Simon Gregory Traster, A1C
1996-2016

Airman First Class Simon Gregory Traster, 20 of Great Falls, Montana formerly of Spring, Texas and Saint Joseph, Missouri passed away on Sunday September 4, 2016 when he lost control of the vehicle he was driving on a country road just north of Great Falls, Montana.
Simon was born the son of Mellissa Rene Cordell of Spring, Texas and Brandon Kip Traster of Saint Joseph, Missouri on January 30, 1996. Born a child of God Simons life was full of Love, Laughter, and many friends. While on this earth our Heavenly Father blessed Simon with the natural ability to enlighten and touch the hearts everyone he came in contact with. As a child, Simon attended Elementary School in Louisburg, Kansas Middle School and part of his High School in Saint Joseph, Missouri and graduated High School in 2014 from Klein High School in Spring, Texas.
After High School Simon briefly attended Lone Star Community College and worked at the Cypress, Texas YMCA as a Life Guard where he enjoyed coaching and teaching children how to swim. Guided by the backbone of his life, Marie Kathryn Nicknish, Simon made the decision to enlist in the Montana Air National Guard. While in the Montana Air National Guard “Traveling Simon” as he was affectionately known, obtained the distinguished title of C-130 Crew Chief. His Commanding Officer remembered Simon as a great source of energy for the area and will be solely missed.

Simon is preceded in death by his Grandfather Craig Henry Olhausen, Grandfather Richard Lee Cordell, and His Grandmother Patricia Diane Rose. Some of whom he has never met but we have comfort in knowing that our Lord Jesus Christ has reunited them in the heavens above.
Simon is survived by his Mother, Mellissa Renee Cordell and her husband Richard Lee Cordell of Spring Texas, his Father, Brandon Kip Traster and his wife Keri Ann Traster, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, his Fiancé Marie Kathryn Nicknish, brother Christian James Wilson, sister Lucy Mollett, sister Jaycen LeeAnn Wilson, brother Rawleigh Allen Cordell, sister Emelia Lynne Cordell, brother Kye Joseph Dale Traster, brother Triston Alexander Cordell, Grandmother Katrina Boss, Grandfather Robert Tenner, Grandmother JoAnn Cordell, Grandmother Janet Traster, Grandfather Gregory Scott Traster, Grandmother Paula Kay Pummell, Grandfather Richard Dale Pummell, numerous Aunts, Uncles, Great Grandparents and cousins.
Farewell Services 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, Restoration Church, 117 Francis Street, St. Joseph, Missouri. Inurnment Memorial Park Cemetery. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com
Memorial Services for Simon will be held at Faithbridge Church Klein Campus located at 18000 Steubner Airline Road in Spring, Texas 77379 at 2:00 pm with the Final Resting Services being held at the Houston National Cemetery located 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive Houston, Texas 77038 at 6:00 pm.
In Lieu of flowers the family would respectfully request donations be contributed to Mothers Against Drunk Drivers in Simon Gregory Traster’s memory.

Raymond E. Nickols
1939-2016

Raymond E. Nickols, 77, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Sunday, September 4, 2016 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri.
He was born April 8, 1939 to John and Viola (Guyot) Nickols in St. Joseph, Missouri.
He served in the Missouri Air Guard as an Airman 2nd Class from 1957 to 1963.
Raymond married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn Malson, on August 1, 1959. They were married for over 50 years.
He retired from Mead Paper Products after 40 years as a Lead Adjuster.
He had a great passion for hunting and fishing with his family and friends and also was a member of the St. Joe Rifle and Pistol Club.
Mr. Nickols was a lifelong member of Brookdale Presbyterian Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn Nickols; and parents.
Survivors include his children, William and Wendy Nickols (Gary Elder) of St. Joseph and Richard Nickols (Brenda) of Overland Park, Kansas; six grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; and brother, Robert Nickols (Liz).
Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Saturday, Brookdale Presbyterian Church. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Brookdale Presbyterian church. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Barbara Jean Gladden
1937-2016

Barbara Jean Gladden 78, St. Joseph, MO passed away, Monday, September 5, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. She was born November 14, 1937 in St. Joseph, MO to Charles & Ethel (Hamilton) Gill. She married Gordon Gladden on Nov. 8. 1968 and he preceded her in death on June 1, 2002.
Barbara loved her family as they loved her. Barbara was a member of the St. Patrick Parish of St. Joseph. She enjoyed playing and coaching softball for many years. She never knew a stranger and she travelled extensively.
She is survived by three children, Randy Silvey, J.D. (Ruth) Carrel, and Jodie (Guy) Rocha all of St. Joseph; two sisters; Bonnie Jones and Delores Skeen both of St. Joseph; five grandchildren, Carrel Thompson, Tyler Carrel, Tearany Hendrix, A.J. Carrel, Austen Rocha, and eleven great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00am Thursday, September 8, 2016 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, St. Joseph, MO. with Father Richard Rocha, main celebrant. Family visitation and receiving hours will be from 6:00-8:00pm Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at Gladdon-Stamey Funeral Home in St. Joseph. A Rosary will commence at 6:30pm Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to The St. Joseph Animal Shelter.

Mary Carolyn Hays
1918-2016

Mary Carolyn Hays, 98, born in June 1918 in Monroe City, MO to Perry T. Hays and Maude (Sullivan) Hays died peacefully on September 5, 2016 in Living Community. She lived most of her life in St. Joseph, having moved here from Hannibal, MO in 1934.
She was a longtime member of the Cathedral of St. Joseph. A 60-year member of the adult choir, a Eucharistic minister and active in church work, she belonged to St. Ann’s Altar Society, was a past president of the Ladies of Charity and an hour captain and volunteer at the Mir House of Prayer since the opening of its perpetual adoration chapel. She also enjoyed volunteering and being a Eucharistic minister at Living Community when it opened.
Mary Carolyn graduated from the former Convent of the Sacred Heart, was a member of the Associated Alumnae of the Sacred Heart and a member of the Northwest Missouri Genealogical Society. She always enjoyed gathering with her convent classmates, the “Golden Girls.”
She retired from New York Life Insurance Company in 1983 after 44 years of service.
Her primary interests since retiring were researching her family history back several generations and providing love and compassion to her friends and associates in need. She was deeply devoted to her faith and religion throughout her life. Her family, although small, was very important to her. She also loved to travel the US as well as to many countries with her good friends and always shared detailed accounts of the trips with family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her only brother, William Andy Hays, his wife, LaVonne “Bonnie” Temple Hays of Englewood, CO and her half-sister, Jessie Hays Ragland of Springfield, IL. She is survived by cousins, two nephews, half-nieces, half-nephew, great-nephews, great-nieces, great-great-nephews and great-great-nieces.
Her family wishes to thank her caring angels, Donna Smith and Barb Heerlein for their many years of loving care and support for Mary Carolyn and her special friends, the late Doris Kessburger and Walt Ashler. They also thank all her friends and staff at Living Community that made her time there so special.
Mass of Christian Burial 1:00 P.M. Friday, St. Joseph’s Cathedral Catholic Church. Interment Mount Olivet Cemetery. Parish Rosary 6:00 P.M. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will gather with friends 6:30 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Mir House of Prayer, 6494 NE State Road 6, Rt. 1; the Msgr. Nowland Endowment, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, 519 N. 10th St., both of St. Joseph; or the Ladies of Charity, 850 Main St., Kansas City. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Ray F. Jones
1922-2016

Ray F. Jones 94, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, passed away Monday, September 5, 2016 at his home. He was born April 22, 1922 in Versailles, MO, son of Nora and William Jones. He married Martha Fry on August 10, 1959 she preceded him in death. He served in the Army and is a veteran of the World War II serving in the pacific theatre. He worked at Swift and company, Carnation Pet Foods, and National Grocery. He was an avid turkey and pheasant hunter, loved raising labrador retrievers, and gardening. Ray was a member of Masonic Hi Twelve Club # 49, Moila Shrine, and other Masonic organizations and McCarthy Baptist Church Baptist. Ray was preceded in death by wife, Martha A. Jones, his parents, Twin sister, Faye R. Campbell, and sisters, Retha Jones, and Naomi Jones. Survivors include, cousin, Pete Jones, great niece, Tracy Shifflett, and caretaker and neighbor, Jenny Redman of St. Joseph, MO.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am, on Thursday, September 8, 2016 at Rupp Funeral Home, with Pastor Darrell Jones officiating, The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The family will also receive friends from 10-11 AM Friday at the Kidwell Garber Funeral Home Versailles, Missouri with graveside interment at the Versailles Cemetery.