Obituaries

Travis Dillon Best, 40, of St. Joseph, passed away Monday, June 2, 2025, in a St. Joseph hospital after a brief illness. He was born Feb. 9, 1985, in Kingsville, Texas, son of Debra Turner Best and Alan Best. He proudly graduated from Benton High School. He was an avid collector of coins, stamps and

Robert Eugene Pecora, 76, St. Joseph, passed away on June 1, 2025. He was born on Dec. 5, 1948, to Angelo and Anne (Brown) Pecora, in his hometown, St. Joseph. Robert had a deep love for music, which was both a comfort and a companion throughout his life. The rhythms and melodies were the soundtrack

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Richard “Dick” Whittington, 77, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Springfield. He was born June 12, 1947, in Giessen, Germany, son of late Ingeborg and Clyde Whittington Jr. He graduated from Benton High School class of 1965 where he was very active in sports, then attended Food Technology

Larry Michael McVicker, 74, St. Joseph, passed Friday, May 23, 2025, into the hands of God. Born in St. Joseph on Nov. 17, 1950, he was the son of the late Raymond and Wanda McVicker. Larry attended Humboldt Elementary School and Lafayette High School, where he participated in wrestling. Later he served in the Army.

Jerry Allen Ritter, 51, of St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, June 1, 2025, in St. Joseph. He was born May 21, 1974, in St. Joseph. Survivors, son, Richard Watkins; companion, Stephanie Watkins; siblings: Juanita, Freddy Jr., Kathy, Ronnie, and Brian; and grandson, Dayton. Memorials to the Jerry Ritter memorial fund in care of the Rupp

DUNCAN LAKES, Neb. – Born to Paul and Merle (David) Crane on June 6, 1939. He passed away on Feb. 5, 2025. David grew up in New Hampton, Missouri. He married Mary Louise McGlothlin in 1960. They settled in Omaha, Nebraska, until he retired in 2004 and moved to Duncan Lakes, Nebraska. They celebrated their

JEFFERSON, Iowa – Richard “Dick” L. Scanlan, 83, of Jefferson, Iowa, was born in Two Harbors, Minnesota, on June 29, 1941, to John and Myrtle (Falk) Scanlan. Richard passed away on June 1, 2025. Richard graduated from Lafayette High School in 1959. Richard worked at the Pearl Brewing company for many years and went on

Herbert C. Wandfluh Jr., 91, St. Joseph, passed away Monday June 2, 2025. He was born May 21, 1934, in St. Joseph, to Herbert and Wilma (Eisminger) Wandfluh. After graduating from high school, Herbert joined the military and proudly served his country in the Air Guard. Herbert married Sondra Jeanne O’Dell on Sept. 26, 1954.

Linda Kay Wilson, 77, of St. Joseph, passed away Friday, May 30, 2025, at her home. She was born May 29, 1948, in St. Joseph, daughter of the late Deloris and David Skeen. She graduated from Lafayette High School class 1966 and married Roger Wilson on Aug. 11, 1972. She was the manager at the

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Barbara Auxier, 85, Kansas City, Missouri (North) passed away Friday, May 30, 2025. A Visitation will be held 9:30 a.m., with Mass of Christian Burial commencing at 10:30 a.m., St. Therese Catholic Church, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, Kansas City, Missouri. Entombment, 1 p.m., Queen of Heaven mausoleum, crypt #1, tier B,

Martin Joseph Brushwood “Joe”, 77, of St. Joseph, passed away Friday, May 30, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born Feb. 7, 1948, in St. Joseph, son of the late Cecil and Bernice Brushwood. He graduated from La Salle Christian Brothers High School, Glencoe, Missouri, then joined the United States Navy.

Garnett F. Hecker Jr., 88, St. Joseph, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, May 31, 2025, on his farm, doing what he loved. He was born Sunday, July 26, 1936, in Corning, Missouri, to Garnett and Nellie (Younger) Hecker. He was a 1954 graduate of Lafayette High School and earned his associate’s degree in engineering from St.

Janet (Link) Mollus, 86, St. Joseph, passed away Monday, June 2, 2025. She was born Aug. 13, 1938, in St. Joseph, to Lawrence and Ida (Pryor) Link. She was a graduate of Central High School, where she was in the National Honor Society. Janet found the love of her life in St. Joseph, David Mollus,

SAVANNAH, Mo. – Karen S. Caples, 83, Savannah, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2025. She was born Sept. 24, 1941, to Oak and Mildred (Patterson) Benner, in St. Joseph. Karen married Robert Caples on Sept. 30, 1976, and were married for 10 years before his passing. She retired from Mosaic Life Care as a

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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