WATHENA, KANSAS Darlene (Moss) Simpson, 86, of Wathena, Kansas died Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at her home. Darlene was born on July 16, 1932 in Wathena, Kansas to Harold and Una LaDean (Harmon) Moss. She was a lifelong resident of Wathena.

Darlene was a member of the First Baptist Church of Wathena. She was active for many years with the American Baptist Women (ABW) and in her younger days she sang in the choir. She belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star, Wathena Chapter #413. Throughout the years she held several offices including District Aide and Worthy Matron. The most recent office held was Electa. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxillary #161, and the V.F.W Auxillary #5531 of Wathena. She was a member of the Sweet Adelines of St. Joseph, Missouri and sang bass in a quartet. One of her favorite memories was going to the International Sweet Adelines Competition in Seattle, Washington. She spent her life caring for her husband and children, and doting on her grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling with her family whenever she had the opportunity.

She married Don Simpson on June 30, 1950 in Wathena. They had three children, Donna, Deidre, and Darla. Don preceded her in death on February 20, 1992. Darlene was also preceded in death by her daughter, Donna Kathleen Simpson, her parents, Harold & UnaDean Moss, and her sister, Betty Darling.

She is survived by her two daughters, sons-in-law, and granddaughters: Deidre Simpson Speck (Brad) of Olathe, Kansas, their children Breanna Speck, Michaela Speck, and Darla Simpson Behrens (Doug) of Wathena, Kansas, their daughter Klaranda Behrens. She is also survived by a sister, Ellen Ewers (Jim), Mt. Gilead, Ohio and a brother Harold Ray Moss (Judy), St. Joseph, Missouri, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

FUNERAL: Friday, May 31, 2019 – 10:30 A.M

At: First Baptist Church in Wathena

Burial: Bellemont Cemetery in Wathena

Visitation: family will receive friends Thursday evening 6-8 pm at the Harman Rohde Funeral Home in Wathena where friends may call after 12 NOON Thursday.

Memorials: Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, donations can be sent to Harman-Rohde Funeral Home (www.harmanrohde.com), the family, or directly to the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children (donate.lovetotherescue.org)

John F. Hood, 59, of St. Joseph, passed away Monday, May 27, 2019 at Mosaic Life Care.

John was born November 7, 1959 to Charles Gary and Mary Alice (Kinder) Hood.  John graduated from Bishop LeBlond High School.  On November 14, 2014, John married Marilyn Young in Miami, Oklahoma. She survives him of the home.

He worked as a General Manager for Peterbilt of St. Joseph.

John was an active member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, The Hog Motorcycle Club and Northwest Street Rodders.  He looked forward to the Annual Brown Bear Fishing Trip.

Survivors include mother; Mary (Larry) Smithers, sons:  Rodney (Dana) Hood, Travis Hood and Brandon (Kristen) Rodriguez, daughters; Trisha Rodriguez and Brittany Rodriguez, sisters; Pam (Ron) Greiner, Laurie (Cort) Huffman, Brenda Calvert and brother;  Jeff (Paula) Carrel, four grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and his faithful dog Kendall.

John was preceded in death by his father, sister Mary Lynn Hood, grandparents;  John (Hazel) Hood and Caddo (Grace) Kinder, and his loyal companion Jesse.

Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 AM, Friday, May 31, 2019 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. The family will receive friends Thursday, May 30, 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel in St. Joseph.  Interment Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Camp Quality, St. Joseph Animal Shelter or the Human Society.

William J. “Bill” Barger, 92, of Elwood, KS, passed May 26, 2019.

Bill was born April 11, 1927, in St. Joseph, MO, to John and Mabel  Barger.

Bill retired in 1989 as a processor from Seitz Foods in St. Joseph.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Myrtle May, daughter Linda Buckles, three brothers, John, Jess, Willis, and a sister Marie Smith.

Survivors include a brother Louis, “Roy” Barger; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; his caretaker Darla Simpson; step-children Lillian, Winston, other relatives and friends.

Bill has been cremated under the direction of Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel.  Graveside services will be Saturday, June 15, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at Belmont Cemetery in Wathena, KS.

Billie Louise Barker, 94, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Monday, May 27, 2019, at a local healthcare facility.
She was born March 3, 1925 in Bedford, Iowa.

Billie was a retired beautician that enjoyed the lake and going to the casino with her brother-in-law, Gene. She also loved her dog, Duke.

She was preceded in death by her father, Jasper Ingram; mother, Cordyce Doughter; husband, Allen J. Barker, Sr.; grandson, Sean Barker; and granddaughter, Kim Barker.

Survivors include sons, A.J. Barker (Pattie), Robin Barker (Cindy); grandchildren, Rob, Trevor, Ashley, Danielle; and many great-grandchildren.

Graveside Farewell Services & Interment 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, Ashland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to American Cancer Society.

William J. “Bill” Bowser, 80, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Sunday, May 26, 2019, at home.
He was born August 8, 1938 in Frankfort, Kansas.

Bill married Phyllis Stigers on May 16, 1964; she survives of the home. He worked for Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad as a carman mechanic, Trans World Airlines as A&P mechanic and telephone license. Bill retired from the Air National Guard as an E-9 after 34 years and 5 days of service.

He had a long Masonic and other affiliations history which includes St. Joseph Lodge #78 A.F. & A.M. since 1961, Worshipful Master (1992), Appointed Grand Orator (2008-2009), Appointed DDGM (2009-2010), Masonic Home Board (2012-2016), Grand Representative of Chad (1999), St. Joseph Scottish Rite, St. Joseph York Rite, Mitchell Chapter #14, St. Joseph Council #9, Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Missouri, Hugh De Payens Commandery #4, Missouri Priory #17 KYCH, Missouri Priory #17 KYCH, Convent General KYCH, Red Cross of Constantine, Pony Express Council A.M.D. #350, Our Lord’s Tabernacle LIV HRAKTP, Edwin C. Carpenter York Right College #181, Order of Eastern Star Areme #461, St. Joseph High Twelve Club #49, Grand Council Knight Masons Council #0, Societas Rosicruciana Missouri Coll, National Sojourners Kansas City Chapter #63, Heroes of ’76, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Moila Shriner, Legion of Honor, Past Member & Past Director of the Hot Sand Bugs, Order of Quetzalcoatl Proto Expressos Teocali #45, Provost Guard, and Hillbilly Clan #155.

Bill also had other memberships and awards that comprise being an Eagle Scout, Tribe Mic-O-Say, St. Louis Globe-Democrat award for Outstanding Achievement, Kentucky Colonel of the State of Kentucky, Honorary Hoosier State of Indiana, Arkansas Traveler State of Arkansas, Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, Air Force Sergeants Association, United States Air Force Boom Operators Association, American Legion Post #359, VFW Post #4428, and Y-Fry Club.

He attended Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, George and Martha (Stewart) Bowser; and daughter, Jane Bowser.

Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to Masonic Home in Columbia, MO or Scottish Rite of St. Joseph, 33rd Degree.

A.C. Robert “Bob” Berger, 88, passed away on Sunday, May 26, 2019, very peacefully in the home that he was born in, just as he wished.

Bob has requested cremation and a graveside service, which will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 4, 2019, at Mt. Vernon Cemetery with the Rev. Dr. Rachel Dannar officiating. Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Atchison Family YMCA for scholarships and may be sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com.

Bob was born on October 8, 1930, in the west room of his family home at 127 N. Terrace in Atchison, Kansas, the son of A.C. and Minnie (Kuntz) Berger. He graduated from Atchison High School and attended Kansas State University before earning his petroleum engineering degree from the University of Oklahoma. He was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Bob served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He worked in Houston, Texas, as a petroleum engineer before returning to Atchison to join his father’s leather company after a flood and a fire. Upon his return to Atchison, he began many decades of active involvement serving and leading numerous community organizations, groups, and projects. Among the organizations were the Atchison Family YMCA, Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce, Santa Fe Depot Trustees, Atchison Area United Way, Courtney S. Turner Charitable Trust Advisory Committee, and Boy Scouts of America where he was an Eagle Scout.

Bob was also a longtime member of a number of organizations including the Atchison Rotary Club, Elks, American Legion, Bellevue Country Club & Pineview Country Club. He served on the Board of the Exchange National Bank & Trust and was also very active in the Republican Party at the local, state and national levels.

Bob was the retired Chairman of the Board of Berger Company, an international leather and textile company that he founded, and the parent company of Atchison Leather Products Co., a fourth-generation company which was founded in 1908 by his father A.C. Berger. He was devoted to his family and loved spending time with his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. He loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting, and boating. (And going to the casino with his buddies!)

Bob married JoAnn Tauchman on August 17, 1952, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Atchison, KS. She preceded him in death on October 21, 2014, as did an older brother Walter, and two sisters, Marian and Dorothy.

He is survived by a daughter, Carla Berger Blattner, a son and daughter-in-law Rick and Sally Berger, 4 grandchildren, Bart (Amber) Blattner, Eric (Amy) Blattner, Reed (Becky) Berger, and Sarah (Adam) Berger Bakri. He also leaves behind 8 great grandchildren, Gwynn and Grant Blattner, Oliver, Henry and Charlie Blattner, Roe and Ramzia Bakri and Beau Robert Berger.