ST. JOSEPH – Jennifer Anne Crawford, 47, passed away Friday October 3, 2014 at her home unexpectedly.
She was born February 18, 1967 in St. Joseph, daughter of Anita and David Crawford. She attended North Andrew High School, and was a Homemaker. She was a loving mother, grandmother and sister who had many cherished nieces, nephews and friends. She never knew a stranger and she will be missed by all who knew her. Jennifer loved collecting Angels, and she is now with them as she loved so well. Jennifer was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Oneta and Delmer Stotts; paternal grandmother, Christine Davis; paternal grandfather, Charles “Ed” Crawford.
She is survived by her parents, David and Anita Crawford of St. Joseph; two daughters, Jessica (Richard) Hughes, St. Joseph and Lorena Wallace of Seattle, Wash.; a son, Curtis Brown of Seattle; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brother, Dean (Vickie) Crawford of Conception, Mo.; two sisters, Patrea (Patrick) Phipps and DaNita Crawford both of St. Joseph; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
She will be cremated under the care of Rupp Funeral Home. There will be a graveside memorial service conducted at 3 p.m., Monday, at the Fillmore Cemetery, Fillmore, Mo. Memorials are requested to the Jennifer Crawford memorial fund in care of Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

ST. JOSEPH – Olga (Spencer) Bates, 83, St. Joseph, Missouri went to heaven on October 3, 2014.
She was born September 26, 1931 in Clarksdale, Mo., to R. Clay and Mabel Trussell.
She went to grade school and high school in Clarksdale, and Platte-Guard Business School in St. Joseph.
Olga married Darrell Spencer on March 9, 1951. They made their home in Clarksdale, moved to Columbia, Mo., in 1960 and then to Longmont, Colo., in 1971. She later married Joseph Bates.
Survivors: daughters, Cindy VanDuyne, St. Joseph and Ann Milewski, New Hampshire; grandchildren, Stacy VanDuyne, Colorado, Jesse Nichols, Colorado, Clovis Spencer, New Hampshire, Amanda Harvey (Mike), Arthur Maguire and Matthew Maguire, New Hampshire; great grandsons, Dylan and Jeremiah Jenkins, Colorado and Connor Joseph Harvey, New Hampshire; sister, Octa Enslow, Colorado; and brother-in-law, Dennis Spencer, Missouri.
She was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother and aunt. Olga will be greatly missed.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Clay and Mabel Trussell; husbands Darrell Spencer and Joseph Bates; sisters, Glenna Wood, Nita Trussell and J.W. Trussell; and son-in-law, Joseph Milewski.
Memorial Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Hawman Center, Clarksdale. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Donald R. Wykert, 72, died Friday, October 3, 2014 at his home.
He was born November 16, 1941 in Highland, Kan., to Harold and Gladys (Harness) Wykert.
Donald married Janet K. Benner September 3, 1971. She survives of the home.
Mr. Wykert served in the United States Army. He had farmed in the Amazonia area. He was a member of the Amazonia Lions Club and former Mason and Shrine member.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and daughter, Kelli Wykert.
Survivors: wife, Janet Wykert; two daughters, Kari Tyree (Dave) and Traci Wykert; two step children, Kenny Tanner (Debbie) and Kelly Walls (Jeffrey); two sisters, Dixie Meng (Bob) and Pat Masters (Terry); two brothers, Johnny Wykert (Nanci) and Jimmy Wykert; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial Services: 1 p.m., Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. The family suggests memorial gifts to Hands of Hope Hospice, Green Valley Baptist Church or Amazonia Lions Club. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

AMAZONIA, Mo. – Connie Lou (Allison) Black, 66, of Amazonia, Mo., passed away Thursday, October 2, 2014 at KU Medical Center.
She was born in Maysville, Mo., on July 1, 1948 to J.W. and Louise (Smith) Allison. Connie was a 1966 graduate of Benton High School and attended St. Joseph Junior College.
She married Victor L. (Buck) Black on September 12, 1970. Connie worked various jobs including Bill Kinney Drug Store, TSC, Riss Truck Lines, and Presto-x Pest Control. Co-Owner of Country Flowers & Gifts (Maysville), Owner of the Third Street Gifts and was currently Secretary and Vice President of Black Gunite Inc.
She was a member of the Amazonia United Methodist Church, Beta Sigma Phi sorority, Roubidoux Rebekah Lodge and manager of SAB LLC. She was active in the Amazonia community.
Connie was preceded in death by her father, J.W. Allison; and step father, Wayne McFee.
Surviving of the home is husband, Buck and granddaughter, Cayla; additional survivors include daughter, Buffy; grandsons, Remy and Tesla; granddaughters, Sophia and Iceland; mother, Louise (Allison) McFee of Maysville; brothers, Harold Allison (Jackie) of Weatherby, Ron Allison (Deb) of St. Joseph, Jim Allison (Joni) of Amazonia and Holley Allison (Shelly)of St. Joseph; sister, Donna Swope (Danny) of Maysville; father-in-law, Bill Black (Juanita) of Savannah; and sister-in-law, Janie Post (Rich) of Maysville.
Services: 3 p.m., Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Memorials may be made out to Camp Quality, Noyes Home for Children or Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

WATHENA, Kan. – Karen Bittiker Eberhardt, 72, passed away Saturday, October 4, 2014, at Wathena Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Wathena, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Born February 16, 1942 in St. Joseph, she was the daughter of Anne Elizabeth Stiles Cole and Leman Joseph Bittiker. Karen attended Wathena School while helping her father raise her younger siblings. She worked many years as a waitress and especially enjoyed her last years at Hawkins Cafe, in St. Joseph. She also operated a daycare in her home for many years. In 1956 she was married to James W. O’Rourke, who preceded her in death in 1977. Karen later married Lyle Eberhardt, who remained a dear friend after their divorce, and survives in St. Joseph. Karen enjoyed baking and cooking homemade meals for her family, especially for holiday gatherings. She loved gardening and canning, and especially enjoyed her tradition of making homemade Christmas candy and fudge for friends and relatives.
She is survived by four daughters, Carrie Hampton of Parkville, Mo., April Arnett of California, Mo., Dawn O’Rourke of Trenton, Mo., and Terry Ebling of Kansas City, Mo.; one son, James W. O’Rourke of Gallatin, Mo.; one granddaughter, Lindsey Martin of St. Joseph, who Karen raised; one sister, Sherye Gibson of Pasadena, Texas; and two brothers, Ken Daley Bittiker of Fort Worth, Texas, and Gary Lee Bittiker of Wichita Falls, Texas; ten grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by both parents; four brothers – Lloyd Dean “Poochie” Bittiker, Wesley Lee Bittiker, Danny Joe Bittiker, and Larry Dean Bittiker; and one grandson, Christopher Martin Terry.
A memorial service for family and close friends will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, with visitation from 2 to 3 p.m. at Rupp Funeral Home, St. Joseph, MO. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

ST. JOSEPH – Rosella (Boner) Ross, 79, passed away Sunday October 5, 2014 at a local health care center.
Rosella was born on December 30, 1934 in Stanberry, Mo., to John Virgil and Anna Leora (Lint) Boner.
She worked as a sewing machine operator at the Stanberry Cap Factory and retired from the Bethany Cap Factory. She attended First Baptist Church in Stanberry and loved her family and attending family events.
Rosella was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Clifford, Hobert and Bill Boner; sisters, Gertrude Shaffer Messner, Mary E. Scott and Ola Williams.
Surviving family includes sons, Larry Collings and Albert (Gidge) Ross; daughters, Rose Anna (Gary) Hughes and Lora Lea Ross, all of St. Joseph; and Sandra (Richard) Parham, of Rushville, Mo.; nine grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Services 10 a.m., Wednesday at Heaton-Bowman-Smith and Sidenfaden Chapel. Interment High Ridge Cemetery, Stanberry.
Visitation will begin after 11 a.m., Tuesday at our chapel, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday evening.

HAMILTON, Mo. – Allen Dale Sauter, 53, passed away Sunday October 5, 2014 at his home.
He was born November 28, 1960 in Oceanside, Calif. He attended Benton High School, and worked on the construction and concrete field all his life. He was an avid Chiefs, Nascar and Royals fan.
Allen was preceded in death by his father, Dale Sauter; and brother, Larry Biggs.
He is survived by mother, Lois (Biggs) Sauter; and Mother, Charlotee Wells; a son, Allen Dale Sauter and his wife of Japan; two grandchildren; seven brothers: Ronald (Kelly) Sauter, Gary Wells, Brian (Shantell) Wells, all of St. Joseph; Randy Biggs of Florida, Tim Biggs of Arizona, and Ritchie Biggs of St. Joseph; three sisters, Monica (Eric) Shellenberger, Brenda (Bill) Goodwin of Amazonia, and Theresa Adkins of St. Joseph; and his special caretaker, Angela Mobley of Hamilton. A celebration of his life will be from 2 to 6 p.m., Saturday, October 18th, 2014 at the VFW Post 6760 at 306 Cherokee. He has been cremated under the care of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

ST. JOSEPH – John David Kemmer, M.A.I., 86, died Sunday, October 5, 2014 at Heartland Regional Medical Center. He was born April 9, 1928 to Carl and Irene (Simms) Kemmer in St. Joseph.
John married Dona Richardson on October 6, 1951. She survives of the home.
Mr. Kemmer was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Charles Lee, Louis and Joseph Kemmer; and sister, Helen Roth.
Additional Survivors: daughter, Kathy Schwamberger (Thomas), Clearwater, Fla.; son. John Christian Kemmer, Clearwater; grandchildren, Christian Thomas Schwamberger, Aaron Michael and John Robert Kemmer; great-grandchildren, Ashlynn and Maverick Schwamberger; sisters, Carolyn O’Brien and Patricia Clark (Mel); and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was a member of Knights of Columbus and American Legion Post #359. He retired from the Missouri Department of Highway and Transportation, as a right of way appraiser during which time he was awarded designated membership in the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers. After retirement from MODOT, he opened Kemmer Appraisals Incorporated.
He enjoyed restoring cars and was an avid model railroad hobbyist. Loving nature he gardened and enjoyed the birds in his yard.
Mass of Christian Burial: 10 a.m., Thursday, St. Joseph Cathedral Catholic Church, where he was a member. Burial at St. Joseph Cemetery, Easton, Mo. Parish Rosary 6 p.m., Wednesday, followed by visitation at Meierhoffer Funeral Home, where friends may call after 1:30 p.m., Wednesday. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Elinor R. Greer, 87, formerly of Arizona, passed away peacefully Friday, October 3, 2014.
She was born February 7, 1927 to Theodore and Nanny Griffy in LaVeta, Colo.
Elinor married John Greer on May 30, 1951 in Phoenix, Ariz. He survives of the home.
Additional Survivors: sons, Tom, Larry (Becky) Mick, Ted and Darrell (Vanessa), Arizona; daughter, Becky Brooner (Kirby), St. Joseph; sister, Edith Carpenter; fourteen grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren
Care provided by Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Services will be held at a later date. The family requests memorials to Hands of Hope Hospice or Community of Christ Church. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.