ST. JOSEPH – Anna “Maxine” Harden, 91, died Sunday, June 1, 2014 at her home.
She was born August 31, 1922 to Charles and Cammie (Wood) Eighinger in Odessa, Mo.
Anna first married Robert Rawlings in 1941 and then married William G. Harden, Jr. on June 13, 1987. He preceded her in death in December 2011.
She was a Teacher’s Aide at Helen Davis State School and her life revolved around her family.
Anna was a member of Wyatt Park Christian Church, where she was in the Keystone Sunday School Class and the Christian Women’s Fellowship, a member of the YMCA, Promenade Square Dance Club and Savannah Sashayers.
She was also preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Howard and Ernest Eighinger; and sisters, Gladys Slusher, Hazel Sturgis and Florence Mueller.
Survivors: daughter, Kim Rawlings, St. Joseph; son, Richard Rawlings, St. Joseph; step-daughters, Kathi Harden, Gladstone, Mo., and Mary Ann Sit (Chun), Kansas City, Kan.; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Services: 5 p.m., Tuesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Inurnment Woodlawn Cemetery, Independence, Mo. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Wyatt Park Christian Church. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Virginia Lee Keely, 89, died Sunday, June 1, 2014 at a local healthcare facility.
She was born May 20, 1925 to George and Lucile (Walton) Schiltz.
Virginia married Claude Keely on July 7, 1951. He preceded her in death on April 20, 1990.
She retired as a substitute school teacher from the St. Joseph School District and was an avid bridge player. She liked to visit casinos and enjoyed shopping on HSN and QVC.
She was also preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Bette Schiltz.
Survivors: son, Jon Keely (Linda), Kansas City, Kan.
The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

ST. JOSEPH – David Lloyd Sprake Jr., 60, passed away Sunday June 1, 2014. He was born August 3, 1953 in St. Joseph, son of Leta and David Sprake Sr. He graduated from Benton High School and worked in the construction industry. He was a member of the Freedom of the Road Riders and was a Christian.
David was preceded in death by his parents; and a son, Christopher Sprake.
He is survived by two sons, Eric Sprake and fiancé Kristy Reynolds and Phillip Sprake; a grandson, Austin Sprake all of St. Joseph; two brothers, Ed Sprake of St. Joseph and Christopher Sprake of Savannah, Mo.; two sisters, Iva Reynolds and husband Lee of St. Joseph and Mary Vaughn and husband Bruce of St. Louis, Mo.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m., with a memorial service to be held at 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at the Rupp Funeral Home. He has been cremated under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to the David Sprake memorial fund in care of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

ST. JOSEPH – Rhonda Sue Stufflebean, 57, died Saturday, May 31, 2014 at her home.
She was born November 7, 1956 to Kenneth and JoAnn (Dickerson) Sherrill in King City, Mo.
Rhonda married David A. Stufflebean, Sr. August 2, 1974, he survives of the home.
She worked as a florist. She was preceded in death by her parents; and brother, Steven Sherrill.
Survivors: husband, David A. Stufflebean, Sr.; son, David A. Stufflebean, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Joel; three grandchildren, Laney Stufflebean, Drayton Lykins and Rylee Rocha; sister, Debbie Robinson; sister-in-law, Kathy Stufflebean; and two nieces and three nephews.
Services: 3 p.m., Wednesday,Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Margaret “Boo” Grace-Freeman, 97, passed away Saturday, May 31, 2014 in a St. Joseph hospital. She was born May 1, 1917 in Artrip, W. Va., daughter of Pearl and Balford Artrip.
She was a homemaker who enjoyed traveling and was most recently crowned the 2014 Queen of Country Squire. She was a member of Wyatt Park Baptist Church.
Margaret “Boo” was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Everett Grace, and second husband, Charles Freeman; her parents; and two step-sons, Mike Freeman, and Gary Freeman; and three, sisters.
Survivors include, son, Jerry Grace (Mary) and their two daughters; Cynthia Markus, (Kenneth); and Brenda Sipes (Kevin), all of St. Joseph; five grandchildren, Margie Wakefield, Jerreanne Parsons (Johan), Ken Markus (Kerre), and Layla Sipes; two step-grandchildren, Ryan and Julia; six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at Rupp Funeral Home, with Rev. Robert Flach officiating. Friends may call after 9 a.m., Tuesday and the family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials are requested to the Noyes Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Larry D. Gawatz, Sr., 73, died Friday, May 30, 2014.
He was born November 11, 1940 and raised by Elmer and Olga (Smith) Gawatz in Hudson, Ind.
He married June Hancock June 1, 1962. Larry delivered newspapers for the St. Joseph News-Press for 25 years.
Mr. Gawatz was a member of King Hill Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors: wife, June Gawatz; son, Larry Gawatz, Jr.; daughters, Brenda Hatheway and Michelle Haddock; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a brother; and sister, Carol Walker.
Services: 10 a.m., Tuesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory, where friends may call after 3 p.m., Monday. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to King Hill Baptist Church. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Darla Ruth (Hendricks) Rowlett, one of God’s most faithful servants, passed from this life on Friday, May 30, 2014, at a local hospital. In her final hours, she was surrounded by a multitude of loving family and friends. She was 68 years old.
As a non-smoker, she fought a most courageous ten-year battle against lung cancer. She was an inspiration to all, not only for her strength in fighting her illness, but in her abiding love of Jesus and unwavering faith in God. She is now with the Lord.
Darla was born on August 28, 1945, in St. Joseph, to Kenneth and Darline (Sweigert) Hendricks.
She was a 1963 graduate of Mound City High School. After high school, Darla worked at the Exchange Bank of Mound City before moving to St. Joseph where she began a long career with the American National Bank that ultimately became US Bank. With those institutions, she advanced from the position of teller to Branch Manager at the Belt and Pickett site.
On November 21, 1964, Darla married Gary Eugene Rowlett from Maitland, Mo. This union was graced with three loving children. She raised her children while living in St. Joseph, and, following the loss of her husband, moved to Savannah, Mo., in retirement. Darla loved working with people and helping others. It was not her desire to retire, but her illness demanded it of her.
She was sustained in life by her love of the Lord, and was a member of the Frederick Boulevard Baptist Church, from where many will remember her smiling face greeting them at the door. She was a strong supporter of the faith and a charitable and giving individual known for her positive outlook regardless of strife. She will live in the hearts of all who knew her through her legacy of love and faith.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; a grandson, Robert Fierros; and her uncle, Harold Brohan.
Survivors include two sons, Clifton (Angie) Rowlette and Clark (Heather) Rowlette, St. Joseph; one daughter, Christina (Ted) Fierros, Savannah; sisters, Joella Mehrhof, Emporia, Kan., and Joyce Clark, St. Joseph; brother, Larry (Gwen) Hendricks, Easton, Mo.; grandchildren, T.J.(Heather) Fierros, (Kami) Fierros, Alexander Fierros, Coy Rowlette, Maverick Rowlette, Liberty Rowlette, Garyson Rowlette, T.J. (Nicole) Halsey, Joshua Wilson, Jeremy Wilson, Susie Wilson, Samantha Wilson; six great-grandchildren; niece, Josie Clark, and many other cousins, nieces and nephews.
Darla will remain in our hearts forever as one who loved us all, regardless of our faults and misdirection’s, and the love of her family and friends go with her into Heaven.
Services: 10 a.m., Monday, Frederick Boulevard Baptist Church. Interment Maitland Cemetery, Maitland. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Mrs. Rowlett will be removed from Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory to arrive at the church one hour prior to the service. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Mary Louise (Fletchall) King, 83, died Friday, May 30, 2014 at a local healthcare facility.
She was born February 18, 1931 to Arthur and Harriet (Law) Fletchall in Allendale, Mo.
Mary married Buford King on May 29, 1953. He survives of the home.
She graduated from King City High School and Gard Business School. Mrs. King retired in 1993 after working for twenty-three years as the secretary at Huffman United Methodist Church, where she was also a member, youth leader and choir mother. She also was a Girl Scout Leader and enjoyed sewing, reading and shopping.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Alva Fletchall; sisters, Barbara Fletchall, Ruth Clark, Bonnie Bacon, Marie Dorlett and Norma Jean Thorburn.
Additional Survivors: daughters, Jody Farrell (Tim) and Susan King; grandchildren, Sean Farrell (Ashley), Seth Farrell, Shea Farrell and Katherine Farrell; great-grandchildren, Kaylea Farrell, Natalie Farrell, Carter Farrell and Owen Farrell; three sisters, Opal Fletchall, St. Joseph; Ann Coats (Bill), St. Joseph; and Lou Scott of Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services: 1 p.m., Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory, where friends may call after 5 p.m. Sunday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Huffman Memorial United Methodist Church or American Alzheimer’s Association. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.