ST. JOSEPH – Concepcion “Connie” Dolores Willoughby, 90, departed for heaven from her beloved home on Tuesday, October 28, 2014.
Connie was born on February 20, 1924 to John and Mildred (Gray) Alvarez in Elwood, Kan. She was a quiet and gentle soul who was a loving mother, sister and grandmother. Her wisdom and encouragement will be greatly missed.
Connie enjoyed puttering around the home, she loved spending time in her yard and at family gatherings. She was a talented seamstress sewing for her children and grandchildren as well as Stetson Hat Company for many years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; son, Gerald; infant daughter, Mary Teresa; sister, Patricia McDowell; and brothers Raymond and John Alvarez.
Connie is survived by her children and their spouses; Sandy Turner (Al), Dr. Robert J. Willoughby (Christine), Pat and Babs, Vincent Willoughby (Laura), Mary Nelson (John), Lora Vacca (Brian), and Lisa Phillips (Craig); 18 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; sister, Margarita Stetson; brother, Ralph Alvarez; and several nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial: 10 a.m., Friday, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Inurnment: Ashland Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Norma Jean (Walker) Lindensmith Gallagher, 81, died Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at her home.
She was born February 13, 1933 to Chester and Alta (Walls) Walker in St. Joseph.
Norma was a 1950 graduate of Benton High School and she retired from Missouri Western State University after 25 years as personal secretary to the president of the college.
Norma was actively involved in the Pony Express Museum, the Runcie Club, Questers, Flower Society, Inklings Book Club, and her beloved CAJ Club of which she had been part of for over 60 years. She was also very proud to design the garden at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Jerry Lindensmith; son, Philip Lindensmith; and step-son, Mark Gallagher.
Survivors: her husband, Dan Gallagher of the home; son, Mark Lindensmith (Gaytha); brother, Donald Walker; step-children, Susie Kovac (Mark), Julie Gallagher, Kristi Nikes (Greg), Jeff Lawson (Roxie), and Lisa Gawatz (Danny); numerous grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Memorial Services: 10 a.m., Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Inurnment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to American Cancer Society. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Romino Buruta, 29, passed away Saturday, October 25, 2014 in St. Joseph at the result of a train accident. He was born December 26, 1984 in Romanum, Micronesia, son of Sarasina and Roman Jicko.
He has lived in St. Joseph and worked at Triumph Foods for a year. He attended St. James Catholic Church.
Survivors include, several cousins, including Reko Buruta of St. Joseph.
A funeral service and prayer vigil will be held on Sunday at 2 p.m., at Rupp Funeral Home. Father Evan Harkins officiating. He will be transported to his home in Micronesia on Tuesday, and burial prayer services will be held at his home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Sharon Kay Mitchell, 64, passed away Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at her home.
She was born August 6, 1950 in St. Joseph, daughter of Leota and James Perkins Sr. She married Meril “Gene” on May 18, 1983. She was a Homemaker. She enjoyed embroidering, singing, Patsy Cline, Gospel music, and was a member of Souls Harbor Pentecostal Church. Sharon was preceded in death by father, James A. Perkins, Sr.; mother, Leota Darlene McKnight, and husband Walter McNight, Jr.; two brothers, Charles “Sonny” Uffleman, and James “Jimmie” Perkins; and a sister, Iris Perkins.
Survivors include, husband, Meril “Gene” Mitchell of the home; six daughters, Tami (Tim) Power, Vickie (Keith) Rothwell, all of St. Joseph, Tracy Moran of Agency, Mo., Linda (Darlene) Alexander of Hobert, Okla., Deborah (Tim) Woosley, and Dana Alexander of St. Joseph; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; and three sisters, Brenda (Tom) Moore, Sandy (Larry) Coon, and Nancy Halamar all of St. Joseph.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 p.m., Friday, with a celebration of life to be held at 3 p.m., Friday, at Rupp Funeral Home, with Pastor JoAnn Springs officiating. Memorials are requested to the Sharon Mitchell memorial fund in care of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

HOPKINS, Mo. – Marvin Eugene Kempf, 75, died Tuesday, October 28, 2014, at St. Francis Hospital, Maryville, Mo.
Marvin was born April 07, 1939, in Burlington Junction, Mo. A 1957 graduate of Pickering High School, he was trucker and farmer.
He married Margaret Lucille Ellison on June 20, 1957, in Maryville. Marvin was a member of the Wray Memorial United Methodist Church, Hopkins, Xenia Masonic Lodge #50, York Rite Bodies, Moila Temple, and Rosanna Chapter O.E.S. #262.
Survivors include: his wife Margaret Kempf of their home in Hopkins; brothers, David Kempf, Winterset, Iowa and Michael Kempf.
Visitation is 7 to 8 p.m., Friday, October 31, 2014, at Wray Memorial United Methodist Church, Hopkins, with Masonic Services following by Xenia Lodge #50, Hopkins.
Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, at Wray Memorial United Methodist Church, followed by Rosanna Chapter #262 O.E.S services. Burial will follow in Ohio Cemetery, Burlington Junction, Mo.
Memorials may be made to the Shriner’s Crippled Children’s Hospital Fund in Marvin’s name. www.pricefuneralhomemaryville.com

William ST. JOSEPH – Albert Charleston, Jr., 56, died Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at Heartland Regional Medical Center.
He was born November 24, 1957 to William and Ida (Colwell) Charleston, Sr. in Atchison, Kan.
William married Sandra Brachear on June 11, 1989. She survives of the home.
William was preceded in death by his father.
Additional Survivors: mother; sons, William Lamont Coats, Columbia, Mo., William Albert Charleston, III, St. Joseph, and Michael Xavier Charleston, St. Joseph; daughter, Krystal Philemon, St. Joseph; sisters, Mona Jean Ward, Janice Watson, Ida Alberta Charleston and Penny Burns; and several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, Eureka Valley Baptist Church. Care provided by Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Don Herring, 72, died Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at Heartland Regional Medical Center.
He was born October 6, 1942 to Norman and Dorothy (Bledsoe) Herring in Easton, Mo. He married Billie Jo Smith on September 28, 1984. She survives of the home. Don was a graduate of Easton High School and was a self employed home builder.
Mr. Herring was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Jerry Herring.
Additional Survivors: son, Scott Herring (Amy), St. Joseph; daughter, MacKenzie Herring, Columbia, Missouri; sister, Norma Jean Boedeker (Jim); and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services: 10 a.m., Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a donation, the family requests memorial donations to be made to the St. Joseph Animal Shelter. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.