ST. JOSEPH – Phyllis Dean Ahrens, 75, passed away Saturday January 4, 2014 at her home in ST. Joseph. She was born February 27, 1938 in St. Joseph and is the daughter of James and Derotha “Dodie” (Glenn) Emery. She married her husband and love, Kent Ahrens, on September 22, 1982. They shared 31 years together.
She graduated from Benton high school and attended Missouri Western State College. She retired from banking as a Vice-President working at Farmers State Bank & the Heritage Bank. Her greatest interest was buying, selling and collecting antiques of all sorts. She lived with her husband in a 150 year old home filled with her many collections. They enjoyed traveling and visited nearly every part of the United States, as well as Hawaii, St. Thomas and Europe several times. She filled their empty nest with many pets over the years (currently two cats), and was a member of Wyatt Park Christian Church. Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Sondra Smith, and Barbara Harrison.
She is survived by husband, Kent Ahrens of the home; step-son, Jeff Ahrens and wife Gail of Ferguson, Mo.; step-daughter, Darcy Ahrens and her partner Robyn Walter of Kansas City, Mo.; three grandchildren, Chris, Amy and Emily Ahrens; two brothers, Jim Emery and wife Bonnie of St. Joseph; and Mike Emery and wife Carol of Atchison, Kan.; and a sister, Dodie Emery of St. Joseph; many nieces and nephews; and friends.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 11 a.m., at the Rupp Funeral Home with Dr. Scott Kilgore officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., on Friday at the Rupp Funeral Home. She has been cremated under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to the Wyatt Park Christian Church, Interserve or Friends of the Animal Shelter. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

ST. JOSEPH – Etta Jane Silcott, 80, passed away Sunday, January 5, 2014 at Heartland Regional Medical Center. Etta Jane was born on December 22, 1933, in St. Joseph to Reasor Eldon and Mary Jane (Burch) Mason.
She was a 1951 graduate of Lafayette High School and a member of Maxwell Heights Presbyterian Church. She served as editor of the school newspaper “Light” and the school yearbook “Oak”. She was also chairman for the Lafayette High School class reunions.
Etta Jane was self-employed as administrator/owner of a residential care facility. She enjoyed bowling and playing cards with family. She participated as a St. Joe Saints host family, enjoyed traveling, trips to the Casino and also watching Royals Baseball. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Donald Mason; daughter, Lee Ann Silcott; and granddaughter, Jennifer Pistole.
She married George Richard Silcott on November 4, 1950. He survives of the home.
Additional survivors include her children, Maribeth (Tom) McKee, Callahan, Fla., Ross (Carol) Silcott, Chris (Diana) Silcott, Dawn Hickman and her fiancé Rob Campbell, all of St. Joseph; brother, Robert E. Mason, Leawood, Kan.; sister, Dorothy Simonson, N.C.; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Services 12 noon Thursday at Heaton-Bowman-Smith and Sidenfaden Chapel. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery.
Visitation will begin after 12 noon Wednesday at our Chapel, where the family will receive friends 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and also one hour prior to the service on Thursday.