Benito Gary “Benny” Ruiz
1951-2016

Benito Gary “Benny” Ruiz, 64, St. Joseph, Missouri died Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care.
He was born October 28, 1951 in Burnham, Texas.
Immediate family members or individuals who know immediate family members are asked to call Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory at 816-232-3366.
Natural Farewell under the direction of Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Darrel Cotter
1927-2016

Darrel Cotter, 89, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born January 21, 1927 in Empire Prairie, Missouri.
Darrel married Dixie Durbin on August 26, 1950.
He proudly served in the United States Army and was a veteran of World War II.
Darrel worked at C. Pettijohn Motor Company as a body mechanic for 44 years until retiring in 1989. He was of the Christian faith and volunteered at the King City Fire Department as Fire Chief. Darrel enjoyed coaching Little League, fishing, hunting and gardening, but most of all he was devoted to his family.
He was a member of the American Legion in King City, Missouri for 70 plus years and was a charter member of the Lions Club in King City, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Artie and Jesse (Wells) Cotter; grandson, Skyler Durbin Downing; son-in-law, Landis Downing; three brothers; and two sisters.
Survivors include wife of 65 years, Dixie Cotter; daughter, Beth Downing, St. Joseph, Missouri; son, Kirby Cotter (Bridget), Kansas City, Missouri; twelve grandchildren, Alison Gifford (Andy), Wesley Cotter (Betsy), Katie Kelsheimer (Brad), David Cotter (Deanna), Thomas and Mia Cotter, Sibyl Downing, Sonya Roe (Vic), Shayla Ebersold (Lee) and Spensyr, Shayfer and Selayna Downing; ten great-grandchildren and two more on the way, Jay, Alexandra, Sophia, Elizabeth, Lydia, Hudson, Ryder, Rhys, Ben and Caroline; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Farewell Services 3:00 P.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will gather with friends following the service, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Jonathan Garlock Ministries, 7391 NW State Route H, Maysville, Missouri 64469. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Eugene “Gene” E. Pitts
1928-2016

Eugene E. “Gene” Pitts, 87, Atchison, Kansas died Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at Atchison Senior Village Nursing Center.
Mass of Christian burial will be Monday, June 13th, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Benedict’s Church with Abbot Barnabas Senecal, OSB as celebrant. Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Gene will be available for viewing from 9:00 A.M. until service time on Monday at the church. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Benedict School Endowment and may be left in care of the funeral home. The Arensberg-Pruett Funeral home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Gene was born June 18, 1928 in Atchison, Kansas the son of Leo and Agnes Hess Pitts. He attended St. Benedict’s Elementary School, graduated from Maur Hill Prep School in 1946 and then attended an electrical and air conditioning school in Kansas City.
Gene served as an electrician, he then went to work for Levin Furniture Company for ten years, was self-employed from 1957 until 1958 and then he accepted a position for Page Airways where he served for seven years. He then went to work for the D.E.H. Electrical Shop at Ft. Leavenworth serving there for twenty four years until his retirement.
He served with the United States Army during the Korean Ware from November 30, 1950 until his honorable discharge on August 30, 1952.
He was a member of St. Benedict Parish, and served as an usher for many years at St. Benedict’s Church. He formerly served on the board of directors for Pineview Country Club, Maur Hill “500” Club, Knights of Columbus Council #723 and St. Benedict’s Church and School Board, Atchison Elks Club, was former commander and life member of Fleming-Jackson-Seever Post #6 of the American Legion and formerly a member of the Forty and Eight club and a life member of V.F.W. Post #1175. In his younger years he played baseball, enjoyed hunting, fishing and later played golf at both Bellevue Country Club and Pineview Country Club.
Immediate survivors include his cousins.

Nellie Mae Keith
1920-2016

Nellie Mae Keith 95, of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Thursday, June 9, 2016 in a Saint Joseph, MO health care center. She was born October 13, 1920 in Lacygne, KS, daughter of the late Edwin and Lillian Davis. She worked at Jerre Anne’s Cafeteria for many years, as well as the Tik-Tok restaurant and Townsend and Wall Department store. She enjoyed crafts and liked to draw, write songs, cook and bake, and was a member of Church of Brethren. Nellie was preceded in death by her parents, son, Raymond Keith, grandson, Michael Hyder, 2 great great grandchildren, five brothers, George, Richard Sr, Robert, Norman and Jerry Davis, and two sisters, Edna Bittick, and Peggy Ann Davis. Survivors include, two daughters, Cheryl Funk of St. Joseph, MO, and Shirlee (Alvin) Hyder of Country Club, MO, and a son, Ronald (Faye) Keith of St. Joseph, MO, 11 grandchildren,, 27 great grandchildren,, 2 great great grandchildren, a brother, Stephen Leroy Davis of Easton, MO, and a sister, Barbara Walker of Buffalo, MO.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 pm, on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at Rupp Funeral Home, with Rev. Danny Elder officiating, The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials are requested to the American Cancer Society.

Juanita A Zishka (Boldridge)
1948-2016

Juanita A Zishka (Boldridge) was born Friday, April 23rd, 1948, and passed away Thursday, June 9th, 2016 in Atchison, Kansas. Visitation held Monday, June 13th, 2016, 10:00am – 11:00am
at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. Service held Monday, June 13th, 2016, 11:00am at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. Interment located at the Mt. Vernon Cemetery.
 
 
Darlene L. Durfee (Haeffele)
1929-2016

Full Name Darlene L. Durfee (Haeffele) was born Monday, March 4th, 1929, and passed away Thursday, June 9th, 2016 in Atchison, Kansas. Visitation held Monday, June 13th, 2016, 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Located at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. Services held Tuesday, June 14th, 2016, 2:00pm. Officiating Rev. Robert Ziegler; Co-Celebrant Rev. Benjamin Ockree. Located at Trinity Lutheran Church-Atchison. Interment located at the Sunset Memory Gardens-Atchison.