LaVerta Darlene Smith
1931-2016

St. Joseph, Missouri – LaVerta Smith, 84, of St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Sunday, July 10, 2016.
LaVerta was born August 15, 1931 in Troy, Kansas to August & Millie (Thornton) Buch. She was a Housewife & of the Baptist faith. LaVerta married Frank Smith in St. Joseph, Missouri. He preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers & 4 sisters.
Survivors: son, Mark Pierson (Janet), Kingsville, Missouri; 2 grandchildren, Matthew Pierson (Cady), Michelle Hodges (Darrin); Sister-in-law, Anna Margaret Buch; Numerous great-grandchildren, nieces & nephews.
Graveside Service: 11:00 A.M. Saturday, July 16, 2016, at the Courter Cemetery, Troy, Kansas.
There is no scheduled visitation. Harman-Rohde Funeral Home, Wathena, Kansas are in charge of arrangements.

Terrance “Terry” Joseph Cunningham
1952-2016

Terrance “Terry” Joseph Cunningham, 63, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Sunday, July 10, 2016 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.
He was born in Maryville, Missouri.
Terry was a man of many talents including being a heavy industrial mechanic and loved farming, John Deere tractors, hunting, fishing, and telling stories.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ruth Loraine (Domka) Cunningham; and nephew, Theron Cunningham.
Survivors include son, Travis Hood; granddaughters, Gabrielle and Hadley Hood; siblings, Adeline Flint (Jim), Savannah, Missouri, Glenna Ogle, Bismarck, Missouri, William Cunningham (Ann), Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Colleen Bentley (David), Olathe, Kansas and Michael Cunningham (Kelly), Helena, Missouri; and the love of his life, Debby Webster.
Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 A.M. Thursday, St. Peter Catholic Church, Stanberry, Missouri. Interment Mount Calvary Cemetery, Stanberry, Missouri. Parish Rosary 6:30 P.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will gather with friends 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Mount Calvary Cemetery, Stanberry, Missouri. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Elic “Hank” Burks, Jr.
1944-2016

Elic “Hank” Burks, Jr., 71, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Sunday, July 10, 2016 at his home.
He was born December 19, 1944 in Independence, Kansas.
Elic married Donna Marie Edinger in 1970.
Elic enlisted in the United States Air Force September 1963 serving as a C-130 prop and engine mechanic. He deployed to Vietnam in support of the war effort and distinguished himself by entering a burning aircraft, assisting the evacuation of military personnel form the plane, for his heroic efforts he was awarded a Bronze Star. Hank left active duty and began a multifaceted civilian career, before once again enlisting in the United State Air Force as a member of the Missouri Air Nation Guard 139th Airlift Wing out of St. Joseph, Mo. He once again served as a C-130 maintainer and was deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm. Hank returned to St. Joseph, switching to a Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) technician position, which matched with his current civilian profession at the University of Missouri at KC. In addition to changing jobs he also changed units and transferred into the 241st Air Traffic Control Squadron. Hank retired from the Air National Guard in April 2002 having attained the rank of Technical Sergeant (E-6). In addition to his Bronze star Hank earned the following medals; Air Force Commendation, Air Force Achievement, Outstanding Unit, Air Force Good Conduct, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service, National Defense Service, Vietnam Service, Southwest Asia Service, Humanitarian Service, Overseas Short Tour, Air Force Longevity, Armed Forces Reserve, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship, Republic of Vietnam Campaign, Kuwait Liberation Medal – Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Liberation Medal – Emirate of Kuwait, Missouri National Guard Commendation, Missouri National Guard Desert Storm, Missouri National Guard State Emergency Duty, Missouri National Guard Long Service Medal 10 years. Hank was a proud American who served the Air Force and his country with great honor and distinction.
Hank was a member of FOE, Eastern Star, Masonic and Ashland United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, E. Henry and Ruby (Spencer) Burks; and brother, Ray Burks.
Survivors include wife, Donna Burks, St. Joseph, Missouri; daughter, Nyoka Tonya Lewis (Bobby) Mololla, Oregon; sister, Darlene Rexwinkle (Donnie) Edna, Kansas; nephew, Brian Rexwinkle (Alison) South Coffeyville, Oklahoma; niece, Tonya Bradley (Caleb) Manhattan, Kansas; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and great-nephews.
Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers the family suggest memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or ASPCA. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Patricia Kay Adams
1949-2016

Patricia Kay Adams, 67, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Sunday, July 10, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care.
She was born January 19, 1949 in Omaha, Nebraska.
She enjoyed her little dog, Harley.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Katherine (Banik) Nechodom; and sister, Mary Beth Jensen.
Survivors include son, Bobbie Adams of Sheldahl, Iowa; daughters, Laurie Worley of St. Joseph and Kim Overholser (Larry) of Benton, Iowa; three grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.
Natural Farewell under the direction of Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Jack Hickman
1933-2016

Jack Hickman, 82, Atchison, Kansas died Thursday, July 7, 2016 at his residence.
Mass of Christian burial will be Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph’s Church with Rev. Jeremy Heppler, OSB as celebrant. Interment will follow in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery. A parish rosary will be recited on Monday, July 11, at 6:30 PM in the chapel of the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home with visitation to follow until 8:00 PM. Memorial contributions are suggested to Mt. Calvary Cemetery Endowment, St. Benedict Parish, or Cancer Research and may be left in care of the funeral home.
Jack was born August 15, 1933 in Atchison, Kansas the son of John William and Anna Gertrude Stevenson Hickman. He attended Sacred Heart, St. Joseph’s Catholic Elementary Schools and Atchison High School.
He and Ellen M. Miller were united in marriage on February 4, 1956 at St. Louis Church at Good Intent.
Jack worked as a machinist at Kramers Manufacturing in Leavenworth, Kansas, Fairbanks Morse in Kansas City, Kansas and Stein Laboratory in Atchison, Kansas before moving to Colorado in 1969 to work for the Department of Energy Rocky Flats Plant in Golden, Colorado where he retired on September 1, 1992 as a project engineer. He and his wife moved back to Atchison in 1994 and he operated a small machine shop for a few years.
He served with the United States Navy from July 26, 1951 until his honorable discharge on June 14, 1954.
He was a member of St. Benedict Parish, and the V F W Mile High Post #1771 in Lafayette, Colorado. He also belonged to the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.
Survivors include his wife, Ellen Hickman of the couple’s home in Atchison, KS, a son, John Lee Hickman, Broomfield, CO, four daughters, Pamela Kay (Dale) Bowman, Holton, KS, Vickie Ann (William) Priest, Myrtle Beach, SC, Lisa Rae (Dwight) Hickman-Lott, Westminster, CO, Mary Kim (Billal) Ameur, Denver, CO, fifteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Billy Gene Hickman, half-brothers, Johnny Hickman and Kenneth F. Banks, step-brother, Edward Jones, Jr., a sister, Delores Darlene Hickman and half-sister, Christina Ganter Larkin.

Cloetta Fay McFadden
1934-2016

Cloetta F. McFadden, 82, of St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Thursday, July 7, 2016 at her home. She was born April 7, 1934 in Versailles, MO, and she was raised in St. Joseph, the daughter of the late Dorothy and Elvist Campbell. She worked at Swift & Company, and at various stores in St. Joseph and Atchison, KS, retiring from Food 4 Less as a meat wrapper. She married Jim H. McFadden on November 3, 1949. Jim passed away on April 30, 2008, they were married for 59 years. She attended Lake Ave. Baptist Church. Cloetta was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, daughter, Diane G. McFadden, five brothers: Cloyd (Kay) Campbell, Kenneth Campbell, Glenn “Toots” Campbell, Grover (Annie) Campbell, and Roy “Red” Campbell, two sisters, Nadine (Dude) Gaddy, and June (Dick) Horton, and a granddaughter, Brynne Nicole Bravo. Survivors include: daughter, Kathy (McFadden) Bravo of St. Joseph, MO, three granddaughters, Amy (Brian) Lawrence, Megan Bravo, and Tess Bravo, four great grandchildren, Austin, Jaden, Syrianna, and Harlow, sister-in-law, Mary Campbell, as well as several nieces and nephews. The family wishes to give a special thanks to Mosaic Hospice: Alethia, Sarah, Shelli, Brittany, Bobbi, Missy, and Sister Susan for their kind service to our mother and grandmother.
Graveside Funeral Services and interment will be conducted on Monday, July 11, 2016 at 10:30 AM at the Memorial Park Cemetery, Rev. Steve Stevenson officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Sunday at the Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to Mosaic Life Hospice.

Lloyd F. Bird
1943-2016

Lloyd F. Bird, 73, of Wathena, Kansas passed away Thursday, July 7. 2016.
Lloyd was born on February 23, 1943 in St. Joseph, Missouri to Lloyd E. & Nioma H. (Wells) Bird.
He worked for Whittaker Cable of St. Joseph, Missouri & retiring from Fairbanks Morris of Kansas City.
Lloyd married Thelma Weis on July 14, 1967 in Stewartsville, Missouri. She preceded him in death on January 5, 2006. He was also preceded in death by his parents & a brother, Jay Bird.
Survivors: sons, Bobby Bird & Chris Bird (Tina) both of Wathena, Kansas; Daughters, Jean Bird Fett, Wathena, Kansas; Pam Bird & (fiance, Tim), Midwest City, Oklahoma;
Grandchildren, Maddy Bradshaw, Amy Fett, Rylan, Samantha & Branna Bird; Companion, Helen Dunn, Grant City, Illinios; Brothers, Ronnie Bird, Cameron, Missouri; John Bird (Leona), Maysville, Missouri; Sisters, Kay Rogers (Jim), St. Joseph, Missouri; Wynona Barker (George), Sterling City, Texas; Numerous nieces & nephews.
Funeral Service: 1:00 P.M. Monday, July 11, 2016 at the Harman-Rohde Funeral Home in Wathena, Kansas. Visitation: 6-8 Sunday evening at the funeral home, where friends may call after 12 noon Sunday. Lloyd will be cremated after the service and inurnment at a later date. Memorials: Lloyd Bird Memorial Fund.

Janice G. Harris
1937-2016

Janice G. Harris, 79, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Thursday, July 7, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care.
She was born April 24, 1937 in Omaha, Nebraska.
She worked at Quaker Oats as a Unit Leader and Elevator Operator for 33 years until retiring in 2001.
Janice designed clothing and collector items for Quaker Oats and was a very artistic cake decorator. She enjoyed collecting dolls and toys, gardening and going to the Lake of the Ozarks. Her grandkids were most important to her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Wendell and Lucille (Cleary) Hubbard.
Survivors include son, Denis Harris (Kathy), Faucett, Missouri; daughter, Debbie Luce (Tom), Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Katie Fitzgerald (James), Tommy Luce (Sarah) and Nikki Harris; and one great-granddaughter, Payton Luce.
Joint Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the American Diabetes Association or the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Douglas A. Harris
1929-2016

Douglas A. Harris, 87, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Thursday, July 7, 2016.
He was born January 7, 1929 in Burlington Junction, Missouri. He worked as a welder/machinist at Quaker Oats for 42 years until retiring in 1992.
Douglas was a bird watcher and liked to build and tinker in his shop and going to the Lake of the Ozarks.
He was a member of the Brotherhood Lodge #269 A.F. & A.M., Scottish Rite and the Moila Shrine where he performed with the Sand Fleas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Fern (Lininger) Harris; wife, Janice Harris; brother, Dale Harris; and brother-in-law, Edward Morris.
Survivors include son, Denis Harris (Kathy), Faucett, Missouri; daughter, Debbie Luce (Tom), Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Katie Fitzgerald (James), Tommy Luce (Sarah) and Nikki Harris; one great-granddaughter, Payton Luce; sister, Esther “Sissy” Morris; and nephew, Steve Harris.

Charles J. “Chuck” Simmons
1956-2016

Charles J. Simmons, 59, Country Club, Missouri passed away Friday, July 8, 2016 at his home.
He was born October 5, 1956 in St. Joseph, Missouri.
He was the owner and operator of his own taxidermy shop.
Chuck was a Christian man that loved his animals, loved to hunt, fish, and his family. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and taking them hunting.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Thelma (Ware) Carter; step-father, Glen Carter; and step-son, Scott King.
Survivors include wife, Susan Simmons; children, Jeremy Simmons (Michelle), Nicole Carlson (Jeff), and Nathan Simmons (Brittany); step-son, Chad King; grandchildren, Hayden and Ramsey Simmons, and Collin, Alyssa and Lilly Carlson; father, Billy Simmons (Joann); and numerous brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews.
Celebration of Life 5:30 to 7:30 P.M. Wednesday Fairview Golf Course. Care provided by Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations to Friends of the Animal Shelter of St. Joseph. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Robert Dale “Bob” Besinger
1925-2016

Robert Dale “Bob” Besinger was born Friday, April 3rd, 1925; and passed away Friday, July 8th, 2016 in Atchison, Kansas. Visitation Monday, July 11th, 2016, 6:30pm – 8:00pm at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. Services Tuesday, July 12th, 2016, 2:00pm; officiating Sister Mary Arie, located at the St. John’s Lutheran Church Lancaster. Interment located at Sunset Memory Gardens-Atchison.

Vernice A. Cox
1919-2016

MAYETTA – Vernice A. Cox, 96, of Mayetta, died Saturday, July 9, 2016 at Medicalodges Jackson County in Holton.
She was born July 13, 1919, at Paola the daughter of Vern and Oleita Christian Knoop. After her mother died, she was raised by her father and step-mother, Allie Knoop.
Vernice had worked as a substitute teacher in a one room schoolhouse near Wellsville and later was the bookkeeper for the family business, Cox Implement Company in Holton.
She married Wilbur H. Cox on April 29, 1939 at Paola. He died November 9, 2007.
Vernice was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Nadine Graham.
Survivors include three daughters, Patty Bone and husband Richard, Mayetta, Shirley Abbott and husband James, Red Rock, TX, and Linda Cox, Krum, TX; two sisters, Maxine Barber, Paola, and Alice “Gwen” Ward, Alhambra, CA; and one brother, Vern Knoop, Glendale, California; ten grandchildren, and twenty-three great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
Graveside services will be 3:00 p.m. Monday, July 11th at the Wellsville Cemetery. Vernice will lie in state until noon Monday at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Holton. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice, and may be sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 1034, Holton, 66436.

Roy Neal Lassen
1942-2016

Roy Neal Lassen was born Saturday, August 22nd, 1942; and passed away Saturday, July 9th, 2016 in Atchison, Kansas. Visitation held Wednesday, July 13th, 2016, 6:30pm – 8:00pm; located at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. Services Thursday, July 14th, 2016, location Cummings Cemetery. Officiating Rev. Robert Ziegler. Interment located at the Cummings Cemetery.

James R. “Jim” Adams
1924-2016

James R. “Jim” Adams, 91, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Saturday, July 9, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care.
He was born December 17, 1924 in Hamilton, Missouri.
Jim proudly served in the United States Army during World War II and was a member of Clair United Methodist Church. He worked at the Stockyards and Cool Crest Golf Course.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Bernice (Johnson) Adams; son, James Ray Adams; and brother, Roland Adams. Survivors include wife of 62 years, Margaret (Dills) Adams; daughter-in-law, Terri Koehler (Duane) and his two children, Brooklyn and Oren Koehler; two grandchildren, Jeffery Adams (Brittany Davis) and Jessica Adams; two great-grandchildren, Zander Guy and Parker Adams; siblings, Maude Moore, Frances Leach and John Adams (Mary); numerous nieces and nephews; and Joy Hawkins, who was like a daughter.
Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Inurnment Whispering Pines Cremation Garden at St. Joseph Memorial Park. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family suggests memorial donations to Clair United Methodist Church. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.