William J. “Bill” Barger, 92, of Elwood, KS, passed May 26, 2019.

Bill was born April 11, 1927, in St. Joseph, MO, to John and Mabel  Barger.

Bill retired in 1989 as a processor from Seitz Foods in St. Joseph.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Myrtle May, daughter Linda Buckles, three brothers, John, Jess, Willis, and a sister Marie Smith.

Survivors include a brother Louis, “Roy” Barger; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; his caretaker Darla Simpson; step-children Lillian, Winston, other relatives and friends.

Bill has been cremated under the direction of Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel.  Graveside services will be Saturday, June 15, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at Belmont Cemetery in Wathena, KS.

Billie Louise Barker, 94, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Monday, May 27, 2019, at a local healthcare facility.
She was born March 3, 1925 in Bedford, Iowa.

Billie was a retired beautician that enjoyed the lake and going to the casino with her brother-in-law, Gene. She also loved her dog, Duke.

She was preceded in death by her father, Jasper Ingram; mother, Cordyce Doughter; husband, Allen J. Barker, Sr.; grandson, Sean Barker; and granddaughter, Kim Barker.

Survivors include sons, A.J. Barker (Pattie), Robin Barker (Cindy); grandchildren, Rob, Trevor, Ashley, Danielle; and many great-grandchildren.

Graveside Farewell Services & Interment 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, Ashland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to American Cancer Society.

William J. “Bill” Bowser, 80, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Sunday, May 26, 2019, at home.
He was born August 8, 1938 in Frankfort, Kansas.

Bill married Phyllis Stigers on May 16, 1964; she survives of the home. He worked for Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad as a carman mechanic, Trans World Airlines as A&P mechanic and telephone license. Bill retired from the Air National Guard as an E-9 after 34 years and 5 days of service.

He had a long Masonic and other affiliations history which includes St. Joseph Lodge #78 A.F. & A.M. since 1961, Worshipful Master (1992), Appointed Grand Orator (2008-2009), Appointed DDGM (2009-2010), Masonic Home Board (2012-2016), Grand Representative of Chad (1999), St. Joseph Scottish Rite, St. Joseph York Rite, Mitchell Chapter #14, St. Joseph Council #9, Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Missouri, Hugh De Payens Commandery #4, Missouri Priory #17 KYCH, Missouri Priory #17 KYCH, Convent General KYCH, Red Cross of Constantine, Pony Express Council A.M.D. #350, Our Lord’s Tabernacle LIV HRAKTP, Edwin C. Carpenter York Right College #181, Order of Eastern Star Areme #461, St. Joseph High Twelve Club #49, Grand Council Knight Masons Council #0, Societas Rosicruciana Missouri Coll, National Sojourners Kansas City Chapter #63, Heroes of ’76, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Moila Shriner, Legion of Honor, Past Member & Past Director of the Hot Sand Bugs, Order of Quetzalcoatl Proto Expressos Teocali #45, Provost Guard, and Hillbilly Clan #155.

Bill also had other memberships and awards that comprise being an Eagle Scout, Tribe Mic-O-Say, St. Louis Globe-Democrat award for Outstanding Achievement, Kentucky Colonel of the State of Kentucky, Honorary Hoosier State of Indiana, Arkansas Traveler State of Arkansas, Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, Air Force Sergeants Association, United States Air Force Boom Operators Association, American Legion Post #359, VFW Post #4428, and Y-Fry Club.

He attended Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, George and Martha (Stewart) Bowser; and daughter, Jane Bowser.

Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to Masonic Home in Columbia, MO or Scottish Rite of St. Joseph, 33rd Degree.

A.C. Robert “Bob” Berger, 88, passed away on Sunday, May 26, 2019, very peacefully in the home that he was born in, just as he wished.

Bob has requested cremation and a graveside service, which will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 4, 2019, at Mt. Vernon Cemetery with the Rev. Dr. Rachel Dannar officiating. Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Atchison Family YMCA for scholarships and may be sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com.

Bob was born on October 8, 1930, in the west room of his family home at 127 N. Terrace in Atchison, Kansas, the son of A.C. and Minnie (Kuntz) Berger. He graduated from Atchison High School and attended Kansas State University before earning his petroleum engineering degree from the University of Oklahoma. He was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Bob served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He worked in Houston, Texas, as a petroleum engineer before returning to Atchison to join his father’s leather company after a flood and a fire. Upon his return to Atchison, he began many decades of active involvement serving and leading numerous community organizations, groups, and projects. Among the organizations were the Atchison Family YMCA, Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce, Santa Fe Depot Trustees, Atchison Area United Way, Courtney S. Turner Charitable Trust Advisory Committee, and Boy Scouts of America where he was an Eagle Scout.

Bob was also a longtime member of a number of organizations including the Atchison Rotary Club, Elks, American Legion, Bellevue Country Club & Pineview Country Club. He served on the Board of the Exchange National Bank & Trust and was also very active in the Republican Party at the local, state and national levels.

Bob was the retired Chairman of the Board of Berger Company, an international leather and textile company that he founded, and the parent company of Atchison Leather Products Co., a fourth-generation company which was founded in 1908 by his father A.C. Berger. He was devoted to his family and loved spending time with his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. He loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting, and boating. (And going to the casino with his buddies!)

Bob married JoAnn Tauchman on August 17, 1952, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Atchison, KS. She preceded him in death on October 21, 2014, as did an older brother Walter, and two sisters, Marian and Dorothy.

He is survived by a daughter, Carla Berger Blattner, a son and daughter-in-law Rick and Sally Berger, 4 grandchildren, Bart (Amber) Blattner, Eric (Amy) Blattner, Reed (Becky) Berger, and Sarah (Adam) Berger Bakri. He also leaves behind 8 great grandchildren, Gwynn and Grant Blattner, Oliver, Henry and Charlie Blattner, Roe and Ramzia Bakri and Beau Robert Berger.

Merrill Ray Palmer 74, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, passed away Monday, May 27, 2019 at his home.

He was born August 13, 1944 in St. Joseph, MO, son of the late Agnes Lorraine and Johnny Palmer. He worked in the Logging industry all his life. He enjoyed fishing, mushroom hunting, and dancing.

Merrill was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Lisa Ann Jagodzinski-Palmer, and brothers, Fred and Rodger Palmer.

Survivors include, daughters, Marcie (Corky) Palmer, Melanie (Jesse) Bowman, Jamie (Bryan Martin) Palmer, and Candy (Bernie) Derry all of St. Joseph, MO, sons, Merrill Palmer Jr., Christoper (Kim) Palmer, and Jonathon Hathaway all of St. Joseph, MO, brothers, John, Tom, Richard (Larine), Byron, Dennis, Greg, and Tim Palmer, sisters, Ida Cobb, Joyce (Mike) Walters, Cathy Stoddard, and Delores Hare, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services: 7:00 pm, Thursday, May 30, 2019 at Rupp Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday at the Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to the Merrill Palmer memorial fund in care of the Rupp Funeral Home . Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Arthur Mark Rocha 86, of Saint Joseph, MO passed away Sunday, May 26, 2019 at his home.

He was born April 20, 1933 in St. Joseph, MO, son of the late Mercedes and Felix Rocha. He graduated from Holy Rosary Catholic School, Christian Brothers High School class of 1951, and St. Joseph Junior College. He married Julia Cortez on June 18, 1966 at St. Leo Catholic Church, Horton, KS . He served in the United States Navy, and he is a Veteran of the Korea War. He retired from the Missouri Department of Transportation as a Highway Designer. He enjoyed being active in his church and community, but most especially spending time with his family. Art was a member of Guadalupe Men’s Club, Knights of Columbus Council 571, 4th degree Knight, Legion of Mary, former member of the American Legion Post 359, former chairman of the St. Patrick’s Mexican Fiesta for many years, member of the Barbosa Brothers band, and the Salt and Pepper Band. A devout Catholic, Art was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, and a former member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, where he was very active in all church activities for many years. In 1984 he was awarded Bishops Service Award.

Art was preceded in death by his parents, son, Patrick Rocha, brothers, Adolfo, Robert, and Juan Rocha, and sister, Nadine Cortez, and great granddaughter, Ava Shute.

Survivors include: wife, Julia Rocha of the home, daughters, Andrea Haynes and husband Solon, Mary Frances Coffman and husband Willy, and Dina Sigrist and husband Brandan, daughter in law, Erin Rocha all of St. Joseph, MO, 11 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, May 30, 2019, at 10:00 am at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Rev. Richard Rocha, and Rev. Joe Miller Con-Celebrants. The Rosary will be recited at 5:30 pm Wednesday at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, where the family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Wednesday. The Interment will be at the Mount Olivet Cemetery. Memorials are requested in lieu of flowers to the Pat Rocha Scholarship Fund.

Angelo F. Dassero, 93, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away, Saturday, May 25, 2019.

Mr. Dassero was born September 3, 1925 in St. Joseph, the son of Michele and Rosana (Pecora) Dassero. He married Betty Jean Frost on July 13, 1950 who preceded him in death in 1999. He married Joann Conard Beckett on August 8, 2002. She survives him.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Frank Dassero; and sisters, Mary Mathieu and Hallie Naberhaus.

Mr. Dassero was a graduate of Christian Brothers High School and was a veteran of the US Navy serving during World War II and the Korean War. He worked for Southwestern Bell for thirty-seven years, retiring in 1987.
He was a member St. Joseph Charity Lodge #78 A.F. & A.M., Pony Express Post #359, American Legion, Thirty-Second Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Moila Shrine Temple, Moila Antique Auto Club and Moila Country Club. He had a passion for golf and dancing.

Mr. Dassero was also a SBC Telephone Pioneer, member of the CWA union and a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.

(Survivors:) daughters, Angela Sabbert and husband, Bernie, and Mechele Humpherys and husband, Dan, all of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Tayler (Kyle) Marcolla, Scott Humpherys, Tara Sabbert and Chase Sabbert; 4 great-grandchildren, Evan, Hudson, Anderson and Cecelia; sister, Cecelia Mangraviti; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff of Vintage Gardens and Mosaic Hospice for their excellent care.

Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 A.M. Thursday, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Entombment Mount Olivet Mausoleum. Parish Rosary 6:00 P.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory where the family will receive friends 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Shriner’s Hospital for Children or charity of the donor’s choice. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Monty Dale Phroper 59, of St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Thursday May 23, 2019 in St. Joseph.

He was born November 10, 1959 in St. Joseph, Missouri son of the late Maxine & Finest Phroper. He attended Benton High School, and worked in the construction and scrapping industry. He enjoyed scrapping, working on cars, and trading them back and forth, fishing and camping, and his scratcher tickets.

He is survived by brothers, Ronnie (Mary) Phroper, St. Joseph, John (Donna) Phroper, Alamosa, CO, Donnie Phroper and Tracy Phroper of St. Joseph, MO, sisters, Juanita Roberts, St. Joseph, MO, Jackie (Rick) Winder, Easton, MO, Barb (Jack) Ellis, Union Star, MO, Brenda Phroper, and Stacy (Scott) Bertelsen all of Saint Joseph, MO, several nieces, nephews and cousins, and his trusted dog Harley.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm on Wednesday at the Rupp Funeral Home. He will be cremated under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home following the services. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

Sandra Mae Lawrence 72, of Saint Joseph, Missouri passed away Saturday May 25, 2019 in Saint Joseph.

She was born August 12, 1946 in St. Joseph, Missouri daughter of the late Virginia & Lovell Chilcoat. She attended Lafayette high school and was a homemaker and a cosmetologist at Osco Drugs for many years. She enjoyed fishing, bowling, crafts of all kinds, making jewelry, she was a seamstress, and also enjoyed going to the boat and playing cards. She was always there for everybody, and will be sadly missed by all her family and friends.

Sandy was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Gary “Jim” Lee Lawrence, brothers, Danny, Harold and James “Perry ” Chilcoat.

She is survived by daughter, Tammy (Michael) Tullis, St. Joseph, MO, son, Marty (Cheri) Lawrence, three grandchildren: Ashley (Ryan) Callahan, Andrew Tullis, and Austin Lawrence, great grandchildren, Mason, Haylen, brothers, Lonnie (Kelly) Chilcoat, and Steve (Rose) Chilcoat, sisters, Loretta (Danny) Fisher, Helen Linder, and Laura (Josh) Stines, sister in laws, Vicky Chilcoat, and Joyce Meeks, step mother, Edna Chilcoat of St. Joseph step sister, Sandy (Pat) Wolf, step brothers, Mike (Barb) Young, and Paul (Terry) Young, Austins mother Kelly Stahlin, 28 nieces and nephews numerous great nieces and nephews, and his baby cat Shadow.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm on Thursday, memorial services following Thursday, May 30, 2019 at 2:00 pm at the Rupp Funeral Home. She will be cremated under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com