ST. JOSEPH – Sherri Lynn Jones, 63, passed away Sunday September 14, 2014. She was born March 11, 1951 in St. Joseph.
She graduated from Lafayette high school and attended a year at Hillyard Technical. She was worked at as a Homemaker. She enjoyed crafting and making things for her grandchildren.
Sherri was preceded in death by her mother, Louella Judd.
She is survived by daughter, Trieste (Charles) Runnels; two sons, Mark (Heather) Jones, and Kevin Chipps and companion, (Katlin Brown) all of St. Joseph; ten grandchildren: Michael, Daytona, Cera, Raven, Kimber, Breton, Jerle, Conner, Nicholas, and Damian.
She will be cremated under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home.There will be a private family memorial service to be held at a later date. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

ST. JOSEPH – Rev. Orval “Byron” Stewart, 93, died Monday, September 15, 2014 at a local healthcare facility.
He was born September 22, 1920 to Sanders Paul and Mary Elizabeth (Cummings) Stewart in Kansas City, Missouri.
Orval married Bertha Lee on June 1, 1941. She preceded him in death.
Mr. Stewart served in the United States Army during World War II and was a member of the Bulge Busters where he remained for the duration of the war. He was later transferred to Little Rock, Arkansas where he was charged with guarding German prisoners. He attended Southwest Baptist College and later received his Certificate of Christian Education from Midwestern Theological Seminary. Orval was the pastor for 18 years at the 11th Street Baptist Church. He also worked at Mead.
Orval loved fishing, working with flowers, and working in his garden. He also liked working on cars and even completely restored a pickup truck including the motor.
He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; son-in-law, Edward Martin; grandson, Michael Stewart; and brothers, Paul and Robert Stewart.
Survivors: sons, Jimmie Stewart, Sr. (Barbara), Paris, Mo., and Robert Melvin Stewart (Linda), St. Joseph; daughters, Norma Jean Martin, St. Joseph, Sheryl Helsel (Eddie), Easton, Mo., and Karen Pruitt (John), Shelby, Ohio; daughter-in-law, Leola Stewart, St. Joseph; ten grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; brother, Wendall Marvin Stewart, St. Joseph; and several nieces and nephews.
Services: 3 p.m., Thursday, Patee Park Baptist Church. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, they may be made to the family. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

HIAWATHA, Kan. – Robert L. “Bobby” Christie, 46, died Friday, September 12, 2014.
Celebration of Life 6 p.m. Saturday, September 20, 2014, Fairview Community Building, 511 West Front Street, Fairview, Kan.
Mr. Christie was a member of the Kansas Cremation Service. Online guestbook and obituary at www.kansascremation.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Opal R. Heater, 96, died Saturday, September 13, 2014 at a local healthcare facility.
She was born December 24, 1917 to Homer and Bessie (Salmons) Wheeler in Savannah, Mo. Opal married Robert Heater on September 30, 1944. He preceded her in death in 1970.
Opal’s father did not have to enlist in the Army in 1917 because he had a new infant daughter. During World War II, Opal was a “Rosie the Riveter.” She made rifle shells at Remington Arms in Independence where she met her future husband on the production line.
Mrs. Heater worked for Whitaker Cable and Sherwood Medical as an assembler. She retired at age 75 when the plant closed after the flood in 1993. She was a member of King Hill Baptist Church. Mrs. Heater was a cake decorator and enjoyed working with ceramics.
She was also preceded in death by her parents; brothers, William L and Roland Wheeler; and sisters, Doris K. Wilson and Viola Wheeler.
Survivors: son, Bob Heater (Jackie); grandsons, Justin and Preston Bruckshaw; and great-grandsons, Taylor and Bensen Bruckshaw, all of St. Joseph.
Services: 1 p.m., Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Interment Mount Zion Cemetery, Gower, Mo. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to the American Diabetes Association or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Dr. Elwyn K. DeVore, 94, retired Dean and Distinguished University Professor, College of Business, Government and Computer Science, passed away Saturday, September 13, 2014, at Golden Living Center in Maryville.
Dr. DeVore was born July 24, 1920, in Clarksdale, Mo., to Kyle A. and Florence (Huffman) DeVore. Elwyn and Emma Brown were married April 5, 1942, in St. Joseph.
A member of St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic Church he also served on the Parish Council. He was also a member of Maryville Country Club. He served his country in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II.
A 1938 graduate of Central High School in St. Joseph, he went on to achieve his Bachelor of Science in 1942 from Northwest Missouri State Teacher’s College and Master of Science in 1951 from Oklahoma State University. He next pursued graduate work at the University of Colorado and University of Kansas and obtained his Doctorate in Business Administration in 1959 from Indiana University.
Dr. DeVore taught and coached for high schools in Quitman, Mo., Maryville and Creston, Iowa 1946 to 1950.
While with Northwest Missouri State, he established Small Business Administration Programs; business programs in Agri-Business, Industrial Technology and Fashion Merchandising, including M.S. and M.B.A. degrees and weekend M.B.A. programs in both Maryville and St. Joseph.
He served on many NWMSU committees, including Athletic, and Rank and Promotion; Small Business Advisory Committee for the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce. He was secretary/treasurer, member of the Board of Directors and President (1968-1969) of Midwest Business Administration Association, an organization of college and university business faculty.
Preceding him in death were his parents, step-father Claude Garrow and sister June Ellis.
Surviving him is his wife of 72 years, Emma DeVore of their home in Maryville; son, Mark (Sherry) DeVore, Branson, Missouri; two daughters, Jean Ann (Wayne) Mertens, Omaha, Neb.; and Mary Sue (Dwight) Tompkins, Sacramento, Calif.; seven grandchildren: Major Jarrod A. (Charlotte) DeVore USMC, Adrien Erickson, Dathan DeVore, Jase (Heather) Johnson, Keegan (Cyndi) Johnson, Jenna (Kevin) Townsend, and Kimberly Tompkins and four great-grandchildren.
Dr. DeVore has been cremated.
A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m.,Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic Church in Maryville.
Mass of Christian Burial, 11 a.m., also at the church, followed by Inurnment at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Maryville.

ST. JOSEPH – Kent L. Clark, 63, died Friday, September 12, 2014 at his home.
He was born February 3, 1951 to George and Eunice (Bumbacher) Clark in Arkansas City, Kan.
Kent married Randi Johnson on October 21, 2002 in Las Vegas, Nev. She survives of the home.
He was a graduate of Lafayette High School and worked at Altec for ten years and managed many body shops.
Mr. Clark enjoyed gardening, cooking and NASCAR, though he most enjoyed making people smile.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, George Clark; twin brother, Keith Clark; and son, Matt Maretoli.
Additional Survivors: children, Holly Keling (Todd), Cale Clark, Amanda Maretoli and Tammy Flowers (Doug), all of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Tre Flowers, Tori Flowers, Ashleigh McClurg, Macy Keling, Matti Maretoli, Maximus Maretoli and Kenlee Maretoli; brother, Joe Clark (Pam), St. Joseph; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Celebration of Life: 7 p.m., Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Inurnment Whispering Pines Cremation Garden at St. Joseph Memorial Park at a later date. The family will receive friends 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations to be sent to the grandchildren’s mission fund in c/o Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

CAMERON, Mo. – Steven A. Mallory, 90, died Thursday, September 11, 2014 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cameron.
He was born February 6, 1924 to Ray and Sally (Groom) Mallory in DeKalb, Mo.
Steven proudly served in the United States Navy during World War II and the Korean Conflict. Steven saw action in the Pacific and went down on the USS O’Brien after being torpedoed by a Japanese Submarine. He worked for Quaker Oats for over forty years.
He went to a lot of the Navy and World War II reunions and kept up with his Quaker friends at their monthly coffee meetings at Betty’s Café.
Mr. Mallory was an avid hunter, fisherman, enjoyed traveling, horseback riding and square dancing. He also enjoyed board games, playing cards, jigsaw puzzles and gardening. Steven attended Brookdale Presbyterian Church.
He was preceded in death by three wives, Itrice, Mildred and Eva; his parents; two sisters, Margaret and Sarah; and one brother, Bob.
Survivors: children, Steven W. Mallory (Theresa), Scott Mallory, Wanda Vieth, Ellen Blackburn (Tom), Edward Anderson (Geneva), Larry Boeh (June) and Marsha Bumphrey; fourteen grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; sister, Leatha; numerous nieces and nephews; step-daughters, Ellen Blackburn and Marsha Bumphrey; step-sons, Ed Anderson and Larry Boeh.
Services: 10 a.m., Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Wilford Elroy Searle, 62, passed away Thursday, September 11, 2014. He was born March 24, 1952 in Alva, Okla., son of Beulah and Darold Searle.
He worked at Everett Quarry’s as a Truck Driver. He was a Baptist.
Wilford was preceded in death by his parents; son, Ronald Ray Searle; two brothers, Dewayne Searle, and John Harding.
Survivors include, former wife, Patricia Hatfield of Saint Joseph; two sons, Brian and Seth; two daughters, Lorie Jean Smith, and Misty Searle; eight grandchildren; two brothers, Darold Searle Jr. and Lloyd Harding.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m., Tuesday, at the Rupp Chapel, Rev. Albert Shirley officiating.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Bethel Cemetery . Memorials are requested to the Wilford Searle Memorial fund in care of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

ST. JOSEPH – JoAnn Crockett, 86, passed away Thursday, September 11, 2014 at her home. She was born February 26, 1928 in St. Joseph, daughter of Charlotte and Willard Collier.
She graduated from Benton high school (1946) with honors, and Hillyard Technical, with Nursing Degree in 1972. She married Jerry Crockett her long time companion on June 6, 2014, and he survives of the home.
She worked for Doctor Crist for many years and also was a Psychiatric Nurse. She was active in ROTC and was an Honor Student, at Benton, and enjoyed tennis when she was young, she was very athletic, she also enjoyed painting, photography, crocheting, and loved her kitty’s Misty, Patches, and Scruffy. She was a member of King Hill Christian.
JoAnn was preceded in death by first husband, Harold R. Still; second husband, Raymond Charles; her parents; and her sister, Patricia Barker.
Survivors include, husband, Jerry D. Crockett of the home; three daughters, Janet (John) Wollenman of Gladstone, Mo., Cindy (Don) Roephler of Baldwin, N.D., and Rebecca White and her companion, Tommy Tucker of Springdale, Ark.; step sons, Michael Crockett, Boise, Idaho, Jeff (Val) Crockett, Redmond, Wash., Chris (Amy) Crockett, Boise, and Scott (Danielle) Crockett of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Rachel Rochier, Melissa Parker, Jenny Rush, Philip Parton, and Kate Christgen; ten great-grandchildren; her sister, Paulette (Ivan) Schrock of Hutchison, Kan.; brother-in-law, Gene Barker of St. Joseph.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m., on Monday, September 15, 2014 at Rupp Funeral Home, with Scott Jensen officiating, The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Bethel Cemetery. Memorials are requested to the Meadowview Nursing Facility or Humane Society. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Milton J. “BOOB” Day, 91, passed away peacefully Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at Heartland Regional Medical Center.
He was born July 20, 1923 to Ben and Rose (Carmen) Daynovsky. He married Grace Steinberg on December 25, 1949.
“BOOB” a name his brother gave him in his youth, proudly served in the Air Force during WWII. He flew 40 missions as a navigator and ball turret gunner in a B-24, and also received the Purple Heart.
He received a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of South Dakota and his masters from the University of Missouri. He started his teaching career in Agency and Faucett and in 1954 at St. Joseph Central, where he also helped coach basketball, football, and track. In 1968, he became the Director of Secondary Education for the St. Joseph School District and retired from that position in 1984. After his retirement he went on to work at Missouri Western State University, where he supervised student teachers.
BOOB was very active in sports, especially handball, bowling, basketball, and slow-pitch softball, which he played until he was 70.
Mr. Day was a member of the St, Joseph Lodge No. 78, A.F. & A.M., Scottish Rite; Moila and also former member of the Lions Club. He served as a board member of Temple B’Nai Sholem and former board member of The American Red Cross.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Isadore Day; sisters, Sarah Silverman, Ethel Rosenstein, and Ann Defrin.
Survivors: wife, Grace; children, Douglas Day, of Los Angeles, Calif., and Allison Day and her husband, James Feltman of Coconut Grove, Fla.; grandchildren, Rachel Day of New York, N.Y., Dr. Richard Feltman and wife, Nicole of New York, and Nicole Merrill of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; two great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Bernice Day; brother-in-law, Harry Steinberg; five nieces and one nephew, numerous great-nieces and great-nephews; and his caregiver Elizabeth Ballard.
Services: 2 p.m., Sunday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Interment B’Nai Yaakov Cemetery. The family will receive friends 7 to 8:30 p.m., Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. For those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Temple B’Nai Sholem, American Red Cross or a charity of donor’s choice. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.