Bonita Cheryl (Butcher) Patterson, 71, Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, formerly of Wathena, Kansas, passed away Thursday, May 30, 2019.

She was born July 29, 1947 in St. Joseph, MO.

Bonnie, as she was called by many, graduated from Kansas University; where she met her husband, Charles Elliot Patterson. Bonnie and Charles were soul mates and married for nearly fifty years.
She worked for decades as a senior leader in regulatory affairs holding diverse roles at major corporations across multiple states and was respected and adored by her colleagues.

Bonnie was a devoted wife, mother and work colleague. She was an avid reader and movie aficionado, loved traveling and spending time with family and friends. Bonnie also loved a good laugh.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Grant and Stella (Briscoe) Butcher and sister, Joan Butcher.
Survivors include her husband, Charles Patterson; children, Derek Patterson (Tanya Holland), Brian Patterson (Christina Villarreal); grandchild, Lucia Patterson; siblings, John Butcher, Judy Krumme, Kathy Scroggins; nephews, Troy Gilchrist, Sidney Butcher, Zachary (Tyler) Owens; nieces, Jocelyn Lane, Amber Melendez; cousins, in-laws and many friends.

Farewell Services Saturday, 1:00 P.M. at Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory and Interment Memorial Park Cemetery, in St. Joseph, MO. The family will gather with friends Friday, 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Black Girls Code – www.blackgirlscode.com. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Bill R. McKinney passed away on June 7, 2019, at his home in St. Joseph, MO, surrounded by his family.

He was born on September 6, 1936, in St. Joseph MO, the son of Virgil and Marie McKinney.

Bill graduated from Lafayette High School in 1954 and received many athletic honors in football, basketball and track. Earning a football scholarship to the University of Missouri, Bill was a starting offensive and defensive end for the Tigers for three years. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education and later earned his master’s degree in Education.

After college, Bill was a teacher and head football coach in Plattsburg, MO for two years. He then returned to his alma mater in 1960 to become head football coach at Lafayette. He continued to support the Fighting Irish throughout his life. Although Bill’s athletic honors were innumerable, he was recognized as one of the best fast-pitch softball pitchers nationwide throughout his 16-year career. Deservedly, Bill was inducted into the Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame and later formed the local softball board.

In 1971, Bill combined his passion for sports with business and opened Spartan Sporting Goods. This fulfilled one of his dreams and provided a retail destination to the sports community for nearly 20 years. This led to other business ventures that allowed him to travel internationally.

In 1987, Bill became the Director of Parks & Recreation serving the community of St. Joseph for 28 years. Known as a visionary, Bill led the completion of many projects including the Remington Nature Center, St. Joseph REC Center, St. Joseph Aquatic Park and Heritage Park. In addition to these successful endeavors, Bill implemented improvements across the expansive park system including Phil Welch Stadium, Fairview Clubhouse, Bartlett Park, Bode Ice Arena, Civic Arena, Krug Park and a multitude of others. Fittingly, after Bill retired as Parks Director in 2015, the City recognized his service by dedicating the Bill McKinney Softball Complex at Heritage Park in his honor.

Bill’s faith in God and love of his family defined his life. Most content when surrounded by his family, Bill loved playing games and telling entertaining “Billy Ray” stories from his youth. An active member of McCarthy Baptist Church, he taught Sunday School and served on the stewardship committee. Bill was admired by many because of his friendly demeanor and dedication to the St. Joseph community. Family, friends, co-workers, former students and players will always remember Bill and his gentle nature, humor, and devotion.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Shirley Keyton and Beverly Haselwood.

Bill is survived by his wife, Carla McKinney; his children: Kim Siela, Kelly Putnam (John), Kristin McKinney, Joan Woolard (Korbin), and Paul Woolard (Abra); his 11 grandchildren: Casey Siela (Samantha), Kaitlin Siela, Madison Putnam, Chase Putnam, Ellie Hicks, Matthew Hicks, Severin von Stentzsch, Paxon von Stentzsch, Remi Woolard, Macki Woolard and Grayden Woolard and 1 great-granddaughter, Carter Siela.

Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, McCarthy Baptist Church. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family suggests donations be made to the St. Joseph Parks & Recreation Department (Special Park Projects fund), the Mission fund at McCarthy Baptist Church or Samaritan’s Purse (Operation Christmas Child).

Patrick Crawford, 80, formerly of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Friday, June 7, 2019.
He was born November 10, 1938.

Patrick married Wanda Jo Pulley September 7, 1963. She survives of the home.

He served in 3 branches of the military for 17 years. Patrick worked for the St. Joseph Fire Department for 27 years, Western Missouri Mental Health as a Fire Marshall for 15 years, then later he worked at Walmart for 15 years.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Evelyn Crawford; brothers, Harold, Jim, Mike, and Les Crawford; sister, Peggy.

Additional survivors include daughter, Christy (Scott); grandchildren, Alex and Katy; numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside Farewell Services & Interment 10:00 A.M. Friday, Memorial Park 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 to the American Heart Association. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Chester Otis Bennett, 88, Liberty, Missouri, formerly St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Thursday, June 6, 2019.

He was born on November 10, 1930 in Forest City, Missouri to Charles and Lena (Sloniker) Bennett.
Chester married Virginia Power on June 30, 2001.

He was a retired Army Veteran who served in WWII and Vietnam. Chester was extremely proud of his military service; he joined the Army at 15 after his father served in WWI. Later on, he worked for President Ronald Reagan as a dedicated communications line technician, and set up the phone line for the President to communicate with the military overseas. He was a very good man, loving husband, and father.

Chester enjoyed fishing and collecting many different memorabilia, including Harley Davidson, liquor bottles, plates and glasses, and salt and pepper shakers.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother Charles Bennett.

Survivors include his wife Virginia, sister Joyce, son; Gerd Bennett, step-son; Richard Gordon Miller and wife Kari Miller, step-grandchildren, Shianne and Joey McCalister, step-great-grandchildren; Eliza, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will gather with friends 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. Sunday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Veterans Association, or Wounded Warriors Project. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Donald Ellingson, 76, of Easton, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at his home after a brief battle with ALS.

He was born August 4, 1942 in Radcliffe, IA, son of the late Alma and Lowell Ellingson. He graduated from McCallsburg High School and later Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in Fish and Wildlife Biology. He married Nancy Hunt in St. Joseph on February 14, 1970. Dan served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1965 to 1970. Dan spent most of his life as a grain and livestock farmer in central Iowa, retiring in 2004 . He also worked for 11 years as a rural mail carrier in Ames, IA. Don loved the outdoors. Farming and Conservation were a high priority in his life. His hobbies also included hunting and fishing. He was very active in his community, including the Story County Extension, and Local Farmers COOP. Don and his wife Nancy were members of Bethany Lutheran Church in McCallsburg, IA.

Don was preceded in death by his father, Lowell Ellingson, mother, Alma Ellingson.

Survivors include, wife, Nancy Anne Ellingson of the home, daughter, Leanne (Morgan) Leake of Agency, MO, son, Jack (Vivianne) Ellingson of Wauconda, IL, son, Jerry (Adrianne) Ellingson of Pembroke Pines, FL, grandchildren, Devon & Alexa Leake, Aidan, Melissa, Julie & Ryan Ellingson, brother, Larry (Melita) Ellingson of McCallsburg, IA, sister, Barbara (Mike) Dunn of Canton, GA, sister, Nancy (Fred) Bragg of CA.

Mr. Ellingson has been cremated under the care of Rupp Funeral Home. Per his wishes there will be no services. Memorials are requested to the to the family to be given to charity designation at a later date. Online condolences and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Charles “C.B.” Lindstrom, 77, of Country Club, MO, formerly of the French Bottoms, died Thursday, June 6, 2019, at his residence.

C.B. was born November 7, 1941, in St. Joseph, to Charles H. and Kathrine (Welsh) Lindstrom.

He was a graduate of Maryville High School and had attended Northwest Missouri State University. He retired after 32 years with Missouri Department of Transportation. He then was a self-employed John Deere vintage parts dealer and called himself “the largest” John Deere vintage parts dealer.

He was named an Honorary Chief with the 139th Airlift Wing. After the 1993 flood he was honored by the St. Joseph News Press as one of the “20 Who Count”. He was President of the Highway Association and a member of the Missouri Big Buck’s Club. He was a wood craftsman and loved to hunt and fish.

C.B. married Naomi Arn on May 13, 1972 in St. Joseph and she survives him of the home. Also surviving are two sons, Chet (Kit) Lindstrom, Kirt (Cindy) LIndstrom; grandchildren, Caitlyn, Andrew, Jake, Nora, Brea, Lyla, and Cade; four great-grandchildren; sister Donna Jeanette Wright; sister-in-law Alyce DuCoing; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents and brother’s-in-law, Gary Wright and George DuCoing.

Services will be Monday, June 10, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel. Entombment will follow in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery Mausoleum. Public visitation will be after 1:00 p.m. Sunday, June 9, 2019, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at our chapel.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to either the 139th Airlift Wing Chiefs Association or to the Show-Me Tractor Cruise Club.

Sister Mary Owen Leutloff, OSB, 100, a Benedictine sister of Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, Kans., died Thursday, June 6, 2019, at the monastery. The vigil service will be Tuesday, June 11 at 7 p.m. in the monastery chapel, and the Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated there Wednesday, June 12 at 10:30 a.m.

Sister Mary Owen was born in St. Anne, Ill., the only child of Mary and James Leutloff. After graduating from St. Patrick High School in Kankakee, Ill., she worked as a parish secretary and sacristan in Kankakee, Ill., and then as a bookkeeper in Hanover, Kan. She entered the Benedictine community of Mount St. Scholastica in January of 1946. She earned a master’s degree in elementary administration from Northwest Missouri State University and taught at parish schools in Defiance, Ia.; Atkinson, Neb.; and in Kansas at Westphalia, Valley Falls, Horton, Topeka, Wamego, Seneca, Marysville and Kansas City for over 40 years. With her love of gardening and science, she worked in the monastery maintenance department after retiring from teaching, and also assisted in the monastery library. Her other interests included reading and various needlecrafts. She was able to enjoy a celebration of her one hundredth birthday, April 28th of this year.

Sister Mary Owen was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by cousins and her monastic family. Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home (www.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).