Charles “Orman” Brooner
1934-2013
Charles “Orman” Brooner, 78, St. Joseph, Missouri passed peacefully Saturday, May 25, 2013 at home surrounded by family. Orman was born June 29, 1934, to Charles Brooner and Inez (Moore) Brooner in McClouth, Kansas. On June 20, 1953 Orman married Colleen Froyd in Bedison, MO, who survives of the home. Orman met his loving wife while at a church camp at Camp Farwesta, Stewartsville, MO. They lived for 56 years in the house he built and made a home to raise four children. Orman was a member of the Community of Christ Church, a 1951 graduate of Benton High School, and a 1953 graduate of Graceland University. By trade, Orman was a carpenter and in 1961 started his own company with David Herbert. The business expanded when Rod Thomas joined the company. Today the company continues as Brooner Construction & Crane. Orman directed his company for 52 years before his recent decline in health due to pulmonary fibrosis. Fishing, hunting, hiking, and camping were his favorite pastimes when not working or serving in church activities. As a member of the Community of Christ, he was most recently an ordained minister in the office of evangelist. Greatest of all was his desire to assist others and serve his fellow beings. Orman was beloved by his family and friends and well respected by associates in the construction industry. Orman has served as president of the Building Industries Association and in leadership roles with St. Joseph Planning and Zoning, Health and Safety Council, Graceland University Board of Trustees, Peace Unlimited, Camp Farwesta, and various positions with the Community of Christ Church. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Richard Brooner. Survivors: sisters, Allie Tolbert, Jean Garreth, and Carolyn Hedrick; brother, William Brooner; children, Kirby Brooner, Terri Hamann, Kent Brooner, and Janelle Brooner; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Services: 1:00 P.M. Saturday, Abundant Life Center, Community of Christ. The family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory, where friends may call after 3:00 P.M. Wednesday. The family requests contributions be made to Camp Farwesta, 5124 Faraon St. Joseph, Missouri 64506. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
Elaine Marion (Hontros) Cowles
1915-2013
Elaine Marion (Hontros) Cowles, 98, formally of St. Joseph, Missouri died Sunday, May 26, 2013 at The Life Center in Des Moines, Iowa. She was born on March 22, 1915 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Arest and Hilda (Holzhaeuser) Hontros. Elaine grew up in Milwaukee where she met and married Lyle Clinton Cowles in 1939. They were happily married for 43 years. Elaine and Lyle lived in Omaha, Nebraska; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and St. Joseph, Missouri. After Lyle’s death in 1982, Elaine continued to live in St. Joseph until 2001 when she moved to West Des Moines, Iowa to be closer to her family. In the Des Moines area she lived at The Lodge of Ashworth until moving to The Life Center in June of 2012. Elaine was an accomplished bridge player and enjoyed playing card games with friends and family. She was a member of Ashland United Methodist Church in St. Joseph, Missouri since the 1950s. She enjoyed cooking and in recent years became a big fan of the Food Network. While she never had a nickname growing up, Elaine was delighted that her family called her “GG”, short for Great-Grandmother. Survivors: daughter, Marcia Biklen (Mike) of Muscatine, Iowa; grandchildren, Andrea Biklen (David Hanson) and Bryce Biklen (Pam); and great-grandchildren, Zachary Biklen, Molly Biklen and Noah Hanson. Services: 3:00 P.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 1:30 to 2:30 P.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Ashland United Methodist Church, 2711 Ashland, Saint Joseph, Missouri 64506-1942. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
Patsy R. Ridpath
1934-2013
Patsy R. Ridpath, 78, St. Joseph, Missouri died Sunday, May 27, 2013 at Heartland Regional Medical Center. She was born November 13, 1934 to William and Dollie (Wilson) Harris. She married John H. Ridpath on July 13, 1963. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Nanette Hale; and brothers, Dr. William R. Harris and Dr. Sydney W. Harris. Survivors: husband; sister, Jo Ann Tindle (Buford); five nephews;and four nieces. Services: 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory, where friends may call after 9 A.M. Wednesday. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
Byron D. Milbank, 88 of Maryville, Missouri died on Monday, May 27, 2013, at
his home.
Bryon was born February 7, 1925 in Clearmont, Missouri. He was the son of
the late Eldon Lewis and Sarah Laurel (Reed) Milbank. He was united in
marriage to Marles Busby, June 7, 1947 at the First United Methodist Church,
in Maryville. Marles preceded him in death January 5, 2010.
He was a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University and was
owner/operator of the Milbank Oil Company and also farmed near Clearmont,
Missouri.
Bryon was a US Army Veteran of World War II, serving as a Sergeant in the
Army from 1943 until 1946.
Byron’s other memberships included the First United Methodist Church, Elks
Club and Maryville Country Club, all of Maryville.
Bryon is the last of his group of lifelong friends which included, Ed and
Quentin Gray and Pete Younger.
His survivors include; son, Jim (Terri) Milbank, Cicero, Indiana, daughter,
Jana Lea Jordon, Springboro, Ohio, granddaughter Alexandra (Rodger)
Rothwell, Ventura, California, grandsons Kyle Jordon, Sherman Oaks,
California, Jay D. Milbank, Noblesville, Indiana,Tayler Milbank, Cicero,
Indiana, three great grandchildren Sullivan James Rothwell, Kian Rothwell,
and Bridgett Rothwell, all of Ventura, California and a host of other
friends and loved ones.
Funeral Services will be at 11AM, Friday, May 31, at the First United
Methodist Church, Maryville. Visitation will be one hour prior to the
services
from 10-11 AM. Burial: Oak Hill Cemetery, Maryville.
Memorial: First United Methodist Church, Maryville or the Maryville High
School Athletic Department
Online condolences may be made to the family at
www.pricefuneralhomemaryville.
Allison Lea “Poppy” Calfee, 49, Hopkins, Missouri died on Monday, May 27,
2013, at her home in Hopkins.
Poppy was born February 25, 1964 in Maryville, Missouri, the daughter of
Raymond Elvin and Alice Faye (Kreps) Cross. She was united in marriage to
John F. Calfee October 5, 2002 in Hopkins.
Poppy was a member of First Christian Church, Hopkins, and the American
Association of Certified Professional Coders, and a graduate of North
Nodaway High School Class of 1982.
Poppy was a Certified Professional Coder for Saint Francis Hospital,
Maryville.
Poppy was preceded in death by her father, Raymond Cross on February 5,
2003.
Survivors include; Husband John, of the home, Hopkins, son Luke Ramsey and
fiance’ Trista Booher, Bedford, Iowa, daughter Ali RaeAnn Ramsey and friend
Kiel Brittain, Clarinda, Iowa, from her first marriage, one granddaughter
Madiysn Ramsey, Bedford, mother Alice Cross, brother Raymond “Skeeter”
Cross, and sister Marcia (Randy) Beason, all of Hopkins.
Funeral services will be held 10 AM, Thursday, May 30, 2013 at the Hopkins
Christian Church, where visitation will be held from 5-7 PM, Wednesday.
Interment will be in the Hopkins Cemetery.
Memorial: SSM Hospice and Healthcare Foundation,
Nancy A. Frad
1944-2013
Nancy A. Frad, 69, Hiawatha, Kansas died Thursday, May 23, 2013 at her home. She was born April 16, 1944 to Virgil and Grace Simpson in Sparks, Kansas. Nancy was a member of Seventh Day Adventist Church in Troy, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Alan Wayne Simpson; and a great-grandson, Davane Chilson. Survivors: sons, Kirk Watson, Darle Watson, Jr, Randy Watson, and Orrel Berry; daughters, Melinda Pattangall, Kris Berry, Kimberly Isenberg, and Angela Berry; ten grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; and sisters, Virginia Rhodes, Janet Pfaffly, and Bonnie Miller. There will be a memorial picnic at Hiawatha Lake 11:00 A.M. Saturday, June 1, 2013 where family and friends will meet. Sam Blythe officiating. Online guest book and obituary at www.kansascremation.com.
John Roy Murphy
1937-2013
John Roy Murphy, 75, Dearborn, Missouri died Saturday, May 25, 2013 at his residence. He was born June 11, 1937 to John and Lila (Foster) Murphy. John was a cattle farmer and enjoyed all shooting sports. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Charles Thomas Murphy. Survivors: niece, Jennifer Murphy Pyatt (Rob), Faucett, Missouri; and two great-nephews, Robert and Alexander Pyatt. Graveside Service and Interment: 1:00 P.M. Thursday, Turner Cemetery Wallace, Missouri. Care provided by Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to St. Francis Xavier School. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.