Post Staff – Page 467 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Obituaries May 1-2

Posted on May 4, 2016May 4, 2016

Ina R. Schaefer
1959-2016

Ina R. Schaefer, 67, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Sunday, May 1, 2016 at a local healthcare facility.
She was born August 17, 1948 in Washington D.C. to Sherman and Louise (Staats) Buis.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Natural Farewell under the direction of Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Joel Hunter Robbins
2014-2016

Joel Hunter Robbins was born Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014 and passed away Monday, May 2nd, 2016 in Kansas City, Missouri. Visitation held Wednesday, May 11th, 2016, 2:00pm – 3:00pm at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. Services held Wednesday, May 11th, 2016, 3:00pm at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. Officiating Chaplain Ryan VanPeursem.

Melba Mae Miller
1941-2016

Melba Mae Miller 75, Saint Joseph, Missouri, passed away Monday, May 2, 2016 in Saint Joseph, MO. She was born May 2, 1941 in St. Joseph, MO, daughter of Daniel & Ora Mae Ebling. She was a homemaker. She was a member of Souls Harbor Pentecostal Church. Melba was preceded in death by her daughter, Theresa Marie Miller, brothers, Thomas, Daniel, Virgil and John Ebling, and sisters, Betty & Elvis Ebling. Survivors include, son, Daniel (Tracy) Miller of Gallatin, MO, 2 daughters, Ella (Pete) Ortega and Kathy Lynn Miller all of St. Joseph, MO, several grandchildren and great grandchildren, brothers, Marvin, Charles, and Kenneth Ebling, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services; 2:00 P.M. Friday, May 6, 2016 at Rupp Funeral Home, Pastor JoAnn Springs officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:00-2:00 PM, prior to the service. Memorials are requested to the Melba Mae Miller Memorial Fund in care of Rupp Funeral Home.

Helen L. Greenlee Hendra
1917-2016

Helen L. Greenlee Hendra, 98, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Monday, May 2, 2016 at a local healthcare facility.
She was born in Rayville, Missouri June 16, 1917. She moved to St. Joseph in 1926 where she spent the rest of her life.
She was employed at the Anderson Typewriter Company where she retired after 26 years.
She married John T. Hendra on June 5, 1948. He preceded her in death on July 7, 1984.
She was a member of the Huffman Memorial United Methodist Church where she has been president of the Guy Harden Sunday School class and president of the Mary Ruth Fellowship. She was a member of the National Association of Retired People, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees and a volunteer at Heartland Regional Medical Center for 23 years. She had been past president of the Women’s Division Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Lovers Lane Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association and past president of Y-Women.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Mary Greenlee; Four sisters, Eva D. Safris of Lake Worth, Florida, Wilma F. McCord of St. Joseph, Reta P. Mudd of Tucson, Arizona and Agnes Finnigan of El Reno, Oklahoma; and a brother-in-law, Elmo Finnigan.
Survivors include nine nieces and nephews, Sue Kersey (Mike), Marble Falls, TX, Mike Finnigan, El Reno, OK, Tim Finnigan (Danella), El Reno, OK, Pat Finnigan (Cheryl), El Reno, OK, Kathleen Baierswyl (Willy), El Reno, OK, Terry Finnigan (Lorie) El Reno, OK, Peggy Wahweah, El Reno, OK, Sheila Travis (Jimmy) El Reno, OK, John Safris, Hot Springs, SD. She is also survived by numerous great nieces & nephews and great great nieces & nephews.
Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 12 Noon to 1:00 P.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Huffman Memorial United Methodist Church. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Mary “Anita” Soper
1960-2016

Mary “Anita” Soper, 55, Stanberry, Missouri passed away unexpectedly Monday, May 2, 2016.
She was born November 7, 1960 in Albany, Missouri.
Anita married Douglas Soper on July 7, 2007.
Family was most important to her, especially her grandchildren. Survivors include husband, Douglas; daughter, Amanda Wilson; son, Josh Wilson; parents, Morris and Mary Gregory; six grandchildren; brother, Mike Gregory; and sister, Diane Wiederholt, all of Stanberry, Missouri.
Natural Farewell under the direction of Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Ronald D.”Ron” Garton
1946-2016

Ronald D. ”Ron” Garton, 69, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Monday, May 2, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care.
He was born July 26, 1946 in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Mr. Garton retired from the Idaho National Engineering Lab in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Ron enjoyed fishing and tinkering in his garage and loved yard work.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Forrest (Grace) Garton; and brother, Larry Garton.
Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Cheryl (Whorton); sons, Travis Garton (Kelli), St. Joseph and Jeff Bunse who is currently serving overseas in the United States Air Force; daughter, Dawn Yurkovich (Kenny), Kansas City, Missouri; grandchildren, Kenisha, Mitchell and Ryan Yurkovich, Travis, Jr. and Taylor Garton (Trevor Peters); brother, Sonny Garton; and eleven nieces and nephews.
Farewell Services 10:00 A.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Union Star Cemetery, Union Star, Missouri. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory, where friends may call after 3:00 P.M. Thursday. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions to be made to Disabled Veterans or the St. Joseph Animal Shelter. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Ann Coats
1933-2016

Ann Coats, 83, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Monday, May 2, 2016 at her home.
She was born January 4, 1933 in Allendale, Missouri.
Ann was a graduate of King City, Missouri, High School.
She married William “Bill” Coats on May 29, 1952.
Mrs. Coats was a member of Ashland United Methodist Church. While they lived Ozark, Arkansas she taught Sunday School.
She loved fishing and traveling. Bill’s job in retail allowed them and their children to travel and in live in over 32 cities around the US.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur “Artie” and Harriett (Law) Fletchall; daughter, Shila Henson; son-in-law, Rod Henson; brother, Arthur Fletchall; and six sisters, Marie Drollet, Norma Jean Thornburn, Della Ruth Clark, Bonnie Irene Bacon, Mary Louise King and Opal Fay Fletchall.
Survivors include her husband of 63 years, Bill Coats; sons, Gary and Daryl Coats; sister, Luetta Fern Scott; grandchildren, Levi Coats (Erin), Shelby Hemmings (Roland) and Kelci Coats; great grandchildren, Anja, Amaja and Alija Hemmings, Zaid Keithly and Andrew and Mason Autry; great-great granddaughter, Nadia Rice; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Farewell Services 10:00 A.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family suggests memorial contributions to be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

A beautiful week, but more rain on the horizon

Posted on May 4, 2016

Sunshine and warm temperatures will continue for the rest of the week, but then we’re expecting several days with a chance of rain. Here’s your seven-day forecast from the National Weather Service.

Today: Sunny, with a high near 68. North wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 44. North northwest wind 6 to 11 mph becoming light northwest.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 74. North northwest wind 5 to 7 mph.

Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 51. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph after midnight.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 81. South southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Supreme Court rejects guilty verdict in local sodomy trial

Posted on May 4, 2016

The Supreme Court of Missouri has ordered a new trial in Buchanan County for a man convicted on statutory sodomy charges in 2009.

In a 5-to-2 decision, the high court held that Edward Hoeber’s jury instructions were insufficient to ensure the panel unanimously agreed on the specific acts for which they found him guilty.

The court also held that by not objecting to the instructions, Hoeber’s lawyer failed to provide competent legal assistance. In a dissenting opinion, Judge Zel Fisher argued that the finding of the jury was appropriate, given Mr. Hoeber’s confession to police, which Judge Fisher said was “quite clear in detail,” and established two incidents of improper touching of the then four-year-old victim.

The court remanded the case back to Judge Daniel Kellogg for a new trial.

The court’s summary and ruling can be found here.

Missouri PSC said KCP&L violated rules

Posted on May 3, 2016May 3, 2016

JEFFERSON CITY–The Missouri Public Service Commission has determined Kansas City Power & Light Company (KCP&L) and KCP&L-Greater Missouri Operations Company (GMO) violated Commission rules by making customer-specific information available to a third-party, Allconnect, Inc. (Allconnect) without the consent of their customers.

The Public Service Commission Staff filed a complaint against the two electric companies on May 20, 2015, alleging that the transfer of customer information was occurring without customer consent in violation of Commission rules.

The Commission found that the transfer of customer-specific information occurred when new customers were placing Missouri residential electric service orders or existing customers were placing transfer service orders. KCP&L and GMO customer service representatives instruct individuals requesting these services to remain on the line so that their calls could be transferred to an Allconnect customer service representative who would provide a confirmation number regarding their start service order, verify the accuracy of the customer information provided and help connect them to other services for their home.

Once the caller was transferred to an Allconnect representative, Allconnect offered customers other services such as household products and services (such as phone, wireless, cable TV, satellite TV, high-speed internet and home security systems), as well as promotions such as movers programs and coupons.

“If KCP&L and GMO wish to continue their contractual relationship with Allconnect by transferring customer calls and related information, they must ensure that customers understand that they have the option to transfer to Allconnect; that they can complete their business with KCP&L or GMO without having to transfer to Allconnect; and that Allconnect is a third-party that offers services separate and apart from the services offered by the utility,” said the Commission. “KCP&L and GMO will need to modify the script used by their customer service representatives regarding the proposed transfer to Allconnect to obtain the informed customer consent.”

In addition to changing the script, the Commission said KCP&L and GMO need to modify how they account for the revenues and expenses associated with the Allconnect relationship. Revenue and expense, the Commission said, should be treated as regulated revenue and expense and brought “above the line” so they may be considered when the companies’ rates are set in a general rate case.

During proceedings before the Commission, KCP&L and GMO indicated a willingness to change the Allconnect program.

(Press release)

Bond set for woman charged in I-229 pedestrian death

Posted on May 3, 2016

Bond has been set for a St. Joseph woman charged in connection with the death of Corbin Watts.

24-year-old Jacey Grom appeared in Buchanan County court Tuesday. She was charged April in Buchanan County with a felony for first-degree involuntary manslaughter.

Court documents accuse Grom of driving while under the influence of alcohol causing the death of Watts by striking him with a vehicle driving in excess of the speed limit on I-229.

Online court documents said Tuesday, the court set bond in the amount of $25,000 with stipulations. The court said under the terms of the bond Grom not drive, drink alcohol, use illegal drugs or abuse prescription drugs. She would also have to submit to drug testing and not visit bars, clubs or casinos. Curfew was set from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily and she would be required to surrender her passport.

Bond had previously been denied.

St. Joseph man accused of failing to seek timely medical attention for infant

Posted on May 3, 2016

A St. Joseph man has been charged in Buchanan County from an incident that took place last year after an infant was allegedly unresponsive for around 5 hours before medical attention was sought.

Malachi Johnson, 39 was charged March 30 with a felony for endangering the welfare of a child. Johnson was arrested Tuesday on a warrant.

According to court documents, on Aug. 11, 2015 Johnson failed to seek medical attention in a timely manner for a 5-month-old after the child became unresponsive.

“The child remained unresponsive for approximately 5 hours before the defendant took the child to the hospital,” Detective Dustin Robinson with the St. Joseph Police Department said. “Hospital records indicate the child victim had injuries consisting of swelling to the brain, bleeding to the back of eyes, and bruising to the chest and back caused by violent trauma to the head and body.”

Bail for Johnson has been set at $25,000. A preliminary hearing has been set for May 20.

Night Work to begin on I-29

Posted on May 3, 2016

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – A resurfacing project on Interstate 29 in Andrew and Buchanan counties is set to restart Sunday evening, May 15, 2016.

Crews from Herzog Contracting Corporation, working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, resurfaced the northbound lanes during last year’s construction season. On May 15, they will begin work to resurface the southbound lanes.

The project will resurface I-29 from Business U.S. Route 71 north of St. Joseph to 1.5 miles south of Route O, near Pigeon Creek. One lane will remain open throughout the project.

The on and off ramps will also be resurfaced, which may require closing the ramps to ensure the safety of both motorists and workers. If a ramp closure is planned, advance notice will be provided.

All work is planned for Sunday through Thursday nights between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., after peak travel times. Work may also be conducted on Saturday nights, if needed. All work is weather permitting and schedules are subject to change.

The contractor anticipates that all paving will be completed by July 4, 2016. Then crews will work on striping and guardrail, hoping to be fully completed by mid-August. If delays arise, notice will be given.

Man charged with felony domestic assault

Posted on May 3, 2016May 3, 2016

A St. Joseph man is facing a felony charge for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend.

42-year-old Richard Cross is charged with felony first-degree domestic assault stemming from an incident Sunday around 1:45 p.m. in St. Joseph.

“The victim stated she was in fear for her safety and stated the abuse was ongoing and this wasn’t the first time he assaulted her,” said Officer Eric Powell with the St. Joseph Police Dept. “The defendant has a criminal history in the state of Texas reference child endangerment.”

Cross is being held without bond in the Buchanan County Jail. An arraignment is set for Friday.

Nice weather continues through Saturday

Posted on May 3, 2016

Expect dry and pleasant conditions through Saturday before unsettled weather makes a return by Sunday.

Today

Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. West wind 5 to 7 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 49. West southwest wind 5 to 7 mph.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 70. North northwest wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

Wednesday Night

Clear, with a low around 44. North northwest wind 5 to 9 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 73. Northwest wind 3 to 6 mph.

Thursday Night

Clear, with a low around 50.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 79.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.

Saturday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday Night

Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Monday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Northwest adds diversity positions

Posted on May 2, 2016

Northwest Administration Building. Photo courtesy Darren Whitley/Northwest Missouri State University

Northwest Missouri State University approved adding two new diversity positions.

The University’s Board of Regents unanimously approved at Friday’s regular meeting adding a vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion and a coordinator of diversity and inclusion to help the university’s focus on the issue.

According to university leaders, the move comes after research, analyzing data and conversations with students, faculty, staff and community members. Funding for the positions comes from a combination of reallocated funds and a student culture and climate fee approved by the Board in March.

“We’ve provided programming for years at Northwest Missouri State University, but we’re looking here at infrastructure and really changing the course and maturing in terms of our approaches,” Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski said. “Our value at Northwest of being interculturally competent is critical to all of this.”

Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Matt Baker presented the proposal to the board. Baker said it’s Northwest’s responsibility to prepare students to live and work in a diverse and rapidly changing environment while appropriately equipping faculty, staff and community members to help deliver the outcome.

Baker said creating a supportive, inclusive environment is critical to Northwest’s long-term viability and students’ ability to be career-ready in an increasingly global society. Baker also said the majority of the population in the United States will be non-white in the next 30 years. Northwest’s domestic non-white population is 15.3 percent.