AMAZONIA, Mo. – Jelsena Ann Russell, 59, passed away Monday, December 30, 2013 at her home.
Jelsena was born on April 8, 1954 in Coffeyville, Kan., to Jesse Arthur Pierce and Lucy Ann Houser. She worked at Einbender’s for several years and then at Shady Lawn in Savannah, Mo. Jelsena was also a member of the Amazonia Lions Club.
Jelsena was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Jerry Pierce.
She married Robert L. Russell, II on July 29, 1972 in St. Joseph. He survives of the home.
Additional survivors include three children, Robert L. Russell, III, Leesa M. Henderson and Bryan J. Russell; 12 grandchildren; step-sister, Candy Milbourne; and brother, Larry A. Pierce.
A Gathering of Remembrance will be held 6 p.m., Thursday at Heaton-Bowman-Smith and Sidenfaden Chapel, where the family will receive friends following the service until 8 p.m., Thursday evening.
Mrs. Russell has been cremated under the direction of Heaton-Bowman-Smith and Sidenfaden Chapel.

ST. JOSEPH – Karen J. Winder, 67, passed away Friday, December 27, 2013 at her home.
Karen was born on September 23, 1946 to Earl and Katherine M. (Milburn) Yeakley, Jr.
She graduated from Lafayette High school in 1964 and worked at Heartland Plaza for 39 years, retiring in January 2013. She loved to read her books and watch her TV.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Gary and Jeff Yeakley.
Surviving family includes son, Randy Winder; grandson, Brett Winder and wife, Stephanie; great-grandsons, Blake and Brody; great-granddaughter, Hiley; daughter-in-law, Laura Fitzwater, step-grandsons, Clint and Paul Fitzwater; nieces, Heather and Becky; and best friend since the third grade, Jackie.
Services 11 a.m., Friday at Heaton-Bowman-Smith and Sidenfaden Chapel. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery.
Visitation will begin after 12 Noon, Thursday at our chapel, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday evening.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Heartland Hospice.

ST. JOSEPH – Richard Melvin Davis Sr., 84, passed away Saturday, December 28, 2013 at a local hospital.
Richard was born February 10, 1929 in St. Joseph to Edwin and Lillian Davis. He was an avid bluegrasser and a member of the Gower Goodtimers.
Preceding him in death are his parents; brothers, George, Jerry, Bob and Norman Davis; sisters, Maxine Bittick and Peggy Davis; first wife, Dorothy Jean Culifer-Davis; second wife, Eva Mae Taylor-Davis; son, Edwin Davis; and sons-in-laws, George Huffman III and Charles Day.
Survivors include his sons, Richard Jr. (Judy) and Jon Mark (Deborah) Davis; daughter, Linda Davis Day; 22 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; brother, Leroy (Sandy) Davis; sisters, Nellie Keith and Barbara Walker; numerous nieces, nephews, friends and fellow musicians.
A Memorial Service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, January 4, at The Edge Southside, 5801 King Hill Ave., St. Joseph, Mo. At the family’s request, casual and warm clothing is requested. Inurnment will take place in Mt. Auburn Cemetery at a later date.
Online obituary and condolences at www.clarksampson.com

ST. JOSEPH – Mary Catherine Wright, 76, passed away on Friday, December 27, 2013, at her home.
Mary was born in St. Joseph on April 28, 1937, to Eugene Ray and Agnes Lillian (Wawrzyniak) Grace.
Mary attended St. Francis Elementary School and was a graduate of Convent of the Sacred Heart. She was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. She was a homemaker and previously worked as an operator for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Edward L. Grace.
She married William Wright on January 30, 1965 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. He survives of the home.
Other survivors include their children, Jennifer (Gary) Lader, Kevin (Kathryn) Wright, Christopher (Carley) Wright and Angela Wright; nine grandchildren, Jacob, Daniel and Toby Lader, Rebecca and Jaquelyn Wright, Sabrina, Katie and Colin Wright, Oliver Wright-Frank; sister, Patricia Ann (Tom) Herinckx; sister-in-law, Helen Grace; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial 10 a.m. Monday, December 30th, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Interment in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Visitation will begin after 2 p.m. Sunday, at Heaton-Bowman-Smith and Sidenfaden Chapel. Rosary 6 p.m. Sunday. The family will receive friends following the Rosary until 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
The family suggests memorial contributions to St. Francis Xavier Church Building Fund or Hands of Hope Hospice.

ST. JOSEPH – Tammy Jo Evans, 51, passed away Friday, December 27, 2013 at a local hospital.
Tammy was born January 7, 1962.
Tammy was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Alys Evans; and sisters, Joan, Diane, Marilyn, Teri and Sharon.
Surviving family includes sister, Alice Gaunt; brothers, Richard, Carl, Kenneth, Kevan, Danny, Mike, Tony and Troy Evans; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services 12 Noon, Tuesday, at Heaton-Bowman-Smith and Sidenfaden Chapel. Interment Courter-Ritchey Cemetery, Troy, Kan. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. The family suggests donations to the funeral home to help with funeral expenses.

ST. JOSEPH – Ronald Swartz, 88, passed away Monday, December 30, 2013 in St. Joseph. He was born January 30, 1925 in Frackville, Pa. He married Virginia Smygel on June 18, 1945 and she survives of the home. He served in the Army Air Corp during WWII, and was called up to also serve in the Korean conflict. He proudly served in the Army Air Corp then later the Missouri Air National Guard for over 30 years retiring in the 1970’s. He worked at Overton Budweiser Distributors as a Route Salesman in St. Joseph.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing & gardening, and was a member the American Legion Post # 359, Moose Lodge, Eagles Arie Lodge #49, Knights of Columbus, Holy Name Society, Missouri Air Guard Retiree Association, and St. James Catholic Church. Ronald was preceded in death by mother, Lennie Wolfgang and son, Joseph Swartz.
Survivors include wife, Virginia Swartz of the home; two daughters, Carolyn Clemens and husband John, Cathy Young, and companion Howard King; and son, Bernard Swartz and wife Patricia all of St. Joseph; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren. He also had several brothers and sisters from Pennsylvania.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 2, 2014, at 12 p.m. at the St. James Catholic Church, Father Vincent Rogers and Father Evan Harkins Con-Celebrating. Friends may call after 10 a.m., Wednesday, January 1st at the Rupp Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m., and the Rosary will be recited at 5 p.m., Wednesday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Leavenworth National Cemetery with full military honors. Memorials are requested to the American Legion Post #359.
Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

ATCHISON, Kan. – Brenda Susan (Furgeson) Parham, 49, passed away Thursday, December 26, 2013 at a St. Joseph, hospital. She was born January 2, 1964 in St. Joseph and the daughter of Alice and James Furgeson. Brenda attended Benton high school and married Cliff Parham. They have shared 31 years together.
She worked at Carriage Square as a CNA, and enjoyed spending time with her daughters and grandsons. Brenda was preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by husband, Cliff Parham of the home; two daughters, Summer Furgeson and Crystal Furgeson, both of Atchison; three grandsons, Bladen, Bentley and Bryson; five brothers, Jimmy, Joe, Arley, Dick and John Ferguson; four sisters, Judy Corona, Sherrie Smithers, Patty Rahn and Carol Williams.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m., Monday with a memorial service to follow at 7 p.m., Monday, December 30 at the Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to the Brenda Parham memorial fund in care of the Rupp Funeral Home. She has been cremated under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home.
Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

ST. JOSEPH – Dora Ann Berry, 70, passed away Wednesday, December 25, 2013. She was born February 9, 1943 in Dearborn, Mo.
Dora was preceded in death by her mother Loretta Williams. She is survived by two daughters, Marie (Charles) VanCleve of Fort Stewart, Ga., and Ronda Manser of Kansas City, Mo.; son, Zac Berry of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Nick, Jessica Bomar, Cayden Bomar, Stephanie Christiansen; great-grandson, Brodi Klepac; two sisters, Jackie Williams and Sandy Brown.
She will be cremated under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home. There are no scheduled visitation or memorial services at this time. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

ST. JOSEPH – William M. Donly, 83, died Wednesday, December 25, 2013 at his home.
He was born October 14, 1930 to James Sr. and Susan (Morrison) Donly, in St. Joseph. He married Helen Olejnik on January 10, 1954. She survives of the home.
William proudly served in the United States Air force and was a Veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of the American Legion Post #359, St. Joseph Market Foundation, Eagle’s Lodge Aerie #49, Fairview Golf Course, Paralyzed American Veterans and was a St. Joseph Livestock Exchange Member and Board of Directors.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Margaret Guinn and Clara Joffee; and brother, James C. Donly, Jr.
Additional Survivors: daughter, Deborah Seiter (Ed), St. Joseph; son, Kevin Donly (Terri), Fullerton, Calif.; grandsons, Christopher and Matthew Donly, Wm. Bryan (Heather), Todd and Tyson Seiter; granddaughters, Elizabeth and Anna Seiter and Vanessa McGuire (Eric); great-grandchildren, Isabel, Noah, Aden, Mia, Chase and Avila Seiter, Jack Short, and Tucker and Cailin McGuire; sister, Lily Haden; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services: 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory, where friends may call after 5 p.m. For those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Boys Town or donor’s choice.
Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com

ST. JOSEPH – Mildred Lorene Zuptich, 94, passed away Monday, December 23, 2013 at her home surrounded by family. She was born April 25, 1919 in St. Joseph and the daughter of Mary Celeste and Joseph Walker. She attended Benton High School. She was a homemaker and enjoyed to cook, sew, stitch and crochet. Her greatest pleasure came from spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was a member of St. James Catholic Church, the Altar Society and Legion of Mary. Mildred was preceded in death by her husband of 49 and a half years, Phillip Zuptich; her parents; her brother, Harold Walker; and her sister, Darlene Herring.
Survivors include her son, Phillip James Zuptich of Liberty, Mo.; two daughters, Phyllis Schroer and husband Richard of St. Peters, Mo., and Mary Lou Glasbrenner and husband Ken of Raytown, Mo.; seven grandchildren, Karrie Copeland, Sheri Livingston, Debra and Jennifer Schroer, Beth, Laura, and Steven Glasbrenner; five great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Crossroads Hospice and Comfort of Home for their compassionate care for Mildred. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 28, 2013, at 10 a.m., at St. James Catholic Church. The family will receive family and friends at Rupp Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m., on Friday, December 27, with the rosary to be recited at 7 p.m. The Interment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Memorials are requested to St. James Catholic Church or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Online condolences and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com