Bettie Sollars
1929-2016

Bettie Sollars, 87, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Sunday, March 13, 2016.
She was born February 6, 1929 in Weatherby, Missouri.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence “Bud” Sollars; parents, Dade and Helen (Riggs) Weigler; and four siblings, Colleen Montgomery, Carl Weigler, Charles Weigler and Darlene Stanislaus.
Survivors include son, William Calvin, St. Joseph, Missouri; four grandchildren, Ranae Edwards, Phoenix, Arizona, Carrissa Feiden, St. Joseph, Missouri, Aaron Calvin, Kansas City, Kansas and Courtney Needham, Kansas City, Kansas; and four great-grandchildren.
Natural Farewell under the direction of Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Chad Michael Lancaster
1975-2016

Chad Michael Lancaster, 40, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Sunday, March 13, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care.
He was born April 7, 1975 in Marquette, Michigan.
Chad married Melissa Ann Donaldson on May 24, 2014.
He worked for Griffin Roofing as an estimator. Chad believed in putting God first, then his family, followed by fishing as much as he could. He always enjoyed spending time outdoors, from mushroom hunting to barbecuing. Chad loved to be able to help others and was a loving father, brother, and uncle who will be missed.
Survivors include wife, Melissa; daughters, Maddison Sconyers and Alanna Lancaster; father, Joe Lancaster (Debbie); mother, Karen Lancaster; brother, Todd Lancaster; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Farewell Services 10:00 A.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Inurnment Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to the American Cancer Society or Midwest Transplant Network. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Janice L. Heinz
1939-2016

Janice L. Heinz, 76, Gladstone, Missouri passed away Sunday, March 13, 2016 at North Kansas City Hospital.
She was born November 3, 1939 in Cosby, Missouri.
Janice graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 1961. The following spring she started teaching at Meadowbrook Elementary School in North Kansas City. She spent her whole career there as the First grade teacher, retiring in 1997.
She was a longtime and active member of Gashland United Methodist Church. She participated in various charitable functions and was always available to help anyone. Janice also enjoyed traveling with her good friends and spending time with family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Amelia (Ladage) Heinz; and siblings, Elmer Heinz, Leona Gaddis, Connie Heinz, Wilma Perkins, Velma Kellogg, Eileen Howard, Charles Heinz and Marvin Heinz.
Survivors include brother, Melvin Heinz (Doris), Troy, Missouri; sister, Bonnie Perkins, Pawnee City, Nebraska; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Graveside Farewell Services & Interment 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, Cosby Zion Cemetery, Cosby, Missouri. The family suggests memorial gifts to Gashland United Methodist Church, 7715 N. Oak Traffic way, Kansas City, MO 64118. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Diane Colleen Rukavina
1961-2016

Diane Colleen Rukavina, 54, Oregon, Missouri passed away Sunday, March 13, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care.
She was born October 9, 1961 in Burlington, New Jersey.
Diane married Gregory David Rukavina on October 22, 1988.
Diane never met a flower she didn’t like and spent hours in her greenhouse coaxing them to perform their best. She also loved being a flower and vegetable vendor at the Pony Express farmers market, where she never left before new friends were made. Diane pursued the morel mushroom this time of year and was fondly referred to as the fungus queen by her competition.
Survivors include husband, Gregory; daughters, Colleen Rukavina, Chere Faris and Christina Rukavina; grandchildren, Grant, Alexandria and Brody; parents, Chalmas Dronsfield and MaryAnn (Kelly) Margarite; grandmother, Carol Spielberg; sisters, Donna Nava and Anita Reaza; brother, John Dronsfield; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Natural Farewell under the direction of Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family suggests memorial gifts to the Holt County Cancer Fund, Inc., 202 N. Harrison Street, Oregon, MO 64473. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Levi Livingston
1931-2016

Levi Livingston 84, of Faucett, Missouri, passed away Sunday, March 13, 2016 at his home. He was born December 25, 1931, son of Hattie and Charles John Livingston. He attended the Family Worship center. Levi was preceded in death by wife, Carmelita Livingston, son, step son, parents, a grandson, and a brother. Survivors include, daughter, Dorothy Hemphill of Newton, KS, step daughter, Patsy Kusch of St. Joseph, numerous grandchildren, and great grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Tuesday at the Rupp Funeral Home, with a graveside funeral service and interment to be conducted at 2:30 PM Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at the Memorial Park Cemetery. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Thelma “T.J.” June Goin
1933-2016

Thelma “T.J.” June Goin 82, of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Sunday, March 13, 2016 in Topeka, KS. She was born June 23, 1933 in St. Joseph, MO, daughter of Verna and James Johnson. She was a homemaker and a Christian. Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, two sons, Johnny White and Michael Leroy Grooms, four brothers, Ralph, Roy, Ed and Otis Johnson, two sisters, Dollie and Roxie Johnson, three husbands, Claude E. Grooms, Charles White, and William Goin. Survivors include, two sons, James (June) Grooms of Topeka, KS, and Claude (Rayida) Grooms of St. Joseph, three daughters, Sharon (Gerald) Guyer of Phoenix, AZ, Patty (Danny) Armstrong of St. Joseph, MO, and daughter, Ramona Finley of St. Joseph, MO, and a sister, Rose White of St. Joseph, MO, nine grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 AM Thursday at the Rupp Chapel, with Rev. Albert Shirley officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery.

Thomas J. “Tom” Manning
1962-2016

Thomas J. “Tom” Manning, 53, of Morrill, surrounded by his loving family, went to be with his Lord, Monday, March 14, 2016.
He was born April 14, 1962, at Grand Rapids, Michigan, one of six children born to David and Ruth Visser Manning. Tom attended various schools due to his Dad being a pastor, with the family making Morrill their home during his teenage years. He graduated from Sabetha High School with the class of 1981. Tom worked a number of years for Mid Am Dairy at Sabetha prior to going to work at Sabetha Schools as a custodian, working the last 10 years at the elementary school.
He was faithfully attending the Woodlawn Baptist Church for some time.
Tom married Mary Bertus, November 11, 1989, at Avon, South Dakota. They have made Morrill their home all of their married life where they raised their family. Mary survives of the home.
Also surviving are their children: Matthew Manning, Abby Manning, both of Morrill, Kristen Manning of Topeka; his parents: David and Ruth Manning, of Morrill; three brothers: David Manning, Jr. of Mulvane, KS, Tim Manning of Morrill, Dan Manning of Humboldt, NE; two sisters: Karen Bronson of Unionville, IA, Kathy Manning of Lee’s Summit, MO; with numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will meet with friends from 6 until 8 Thursday evening at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha.
A private celebration of Tom’s life will be at Woodlawn Baptist Church, with Pastor Duane Tramp officiating. Private inurnment will be at a later date at Morrill Cemetery.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Tom Manning Memorial Fund, sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.

Amanda Lucianne Groce
1989-2016

Amanda Lucianne Groce 27, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, passed away Monday, March 14, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care hospital. She was born March 4, 1989 in St. Joseph, MO. She attended Benton High School. She worked at RGIS and at the Holiday Inn St. Joseph. She was artist, and had a beautiful voice and loved to sing, but most especially she loved her children. She was a Christian. Amanda is survived by mother, Sarah McGill-Brown(Ricky), father, Raymond Groce, three children: Christian Rowles, Abigail Canterbury. and Duke Canterbury, two brothers, Tyler Groce, and Aubrey Brown two sisters, Holly Groce and Karen (Anthony) Gray all of St. Joseph, MO.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am, on Friday, March 18, 2016 at Rupp Funeral Home, with Pastor Dave Hugger officiating, The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Odd Fellows Public Cemetery. Memorials are requested to the Amanda Groce Memorial Fund c/o Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Duane Jack Snethen
1932-2016

Duane Jack Snethen, 83, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Monday, March 14, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care.
He was born December 10, 1932 in Davis City, Iowa. Duane was a graduate of Leon High School in Davis City, Iowa, Class of 1949. He proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War, where he received a Bronze Star.
Duane married Mary Eileen George on July 3, 1954 and she preceded him in death in 2004.
He worked at Armour for 29 years and later as a Federal Meat Inspector for the USDA.
He enjoyed camping and fishing and seeing all the activities at the Wesley Center. Duane also attended the Savannah Avenue Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Theora and Mary (Latta) Snethen; wife, Mary; sons, Jeffrey Allen and Michael Snethen; great-grandson, Herschel Snethen; and granddaughter, Amanda Snethen.
Survivors include son, Dennis Snethen (Becky); grandchildren, Heather Snethen and Trent Snethen (Becca), Jamie Snethen, Kyle Corcoran and Bradley and Tangie Ferguson; sister, Theora Proctor; brother-in-law, James George (Kathy); five great-grandchildren and extended family members; and longtime companion, Mildred Warner.
Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Inurnment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends one hour prior to the service, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family suggests memorial donations to InterServ Wesley Weightlifters. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Mark Benitz
1961-2016

Mark Benitz, 54, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Monday, March 14, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care.
He was born September 6, 1961 in St. Joseph, Missouri.
He could make anyone laugh with his unique sense of humor. He enjoyed spending time with his loved ones as well as his hobbies especially hunting, fishing, and golfing. Mark loved his three grandchildren with a passion. He was a well-known Lafayette High School athlete and was proud to be a Union pipefitter for 25+ years and made many friends from that association.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Eugene Benitz.
Survivors include daughters, Stephanie Sage (Jared), Blue Springs, Missouri and Lisa Benitz, St. Joseph, Missouri; grandchildren, Caitlen and Weston Sage and Alaina Sullivan; mother, Verda (Lovitt) Benitz, St. Joseph, Missouri; sister, Bethany Hawkins (Warren); brothers, Robert Benitz, David Benitz (Julie) and Timothy Benitz; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Farewell Services 11:00 A.M. Friday, St. Peter Lutheran Church. Inurnment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, St. Peter Lutheran Church. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.