January 2014 – Page 54 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Report: Nixon proposing more for children’s agency

Posted on January 15, 2014

Director,Missouri Division of Youth Services Tim Decker

(AP) — Gov. Jay Nixon is expected to propose a $6 million increase for the agency overseeing Missouri’s foster care system.

A document from Children’s Division Director Tim Decker reportedly says Nixon will propose “significant resources” for the division in his 2015 budget.

The document cites a proposal for $1 million to hire 23 investigators and case workers for the division, $1.5 million for computer upgrades and $2.3 million for staff to advance in their pay scales. More than $1 million also would go toward a combination of training and loan forgiveness programs to prevent staff turnover.

Published reports have indicate that some Children’s Division offices have been plagued by high staff turnover.

Obituaries for January 15, 2014

Posted on January 15, 2014

AMES, Iowa – Marvin A. Stout, 91, passed away Sunday, January 12, 2014 at the home of his son in Des Moines, Iowa. He was born August 6, 1922 in Winterset, Iowa, son of Clyde and Byrd Stout. He graduated from high school then served in the United State Navy and is a veteran of the World War II. He worked at Iowa State University as a printer and he also farmed. He was a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church and the VFW Post # 6760.
Marvin was preceded in death by wife, Helen Stout; his parents; a son, Matt Stout,; and daughter, Susie Stout.
Survivors include three sons, Wayne Stout of Ames; Ted Stout of Des Moines; and Bill Stout and wife Flori of Winterset; three foster children; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m., on Friday, January 17, 2014 at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, with Pastor Ben Mulford officiating. Interment will be at the Ebenezer Cemetery. Memorials are requested to the Ebenezer United Methodist Church. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

PICKERING, Mo. – Randy Alvin Emery, 54, died Monday, January 13, 2014 at St Francis Hospital, Maryville, Mo. Randy was born September 8, 1959 in Maryville, to Elmer Alvin and Ethel Clair (Mosslander) Emery.
Randy was a member of the Laura Street Baptist Church, Maryville. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include four brothers: Chet Ross, Beatrice, Neb., Rick Emery, Pickering, Gary Emery, New Hampton, Mo., John Emery, Fairfax, Mo.; three sisters, Bonnie Stevens, Beatrice, Sheryl Carter, Maryville and Linda Koehler, San Antonio, Texas.
Memorial Services will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 22, 2014, at the Price Funeral Home Chapel with interment in hite Oak Cemetery, Pickering. Arrangements through Price Funeral Home www.pricefuneralhomemaryville.com

ST. JOSEPH – Robert M. Lindsay, Jr., 81, died Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at a local healthcare facility.
He was born December 11, 1932 to Robert Sr. and Mildred (Lyndon) Lindsay in St. Joseph, and graduated from Christian Brothers High School in 1950. Robert was a member of the United States Navy/Naval Reserve for 12 years from February 1950 to December 1962.
Robert married Gertrude Curran on October 16, 1954 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Easton, Mo. He was employed by the St. Joseph News Press and Gazette Company for 53 years working as a Pressman, Press-room Superintendent and retiring as the Director of Purchasing, Production and Circulation. While working as a Pressman Robert served as the President of Printing Pressman’s Union Local 15.
Robert served as President of the Metro Users Group, a national News Paper Industry Trade Group. Robert spoke at many Newspaper Industry User Group meetings both nationally and internationally. Robert also served as the president of the Kiwanis Club of St. Joseph from 1991-1992.
He was a member of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, St, Joseph Chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and was active in Christian Brothers Class of 1950.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents; and wife, Gertrude. Survivors: daughter, Janet Beger (Steve), Overland Park, Kan.; son, Jim Lindsay (Sandy), St. Joseph; six grandchildren, Gena, Emily, Rob and Michael Lindsay, Lindsay and Daniel Beger; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial: 10 a.m. Thursday, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Interment Mount Olivet Cemetery. Parish Rosary 6 p.m., Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will receive friends 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory, where friends may call after 5 p.m., Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Anne Reed Gray, 86, died Monday, January 13, 2014 at a local healthcare facility.
She was born July 28, 1927 to Elliott Newton Reed and Mary Ewing Reed in Hartboro, Penn. She married Joseph L. Gray on April 12, 1947 at Saint Joseph Cathedral by Monsignor Ruggle. In 1952 she and Joe co-founded Gray Manufacturing with his father Joseph Herman Gray. She was most proud of her marriage of 66 years. Together they raised eight children. Anne was a very dedicated wife and loving mother.
Anne was a volunteer for League of Women Voters where she worked on the Public Accommodations Bill to secure the equal rights in Saint Joseph, Cathedral PTA council and served as president for one year, and was active in Audubon. She also volunteered at Squaw Creek as a docent to with Joe and hosted Audubon bird counts at her home on Sanctuary Trail. She was a church librarian at First Presbyterian Church, a Patron of the Saint Joseph Symphony, Allied Arts Council, Performing Arts and Missouri Western College. She was also a Meals on Wheels and Food Kitchen volunteer.
She organized and painted murals for Patee Hall, Noyes Home, and UCP for the children. She was also a volunteer with the Panel of American Women, National organization of Women (N.O.W.) and hosted the initial fundraiser for the Watchtower at Missouri Western.
With local artists, Mrs. Gray also painted murals at St. Joseph’s Interview Center at Noyes Home, Patee Hall’s Youth Health Center Playroom, United Cerebral Palsy and Albert Kost’s mural design for the Junior College Conference Room at Missouri Western State College.
Her hobbies included, boating with Joseph. They boated in Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf of Mexico. Hit every major river from the Columbia to the Hudson, up the Champlaine Canal to Lake Champlaine, Inland Waterways on the West Coast and along both coasts of Florida and several of the great lakes.
She loved painting and had over 42 hours of credits at Missouri Western (mostly painting). After the age of 50, she took lessons from Al Kost, Cheryl Symonis and Elenore Thomas with her friends. She painted as a professional Artist and participated in art shows and won many awards for her work.
Traveling all of the states in the United States except Maine. Antarctica, Falkland Islands, Hawaii, numerous European countries, Alaska, Canada, Siberia, and the Commander Islands, The North Sea, Japan and South Korea, Mexico, Six Countries in Central America, The Galapagos Islands, The Windward Islands. She was a member of the Western Gateway Questers Club Chapter #1066, Reading Book Clubs and Poetry, Tennis, Bridge and Board Games.
She loved jigsaw puzzles and always hid the last piece for herself. She took water Aerobics at the YMCA
She was the last survivor of “the Jolly Girls,” a close circle of girlfriends met regularly and grew from young mothers to grandmothers. Also called “Fertile Myrtles” and “Menopausal-Minnies.”
She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters and their husbands, Mary Lina Luddy, Phyllis Feeney and Doris Barton; and daughter-in-law, Laurie Gray (Paul).
Survivors: eight children, 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; Pete Gray (Staci), their three sons, Zachary, Alec and Mitchell; Reed Gray, Eugene, Oregon, and daughter, Ellen Gray; Jo Anne Grey (Marty), St. Joseph; their three daughters, Alexis Grey Christensen (Bill), Kirkland, Wash.; two sons, Toren and Finn; Alison Welch (Dave); three sons, Oliver, Gus and Geno Smith; Laura Kenny (Sean), York, Penn.; Laura Dunn (RG), Liberty, Mo.; Paul Gray, Lorida, Fla.; Mark C. Gray, Paola, Kan.; three children, Sky Gray (Chelsea), Gardner, Kan., Phoebe Gray, Overland Park, Kan., and Kai Gray, St. Joseph; Matt Gray, Columbia, Mo.; and Susie and Richard Mastio, Laramie, Wyo.
Services: 10 a.m., Saturday, First Presbyterian Church. For those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to MWSU Scholarship Fund or a charity of the donor’s choice. Services under the direction of Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Frances May (Singleton) Ballinger, 94, died Monday, January 13, 2014 at a local healthcare facility.
She was born February 2, 1919 to Warren and Grace (Shell) Singleton in St. Joseph. She was a lifetime resident of St. Joseph and was a graduate of Central High School. Frances married Leland Francis Ballinger on June 17, 1939. They were married 65 years. He preceded her in death on December 30, 2004.
Mrs. Ballinger was employed at the Missouri Methodist Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital, and the Thompson Brumm and Knepper Clinic. She was a former member of Mitchell Park Christian Church but attended Ashland United Methodist Church.
She was also preceded in death by her parents. Survivors: daughters, Beverly Dewey (Mike), St. Joseph, and Linda Arnoldy (Phillip), Overland Park, Kan.
Services: 1 p.m., Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Interment Mount Auburn Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Heartland Hospice or a charity of the donor’s choice. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

EL PASO, Texas – Peggy J. Benton, 88, formerly of St. Joseph, died Sunday, January 12, 2014 at her home in El Paso.
She was born November 12, 1925 to Alexander and Anita (Lemonier) Kernes in St. Joseph. She married Robert Edwin Benton on February 1, 1947. He survives of the home.
Peggy graduated from Benton High School in St. Joseph. She was a member of Grace Life TV Church and a homemaker that enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; and eight brothers and sisters.
Additional Survivors: children, Robert David Benton (Jum), Ronald Benton (Debbie), Annette Perez (Doug) and Timothy Benton; twelve grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services: 10 a.m., Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory, where friends may call after 5 p.m., Thursday. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Gracelive TV. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com

ST. JOSEPH – Elisha Marie Palma, 41, passed away Monday, January 13, 2014 at her home in Saint Joseph, after a brief illness. She was born May 24, 1972 in Omaha, Neb. She graduated from Benton high school and was a homemaker. She was a member of St. James Catholic Church, and attended St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Elisha was preceded in death by her birth mother, Debra Escamilla. Survivors include parents, Peter and Carmen (Rivera) Palma of St. Joseph; a son, Jesse Kochenderfer; and a daughter, Madeline Kochenderfer of St. Joseph; companion, Delfino Carreon of Home; and his children Cody, Sonny and Kevin Carreon; five brothers, Rick (Lynn) Palma of St. Joseph; Peter J. (Sue) Palma III of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Valdemar Flores; Luis Ramos Jr.; and Aicardo Ramos all of Omaha, Neb.; and a sister, Dr. Tina Flores-Schechinger of Glidden, Iowa.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 17, 2014, at 11 a.m. at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Fr. Jeffrey Jambon Celebrant. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7:30 p.m., on Thursday and the Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m., at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Mount Olivet Cemetery. Memorials are requested to the Elisha Palma Memorial fund. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

ST. JOSEPH – Arthur M. Dobson, 92, died Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at a local healthcare facility.
He was born August 9, 1921 to Sumner and Thankful (Nicholson) Dobson in Riverside, Calif. He married Juanita Edith Sherman. She preceded him death.
Arthur worked for the City of St. Joseph in the Parks Department and later as a Security officer for Wells Fargo. He was a member of the VFW Post #6760. Arthur proudly served in the United States Army and Air Force and was a veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict.
He was also preceded in death by his parents; daughters, Barbara Foster and Sharon Penland; and granddaughter, Gerri Ann Roberts.
Survivors: daughter, Ruth Branaman (Dean); four grandchildren, Rob Branaman (Elisa), Mark Branaman (Stacey), Michael Foster and Gina Presnell; and three great-grandchildren, Sydney, Joseph and Dean Branaman.
Mr. Branaman was a member of the Missouri Cremation Service. Online guestbook and obituary at www.missouricremation.com

ST. JOSEPH – Jeannine A. Hinkle, 85, died Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at a local healthcare facility.
She was born December 6, 1928 to H. Marshall and Marie F. (Lorey) Jones in St. Joseph. She married Richard C. Hinkle on July 20, 1948. He preceded her in death on April 7, 2013.
She completed her grade school education at St. Mary School. Jeannine was a 1946 graduate of Lafayette High School and attended St. Joseph Junior College. At the initiation of United Cerebral Palsy Jeannine was instrumental in forming the foundation of what UCP is today. She was on the Board of Directors from 1972-1976 and President of the Board in 1973. For several years thereafter she served as Administrator of UCP. She worked at Affiliated Foods before retiring as a teacher’s aide from Helen Davis State School in 1988.
She was a lifetime member of St. Mary Catholic Church. She was a member and officer of St. Mary’s Altar Society, PTA, St. Joseph Garden Club. Some of her fondest memories were teaching piano lessons out of the home.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, David C. Hinkle; and sister, Lorna Gayle Wineland.
Survivors: children, Barbara Scott (Mike), Alex Hinkle (Becky), Julie McKay (John), Eric Hinkle, and Michelle Hinkle; daughter-in-law, Stena Hinkle; grandchildren, Jody Wunschel (Pete), Andy Scott (Lori), Melissa Winn (B.J.), Andrea Grable (Todd), Mandy Lemmon (Cory), David Charles Hinkle, Richard Hinkle (Amy), Elizabeth Hoddick (Brett), Stephen Hinkle, Nicole Boeh (Brandon), John Patrick, Lindsay and Riley McKay and Korbin Hinkle; and ten great-grandchildren
Mass of Christian Burial: 1 p.m., Saturday, St. Mary Catholic Church. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. Parish Rosary 7 p.m., Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will receive friends 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory, where friends may call after 5 p.m., Friday. Flowers are appreciated or contributions to United Cerebral Palsy, 3303 Frederick Ave, St. Joseph, MO 64506. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

St. Jo teen among those nominated to U.S. Service Academies

Posted on January 15, 2014January 15, 2014

U.S. Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) today announced he has nominated several Sixth District students to the United States Service Academies. Each year, members of Congress are responsible for selecting very highly qualified students to attend one of our nation’s five prestigious military academies. Graves said many very qualified students applied for a nomination through his office this year.

Graves nominated the following area students:

· Nicolas Russell of Central High School in St. Joseph, Andrew Maus of Rockhurst High School in Kansas City and David Mershon of Lee’s Summit North High School to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

· David Jeong and Stephen Komar, both of Park Hill South High School in Riverside, as well as Will Ryan of Park Hill High School in Kansas City, to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.

· Grant Mitton of Kearney High School, and Tom Prinslow of Parkville (Park Hill South High School) to the United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado.

· Brennan Rialti of Lee’s Summit High School to the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.

“The Sixth District continues to produce some of the most outstanding candidates in the nation. I am both honored and proud to nominate these students,” said Graves. “They have proven they can excel both in and out of the classroom. They are all well-rounded individuals that will make North Missouri extremely proud.”

The nomination system is a very competitive process. The various military academies hold very selective admission standards. To help in the nomination process, Graves created an Academy Nominations Review Board. The board, made up of service academy graduates and citizens of the 6^th District, interviewed and reviewed all applicants and made final recommendations to Graves.

Graves, who notified each student by phone that he was nominating them, said it was very difficult to make his final selections since all the students that applied were so exceptional. All of the applicants had impressive academic credentials and extensive involvement in school and community activities.

Students interested in being appointed to a service academy can find out more information by contacting Graves’ district office in Kansas City or by visiting his website: www.house.gov/graves.

Mo. Lawmakers Outline Oral Chemotherapy Measure

Posted on January 15, 2014January 15, 2014

(AP) – A group of Missouri lawmakers joined health care advocates to outline a plan aimed at reducing the cost of pill-form chemotherapy.

The proposed legislation would require insurance companies to levy the same out-of-pocket costs for oral chemotherapy as they do for the traditional intravenous treatment.

The American Cancer Society said Wednesday that insurance companies can charge higher co-payments and deductibles for chemotherapy pills.

The proposed measure would impact only health plans that provide coverage for both types of treatments.

Rep. Sheila Solon, a Republican from Blue Springs, says the legislation would not increase premiums for cancer patients.

Twenty-seven other states and the District of Columbia have passed similar measures seeking to reduce the cost of the chemotherapy pills.

McCaskill Asks Target for Answers on Massive Data Breach

Posted on January 15, 2014January 15, 2014

Following one of the nation’s largest breaches of consumers’ personal data in history, the Chairmen of the Senate Commerce Committee and the Consumer Protection Subcommittee are asking the President and CEO of Target for the latest findings on the circumstances that permitted unauthorized access to the financial and personally identifying information of as many as 110 million Americans during the busiest shopping time of the year.

McCaskill's letter to Target — McCaskill’s letter to Target-click here for a closer look

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, along with Senator Jay Rockefeller, (D-W.V.), Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, wrote to Target asking for answers from the company’s information security officials, and advocating the need for greater protection for consumers.

“It has been three weeks since the data breach was discovered, and new information continues to come out,” the Senators wrote. “We expect that your security experts have had time to fully examine the cause and impact of the breach and will be able to provide the Committee with detailed information.”

Last month, it was reported that some 40 million Target customers’ financial information, including credit card numbers, were compromised between November 27, 2013, and December 15, 2013. Last week, Target announced that the breach was much larger than previously known-that personally identifying information on an additional 70 million consumers was also stolen in this breach. As many as 110 million consumers who shopped at Target’s U.S. stores, including the company’s 36 locations in Missouri, could have been impacted by the breach.

Ford recalls crossovers vehicles

Posted on January 15, 2014

(AP) — Ford Motor Co. is recalling 27,933 Edge crossovers in the U.S. because a damper in the fuel line could crack and cause fuel leaks.

The recall involves Edges from the 2012 and 2013 model years with 2.0-liter engines. All of the vehicles were produced between September 2010 and April 2013.

Ford said an improper manufacturing process could cause the damper to crack, resulting in fuel odor or leakage. Fuel leaks can lead to a vehicle fire.

Ford said it discovered the problem through warranty claims. There have been no reports of fires or injuries related to the defect.

Ford dealers will repair the fuel lines for free. The company will begin notifying owners next month.

FDA warns against high-dose prescription acetaminophen

Posted on January 15, 2014January 15, 2014

Have you ever taken Extra Strength Tylenol ? If you take it regularly, you could take more of the acetaminophen than is safe.

The FDA is recommending health care professionals discontinue prescribing and dispensing prescription combination drug products that contain more than 325 milligrams (mg) of acetaminophen per tablet, capsule or other dosage unit.

There are no available data to show that taking more than 325 mg of acetaminophen per dosage unit provides additional benefit that outweighs the added risks for liver injury.

Further, limiting the amount of acetaminophen per dosage unit will reduce the risk of severe liver injury from inadvertent acetaminophen overdose, which can lead to liver failure, liver transplant, and death.

Cases of severe liver injury with acetaminophen have occurred in patients who:

• took more than the prescribed dose of an acetaminophen-containing product in a 24-hour period;
• took more than one acetaminophen-containing product at the same time; or
• drank alcohol while taking acetaminophen products.

Teen charged in Mo. drug overdose death

Posted on January 15, 2014

A 17-year-old suburban Kansas City girl has been charged with manslaughter in the death of a 15-year-old who overdosed on a synthetic form of LSD she sold him.

Platte County prosecutor Eric Zahnd said Wednesday that Krista Meeks of Riverside admitted selling the imitation “acid” on Oct. 3 to two boys, ages 14 and 15. Both were taken to Children’s Mercy Hospital the next day after taking the drug.

The older boy died, and the autopsy report listed intoxication from a synthetic compound in the drug as the cause of death.

Police searched a Kansas City, Kan., home where Meeks said she bought the drug and found roughly 1,800 units.

A state public defender listed as her attorney in online court documents was not available Wednesday for comment.

Fugitive Wanted in Arizona Killings Caught in Mo.

Posted on January 15, 2014January 15, 2014

(AP) – A 28-year-old Arizona man wanted in connection with a double-homicide in Tucson has been arrested in Missouri after federal investigators tracked him to a Kansas City hotel.

The U.S. Marshals Service and local police found Michael Leday near the Crown Lodge Hotel in Kansas City around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, but he became suspicious and fled on foot. The Marshals Service says he was apprehended after “an intense 30-minute foot pursuit through heavily wooded areas and creek beds.”

Leday was wanted in the New Year’s Day slayings of 32-year-old Patrick Balbastro and 46-year-old Cindy Burnett. He’s also is accused of critically injuring Balbastro’s girlfriend.

Tucson police say Balbastro saw Burnett being assaulted and stopped to help. They say Leday got into Balbastro’s vehicle and ran over him, his girlfriend and Burnett.

Flu widespread in Missouri

Posted on January 15, 2014January 15, 2014

CDC flu Map- click here for a closer look

Missouri is reporting Widespread Influenza Activity to CDC, with 10,121 influenza cases reported season-to-date. This represents all laboratory and aggregate influenza reports. Widespread Activity is defined as: Increased and/or institutional outbreaks in at least half of the regions AND recent (within the past 3 weeks) lab confirmed influenza in the state.

A total of 12 specimens were received by the State Public Health Laboratory for viral testing during the past week; six were positive for 2009 H1N1 Influenza, one was positive for Influenza A H3, and five were negative. The most common influenza subtype detected by the State Public Health Laboratory has been 2009 H1N1 Influenza this season.
There have been no reported outbreaks or school closures due to Influenza-like Illness for the 2013-2014 season.
No pediatric influenza-associated deaths were report in Week 2, no pediatric deaths reported for the 2013-2014
season.