ST. JOSEPH – Mildred “Millie” Marie Anderson Humphreys, 89, died Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at a local healthcare facility.
She was born September 17, 1924 to Arthur W. and Ellen Marie (Walstead) Anderson on the Anderson Farms in Forman, N.D.
Millie attended the University of North Dakota, she deferred college to become a World War II bride. She married her college sweetheart, 2nd Lt. Roy L. Humphreys, Jr., U.S. Army in 1943. While Roy was deployed to Europe, Millie attended the University of Minnesota and finished her bachelor’s degree at North Dakota State University.
Roy became a F.B.I agent stationed in St. Joseph from 1954 to 1976. She stayed at home for 18 years caring for their children. When the oldest enrolled in college and the youngest was in first grade, Millie started teaching. She taught in Easton, Mo., for 1.5 years and at Benton High School, St. Joseph for 14.5 years.
Mr. Humphreys served for the State Legislature for six years. After his passing, Mrs. Humphreys ran for and was elected to his vacant seat with the State Legislature and served for ten years from 1985 to 1995. Millie considered this a privilege and also a civic responsibility.
She had a love for learning and especially enjoyed traveling and studying those countries and states she visited. Millie had been to all 50 states and all of the world’s continents, except Antarctica. She also attended language schools in Mexico, France and Sweden.
As a Rotarian who loved to travel, Millie carried the Rotary Banner with her and took it to numerous Rotary Clubs in the foreign countries she visited.
She loved to travel by train and took the Trans-Canadian from the Pacific to the Atlantic saying, “Yes, it takes longer, but it’s like a continuing National Geographic pictorial.” She wrote about her travels and they were featured in local newspapers.
She enjoyed party bridge, but liked the challenge of duplicate bridge and was a member of a bridge group.
Mostly, she loved her family and enjoyed hosting family dinners. She was proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and showed her support by attending school functions and numerous sporting events, baseball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, football, golf and swimming.
She loved her late husband, her children and their spouses, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, the Lord and also extended family and friends.
Millie was a member of Ashland United Methodist Church, Downtown Rotary Club, Runcie Club, Moila Club, and Ambassadors MWSU. She was a past President of Eugene Field PTA, past President of Central High School PTA, past member of St. Joseph Country Club, and a past member of the Chamber of Commerce.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sister, Eleanor Aarestad (Erwin); brother, Gordon Anderson (Melodie); and daughter-in-law, Ann Humphreys.
Survivors: five children, Roy Humphreys III (Jane), Guy Humphreys, Ellen Humphreys Zillner (Tom), William Humphreys, M.D. (Cindy) and Daniel Humphreys (Mechele); eight grandchildren, Margaret, Jake, Kate, Meredith, Tayler, Betsy, Claire and Scott; three great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Hudson, and Thomas; seven step-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; brother, Charles Anderson; sister, Myrna Newland, M.D.; and brother-in-law, James Newland, M.D.; numerous nieces and nephews; and numerous extended family members.
Services: 10 a.m., Friday, Ashland United Methodist Church. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The Family will receive friends 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory, where friends may call after 2 p.m. Thursday. In lieu of flowers the family suggests the charity of their choice. Mrs. Humphreys will be removed from Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory to arrive at the church one hour prior to the service. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
ST. JOSEPH – James Raymond Phelps, 53, died, May 25, 2014. Born July 6, 1960 in St. Joseph, and the son of Fern and Covell Phelps. He has been cremated under the care of the Rupp Funeral Home. No scheduled visitation or memorial services at this time. Memorials are requested to the James Phelps memorial fund in care of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com
ST. JOSEPH – Cecilia Agnes Farmer, was born September 26, 1920 to Scottish parentage and entered into the presence of her precious Lord April 17, 2014. She married Harold Farmer on May 14, 1960. He preceded her in death in 1985. Cecilia had a full life, serving as a missionary in Nigeria West Africa for 25 years, and after Harold’s death served in Alaska for 21 years.
Cecilia is survived by her two daughters Heather Farmer, Heidi Gerdes (Daniel) and granddaughters Anastasia and Moriah all from Springfield, Va.
Memorial service AT 7 p.m. on Friday, May 30, at Frederick Boulevard Baptist Church, Pastor Jim Hardwicke officiating. There will be a private family inurnment at a later date.
ST. JOSEPH – Eleanor Jean (Gillette) Stracener, 83, died Friday, May 23, 2014 at her home.
She was born July 6, 1930 to Ronald and Gladys (Gilbreath) Gillette in St. Joseph.
Eleanor married Wooduard “Woody” Stracener on July 23, 1950. He survives of the home.
She was a graduate of Central High School and also graduated from Missouri Methodist Hospital School of Nursing. She was a nurse and worked at the Methodist Hospital, Thompson Brumm Knepper Clinic, Northwest Missouri Medical Group and the Community Blood Center.
Mrs. Stracener was a member of Francis Street First United Methodist Church where she was a communion steward and part of the Friendship Circle, Missouri State Nurses Association and PEO Chapter HC where she was a past president, treasurer and secretary. She and Woody have known each other since they were small children. They were next door neighbors and life-long sweethearts.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Dean and Jim Gillette; and grandson, Joshua Stracener.
Additional Survivors: son, Mark Stracener (Myong), Branson, Mo.; daughters, Laura Bodicky (Mark), St. Joseph, and Gail Orstad (Chad), Gower, Mo.; grandchildren, Meagen Rankin (Chris), Ryan, Drew and Kathryn Bodicky and Caleb, Coleson and Taylor Orstad; great-grandchildren, Davin and Joshua James “J.J.” Cassity and Nora Rankin.
Services: 10 a.m., Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Inurnment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory, where friends may call after 5 p.m., Friday. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Francis Street First United Methodist Church or Hands of Hope Hospice. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
ST. JOSEPH – Hank Fishman, 66, died Monday, May 26, 2014 at his home.
He was born February 3, 1948 to Stanley and Aileen (Zidell) Fishman.
He graduated from Central High School in 1966 and later attended the University of Missouri. Hank was devoted to music and film. He owned and operated Aardvark Video Store and was the soundman for the band White Eyes for over 25 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors: sister, Carol (Fishman) Housh and husband, Bob; aunt, Charlotte Hochman; numerous cousins; and extended family.
Services: 10 a.m., Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Interment Shaare Sholem Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts be made to Temple B’Nai Sholem or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
ST. JOSEPH – Denise Elaine Shanks, 58, passed away Saturday May 24, 2014. She was born July 16, 1955 in St. Joseph. She married Charles “Chuck” Shanks on Mary 28, 1988 and he survives of the home.
She graduated from Benton High School class of 1973. She worked at Purina Mills, and Wire Rope Corporation of American as a secretary. She loved animals, gardening and flower gardening, and spending time with her family especially her grandchildren. She is survived by husband, Chuck Shanks of the home; her father, Gary Moore and step mother Melinda “Lynn” Moore of St. Joseph; mother, Connie Vavra of St. Joseph; daughter, Courtney Lewis and husband Jason of Columbia, Mo.; grandchildren, Jaren, Lainie, and Kadin; two brothers, Billy Schildknecht of Fillmore, Mo.; and Sean Moore and wife Heather of Harrisonville, Mo.; two sisters, Raegene Vavra of Bali, Indonesia; and Amy Vavra of St. Joseph; and paternal step grandmother Maude Moore.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., on Wednesday at the Rupp Funeral Home. She will be cremated under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home following the visitation service. Memorials are requested to the Team Nutri Shop baseball team in care of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com
ST. JOSEPH – Nathaniel “Nate” McCartney Sr., 47, passed away Friday, May 23, 2014 at the Liberty, Mo. hospital. He was born July 30, 1966 in St. Joseph and the son of Louisa and Michael McCartney. He attended Lafayette High School and Webster elementary. He worked at G.T. Midwest as a Plant Manager for the past 18 years. He enjoyed Nascar, horse shoes, watching football, also enjoyed being active with the boy scouts, and he was a member of the Catholic faith. Nate was preceded in death by father, Michael McCartney Sr.; and two sisters, Margaret Wilson, and Carmen Ostroski; maternal grandmother, Josefina Bernard; and two maternal grandfathers, Sylvester Orozco and Augusta Bernard.
Survivors include, his mother Louisa McCartney; daughter, Danielle Tuttle of Branson; son, Nate McCartney and daughter, Amanda McCartney both of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Saya-Lanay, Abigail, Aidan, Aliana, and Codi; former wife, Tammy (mother of Danielle) and former wife Renee McCartney (Mother of Nate and Amanda); Peggy Saling, his partner for 18 years and her children, Christina Dillinger; Peggy’s Children; John Morse; four brothers, Johnny Orozco, Michael McCartney, Charlie McCartney, and Joe McCartney; two sisters, Melissa McCartney, and Rosemary Barnett; 29 nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, May 29, 2014 at Rupp Funeral Home, with Pastor Rob Diamond officiating, The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., on Wednesday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Mount Olivet Cemetery . Memorials are requested to the. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.