Victor Ray Simmons
1933-2015

Victor Ray Simmons 81, of Country Club, MO, passed away Thursday July 30, 2015 at his home. He was born October 29, 1933 in Isadora, Missouri son of Mary “Vi” & Virgil Simmons. He married Susie Becker on January 30, 1995, she survives of the home. He was a warehouse supervisor at several area packing houses. He served two tours in the Army during the Korean War. He loved golfing and fishing and spending time with his kids and grandkids.Victor was preceded in death by his father, Virgil Simmons, mother, Mary “Vi” Viola Downey, step father Willie Downing, grandchild, Jamie Simmons, two brothers, Burl Dale, and Virgil Galen Simmons. He is survived by wife, Susie Simmons of the home, two sons, Jeff (Vicky) Simmons, and Chet (Beth) Lake both of St. Joseph, MO, 10 grandchildren; Jeremy Simmons, Jeff, Justin, John, & Heather Thompson, Chetty, Christopher, and Blade Lake, Manny and Mitchell Wiedmaier, a brother, Jerry (Judy) Simmons of Parkville, MO, three aunts, Louella Becker of Kansas City, MO, aunt, Madeline Fauble of Council Bluffs, IA, aunt, Naomi King of St. Joseph, MO. Per his wishes he will be cremated under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home and there will be no scheduled visitation or memorial services at this time. Memorials are requested to the Mosaic Hospice. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

Evelyn O’Neal
1931-2015

Evelyn (Rebel) O’Neal, 84, peacefully passed into eternal life on July 25, 2015 at her home in St. Joseph Mo. Evelyn was born on July 16, 1931, on the family farm near Craig, Missouri, to Ben and Leona (Haer) Rebel.
On March 27, 1955, she married Benton O’Neal at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church at Craig, Missouri and moved to Coronado Island in California while Benton was enlisted in the Navy. They moved to Lincoln, Nebraska while Benton was in college then settled down in St. Joseph in 1960 to raise a family.
Evelyn loved being a mother and homemaker. Evelyn and Benton enjoyed traveling cross country during summer vacations with the children and spending time at the Lake of the Ozarks. Evelyn enjoyed reading, canning, decorating, and sewing -making beautiful clothing for her daughter and later her grandchildren. Evelyn had a gift for listening and caring for others, was a doting grandmother, and a dedicated friend.
She was a dedicated member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in St. Joseph for over fifty years, passing her legacy of strong faith in Christ onto her children and grandchildren.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her beloved husband Benton in 1988. She will be deeply missed by her children: Elaine Hirter (Loren) Savannah, Kevin O’Neal (Kelly) Dallas, Texas; and by her grandchildren: Kristen O’Neal, Kyle O’Neal, and Erin Hirter. Evelyn is also survived by her sister, Lucille Hinchey, her brother, Orville Rebel, and many nieces and nephews.
Farewell Services 1:30 P.M. Thursday, St. Paul Lutheran Church. Private Interment Mount Hope Cemetery, Mound City, MO. The family will gather with friends 5:30 to 7:30 P.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the St. Paul Lutheran School, Lutheran Hour Ministry, or Concordia Seminary. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Terry D. Dickerson
1955-2015

Terry D. Dickerson, 59, Plattsburg, Missouri passed away Monday, July 27, 2015 at his residence.
He was born September 10, 1955 in Smithville, Missouri to Billy and Charlene (Jones) Dickerson.
Terry was formerly the assistant manager at Everett Quarries.
He liked boats and working on old cars. Terry was noted for being a prankster.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include son, Billy D. Dickerson (Misty) Gladstone, Missouri; daughter, Crystal Heitstuman (Ryan) Denver, Colorado; granddaughter, Cyan Raine Heitstuman; brother, Gary Dickerson (Joyce) and Danny Dickerson (Rebecca); sister, Tammy Dickerson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Farewell Services 10:00 A.M. Saturday, Bailey and Cox Family Funeral Service. Interment Green Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, Bailey and Cox Family Funeral Service. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Comfort Care Hospice of Cameron, Missouri. Online guest book and obituary at www.baileycox.com.

Juanita Margaruite (Smith) Nienas
1918-2015

Juanita Margaruite (Smith) Nienas was born on December 6, 1918 in St. Joseph, MO to Ida Victoria Caudell and William Ottis Smith. Juanita and her siblings Jesse Bennett, Thomas Jefferson, and Leota Evelyn were raised in St. Joseph. After graduating from Lafayette High School, Juanita practiced as a cosmetologist until WW II. Early in the war she met and was engaged to Homer W. Chinn, an Army Air Corps ferry pilot trainee at Rosecrans Airfield. Homer went missing while ferrying an Army airplane to Europe. After Homer’s death Juanita worked in Defense plants on the west coast. In Vancouver, Washington she met and married George Hodder Salter from Waukesha, Wisconsin. After the war, Juanita and George returned to the Waukesha, WI area. George worked as a wholesale representative and Juanita worked in ladies ready-to-wear. Juanita had no children but was a doting aunt to nieces and nephews in Wisconsin, Iowa and Missouri.
After George’s death in June, 1973 she married John Nienas of Brookfield, Wisconsin, an HVAC contractor, making their home in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Juanita continued to dote on her family that now included Johns daughter (Jessica), nieces and nephews. As representatives of the Heating and Cooling industry they traveled the world until John’s death in 1983. She was an active member of the VFW and American Legion, which she loved. She continued to reside in Wisconsin until 2000, when a broken hip made living alone impractical. Her niece, Laura Singer Bonham, convinced Juanita that she should return to St. Joseph and live with her family. Laura and Juanita became close with Laura caring for Juanita until Laura’s death in 2013. Laura’s family continued to care for Juanita until her recent death.
Juanita was an incredible woman who left an incredible sense of family, love and caring. Juanita treated each with birthday and Christmas cards with hand written notes. She will be remembered for her lovely happy style, enthusiasm for family gatherings and loving care to George’s parents.
Immediate family members:
In St. Joseph, nephew Larry Lee Singer, great-niece Teresa Ann Johnson, and great-great nephews Austin Johnson and Miles Johnson. In Waterloo, Iowa nephew Orlis Eugene Smith. In Olathe, Kansas niece Mary Beth Meeker-Pregon. Nieces and nephews from the Salter Family include: Marilyn Olson Hooper (the late William), Illinois, Earle Olson (the late Rosemary) Ohio, Camille Olson Carlson (Robert) Alaska, Dennis Olson (Mary) Nevada, Janice Watson (Al Lustig) Wisconsin, James Watson (Dottie) Wisconsin, Richard Watson (Christine) Virginia, the late Bruce Salter (Lea) Wisconsin, Donald Salter (the late Patricia) South Dakota, Charles Salter (Karen) Wisconsin and many great nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held Thursday July 30th, 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory in St. Joseph. Friday, her family will accompany her to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A second visitation will be held 9:00-10:30 A.M. Saturday August 1, followed by the committal service at 10:30 A.M. at the Krause Funeral Home, 9000 Capital Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Juanita will be interred with her husband John Nienas at Pine Lawn Cemetery. Flowers should be sent to the Krause Funeral Home. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the American Cancer Society. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Tommy Ray Turner Sr.
1964-2015

Tommy Ray Turner Sr. 50, of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Sunday, July 26, 2015 at Kansas City, KS hospital. He was born September 24, 1964 in St. Joseph, MO. He attended Lafayette High School, and worked at Altec as a Technician for over 20 years. On October 31, 199 he married LeaAnn Williams and she survives of the home. Tommy enjoyed Nascar, the Kansas City Chiefs, as well as music, hanging out with friends and family, but most especially spending time with his grandkids. Tommy was preceded in death by father, Robert Turner, mother, Edith Gooding, step father Clarence Gooding, two brothers Robert Turner, Jr., and Timmy Turner, step sister, Laura Conger. Survivors include, wife, LeaAnn Turner of the home, step mother, Hazel Turner of St. Joseph, MO, four sons, Cody (Abbi) Turner, Shawn Turner (Katie Anderson) Tommy (Juanita) Turner, Jr., and Jeff (Barbie) Turner all of St. Joseph, MO, 9 grandchildren: Tucker, Timber, Shawn, Jr., Dalaynee, Zachary, Tristen, Taden, Raven, and Bentley, brother, Eddie Turner, and 4 step brothers; Roger, Mike, Ron, and Bill Conger, two sisters, Kate Mauzey, and Tammy Turner of St. Joseph, MO, and a step sister, Donna McCarthy.

 

J. Pete Harrington, Sr.
1942-2015

J. Pete Harrington, Sr., 73, Faucett, Missouri passed away Saturday, July 25, 2015 at his residence.
He was born March 5, 1942 to Purcell and Audrey (Chaney) Harrington in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
He had 3 loves in his life, first and foremost, his family. He was their rock that held everything together. Next was his job at the National Records Center for Social Security and lastly was being outside hunting and fishing.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include wife of forty years, Sue (Wolzak)Harrington; children, Kim Gassaway (Moses), Kellie Harrington, Stacy Cross (Johnny), and Pete Harrington, Jr. (Jessica); 10 grandchildren, Keyton, Keegon, Monique, Kortni, Tre’nez, Ta’leon, Ty’zell, Austin, Caitlynn, and Taiylor; 4 great-grandchildren, Kimora, Isabella, Kaevan, and Michael III; and numerous extended family members.

 

Farris Anne Elizabeth Bechter (Johnson)
1960-2015

Farris Anne Elizabeth Bechter (Johnson), 54 passed away Wednesday July 29th 2015 at her home in St. Joseph.
She was born December 16th 1960 to Martha and Paul Becther Sr. she was a lifelong north ender having attended Humbolt and Washington Elementary schools, Robidoux Middle School and graduating from Lafayette High School in 1979.
Farris Anne worked in the banking industry for several years but her passion was animals, particularly cats and she spent the last 25 years working at UPCO doing what she loved best.
She is survived by husband David C. Johnson of St. Joseph, sister Linda Whittington ( Jerry) of Amazonia, brother Paul Bechter Jr. of St. Joseph, the son in her heart Manny Martinez , friends to the end Sheila Ford & Jo Mama and numerous friends who loved her.
Farris Anne was preceded in death by her beloved mother Martha J Hardin and her feline companion Vivian.
Farris Anne will be cremated under the direction of Gladden-Stamey Funeral Home. Visitation will be Saturday August 1st from 6-8 pm. Online condolences can also be made at www.gladdenstamey.com
Those wishing to are encouraged to make donations to the St. Joseph Animal Shelter 701 SW Lower Lake Rd. St. Joseph, MO 64504 or Second Harvest Food Bank C/O Backpack Buddies Program 915 Douglas St. St. Joseph, MO 64505