Edmond “Ed” Meschke
1928-2017

Edmond “Ed” Meschke, 89, Dekalb, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, October 18, 2017, at his home.
He was born in Rolla, Missouri to Bruno and Emma Meschke on February 27, 1928.
Edmond served in the U.S. Marine Corp from 1947-1950; in 1949 he served with the United Nations in HIFA Palestine.
He married LaVonne E. Goyer in April 1950; she precedes him in death. They were blessed with three children.
Edmond worked for Rolla Electric until 1953 when they moved to Kansas City, Missouri where he took a job with Pitney Bowes, Inc. as a Customer Service Engineer. In 1957 he accepted a transfer to St. Joseph, Missouri as a Resident Customer Service Engineer, where he worked until he retired on December 1, 1989.
He married Dolores Leaming January 22, 1998; she survives of the home. They were both avid travelers and loved fishing; especially for trout. They belonged to the Good Joe Sam’s Chapter Camping Club and Membership Coordinators for the Missouri Good Sam organization for 4 years. They were also members of Midwest RV Camping Club of St. Joseph, Missouri.
He is also preceded in death by his parents; five brothers and three sisters.
Survivors include his wife of 19 years, Dolores; daughters, Cheryl Boyer (Lloyd), Tammy Barnett (Mike); son, Terry Meschke (Jodie); grandchildren, Mark Boyer, Sarah Meschke, Aaron Meschke, Bradley Miller, Kenton Miller; great grandchildren, Grace Boyer, Jackson Boyer, Zoey Miller, Piper Miller; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
The family will gather with friends 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. Sunday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Farewell Services 10:00 A.M. Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Mosaic Life Care Hospice. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Jerry Dean Fones
1941-2017

Jerry Dean Fones 76, of Saint Joseph, Missouri passed away Tuesday October 17, 2017 at his home. He was born September 5, 1941 in Pattonsburg, Missouri son of Edith (Darby) & Donald Fones. He married Mary Hendrix on September 23, 1960, in Savannah, MO. He worked at Richardson Screw & Anchor as a Machine Operator. He was a nature lover and loved being outside with the kids. He enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was a member of Sparta United Methodist Church. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, 5 brothers, and 1 sister. He is survived by wife, Mary Ellen Fones of the home, daughter, Deborah Cox of Independence, MO, son, Donald Fones of King City, MO, daughter, Marilyn Lemmer of Harrisonville, MO, daughter, Sandra Searcy of Okeechobee, FL, daughter, Anna Burkert of St. Joseph, MO, numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren, brother, Roger Fones of St. Joseph, MO, numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. A Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00 – 3:00 P.M. Friday, October 20, 2017 at Rupp Funeral Home. He will be cremated under the care and direction of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

Marilyn “Jeanne” Meyer
1927-2017

Marilyn “Jeanne” Meyer, 90, of Fairview, died Thursday morning, October 19, 2017, at her home surrounded by her family.

Cremation is planned with a Celebration of Jeanne’s life planned for 11 a.m. Monday, October 23, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha, with Pastor Mike Dunnaway officiating.

The family will meet with friends Sunday afternoon from 3 until 5 at the funeral home.

Because of Jeanne’s love of little children, memorial contributions are suggested to St. Paul’s Preschool at Fairview, sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha, 66434.

Dorothy M. Kerl
1927-2017

Dorothy M. Kerl, 90, of rural Hiawatha, died Wednesday evening, October 18, 2017, at Falls City Care and Rehab, surrounded by her family.

Cremation is planned with a Celebration of Dorothy’s life planned for 1:30 Tuesday, October 24, at First Presbyterian Church, 206 E 20th St., Falls City, Nebraska, with Reverend Nancy Tuma officiating. Private family inurnment will take place at Cornelison Cemetery, east of Reserve.

The family will meet with friends from 6 until 7:30 Monday evening at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, Hiawatha.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Brown County Veterans Honor Guard or Cornelison Cemetery, sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.

Eugenia Adeline “Billie” Hetz
1918-2017

Eugenia A. “Billie” Hetz, 98 of Atchison, KS passed away Thursday, October 19, 2017, at the Atchison Senior Village.

Funeral service will be 2:00 PM, Monday, October 23, 2017 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Atchison, KS, with Rev. Robert Ziegler officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Vernon Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Sunday, October 22, 2017 at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran School Endowment Fund or American Lung Association and may be sent in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.beckerdyer.com.

Billie was born on December 22, 1918, in Atchison KS, the daughter of Frank and Mary (Lehman) Peters. She was a homemaker. Billie was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she participated in Morning Break, LWML making quilts and XYZ Club and helped fold church newsletters. She enjoyed fishing, camping, bird watching, gardening flowers and cactus.

Billie married Jack Hetz on April 20, 1939 in Troy, KS; he preceded her in death in September 20, 2005. Survivors include two sons; Gene and Judy Hetz, Atchison, KS, Richard Hetz, Atchison, KS, two daughters, Joyce and Bob Williams, Atchison, KS, Norma and Stan Donahoo, Easton, MO, a daughter in law Pat Hetz, Atchison, KS, a brother, James Peters, Atchison, KS, thirteen grandchildren, and seventeen great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, a son, Wayne Hetz, ten brothers and sisters and a great grandson Mason Hetz.

Robert Allen Lofton
1951-2017

Robert Allen Lofton 66, of Saint Joseph, Missouri passed away Saturday October 14, 2017 at Mosaic Life Care Hospital. He was born June 18, 1951 in St. Joseph, Missouri son of the late Doris & Allen Lofton. He married Janice Tworek on June 19, 1974, and she survives of the home. He graduated from Lafayette High School, and worked as a Quality Control Inspector at Atchison Casting. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, working on automobiles, going to auctions, gaming, and traveling when he was younger. He loved his dog Gypsy and cat Baby. Robert was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include wife, Janice Lofton of the home, sister Mary Burns, brother in laws, James, Jeff, and John Tworek. nephews Rex, Ryan and Rory Burns. Mr. Lofton will be cremated under the care and direction of the Rupp Funeral Home.

John Henry Wood
1935-2017

John Henry Wood 81, of Saint Joseph, Missouri passed away Sunday October 15, 2017 at a Saint Joseph health care center. He was born December 18, 1935 in Stanberry, Missouri son of the late Naomi & Ezra Wood. He worked at Wire Rope as a Dye Maker. He served in the United States Navy. John was preceded in death by his wife, Rebecca Wood, parents, brothers, Eugene and Richard Wood. Survivors include: brother Loren Wood, Stanberry, MO niece, Mary (Raymond) Radil, Peoria, AZ, sister, Hazel, Savannah, MO. He will be cremated under the care and direction of the Rupp Funeral Home, he and his wife will be inurned at the Leavenworth National Cemetery.

Danielle Marie Suman
1971-2017

Danielle Marie Suman 45, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, passed away Sunday, October 15, 2017 at Mosaic Life Care hospital in Saint Joseph, MO. She was born October 28, 1971 in St. Joseph, MO, daughter of the late Janet and Steve Stains. She enjoyed Arts/Crafts, rock collecting, unicorns, and garage sales. Survivors include, husband, Harold Suman, daughter, Ashley Hayes, son, Dalton Suman, stepchildren: Brittany Hines, Nathan Suman, grandchildren, Naveah, Michal, Brenda, and Colt. brothers, Tanner Wykert, James Sipes, Steven Stains, Jr., and Greg Richey, and her sister, Crystal Angold.
Funeral services are pending at the Rupp Funeral Home, In lieu of flowers memorials are requested to the Danielle Suman Memorial fund in care of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Thelma Verna Fultz
1918-2017

Thelma V. Fultz, 99, formerly of Huron, KS, died Saturday, October 14, 2017 at Wathena Health Care Center, Wathena, KS.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, October 20th, 2017 at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home with Rev. Don Harter officiating. Burial will follow in the Old Huron Cemetery, Huron, KS. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society or the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Atchison, and may be sent in care of funeral home. Condolences to the family may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com.

Thelma was born on Sept. 12, 1918 in Robinson, KS the daughter of Stephen F. and Myrtle A. (Funderburg) Robertson. She graduated from high school in 1936. Thelma had worked at Montgomery Ward, Horton, KS, as a telephone operator in Huron, Ks and helped her husband Alvin as a bookkeeper for the Fultz Blacksmith Shop in Huron. She went back to Benedictine college and earned her L.P.N. certificate working as a nurse for Atchison Casting, retiring in 1976. Thelma was a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Sunshine Unit, the American Legion Auxiliary Post #288, Everest, KS and helped as a Sunday school teacher, played the piano and enjoyed fishing, cooking, sewing, needle work, knitting and quilting.

She was married to Alvin L. Fultz on April 24, 1937 in Atchison KS. He preceded her in death on May 19, 1998. Her parents, and seven brothers, four sisters, and thirteen nieces & nephews all preceded her in death. Survivors include 25 nieces and nephews.

Bobbie Jo Arnold
1964-2017

STEWARTSVILLE, Mo. Bobbie Jo Arnold, 53, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, October 17, with her family at her side.
Bobbie Jo was born in Saint Joseph, Missouri, on May 23, 1964. She attended McKinley Elementary, Rushville-DeKalb Schools and graduated from Benton High School. She spent 10 years in gun manufacturing at the Hatfield Gun Company and worked as a waitress for 30 years at various restaurants including her family-owned RB&Ls, the Tik-Tok, Betty’s Café, Cordonniers and Adams. Bobbie Jo loved meeting people from all walks of life and always opened her heart fully to family, friends and customers. She rarely met a stranger who did not walk away a friend. She is preceded in death by her mother, Betty Faulk; grandparents Roy and Ruby Faulk; nephews Bernie Derry, Jr. and Jimmy Derry; and dear cousin, Carrie Cook. Survivors include a beloved son, Bruce Bish and beloved daughters Sarah Jean Arnold and Anastasia Gillard. She was a proud grandmother to Bruce Bish, Jr. and Addy Hartrampf. Other survivors include father, Ray Faulk (Shirley); five brothers Lawrence “Larry” Derry Jr., Luis Derry (Peggy), Lucas Derry, Bill Derry (Nancy), Bernie Derry (Candy) and five sisters Linda Derry, Leslie Pummell (Melvin), Lorie Auxier, Ruby Puri (Rahul) and Betsy Faulk (Billy Couch). She was blessed with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and was especially grateful to her best friend and life partner, David Donahoo. Bobbie Jo was a nature lover and enjoyed fishing, mushroom hunting, hiking in Bluffwoods and walking along the Mighty Mo. Many of her fondest childhood memories were spent in Tennessee at her grandparents’ farm where she and her siblings and cousins loved to fish, run through the cotton fields and consume vast amounts of Dr. Pepper along with her Grandmother Faulk’s homemade biscuits. Friends and Family are welcome to a visitation and memorial service: Friday, October 20, 2017, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., Rupp Funeral Home. 6054 Pryor, St. Joseph, MO 64504, In lieu of flowers, a fund has been established for funeral expenses and her two grandchildren. Donations can be made payable to: The Bobbie Jo Arnold Fund, Nodaway Valley Bank, 6304 King Hill Avenue, St. Joseph, MO 64504, Additionally, Bobbie Jo asked that friends and family please consider a donation, in her memory, to the mental health and substance abuse program of their choice. Bobbie Jo, you are so loved and will never be forgotten.

Donald L. Bowen
1939-2017

Donald L. Bowen, 78, Atchison, KS, passed away Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at Mosaic Life Care Hospital in St. Joseph, MO.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM, Friday, October 20, 2017 at Faith Bible Fellowship Church, Atchison, with Pastor Stephen Lucas, officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery, Atchison. Family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Thursday, at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. Memorial contributions are suggested to Faith Bible Fellowship Church and may be sent in care of the funeral home. Words of comfort and remembrance may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com.

Donald was born July 15, 1939 in Willow Springs, MO, the son of Charlie Roy and Hazel V. (Inman) Bowen. Don was a self-employed contractor, owning and operating Don’s Asphalt Company for many years. Don also owned and operated, C & B Used Cars, Atchison. Don was a member of Faith Bible Fellowship Church, he enjoyed fishing and loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Don and Cecelia Evans were married on September 18, 1961 in Atchison.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Cecelia Bowen, of the home; son, John (Teresa) Portenier, Jr., Atchison; three grandchildren, Sabrina (Mike) Lasater, Michelle (Brandon) Underwood, and Ryan (Laura) Portenier; eight great grandchildren, Erin (Derrick) Hughes, Jacob Portenier, Colin Lasater, Kerstin Underwood, Lexi Lasater, Kinley Underwood, Kennedy Portenier, and Brooklyn Portenier; two great-great grandchildren on the way; brothers, Ralph, Denny and Lynn Bowen; sisters, Joyce Overton and Linda Harris.

Don was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, George, Homer and Hershel Bowen.