Obituaries

NORMAN, Okla. – Donald Lee Murphy Sr., 93, formerly of Troy, Kansas, passed away Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. He spent the sunset of his life at his daughter’s home in Norman, Oklahoma, where he was cared for by his daughter, Terry, his son-in-law, Bill, and his granddaughter, Brittany. Donald was born on Feb. 24, 1932,

BOISE, Idaho – Marlys Castle, 94, passed peacefully Aug. 3, 2025, with her daughter by her side. Marlys retired as Executive Secretary to the President of Wire Rope Corporation, in St. Joseph. Marlys was devoted to her family and friends. She was married to her husband, Bill, for 74 years, a partnership marked by enduring

Barbara Jean Heath passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at her home in St. Joseph. Memorial service 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at Abundant Life Center Community of Christ Congregation. Inurnment will follow the memorial service at Mount Hope Cemetery in Mound City, Missouri. The family will gather with friends 6 to 8

Tony Shutts, Sr., 95, St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025. He was born Nov. 20, 1929, in St. Joseph, to James and Cresia (Head) Shutts. Tony married Betty Lou Kelly on Nov. 10, 1945. She preceded him death on March 31, 2000. He worked at Swift & Co. then began a long career

MANDEVILLE, La. Mary Teresa Wawrzyniak Sanger, a longtime resident of St. Joseph, and a resident of Mandeville, Louisiana, for the past 10 years, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, in Mandeville, at the age of 93. Mary was born Sept. 19, 1931, in Halls, Missouri, to Francis Joseph and Mary Eta Roberts Wawrzyniak. In

Leanne Webber-Thon, 69, of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, in St. Joseph at her home. She was born Jan. 9, 1956, in St. Joseph. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. on Monday at the Rupp Funeral Home, with a memorial service to be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday,

OSAWATOMIE, Kan. – Nancy Lea Nix 81, of Osawatomie, Kansas, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, in a Ottawa, Kansas, health care center. She was born Jan. 6, 1944, in King City, Missouri, daughter of the late Darlene and Arvin Nix. She graduated from Savannah High School and worked at Truman

Christina L. Rothwell Christina Lee Rothwell, 42, of St. Joseph, passed away on July 27, 2025, following a diagnosis of brain cancer in October of 2024. She is survived by her mother, Mary Strouth; husband, Dave Rothwell; children Hayden Rothwell and Lindsay Cunningham; sister, Jessica Purser; brother-in-law, Kyle Purser; and niece, Vivienne. Christina was a

SAVANNAH, Mo. – Rosemary Tunks, 94, of Savannah, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, leaving behind her loving family. Rosemary was born on April 6, 1931, in Lone Wolf, Oklahoma, to the late Raymond and Mildred (Simmons) Lemaster. She graduated from King City High School in 1949 and obtained her Missouri cosmetology license.

OSBORN, Mo. – “Life changes in the instant. The ordinary instant.” Joan Didion, The Year of Magical Thinking. So it was for the Innumerable lives Hannah Elizabeth Ford, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, touched in her short, but profoundly accomplished, 31 years, which ended on Saturday, July 26, 2025. She meant so much to so many,

Albert “Bud” Neidel, 98, of St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, at his home in St. Joseph. He was born July 26, 1927, in Maryville, Missouri, son of Mae Neidel. On Nov. 24, 1962, he married Nancy Greiner in Miami, Oklahoma. Bud devoted over 30 years as a truck driver, retiring from the

ABILENE, Kan. – Sharon Kaye (Lady) Evers was born Sept. 7, 1944, in Abilene, Kansas, the daughter of Gerald and Auline (Milham) Lady. She passed away Sunday, July 27, 2025, at Village Manor, in Abilene. Sharon grew up in the Abilene area, graduated from Abilene High School, and received her Bachelor’s Degree from Kansas State

BETHANY, Mo. – Isabelle Ward Graves “Billie” was born Elna Isabelle Doyle on May 28, 1934, in Cainsville, Missouri, to Clara Gertrude (Stoner) Doyle and James E. “Jimmy” Doyle. She was welcomed into her heavenly home on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. When she was born, the doctor told her parents about news of the birth

Kathleen Lewis 76, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, July 31, 2025, in St. Joseph. She was born Jan. 31, 1949, in St. Joseph, daughter of the late Maureen Lucille and Joseph Francis McCue. She graduated from LeBlond High School, and then she received her LPN from Sisters Hospital. She retired from Mosaic Life Care

LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. – Jo Elayne Page (Shively), 77, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, passed away peacefully on July 25, 2025, at 1:35 p.m., surrounded by her loving family. Jo was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 15, 1948, and grew up in Braymer, Missouri, as the youngest of three sisters. She graduated from Braymer

Mike Veale passed away peacefully on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born on Aug. 26, 1961, to Charles and Marilyn Veale, Mike grew up in St. Joseph and graduated from Lafayette High School in 1979. Mike began his career working at Kmart and NuWay before completing his apprenticeship as a union

Gordon Wilson, 93, St. Joseph, passed Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. Those closest to him were well-acquainted with his humorous ritual of scanning the obituaries each morning, a moment of reflection he approached with his characteristic blend of wit and humility. Farewell Services and Public Livestream 10 a.m. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial

John David Davis, 59, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at his home. He was born July 21, 1966, in St. Joseph, son of Kay and Charles B. Davis. The family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, at the Rupp Funeral Home. Graveside Services and

Shirley J. Hocking-Gabriel, 89, St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. She was born Oct. 29, 1935, to George and Martha (Dickinson) Sauter, in Halls, Missouri. Shirley, a graduate of Benton High School in the class of 1953, went on to further her education and passion for helping others by earning her nursing degree

Timothy L. Miller, 75, St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, July 15, 2025. He was born Oct. 13, 1949, to the late Delos William and Mildred (Eberly) Miller, in Atchison, Kansas. Friends are invited to gather from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Inurnment Lancaster Cemetery in Lancaster, Kansas. In lieu of

HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. – Randy Dale Schmitzer, age 72, died on Sunday, July 27, 2025, in Hendersonville, Tennessee.. He was born on June 10, 1953, in Liberal, Kansas, to Fred and Carol (Clark) Schmitzer. Randy graduated from Liberal High School and for 37 years he devoted himself to the role of Refrigeration Technician at Kroger. Randy

Linda Louise Derry Vejar, 72, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2025, in St. Joseph. Born on Aug. 22, 1953, she was the daughter of the late Betty (Childers Faulk) and Lawrence Derry. Linda had a profound love for music, books, and cooking, embracing family traditions in the kitchen and creating meals that brought joy

James C. Whitmore 81, of St Joseph, passed away Saturday, July 26, 2025, in a St. Joseph health care center. He was born Oct. 9, 1943, in St. Joseph, son of the late Mary and Harry Whitmore. As a young man he joined the United States Marine Corp and served in Vietnam. He worked as

Dr. Donald “Doc” Emmett Sklenar M.D., 95, St. Joseph, passed away July 31, 2025. He was born July 27, 1930, in Hillsboro, Kansas, to Emmett and Mary (Rickley) Sklenar. Don spoke many times and was heavily influenced by the struggles faced by his family during the Great Depression. From a young age, he felt a

Scott Alan Poff, 53, St. Joseph, died Sunday, July 27, 2025. Born Oct. 11, 1971, Springfield, Missouri. Survivors include his father; two daughters; one son; two brothers; one sister; six grandchildren; and numerous friends and loved ones. Cremation under the care of the Rupp Funeral Home. Celebration of Life 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Central

HIGHLAND, Kan. – Charles Francis “Charlie” Hopp, passed peacefully into his heavenly home Friday, July 25, 2025. He met and fell in love with the love of his life, Maxine May Beaman. They were united in marriage on Sept. 27, 1949, and were blessed with 70 years of marriage. They lived nearly all of their

Phyllis Mae Williams, 88, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in a St. Joseph hospital. She was born July 17, 1937, in Halls, Missouri, daughter of the late Grace and Aaron Reno. She graduated from Benton high school and worked as a mail sorter with the United States Post Office. She served

SAVANNAH, Mo. – Donald R. Barnett, 87, Savannah, Missouri, passed July 22, 2025, surrounded by family. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. Bullock Family Funeral Chapel. Mr. Barnett has been cremated under the direction of Bullock Family Funeral Chapel. For Mr. Barnett’s full obituary visit bullockffc.com. As published in the

Vickie Anne Chavez, 70, St. Joseph, went to her eternal home Sunday, July 27, 2025. She was born July 1, 1955, to Bill and Rowena Atkins. She married Chuck Chavez on May 9, 1980. She was preceded in death by her father, Bill Atkins. Vickie is survived by her husband, Chuck; mother, Rowena Atkins; her

BRANSON WEST, Mo. – Alberta (Biller) Cooper died peacefully in her home on July 24, 2025, in Branson West, Missouri, at the age of 80. She was born on Aug. 11, 1944, in St. Joseph, to Andrew and Wava Biller. She graduated from The Covenant of Sacred Hearts (LeBlond High School) and attended Co-Cathedral Parish.