Obituaries

By NewsPress Now Emmett A. Flora, a man of remarkable resilience and redemption, passed away on April 20, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of transformation, faith and perseverance. Born on Jan. 9, 1949, in St. Joseph, to Willie A. and Dorothy Cline Flora, Emmett grew up in Faucett, Missouri, amongst challenging circumstances facing more than

By NewsPress Now Linda Joyce Merritt, 62, St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, April 18, 2024. She was born May 1, 1961, in St. Joseph. Linda was an aide for Saxton’s and Diversicare for many years, where she loved the residents like family. She loved spending time with her loved ones. She was preceded in death

By NewsPress Now TROY, Kan. – Paul Berton Whetstine, 68, of Troy, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at the Mosaic Life Care, St. Joseph. Paul was born on Feb. 21, 1956, in St. Joseph, to William B. and Doreene (Deatherage) Whetstine. He graduated from Troy High School in 1974. Paul was a heavy

By NewsPress Now CAMERON, Mo. – Vernon Lee Cox, age 96, a resident of Cameron, Missouri, passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at Missouri Veterans Home, Cameron. Vernon was born the son of Frank and Sadie (Berry) Cox on Feb. 20, 1928, in Chillicothe, Missouri. He was a graduate of Chillicothe High School. He

By NewsPress Now Daniel Joseph “Charlie” Pompa Jr., 52, St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, April 13, 2024. He was born Feb. 26, 1972, in Los Angeles, California, to Daniel J. Pompa Sr. and Billie Pauline (Walden) Pompa. His family moved to St. Joseph when Pompa was five years old, where he later excelled in track

By NewsPress Now Robert L. Pease, 88, St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2024. He was born July 4, 1935, in Elwood, Kansas, to Herman and Etta (Taylor) Pease. Robert married Rose Ann Farrell on Jan. 6, 1955, in St. Joseph. She survives of the home. Robert proudly served his country in the Marine

By NewsPress Now Late Notices Robin DeSpain Robin DeSpain, 62, of St. Joseph, passed away April 18, 2024. Arrangements are pending at the Rupp Funeral Home. Carl Modlin Carl Modlin, 55, St. Joseph, passed away April 19, 2024. Arrangements are pending at the Rupp Funeral Home. Laura Buller Laura Buller, 62, St. Joseph, passed away

By NewsPress Now Paul Berton Whetstine, 68, of Troy, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at the Mosaic Life Care, St. Joseph. Paul was born on Feb. 21, 1956, in St. Joseph, to William B. and Doreene (Deatherage) Whetstine. He graduated from Troy High School in 1974. Paul was a heavy equipment operator. He

By NewsPress Now Terry Lynn Gromowski, 55, of St Joseph, passed away Sunday, April 14, 2024, at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. She was born July 17, 1968, in St. Joseph, daughter of Norine and Joseph Gromowski. Terry attended Helen Davis School. In Terry’s younger years, she was active with the Special Olympics. She

By NewsPress Now Late Notices Anthony J. Baca Anthony Justin Baca, 26, St. Joseph, passed away April 17, 2024. Arrangements pending Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Jeffrey A. Letchworth Jeffrey Allen Letchworth passed away April 10, 2024. Celebration of Life 2 p.m. April 20 at Huffman United Methodist Church, St. Joseph. Visitation, 1 to 2

By NewsPress Now Susan F. (Gartland) Fortune, 58, St. Joseph, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. She was born May 29, 1965, in St. Joseph, to James and Rosalie (Huffman) Gartland Susan was loving, kind, compassionate, giving, and hardworking all her life. She was articulate, loved to paint and was

By NewsPress Now Late Notices Robert L. Pease Robert L. Pease, 88, St. Joseph, passed away April 17, 2024. Farewell Services and Public Livestream 10 a.m. April 27, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation one hour prior to the service. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.

By NewsPress Now Billy Barber, 75, St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at his home after a bout with cancer. He was born on Oct. 24, 1948, to William Sr. and Carolyn R. (Lipira) Barber, in St. Joseph. He was of Catholic faith and a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving

By NewsPress Now Donna Mae Reynolds, 83, St. Joseph, passed away peacefully, at a local nursing home, on April 17, 2024. Donna was born in Steele City, Nebraska, on June 14, 1940, Flag Day, to Wilbert and Myrtle (Graham) Applegarth. The family moved to Savannah, Missouri, where she attended school, became the basketball queen (in

By NewsPress Now Linda Dale, 69 of St. Joseph, passed away on April 16, 2024. Linda was born on Feb. 21, 1955, in Macon, Missouri, to the late Frank and Martha Deaton Mason. Linda graduated from South Shelby High School in 1973 and went to college to earn an art degree from Manchester College. It

By NewsPress Now GUILFORD, Mo. – Dean Gerard Meyer, 58, of Guilford, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at Mosaic Medical Center, in Maryville, Missouri, surrounded by family and friends. Dean was born on Nov. 30, 1965, to Stephen and Bernadette Meyer, of Guilford. He graduated from Jefferson C-123 High School, in

By NewsPress Now Chris Owens was called to his heavenly home on April 14, 2024. He was born to proud parents, Kenneth and Linda Owens, on Oct. 21, 1962. Chris was a popular, outstanding athlete and graduate of Holt County R-II. He was a starter on the undefeated State Champion basketball team in 1981. He

By NewsPress Now John Joseph Bucher, 89, St. Joseph, passed away Monday, April 15, 2024. He was born on July 18, 1934, to Francis X. and Nellie Bucher, in St. Joseph. On July 12, 1952, he married Wilma B. Key, and together they shared nearly 62 years together before her passing in 2014. John had

By NewsPress Now ALBANY, Mo. – Jeffrey Lynn Conkle, 74 of Albany, Missouri, passed away at his home on Sunday, April 14, 2024. Visitation: Thursday, April 18, 6 to 8 p.m. at Roberson Polley Chapel, Albany. Private inurnment at a later date in the Grandview Cemetery If you choose, memorial contributions can be made to

By NewsPress Now Late Notices Glenn A. Butts Services will be April 19 7 p.m. at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel. Full military honors will follow the services. Visitation will begin at 6 p.m. at the funeral home. Thomas W. Chamadias Thomas William Chamadias, 63, St. Joseph, passed away April 13, 2024. Arrangements pending Meierhoffer Funeral

By NewsPress Now STEWARTSVILLE, Mo. – Ronald Jewel Bailey, 65, Stewartsville, Missouri, passed away at home on Friday, April 12, 2024. He was born on May 2, 1958, in Leavenworth, Kansas, to Marion Bailey and Betty Goodlett (Walter Trivett Jr), and raised by Margaret and Jasper Goodlett. He was married to Viola Henry on March

By NewsPress Now Jamie Lynn Rathert, 41, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in a Lees Summitt, Missouri, hospital. She was born Oct. 11, 1982, in St. Joseph, daughter of the late Debbie Bennett and Jimmy Fattig. She attended Benton High School and was a homemaker. Jamie was preceded in death by

By NewsPress Now BRANSON, Mo. – Lois Holmes Smith went to be with the Lord on April 12, 2024, with her family by her side at Branson, Missouri. Lois was born Aug. 25, 1936, the youngest daughter of Velma (Williams) and Victor Holmes in Albany, Missouri. She attended the University of Omaha and Missouri Western

By NewsPress Now MARYVILLE, Mo. – Darlene Sue Ware-Brant, 73, Maryville, Missouri, born Aug. 3, 1950, passed away April 14, 2024. She was the daughter of the late Elvin and the late Mary Ellen Shelton-Ware. Three siblings preceded her in death. She is survived by her daughter, Linda Sue Brant, Maryville, and six siblings. Natural

By NewsPress Now Charline Mollus, 93, St. Joseph, passed away April 11, 2024. Charline was born on March 16, 1931, to Charles and Cecelia J. (Nowak) Serocki, in St. Joseph. Educated at the Sacred Heart Convent, Charline graduated in 1949 and soon after married the love of her life, Donald M. Mollus, on June 18,

By NewsPress Now TROY, Kan. – Kathryn Gayle Clary, 88, of Troy, Kansas, passed away Saturday, April 13, 2024, at her home. Kathryn was born on Sept. 15, 1935, in St. Joseph, to Raymond and Nellie (McComb) Kerns. She attended Gower, Missouri, high School and was a homemaker. Kathryn married Harold Lloyd “Pete” Clary on

By NewsPress Now Janet M. Loveless, 81, St. Joseph, passed away Friday, April 12, 2024. She was born July 24, 1942, in Fort Myers, Florida, to James and Elinor (Burt) Lewis. She grew up in Fort Myers, then moved to Washington, D.C., after her high school graduation. She worked at the Pentagon, where she met

By NewsPress Now Michael A. Horine, 65, of St Joseph, passed away Sunday, April 14, 2024, at his home. He was born May 3, 1958, in St. Joseph, son of Patsy and Paul Horine. He graduated from Benton High School. Mike married Theresa Prudden on Aug. 20, 2011, in St. Joseph. He was a longtime

By NewsPress Now Nancy Ann Chorman, 92, St. Joseph, passed away Monday, April 8, 2024. She was born on Feb. 1, 1932, in Painesville, Ohio. to Floyd Allen and Ila Jeanette (Tyler) Billig. She graduated from Painesville High School. Nancy married Ronald Ray Chorman on May 22, 1951, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was a

By NewsPress Now PITTSBURG, Mo. – Carol Jean (Reynolds) Cruz, 72, of Pittsburg, Missouri, was called home April 12, 2024. Carol was born July 31, 1951, to Dale and Ruth Reynolds, in St. Joseph. She married Sylvester Cruz on Oct. 7, 1966. Carol was a loving homemaker, raising her four children, Tammy, Kevin, Kent and