Jean Gibson
1929-2017

Jean Gibson, 88, of Highland, died early Thursday morning, October 12, 2017, at Mission Village Living Center in Horton.

She was born at St. Joseph, Missouri, September 26, 1929, one of three children born to Lloyd Francis and Margaret Mclaren Dawson. Her parents and her were one of the first cars to cross the new Missouri River bridge (at that time), connecting Missouri and Kansas. Jean had lived nearly all of her life in the Sparks/Highland area. She attended Sparks schools where she graduated high school; graduated from Highland Junior College; and Northwest Missouri State University, where she received her Masters’ Degree. She worked as an executive secretary most of her working life, first for Highland College, Anchor Serum (now Boehringer-Ingelheim), and Vatteroff College, both in St. Joseph, before retiring.

Jean was a member of Highland United Methodist-Presbyterian Church; also a member of the Order of Eastern Star. She loved being involved with Highland PRIDE and volunteering with the Highland Food Pantry. Jean was instrumental in starting and maintaining the Highland Memorial Day program, which is very well attended each year. She loved to cook and wrote articles for the Horton Headlight, and on occasion St. Joseph Newpress. Above all, she loved her family and community.

She married Charles William “Bill” Gibson, January 25, 1947, at Troy. They made Highland their home nearly all of their married lived until moving to Horton to assisted living center in recent years.. He died December 4, 2013.

Survivors include her children: Terry Gibson (Doris) of Highland, Kevin Gibson of Kansas City, KS, Chris Gibson (Trish), also of Highland; a brother Lloyd Dawson, Jr., of Highland; a sister Joan Bryan of St. Joseph, MO; 9 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Jean was also preceded in death by her parents; and a great-grandson Josh Torkelson.

The family will meet with friends a half hour prior to services at 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 16, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Highland. Pastor Jerry Petering will officiate, assisted by Sam Blythe. Family inurnment will follow at Highland Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Highland PRIDE, sent in care of the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, PO Box 33, Highland 66035.

Ethel Louise McCollum
1945-2017

Ethel Louise McCollum 72, of Saint Joseph, Missouri passed away Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at Mosaic Life Care Hospital. She was born July 27, 1945 in St. Joseph, Missouri, daughter of the late Geraldine & Randall Kirby. She graduated from Central High School class of 1963. Ethel worked at the Elwood School District and at Lover’s Lane Credit Union as a Secretary/Bookeeper. She loved to read, she and enjoyed working jigsaw puzzles and playing Mah Jongg. She was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church. Ethel was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin McCollum, her parents, son, Carson Tubbs, grandson, Carson W. Tubbs II, brother, Wayne Bowlin, and sister, Donna Lightbody. Survivors include daughter, Stephanie Tubbs-Harbeston (Ed) Wathena, KS, son, David (Dena) Tubbs, Marceline, MO, grandchildren, Hadley K. Mangum, Brandon, Tyler and Nathaniel Noble, Logan and Davin Tubbs, great grandson, Calvin Mangum, 7 nieces and nephews, and sister, Betty (Mike) Jones-Kornblum, Springfield, MO. The family will receive friends from 1-3 pm Saturday with a Memorial Service to be held at 3 pm Saturday, October 14, 2017 at the Rupp Funeral Home. She will be cremated under the care and direction of the Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to the Child Rescue Guatemala with Midland Ministries in care of the Rupp Funeral Home.

Emma “Jean” Roland
1934-2017

Wathena, Kansas – Emma “Jean” Roland, 83, of Wathena, Kansas passed away Thursday, October 12, 2017 at her home.

Jean was born on March 15, 1934 in Wathena, Kansas to Marion Gregg & Ama Alice (Verbryck) Phelps.

She worked as a waitress at the Hardy’s Café in Wathena for many years & also was a member of the Women’s VFW Auxiliary.

Jean married Harold L. Davis Sr. on January 21, 2000. He survives of the home.

She was preceded in death by her parents & a sister Talba Davis.

Additional survivors: Daughters, Treva Jean Bollman,
Winchenda Mae McIlvian,
Deana Marie Brown,
Tammy JoLynn Sutton,
Jacqueline Anne Roland,
Sons, Gregory Carl Roland,
Ricky Eugene Roland,
William Joseph Roland,
Step-son, Harold L. Davis Jr.,
Numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren & great-great-grandchildren

Jean’s wishes were to be cremated with a party at a later date.
Memorials: Compassus Hospice
Harman-Rohde Funeral Home, Wathena, Kansas in charge of arrangements.

Rodney Wayne Chase
1957-2017

Rodney Wayne Chase 59, of Saint Joseph, Missouri passed away Friday, October 13, 2017 at his home. He was born May 28, 1957 in St. Joseph, Missouri, son of the late Norma & Charley Chase. He graduated from Central High, then went to serve in the United States Air Force. He worked as a Mill Rite, who enjoyed fishing and camping with his wife, Lori, hanging out with his grandkids and friends. He also enjoyed watching Nascar, and tinkering in the basement. Rodney was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Lori Jean Chase, and sister, Carolyn McNett. Survivors include sons, Delvin and David McClure of St. Joseph, MO, daughter, Heidi Chase, Virginia, he had a total of seven grandchildren, including, Bailey & Austin McClure, brothers, Ron (Linda) Chase, DeKalb, MO, and Carl (Teresa) Chase of Savannah, MO. The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Thursday October 19, 2017 at the Rupp Funeral Home. He has been cremated under the care and direction of the Rupp Funeral Home.

Paul Vonfischbach
1947-2017

Paul Vonfischbach, 70, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, October 11, 2017.
He was born April 30, 1947 in Brooklyn, NY to Paul and Grace (Bello) Fischbach.
Paul enjoyed woodworking and Yankees baseball. He loved his children.
He was preceded in death by his parents;
Survivors include daughter, Jennifer Caracciolo, NY; sons, Mathew Fischbach, Booker, Madison and Parker VonFischbach; brother, Robert, CA.
Family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, Living Hope Church. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to his children’s education fund c/o Nodaway Valley Bank. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Betty Lou (Martin) Kirschner
1925-2017

Betty Lou (Martin) Kirschner, 91, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly Friday, October 13, 2017, at her home.
She was born December 7, 1925 to Clarence and Aurie (Ham) Tibbetts.
Betty married Curtis (Dink) Martin August of 1950; he passed away in November of 1982. She later married Jack Kirschner in 1983; he passed away in June of 1999.
She graduated from Lafayette High School, class of 1944. Betty worked at Westtab, Standard Oil, Green Hills and for the last 10 years at at Walgreens with plans to retire October 30th 2017 and looked forward to doing volunteer work after her retirement. She was very active and strong willed. Betty was a huge supporter of the military, the American flag and her country.
Betty enjoyed going to garage and estate sales her entire life. She was an amazing lady that loved all animals and was a very caring and giving person even to people she didn’t know.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands; brothers, Melvin E. Tibbets, Gene Tibbets; and sister, June Rose Craig.
Survivors include son, Alan Martin (Jane), Quartz Hill, California; daughters, Nancy Lou (Martin) Gore, Parkville, Missouri, Tracy Ann (Martin) McLaughlin; stepsons, Tom Kirschner, Roger Kirschner (Linda), Neosho, Missouri; grandchildren, Amy and Ryan Martin, Brannon Gore (Stacey), Jordan and Myles McLaughlin, Tim Kirschner (Telara), Danielle Gruen, Brandon Kirschner (Megan), Sherry Smith (Matt), Mark Kirschner, Tammy McQuiston (RC), 18 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and her loyal companion cat, “Miss Kitty”.
Farewell Services 10:00 A.M. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to St. Joseph Animal Shelter. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Mark Andrew Denney
1950-2017

U.S. VeteranMark Andrew Denney, 67, of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017 at his home with his family by his side. Born on Aug. 1, 1950 in Kansas City, Missouri, Mark was brought up 40 acres near Edgerton, Missouri by Margaret and Merle Denney and attended North Platte High School in Dearborn, Missouri. Known as both a class cut-up and heartthrob at North Platte, Mark graduated in 1968 and went on to attend the University of Missouri, where he enjoyed an illustrious music career that included a stint in the rock group Smokey Bayer and the Aspirins and performing a song before a state convention of the Future Farmers of America. Mark had a military career spanning near three decades, serving in the Air Force and later the Army. Through his life, Mark’s interests included reading, cooking, drawing cartoons, starting up new business ventures, attempting to build and fix things around the house (with mixed results) and fishing (also with mixed results). Above all, he was proud of his family, his faith and his service to his country. Mark is survived by his Cynthia Denney, his wife of almost 35 years; two sons, Andrew Denney of Brooklyn, New York, and Nick Denney of Sequim, Washington; and his two grandchildren, Summer and Hayden Denney. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017 at Family Worship Center Church at 12293 John Glenn Road in Country Club Village, Missouri. Pastor Douglas Cline will officiate. Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Rupp Funeral Home, located at 6054 Pryor Ave. in St. Joseph. Interment will be held later on Wednesday at the Leavenworth National Cemetery in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas.

Anne (Parkinson) Douglass

Anne (Parkinson) Douglass, 77, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Sunday, October 15, 2017.
Farewell Services are pending Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory.

William Thomas Young

William Thomas Young, 89, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Sunday, October 15, 2017.
Farewell Services Thursday, 1:00 P.M., Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory.