James “Jim” C. Brentano
1942-2016

James C. “Jim” Brentano, 74, Atchison, Kansas, died Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at his residence.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM on Friday April 22, 2016 at St. Joseph’s Church with Abbot Barnabas Senecal, OSB as celebrant. Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. A parish rosary will be Thursday, April 21st at 6:30 P.M. in the chapel of the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home. Visitation with the family will follow until 8:30 P.M. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Benedict Parish, St. Benedict School Endowment or Maur Hill-Mount Academy and may be left in care of the funeral home.
Jim was born January 25, 1942 in Atchison, Kansas the son of Bernard and Elizabeth Lyons Brentano. He attended St. Joseph’s Elementary School, graduating from Maur Hill Prep School in 1960.
Jim served in the United States Navy from 1963 until his honorable discharge in 1967. Jim served in the U.S. Navy Seabees and during that time served two tours during the Vietnam conflict.
He and Grace Nolte were united in marriage on November 23, 1968 at St. Joseph’s Church in Atchison.
Jim was employed for the Servaes Brothers Construction Company for several years and then worked as a heavy equipment operator for Marlatt Construction Company for over thirty years until his retirement in 2004.
He was a member of St. Benedict’s Parish and a life member of V.F.W. Post #1175 in Atchison.
Survivors include his wife, Grace Brentano, of the couple’s home in Atchison, three sons, Chris Brentano, Lenexa, KS; Jason (Jennifer) Brentano, Shawnee, KS; Curtis Brentano, Fairway, KS; five brothers, Tom (Judy) Brentano, Salt Lake City, UT; Mike (Ann) Brentano, Overland Park, KS; Steve (Alice) Brentano, Overland Park, KS; Dave ( Jackie) Brentano, Parkville, MO; Mark (Kris) Brentano, Lenexa, KS; four sisters, Sharon Leonard, Kansas City, MO; Barb (Ken) Lane, Independence, MO; Mary Beth (Terry) Griffin, Atchison, KS; Susan (David) Castino, Santa Rosa, CA; and three grandchildren, Allison Brentano, Nathan Brentano and Thomas Brentano.
He was preceded in death by his parents.

Ralph B. Ward, Jr.
1939-2016

Ralph B. Ward, Jr., 77, of Onaga, died Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at the Eastridge Nursing Facility in Centralia.
He was born March 3, 1939 at Centralia, the son of Ralph B. Ward, Sr. and Irene Harris Ward. Ralph graduated from Centralia High School in 1957.
He had worked for many years at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Topeka.
Ralph had served on the Onaga City Council and was a member of the Onaga Lions Club and a charter member of the Onaga Jaycees.
He married Catherine E. Meyer on January 16, 1960 at Seneca. She survives, of the home.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Alan Ward, and a sister, Gail Elder.
Other survivors include a daughter, Kim Runnebaum and husband Lynn, Marysville; two sons, Ben Ward and wife Gina, Marysville and Greg Ward, St. Petersburg, FL; a brother, Kyle Ward and wife Barbara, Topeka; five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 23rd at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Onaga. Burial will follow in the Centralia Cemetery. Ralph will lie in state Friday at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Onaga where family and friends will meet from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Onaga Lions Club or the Onaga Community Center, and may be sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 312, Onaga, 66521.

Eva M. Savago
1918-2016

Eva M. Savago, 97, of Onaga, died Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at the Eastridge Nursing Facility in Centralia.
She was born November 3, 1918 at Manhattan, the daughter of Jess and Grace Carmicheal Lister.
She was a former member of St. Patrick Catholic Church at Coal Creek until it closed, and then a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Onaga.
Eva married Andrew Myers on September 23, 1936. He died June 11, 1972. She married Raymond Savago on December 22, 1972. He died June 1, 1993.
She was also preceded in death by her parents, two daughters, Mary Margaret Meade and Bernice Nolte, a grandson, Rodney Nolte, two great grandchildren, six brothers and one sister.
Survivors include four sons, Andrew Myers (Vicki), Temecula, CA, Galen Myers (Wanda), Joplin, MO, and Douglas Myers (Rexanne) and Anthony Myers (Debra), all of Topeka; four daughters, Grace Correll (Gilbert), Onaga, Judith Ransdell (Jimmie), Linn Valley, KS, Hazel Kerr (Larry), Columbia, MO and Sandra Wagner, Fulton, MO; a sister, Jeannie Ellenbecker, Topeka; forty-two grandchildren, eighty-nine great grandchildren, forty-three great-great grandchildren and one great-great-great granddaughter.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 23rd at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery at Coal Creek. Eva will lie in state until 4:00 p.m. Friday and until 2:45 p.m. Saturday at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Onaga. She will lie in state after 5:00 p.m. Friday at the church where a visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a Parish Rosary said at 7:00. Memorials are suggested to the Coal Creek Cemetery, and may be sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 312, Onaga 66521.

Neal L. Smith, Jr.
1964-2016

Neal L. Smith, Jr., 51, Atchison, Kansas died unexpectedly Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at his residence.
A Celebration of Life Service for Neal will be Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 1:00 P.M. at United Methodist Church in Atchison. Neal has been cremated and will be inurned at a later time at Mt. Vernon Cemetery. Friends are welcome to leave a “small” memento at the funeral home to be placed in the grave with Neal at his committal. Memorial contributions are suggested to Sgt. David Enzbrenner Scholarship Fund and may be left in care of the funeral home.
Neal was born December 16, 1964 in Atchison, Kansas the son of Neal L. Smith, Sr. and Dorothy Frances Barnett. He attended Atchison Elementary Schools and graduated from Atchison High School, where he was active in the football program while in school.
Following his education, Neal was employed with Atchison Casting Corporation and then with Bradken as a fabricator/molder for more than thirty years until his untimely death.
He was a member of Campbell Chapel A.M.E. Church. He was an avid golfer, and a member of Pineview Country Club. He enjoyed spending his spare time with numerous friends on the golf course, caring for the golf course and also tinkering with toy trains as a hobby. Neal was well known in his community for volunteering and always being available to help others. He was especially proud of his work customizing two golf carts just the way he wanted them.
Survivors include a sister, Amanda Smith, Leavenworth, KS; a brother, Damien Smith, LaSelva, CA; step-mother, LeAnn Smith Karbaumer, Platte City, MO; a niece, Jordan Downing, Topeka, KS; aunts, uncles, cousins, many other family members and numerous friends.

Ellis Daniel Thomas
1940-2016

Ellis Daniel Thomas, 76, of St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Wednesday, April 20, 2016 in Saint Joseph, MO. He was born January 21, 1940 in St. Joseph, MO, son of Mayme and Stanley Thomas, and they precede him in death. He graduated from Benton High School in 1957 and St. Joseph Junior College. He then attended the University of Missouri at Rolla, and after his retirement from AT&T, he attended Missouri Western State University. He served in the United States Army from 1963 – 1965 and was stationed in West Germany. On June 19, 1976 he married Janice Ridge, and they shared 39 years of marriage together. He retired after over 40 years of service with perfect attendance from the former Southwestern Bell & now AT&T telephone companies as an ESS & Digital Switchman. Ellis enjoyed electronics, radios, and ham radios. He loved fishing, mushroom hunting, nature and traveling, and he was a Christian. Survivors include, wife, Janice Thomas of the home, son, Scott Thomas of St. Joseph, MO, daughter, Susan (Tim) Conard of St. Joseph, MO, two grandsons, Kai & Kendrick.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am on Monday, April 25, 2016 at Rupp Funeral Home with Pastor Rodney Krumme officiating. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Sunday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Mount Auburn Cemetery. Memorials are requested to the Salvation Army.

John William Burnett, Jr.
1945-2016

John William Burnett, Jr., 70, Atchison, Kansas passed away Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care.
He was born October 1, 1945 in Atchison, Kansas.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Sheila; and parents, John Sr. and Irene (Churchill) Burnett.
Survivors include son, Troy Burnett, Cibolo, Texas; and seven grandchildren.
John was a member of the Missouri Cremation Service. Online guestbook and obituary at www.missouricremation.com.

Marie Ada Kidd
1921-2016

Marie Ada Kidd, 94, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Thursday, April 21, 2016, at a local healthcare facility surrounded by her loving family.
She was born July 3, 1921 in Nebraska City, Nebraska.
Marie married George Kidd, Jr. on February 20, 1943 in Wichita, Kansas.
There is neither time nor space enough to share about the amazing life she lived and what a rare jewel of a woman she was. A welder, homemaker, and musician, she is with her Lord now and is dearly missed.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George; parents, Paul and Emma (Hahn) Stiles; sisters, Hazel Carr and Helen Minton; and a brother, Glenn Stiles.
Survivors include 4 children, 14 grandchildren, their spouses, and many other members of her extended family.
The family will gather with friends 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. Sunday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church. Mrs. Kidd will be removed from Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory to arrive at the church one hour prior to the service. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com. Farewell Services 10:00 A.M. Monday, St. Paul Lutheran Church. Inurnment Oak Hill Cemetery, 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, Atchison, Kansas.