ST. JOSEPH – Wooduard H. “Woody” Stracener, 85, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 18, 2014.
Wooduard H. Stracener was born on September 4, 1929 in Searcy, Ark., to Robert Herschel and Nellie (Free) Stracener. Woody moved to St. Joseph at the age of seven years old. He was a graduate of Central High School class of 1948. Woody proudly served in the United States Navy on the USS Trathen from 1951 until 1953.
On July 23, 1950 Woody married his sweetheart Eleanor Jean (Gillette) Stracener in Kansas City, Mo. They shared nearly 64 years of marriage. Eleanor preceded him in death on May 23, 2014.
After working for Beadnall Electric for many years and becoming a master electrician, Woody fulfilled his dream of owning his own business and began Stracener Electric, which he operated for over twenty years before his retirement.
Woody was a member of Francis Street First United Methodist Church, where he was an active member. He was proud to be a fifty year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, past member of the Elks Lodge, member of Charity Lodge #331, 32nd Degree Mason, Scottish Rite, Royal Order of Jesters, Friday Morning Breakfast Club, and Moila Shrine Temple where he was a member of the Legion of Honor and the Moila Cyclists since 1958.
He was also preceded in death by his parents; and grandson, Joshua Stracener.
Survivors: three children, Mark Stracener (Myong), Branson, Mo., Laura Bodicky (Mark), St. Joseph, and Gail Orstad (Chad), Gower, Mo.; nine grandchildren, Meagen Rankin (Chris), John and Shaun Weir, Ryan, Drew and Kathryn Bodicky and Caleb, Coleson and Taylor Orstad; three great-grandchildren, Davin, Joshua James “J.J.” Cassity and Nora Rankin; brother, Robert Stracener (Amy); sister, Betty Cooper; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial Services: 3 p.m., Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Inurnment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory, where friends may call after 5 p.m., Wednesday. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Moila Transportation Fund. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Alice Martina Schmitt, 90, died Monday, October 20, 2014, at St. Francis Hospital, Maryville.
Alice was born November 7, 1923, in Barnard, Mo., to Ernest Raffail and Myrtle Flora (Westfall) Nelson.
She and Harry Leland Schmitt were married July 5, 1942, in Troy, Kan. Alice was a member of the Maryville First Christian Church. She worked in the Parkdale Manor laundry department and then was a cook for the Maryville R-II school district at Eugene Field Elementary school.
Preceding in death: her husband, Harry Schmitt (June 1, 2000); son, Russell Schmitt (May 2, 1999); daughter, Shirley Elam (March 13, 2002); five sisters: Esther Elliott, Katherine Ward, Delores Nelson, Irene Powell, and Virginia Pauline Jann; three brothers: Floyd, Neal, and Virgil Nelson.
Alice is survived by four children: Barbara (Terry) Proffit; Sheridan, Wy.; Susan (Marty) Eckstein, Maryville; Lori (Terry) O’Riley, St. Joseph, and Don (Kathy) Schmitt, Clarinda, Iowa; seventeen grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren and two great-greatgrandchildren.
Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, at Price Funeral Home, Maryville. Funeral Services will be 10 a.m., Thursday, also at Price Funeral Home, with burial to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Maryville. www.pricefuneralhomemaryville.com

MOUND CITY, Mo. – Mary Ellen Wilson, 91, died Saturday, October 18, 2014 at a local healthcare facility.
She was born July 5, 1923 to Earl and Mayme (Fleming) Dunkelberger in Mound City.
She married George E. Wilson on December 5, 1947. He preceded her in death on June 9, 2014.
Mary worked at the Sanitarium in Savannah, Mo., after graduating from Mound City High School in 1947. She was a member of the 1st Christian Church in Mound City. She also belonged to the Sunshine Extension Club and the Cosmopolitan Club in Mound City. She was also a dedicated wife and homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Marshall and Frances Dunkelberger; and sister, Margaret Ray.
Survivors: sons, Gerald Wilson, Mound City, and Charles Wilson, Gower, Mo.; daughters, Jeanie Mackey, and Jane Moyers (Don), Mound City; six grandchildren, Matthew and Christopher Mackey, Michelle Baker (Steven), Amy Engeman (T.J.), Cody Moyers (Amanda), and Brittany Moyers (Christopher Brammann); seven great-grandchildren, Tate and Kye Mackey, Hailey and Grayson Baker, Nichole Brammann, Macy Moyers, and Mary Engeman; and close family friend, Judi Scarbrough.
Services: 10 a.m., Tuesday, Pettijohn and Crawford Funeral Home. Interment Mount Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 7:30 p.m., Monday, Pettijohn and Crawford Funeral Home. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Mound City Nutrition Site or Buchanan FFA Chapter in Gower. Online guest book and obituary at www.pettijohncrawford.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Mary B. Harness, 63, died Thursday, October 16, 2014 at Heartland Regional Medical Center.
She was born November 14, 1950 to Irvin and Anna (Honeycutt) Wilson in St. Joseph.
Mary married Marvin Lee Harness, Sr. on February 27, 1968. He survives of the home. She was a housewife and loved taking care of her children and grandchildren. Mary was a former member of Bible Baptist Temple. She enjoyed baking, crocheting, playing Bingo and in the 70’s she was in the Missouri CBers Club.
Mrs. Harness was preceded in death by her parents; son, Christopher Harness; and brothers, Bill, Johnie and Gene Wilson.
Additional Survivors: sons, Mike Harness (Caitlin), Marvin Harness, Jr. (Debra Auwarter) and Thomas Nigh; daughter, Diana Burkholder (Brian) and Barbara Ruark (Andy); eight grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; sisters, Beverly Bascue and Alice Langston; brothers, Herb and Henry Wilson; and several nieces and nephews.
Care provided by Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made to the funeral home to help defray funeral expenses. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

BURLINGTON JUNCTION, Mo. – Jane Black, 92, died Friday, October 17, 2014, at Parkdale Manor Care Center, Maryville, Mo.
Jane was born January 16, 1922, in Clearmont, Mo., to Kennard Charles and Elyda Arjin (Turpen ) Rogers. A graduate of Clearmont High School, she was a homemaker. She married Robert Black on October 21, 1939, in Tarkio, Mo., by Reverend Glenn T Beatty.
Jane was a member of the Burlington Jct, United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, and was local, District and Conference member of the church.
She was a Nodaway County Red Cross Volunteer since 1972 and member of the Red Cross Singers who sang at different care centers. She also was a volunteer at the Eisenhower V.A. Medical Center in Leavenworth, Kan.
Jane was a member of the Nodaway County Republican Women’s Club, a life member of the Rolla Dicks American Legion Post Unit #315, Burlington Junction, where she received a 65 year Auxiliary pin, a past Unit President, District President and was State President in 1963, a staff member of Missouri Girls State for 30 years and was Director of the program 11 years.
Jane was also a member of Salon #816, Eight and Forty, Rosanna Chapter O.E.S., Maryville, was a Past Matron of the Burlington Junction O.E.S. Chapter, a past District Deputy Grand Matron, and was Grand Representative of North Dakota.
Jane was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert Black; and son, Lauren Black; three brothers, Charles, Wallace, and Keith Rogers; two sisters, Elaine Younger and Joan Koeneke.
Survivors include: daughter, Leah Rae Miller, Maryville; two brothers, Dean Rogers, Wellsville, Kan., and Kennard “Buddy” Rogers, Lawrence, Kans.; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at 9 a.m., Monday and services will follow the visitation at 10 a.m., at the Burlington Junction United Methodist Church, with burial following in Ohio Cemetery, Burlington Junction.

COSBY, Mo. – Kenneth Vette, 83, passed away Friday, October 17, 2014 at his home.
Kenneth was born on February 19, 1931 at Westboro, Mo., to Fred W. and Ella (Rosenthal) Vette. Kenneth married the love of his life, Marilyn (Waller) Vette, on August 29, 1953 in Hurlingen, Mo.
He and his wife made their home and raised their family on the dairy farm. In addition to the farm life, he loved playing fast pitch softball as he would pitch left handed and bat right. He enjoyed horseback riding; specifically palominos. He was an avid Royals fan and enjoyed listening to their games as well as Missouri Western games. He was a handyman to all of his neighbors and never met a stranger. Kenneth was a member of the Hope United Church of Christ, the Masonic Lodge #600 in Cosby and the Cosby Lions Club.
In addition to his wife, survivors include daughter, Diane Anselmo (Mark) of Katy, Texas; daughter, Sharon Smith (Glenn); son, Duane Vette (Mary), and son-in-law, John Cox all of Cosby; three sisters, Dorothy Trail, St. Joseph; Darlene Hines (Lonnie) St. Joseph; Lois Turner (Ed), Chillicothe, Mo. Kenneth leaves five grandchildren, Marissa Anselmo-Hill, Cassandra Smith, Kiersten Vette-Whitsell, Austin Vette and Evan Vette; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Carla Cox; sisters, Margaret Linville and Violet Mae Vette.
Services 2 p.m., Monday at Hope United Church of Christ, Cosby. Interment Oakridge Cemetery, Cosby. The family suggests memorial contributions to Hope United Church of Christ or the American Heart Association.