Gordon D. Sigrist
1935-2017

TROY, KANSAS – Gordon D. Sigrist, 82, of Wathena, Kansas died Saturday, July 22, 2017.

Gordon was born on April 5, 1935 in St. Joseph, Missouri to Emil and Juanita (Brasel) Sigrist. He was a lifelong resident of Wathena and worked as an over the road truck driver.

Gordon is a member of the First Baptist Church in Troy, the Teamsters Union and the U.S. Naval Reserves.

He married Verna Akins on January 15, 1966 in St. Joseph, Missouri. She survives of the home. Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Carol Bruns and son, Mitch Sigrist.

Additional survivors include his children,
Mike Sigrist, Robert Sigrist (Kimberly) and Angelia Sigrist all of St. Joseph, Missouri
Melody Peterson of San Marcos, California
Gaylon Merritt of Troy, Kansas
14 grandchildren 14 great-grandchildren

FUNERAL: Wednesday, July 26, 2017 – 10:30 A.M.
At: First Baptist Church in Troy.
Burial: Mount Olive Cemetery in Troy
Visitation: family will receive friends Tuesday evening 6-8 at the Harman Rohde Funeral Home in Troy, Kansas
Memorials: First Baptist Church, Troy Ambulance Fund or Wathena EMS

Clorenda Proffitt
1962-2017

Clorenda “Carry” Proffitt 54, of Saint Joseph, Missouri passed away Friday, July 21, 2017 at Mosaic Life Care in Saint Joseph, MO. She was born July 25, 1962 in St. Joseph, MO, daughter of Dolly and Fred Coon. She married Brent Proffitt on September 7, 2001 in Savannah, MO. She was a Homemaker and a Christian. She enjoyed playing softball when she was younger. Carry loved spending time with her family, especially her children and grandchildren. She was a friend and mother to many, and she was a very honest person. Carry was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include: husband, Brent, of the home, her children, David (Roberta) Robles of Cosby, MO, Brent (Donia) Robles of Knob Noster, MO, Jason Farmer of St. Joseph, MO, and Wade & Mason Proffitt, grandchildren, Muriyah, Tryston, Taylor, Arianna, and Kiersten, brother, Cregg (Julie) Coon of Agency, MO, sisters, Cory (Mike) Babcock of Agency, MO, Candy (Brett) Frakes of DeKalb, MO, Channon (Brian) Ussary of Agency, MO, and Chelly (Todd) Mears of Faucett, MO.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 6:00-8:00 PM Tuesday, July 25, 2017 at the Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to the Noyes Home.

Colby Dean Harris
2005-2017

MAYETTA – Colby Dean Harris, 11, of Mayetta, died Friday, July 21, 2017 from an accidental death at his home.

He was born August 10, 2005 in Topeka, the son of Chris and Dana Baxter Harris.

Colby would have started 6th grade at Royal Valley Middle School this year. He played baseball at Royal Valley and soccer with the Holton Parks and Recreation League. He loved hunting, fishing, swimming, hiking and the shooting sports.

Colby was preceded in death by his grandfather, Eldon Harris and his uncle, Michael Harris.

Survivors include his parents, Chris and Dana Harris, of the home, four brothers, Michael Harris (Betsy) and their children, Preston, Parker and Paxton, Denison, Dakota Harris (Katie) and their children, Colt, Case and Reagan, Mayetta, and Rey Harris and Gage Harris, both of the home; one sister, Izzy Harris, of the home; grandparents, Mary Harris, Holton, and Russell and Marquita Baxter and Gladys and Elmer Schlodder, all of Mayetta, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 26th at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Holton. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery at Holton. Colby will lie in state Tuesday at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Holton where a Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m., followed by visitation until 8:30 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Harris Children’s Education Fund, and may be sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 1034, Holton, 66436.

Bruce Alan Whitworth
1964 – 2017

Bruce Alan Whitworth, 53, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Saturday July 15, 2017.
He was a member of Central Christian Church.
Survivors include his mother, Anna; son, Kyle and numerous friends and extended family.
The family suggests memorial donations to the funeral home to help defray funeral expenses or to donate online, please visit Bruce’s Tribute Page at www.meierhoffer.com and select Donate Now.

Martha G. Thorpe
1913-2017

Martha G. Thorpe passed away peacefully Tuesday July 18, 2017 under the care of Three Rivers Hospice Care at Laverna Village nursing facility in St. Joseph, Missouri. Martha Glenn Minor was born December 28, 1913 in Fayette Missouri. Her parents were Ethel Brown Rozell and Granger L. Minor. She was 103 years old at the time of her peaceful death.
Martha lived a full and robust life. Growing up on her father’s farm she became connected to nature and all that it offered. She was blessed to have twin sisters Merle and Melba born three years after her birth providing many great entertaining stories of their childhood adventures on the farm. Martha’s maternal mother passed away shortly after her twin sister’s birth but was fortunate to have a wonderful grandmother and step mother to help in raising the three sisters. Martha graduated from Fayette High School and attended Central Methodist University majoring in art.
Martha was selected Miss Fayette in 1933 and competed in the Miss Missouri pageant finishing as a runner up. She was working as a college Dean of Art assistant during this time. During this time she met and dated on and off the love of her life Donald B. Thorpe. They decided to get married in Booneville Missouri prior to WWII on February 28, 1940.
During the war years as Don was deployed in the African and European US Army campaigns Martha lived and worked in St. Louis Missouri. She served her country during the war effort as a “Rosie Riveter” helping build Douglas C-47 aircraft. When her art and mechanical drafting skills were observed she was transferred to Anheiser-Busch as a mechanical draftsman designing and building US Navy Fleet Class submarines.
After the war she and Don moved to Kansas City and then on to St. Joseph in 1952. Martha was extremely active at her beloved Ashland Avenue Methodist Church being one of the cornerstone members. She was active in the Cub and Boy Scout organizations and any church special event that she may be called upon. She was an outstanding cook and enjoyed making meals for church and family events. Martha and Don were extremely involved in rock, fossil, and mineral collecting. They would spend their summer vacations “out West” hunting and collecting rock specimens with close friends that they met through the years. They were active in both the Missouri Valley Gem and Mineral Society and Topeka Kansas rock clubs. Martha was able to continue her art painting projects additionally becoming an accomplished artist. She also was involved in making quilts and enjoyed sharing them with friends and family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald B. Thorpe and recently, son Robert (Bob) Thorpe.
Survivors are and include: son, Jim Thorpe (Vicki); granddaughters, Carrie Gamino (Brad) and Kelly Park; grandson, Dusty Thorpe (Tara); great-grandchildren, Bobae and Jin Park; daughter-in-law, Sharon M. Thorpe (Bob); granddaughter, Kim Kruse (Tom); grandson, Kyle R. Thorpe (Zach Ozbun); great-grandchildren Cole and Cassie Kruse.
Farewell Services 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Ashland United Methodist Church. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Vergie Harl
1927-2017

Vergie Mae Harl, 89, of Overland Park, KS died on Friday, July 21st, 2017 at her son’s home in Overland Park.

Funeral services will be 2:00 pm on Monday, July 24, 2017 at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home with Rev. Nancy Kollhoff officiating. Burial will follow in the Sugar Creek Cemetery, Rushville, MO. The family will receive friends from 12:30 PM until time of service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Kansas City Hospice and may be sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com.

Vergie Thomas was born on Aug. 25, 1927 in Rogers, AR the daughter of Virgil and Alma (Burch) Thomas. She was married to William T. Harl on Sept. 8, 1945 in Atchison, KS. Mr. & Mrs. Harl owned and operated three motels in the Lake of Ozarks, the Deer Motel, the Lucky Motel and the Oak Hill Motel, for 15 years. They retired in 1982 and moved to Overland Park, KS in 1984.

Mr. Harl preceded her in death on Aug. 22, 2006. Survivors include two sons; William C. Harl, Overland Park, KS, and Daniel R. Harl, Gardner, KS, two sisters, Nancy Shelton and Sandra Knowles, both of Atchison, KS, three grandchildren, and four great grandchildren and a sister in law, Anna Allen, Atchison, KS. Her parents, husband William, two sons, David Harl (1986) and Stephen W. Harl, (May 2015) a brother, Lester “Bud” Thomas, and a sister, Mary Ann Liebsch preceded her in death.

Buddy Raymond DeFord
1941-2017

Buddy Raymond DeFord 75, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, passed away Friday, July 21, 2017 in Atchison, KS. He was born October 7, 1941 in St. Joseph, MO. He was a Auto Body Repairman, who enjoyed old cars, and motorcycles. He was Catholic. Buddy was preceded in death by father, Loren DeFord, mother, Betty Flynn. Survivors include, son, Nathan DeFord, Tulsa, OK, Aunts Shirley Walsh, and Peggy Endsley, St. ?Joseph, friend and caretaker, Zack (Linda) Benitz, Atchison, KS, grandsons, Isaac, Jeremiah, and Zechariah DeFord, granddaughter, Moriah DeFord.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am, on Tuesday, July 25, 2017 at Rupp Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Monday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the King Hill Cemetery. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Ruby Kathleen Stanton
1931-2017

Ruby Kathleen Stanton 86, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, passed away Thursday, July 20, 2017 at her home. She was born February 8, 1931 in Versailles, MO. She graduated from Benton High School and attended Platte Gard Business School. . She worked at Whitaker Cable, Stevens Hats, and at various gift shops in Las Vegas, NV. She enjoyed her Sing a Ling group, ceramics, and going to garage sales. She belonged to the St. Joe Pony Express Motorcycle Club and attended bike rallies with her husband, Virgil. She was a member of the Hosanna Fellowship Church. Ruby was preceded in death by parents Matilda and Ellis Frisbie, two grandchildren, Erin Young, and Richard Berry, brothers, Woodrow, Kenneth, Cleveland, and Raymond Frisbie, sisters, Cloye Hager, and Cora Brown. Survivors include, daughters, Kathy Young (James), Firestone, CO, and Jacquelyn Hunt, St. Joseph, MO, sons, Paul Ptomey, Wathena, KS, Roger (Mona) Ptomey, Faucett, MO, Philip (LeeAnn) Ptomey, St Joseph, MO, Wayne (Penny) Stanton, St. Joseph, MO, and daughter Peppi (Kenny) Cline, Canyon City, CO, 14 grandchildren, 24 grandchildren, 35 great great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and a brother, Russell (Kathy) Frisbie, Muskoteen, IA.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 am, on Monday, July 24, 2017 at Rupp Funeral Home, with Rev. Larry Gray officiating, The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services, at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Mount Zion Cemetery, Gower, MO. Memorials are requested in lieu of flowers to the Ruby Stanton Memorial fund in care of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.