ST. JOSEPH – John Grace, 78, died Monday, November 17, 2014 at Mosaic Life Care.
He was born on February 22, 1936 to Curtis and Virginia (Pemberton) Grace in Albany, Mo.
John married Karen Vavra on October 6, 1962. Their 52 year marriage has served as a model of love, commitment, integrity, and fun. John was devoted to his family.
John graduated from Albany High School. He was Vice President of Future Farmers of America from 1954-55. He graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor of Science and Master’s degree in Agriculture Economics. John was employed by The Quaker Oats Company for 37 years, retiring as Plant Superintendent.
John was a member of Wyatt Park Baptist Church. He was a dedicated member of the Mizzou Alumni Association where he served in many positions, including President of the Buchanan County Board of Directors and culminating in election to the Governing Board of the Association. He was also a Director of the Downtown Rotary Club #32, a member of the Kiwanis Club and the Royal Order of Jesters Court #97. John truly enjoyed working with others throughout the community.
John also enjoyed travel, spending time in Colorado, snow skiing, golf, fly fishing, woodworking, and gardening. He was loving, generous, kind, and valued friendship. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.
Survivors: wife, Karen Vavra Grace; daughters, Julie Grace Corley (David), Leawood, Kan., and Lori L. Grace, St. Joseph; son, David E. Grace (Jill), Leawood; grandchildren, Ryan S. Corley, E. Grace Corley and Catherine J. Corley; cousins, Richard Pemberton and Virginia Edwards; sister-in-law, Janet V. Sanford; niece, Janet S. Buehler; and nephew, William E. Sanford.
Healing Farewell: 10 a.m., Friday, Wyatt Park Baptist Church. Private Inurnment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials which will go toward scholarships for Buchanan County students attending the University of Missouri. Checks should be made payable to the Mizzou Alumni Association with “John Grace Memorial Gift” listed on the memo line. Memorials should be sent to: Mizzou Alumni Association, Attn: Molly Richardson, 123 Reynolds Alumni Center, Columbia, MO 65211. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

DOUGLAS, Wy. – Charlene Jean Williams, 90, formerly of the Savannah, Mo., and Maryville, Mo., areas, died Friday, November 14, 2014, in Douglas.
Charlene was born April 28, 1924, in Maryville, to James and Daisy (Shelton) Ebrecht. Charlene was a retail clerk for the F.W. Woolworth Company in St. Joseph and Maryville.
She married Basil Williams in September, 1941 in Maryville, and was a member of the First Baptist Church while living in Maryville.
Preceding in death were her parents; husband, Basil Elwood Williams, 1971; and nine brothers and sisters.
Survivors include her sons, James D (Sharon) Savannah; J.R. (Shannon) Williams, Douglas; two grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.
Graveside services and burial will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, at the Oak Hill Cemetery, Maryville. www.pricefuneralhomemaryville.com