STEWARTSVILLE, Mo. – Mike Motsinger, 58, died Thursday, December 11, 2014 at his home.
He was born August 5, 1956 to Wendell and Jeanette (Miliszewski) Motsinger in Wichita, Kan.
Mike married Lynn (Pratt) Brown on July 4, 2014. She survives of the home. He was a handyman for everyone and liked KU and the Kansas City Chiefs. Mike enjoyed pheasant hunting and building hot rods. He also liked to drag race and go to car shows.
Mr. Motsinger was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Kay Motsinger; and uncle, Larry Motsinger.
Additional Survivors: sons, Jason Motsinger and Chris Motsinger (Rachelle), St. Joseph; step-son, Mitchell Brown (Jenny), Wichita, Kan.; step-daughter, Michaela Brown, Atchison, Kan.; sister, Lisa Stickley (Les); grandchildren, Palin, Jagger, Taylor, Griffin, Brendan, Mallory and Maddox; and numerous aunts and cousins.
Healing Farewell: 10 a.m., Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will gather with friends 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory, where friends may call after 5 p.m., Thursday. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

CAMERON, Mo. – Dennis T. Spencer, 84, died Sunday, December 14, 2014 at Missouri Veterans Home of Cameron.
He was born July 24, 1930 in Clarksdale, Mo., to Ralph and Hazel (Thornton) Spencer.
Dennis married Norma Lea Cohrs on August 18, 1956. She preceded him in death on March 31, 2014. He was an over the road truck driver.
He enjoyed playing cards, spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; son, Alan; brother, Darrel Spencer; sisters, Marrion Schottel, and Marie Spencer.
Survivors: sons, Dennis W. Spencer, Cand Steven L. Spencer, both of Clarksdale; three grandchildren, Jami Bailey (Shane) and Kristin Kunzler (Blaine), Jacob Corkins; and great-grandchildren, Paige Kunzler, Sarah Spencer, Heather Bailey, Addison Kunzler, Michael and Patrick Bailey.
Healing Farewell: 10 a.m., Thursday, Central Christian Church. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to the American Cancer Society. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Libby (Polsky) Farber, 92, passed away Sunday, December 14, 2014. She was born January 10, 1922, to Benjamin and Bessie (Galler) Polsky.
Libby graduated from Central High School and St. Joseph Junior College. After WWII, she met a returning veteran, Hymie Farber, who became her husband on September 22, 1946. 
Libby loved to entertain. Nothing made her happier than to be surrounded by family and friends. She loved to dance, and she and Hymie were excellent dancers. She also loved to play duplicate bridge. Both Libby and Hymie became Life Masters and traveled to bridge tournaments around the country.
Libby will be remembered as a phenomenal mother, grandmother, and friend.  Her daughters were her life, and when her grandchildren came along, she gave them all unconditional love. She was a role model for what a mother and grandmother should be.  
Everyone loved Libby. Besides her many close friends, she had a special bond with her sister Sylvia. They were each other’s companion and confidante.  
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Morris, Milton, and Simon Polsky; and sister, Sylvia Kaplan. 
Survivors include her children, Marilyn Elaine Cowan, Overland Park, Kan., and Marsha Ava Conant (James), St. Joseph; grandchildren, ryan Cowan (Amy), Dallas, Texas, David Cowan (Kelly) Overland Park, Douglas Cowan (Cara), Leawood, Kan., James G. Conant, Austin, Texas, Elizabeth Conant, St. Joseph, Marjorie Wongskhaluang (Jeff), Leawood, Eleanore McAlexander (Ford), Indianapolis, Ind.; five great-grandchildren, Drake, Eva, Kennedy, Alexandra (Lexi), and Dylan Cowan; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Healing Farewell 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Shaare Sholem Cemetery. The family will gather with friends one hour prior to the service, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com. 

ST. JOSEPH – Caroleen Violett, 68, died Monday, December 15, 2014 at her home.
She was born July 30, 1946 to Estell “E.C.” and Ida May (Gregory) Grooms in St. Joseph. Caroleen married Mike Violett on October 20, 1972 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Easton, Mo. He survives of the home.
She was a graduate of Bishop LeBlond High School Class of 1964 and Platt-Gard Business College. Caroleen was an Administrative Assistant for many years ending her career at the University of Missouri Extension Regional Office.
Mrs. Violett was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, where she volunteered for many years on the St. Anne’s Altar Society. She was also active as a volunteer with Pack & Troop 31 at St. Francis.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Janet Strub and Barbara Bonjean; and brother, Dennis Grooms.
Additional Survivors: daughter, Janelle Mather (David), Platte City, Mo.; son, Kurt Violett (Tamara), Mount Vernon, Mo.; and five grandchildren, Kacee Reifsteck (Tyler), Shelby Lloyd, Karissa Lloyd, Kara Violett and Brett Violett.
Mass of Christian Burial: 1:30 p.m., Thursday, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Interment Mount Olivet Cemetery. Parish Rosary 6 p.m., Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will gather with friends 6:30 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Mosaic Life Care Hospice or St. Francis Student Endowment Fund. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Donna Jean Campbell, 53, passed away Sunday, December 14, 2014 at her home.
She was born September 17, 1961 in St. Joseph, daughter of Joyce and Gary Nichols. She graduated from North Andrew High School. She worked at Laverna Village, Shady Lawn as a CNA. She had also worked at the Andrew County Sheriff department.
She enjoyed crochett, watching soap operas, spending time with children and grandchildren, and loved facebook.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Phillip Nichols.
Survivors include, husband, Jimmie Campbell, Sr., of St. Joseph; four daughters, Jamie Campbell, Ryan (John) Salisbury, Megan Campbell and Misty Campbell, all of St. Joseph; three sons, Robert Nichols (Krystal Cogdill), Gary Campbell, and Jimmie (Betty) Campbell Jr.; 11 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m., Thursday, at Rupp Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday at Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Bennett Lane Cemetery. Memorials are requested to the Donna Jean Campbell memorial fund. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Keith “Big Dad” O. Byrd, 56, passed away Saturday, December 13, 2014 at his home surrounded by his loving family and friends. He was born April 2, 1958 in St. Joseph. He graduated from Lafayette High School class of 1976. He worked at Triumph Foods as a Main Break Butcher, prior to that he worked at St. Joe Concrete for 12 years. He enjoyed fishing, football, but most especially he loved his grandkids, and was a friend to all. He wouldn’t turn down anyone who was in need, always willing to lend a helping hand and had heart of Gold. Keith was a Christian.
Keith was preceded in death by father, John; a grandchild, Justice Franklin; and a brother, Dexter Byrd.
Survivors include, wife, Jackie Coulter-Byrd of the home; mother, Mary Byrd of St. Joseph; daughter, Tammy (Henry) Puckett; son, Shawn (Jessica) Coulter, all of St. Joseph; and a daughter, Trisha Coulter of Washington; eight grandchildren: Bishop Franklin, Rebecca Cain, Sheldon Coulter, Shelby Cline, Shayla Coulter, Jacob Coulter, Jaylyn Coulter, and Destiny Hill; three great-grandchildren; three brothers, Rufus Byrd, Fred (Evelyn) Byrd and Bruce (Krissy) Byrd, all of St. Joseph; three sisters, Jacqueline Byrd of St. Joseph, Sheila Bundy of Colorado, and Connie Byrd of California; as well as several, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 p.m., on Friday, December 19, 2014 at Rupp Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday at Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Linda Camille Mason, 72, passed away Saturday, December 13, 2014 at Mosaic Life Care center. She was born May 16, 1942 in St. Joseph. She graduated from Benton High School class of 1960, and worked for several small business as an Accountant. She was a loving mother and grandmother, who was an avid sewer, quilter, and crocheter, who also enjoyed reading, and was very active in her Benton Class of 1960 annual reunion committee, she was of the Methodist faith.
Linda was preceded in death by mother, Dorothy Honeycutt; and a sister, Pamela Wilson.
Survivors include her father, Vincent Westbrook; daughter, Lori Mason; and son, Jeff (Angela) Mason both of St. Joseph; four grandchildren, Chris, Kyle, Rion, and Matthew; great-granddaughter, Bailey; brother, James (Carole) Honeycutt of St. Joseph; sister, Sherry (Steve) Wilcoxson of Laramie, Wy.; sister, Mary Margaret (Mark) White of Potawatomi, Kan.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., on Tuesday at Rupp Funeral Home. Cremation to follow the funeral service under the care of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

CONOVER, N.C. – Gerry F. Fry, 61, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, December 13, 2014, at a hospital in N.C. He was raised in St. Joseph.
Survivors include his mother, Anna Fry of St. Joseph; wife, Melissa Fry of Conover; three daughters, Christy (Brian) Pendleton, St. Joseph, Kelly Fry of Haiti, and Sara Smith of N.C.; three grandchildren, Zack, Ryke, and Keagan; two brothers, Ron (Kay) Fry of Florida, and Ed Fry Jr., of St. Joseph.
Preceding him in death is his father Ed Fry, Sr.
Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, December 18, 2014, at the Mt Calvary Lutheran Church, Claremont, N.C. Arrangements Bennett Funeral Service, Conover N.C., 28613. Online condolence at www.robertbennettfuneralservice.com

ST. JOSEPH – Barbara Jean Colley, 78, passed away Saturday, December 13, 2014 at a nursing home in St. Joseph. She was born February 20, 1936 in St. Joseph, daughter of Florence and Lester Baldwin. She graduated from Benton, and worked at the St. Joseph Sisters Hospital, and Missouri Methodist Medical Center as an admitting clerk and in the records department.
Preceding her in death is husband, Robert D. Colley; her parents; a son, Blair Colley; and a brother, Darrell Baldwin.
Survivors include, daughter, Laura (Mike) Donaldson of St. Joseph; five grandchildren: Brynn, Kara, Andrew, Emma, and Josh; a sister, Jacqueline Wright of St. Joseph; sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Forest Parker of St. Joseph.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m., Wednesday, December 17, at Rupp Funeral Home, with Rev. Scott Kilgore officiating, The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday at Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to the Wyatt Park Christian Church. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Zelma L. Whitson, 91, died Saturday, December 13, 2014 at a local healthcare facility.
She was born February 3, 1923 in St. Joseph, where she was a lifelong resident and had been a former resident of Vintage Gardens.
Zelma married Ralph F. Whitson on May 29, 1959, he preceded her in death on May 15, 1996.
She was a broker for Whitson Reality Company with her husband. Zelma was a member of United Methodist Church, Pearl Chapter #529 Order of Eastern Star, Womans Bowling Hall of Fame, Charter Member of Tailor Maids Sewing Club, and Volunteer for Hands of Hope Hospice.
She was also preceded in death by her parents, Grover and Talitha (Campbell) Means; and 3 brothers, Cranston, Winston, and Preston Means.
Survivors: daughters, Deborah J. Ousley of Katy, Texas and Tammy D. Power of Country Club, Mo.; granddaughter, Airen B. Williamson of Tomball, Texas; and great-granddaughter, Avery G. Williamson of Tomball; sister, Irma Jean Crabtree of Avenue City, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews.
Healing Farewell: 10 a.m., Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Ebenezer Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. For those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Mosaic Life Care Hospice or Charity of Donor’s Choice. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.