Constance “Connie” Sue Eckart
1949-2018

Constance “Connie” Sue Eckart, 68, St. Joseph, passed away February 23, 2018, at her home. She was born November 14, 1949, to Eugene and M. Gretchen (Ingram) Smiley, in Hamburg, Iowa. Connie married Charles Eckart, on December 28, 1978. He survives of the home. She lived most of her life in the St. Joseph area, growing up on the family farm south of St. Joseph. She graduated as Valedictorian from DeKalb High School and received a Secretarial diploma from Platt College of Commerce. Connie spent many years as a stay-at-home mother and loved being with her children. She enjoyed reading, playing cards, listening to a variety of music, cross-stitching, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. She had a special gift of engaging and cheering up strangers who appeared lonely or downhearted. Connie was strong in her Christian faith. She was a member of Wyatt Park Christian Church and former member and thirteen-year secretary of King Hill Christian Church. She was preceded in death by: her parents; brothers, Larry and Gary Smiley; and aunt, Ruth Anna Foster. Survivors include: her husband; daughters, Lisa (John) Hopper of Warsaw, MO and Paula (Craig) Peters of Liberty, MO; sons, Daniel (Rebecca) Moser of St. Joseph, Gene (Mimi) Eckart of Bucyrus, KS and Rick (Lora) Eckart of Midwest City, OK; aunts, Catherine Laurence of Faucett, MO and Shirleen Gartin of Duncanville, TX; eleven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; niece Donna Smiley of St. Joseph; and several cousins and other relatives. Farewell Services: 10:00 am Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at the Rupp Funeral Home. Interment: Union Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6-8 pm Tuesday, Rupp Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Wyatt Park Christian Church or Union Cemetery. Online condolence and obituary www.ruppfuneral.com

Betty Jean Ellis
1935-2018

Betty Jean Ellis 82, of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at her home in St. Joseph. She was born October 8, 1935 in St. Joseph, MO, daughter of the late Gladys and Jim Parker. She attended Lafayette High School was the owner operator of Betty’s Snack Shack, she also worked at several other restaurants. and was a homemaker. She loved family gatherings and spending time with her grandchildren, and was a Baptist. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, son William Smith, brothers; Leroy, Edgar, and William Parker, sisters, Erma Teft, and Juanita Barton. Survivors include, husband, Ted Ellis of the home, daughters, Wanda (John) Varner, Vickie Pankau, Lisa Fisher, Anita Myers, and Diana Pollard all of St. Joseph, MO, sons, Tom (Cindy) Smith, St. Joseph, MO, Kenny (Debbie) Smith, Springfield, MO, Roger (Colleen) Ellis, Rick (Stacey) Ellis, St. Joseph, Randy (Mary) Ellis, Cosby, MO, and Ross (Amy) Ellis, St. Joseph, MO, 26 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, three brothers; Ronnie Parker, Jim (Julie) Parker, and Theodore “Red” Parker all of St. Joseph, MO, two sisters, Linda (Bob) Peterson, Weatherby, MO, and Stella Maddox St. Joseph, MO. Funeral services: 10:00 am, Monday, February 26, 2018 at Rupp Funeral Home, Pastor Mark Conyers officiating, We welcome family and friends for a celebration of life at “Club Fun” 5940 King Hill Ave, from 1:30-3:30pm Monday, after the service. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Sunday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials are requested to the American Lung Association. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Alan Leon Mace
1960-2018

Alan Leon Mace 57, of Skidmore, Missouri passed away Wednesday, February 21, 2018 in Maryville, MO. He was born October 31, 1960 in St. Joseph, MO, son of Mary and Dennis “Ed” Mace Sr. He attended Horton High School. He worked at Mead for 22 years, Alan was preceded in death by his father, Dennis “Ed” Edwin Mace Sr, sister, Denise Mace, and daughter, Melissa Lawrence. Survivors include, mother, Mary Mace of Skidmore, MO, sons, Alan Mace, Enrique Tillman, and Brandon Lawrence, 4 grandchildren, brothers, Dennis Jr, Jimmy and Joey Mace, sister, Dena Kay, and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Mace will be cremated under the care and direction of the Rupp Funeral Home.

Richard Lee Hutchings
1987-2018

Richard Lee Hutchings 30, of Saint Joseph, Missouri passed away Saturday, February 24, 2018 at his home. He was born August 31, 1987 in Columbia, Missouri. He graduated from Wright City High School. He enjoyed working on computers, riding bikes, reading, music and singing, he also was a civil war historian. Richard was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Richard and Norma Brooner. He is survived by his mother, Tamara Christianson, Saint Joseph, MO, father, Russell D. Hutchings, Wright City, MO, brother, Harry (Cherlynn) Christianson, St. Joseph, MO, sister, Catherine Hutchings, Sullivan, MO, nephews, Caleb and Jacob. The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:00 pm on Thursday at the Rupp Funeral Home. Memorial Services following at 2:00 pm, Rev James Kerns Officiating. He will be cremated under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to the Richard Hutchings Memorial Fund in care of the Rupp Funeral Home.

Gerald L. Studer
1942-2018

Wathena, Kansas Gerald L. Studer, 75, of Wathena, Kansas passed away Sunday, February 25, 2018 at the Wathena Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

Gerald was born on August 11, 1942 in Wathena, Kansas to Peter & Catherine (Fahey) Studer.

He was a member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wathena, Kansas. Gerald was a farmer. He loved his chickens & field work. Gerald was very fond of his lock collection, playing bingo & taking 4-wheeler rides. He always looked forward to the holidays & having cookouts with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors: brothers, John Studer, Wathena, Larry Studer, Wathena, Robert Studer (Wendy), St. Joseph, Missouri & Tony Studer (Shelley), Wathena.

Sisters, Marilyn Perry, St. Joseph, Missouri, Cathy Coy (Vernie), Wathena, & Janice Studer, Wathena.

Numerous nieces & nephews

Funeral Service: 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, February 27, 2018

At the Harman-Rohde Funeral Home, Wathena, Kansas.
Friends may call after 12 noon Monday. There is no scheduled visitation.
Burial: Mount Calvary Cemetery, Wathena, Kansas.
Memorials: Wathena EMS, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church or the Wathena Nursing Home Activity Fund.