Bonnie Ruth (Goforth) Rudolph
1947-2015

Bonnie Ruth (Goforth) Rudolph, 67, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Sunday, May 24, 2015 at a local healthcare facility, surrounded by her family and friends.
She was born November 27, 1947 at St. Joseph Methodist Hospital in St. Joseph, Missouri. Bonnie graduated from North Andrew High School and attended Gard Business School in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Bonnie married her best friend, Carl Edner Rudolph on February 13, 1981 in Miami, Oklahoma. They have spent 34 wonderful happy years together, traveling and visiting with friends.
She was member of First Christian Church, Savannah, Missouri and St. Joseph Ladies Edelweiss Society.
She worked for Northwest Missouri Electric Cooperative, which was later renamed United Electric Cooperative, for 36 years, until retiring January 1, 2002.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, Winferd Dale and Ruth (Roberts) Goforth.
Survivors include: husband; brother, Samuel Dale Goforth (Phylis); nieces, Dr. Tyann Hamedi (Mark), Kristy Dale Simpson (Undra) and Tonya Mercer (Billy); nephew, Todd Robert Goforth (Cristi); seven great nieces and nephews, Alyssa, Tyler, Brodie, Alexa, Isaiah, Isaac and Kinlee; step-nephew, Ross Mercer (Sammi); lifetime friend, Vickie Diane Schildknecht Roderick (Reed) and their two children, Richie Eugene Roderick and Vonnie Diane Garner; sister-in-law, Jean Weber (Ed); and five loving nieces, Lynn Liechti, Lori Hoefling, Leann Pogue, Lisa Leeson and Linda Poppa, with their dear husbands and families.
Farewell Services 10:00 A.M. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 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 Savannah First Christian Church, American Legion Post 287, Savannah School System Athletic Department, or a charity of the donor?s choice. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Norma Jean Stroup
1930-2015

Norma Jean Stroup, 84, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Friday, May 22, 2015 at Mosaic Life Care.
She was born November 26, 1930 in Winston, Missouri.
Norma married Leonard P. Stroup on October 9, 1948.
She graduated from Bethany High School Class of 48 and retired in 1996 after 22 years as a seamstress for A.J. August Clothing. Norma was a member of Family Worship Center and a greeter. She was also a member of Women?s Missionary Group.
Mrs. Stroup was preceded in death by her husband; parents, Joseph and Eugie (Donaldson) Carter; sisters, Vesta Crabtree and Vivian Leaming; and brothers, Herbert, Raymond and Vernon Carter.
Survivors include children, Catherine Paradise (Mike), Savannah, Missouri, Karen Pecora (Bob), St. Joseph, Missouri, Sharon Neely (Mike), Parkville, Missouri and Jimmy Stroup (Sonia), St. Joseph, Missouri; ten grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Family Worship Center. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Virginia Lee Steeby
(03/04/1933 – 05/24/2015)

Virginia Lee Steeby, 82, Savannah, MO; passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2015 at the home of her daughter in Fillmore, Missouri.
Virginia was born on March 4, 1933 in Fillmore, Missouri to the late Roscoe and Rhoda (Mink) Rutherford.
On March 4,1953 she married William R. Steeby in St. Joseph, he preceded her in death on March 5,1994.
She was a member of the Church of God, and enjoyed activities at the Senior Center and journaling.
Survivors include two sons, Robert (Sandy) Steeby of St. Joseph, MO and Jay Steeby of Savannah, MO.; Daughters; Susie (Alan) Praiswater of Fillmore, MO., and Betty (Jerry) Stevenson of St. Joseph, Mo. Sisters; Mabel Seipel and Alice Bailey. 12 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by son; Ray Steeby, brother; Charles Rutherford and sister; Velma Wright.
Mrs. Steeby has been cremated under the direction of the Heaton-Bowman-Smith Savannah Chapel. An inurnment will be held at a later date.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Andrew County Senior Center.

Melba Lipira
(06/05/2015 – 05/21/2015)

Melba Lipira, 90, of St. Joseph, MO. passed peacefully May 21, 2015 at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
Melba was born June 5, 1924 in Wathena, KS. to William Franklin and Nellie Lorene (Shelton) Absher. She graduated from Wathena High School and on May 23, 1946 she married Guy C. Lipira in St. Joseph, MO. he passed away November 30, 2001. She was a homemaker, and retired from the St. Joseph School District Nutrition Services.
She was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Daughters of Isabella and a charter member of the Knights of Columbus Ladies’ Auxiliary.
She was also preceded in death by her parents, son, Charles Lipira, daughter, Sharon Lipira and brother, William Absher.
Melba was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who cared deeply for her family. She had a servant’s heart, was loved by all who knew her, and will be greatly missed.
Surviving family includes son, Bill (Debra) Lipira, daughters, Dr. Patsy Lipira of Joplin, and Julie (Gary) Woods, grandchildren, Dr. Tyler (Nickie) Woods, Tiffanie Woods, Tarah (Tyler) Irizarry; two great-grandchildren, Hynlee & Chase, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 AM Tuesday May 26, 2015 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.
Interment Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Public visitation will begin after 1:00 PM Monday May 25 at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel. Parish rosary will be held at 6:00 PM on Monday. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 PM (following the rosary.)
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Pat Lipira Scholarship Fund (Missouri Southern State University), St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, or donor’s choice.

Mary G. Gilbert
(May 4, 1921 – May 24, 2015)

Mary Gilbert, 94, of St. Joseph passed away Sunday May 24, 2015 at a local health care center.

Mary one of seventeen children, was born May 4, 1921 in Parnell, MO to Levi and Izola Arnold. After retiring from Western Electric she moved to St. Joseph where she resided for forty plus years. One of Mary’s passions was spending time with her family. In 1951 Mary married Cleo Gilbert, preceding her in death in 1995. Mary is also preceded in death by her parents, one son, Ricky, seven brothers, Ora, Donnice, Kelly, Norman, Garland, Vernon, and Ronald Arnold; four sisters, Laquita Arnold, Carmen Dever, Shirley Beahler, and Marcella Braddy; and one great-great granddaughter, Jaeden Badalamente.

She is survived by one son, John (Lee) Swanson, St, Joseph; daughters, Rhonda (Joni) Gardner, Moberly, MO; Shelley (Jim) Stevens, Linwood, KS; brothers, Edward Arnold, Urbana, MO; Carl (Joan) Arnold, Wathena, KS; sisters, Bonnie (Harry) Neidel and Sharon Lehman, both from Hermitige, MO; Sandra (Bob) Gilpatrick, Overland Park, KS; grandchildren, Shawn, Tesa, Nichole, Lorrain, Tyler, Angela, Jeremy, Carrie, and David; twenty two great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

Mary has been cremated under the direction of Clark-Sampson Funeral Home. Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Donald L. Shyrock
(January 8, 1946 – May 24, 2015)

Donald L. Shyrock, 69, of Saint Joseph passed away Sunday May 24, 2015 at his home. Service arrangements are pending at this time.