Margaret L Ruberson 92, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, passed away Monday, September 30, 2013 in a Saint Joseph, MO health care center. She was born January 10, 1921 in Arapaho, OK, daughter of Cora and Addie Hanshaw. She retired from H.D. Lee Company after 24 years of service. She enjoyed working word search puzzles. and she was a Methodist. Margaret was preceded in death by husband, Ben Ruberson, her parents, and a brother, Bob Hanshaw. Survivors include, daughter, Sue Kneib and husband Mike of St. Joseph, MO, 4 grandchildren; Scott Kneib and wife Nicole of Saint Joseph, MO, Amy Harris, of St. Joseph, Kelli Kneib of Ozark, MO, and Matt Kneib of St. Joseph, MO, eleven, great grandchildren, a brother, Bud Hanshaw and wife Shirley of Kansas City, MO, sister-in-law, Johnna Hanshaw of West Plains, MO, 2 sisters, Dot Gilliam of Springfield, MO, and Florence “Tootsie” Vulgamont of St. Joseph, MO.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 pm, on Thursday, October 3, 2013 at Rupp Funeral Home, with Rev. Kenny Lewis officiating, The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Thursday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery West Plaines, MO at 3:00 PM Friday. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Bonnie Jean Fannon, 71 of Savannah, Missouri died September 28, 2013, at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Missouri.

Bonnie was born August 28, 1942 in Maryville, Missouri, she was the daughter of  Fred and  Genevieve”Jenny” Hallen (May)  Cronk.

She was a graduate of Maitland High School, class of 1960.  Bonnie was a retired shipper for New England Business Systems, Maryville.

Bonnie was a member of First Christian Church, Maryville.

Preceding Bonnie in death were her parents, two nieces Rhonda and Brenda Cronk (1979) and one great nephew Ryan Paul Cronk (1979).

Surviving include daughter, Barbara Hicks, Eucha, Oklahoma,  brother Roger and her twin brother Bill Cronk, both of  Maryville, one sister, Darlene Christian, Savannah, Missouri, three grand children, Nikki, Jennifer and C.J.,  five great grandsons, Colton, Alex, Isaiah, Xavier, and Emre, nieces and nephews.

Ms Fannon’s body has been cremated.  The family will receive friends from 1-7 PM, October 1, 2013 at Bonnie’s home in Savannah.  Interment will be at a later date in  Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Barnard, MO.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.pricefuneralhomemaryville.com

Margie E. (Todd) Stephens
1925-2013

Margie E. (Todd) Stephens, 88, Fallbrook, CA, died Saturday, September 14, 2013 at Fallbrook Hospital, Fallbrook, California.  

She was born March 2, 1925 at Sampsel, Missouri and moved to St, Joseph, Missouri in June 1933.  

After attending Lafayette High School, she was a telephone operator for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and later worked for J.C. Penny Company.

On November 28, 1946 she married Warren E. Stephens in St. Joseph, Missouri.  She was a member of the Second Presbyterian Church, where she served as secretary and on the Board of Deacons.  She was also active in Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and in genealogy work.  Margie was a charter member of the Fire Fighter Auxiliary and served as their first treasurer.  She and her husband moved to Fallbrook, California near San Diego, in April 1990.

Margie was preceded in death by her parents, Leroy Sr. and Alice M. Todd; son, James W. Stephens; brothers, Leroy Jr., Robert O., and Don L. Todd; and sisters, Dorothy M.Todd and June Meade.  

She is survived by Warren, her husband of 67 years; daughter, Kathryn J. Eichstedt, Fallbrook, California; grandchildren, Douglas Lindsey and Kelly Lindsey (Robert Frost); great-grandchildren, Katelyn, Kristina, Ashlee, and Luke Lindsey; sister, Betty Carnes; and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside Service and Interment will be held at a later date. Services under the direction of Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Rita L. Brady
Maryville, Missouri

Rita L. Brady, 93, Maryville, Missouri, died Friday, September 27, 2013,  at her home in Maryville.

Rita  was born June 9, 1920, in Conception Junction, Missouri to John M. and Julia Ann O’Connor Lynch.  She was a 1938 graduate of Conception High School.

Rita and John P. Brady were married June 4, 1943, in Conception Jct., Missouri.

A homemaker, she was a member of the St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic Church in Maryville.

Preceding Rita in death were her parents, husband John Brady (10/04/1996) , two children: Michael Brady and Karen Brady, four brothers: Linus, Kenneth, Connie and Ronnie Lynch.

Survivors include:  three children: John Brady (Sharon), Hampshire, Illinois; Charles Brady, Maryville, Missouri; and Sharon Hope  (Lloyd) , St. Joseph, Missouri; twelve grandchildren; sixteen great -grandchildren;brother: Robert  Lynch, Vista, California; five sisters: Dolores  Lynch, Maryville, Missouri; Stella Marie Wiederholt, Ames, Iowa; Mary Lou Schauer, Brea, California; Julianna  Engstrom, Independence, Missouri; Betty Pappert, Salem, Oregon; two sisters-in-law: Beverly Lynch, Kansas City, Missouri and Cleo Lynch, Iowa.

Parish Prayer Service is 6:00 PM Sunday, September 29, 2013, at Price Funeral Home, Maryville.  It is to be followed by a visitation from 6:30-8:00 PM.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM, Monday, September 30, 2013, at St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic Church, Maryville, with burial in St. Columba Cemetery, Conception.

Memorials may be made to SSM Hospice or St. Gregory School, Maryville.

www.pricefuneralhomemaryville.com

Carolyn Payne
1941-2013

Carolyn Janice Payne (Jan), 72, Hiawatha, Kansas passed away Friday, September 20, 2013 at Maple Heights of Hiawatha.

She was born April 20, 1941 to William and Lucy Reed of Gary, Indiana.

Carolyn was a homemaker. She was a lover of sewing, dancing, singing, cooking, crafts, music, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, a Nana to many and a mom to all.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Steve Vega; daughter, Tonia Mcfeeters; and grandson, George McCulley III.

Survivors: Children, Michael Zakutansku (Lisa) of Hiawatha, Trini Vega (Patty) of Morrill, Steven Vega of Topeka, Jamie Payne of Hiawatha, Terri Jo Hendricks (Zek) of Salina; fourteen grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren, and many friends.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, October 5, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. at Calvary Temple Assembly Of God Church in Hiawatha. Burial will be at Mt Hope Cemetery in Hiawatha following the service. Memorial Contributions for Carolyn Payne can be made to the Calvary Temple Assembly Of God Church in Hiawatha.

Mrs. Payne was a member of the Kansas Cremation Service. Online guestbook and obituary at www.kansascremation.com.

Ted Willis Sr.
1927-2013

Ted Milton Willis Sr., 85, of St. Joseph passed this life Thursday, September 26, 2013 at his home surrounded by family and is now with the Lord.

Ted was born November 20, 1927 to Sarah Layson Willis in Galesburg, IL.  His adult life has been one of service to others.  He enlisted with the Merchant Marines in 1944 then October 1946 he began a tour of duty with the U.S. Army in which he met and married his wife Louisa “Iky” Seever on February 19, 1946.  On Feb 4, 1953 he received honorable discharge from US Air Force. Ted later joined U.S Air National Guard until mandatory retirement at the age of 60 in November 1987 with over 21 years of military service having earning numerous medals.

Ted was a member of VFW local 6760, serving and Commander for seven years and American Legion Post 359.

His hobbies included outdoors, especially hunting and fishing.  He also enjoyed playing slot machines.

Preceding him in death are his parents; four brothers, Victor, Donald, Robert, and Dean Willis; two sisters, Cecil Moran and Vernon Sauter and infant son, Gary.

Survivors include wife Louisa “Iky” of 67 years; five children, Ted Jr. (Marilyn) Willis, George Willis, David (Roxanna)Willis, Debbie (Charles) Sumter, and Susan (Tom) Solberg; thirteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

Ted has been cremated under direction of Clark-Sampson Funeral Home.

Family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 4, at King Hill Baptist Church. A Memorial Service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 5 at King Hill Baptist Church.  Chaplain Dave Earnst officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to VFW post 6760.

Online obituary and condolences at www.clarksampson.com

Opal Dorine Tompkins
Maryville, Missouri

Opal Dorine Tompkins, 97, Maryville, Missouri, died Friday, September 27, 2013, at Parkdale Manor Care Center, Maryville.

Opal was born April 16, 1916, in Corning, Iowa to Harrison Henry and Rosa Agnes (Hardisty) Means.

Opal was a graduate of the Corning Iowa High School, class of 1933. She was a Homemaker.

She married Bernard Wilson Tompkins on December 25, 1937, in Grant City, Missouri.

Opal was a member of the First Christian Church, Maryville.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bernard (August 20, 1997), son Harrison Tompkins (August 2010), a brother Elmo Edward Means and sister Dorthea May Miller.

Survivors include her son, Stephen (Bonnie) Tompkins, Maryville, daughter-in-law Marjorie Tompkins, Fountain, Colorado, one sister Violet Antisdel, Creston, Iowa, six grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and four great great grandchildren.

Friends may call after 9 AM on Sunday. Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM, Tuesday, October 1, 2013, at Price Funeral Home, Maryville with burial in the Miriam Cemetery, Maryville.

Memorial: Maryville First Christian Church.

Arrangements: Price Funeral Home (www.pricefuneralhomemaryville.com)

Theodore Mitchell Kranitz
1922-2013

Theodore Mitchell Kranitz, 91, St. Joseph, Missouri died Thursday, September 26, 2013.

Mr. Kranitz was born May 27, 1922, in St. Joseph, Missouri. He graduated from Central High School in 1939 and Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Foreign Service in 1948. In 1950, he graduated from Georgetown School of Law with a Juris Doctorate. He served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II.

He married Elaine Kaufman on June 11, 1944. They were a devoted couple for 68 years.

Theodore was a Senior Partner at Kranitz & Kranitz, PC joining his father in 1950. He was later joined by his son, Hugh and daughter, Kathy in a three generation family law firm.

He was a member of the Temple B’nai Sholem and past Board Member, Past Trustee Temple Adath Joseph, member of B’nai Brith, Board Member and Past President of United Jewish Fund, charter member of the Air Force Association, life member of the American Philatelic Society, Past President of St. Joseph Community Theater, Past President of the St. Joseph Bar Association, member of the Missouri Bar, Boys Baseball, and the local representative of the Anti-Defamation Legue.

Mr. Kranitz was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine Kaufman Kranitz; parents, Louis and Miriam (Saferstein) Kranitz; and sister, Joan Esther Ferber.

Survivors: son, Hugh David Kranitz, St. Joseph, Missouri; twin daughters, Karen Kranitz Shebaro, San Antonio, Texas and Kathy Kranitz Sadoun, St. Joseph, Missouri; two granddaughters, Iman Anna Shebaro and husband Daniel Hogg and Rania Shebaro Johnson and husband Dustin Johnson; great-grandson, Asher; brother, Morton Kiel Kranitz, Tucson, Arizona; and several nieces and nephews.

Services: 2:00 P.M. Sunday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Shaare Sholem Cemetery. The family will receive friends 12:30 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. Sunday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family suggests memorial gifts be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Harold Hugh Brohan 96, of Easton, Missouri, passed away Thursday, September 26, 2013 in Saint Joseph, MO. He was born November 29, 1916 in Colorado Springs, CO, son of Minnie and Patrick Brohan. He served in the Army and is a veteran of the Korean War. He was a truck driver for 20 years for Swift & CO. and retired from farming in 1999. He was a Catholic. Harold was preceded in death by wife of 65 years in 1999, Ruth Brohan and his parents. Survivors include nephew, Larry (Gwen) Hendricks of Easton, MO, nephew, Devere Byergo of Sun City, CA, two nieces, Darla Rowlette and Joyce Clark, both of St. Joseph, MO, seven, great nieces and his sister-in-law, Darlene (Swigart) Hendricks of Savannah, MO. Graveside Funeral Services and Interment will be conducted on Saturday, September 28, 2013 at 11:00 am, at the Blakely Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM on Saturday the Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to the Blakely Cemetery or Hands of Hope Hospice. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Daisie R. Nixon
1913-2013

Daisie Robertson Nixon, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away on September 23, 2013, at home in rural White Heath, Illinois. She was born July 9, 1913 in Buchanan County just south of St. Joseph, Missouri to Charles Elvis Robertson and Capitola Eugene Blakeley. She lived on Parker Road in south St. Joseph during her youth and attended Lake Station School through eighth grade. She graduated from Platte Business School and began work at Townsend & Wall Department Store as a book keeper for their mail-order business.

During World War II she worked at Rosecrans Air Field at the Post Exchange selling concessions, sorting Army ponchos and backpacks for reuse. After the war she worked for the Telephone Company until 1948 when she married Richard Nixon. They married on Nov 19, 1948 in St. Joseph at the First Christian Church. She had two children, Randy and Christopher.

Daisie participated in the Foster Parents Adoption Program from 1954 to 1966, caring for newborns upon release from the hospital to adoption at six weeks or older. She continued to provide childcare for many single parents, caring for some of the children until they were old enough to attend school. She retired from childcare in August 1977 after more than twenty years service.

Daisie actively supported her sons’ participation in Cub Scouts, Bantam League football and Little League baseball, helping managers with scorekeeping, rule book, and maintaining the field.

Her husband, Richard, passed away on March 28, 1991. Daisie continued to live at her home on Angelique self-sufficiently until she was 98, when she moved to White Heath, Illinois to live with her son Christopher and his wife Carolyn.

Daisie loved reading, quilting, gardening, walking, and spending time with friends exploring the countryside, playing cards and picnicking on Sunday afternoons. She regularly walked until she was 90, 1-2 miles daily with her dog and attended the Senior Citizens Center in St. Joseph for exercise programs until she was 92.

Daisie maintained good health most of her life and was able to achieve three goals she had set later in life: to live to be 100, to never live in a nursing home, and to pass in her sleep in her own bed.

She is survived by her sons, Randy (Sheryl) Nixon of St. Joseph, and Christopher (Carolyn) Nixon of White Heath, Illinois. Daisie has six grandchildren: Chuck Nixon, St. Joseph, Sherri (Chris) Phillips, St. Joseph, Shelly (Ty) Glauser, Rea, MO.; Chad (Jen) Nixon, St. Joseph, Christopher Nixon, Champaign, IL.; and William Nixon, White Heath, IL. Seven great-grandchildren: Corey (Laura) Nixon, St. Joseph, Courtney Nixon, St. Joseph, K’Lea Miller, Rea, Addisyn and Gage Glauser, Rea; Ashleigh and Hayleigh Nixon, St. Joseph, and one great-great grandchild, Lillian Mae Nixon, of St. Joseph.

Services will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday at Clark-Sampson Funeral Home with interment following in King Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to service.

Online obituary and condolences at www.clarksampson.com