ST. JOSEPH – Henry “Ralph” Conard, 89 and 7 months, passed away Sunday, June 29, 2014 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cameron, Mo., after a lengthy illness with Parkinson’s disease.
He was born November 17, 1924 in Halls, Mo., son of Henry Clay and Mary Ella (Crossfield) Conard. He attended Hosea Elementary and Benton High School and the St. Joseph Junior College. He is a veteran of World War II serving in the United States Navy, from March 8, 1943 to January 29, 1946, as third class boatman in Bermerton, Wash. He also served in Alaska on the U.S.S. Hamul (AD20) Naval Ship he was awarded a Star and the American Area and the Victory medal USS APL28.
He was very proud of his military service. He worked at Swift and Company, Farmland, and AGP, and he also owned and operated the Deep Rock Service Station in the south side of St. Joseph.
He enjoyed volunteering for the last 20 years at Heartland Hospital in pastoral care service, he also held Bible service at Wesley Senior Towers. Ralph was a member of the former Hyde Valley United Methodist Church. He married Mildred Hegenderfer Thurn, on November 7, 1962 in St. Joseph, and she survives of the home.
Ralph is preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law, Randy West; four brothers, Ivan, Bill, Roy and James Conard; three sisters, Zetta Vann, Elsie Admire, and Kathleen Atkins Grieshaber.
Additional survivors include, two daughters, Cheryl Ann West and Jane Grace (Tony) Siela; a son, Kent (Carol) Conard all of St. Joseph; five grandchildren: Amy (Grover) Musser, Brandon (Jill) West, Bethany(Eric) George, Jared (Beth) Grace, and Kali (Bradley) Maloney; ten great grandchildren, Paige and Cade Musser, Courtney, Camren, and Ashlyn West, Zoe Maloney, Mason Grace, Madison Kovac, Shannon and Cameron Haws; a sister, Betty McCarty.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m., on Thursday, July 3, at Rupp Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., on Wednesday at Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials are requested to the Missouri Veteran’s Home in Cameron or the Parkinson Foundation. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

ST. JOSEPH – Bobbie P. Crawford, 87, died Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at a local healthcare facility.
He was born April 27, 1927 to Paul and Amber (Moore) Crawford in Trenton, Mo.
He married Sharon Kay Brown on August 20, 1961. She preceded him in death on January 15, 2011.
Bobbie was a Christian who liked bowling and woodworking and was truly an inventor with a great sense of humor.
Mr. Crawford was also preceded in death by his parents; and daughter-in-law, Marva Crawford.
Survivors: daughters, Connie Hunter (Bob), Osborn, Mo., Robin Shalz (Bobby), St. Joseph; sons, Bruce Crawford, St. Joseph, Rob Crawford (Diana), St. Joseph, Chris Crawford (Robin), Osborn, and Joseph Shawn Crawford (Karlan), Liberty, Mo.; 11 grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; brother, Charles Crawford (Lovice); sister, Cora Sue McCloud (Glen); cousin and best friend, Newt Crawford; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial Services: 11 a.m., Thursday, Salvation Army Church. Care provided by Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Jack D. Simmons Sr., 76, passed away Saturday, June 28, 2014 in a St. Joseph hospital.
He was born November 25, 1937 in St. Joseph, son of Jessie and Coy Simmons. He attended Central High School and married Clara Baker whom survives of the home. He worked at the Hy-Klas grocery as a baker, then was the owner operator of Simmons DX, then Simmons Muffler and Auto.
Jack enjoyed fishing, baseball, working on cars, he also enjoyed baking. he was very generous, enjoyed feeding lunch to all who came by the shop, customers or not.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Shawn Peacher; two brothers, Coy Jr., and Harlen Simmons; and a sister, Hilda Kerns.
Survivors include: wife, Clara of the home; two daughters, Debbie Simmons of Independence, Mo., and Jo Ann (Marc) Thompson of Blue Springs, Mo.; two sons, Jackie (Jeanette) Simmons Jr. and Michael (Dollie) Simmons, all of St. Joseph; nine grandchildren: Jenny Lynn, Jackie Lee, Christopher, Laura, Michael Jr.,Kaitlin, Kassidy, Trenton and Glenn; eight great-grandchildren; three sisters, Devona Cordonnier, and Donna Stewart both of St. Joseph, and Linda Cordonnier of Colorado Springs, Colo.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, July 2, 2014 at Rupp Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., on Tuesday at Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Williams Cemetery Dearborn, Mo. Memorials are requested to the Jack Simmons memorial fund in care of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

ST. JOSEPH – Kathleen “Kay” Norris McLean, 90, passed away Thursday, June 26, 2014 at a Kansas City hospice facility. She was born July 8, 1923 on a farm near Glasgow, Mo. She is the daughter of Della and Erskin Ballew. She married Melvin McLean on February 10, 1944 while he was on leave from WW II.
She graduated from Glasgow High School and attended business college. She was a homemaker, who was a very fine cook, and seamstress. She was active in the PEO Sisterhood, and her church the Wyatt Park Christian Church.
Kay was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin K. McLean; a sister, Ruth Ballew; and her parents.
She is survived by son, Kirt (Robin) McLean of Kansas City, Mo.; sister, Cindy (Tom) Schrader of Mission, Kan.; four grandchildren, Lindsay McLean, Nick McLean, Katie Schrader, and Jeff Schrader; four great-grandchildren, Mack, Harper, Olivia and Emma Kay; and two sisters, June Asbury, and Billie Gebhardt.
A memorial service will be held Monday, June 30, 2014 at 11 a.m., at the Wyatt Park Chritian Church. Dr. Scott Kilgore officiating. Cremation under the care of Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

ST. JOSEPH – Brenda Sue Hilliard, 56, left this earth for her heavenly home on Wednesday, June 25.
Brenda was born September 10, 1957 to Farrell and Doris Harding. She leaves her loving husband of 39 years, George Hilliard; two sons, Joshua (Jenn) Hilliard, of St. Joseph, and Jarod (Stephanie) Hilliard, of Independence, Mo.; and two precious grandchildren, Preston and Layla Hilliard; three siblings, Carolyn (Tom) Whisenand, San Diego, Calif., Robert (Debi) Harding, Lee’s Summit, Mo., and Gale Harding, San Diego; and four adored nieces, Kellie (Joe) Martinez, San Diego, Jessica (Aaron) Stewart, Lee’s Summit, Galea Albano, San Diego, and Melanie Harding, Lee’s Summit.
Brenda will be cherished and sadly missed by many friends and family. Her life was one of generosity, kindness and joy to all those she met. Brenda never met a stranger and could talk to everyone. She held a special place in her heart for seniors, whom she served in her many years as a waitress at local restaurants. She loved animals, especially her furry cat friends. Brenda was a true friend to many, who will greatly miss her smile and big heart. Brenda was a member of Wyatt Park Christian Church.
Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, July 5, 2014 from 1 to 4 p.m., at Wyatt Park Christian Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Wyatt Park Christian Church or the American Cancer Society. Arrangements, Heaton-Bowman-Smith and Sidenfaden Chapel, St. Joseph, Missouri.