Shirley Anne Miller Cox passed away in her home June 20, 2019 from complications due to lung cancer.

Shirley was born in St Joseph, Missouri, on June 28, 1937. She graduated from Benton High School and was married June 30, 1956 to John (Rusty) L Cox. She and her family attended St. James Catholic Church.

Shirley had four children, Shelly Cox, Sue Dalsing, Jenny Johnson and Clay Cox, and, in her words, “they are everything to me.” She had seven grandchildren, Lynn, Ali, Kent, Kate, Kyle, Jaida and Jenna and she loved every one of them so much.

Survivors include her husband, John Cox, her daughters, Shelly and Sue (Steve) and son, Clay (Lisa). She is preceded in death by her daughter, Jenifer Johnson (Kevin), her parents, George and Lucille Miller; sisters, Louise Miller, Lucille McCombs, Minnie Eggleston, Wilma Nichols, Ruth Ann Miller; and brothers, Gene Miller and Robert Miller.

The family will receive friends from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday with the Rosary to be recited at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, at the Rupp Funeral Home. Mass of Commemoration will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at St. James Catholic Church in the Gymnasium. Father Jonathan Davis Celebrant. The inurnment will follow at the Sugar Creek Cemetery, Rushville, MO. The family request memorials in lieu of flowers to the St. James Renovation Fund. Online condolence and obituary www.ruppfuneral.com

Martha “Marti” Chandler, 81, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, slipped into the arms of Jesus on Friday, June 21, 2019 at The Living Community of St Joseph.

She was born June 21, 1938 in Plattsmouth, NE, daughter of the late Frances and Glen Carneal. She completed her education from Plattsmouth High School in 1955 and later became a practical nurse.
Marti consider her greatest accomplishment in life to be the raising of seven children who became responsible and successful contributors to their respective communities and careers: Tony (Mary Ann) Dudik, of St. Joseph, Randy (Diane) Dudik of St. Joseph, Cathy (Philip) Musser of Overland Park, KS, Carol (Derek) Conard, of St. Joseph, Lloyd “Buck” (Laura) Graham, of St. Joseph, Chuck (Melanie) Dudik of Camp Pendleton, CA, and Channce (Julie) Chandler, St. Joseph.

In addition to raising her family, Marti also worked at Creighton Hospital in Omaha, NE and Loma Linda University Hospital in Loma Linda, CA and Sister’s Hospital in St. Joseph. She served as director of youth at King Hill Christian Church for numerous years, even as she supported her family by working for many St. Joseph residents as a house cleaner, and working during the autumns at the sales shed of Hunt’s Orchard in Amazonia. Her last sever years of employment were at Dollar General on King Hill Ave, where she became a friend to many of the customers and always had a cheerful smile and kind word to share.

Marti is survived by all her children, brothers, Tom Carneal of Maryville, Mo, Sam (Sandy, deceased) Carneal of Amazonia, Mo, and John (Brenda) Carneal of Amazonia. She leaves behind sixteen grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at Rupp Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 27, 2019 at Rupp Funeral Home. Interment to take place in Oak Hill Cemetery, Plattsmouth, NE at 1:00 p.m Thursday. Memorials are suggested to be made to the donor’s choice. Online obituary and condolences at www.ruppfuneral.com

Charles David Kaiser, Sr., 79, St. Joseph, Missouri, formerly California, Missouri passed away Wednesday, June 19, 2019.

He was born on March 26, 1940 in California, Missouri to Golder and Bernice (Neiderwimmer) Kaiser.
Charles was a great man, loving father, brother, and grandfather. He loved to watch his grandchildren play sports and was someone who would always be there for his family and friends.

He was an Army Veteran and retired from Johnson Controls after 30 plus years. Charles loved watching Sprint Cars and attended the Knoxville National Races for over 50 years. He enjoyed westerns and playing old country music with his lifelong friends, Don Buckler and Mike Rampola, in numerous bands throughout the years.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his children; Chuck Kaiser, Jr. (Misty), Russell Kaiser, step-son; Steve Moore (Connie), siblings; Patty Deatherage (Bill), Carolyn Walker (Virgil), Linda Flippen (Paul), grandchildren; Jacob, Jordyn, and Jalyn Kaiser, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Farewell Services 3:00 P.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will gather with friends 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Cancer Centers at Mosaic Life Care. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Melvin Hjetland died Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at The Pines in Hiawatha, Kansas. He was 97-years-old.

Mr. Hjetland was born on August 1, 1921, to Perry and Sophia Hjetland of Everest, Kansas. He lived all of his life on the family farm near Everest, until a move with his wife, Helen, to Hiawatha in 1989.

Melvin graduated from Everest High School in 1939. On April 24, 1949, he was united in holy matrimony with Helen Hendrickson of St. Joseph, Missouri.

Mr. Hjetland spent his entire career as a local farmer, growing corn and soybeans. Early in his farming life, he also raised cows, hogs, and chickens.

A life-long member of the Upper Wolf Lutheran Church, Mr. Hjetland loved telling jokes, eating lemon drops, and enjoying homemade cherry pie. After retiring from the farm, you could find him tinkering in the garage as well as repairing and selling found lawnmowers.

In his later years you would often see Melvin going for rides to check out the local farms, occasionally stopping to see how well the year’s crops were doing.

Mr. Hjetland will be missed by all who knew him and especially by his loving family.

As author Sheri Dew once wrote “We are all farmers, tending a little part of the Lord’s vineyard.” We are praying that Melvin is already directing the harvest.

Mr. Hjetland is survived by his children, Jerry (Joyce) Hjetland of Everest, Kansas, Randy (Terri) Hjetland of Calera, Alabama, Peggy Hjetland (Bob) Kaiser of Shawnee, Kansas, his nephew, Bob (Cheryl) Hjetland, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his wife, parents, and his siblings, Lehman Hjetland and Margurete Hjetland.

Melvin will lie in state from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, 2019 and from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Friday, June 21, 2019 at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha. The family will have a private burial and a memorial service will be held sometime in the future to allow for family members to make travel arrangements.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Upper Wolf Lutheran Church and may be sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S. 7th St. Hiawatha, KS 66434.

Mary Root, 92, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Saturday, June 8, 2019.

She was born on October 4, 1926 in Kansas City Missouri.

Mary married Donald Lee Root on March 20, 1943 and celebrated 76 years of marriage.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Mary enjoyed attending Faith Church, where she taught Sunday School for many years. She loved to make peanut brittle and shared the recipe with everyone she knew. Mary loved playing bingo and painting ceramic figurines.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three siblings, and two children, Larry Root and Donna Winans.

Survivors include her husband Donald, children; Russell Root (Diana), Eric Root (Kristin), grandchildren; Meagan Wells (Eric), Amanda Beasley (Daniel), Kyle Root, Erica Root, great-grandchildren; Owen and Wyatt Beasley, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Inurnment Ashland Cemetery. The family will gather with friends one hour prior to the service, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Three Rivers Hospice. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Roger Allen Ritchie, 56, St. Joseph, Missouri, formerly of Omaha, Nebraska, passed away Saturday, June 15, 2019.
He was born on November 20, 1962 in St. Joseph, Missouri, to Jimmy and Erma (Leslie) Ritchie.

Roger was a retired Army Veteran who served his country for 24 years.

He was a soft hearted man who loved spending time with his family, and was always ready to enjoy a home cooked meal.
Roger enjoyed racing, whether it was go-carts, dirt track, or NASCAR. He had a love for animals but especially his dogs. Roger enjoyed tool shopping, playing cards, collecting guns, and buying anything yellow. He also had his own lawn service for a period of time.

He was preceded in death by his father and niece Jennifer.

Survivors include his two daughters; Elizabeth and Christina Ritchie, beloved dog; Rico Valdez, mother; Erma, siblings; Cheryl Ritchie, Lisa Embrey (Tony), Cindy Rupp (Pat), along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

Farewell Graveside Services pending, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the funeral home to help with funeral expenses or to donate online visit Roger’s Tribute Page at www.meierhoffer.com and select donate now.

Mary R. “Bobby” Brown, 92, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Saturday, June 15, 2019, at a local health care facility

She was born October 20, 1926 in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Bobby worked for several years at Quaker Oats.

She was a member and very active in the American Legion Auxiliary and Westminster Presbyterian Church. She was always proud of the fact that both of her husbands were World War II vets.

Bobby loved to square dance. Her favorite pastime was going to auctions with Ronald. Bobby doted on her family; they were her world.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Sadie (Hagan) Lee; husband, Lloyd Brown; son, Charles K. Sullivan; brothers, Bill and Wayne Lee; former husband, Neal Sullivan; and her lifelong friend, Ada Gilmore.

Survivors include son, Ronald L. Sullivan; daughter, Donna M. Ashworth; six grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Debbie Sullivan; several nieces, nephews and extended family.

Farewell Services 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Inurnment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.