Mary L. Rose
1945-2016

Mary L. Rose, 71, Gower, Missouri passed away Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at a local healthcare facility.
She was born January 26, 1945 in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Mary was a switch board operator at Sisters Hospital and Heartland for over 40 years.
She enjoyed collecting dolls, gardening, and spending time with her family. Mary was a member of First Baptist Church of Plattsburg.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Victor and Carolyn (Fridell) Bernecker; and sisters, Goldie Neilsen and Bonnie Bernecker.
Survivors include son, Kenneth “Mike” Rose (Angel); grandchildren, Regina Oliver and Andrew O’Dell; great-grandson, Jacob Peterson; nephews, Kevin and Jeff Neilsen; and great-nieces, Tasha, Shelby, and Lexi.
Farewell Services 10:00 A.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, where friends may call after 5:00 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 the ALS Association. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Barbara Eisenhardt
1931-2016

Barbara Eisenhardt, 85, Stewartsville, Missouri passed away Tuesday, November 29, 2016.
She was born October 31, 1931 to William and Ethel (Hudson) Martin, they precede her in death.
Barbara owned and operated Keller Photography Studios in Bethany and Princeton in the early 60’s and was also an artist. She attended Culbertson Chapel United Methodist Church. Barbara loved animals and raised American Saddlebred horses. She was also known as “Grandma” to many people.
She was also preceded in death by her husband, George; sister, Beverly Dalton; and nephew, Greg Martin.
Survivors include daughters, Stacey Fasching (Corbett), and Gay Holcomb (Lane); grandchildren, Georganna Antle (Tyler), Jordan and Nicole Lard; great-grandson, James Richard Antle; brother, William Lee Martin, Jr.; nephews, Terry Martin (Pat), William Lee Martin III (Barbara); nieces, Pamela Deutch (Lee), Leigh Turner (Charlie).
The family will receive friends 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Sunday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, family suggests donations to Friends of the Shelter. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Norman L. Thonen
1925-2016

Norman Lee Thonen, 91, of Powhattan, Kansas, passed on to his Heavenly Father and rejoined his loving wife Leona, on 30 November 2016.
Norman was born February 9th, 1925, at his home in Powhattan. He was a lifelong resident, farmer, and rural mail carrier in Brown County. He graduated from Powhattan High School with the class of 1943.
He joined the United States Marine Corps on 19 June 1944, attended basic training and then served in the Pacific, seeing action on both Saipan and Okinawa with the 2nd Marine Division. He was part of the occupation force in Japan, where he served with the Scout and Reconnaissance teams that landed in Nagasaki, Japan. The Scout and Reconnaissance team’s task was to completely explore and map the island of Kyushu. He returned to the US and was discharged from the Marine Corps on 25 August 1946.
He returned to farming on the family land south of Powhattan. He married Leona E. Kneisel of Mericer on September 10th 1949 at Zion Lutheran Church in Powhattan. They had four daughters: Janette, Christie, Rosie, and Avis, who survive.
He was a lifetime member of Zion Lutheran Church of Powhattan and served in numerous positions of leadership in support of the Church and congregation. He was a Charter member of the American Legion Wenger Post #373 of Powhattan, where he served in various capacities.
Norman was a strong supporter of the National Rifle Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Kansas State Rifle Association, and other numerous organizations.
Surviving are daughters: Janette Thonen of Hiawatha, Christie (Paul) McCartney of Hiawatha, Rosie (John) McGinnis of Silver Lake, and Avis Thonen of Hiawatha.
Surviving grandchildren are Blaine McCartney of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Jacob McGinnis and fiancée Janet Rickabaugh of Cascade, Colorado, Haley McGinnis of Kansas City, MO, Jackie (Travis) Amon of Holton, KS; great-grandchildren: Taylor Rae Kivitter, Chloe Lynn Amon, Rylan Daniel Amon, all of Holton.
Also surviving are a brother Lawrence (Donna) Thonen of Hiawatha; a sister Mavis Geiger of Hiawatha; and many nieces and nephews.
Norman was preceded in death by his wife; parents; and three siblings.
A Celebration of Norman’s life is planned for 10 a.m. Monday, December 5, at Zion Lutheran Church of Hiawatha, with Reverend Michael Dunaway and Reverend Sean Kilgo, officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Powhattan Cemetery.
Friends may call at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home after 12 noon Saturday. The family will meet with friends from 3 until 5 Sunday afternoon.
Memorial contributions are suggested to The Lutheran Hour which may be sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.

Fred ‘Fritz’ S. Smith
1920-2016

Fred ‘Fritz’ S. Smith was born Friday, October 15th, 1920; and passed away Wednesday, November 30th, 2016 in Atchison, Kansas. Services Wednesday, December 7th, 2016, 4:00pm. Located at the Trinity Episcopal Church. Interment located at the Trinity Episcopal Garden. A reception for family and friends will follow the Memorial and Committal Services in the Trinity Episcopal Church Parish Hall.

Cressie Wehr
1933-2016

Cressie I. Kemery Wehr, age 83, peacefully left her earthly home on November 30, 2016 for her eternal heavenly home with her Lord. Cressie was born August 5, 1933 in Savannah, MO, the daughter of Alexander and Audra (Estes) Kemery. She spent her youth in South St. Joseph, graduating from Benton High School in 1951. She accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at the age of 16 and was baptized. At the time of her death, she was a member of Journey Baptist Church.
Cressie was married to Ray Miller from 1951 to 1958 and lived in St. Joseph, MO as a homemaker. To this union 3 children were born but Karen Jane died in infancy. Surviving is daughter Neva Reid, Overland Park, KS; son Michael (Leila) Tebow, St. Joseph, MO; one granddaughter; 2 grandsons; and 2 great grandsons.
Cressie was married to Donald Tebow from 1959 to 1981. To this union 2 children were born. Surviving is daughter Michelle (Jeff) Macht, Highlands Ranch, CO; son Mark (April) Tebow, Holt, MO; 4 grandsons; 5 granddaughters; 3 great grandsons; 5 great granddaughters; and 1 great, great granddaughter.
While living in Kansas City, MO for 22 years, she was a homemaker for 15 years before pursuing a career in nursing. In 1973, she received an Associate Degree in Applied Science with an RN license and worked at hospitals in the Kansas City area.
Cressie moved to St. Joseph, MO in 1981 to care for her father and work as a nurse at various nursing homes, retiring from Group Mental Health Homes in 1997. She was married to Delmar Wehr from 1984 until his death in 2010. Cressie became the step-mother to Pamela Wehr, Overland Park, KS; Deborah Boltz, Kansas City, KS; Delmar E. Wehr, St. Joseph, MO; Janet (Michael) Graham, St. Joseph, MO; John (Debra) Wehr, Rosendale, MO; 3 step-grandsons; 4 step-granddaughters; 5 step-great grandsons; and 3 step-great granddaughters.
Funeral Service will be 1:00 p.m. Monday at Journey Baptist Church with pastor Jacob McMillian officiating. Interment to follow in Barnard Cemetery, Barnard, Missouri. Visitation will be after 12:00 noon Sunday at Clark-Sampson Funeral Home where family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Journey Baptist Church, 5708 King Hill Ave., St. Joseph, MO 64504
Online obituary and guestbook at www.clarksampson.com