James Harold Stagner
1941-2018

James Harold “Horse” Stagner 76, of Agency, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at his home. He was born October 1, 1941 in Dearborn, MO, son of the late Emilla and Kemper Stagner. He retired from Purina Mills (Land of Lakes) as a Truck Driver. He enjoyed working on trucks and lawnmowers, coached softball and baseball, and loved old country music. James was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Karen Sue Stagner, grandchild, Cory Funk, and a sister, Shirley Maxwell. Survivors include, daughters, Kettra Stagner, St. Joseph, MO., Angela (Pat) Pritchett, Agency, MO, and Kerri Jo Stagner, Hampton, VA, grandchildren, Jeremy and Sean Kerns, Jessica Attberry, Nicholas and Logan Pritchett, Courtney Jensen, Samantha and MaeLeigh Funk, 20 great grandchildren.

Funeral services: 10:00 am, Monday, February 5, 2018 at Rupp Funeral Home, Rev. James Kerns 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 Agency Cemetery, Agency, Missouri. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Elaine F Endsley
1947-2018

Elaine F. (Hughs) Endsley 71, of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Thursday, February 1, 2018 at Mosaic Life Care Hospital, in Saint Joseph, MO. She was born January 26, 1947 in Atchison, KS and spent her first years on the family farm raised by her mother and grandparents. Voted most humorous in her class, Elaine graduated from Benton High School in 1965 then married Jack Endsley on June 18, 1965. This summer would have marked 53 years together. Primarily a homemaker, Elaine enjoyed the brief time she worked at TG&Y in the fabric department. She took great pride in keeping a tidy home, sewing and baking and enjoyed a good book. Strong and quiet, Elaine loved her family with voracity. Her kind and generous spirit will live on in all who were fortunate to know her. Elaine was a member of the former Hyde Park Presbyterian Church. She was preceded in death by her parents Frances and Dale Bottorff and brothers Clifford Hughs and Jerry Bottorff. Survivors include husband William “Jack” Endsley of the home, daughter Kristin (Darrin) Hansen of St. Joseph, MO, son Kevin (Bridget) Endsley of Grimes, IA, grandchildren Paige (Kyle) Majorana, Hannah Pointer, Bradly Pointer and Kyle Endsley, great grandson Logan Majorana, brother Ron (Sharon) Bottorff of TN, aunt Edna Starbuck of Pasadena, TX and very best friends & caretakers Teresa Nordin, Judy McClure, and Connie Groom.

Funeral services: 2:00 pm, Monday, February 5, 2018 at the Rupp Funeral Home, Rev. Ron Cuny officiating, The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Sunday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests others directly help a friend or family member in need with their time or treasure in Elaine’s memory. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Sister Mary Kratina, OSB
1924-2018

Sister Mary (Mary Arthur) Kratina, OSB, 93, a Benedictine sister of Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, Kans., died Thursday, February 1, 2018, at the monastery. The vigil service will be Sunday, February 4, at 4:00 p.m. in the monastery chapel, and the Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated there Monday, February 5, at 10:30 a.m.

Sister Mary was born in Chicago, Ill., on April 2, 1924, but spent most of her childhood in the Rossville, Kan., area. After graduating from Immaculate Conception High School in St. Marys, Kan., she worked as a welder during World War II until entering the monastery in 1944. She earned her B.S. in education at Mount St. Scholastica College and M.S. in education at St. Louis University, and pursued further studies at the University of Detroit and Washburn University. She taught in area schools and was also a principal for several years. Later, she served in religious education for children and adults in several parishes, conducting workshops, leading prayer groups, and teaching in ecumenical settings, and also taught in St. Marys, Kan. Returning to Atchison in 1998, she was laundry supervisor for eight years.

Sister Mary was preceded in death by her parents Helen and John Kratina, and her brother George Kratina. She is survived by her brother John M. (Marjorie) Kratina, sister-in-law Patricia Kratina, the families of nieces Tammy (Dennis) Biswell of Wamego and Debra (Karim) Hazim of Topeka, and nephew John M. (Cynthia) Kratina of Topeka, and her monastic family. Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home (beckerdyer.com) is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be sent to Mount St. Scholastica or made online at the Mount’s web site (www.mountosb.org).

Harry Edgar Kiehl, Jr.
1948-2018

Harry E. Kiehl, Jr. 69, of Atchison, KS, passed away Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at Mosaic Life Care Center, St. Joseph, MO.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, February 3, 2018 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Atchison, KS with Father Jeremy Heppler, OSB, as celebrant. Private family burial will be at a later date at Corpus Christi Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday, February 2, 2018 at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home, Atchison, KS. Memorials are suggested to the Shriner’s and may be sent in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.beckerdyer.com.

Harry was born August 13, 1948 the son of Harry and Bette Cox (Robinson) Kiehl. He graduated from Atchison High School and served in the United States Airforce. Harry owned and operated Kiehl Trucking. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Elk’s and the VFW. Harry knew no stranger and could talk and visit with anyone and everyone. He enjoyed racing and participating in Truck Driving Championships having drove over eight million miles accident free and watching his grandkids.

Harry married Delores Cline on December 30, 1967, she survives of the home. Additional survivors include three sons; Harry (Jennifer) Kiehl, III, Atchison, KS, Tony (Kim) Kiehl, Atchison, KS, Chris (Tabitha) Kiehl, Atchison, KS, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Emma Mae Rooney
1928-2018

Emma Mae Rooney, 89, of Hiawatha, died Thursday evening, February 1, 2018, at the Hiawatha Community Hospital.

She was born in Falls City, Nebraska March 22, 1928, one of four children born to the late George and Elizabeth Mackey Proctor and has lived in the Falls City/Hiawatha areas all of her life. She grew up at Falls City where she attended school.

Emma loved to fish, camp, and loved her children, grand children, and spending time with her great-grandchildren. She raised her grandchildren like they were one of her own.

She married Orlie “O.J” Rooney at Sabetha, October 20, 1958. They made Hiawatha their home all their married life where they raised their children and grand children. One of her most significant memory was when her and O,J, celebrated their 50th Anniversary.

Emma was preceded in death by her parents; husband Orlie “O.J.” in 2013; a sister Nellie LaCounte; two brothers Donald Proctor and Jimmy Proctor.

Survivors include her children: Lloyd Hawes, Jenny Rooney, Miranda Nadeau, Tonia Hawes; 7 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

Due to cold weather/snow in the forecast, the graveside will be held at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, Hiawatha, at 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 6, 2018. Youth Pastor Ryan VanPeureusm, of First Baptist Church, will officiate.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 10 a.m. Monday. The family will meet with friends one hour prior to services.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Emma Rooney Memorial Fund, sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., 66434.

Jo Ann Wenger
1929-2018

Jo Ann Wenger, 88, of Topeka, formerly of Hiawatha, died Thursday, February 1, 2018, at Midland Hospice in Topeka.

She was born August 27, 1929, near Hiawatha, one of two children born to George Buckley and LaVena “Tillie” Wolf and has lived in the northeast Kansas area nearly all of her life. She grew up in Hiawatha where she attended Hiawatha Schools, later graduating from Hiawatha High School with the class of 1947. Jo Ann started working for the state of Kansas, Social & Rehabilitation Services in Hiawatha in 1960, retiring in 1994 after 34 years of service. She moved to Topeka to be near family in 2004.

Jo Ann attended the First Christian Church in Hiawatha. She enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing and crocheting, but she REALLY enjoyed her grandchildren!

Survivors include two daughters Pamela Karns (Chuck Wurtz) of Topeka, Peggy Hudson (Ralph) of Danville, Illinois; a son Patrick Wenger (Theresa) of Concord, California; 9 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

Jo Ann was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother Theodore Buckley.

Services are planned for 11 a.m. Friday, February 9, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha. Pastor Dennis Fullbright of the First Christian Church will officiate. Interment will follow at the Hiawatha Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 10 a.m. Thursday. The family will meet with friends one hour prior to services.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Hiawatha Cemetery or Alzheimer’s Association, which may be sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.

Audrey A. Bibb Kerns Clinton
1926-2018

Gainesville, MO. Audrey A. Bibb Kerns Clinton, 1926-2018, longtime resident of Wathena, Kansas passed away January 19, 2018, in Gainesville, Missouri, with family beside her.

She was born May 29, 1926, to Henry and Helen (Harrington) Bibb in Blair, Kansas. She grew up on the farm in a 2 room house with 6 siblings. She married at 23 years old to Ernest Kerns Sr. and they had two children. Later she married Forrest Clinton and they had one child. She worked at Noma Lites in St. Joseph, sold Raleigh products and Avon, plus cooked for several restaurants, retired from State Hospital in St. Joseph and did farm work after moving back to settle in Wathena, Kansas. She devoted her life to God and her children/grandchildren were everything to her. In her later years she resided with her daughter in Theodosia, Missouri.

Audrey was preceded in death by her parents, souses, son, Ernest Kerns Jr., her sisters, Mary Bibb, Mildred Bibb Bunch and Ella Bibb Koehler and brothers, Vincent Bibb and Joseph Bibb; grandchild, Tabitha Kerns and a great-grandson, Darren Richardson.

She is survived by daughters, Wanda (Kerns) Brown and husband Scott; and Daveta (Clinton) Monk and husband Charles, sister, Frances Bibb Carter, and brother, Henry Bibb and wife Betty. 7 grandchildren, plus greats and nieces and nephews, and many more she claimed.

Memorial service will be held February 10, 2018, 11:00 A.M. at the Harman-Rohde Funeral Home, Wathena, Kansas.

Inurnment: Bellemont Cemetery.

Jeanne Lorie Nicholson
1934-2018

Jeanne L. Nicholson 84, of Saint Joseph, Missouri passed away Friday, February 2, 2018 at a Saint Joseph, MO health care center. She was born January 5, 1934 in Kansas City and raised in King City, MO. She graduated from King City High School, and Missouri Western State University in 1980 with a degree in Computer Science. She worked at Wyeth Hardware, the American Angus Association when it started, and retired from Sprint after 20 years of service as a computer programmer. She enjoyed reading & camping at Big Lake, spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and she loved to decorate for all the holidays. Jeanne was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church, and she sang in the church choir. She was preceded in death by her parents, a grandson, Michael Thomas, and a sister, Joy Blehm. She married Richard “Dick” Nicholson on February 14, 1974, and he survives of the home, additional survivors are sons, David Thomas, St. Joseph, MO, Joe Thomas, Agency, MO, daughters, Cindy (Steve) Newton and Leigh Ann Thomas-Whitsell all of St. Joseph, MO, step son, Brad Nicholson, Lawrence, KS, 9 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and a sister, Judy (Dick) Wood of King City, MO.
Funeral Services: 11:00 am Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at Rupp Funeral Home, Rev. Jim Barnett officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Tuesday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Maitland Cemetery, Maitland Missouri. Memorials are requested to Wesley United Methodist Church or to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Yvonne Laraine Seginak
1960-2018

Yvonne Laraine Seginak 57, of Saint Joseph, Missouri passed away Thursday, February 1, 2018 at her home in Saint Joseph, MO. She was born August 21, 1960 in Sharon, PA, daughter of Helen & Charles Ray. She graduated from Brookfield, Ohio High School in 1979. She was a Domestic Engineer. She enjoyed gardening, crocheting, cooking, and spending time with her grandchildren. Yvonne was preceded in death by her parents, Charles & Helen Ray. She is survived by son, John (Angela) Seginak of St. Joseph, MO, daughter, Willo (Kevin) Kropf of Saint Joseph, MO, companion of 30 years, Bill Burns of Saint Joseph, MO, daughter, Desma Burns of Oklahoma City, OK, daughter, Jacque’ Daniel (Jeremy) Ellis of Rosendale, MO, daughter, Stephanie (Justin) West of Oklahoma City, OK, 12 grandchildren, brother, Danny (Pam) Ray of Sharon, PA, brother, Donny (Alice) Ray of Sharon, PA, brother, Michael Ray of Sharon, PA, sister, Janice (Bob) Justice of Cleveland, OH, and sister, Lisa Marie Ray of Sharon, PA, and several nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. She will be cremated under the care of the Rupp Funeral Home.

Richard “Rick” G. Davis Jr
1966-2018

Richard “Rick” G. Davis Jr 51, of Saint Joseph, Missouri passed away Friday, February 2, 2018 at Mosaic Life Care Hospital. He was born March 25, 1966 in St. Joseph, MO. He graduated from Central High School and Hillyard Technical School, recently completing his Boiler Operator License. He worked as a Security Guard. He enjoyed fishing, motorcycles, working on cars, and hanging out with his family & friends. He was a very friendly and fun loving person, who would give the shirt off his back to anyone. Rick was preceded in death by his brothers, Randy and Jamie Davis. Survivors include, his long time companion, Christina Johnson of the home, father, Richard Davis, Sr., mother, Raline (Nolan) Greer, sons, Chance Davis, of the home, Michael Johnson and Cody (Alaina) Johnson, grandson, Malakai, brother, Rusty (Trisha) Davis, Kansas City, MO, and sister, Rachel (Troy) Manser, St. Joseph, MO. The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm Thursday to celebrate Rick’s life

Barbara L. Grossman
1934-2018

Barbara L. Grossman 83, of St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Saturday, February 3, 2018 at her home. She was born April 17, 1934 in St. Joseph, Missouri. Barbara was preceded in death by her father, Harold Bishop, mother, Vivian Gardner, son, Bob Higgins, and brother, Terry Bishop. Survivor include: daughters, Betty Higgins of the home, Cindy Winger and Terrie Sweet, son, David Daniels, 4 Grandchildren, 5 Great Grandchildren, and 6 Great-Great Grandchildren. Ms. Grossman will be cremated under the care of the Rupp Funeral Home.

Janice D. Smith
1934-2018

Janice D. Smith, 84, of Atchison KS died on Sat. Feb. 3, 2018 at the Atchison Senior Village.

Funeral services will be 10:30 am on Thursday, Feb. 8th, 2018 at the Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Robert Ziegler, Officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Vernon Cemetery, Atchison, KS. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8: 00 pm on Wednesday, Feb. 7th, 2018 at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. Memorial contributions are suggested to Trinity Lutheran School Endowment Fund and may be sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com.

Janice D. Bryan was born on Jan. 6, 1934 in Atchison, KS the daughter of Virgil and Charlotte (Thompson) Bryan. She attended Atchison Schools and had worked for the Horton Garment Factory for 7 years. Mrs. Smith also owned and operated a day care for children in her own home for over 26 years before retiring. She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, the Altar Guild, was a former Sunday School Teacher, a Kennedy Caller, former Cub Scout Den Leader for Pack 94, Trinity and member of Pastor Ziegler’s Adult Bible Class. She enjoyed dancing, bird watching, traveling and especially her children and grandchildren.

She was married to JohnW. (Bill) Smith on Nov. 19, 1949 in Troy, KS, they were later divorced. Survivors include a son Rodney (Sherri) Smith, Atchison, KS, a sister, Shirley Jones, Rushville, MO, half sister, Linda (Jim) Miller, Atchison, KS, four grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. and several nieces and nephews. Her parents, a son, William Steven Smith, and a brother, William Goodwin and special friend, John Curry also preceded her in death.