Leonard E. Evans Jr.
1943-2013

Leonard E. Evans Jr., age 69, passed away September 21, 2013 at the Hospice House, North Kansas City Hospital. He was born on November 23, 1943 in St. Joseph, and was the son of Leonard and Marguerite (Howard) Evans.

During his lifetime he served from 1960 to 1964 in the United States Navy, he also worked as a meat cutter for Don Mays Grocery, drove a truck for Gray Manufacturing, and retired from the Saint Joseph Police Department after 30 years of service.

He was a member of the former Third Street Presbyterian Church, the Fraternal Order of Police #3, St. Joseph, Missouri, and American Legion.

He was preceded in death by his parents; great-grandson, Bradley Evans; and grandson, Brian Cumberworth.

He is survived by three children, Kimberly, Manteca, California, Dan and his wife Lois, and Ronnie and his wife Billie; one brother, Wayne and his wife Julie; two sisters, Elaine Beth Evans and Rebecca Evans; grandchildren, Courtney, Christopher, Shelby, Lane, Drake, Robert, Melissa and several great-grandchildren.

Leonard was a good and generous person and will be sadly missed by family and friends.

Services: 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Fraternal Order of Police #3, St. Joseph, Missouri. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Tammy Ann Lawson 50, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, passed away Saturday, September 21, 2013 in Saint Joseph, MO hospital. She was born September 4, 1963 in St. Joseph, MO, daughter of Beverly and Kenneth W Hayes Sr.. She graduated from Maysville High School class of 81 and was a homemaker. She enjoyed loved to cook, and was a member of Christian faith. Tammy was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Kenneth W Hayes Jr. Survivors include, son, Frank (Tanya Zeller) Lawson Jr. of Saint Joseph, MO, daughter, Heather (Jared) Shelton of Troy, KS, six, grandchildren, brother, Terry Keiser of Florida, and a sister Kimber Johnson of St. Joseph, MO and her campion for many years Michael Wilson of the home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 am, on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at Rupp Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Odd Fellows Public Cemetery. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Loyd Baker 65, of Saint Joseph, Missouri passed away Friday September 20, 2013 at a Saint Joseph hospital. He was born August 22, 1948 in St. Joseph, Missouri son of Helen & Buck Baker. He retired from the Missouri Department of Transportation after 20 plus years of dedicated service. He enjoyed fishing, working in the yard, and around the house, he was a jack of all trades the neighborhood handyman. He could fix anything. Loyd was preceded in death by his father, and sister, Pat Peterson. He is survived by mother, Helen Baker of St. Joseph, MO, daughter, Rachelle (Basil) Grippando, a son, Randy Baker all of St. Joseph, MO, five grandchildren, Ryan, Cameron, Tanner, Kaylie and Jayda, a brother, Albert Baker of St. Joseph, MO, two nieces, Shelly & Susan, and three nephews, Scott, Wesley, Big Steve, Little Steve, and Robert and his companion Kathy Williams of the home. He 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

Esther A. Kneib
1917-2013

Esther Ann Kneib, 95, St. Joseph, passed away surrounded by family on Saturday, September 21, 2013, at Heartland Regional Medical Center.

Esther was born on November 10, 1917, in St. Joseph, MO to Henry and Gertrude (Weipert) Kneib. She was a lifelong resident of St. Joseph. Esther was a 1931 graduate from Cathedral of St. Joseph, a 1935 graduate of the Sacred Heart Convent and attended the Johnson School of Business in St. Joseph.

After 35 years of employment by the federal government, retired from the St. Joseph Post Office in April 1976, as secretary to the Postmaster. She had previously been employed at the John S. Brittain Dry Goods Company in St. Joseph.

She was a lifelong and devoted member of St. Joseph Cathedral, St. Ann’s Alter Society of Cathedral, Alumni of the Sacred Heart Convent, Ladies of Charity, and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Charles H. Kneib, and sister-in-law, Viola Kneib.

Survivors include nephew, Richard M. (Annette) Kneib, and niece, Mary Beth (Kent) Wagner, 2 great-nieces, Andrea and Megan Kneib, and one great-nephew, Kaleb Wagner, all of St. Joseph.

Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 AM Tuesday at Cathedral of St. Joseph.

Interment Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Parish Rosary 6:00 PM Monday at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel.

Visitation will begin after 12:00 Noon Monday at our Chapel, where the family will receive friends following the Rosary from 6:30 to 8:30 Monday evening.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Cathedral of St. Joseph.

Christopher Kent O’Roke
1989-2013

Christopher Kent O’Roke, 24, St. Joseph, Missouri died Thursday, September 19, 2013 at his home.

He was born May 6, 1989 to Leslie and Ginger (Way) O’Roke in St. Joseph, Missouri.

He attended Lafayette High School where he was part of ROTC and played baseball at Clarksdale as a teenager. He also enjoyed fishing.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Orville O’Roke; and cousin, Jennifer Rutti.

Survivors: mother, Ginger O’Roke (Jon), St. Joseph, Missouri; father, Leslie “Les” O’Roke (Karen), St. Joseph, Missouri; sister, Elizabeth “Liz” O’Roke, St. Joseph, Missouri; step-brother, Michael Danbury, Lenexa, Kansas; grandmothers, Rosalee O’Roke and Lavona Way; grandfather, Henry Way; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Services: 10:00 A.M. Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Blakely Cemetery. The family will receive friends 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Sunday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be made to the family to help defray funeral expenses. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Leola Mildred Espey
Maryville, Missouri

Leola Mildred Espey, 94, Maryville, Missouri, died Thursday, September 19, 2013, at Parkdale Manor Care Center, Maryville.

Leola was born April 25, 1919, in Maryville, Missouri to Herman and Mamie Ellen (Thompson) Mounts.

A 1937 graduate of Horace Mann High School, Maryville, Leola was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church, Maryville.

She married C. Durward Espey on November 26, 1948, in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Preceding Leola in death were her parents, husband Durward (November 10, 1979) and a sister Marie Mounts (October 6, 1994).

Survivors include daughter Karyn (Bill) Roach and son Donald Thomas “Tom” (Sandy) Espey, Maryville, two grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and two step-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 1:00-2:00 PM Monday, September 23, 2013, at Price Funeral Home, Maryville, prior to the funeral service which will be 2:00 PM.

Burial will follow in the Miriam Cemetery, Maryville.

Memorials may be made to the New Nodaway County Humane Society or the Maryville Public Library.

(www.pricefuneralhomemaryville.com)

U.L.Squire 88, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, passed away Thursday, September 19, 2013 at his home. He was born June 20, 1925 in St. Joseph, MO. He was married to Bertha (Reckard) Squire for 52 years, and she precedes him in death. He worked at Armour & Co. retiring after 40 years of service. He enjoyed gardening and his cats, and was a Baptist. U.L was preceded in death by wife, Bertha M. Squire, 2 son-in-laws, John Hurt and Ronald McCoy a sister, Lois Jane Pace of St. Joseph, MO. Survivors include, two daughters, Patricia McCoy, and Bessie Hurt of Saint Joseph, MO, a sister, Lois Jane Pace of St. Joseph, MO, four grandsons, Robert McCoy, Patrick McCoy, Michael McCoy, and James Shelton Finch, and six, great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 am, on Monday, September 23, 2013 at Rupp Funeral Home. Rev. Albert Shirley Officiating. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Sunday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Ashland Cemetery. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Darrell Gitchell
1918-2013

Darrell Gitchell, 95, St. Joseph, Missouri died Thursday, September 19, 2013 at his home.

He was born May 27, 1918 to Harry Alfred and Gladys Myrtle (Taylor) Gitchell.

Darrell married Beatrice Snipes on July 25, 1969. She preceded him in death on March 2, 2002.

Mr. Gitchell proudly served in the United States Air Force and was a veteran of World War II. He was a carpenter, truck driver, and later retired from the Burlington Railroad. He was also a former member of the American Legion Post #359 and was a Golden Glove in the Air Force for three years. Darrell enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; son, Gary; first wife Mary; grandson, Johnathon; brother, Orville; and sisters, Venus, Andrea, and Harriett

Survivors: daughters, Sherry Lynn, Gwendolyn (Robert), and Cheryl; ten grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services: 3:00 P.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory, where friends may call after 5:00 P.M. Friday. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to the American Cancer Society. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Alan Marshall Goodspeed
Maryville, Missouri

Alan Marshall Goodspeed, 65, Maryville, Missouri, died Wednesday, September 18, 2013, at his home in Maryville.

Alan was born June 23, 1948, in Columbia, Missouri to Arthur Thomas and Martha Gertrude Mumford Goodspeed.

Alan and Delma Jean Nickerson were married June 7, 1969, in Maryville.

A 1966 graduate of Maryville R-II High School, he was a farmer. Alan was a member of the First United Methodist Church and served on the Boards of Consumer Oil Company, United Producers and Soil and Water Conservation.

He was preceded in death by his mother Martha Goodspeed (December 17, 1989) and brother Ronald Goodspeed (June 22, 1983).

Alan is survived by his wife Delma Goodspeed, of the home in Maryville, son Will Goodspeed, Maryville; father Arthur Goodspeed, Maryville; brother Richard (Wanda) Goodspeed; two sisters: Carol (Jerry) Protzman and Karen (Denny) Dakan, all of Maryville; sister-in-law Fran Cupples, Fullerton, Nebraska, and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Goodspeed has been cremated.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, September 22, from 2:00-4:00 pm at Price Funeral Home, Maryville.

Funeral Services will be held at the Maryville First United Methodist Church on Monday, September 23, at 10:30 am. Inurnment will be in Miriam Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Maryville First United Methodist Church. (www.pricefuneralhomemaryville.com)

Mary Lois Gray
1929-2013

Mary Lois Gray, 83, St. Joseph, Missouri died Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at her home.

She was born November 29, 1929 to Roy and Bessie (Paden) George in Elwood, Kansas.

She married William H. Gray on December 17, 1948 in St. Joseph, Missouri. He preceded her in death on October 24, 1998.

Mary attended Benton High School and graduated from Sacred Heart in Omaha, Nebraska. She retired in 1992 as a Lab Technician from Anchor Serum Company, which was then renamed to Phillip’s Roxanne, then finally renamed to Boehringer Ingelheim.

She was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and the Retirees Golden Club at Boehringer Ingelheim.

Mary enjoyed travelling, spending time with her family and loved playing occasional card games.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Roy George, Jr., Wally, Jack, and Carl Carter; and sister, Margaret Crystal.

Survivors: daughters, Debra Dolman, St. Joseph, Missouri, Donna Liechti, St. Joseph, Missouri, and Teresa Jones (Ronnie), Dekalb, Missouri; grandchildren, Brandon Gray, St. Joseph, Missouri, Nathan Liechti, St. Joseph, Missouri, Matthew Liechti (Elizabeth), Platte City, Missouri, Sarah Meierhoffer (Scott), St. Joseph, Missouri, Molly Dolman, St. Joseph, Missouri, and Paige Lollar, Dekalb, Missouri; nine great- grandchildren; sister, Elizabeth Corman, LaMirada, California; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services: 10:00 A.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Inurnment Pleasant Ridge Cemetery at a later date. The family will receive friends 5:30 to 7:00 P.M. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. For those wishing to make a memorial contribution, the family requests they be made to St. Francis Xavier Catholich Church Building and Grounds Ministry. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.