Ronald D. Vestal
1948-2016

Ronald D. Vestal, 68, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Monday, July 25, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care.
Born into a military family, Ron lived in several locations, including three years in France, until the family moved to St. Joseph in 1961. He graduated from Central High School in 1966 and served in the Air Force from 1968-1972; he then earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from Missouri Western. He retired from Boehringer Ingelheim.
Ron was passionate about cars and aviation and was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John S. and Jonnie (Pyeatt) Vestal; sister, Sharon Owens; and niece, Stacy Newey.
Survivors include his aunt, LouAnne Laurence, Clarksdale, Missouri; nephew, Scott Staples, Parkville, Missouri; brother-in-law, John Owens, St. Joseph; and numerous extended family members.
The family wishes to thank Ron’s wonderful caregivers and his very supportive friends who were always there for him.
Natural Farewell under the direction of Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. No services are planned. For those wishing to make a contribution in his name, the family requests donations be made to Friends of the Animal Shelter. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Judy Ann Johnson (Bluma)
1942-2016

Judy Ann Johnson (Bluma) was born Monday, August 10th, 1942; and passed away Monday, July 25th, 2016 in Atchison, Kansas. Services Wednesday, July 27th, 2016, 11:00am; officiating Rev. Robert Ziegler. Location Mt. Vernon Cemetery. Interment located at the Mt. Vernon Cemetery.

Jack E. Robinson
1927-2016

Jack E. Robinson passed away peacefully about 6:30 P.M. on Monday evening July 25th, 2016.
He began his 89 year journey on January 23, 1927 in Bigelow, Missouri spending his youth in Mound City, Missouri. After marrying his wife of 68 years they lived in St. Joseph, Missouri where he worked for Meadow Gold Dairy for 33 years and upon its closure continued to work for the school district as a school bus driver for children with special needs for another 12 years. He was a World War II veteran in the US Navy as well as a loving husband and devoted father.
Leading the way and awaiting on the other side for him are his father and mother, Lee and Edis with step-mother Opal Robinson of Mound City, Missouri; along with a sister Betty Ann Robinson; and three half-brothers Billy, John and Paul Quakenbush.
Keeping his memory alive and in their hearts are his wife, Eusona (Field) Robinson (fondly called Tony); two sons Richard (and wife Catherine Dowd) and Greg (and wife Ganyapat); his sister Jeanne Spreckelmeyer; a granddaughter Jamie Robinson Gromatzky with husband Benjamin and two sons Samuel and Jack and step granddaughter Jada Pankau Brawner with two children Rowyn and Kegan.
He will be missed by many friends and those that were fortunate enough to have been involved in his life. He was an excellent role model.
Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory where friends may call after 3:00 P.M. Thursday. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Mary Elizabeth Meers
1929-2016

Springfield, MO Mary Elizabeth Meers, born Mary Potter, passed away Monday, July 25, 2016, in her home in Springfield, Missouri. She was 87.
She was born January 9, 1929, on the family farm near Leona, Kansas, one of four children born to the late Herman and Ethel Dutton Potter and grew up in the Leona- Highland area where she attended school, later graduating from Highland High School with the class of 1947. After high school graduation, she attended beauty school.
Mary was happily married to Richard Eugene “Gene” Meers, July 18, 1948, at Wamego, Kansas. They had two daughters: Elizabeth and Eugena, and a son William that died at birth. Over the years as he worked for General Electric, his job took them to other states: Connecticut, Kentucky, Arizona, and New York, before retiring to Mountain Home, Arkansas in 1986.
Mary was a stay at home Mom once Liz arrived. Mary was involved in Girl Scouts while the girls were in Girl Scouts, and enjoyed helping them get their badges. Mary liked to knit, embroidery, and was a member of the Garden Club. She also belonged to the Square Dancing Clubs as oh how Mary and Gene loved to dance! She also sewed, painted, quilted, and belonged to the bridge clubs in Mountain Home. She also liked to read romance books and traded books with her sister Wynnie in Lee’s Summit. After the death of her husband in 1993, she continued to live in Mountain Home until about 10 months ago when she moved to Springfield to be near her daughter.
As a child, she attended the Belleview United Methodist Church, north of Leona. She later attended First United Methodist Church of Mountain Home; and was a member of Twin Lakes Golf Club. She was bestowed the title of Kentucky Colonel is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Mary was also preceded in death by a brother Joe, and a sister Harriett.
Survivors include her sister Wynnie Bielak of Lee’s Summit, MO; two daughters: Liz (John) Goldsberry of Springfield, MO, Gena (Tom) Guidone of Port Byron, NY; as well as, many grandchildren: Brian, Sarah, Nicole, Christopher; great-grandchildren include: Emma, Elizabeth, and Xoey; with many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services are planned for 11 a.m. Friday, July 29, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Highland, with Tony French officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home after 10 a.m. Thursday where the family will meet from 6 until 8 that evening.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Highland Cemetery, sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 33, 66035.

Ruth A Stein (Martin)
1935-2016

Ruth A Stein (Martin) was born Sunday, July 14th, 1935; and died Monday, July 25th, 2016 in Atchison, Kansas. Services Sunday, July 31st, 2016, 1:00pm; located at the Mt. Olive Cemetery. Interment location Mt. Olive Cemetery. Cemetery is just outside of Troy KS on 180th spur on the south side. Intersection of K-7/180th spur and Larned Rd. Original cemetery is on the south side and the 1986 addition is on the north side of road. Reception location Jerry’s Again.

 

Nancy J. Stiers
1942-2016

Nancy J. Stiers, 74, of Hiawatha, died Tuesday morning, July 26, 2016, at Vintage Park Assisted Living in Hiawatha, where she had been a resident for seven years.
Nancy was born July 19, 1942, east of Reserve, Kansas, the eldest of two children born to Robert H. and Etta “Jean” Smith Hodge and had grown up near Reserve where she attended country school prior to graduating from Reserve High School. Immediately following graduation, Nancy went to Omaha, Nebraska to work a few years for Mutual of Omaha insurance company. She spent most of her working life as a legal secretary for law firms in Omaha, before she retired and returned to Brown County in Hiawatha to be near family.
Nancy, in her younger years, attended the Christian Church at Reserve. She enjoyed walking for exercise when she lived at Omaha. Mainly, she enjoyed her family, shopping, and eating breakfast in St. Joseph. Her favorite time was with family at Christmas Eve. Saying she was an Elvis Presley fan, was an understatement. Nancy also enjoyed family reunions and family picnics.
She was married to Gordon Stiers a short time. Survivors include a brother Robert “Bob” (Linda) Hodge of Hiawatha; nephews: Jeremy (Jamie) Hodge, Joey Hodge; great-nephews: Jacob, Justin, and Jordon.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services are planned for 2:30 Friday afternoon, July 29, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha, with Pastor Rich Lehmkuhl will officiate. Interment will follow at Hiawatha Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home after 10 a.m. Thursday, where the family will meet with friends from 6 until 7:30.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Nancy Stiers Memorial Fund which may be sent in care of the funeral home, 124 St., 66434.

Patricia A. (Biddle) Pettis
1957-2016

Patricia A. (Biddle) Pettis, 74, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Tuesday, July 26, 2016 in St. Joseph, Missouri surrounded by her daughters as she ended her fierce fight with Brain Cancer.
She was born September 2, 1941 to Spencer and Elizabeth (Larabee) Biddle in Lewiston, Maine.
Patricia graduated in 1959 from Great Mills High School in Lexington Park, Maryland, where she was a cheerleader and varsity basketball player.
She married Robert “Bob” Pettis June of 1959 and he preceded her in death on February 16, 2016.
In 1977 her husband Bob started his career as an Aerial Applicator and in 1986 they took over Atlantic Iowa Municipal Airport. They grew the business and sprayed crops out of locations of Atlantic, Harlan and Shenandoah, Iowa. They retired to the Lake of the Ozarks and wintered at South Padre.
She enjoyed quilting, traveling with her husband and all water activities.
She was also preceded in death by her parents; and son, Monty G. Pettis.
Survivors include her daughters, Laurie Brown (Jerry) and Kim Bally (Jim), both of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Jeremy, Dathan, Jared, Aaron, Mallory, Cayleigh, Stephanie, Jacob and Darin; six great grandchildren with one on the way; brothers, Rod Biddle (Sue), Auburn, Maine, Michael Biddle (Jane), Aiken, South Carolina and David Biddle (Jeanette) Yakima, Washington; beloved dog, Molly; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to ALS Association or the American Cancer Society. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.