ST. JOSEPH – Socorro T. Rodriguez, 91, passed away Thursday, February 19, 2015 in a St. Joseph health care center.
She was born October 15, 1923 in St. Joseph, daughter of Lydia and Florentino Cruz. She graduated from Holy Rosary grade school and then worked at Swift & Company in her youth. She then worked at the Convent of the Sacred Heart for the nuns. On November 26, 1949 she married Lolo Rodriguez at Holy Rosary Catholic Church and they shared 65 years of marriage together.
She was a member of the former Holy Rosary Catholic Church, then St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, and wife, who will be missed by all.
Socorro was preceded in death by son, Mark Rodriguez; her parents; three brothers, Pancho, Alfonso and Jesse Cruz; three sisters, Mercedes Rocha, Francisca “Pachita” Barbosa, and Michaela Montemore.
Survivors include her husband, Lolo of the home; two sons, Jesse Florentino Rodriguez and Jerome Rodriguez of St. Joseph; two daughters, Theresa (Fred) Craigmiles of Rich Hill, Mo., and Mary (Billy) Parker of Gower, Mo.; 15 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, at 10 a.m., at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Father Eric Schneider Celebrant. The Rosary will be recited at 5:30 p.m., Monday at Rupp Funeral Home by Father Richard Rocha. The family will receive friends from 4:30 to 8 p.m., on Monday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Mount Olivet Cemetery . Memorials are requested to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Wanda June (Smith) Geiger, 76, died Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at Mosaic Life Care.
She was born May 13, 1938 to Elmer Edward and Clara Mae (Koehler) Smith in Troy, Kan.
Wanda graduated from Troy High School, class of 1956. Upon finishing classes at Gard Business University, she was employed as a private secretary at Westar Tablet Company (Westab) now known as Mead Company. After that she was employed at Farmers Mutual (now American Family Insurance).
Wanda is a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in St. Joseph. She also belongs to St. Ann Altar Society.
Wanda married the love of her life, Galen Geiger on March 2, 1957 in St. Mary’s Church, Purcell, Kan. To this happy, loving marriage, six children were born. After the birth of her second child, she became a stay-at-home mother and full time mom.
Wanda was a talented crafter and spent many weekends participating in craft shows. She also spent many weekends transporting not only her children but the neighborhood children and teams that her husband coached to games. She was a very devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.
Preceding her in death were her parents; and an infant grandson, Leland Pepple.
She is also survived by her children, Thaddeus Geiger (Bobette), Troy, Bartholomew Geiger (Joy), Mound City, Mo., Kimberly Halter (Keith), Kansas City, Mo., Dena Pepple (Tim), Lees Summit, Mo., Cynthia Buchanan (Doug), Blue Springs, Mo., and Roderick Geiger (Marie), Kansas City; 17 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sister, Bobbie Findley; brothers, Larry, Eddie and Wayne Smith; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mass of Christian Burial 10 a.m., Monday, St. Patrick Catholic Church. Interment St. Charles Cemetery, Troy. Parish Rosary 5 p.m., Sunday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will gather with friends 5:30 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory, where friends may call after 2 p.m., Sunday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to St. Patrick Catholic Church. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.