Betty Chaves Wilson
Maryville, Missouri

Betty Chaves Wilson, 90, Maryville, Missouri, died Tuesday, September 24, 2013, at Golden Living Center, Maryville.

Betty was born January 11, 1923, in Maryville, to William and Dorothy (Pierce) Chaves.

A 1940 graduate of Maryville High School, Betty received her Bachelors Degree from Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas, and Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Florida State University, Pensacola, Florida.

Betty taught school in Barnard, Elmo and Stanberry, Missouri, and Pensacola, Florida. She was a longtime guidance counselor at Benton High School, St. Joseph, Missouri.

Betty was a member of the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Maryville and the Benton High School Red Coaters.

Preceding Betty in death were her parents, son Edwin Tyson, and husbands Turner Tyson, H.L. “Red” Wilson, and Clarence Barnes.

Survivors include daughter Barbara Finn, Pensacola, Florida, and son Turner (Linda) Tyson II, Jefferson City, Missouri, grandchildren Robert (Kristi) Finn, Will Finn, Rebecca Finn, Samantha Tyson, Leslie Tyson, and Laura Tyson, and three great grandchildren.

Visitation is 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Thursday, September 26, 2013, at Price Funeral Home, Maryville.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM, Friday, September 27, 2013, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Maryville, with burial following in Oak Hill Cemetery, Maryville, Missouri.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 901 North Main Street, Maryville, Missouri 64468 or Benton High School Red Coat Scholarship Fund, 5655 South 4th Street, St. Joseph, Missouri 645045

Mary Margaret Tumlinson
1935-2013

Mary Margaret Tumlinson, 78, St. Joseph, Missouri died Tuesday, September 24, 2013, at Heartland Regional Medical Center.

She was born June 30, 1935 to George and Lena McCoy in Bethany, Missouri.

She married Calvin Tumlinson, JR on June 29, 1990. He survives of the home.

Mary was a member of VFW Post #359 and loved gardening, the outdoors and her dog “Buster”.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Amy June Foster.

Additional Survivors: daughter, Christina Kunzler (Leslie), Helena Missouri; brothers, George, Rex and Roger McCoy; sisters, Betty King, Wilma Morey, Ruth Flanagan, Virginia Foster and Rosalie Asbury; several grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services: 3:00 P.M. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Inurnment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial gifts be made to the family to help with funeral expenses. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Neil R. Duncan
1928-2013

Neil R. Duncan, 85, St. Joseph, Missouri died Tuesday, September 24, 2013 at his home.

He was born September 19, 1928 to Cleo Roland and Mary Catherine (Daniel) Duncan in Elmo, Missouri.

Neil married Vergie M. Boyce on May 24, 1947. She preceded him in death on August 1, 2012.

Mr. Duncan retired in 1983 after working for 36 years as a supervisor at Wire Rope Corporation of America. He was also a member of the First Baptist Church and volunteered for many years at the Patee Park Food Pantry.

Neil could fix nearly anything and was always willing to help anyone in need. He was also an amateur radio operator and enjoyed camping with Vergie.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; son, Neil R. Duncan, Jr.; great-great-grandson, Jace; and sister, Rosemary Duncan.

Survivors: son, Keith D. Duncan (Debbie); and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren who brought him much joy.

Services: 10:00 A.M. Thursday, First Baptist Church. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory, where friends may call after 5:00 P.M. Wednesday. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Patee Park Food Pantry or First Baptist Church. The family would like to thank Aseracare Hospice for their wonderful care during his illness. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Beverly A. Ham
1951-2013

Beverly A. Ham, 61, St. Joseph, Missouri died Monday, September 23, 2013 at a local healthcare facility.

She was born November 26, 1951 to Gene and Wilma (Cole) Nash in St. Joseph, Missouri.

She married Robert Ham on July 14, 1973. He survives of the home.

Beverly was preceded in death by her parents; and daughter, Penny Marie Cross.

Additional Survivors: sons, Jamie Cross (Robin), Chris Ham, and Shawn Ham, all of St. Joseph, Missouri; granddaughter, Brandi Cross; great grand-children, Eathan, Kinsey and Kaden; and sisters, Caroline Knecht (Darrell) and Gloria Craig.

The family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Inurnment Whispering Pines Cremation Garden at St. Joseph Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the family to help with funeral expenses. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Dorothy Virginia Albright passed away Tuesday, September 17, 2013 in Joplin, Missouri at the age of 96 years, 7 months and 2 days.
She was born in Graham, Missouri on February 15, 1917 to Grant and Minnie (Apfelbach) Walden. The family soon moved to Maitland, Missouri where she grew up and graduated from Maitland High School in 1935.
After a few years working in the northwest Missouri area, she moved to St. Joseph. While working there she met the love of her life, Lawrence Ray Albright. They were married on February 8, 1938 and enjoyed 53 years of life together. One son was born to the union, Lawrence Ray Albright II (Larry). In 2007 she moved to Carl Junction, Missouri to be near her son and his family where she enjoyed daily visits from the family, as well as frequent food “care packages.”
While in St. Joseph she worked for several years in the cafeteria at Swift and Company. She later began 22 years of employment at Missouri Methodist Hospital, first as a receptionist in the emergency room, and lastly as receptionist in the surgery waiting room where her concern and caring manner comforted many in those stressful times of waiting and uncertainty. She retired in 1983.
She was a 60 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She served as Worthy Matron of King Hill Chapter #55, and was currently a member of Areme Chapter #461 and also Temple Chapter #95 of Joplin. She served as a Grand Officer of the State organization in 1979 and also as Grand Representative of the State of Missouri for Colorado. She also served as District Deputy Grand Matron for the 9th district in 1967. She was especially talented at writing programs for receptions and other ceremonies for the Eastern Star and was called on many times for her services. She also was an active member of the Needles of Moila and also the Social Order of the Beauceant. She was a member of Francis Street Methodist Church in St. Joseph.
During her retirement she enjoyed gardening, especially caring for her roses, and was an avid quilter.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, five brothers and two sisters and several nephews who were dear to her. She is survived by her son Larry and his wife Shirley of Webb City, Missouri. Also by two grandsons, Alan and his wife Shelley of Seneca, Missouri, and Justin and his wife Krystal of Carl Junction, Missouri. Other survivors are her two great grandsons, Ethan and Ayden, her “Little Boys,” and several nieces.
The family wishes to thank Ada Copeland, R.N., and her family for the many years of seeing after our loved one during her years in St. Joseph
A memorial service will take place Saturday, September 28, 2013 at 10:30 A.M. at Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory in St. Joseph, Missouri. The family will receive friends 6:00-8:00 P.M. Friday, September 27, 2013 Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Private Inurnment Maitland Cemetery at a later date. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Ray Marvin DeShon
1919-2013

Ray Marvin DeShon, age 94, passed away peacefully on September 19, 2013 near his home in Lakewood, Colorado.

Ray was born August 13, 1919 to Jesse Marvin DeShon and Ida Castle DeShon in Andrew County, Missouri.

Ray developed an interest in radio with the help of a family friend, Jack Abercrombie and held an early ham radio license call letters W9VPI.

He graduated from Georgia Tech on the co-op work study plan in 1941 with a degree in engineering and was immediately drafted into the Army Signal Corp.

He participated in the invasion of North Africa at Algiers & invasion of Italy at Anzio, where he set up radio and telegraph communications.

Ray returned home in 1945 and was employed by AT&T’s Radio Telegraph Division. He met Virginia Tietjen, “The Love of his life” while working in New York City.

Ray is survived by his wife Virginia, two sons Robert and James and his grandson Matthew.

Graveside services and interment will be held 1:00 P.M. Friday, Memorial Park Cemetery. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Christopher Nathaniel “Nate” Mainprize-Cripps 19, of Pleasant Hill, MO, Missouri passed away Tuesday September 24, 2013 in Saint Joseph, Missouri. He was born May 16, 1994 in Pleasant Hill, Missouri. He graduated from Pleasant Hill High School where he played Varsity Football and also played Basketball, Wrestling and Baseball. He was attending Missouri Western State University. Nate worked for his grandfather, who was his hero Jack Mainprize. He loved everything outdoors, hunting, and especially was an avid fisherman. He was a Christian. Nate was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Agnes Smith. He is survived by father, Donald W. Cripps of Pleasant Hill, MO, mother, Abby Renee Mainprize and Ron Farrell of Pleasant Hill, MO, maternal grandfather, Jack and Pat Mainprize of Pleasant Hill, MO, maternal grandmother, Edith Mainprize and Harry Fox of Kansas City, MO, three brothers, Michael Cripps of Dallas, TX, Tyler Farrell of Pleasant Hill, MO, and Steve Livingston of Blue Springs, MO, two sisters, Jacquelyn Cripps of Blue Springs, MO, and Margo Collins Bond of Grandbury, TX, An Aunt and Uncle Natalie and Daryl Hunter of Warsaw, MO, Aunt Pam Sunbear of Lee’s Summit, MO and several cousins. He will be cremated under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home. There will be a memorial service at a later date to be conducted in Pleasant Hill, Missouri. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

Paul Crane
1917-2013

Paul Clifton Crane, 96, of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, September 21, 2013 at a local health care facility.
Paul was born on June 20, 1917 in New Hampton, Missouri to Ernst and Junia (Grace) Crane. He graduated from Martinsville High School in 1932 and served with the C.C.C. from 1936 to 1938. On August 6, 1938 he married Lydia Merl David, She passed away November 19, 1997.

As well as being a farmer most of his young life, Paul drove a delivery truck for Townsend Wholesale Grocery, worked for Lundy Produce, MFA for eighteen years and First State Bank for twelve years, from which he retired. Upon retirement, Paul and Merl moved to St. Joseph. They were active members of Community Christian Church where he served as an Elder. Paul enjoyed gardening and was an avid bridge player belonging to several bridge clubs, playing many times a week and shooting pool at the Senior Citizens Center.

Preceding him in death are his parents; wife Merl; siblings, Omer Crane, Delton Crane, Raymond Crane, and Blondena Butler; Son-in-law, David and Daughter-in-law, Mary.

Survivors include children, David Crane and Karen Bartlett; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be 12:00 noon, Wednesday at Clark-Sampson Funeral Home with visitation one hour prior to service. Interment will follow service at Mt. Zion Cemetery, Gower, MO. Pastor Brian Williams officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Community Christian Church.
Online obituary and condolences at www.clarksampson.com

Bonnie Jean (Buck) Walley
1923-2013

Bonnie Jean (Buck) Walley, 90, Cameron, Missouri died Sunday, September 22, 2013 at a healthcare facility in Cameron, Missouri.

She was born September 19, 2013 to Leo and Hazel (Heinz) Buck in Amity, Missouri.

Bonnie graduated from Maysville High School (the best class ever to leave Maysville High School) in 1940, and then attended Johnson School of Business in St. Joseph, Missouri. From January 1941 to February 1942 she worked for the Soil Conservation office in Maysville, Missouri.

Then came Pearl Harbor and the quiet ways of country and small town living changed. The boys went off to war. The girls went to work in defense plants and became involved with other wartime activities. She received a Civil Service appointment with the Veteran’s Administration in Washington, D.C. in February of 1942 and rode a train for the first time halfway across the United States. After working in D.C. for a few months, the insurance division she was in was transferred to New York City.

When “The Fleet Came In,” a co-worker’s younger brother came to see him and she met Harold Walley of the United States Navy. There must be something to the saying “There’s Something About a Sailor.” They were married March 25, 1943 in the “Big Apple.” He preceded her in death October 3, 2004. For the next four years they found themselves moving up and down the east coast. They went to Boston for the winter and to Florida for the summer.

With the end of the war, they finally settled down in good ole’ St. Joseph, Missouri. Harold started working as a pressman at the News Press and they also decided to start a family. Harold Douglas was born March 22, 1947 and Timothy Lance, July 14, 1948. For the next few years she managed to keep herself occupied as a full-time housewife and mother, Sunday school teacher, Sunbeam choir director, PTA room mother, Cub Scout den mother, Little League rooter, etc.

Soon the boys were going away to college and she was going back to work at The Methodist Medical Center in the Medical Records Department. She became a supervisor of Coding and Abstracting and for the next twenty years she found herself in the world of Medical Terminology, Anatomy and computer statistics. She retired in February of 1988.

They have been blessed with seven grandchildren. They were a source of great joy.

She enjoyed writing children’s stories and song lyrics, making Barbie doll clothes, cross-stitching, flower gardening, watching wildlife, clouds and sunsets, and traveling. She collected Precious Moments figurines. She was a member of Cameron United Methodist Church and formerly attended Brookdale Presbyterian Church.

Bonnie was also preceded in death by her parents.

Survivors: sons, Doug Walley (Beverly), St. Joseph, Missouri and Tim Walley (Nancy), Cameron, Missouri; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brother, Larry Buck; three nephews; and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Services: 1:00 P.M. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory, where friends may call after 5:30 P.M. Wednesday. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to the Salvation Army. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

James Stanley Garris 66, of passed away Monday September 23, 2013. He was born April 13, 1947 in Hood River, Oregon. Preceding him in death are his parents, a son Jimmy, and 3 sisters. Survivors: wife, Carrie Garris, son, Kevin Garris, 2 daughters, Rhonda and Rebecca Garris, 4 grandchildren, a brother, Jack. He will be cremated under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home. There are no scheduled visitation or memorial services at this time. Memorials are requested to the James Garris Memorial Fund in care of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com