ST. JOSEPH – Erin Leslie Hook was born on March 30, 1993 to Ron L. and Leslie Robin Hook of St. Joseph and died unexpectedly on March 1, 2014 due to an auto accident.
Erin was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Gene Hook and is survived by her parents, Ron and Robin, her brother and his wife, Ryan and Sydni Hook, her maternal grandparents, Dick and Joann Humphrey, her paternal grandmother, Mary Hook, and aunts and uncles, Mark and Gayle Babcock, Neal and Diane Hook, Bruce and Karen Humphrey, Doug and Virginia Humphrey, her cousins Gina Babcock, Jayme and Caleb Gudde, Josh and Erica Babcock, Jake Humphrey, Steph Humphrey, Brittany Hanning, Dalton Humphrey and Drake Humphrey.
Erin’s passion in life was teaching. She was to graduate in May 2014 with a bachelor of science in elementary education from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. Her love of children was obvious to everyone. Erin had just started her student teaching with first graders at Ridgeview Elementary School in Warrensburg.
Erin lived every day to the absolute fullest. While in high school at St. Joseph Christian, she lettered in volleyball, basketball and track, was a cheerleader, was involved in the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and junior class treasurer. During her senior year, she was the St. Joseph Christian nominee for the YWCA’s Women of Excellence, Emerging Leader category, and graduated at the top of her class.
After high school Erin decided to attend the University of Central Missouri and to pledge Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority. She immediately joined many of her sorority’s committees, including the Risk Management Committee, Social Committee, Alumni Committee and the Sisterhood Committee. She served on the Executive Board and helped organize the “Big Pink” volleyball tournament that raised thousands of dollars for the Susan G. Komen and Johnson County Cancer Foundations. She thoroughly enjoyed participating in intramural sports on campus.
Erin completed her coursework for her degree in elementary education in three years. She was as intense about her school work as she was about being involved on campus. She was a member of the Rho Lambda Sorority Honor Society, the Vice President of Kappa Delta Pi Educational Honors Fraternity, Gamma Chi Sorority Recruitment Counselor and would have graduated with a 3.6 on a 4.0 scale. Erin substitute taught for the Warrensburg School District three days a week in her Fall semester 2013. She was on the Dean’s list for four semesters. Erin’s peers in education thought very highly of her and elected her as Treasurer of the Student Missouri State Teacher’s Association.
Erin was a member of the King Hill Christian Church and was baptized on Christmas Eve 2003. Erin had a strong faith in the Lord and led a Christ centered life every day, standing firm in her beliefs. She was very active in her church as a deaconess, Sunday School and bible school teacher. She spearheaded and organized a mission trip for disaster relief in Joplin, Missouri, in 2011 and a mission trip to Oaxaca, Mexico, where they repaired and painted buildings, and held bible school for one week in 2013. Erin had great compassion for all of the children she met while there.
Erin’s smile and energy were infectious. She was a good friend, cared about others and because of her excitement, her optimism spilled over into the lives of others, encouraging them to be positive in all things. Erin had an enthusiasm for learning, a spunky sense of humor, an outgoing personality, and most of all a laugh that you couldn’t forget. Erin’s motto in life was to “Live with a Purpose” which she exhibited every day.
Erin loved her pets, Cal, Jeter and Josey, and her cat, Destiny. She loved being crafty and inventive, qualities that also made her a good teacher. Her family was very important to her, and she loved spending time with them, vacationing at the Lake of the Ozarks, Bella Vista, and at family gatherings. Her family and friends loved her very much and will miss her dearly.
Funeral Service will be 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 9, 2014 at King Hill Christian Church with Pastor James Sones officiating. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday at King Hill Christian Church.
Donations may be made to King Hill Christian Church to fund a teaching scholarship in her honor.
Services are under direction of Clark-Sampson Funeral Home. Online obituary and condolences at www.clarksampson.com

ST. JOSEPH – Andrea Lee (Taylor) Wood, 47, passed peacefully with her family at her side on March 2, 2014.
Born December 17, 1966, in Columbia Mo., Andrea was raised in St. Joseph attending Eugene Field Elementary School and graduating from Central High School. Andrea graduated from her beloved University of Missouri, at Columbia, receiving a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Educational Studies as well as her Doctor of Education Degree. Andrea further received Masters and Specialists Degrees from Northwest Missouri State University at Maryville, Mo.
Andrea had a successful career as an Educator both in teaching and administration. She began her career as a third grade teacher at Mark Twain Elementary School in St. Joseph. She left the class room when she was selected as one of twenty-eight teachers in the State of Missouri’s initial STARR (Select Teachers as Regional Resources) program in which she served for two years after which she returned to the St. Joseph School District Office serving in several capacities including School Improvement Program Coordinator, Summer School Coordinator and Academic Assessment Coordinator.
Andrea married her husband John in 2003 and they moved to the St. Louis, Mo. Area where Andrea assumed the position of Coordinator of Student Assessment with the Parkway School District. Several years later they moved to Jefferson City Mo. and Andrea Took the position of Director of Assessment with the Missouri State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education wherein among other things she was responsible for the preparation, administration and assessment of the State wide MAP test. Andrea culminated her career in St. Joseph as a sixth grade teacher at Coleman Elementary School from which she retired in 2013.
In her earlier years Andrea was a varsity athlete in golf and swimming and an accomplished vocalist singing with Central’s concert and show choirs and the New Generation Singers. She performed in several Musical productions in High School as well as community productions at Krug Park Bowl. Andrea tirelessly volunteered in numerous community affairs including Young Life, Arts Fund Drive, Trails West, Junior League, National Reading Association and American Cancer Society. Andrea was very pleased to have been designated as a “Torch Bearer” in the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Torch Relay.
Most of all Andrea was known as a loving, selfless, and generous wife, mother, daughter, sister, cousin and friend.
Andrea was predeceased by her paternal grandparents, Joseph and Veda Taylor; maternal grandfather, Ted Faulkner; brother, Sean; and cousin, Gregory.
Andrea is survived by her loving husband, John L. Wood; her beautiful children, whom she loves very much Taylor and Brooke; her parents, Errol and Sherry Taylor; her grandmother, Helen Faulkner; and wonderful cousins. Andrea will be heart achingly missed by all the loved ones she leaves behind.
Services: 10 a.m. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

ST. JOSEPH – James “LeRoy” Hamilton, 95, died Monday, March 3, 2014 at Heartland Regional Medical Center.
He was born January 1, 1919 to James and Ruth (Young) Hamilton in Bedford, Iowa. He married Margaret Speer, January 4, 1945.
LeRoy proudly served as a Master Sergeant in the Army during World War II. He worked at Stuppy’s Flower Company for 27 years and later at Wyeth Company for 10 years until his retirement.
He loved his Country music and also played guitar. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling, and camping with his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors: wife of 69 years, Margaret; brother, Lloyd Hamilton; and all of his loving nieces and nephews.
Graveside Service and Interment: 10 a.m. Friday, 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 Wesley United Methodist Church. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Clarice Elizabeth Crawford, 87, passed away Sunday, March 2, 2014 in a Blue Springs, Mo., health care center. She was born August 29, 1926 in St. Joseph. She graduated from Lafayette High School and married John H. Crawford Jr. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She a Homemaker and a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Clarice was preceded in death by husband, John Henry Crawford Jr.; her father, Eldridge Chandlee; mother, Helen Kenney; and her husband Harvey.
Survivors include five sons, John “Sam” H Crawford III and wife Melody, of Brandon, Fla., Timothy Crawford and wife Wendie of Gower, Mo., Bill Crawford, and wife Melody of Gladstone, Mo., Ken Crawford and Kevin Crawford both of St. Joseph, two daughters, Pat Chung and husband Dr. Richard of Blue Springs, Mo., and Eileen Shipp and husband Larry of Overland Park, Kan.; 14 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and a brother, Howard Chandlee and wife Gwen of Oceanside, Calif.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 7, 2014, at 11 a.m., at the St. James Catholic Church, Father Evan Harkins Celebrant. The Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m., Thursday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m., on Thursday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Mount Olivet Cemetery. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Esther L. Cannon, 90, passed away Thursday February 27, 2014 at her home in St. Joseph. She was born October 8, 1923 in Colridge, Neb., and the daughter of Elsie and William Mallett. She graduated from the South Sioux City High School and worked at Sioux City Battery for eight years.
Esther lived in South Sioux City Nebraska until moving to St. Joseph in 2001. She enjoyed quilting, flowers, horses, and owned a horse named Tony. She was a member of the Evangelistic Temple.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Ted, Howard and Bud Mallett; and a sister, Adeline Mallett. She is survived by four daughters, Gwendolyn Lee Cannon of St. Joseph; Susan (Arnold) Thompson of Sioux City, Iowa; Barbara (Robert) Guinn and Debra Duncan all of St. Joseph; a son, Robert Lee (Sandra) Cannon of Sioux City; a sister, Ann (Richard) Krone of Sioux City; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She also had a dog Baby.
A Memorial service will be held Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 2 p.m. at the Rupp Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m., on Saturday at the Rupp Funeral Home. She will be cremated under the care of the Rupp Funeral Home. The Inurnment will be at the Dakota City Cemetery. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com