Dr. P”, 82, of St. Joseph, passed away Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, at Mosaic Life Care, surrounded by family. Vince was born Oct. 24, 1942, in New Haven, Connecticut, to Joseph and Anna (Fusco) Paolillo. The family later moved to St. Joseph, where he graduated from Christian Brothers High School in 1960.

Marvin White, 98, of St. Joseph, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. Marvin was born on May 17, 1927, in Garretson, South Dakota, the son of the late Lynn and Olive (Swavely) White. Marvin served in the U.S. Navy in 1946 to 1947 serving on the USS Tappahannock, USS Princeton, and USS Curtiss. Receiving

William L. Bayer Sr., 74, of St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in St. Joseph. He was born Aug. 2, 1951, in Cameron, Missouri. Survivors include son, Will Bayer Jr.; daughter, Lynetta Bayer; brothers, James, Charles, and Marvin; sisters, Tonya, and Starletta. Memorials are requested to the William Bayer memorial fund in care

UNION STAR, Mo. – Jonathan “John” Russell Ebling, 45, of Union Star, Missouri, passed away Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, at his home. Survivors include: wife, Ann; parents, Robin (Jeremy) Epperson; brothers, Tim and Travis; sister, Tracy; step-son, Brendan Kelly; step-daughter, Madisyn Douglas; father, Jonathan Traunericht; step-brothers, Jeremy, Justin, and Stephen Epperson. Visitation 2 to 3

Shirley Jean Estes, 98, St. Joseph, passed away Sept. 9, 2025. She was born Sept. 21, 1926, in St. Joseph, to Joseph H. and Lena C. (Martin) Arnold. She married the love of her life, Vaughn D. Estes, on Dec. 3, 1948. Their love was an example to all who knew them until Vaughn’s passing

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. – Cathy Beth Fitzsimmons, Ormond Beach, Florida, passed away Aug. 5, 2025. She was born Nov. 30, 1949, in St. Joseph to LeRoy and Terri Hausman. Cathy loved the outdoors, especially hiking and riding her motorcycle. She was an avid tennis player and enjoyed playing golf. A memorial service will be held

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Velma “Loretta” Ford, 93, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. She was born on Aug. 24, 1932, in St. Joseph, the daughter of the late Cloyetta and Roy Shipley. She was preceded in death by husband, Raymond; parents; and a sister, Virginia McElroy. Survivors include four daughters,

EASTON, Mo. – Alton “Bud” Wood, 88, Easton, Missouri, passed away Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. Farewell Services and Public Livestream 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book

Vickie C. Lewis, 64, St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. She was born March 27, 1961 to Cecil R. and Marjorie L. (Harmon) Lundy in St. Joseph. In 1979, she achieved becoming the first female commander in the ROTC program at Lafayette High School. Her commitment to service was highlighted by her recognition

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Carlos E. Moya, MD., age 87, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was born in Quipile, Cundinamarca, Colombia, a son of Juan de Jesus and María Silva. In 1965, Carlos graduated from Universidad Nacional de Colombia with a degree in Medicine. He performed his rural year service

Norma E. Pinkus, 93, St. Joseph, died Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. in St. Joseph. She born June 14, 1932, Baltimore, Maryland. Survivors include daughter, Linda Guardado (Frank Evans); son, John H. Pinkus Jr., (Vickie Tingler); several grandchildren. Visitation 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday. Celebration of life with a public livestream starting at 11 a.m. Tuesday

Donnie “Don” Carl Teem, 87, St. Joseph, passed away Sunday evening, Sept. 7, 2025, at his home. Born Nov. 18, 1937, in St. Joseph, to Carl and Lucille Teem and elder brother to Dennis Teem. Following graduating from Central High School, he served in the United States Army. He worked life long as a truck

Marilyn F. (Pedriali) Gerhardt, 92, St. Joseph, passed away Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. She was born July 29, 1933, in Brockton, Massachusetts, to Augusto A. and Mary L. (Martin) Pedriali. In an era when few women donned the uniform, Marilyn answered the call of duty by serving in the United States Marine Corps from Sept.

GLADSTONE, Mo. – Mary Regina “Jeana” (Bliley) Amos, Gladstone, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. She was born Dec. 8, 1953, to the late Edmund J. and Doris J. (Wisniewski) Bliley, in St. Joseph. Jeana married the love of her life, Robert “Bob” E. Amos in April of 1972. That union was blessed

WATHENA, Kan. – Debbie Jo Gillispie 69, of Wathena, Kansas went to be with the Lord on Monday, Sept. 1, 2025 in St. Joseph. She was born April 11, 1956 in St. Joseph. Debbie was preceded in death by husband, Michael; mother, Betty Jo Blanton; brother, Richard Blanton. Survivors include her father, Floyd “Gus” Blanton

FAUCETT, Mo. – Everett Wheeler, 80, of Faucett, Missouri passed away Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025 at his home. He was born Oct. 11, 1944 in St. Joseph, son of Sarah and Everett Wheeler. He graduated from Faucett High School, class of 1963. He married Linda DeVaney on Nov. 7, 1970 in Savannah, Missouri. Everett retired

RUSHVILLE, Mo. – Kenneth “Wayne” Goodlet, 82, of Rushville, Missouri, died on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home with Rev. Andy Campbell officiating. Burial will follow in the Sugar

CONCEPTION JCT., Mo. – Betty Jean Spire, 74, of Conception Jct., Missouri, and formerly of Clyde, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. Betty was born on June 7, 1951, to Ruby Graham, in Osceola, Iowa, and was raised by her grandparents, Arno and Helen (Burk)