Obituaries

Dr. John William Slayton, 83, St. Joseph, passed away Monday, June 23, 2025. He was born on July 30, 1941, to parents John William Sr. and Margaret Elizabeth (Dobbins) Slayton ,in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He valued care for others above all and carried this principle through his life and studies, emerging as a wise and skilled

Dianne Lynn Hund, 61, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus on Monday, June 23, 2025. Dianne was born Dec. 8, 1963, to Dennis Ray and Sally Ann Myers, in Rimersburg, Pennsylvania. She married Tom Hund on July 20, 1991, in Wilmore, Kentucky. Farewell Services 1 p.m. Saturday, Green Valley Baptist Church. Visitation

WATHENA, Kan. – Lester J. Shalz, 87, of Wathena, Kansas, passed away surrounded by his loving family on June 20, 2025. Lester was born on May 15, 1938, in Wathena, to the late Nicholas and Esther (Dyer) Shalz. He was a graduate of Wathena High School and received his B.S. in mortuary science from the

WICHITA, Kan. – Ken Griggs, 78, Central High School graduate of 1965, and NWMSU graduate of 1969, passed away on June 20, 2025. For the complete obituary, service and memorial information, and to share condolences, please visit www.cozine.com. Services by Cozine Memorial Group-Cozine Life Events Center, Wichita, Kansas. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.

Karen Kline, 37, a spirited and loving individual from St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, June 21, 2025. She was born Jan. 1, 1988, at Fort Hood, Texas, to William and Susan (Bullard) Kline. Karen was a proud graduate of Helen Davis State School. Her enduring love for art and photography allowed her to capture and

ATCHISON, Kan. – Glenda Kay Mercer, 69, of Atchison, Kansas, passed away Friday June 20, 2025, at Atchison Senior Village. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home. The burial

DEKALB, Mo. – Jack Whalen Meyer, 67, of DeKalb, Missouri, passed away Saturday, June 21, 2025, in DeKalb. He was born Nov. 5, 1957, in Leavenworth, Kansas, son of the late Lucille and Donald Meyer. He graduated from Lansing High School and worked on the Union Pacific Railroad for 40 years as a Maintenance Supervisor.

Robert Verne Packman II, 69, of St. Joseph, passed away June 20, 2025, at Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph, after a short battle with esophagus cancer. He was born on Oct. 20, 1955, to Robert Verne and Clarice Louise Packman. He grew up in Kenosha County, Wisconsin and graduated from Mary D. Bradford High

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Matthew Winters, 48, Overland Park, Kansas, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, June 19, 2025. He was born Jan. 10, 1977, in St. Joseph, to Gary and Joy (Pedersen) Winters. Matthew graduated from Central High School and attended Johnson County Community College. Matthew was a service tech for Royal Cup

Judith Kay Reed, 82, St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, April 12, 2025. She was born Oct. 16, 1942, in St. Joseph. Farewell Services and Public Livestream 1 p.m. Friday, June 27, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will gather with friends one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests

Terri Sue Francis lost her battle with pancreatic cancer on June 17, 2025, while at home in St. Joseph. Terri was born July 16, 1955, in St. Joseph, born the daughter of Mary and Forest J. Stafford. She graduated from Benton High School and attended Missouri Western State University. Terri married Mark E. Francis on

RIVERSIDE, Mo. – Anita Lorine Headrick, 85, of Riverside, Missouri, passed away Saturday, June 14, 2025, at North Kansas City Hospital. She was born Feb. 18, 1940, in Indianola, Oklahoma, daughter of Mary and Carlton Lewis. She graduated from high school in McAllister, Oklahoma, and married Wayne Headrick in Alameda, California. She worked for the

COLUMBIA, Mo. – With love and gratitude for a well lived life, we remember John Mier, who passed away unexpectedly on June 2, 2025, at the age of 70. More than 70 people’s lives were lengthened or improved by John’s final gifts of organ and tissue donation. Even in passing, John’s legacy lives on in

Margaret Ann Pickerel, 93, of St. Joseph, passed away Monday, June 16, 2025, in Columbia, Missouri. She was born June 25, 1931, in St. Joseph, daughter of the late Fern (Taylor) and Harold Filbert. She graduated from Benton High School and married John “Jack” Pickerel on April 25, 1953. She worked at Buchanan County Recorder

Charles D. “Doug” Timmons, 70, St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, June 11, 2025. He was born Nov. 17, 1954, to the late Charles A. and Bessie F. Timmons, in St. Joseph. He worked at Clark Gas Station and HPI, Chapel Ridge Apartments. Doug enjoyed fishing, traveling, and watching TV. Survivors include his wife, Robin J.

GULFPORT, Miss. – Barbara Illene Tunks was born on Sept. 9, 1947, to Bob and Mary Pruett, in St. Joseph. She passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at her home. On Dec. 30, 1974, she married the love of her life and soul mate, Gary L. Tunks. Barbara was a registered nurse who

Cole Ruger Weber, 33, of St. Joseph, passed away unexpectedly on June 18, 2025, at Mosaic Life Care. Cole was born to Lisa (Swymeler) Adams and Dave Weber, in St. Joseph, on Nov. 26, 1991. Cole attended St. Francis Xavier School and Bishop LeBlond High School where he graduated in 2010, before earning both his

Clover Elizabeth Cleveland, 39, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in St. Joseph. She was born Oct. 8, 1985, in St. Joseph. She graduated from Savannah High School and was working at Altec industries. She love to draw and paint, listen to music and most especially she loved her children and grandchildren,

June 17, 2025, Verda was called home by her Heavenly Father following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Verda was born Feb. 1, 1942, in Morrowville, Kansas, the second of four children, to Lawrence and Mildred (Niemann) Stigge. She was raised in Frankfort and later Washington, Kansas, where she graduated in 1960 as the Valedictorian

LINCOLN, Neb. – Garry Wall, 82, Lincoln, Nebraska, formerly of Rosendale, Missouri, passed away Monday, June 16, 2025. He was born Jan. 16, 1943, in St. Joseph, to Glen and Maxine (Adkins) Wall. Garry married Beverly Jean Stagner on June 25, 1971. She preceded him in death on Oct. 4, 2020. He was a farmer

SAVANNAH, Mo. – Brian Lee Graves, 59, Savannah, Missouri, passed away Monday, June 16, 2025. He was born Sept. 4, 1965, in St. Joseph, to Wayne and Charlotte (Miller) Graves. Farewell Services and Public Livestream 1 p.m. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6 to

Stephanie Gayle Prather, 69, of St Joseph, passed from her earthly home to her heavenly home on Monday, June 16, 2025, in St. Joseph. She was born Oct. 30, 1955, in Atchison, Kansas, daughter of the late Lorene (Sampson) and Walter Prather. She graduated from DeKalb, Missouri, High School and Missouri Western State College. She

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Christopher Marlin, 51, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away June 12, 2025. He was born Nov. 10, 1973, in St. Joseph, to Bill and Judy (Waugh) Marlin. Visitation 2 p.m. with a small service and sharing of memories time commencing at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, June 19, 2025, at our Parkville, Missouri,

Stephen Joseph Orzel, 77, of St. Joseph, passed away Friday, June 13, 2025. He was born Feb. 18, 1948, in St. Louis, Missouri, son of the late Frances and Harold Orzel. He graduated from Lafayette High School, class of 1966, then joined the United States Navy, serving four years. He married Sandra Osborn on April

Michael W. Wisneski, 75, of St. Joseph, passed away Friday, June 13, 2025, at a St. Joseph hospital. He was born Sept. 27, 1949, in St. Joseph, son of Patsy and Norbert Wisneski. He graduated from Benton High School, and attended two years at Missouri Western State College. He married Judy Hanken on April 17,

Milton Harold Boyles, 95 of St. Joseph, passed away on June 12, 2025, at Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph. Milton Harold Boyles, the son of Roger and Estel (Hardin) Boyles, was born on Dec. 13, 1929, in Rosendale, Missouri. He graduated from Bolckow High School. Milton was united in marriage to Verna Mae Sipes

Sandra Kay Hoecker, a loving wife and mother of two sons, passed away at the age of 81 on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025. Sandra, or Sandy as she was known by many, was born on July 1, 1943, in St. Joseph, to Louis and Hazel (Teschner) Canterbury. She graduated from Benton High School in

QUARTZ HILL, Calif. – Alan Dale Martin, 70, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday May 3, at his home in California. He was born June 12, 1954, in St. Joseph to Curtis (Dink) Martin and Betty Lou ( Tibbetts) Martin Kirschner. He graduated from Central High School class of 1972. Alan retired from the

Nancy Lou Yowell, 84, of St. Joseph, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 6, 2025. She was born on Nov. 6, 1940, in Mound City, Missouri, to the late Mildred (Smith) Diggs and Estell Diggs. On April 13, 1963, Nancy married Albert Franklin Yowell, and the two built a life rooted in commitment and family.

Alice Lorine (West) Shue, 86, St. Joseph, passed away peacefully at her home on June 11, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Alice was born Aug. 27, 1938, to Kenneth Driver West Sr. and Mary Pauline (Miller) West, both of St. Joseph. Alice attended St. Patrick’s grade school and graduated from the Convent of the