Franklin Thomas “Tom” Willits, Jr.
1944-2016

Franklin Thomas “Tom” Willits, Jr., 71, Easton, Missouri passed away Sunday, February 28, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care.
He was born December 1, 1944 in Los Angeles, California.
Tom married Karen Courter on May 4, 1985.
He proudly served in the United States Army National Guard for six years and worked as a service technician for Southwestern Bell for 35 years until retiring in 2001.
Tom was a member of ATT Pioneers, past President of the St. Joseph Bow Hunters and attended Culbertson Chapel United Methodist Church in Stewartsville, Missouri.
He enjoyed crappie fishing, hunting for morel mushrooms, deer hunting and camping.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Franklin Sr., and Crystal (Cutler) Willits; and daughter, Tina Marie Willits.
Survivors include wife of 30 years, Karen; son, Corey Willits, Pawleys Island, South Carolina; twin brother, Charles Willits (Anita), St. Joseph, Missouri; sister, Mary W. Sears (Peter), Lincoln, California; special cousin, Karen (Cutler) Zirger (Ron), Highland Ranch, Colorado; and numerous extended family and friends. Tom was loved by many for his kind and generous ways and will be greatly missed.
Graveside Farewell Services & Inurnment 10:00 A.M. Thursday, Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 5:30 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Culbertson Chapel United Methodist Church, Stewartsville, Missouri or to Karen for a special gift to the Mosaic Life Care Nursing Staff for their wonderful care of Tom. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Muriel Oris French
1925-2016

Muriel Oris French, 91, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Sunday, February 28th, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care.
She was born to Carl Arthur Johnson and Oris Marion Pearson in Denver, Colorado, and then grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. Beginning early in her life, she developed a love of art. When she was in 3rd grade, she began taking the bus by herself to Joslyn Art Gallery, which was one block from her home. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology from University of Minnesota, and worked at the University Of Nebraska Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska.
She met her husband, Ivan M. French, M.D. at this hospital. They married on October 4, 1947. They moved to Wahoo, Nebraska, a small town near Omaha, where Ivan practiced family medicine and Muriel was an exemplary homemaker. They attended The First Presbyterian Church of Wahoo, and were members of a couple’s bridge club for 50 years.
They had four children: Richard D. French, M.D. (Linda), James E. French, M.D. (Virginia), Marcia (Mrs. Rick D.) Gilmore, and William A. French (deceased). All of their children graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraska. Muriel started commuting to NWU and earned a second bachelor’s degree in Art History while her daughter was a student there. One of her paintings was purchased for the private collection of NWU. Her drawings were published in a book of activities for children with speech impairments.
In 2002, Muriel moved to St. Joseph. She resided at Corby Senior Living (The Fountains) and was active in their bridge club, book club, the American Association of University Women, and the First Presbyterian Church. She lived here until God called her Home. She was known as “Grammie” French to her beloved grandchildren: Jon French, Michelle (Paul) Thyren, Elizabeth (Jeremiah) Miller, Steven French, Katie (Joe) Lane, Rachel (Bryce) Szczepanik, and Chris (Marilyn) Gilmore. She has seven great-grandchildren, with two more on the way; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Her family will remember her for her unending wisdom, love, and support. She was a shining example of generosity and selflessness, always putting others before herself. She had the incredible ability to make everyone feel special, and she was the most special of all.
Farewell Services 4:00 P.M. Saturday, First Presbyterian Church. Interment 11:00 A.M. Monday, Sunrise Cemetery, Wahoo, Nebraska. The family suggest memorials be sent to First Presbyterian Church of Wahoo, NE, or the church of their choice. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

George Butler Scott
1938-2016

George Butler Scott, 78, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Sunday, February 28, 2016.
He was born February 11, 1938 in St. Joseph, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Mary (Butler) Scott.
Survivors include children, James Otis Scott, Rhlonda Carrie Potts and Renae Elizabeth Scott; and two grandchildren.
Natural Farewell, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family suggests donations to Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory to help defray funeral expenses. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Leroy E. Mix
1948-2016

Wathena, Kansas Leroy E. Mix, 68, of Wathena, Kansas passed away Monday, February 29, 2016 at the Mosaic Life-Care of St. Joseph, Missouri. Leroy was born on January 29, 1948, on the farm near Bendena, Kansas to Harley L. & Cynthia M. (Bullock) Mix. He attended Oakland & Bendena grade schools, Midway High School & graduated in 1966. He then attended US Trade School in Kansas City, Missouri. Leroy joined the U.S. Army. After his discharge, he farmed until 1997 and worked for Caterpillar as a technician for 25 years. However, Leroy was always a farmer at heart. He was a member of the American Legion Post #161 of Wathena. Leroy married Carol Weythman on June 23, 1984 in Troy, Kansas. She survives of the home. He was preceded in death by his parents. Additional survivors: children, Debbie May, Kansas City, Missouri Michael Clifton, St. Joseph, Missouri Stacy Herrington, Kansas City, Kansas Angel Mix, Helena, Missouri Ted Mix, St. Joseph, Missouri 3 step-grandchildren & 2 step-great-grandchildren Sisters, Cynthia Alley (Bob), Wetmore, Kansas Dessie Costello (David), Atchison, Kansas 3 nephews, 1 niece & several cousins Funeral service: 10:30 A.M. Friday, March 4, 2016 at the Harman-Rohde Funeral Home in Wathena, Kansas. Visitation: 7-8:30 Thursday evening at the funeral home, where friends may call after 9 A.M. Thursday. Burial: Courter Cemetery, Troy, Kansas, where there will be military honors under the auspices of the American Legion Post #161. Memorials: FFA of Wathena or the American Legion Post #161 www.harmanrohde.com

Charles M. Schaible
1917-2016

FAIRVIEW — Charles M. Schaible, 98, of rural Fairview, died early Monday morning, February 29, 2016, at Vintage Park Assisted Living in Hiawatha.
Funeral arrangements are pending at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha.

Ron Hibbs
1940-2016

Curtis Ronald (Ron) Hibbs, 75, Forest City, Missouri died unexpectedly Monday, February 29, 2016.
Ron was born August 18, 1940 at McFall, Missouri. The son of Maurice and Lenora (Boyd) Hibbs.
He attended McFall Schools and graduated from Pattonsburg, Missouri High School in 1958. Ron graduated from Highland Community College in 1960, where he exceeded in basketball, baseball, and track. He was a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University with a B.S. Degree.
Ron was a former teacher and coach at Union Star and North Andrew High Schools. He retired from Weyerhauser Corp.
Ron was an avid hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman, during his life and active with youth hunting groups.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include son, Randy (Colette) Hibbs, Savannah, MO; daughter, Jodie (Clayton) Runnels, Stewartsville, MO; granddaughter, Adrian (Riley) Cary, Stewartsville, MO; great-grandson, Quincy Cary, Stewartsville, MO; brother, Clifton (Janis) Hibbs, Clarksdale, MO; former wife, Carolyn Mikes Myers, Stewartsville, Missouri.
Farewell Services 10:00 A.M. Thursday, Roberson Funeral Home, Pattonsburg, Missouri. Interment McFall Cemetery, McFall, Missouri. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory, St. Joseph, Missouri and the family will gather with friends one hour prior to the service, Roberson Funeral Home. Care provided by Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.