Helen Mrowczynski
1921 – 2019
On Thursday, January 31st, at age 97, Helena Mrowczynski passed away. She had a massive stroke Monday morning and never regained consciousness. Our joy lies in the knowledge that on Sunday, she enjoyed a joyous day with her family celebrating her great-grandson Han Mellenbruch’s 12th birthday. Helen’s great-granddaughter, Xochitl Suh, wrote the following biography for a sixth-grade project: “Once on a farm in Poland there lived a little girl who would one day leave her homeland in search of a new life in America. Helen grew up in the 1920s and ‘30s and lived on a farm like everyone else, but she stands out from others after you hear her story. In school she was a good student and intended to pursue her studies up to high school (not many people went to college then) but Helen’s schooling was cut short. One regular day, Helen and her family were home when a troop of German soldiers arrived in the small village. The soldiers had orders to make all the families leave and pack clothes. They were not allowed to carry valuable items or money, which the soldiers took for themselves. Twenty-four hours later Helen was in Germany on a forced labor farm, where she worked the next six years, through the course of World War II. The overseer running Helen’s camp was not as cruel as others, but the work was hard and Helen suffered many terrible experiences. However, during the war Helen met a kind man named Ted. He and Helen fell in love and married. She and Ted had two children, Eugene and Wanda. After the war was over Helen was very relieved and happy. She wanted what was best for her new family, so she and Ted decided to travel to the U.S., but immigrating was difficult. Sometimes they would be at the train station and about to leave, when someone would stop them. Thankfully Helen and her family did eventually make it to the U.S. Because their money and possessions had been taken by the Germans, they asked a family in Texas to contribute the fare for their trip in exchange for a year’s work. Arriving in Texas, they began working at the family’s house. The family was harsh and treated Helen and Ted like slaves. The family was always saying do this and that and hurry up, don’t take all day. This was certainly not the way Helen wanted to be treated and not what she thought America would be like. After the year was over, Helen was very relieved. She moved far away, to St. Joseph, Missouri, where she and Ted started jobs and bought a home for their family. Eugene and Wanda started school and the whole family was grateful and very happy. At ninety-five years old, Helen still lives in St. Joseph, all by herself. She loves to tell stories of when she was a little girl. While an outsider might think of her as a kind, elderly woman, she is actually as mighty as an army, as fierce as a dragon, and as courageous as a lion. Helen’s story shows all the hard times she had to go through, but it also shows how she didn’t give up and kept on going even if the path she traveled was rocky. Even on the days when she thought nothing would work out, she kept on going and now she has traveled a long way from where she started. She has led an inspiring life and I can’t believe what she went through.” Left to mourn Helen’s passing are her children: Eugene (Sharon) Mrowczynski and Wanda Ryan, grandson, Jarrett Mellenbruch (Grace,) and great-grandchildren, Xochitl Suh and Han Mellenbruch. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted, and grandson, Robert (Bob) Mrowczynski, who loved visiting his grandparents in St. Joseph and Sugar Lake. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at St. James Catholic Church, the family will receive friends from 5-7pm Monday with the rosary to be recited at 7:00 PM Monday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Jerry Ramsey
1943 – 2019
Jerry Ramsey, 75, Savannah, Missouri, passed away Thursday, January 31, 2019.
He was born July 20, 1943 in Fillmore, MO to Willis and Estelle (Karr) Ramsey.
Jerry could do anything; from cooking to mechanics. He loved his nieces and nephews and he was considered more as a father or brother to them.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Twyla Lance; brothers, Bill Ramsey and Bob Ramsey.
Survivors include his sister, Phyllis Berg; numerous nieces and nephews.
Private Graveside Farewell Services & Internment, Fillmore Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Noyes Home for Children.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00PM on Monday, February 4, 2019 at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home, Rev Keith Hoover officiating. Burial will follow in the Sugar Creek Cemetery, Rushville, MO. The family will receive friends from 6:30-8PM on Sunday, February 3, 2019 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Sugar Creek Church or Alzheimer’s Association and may be sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com.
Isola was born on May 28, 1928 in Weston Mo. the daughter of James and Roberdia (Thomas) McGhay. Isola attended and graduated from the Mount St. Scholastica with a teaching degree. She married William Jewell Burdette and he preceded her in death on January 14, 1992. She worked as a clicker operator for the Berger Company, Atchison until she retired in 1986. Isola enjoyed painting, quilting and playing the piano.
Isola is survived by a son Ed (Sandy) Burdette Rushville, MO., a daughter Kathy (Danny) Pyles, Rushville, MO., sister Edna Hale, Gladstone, MO, a sister in law Marie McGhay, Enid, OK, 5 grandchildren Eddie Burdette, Rushville, MO and Heather Burdette, St. Joseph, MO, Kathy Jo (Scott) Shelby, Platte City, MO., Daniel Joseph Pyles, Rushville, MO., Cory Pyles, Yukon, OK, great grandchildren Boston & Rylie Burdette, Rushville, MO., Corbin Bauer, St. Joseph, MO, Kaley Pyles and Courtney Shelby both of Platte City, MO.
She is preceded in death by her parents, a brother Donald McGhay, sisters Estelle Carpenter and Lola Stephenson.
Carroll Eugene “Gene” Morton
1938 – 2019
Carroll Eugene “Gene” Morton, 80 of St. Joseph, MO, died Friday, February 1, 2019, at Shady Lawn Nursing Home in Savannah, MO. Gene was born May 7, 1938 in Gallatin, MO, to Carroll O. and Doris I. (Brown) Morton.
He served his country in the U.S. Naval Reserve for 8 years and then the Missouri Air National Guard for 19 years, retiring as a Master Sergeant. He worked as an auto mechanic for JC Penny for 19 years, and then retired as an auto mechanic for Wal-Mart after 17 years of service. Gene was a member of the RLDS Church.
Gene married Beverly Koehler on April 10, 1959 at Woodson Chapel in St. Joseph. He is survived by his wife Beverly; daughter Terry Mabury and husband Kevin; son Ricky Morton and wife Cheri; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a sister Janice Pepper and husband Dennis; other relatives and friends.
He enjoyed woodworking, traveling, and spending time with his family.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shady Lawn Nursing Home in Savannah, MO, or to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Visitation will be Tuesday, February 5, 2019, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel in St. Joseph. Graveside services will be Wednesday, February 6, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Erma “Jean” Hockaday
1933 – 2019
Erma Jean Hockaday, 85, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Friday, February 1, 2019, at her home.
She was born May 28, 1933, in St. Joseph.
Erma married A.C. “Pete” Hockaday on July 21, 1951. He survives of the home after 67 years of marriage.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest Leo, Sr., and Gladys Irene (Simpson) Mace; sisters, Betty Chaney, Ruth Ann Brestman, Dixie Sebern, Virginia Mace, Jerry Mace, and Karen Edwards; and brothers, Ernest Leo Mace, Jr., Pete R. Mace, and Marvin Mace.
Survivors also include her daughter, Nancy Daugherity (Lonnie); four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous extended family.
Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends one hour prior to the service, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
Pearl McDonald
1929 – 2019
Pearl McDonald of Bolckow passed away February 2, 2019, at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph.
Pearl was born Martha Pearl Anderson April 15, 1929, in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma, daughter of Ennis and Rosa (Shelton) Anderson.
As a young child, she survived the Dust Bowl by moving west to California with her parents and extended family. On March 15, 1946,
Pearl married Billie Wayne McDonald, originally from Rosendale, who had been serving in the US Navy in California during World War II.
Their children, Jerry and Judy, were born in California. In 1959, Bill and Pearl purchased a farm in Bolckow and engaged in farming until retirement. Pearl also worked many years for Andrew County Title (formerly Elkins Abstract) in Savannah.
Pearl’s greatest joys were spending time with her family, friends, and neighbors, vegetable gardening, and rooting for the Royals and Chiefs.
Pearl was preceded in death by her husband Bill in 2003.
She is survived by her son Jerry McDonald (Donna) of Cosby and daughter Judy Townsend (Herb) of Sedalia; grandchildren: Jeff McDonald (Kelly), Erin Bouchard (Will), Jennifer Diggs, and Will Diggs (Tabby); and great-grandchildren: Colin, Owen, August, Julius, Sylvia, Jaylen, Madisyn, Olivia, and Amelia.
A graveside service will be 10 am Saturday, February 9, at Walnut Grove Cemetery, State Hwy B, near Bolckow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to North Andrew Scholarship Foundation, 9120 Hwy 48, Rosendale, MO 64483.
Arrangements are under the direction of Heaton-Bowman-Smith Savannah Chapel.
Terri Lynn Wisneski
1956 – 2019
Terri Lynn Wisneski 62, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, passed away Saturday, February 2, 2019 at Mosaic Life Care Hospital. She was born November 18, 1956 in St. Joseph, MO, and graduated from Mid Buchanan High School. She married Joe Wisneski on March 6, 1978 and he survives of the Home. She was a homemaker who also had worked at Butchart Floral and Dairy Queen restaurants. She enjoyed crafting, gardening, and her horse Custer, but most especially spending time with her family. Terri was preceded in death by father, George Zed Cordonnier, and step father Charles Harry Morgan. Survivors include, husband, Joe Wisneski of the home, mother, Sonja Morgan, St. Joseph, MO, daughters, Amie (Tim) Bally, Agency, MO and Abbie (Nate) Sales, Lawson, MO, sons: Joshua Wisneski, Andy (Amy) Wisneski, Tylor Wisneski, of St. Joseph, and Tanner Wisneski, Agency, brother, Chip Morgan, St. Joseph, sisters, Cindi Cress, and Shellie (Chris) Leidy of St. Joseph, MO, her mother in law, Patsy Wisneski , St. Joseph, MO, 11 grandchildren and several nieces nephews. Funeral services: 10:00 am, Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at Rupp Funeral Home, Pastor Jim Longe officiating, The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Agency Cemetery, Agency, MO. Memorials are requested to the Terri Wisneski memorial fund in care of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.