Obituaries

James Cooper Laulis II, 71, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday Feb. 26, 2025, in St. Joseph. He was born May 18, 1953 in Houston, Texas, son of late Leora and James Laulis Sr. He graduated from Bridgeport High School, in Bridgeport, West Virginia. He was an energy efficient lighting export, providing lighting to military

Ronald David Fanning, 55, of St. Joseph, died Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in St. Joseph. He was born June 17, 1969, in St. Joseph, son of JoAnna and Ronald Fanning Sr. Survivors, father, Ronald David Fanning Sr.; three children: sons, Ronald and David Fanning; daughter, Natasha Fanning; three brothers; and two sisters; and nine grandchildren.

Jack N. Samuels Jr., 89, of St. Joseph, passed away Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, in a St. Joseph hospital. He was born Nov. 11, 1935, in St. Joseph. He married Patricia Hague on Dec. 6, 1953, in Savannah, Missouri. She passed away in 2018. Jack was retired from Seven-UP Bottling Co., and was the co-owner

AGENCY, Mo. – Mary Ann Cullen, 78, Agency, Missouri, passed Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. Born Dec. 12, 1946, Mason City, Iowa. Preceded in death by parents, Janette and Wilbur Deets; husband, Roger Cullen; and son, Blaine Cullen. Survivors include son, Rich Cullen, Christina Nold and her son, Brendon; six siblings; grandsons, Jarrod Naze, Draetyn Cain

FLORESVILLE, Texas – Ronald R. Nordstrom, 84, passed away peacefully on Dec. 30, 2024, with his wife by his side, in Floresville, Texas. He was born May 24, 1940, in St. Joseph. Survived by daughter, Lisa Weigart, Savannah, Missouri; sons, James Nordstrom, Olathe, Kansas, and Tim Nordstrom, Overland Park, Kansas. Graveside Farewell Service and Inurnment

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

Dolores “Dee” Betts-Karr, 88, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born Dec. 9, 1936, in St. Joseph, daughter of the late Goldie and Damaso Velazquez. She graduated from St. James Catholic School and the Convent of the Sacred Heart High School, and

Clark Broussard, 69, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in a St. Joseph health care center. He was born June 4, 1955, in Houston, Texas. Clark is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by two sons, Justin and Alan Broussard; two granddaughters, Kendra and Piper; and two brothers. Full

ROCK PORT, Mo. – Helen Jo Stevens, 87, Rock Port, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, Pleasant View Nursing Home, Rock Port. Preceded: parents, Joseph Wheeler and Mamie Edith (Hudnall) Stevens. Survivors: numerous cousins in Winslow, Arizona, or Cameron, Missouri; dear friends, Julie Burke, Nancy Daugherty, Julie Slaby. Graveside Service and Interment: 1:30 p.m.,

Deanna Candacy Hunt, 83, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, at her home. She was born June 25, 1941, in Graham, Missouri. She worked at Citadel Health Care as a Medical Technician. Deanna enjoyed playing games on her IPad, Bingo, and Solitaire. She was a member of the 7th Day Adventist Church.

SAVANNAH, Mo. – Douglas W. Burkert, 64, Savannah, Missouri, passed away Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. He was born Aug. 30, 1960, to Donald and Frances (Fox) Burkert. Douglas married Amy Diane Johnson on Aug. 12, 1988. Farewell Services and Public Livestream 1 p.m. Friday, March 28, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will gather

STANBERRY, Mo. – Janice Marie Nolan, 80, of Stanberry, Missouri, passed away on Feb. 23, 2025, at Mosaic Life Care. Janice was born to Charles and Elaine Wells on March 21, 1944, in Bolcow, Missouri. On Sept. 2, 1959, she married Claude “Tony” Brashears. They adopted their son, Brian, on Feb. 26, 1973. Later, on

Katherine “Kathy Sue” Crippen, 66, of St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in a Kansas City, Missouri, health care center. She was born July 10, 1958, in St. Joseph. She is survived by husband, Michael; sons, Danny and Michael; daughters, Crystal and Michelle; four brothers; and two sisters. Cremation under the care of

Casey Lamar Jackson Sr., 53, of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in a St. Joseph hospital. He was born Feb. 28, 1971, in Wetumpka, Alabama. He worked at BlueScope Buildings for four years. He was a workaholic, and liked taking care of his family. He enjoyed lifting weights, playing basketball, and boxing.

Nancy Rullman, 79, of St. Joseph, passed away on Feb. 20, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering dedication to her family and community. Born on Nov. 3, 1945, in St. Joseph, to Ed and Ella Roberts, Nancy was a woman of warmth and resilience. She dedicated over 30 years of her

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Margie Ellen (Beaty) Strautman, 103, Kansas City, Missouri, passed away Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. She was born June 11, 1921, to Louis C. and Myrtle (Tennis) Beaty, in St. Joseph. Margie graduated from Benton High School, St. Joseph, in 1939, and Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, in 1941. She married Everett

Wanda (Turpin) VanVacter, 78, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, at Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph. She was born May 12, 1946, in Robinsville, North Carolina, daughter of Rosie Turpin and David Birchfield. She graduated from Mainland Senior High School, in Daytona Beach, Florida, in 1964, where she met her future

SAVANNAH, Mo. – Faye Ella Atkins, 92, Savannah, Missouri, passed away peacefully Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, surrounded by her family. Faye was born on Dec. 4, 1932, in Fillmore, Missouri, to Zelma and Ammon Steeby. Faye attended Savannah High School. She was united in marriage to Billy Joe Atkins on March 20, 1951, in Savannah.

Norman Dale Akers was born on March 17, 1936, on a farm northeast of Gravity, Iowa. He passed away at home surrounded by his family on Feb. 19, 2025. When he was four his family moved to a farm 10 miles east of Bedford, Iowa. He attended Bedford High School where he graduated in 1954

MAITLAND, Mo. – E. Lucille Zachary Boswell, 96, of Maitland, Missouri, passed away Feb. 22, 2025, at Tiffany Heights nursing home, in Mound City, Missouri. Services: Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, with visitation starting at 10 a.m. and services starting at 11 a.m. at the CrossPointe Church, 2501 S. Belt Highway, St. Joseph, MO. Interment: Mount

Marvin “Dan” Daniel Harmon, 78, of St. Joseph, passed away Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in a St. Joseph hospital. He was born April 21, 1946, in Albany, Missouri, son of the late Carrie and Frankie Harmon. Dan was an over the road truck driver for many years. He served in the Army during the Vietnam

PLATTSBURG, Mo. – John R. Burnside, 89, of Plattsburg Missouri, died Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, at St Luke’s Hospice house. in Kansas City, Missouri. Born on Oct. 14, 1935, in Mecca, Missouri, to Roland and Kathilene (Bell) Burnside. He attended Washington School, in Plattsburg, and was a graduate of Bartlett High School, in St Joseph.

Frances M. Jeffers, 70, St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. She was born Jan. 24, 1955, in St. Joseph, to Morris and Esther (Johnson) Ashlock. Frances married James Jeffers on June 12, 1981. He survives of the home. She was a very crafty, gifted person who loved ceramics, Tupperware, sewing, and gardening. Frances

Cynthia Lynn Hendrix, 64, of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri. She was born Aug. 25, 1960, in St. Joseph. The family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, at Rupp Funeral Home. Funeral services: 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, at the

Michael A. Mignery CLINTON, Mo. – Michael Allen Mignery, 39, of Clinton, Missouri, passed away Feb. 13, 2025. Visitation 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, funeral services 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Rupp Chapel, interment at the Oak Hill Cemetery, Severence, Kansas. Memorials are requested to the Michael Mignery memorial fund in care of Rupp Funeral

John L. Palmer, 91, a loving father, grandfather “Papa”, and proud Korean War veteran, passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 15, 2025, in St. Joseph, surrounded by his family. Born on April 6, 1933, he served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1953 as a Sergeant First Class, 2nd Division, Company A, 9th Infantry Regiment.

HELENA, Mo. – Kenneth E. Nold, 90, Helena, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. He was born Feb. 24, 1934, in St. Joseph, to Emmett and Ruby (Lancey) Nold. Kenneth married Darline Delores Schottel on Sept. 25, 1955. She preceded him in death on July 30, 2017. Kenneth and Darline owned and operated K&D

UNION STAR, Mo. – Tammy Parks Barnett took her final breath on Earth and took her first steps in Paradise on Feb. 18, 2025. She was surrounded by the people she loved and cared for most. Tammy was 59 years young. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, at Frazier Baptist Church

Norman Woodrow Johnson Sr. (Woody), of St. Joseph, has passed away at home on Feb. 14, 2025. He was 70 years old. Born June 4, 1954, to Catherine and Roy Johnson. A U.S. Marine, a local business owner, devoted son, brother, uncle, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He never stopped loving and grieving his former late

Basilka Billie Catherine Smith, 74, of St. Joseph, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. She was at home and surrounded by her family when she passed. She was born Dec. 30, 1950, in St. Joseph. She graduated from Benton High School. She was a member of