Dorothy Lea Batchelder
1930-2018

Dorothy Lea Batchelder, 87, with family by her side, peacefully passed away Friday June 22, 2018, at Maple Heights Nursing Home in Hiawatha.

She was born in Shubert, NE, December 15, 1930, the daughter of the late Harry Preston and Marvena Bingman Cole and was a lifelong Highland area resident. Dorothy graduated from Highland High School with the class of 1949.

Mrs. Batchelder was an active member of the Highland United Methodist-Presbyterian Church of Highland; the ladies auxiliary to Dillon-Bales Post #358, Highland American Legion; and several other local service organizations. She was a wonderful Mother and had a very gentle spirit. She loved tending her flowers, and sending greeting cards out to a great number of nieces, nephews, friends, and other loved ones.

She married John on September 12, 1954 and they raised three children: Mike of Highland, Beverly Montgomery (Terry) of Sabetha, Patti Chauza (Bob) of Salt Lake City, UT; her grandchildren: Christi Grant (Rob), Daniel, Alex, and Ryan Montgomery; great-grandchildren Wesley and Keira Grant. Dorothy is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by her husband John April 13, 2015; a granddaughter Bobbie Lyn Chauza; her siblings: Grace Jones, Helen Simpson, and Robert Wait.

Cremation is planned with a Celebration of Dorothy’s life planned for 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 27, at the Highland United Methodist-Presbyterian Church. Pastor Jerry Petering will officiate. Inurnment will follow at the Highland Cemetery.

The family will meet with friends one hour prior to services at the Church.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Church Memorial Fund or Highland EMT Association, sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, PO Box 33, Highland 66035.

Norman Ray Leibfried
1928-2018

Norman Ray Leibfried 90, of Saint Joseph, MO passed away Wednesday, June 20, 2018 at Mosaic Life Care Hospital. He was born March 10, 1928 in St. Joseph, MO, son of the late Sylvia and Joseph Leibfried. He attended Christian Brothers high school and graduated from LaSalle Catholic High School KC, MO. He served in the Navy during WWII. He started working at Burlington Northern at a very young age and retired as a train master. He enjoyed fishing at Table Rock lake, he loved to golf, playing with the Legends at Fairview golf course, he also enjoyed sports of all kinds, watching westerns and golf on TV. Norman was of the Catholic Faith. He was preceded in death by wife, Luella Leibfried, his parents, a half brother, Robert Whitten, and sister, Henrietta Stucker. Survivors include nephew, Kenneth R. Turner of Pecos, CO, cousins, Joseph Mollus and Charles Mollus of St. Joseph, MO.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. on Monday, June 25, 2018, at the Horigan Chapel, in Mount Olivet Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM with the Rosary to be prayed at 5:30 pm, Sunday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Mount Olivet Cemetery. Memorials are requested to the Our Lady of Guadalupe catholic church.

Larry Wayne Pike
1949-2018

Larry Wayne Pike 69, of Saint Joseph, Missouri passed away Friday June 22, 2018 in Saint Joseph. He was born June 2, 1949 in St. Joseph, Missouri son of the late Eunice and Jewel Pike. He married Sally Umphress on September 20, 1974, and they shared 43 years together. He was a 1967 graduate of Benton High School, and attended Hillyard Technical. He worked at Dean Machinery as a Mechanic and Parts Service Sales Representative retiring after 30 years of service. He served in the United States Coast Guard, 2 years at the Alameda shipping supplies to Viet Nam, 6 months in the Upper Peninsula, MI, and 18 months in Escanaba, MI in Sea and Air rescue units. . He enjoyed trout fishing in the Roaring River State Park, camping and boating with his family on the Missouri River, going to casinos. He also loved to golf, and on April 15, 2012 he scored a Hole in One, at Duncan Hills Golf Course at 157 yards, on hole No. 6 using a 5 iron. He was a member of the South Side Fall Festival committee, serving as the Parks Manager in charge of festival set up and tear down, for many years. Larry and Sally were the 2008 South Side Fall Festival Grand Marshals. He was a member of Duncan Hills Golf Club and was a course Marshall there for several years. He was also a member of the American Legion, and St. Paul United Methodist Church. He was a van driver for Interserv Calvin Center, and the Van 1 driver at the hospital. Larry was a 2 time 10 year cancer survivor, and on the 3rd time he said, “Cancer, you are not taking me, you’re coming with me”. He is survived by wife, Sally Pike of the home, sons, Jason (Angie) Pike, and Joseph (Angela) Pike both of St. Joseph, MO, grandchildren, Bethany, Kristyn, and Madison Pike, and Noah and Alec Ottinger, sister, Linda Lee (Steve) South, Wichita, KS, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, and his faithful companion Abby. The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm on Friday June 29th at the St. Paul United Methodist Church, with a Celebration of Life following at 6:00 PM. Mr. Pike has been cremated per his wishes under the care and direction of the Rupp Funeral Home. Private graveside inurnment service will be held at a later date. Memorials are requested to the Mosaic Cancer Center for local patient expenses, or to St. Paul United Methodist Church. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

Merlin James Goodman
1930-2018

Merlin James Goodman, 87, of Hiawatha, KS, passed away on June 20, 2018, at Maple Heights in Hiawatha.

He was born at Sabetha Hospital on December 8, 1930 to James Harry and Lucy May (Tyner) Goodman of Wetmore. They were also the parents of Norman Goodman of Hiawatha and the late Doris Banwart of Lamar, MO.

Merlin was married to Lida Lucille Moore on November 22, 1952. She preceded him in death on June 11, 1992. To of this union, five children were born. The surviving children are Liz (Dan) Babb of Hiawatha and Donna (Daniel) Halstead of Morrill. Also preceding him in death were two sons and a daughter: Randy Goodman, Tracy Glenn, and Richard (Dickie) Goodman. Merlin is also survived by eight grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

Merlin graduated from Wetmore High School and then enlisted in the United State Marine Corps. He served in the Korean War during his three years of service. Merlin returned from the service and worked for Frank and Bob Scoby of Fairview as a farmer for over 40 years.

He is survived by his wife Verna Moore Goodman whom he married December 31, 1992. He considered her children James (Tammy) Adams, John (Melanie) Adams, and Kristie (Tom) Doyle, along with their grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren as his own.

Funeral services are planned for 10 a.m. Monday June 25, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha. Shane Spangler will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow at the Wetmore Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 10 a.m. Sunday where the family will meet from 4 until 530 afternoon.

Donations for Merlin’s burial can be sent in care of the funeral home.

Betty C Hailey
1932-2018

Betty C. Hailey 85, of Saint Joseph, Missouri passed away surrounded by her family Saturday, June 23, 2018 in a Saint Joseph health care center. She was born August 6, 1932 in King City, Missouri. Betty retired from Heartland Health, now Mosaic Life Care, where she served as a baker and nurtured hospital employees and patrons with her homemade baked goods. Throughout her life, she was a talented cook and seamstress. She also enjoyed crocheting, reading, and spending time with her grandchildren. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, baby brother, Richard Wheeler, son, Paul Wheeler, and stepdaughter, Kay Muff. She will be lovingly remembered by her 2 daughters, Jan Phillippe and Pat Hailey, son, Jerry (Midge) Hailey, grandchildren: Carrissa (Quentin) Phillippe Phipps, Jeremy and Azure Hailey, Becky Hailey, Lori (Chris) Jackson, Shannon Hailey, Susan (Wayne) Alexander, Carol Jean Ferguson, Jerry Michael Muff, and James Dean Muff, and she will be fondly remembered by her 10 great grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Tuesday, with a Celebration of her life to start at 7:00 pm at the Rupp Funeral Home. Pastor Richard Bradley officiating. She will be cremated under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home. Flowers are appreciated and memorials are requested to the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

Michael Lee Parks
1981-2018

Michael Lee Parks 36, of Saint Joseph, MO passed away Friday, June 22, 2018 at Mosaic Life Care Hospital. He was born July 4, 1981 in St. Joseph, MO, son of Debbie and George “Mike” Parks. He graduated from Bishop LeBlond High School class of 1999, and Missouri Western State University. He married Kendra Collins on April 22, 2017 in St. Joseph, MO, and she survives of the home. He worked at Game Stop for 10 years and Store Leader the past 2 years. Michael enjoyed gaming, building computers, and vacationing to Disney World. He was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. He was preceded in death by father, George “Mike” Parks. Survivors include wife, Kendra of the home, mother, Debbie Grinlinton Parks, Saint Joseph, MO, maternal grandparents, A.C. and Margaret Bluma Grinlinton, paternal grandparents, George and Alice “Fern” Kaelson Parks, mother-in-law, Rochelle Whitman (Jim Neely), father-in-law, Stephen Collins (Diane Smith) grandmother in law Betty Collins, several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and his very spoiled furbabies, Merlin, Chloe, Maggie.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, June 28, 2018, at 1:00 pm at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Fr. Joe Miller and Fr. Jim Pankiewicz Con-Celebrants. The Rosary will be recited at 5:30 pm Wednesday with the family receiving friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Mount Olivet Cemetery. Memorials are requested to the Marfan Foundation (22 Manhasset Ave, Port Washington, New York 11050) .

Anna Marie Rains
1948-2018

Anna Marie Rains 70, of St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Saturday, June 23, 2018 at her home. She was born June 1, 1948 in St. Joseph, MO, daughter of the late Helen and Samuel Hatfield. She graduated from Lafayette High School Class of 1968, and worked at the Highlander Laundromat as the manager, retiring after many years of service. She enjoyed traveling, bingo, the casino, old country music especially Gene Watson, and Conway Twitty. She was a Christian. Anna was preceded in death by husband, James Rains, her parents, brothers, Tommy, David, Joey and Larry Hatfield, and a sister, Linda Wykert. Survivors include, life partner, Phillip Taylor, son, Frank (Tracy) Hatfield, Rosendale, MO, daughter, Heather Mayse, Knoxville, TN, 4 grandchildren: Ryanna Hatfield, Chelsea Mayse, Taylor Mayse, and Mary Mayse, brothers, Gary (Denise) Hatfield and Michael (Rose) Hatfield both of St. Joseph, MO, and a sister, Diane (David) Hopper of St. Joseph, MO, as well as several nieces & nephews.
Funeral services: 1:00 pm Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at Rupp Funeral Home, Chaplain Scott Jensen officiating. 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 Mount Auburn Cemetery . Memorials are requested to the American Cancer Society or the VFW Post 6760

Jack Allen White Jr
1974-2018

Jack Allen White Jr 43, of Saint Joseph, Missouri passed away Sunday, June 24, 2018 at Mosaic Life Care Hospital. He was born December 17, 1974 in Atchison, Kansas, son of Gayree & Jack White. He enjoyed fishing and camping. Jack was preceded in death by his brother, Barry White. He is survived by wife, Maureen White of the home, parents, Jack Sr. and Gayree White, Easton, MO, daughter, Kaitlin (Christian) Cross, son, Tyler White, granddaughters, Blyss & Nyxah Cross, brother, Robert White, Easton, MO, sister, Christal Montgomery, Saint Joseph. Mr. White will be cremated under the care and direction of the Rupp Funeral Home. Memorial services will be held at a later date

Lloyd F. “Junior” Dawson, Jr.
1928-2018

Retired Businessman Lloyd F. “Junior” Dawson, Jr., 89, died Friday afternoon, June 22, 2018, at Two Timbers Assisted Living in Highland.

Junior, as he was known to family and friends, was born June 24, 1928, at St. Joseph, MO, one of three children born to the late Lloyd Sr. and Margaret McLaren Dawson. Junior was a lifelong Highland area resident, dedicated to the Highland Community. He grew up near Sparks and graduated from Sparks High School, prior to attending Highland Community College. He worked a few years for the US Army Corps of Engineers before serving with the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He served with the 40th Infantry Division from 1950 until discharged in 1952, at the rank of sergeant. Junior returned from the service and worked for Dawe’s Garage. He started Dawson Automotive in 1958 and operated a towing service. He also built and operated the bowling alley in Highland for several years before retiring.

Mr. Dawson spent countless hours over the last 40 years volunteering at the Highland and Iola Cemetery. He was instrumental in installing the Veteran’s Memorial, the flag poles and the directory. Junior was a long time dedicated member of Smithton Lodge #1, AF&AM of Highland and served as Past Master. He was a member of White Cloud Christian Church; Doniphan County Historical Society; White Cloud Historical Society; VFW; Dillion Bales American Legion Post in Highland; and PBSS Catfish Club. He enjoyed woodworking and making stained glass and pottery.

He married Betty J. Holden In Hiawatha, KS March 8, 1950. They had one son, Randy Lee. Betty passed March 15, 1995. He later married Hallie Simpson Taylor December 26, 1996, at the White Cloud Community Church. She survives at Two Timbers.

Also surviving are a sister Jo Anne Bryan; children Alisa Koch, Lorie Hanlon (Dennis), Nanette Reid (Willie), nephews Terry Gibson (Doris), and Chris Gibson (Trisha); Dale Bryan, four grandchildren, Edward Koch, Keith Conklin, Megan Gomez (Daniel) and Jaclyn Reid, and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, son Randy Dawson; sister Marjorie “Jean” Gibson and husband Bill, Brother-in-law Clyde Bryan and nephew Larry Bryan.

A Celebration of Junior’s life will be 11 until 1 p.m. Saturday, August 11, 2018, at the Highland Community Center.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Highland or Iola Cemetery, sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, PO Box 33, Highland 66035, who is assisting the family with arrangements