Obituaries
Waunita Belle Moore
Dec 25, 2025
Waunita Belle (Riley) Moore passed away peacefully on December 25, 2025. Waunita was born in Halltown, MO, on November 25, 1934, to Leonard Elmer and Elsie Lucille (Jenkins) Riley, who preceded her in death.
Waunita graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1952. She attended Southwest Missouri State Teachers College (now Missouri State University) in Springfield, MO, and graduated from UMKC...
Barbara Joyce Turner
Dec 24, 2025
Barbara Joyce Turner (Bobbie), born on October 12, 1935, in Kansas City, Missouri, was a beloved figure whose vibrant spirit touched the lives of many. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on December 24, 2025, in Independence, Missouri, leaving behind a legacy of love and cherished memories.
Those fortunate enough to know her recognized that she was truly a...
Mary Jane Hayes
Dec 23, 2025
M. Jane Hayes, 82 of Blue Springs, MO passed away Tuesday December 23, 2025 at her residence. Cremation is planned with a memorial Mass pending date and times to be held at St. Mark Catholic Church with inurnment to follow in Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, MO.
Mary Jane Hayes was born in Macon, MO. on July 3, 1943 to...
William "Bill" Joseph Downey, II
Dec 22, 2025
William “Bill” Joseph Downey, II, age 89, passed away on December 22, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Bill was born in Kansas City, Missouri on July 7, 1936, he was the son to William Joseph Downey, Sr. and Genevieve Downey (Brown). The family moved to Independence, Mo. and Bill graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1954. He spent more than...
Clarence Milbert Stoll Jr.
Dec 20, 2025
Clarence Milbert Stoll Jr., a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on December 20, 2025, in Blue Springs, Missouri. Born on April 9, 1925, in Mayview, Missouri, to Clarence and Ethel (Carl) Stoll, Clarence lived a life rich in experiences and dedication to family, service, and faith.
Clarence grew up in Willow Springs, Texas County, where he attended school in...
Florence Esta Evans
Dec 18, 2025
Florence E. Evans, age 98, passed away peacefully on December 18, 2025. She was born on November 22, 1927, in Buffalo, Missouri.
Florence attended Southwest Missouri State University for one year before teaching in a one-room schoolhouse for a year. On February 8, 1941, she married Robert "Bob" R. Evans in Arkansas. Together they built a life rooted in faith,...
Gary Gail Cooper
Dec 17, 2025
Gary Gail Cooper, a man deeply woven into the tapestry of life, departed from this world on December 17, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri. Born on April 11, 1942, in Independence, Missouri, Gary's journey through life was marked by hard work, steadfast dedication, and a spirit that resonated with warmth, laughter, and a profound love for his family.
A diligent worker,...
Woodrow (Woody) Howell
Dec 16, 2025
Woodrow T. Howell
August 6, 1952 – December 16, 2025
Son of Jack Lightner Howell and Anna Louise (Payne) Howell, Woody was born in Independence Missouri. He is survived by his wife Marsha Howell and son Paul E Howell (June Ann) and granddaughter Anna Sue Alice Howell, his true love of life.
He is also survived by his sisters, Marilyn D. Danko and...
Brian Francis Middleton
Dec 13, 2025
Brian Francis Middleton of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, December 13, 2025. He was 65 years old. Brian was born on January 7, 1960 in Kansas City, Missouri, the second child of Helen and Bob Middleton. He had five siblings: Robin, Scott, Kirk, Heather, and Robin Renee.
After graduating from Blue Springs High School in 1978, he joined the...
Nina Joan Calvert
Dec 13, 2025
Nina Joan (Phipps) Calvert
Joan Calvert passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 13, 2025, surrounded by her family at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, MO. She was 93 years old.
Joan was born on October 10, 1932, to William and Nina Phipps in rural Barton County, MO. She was the eldest of five children. Joan graduated salutatorian from Lamar High School in...
Kenneth John Munsterman
Dec 12, 2025
Kenneth Munsterman passed away peacefully on December 12, 2025. Ken was born on September 18th, 1942 in Montrose, Missouri to Fred and Josephine (Cook) Munsterman.
He married Beverly Cornell and to this union were born four children.
Kenneth was a long-time Western Electric/Lucent Technologies/AT&T employee before retiring to be a full-time loving husband and Father/Grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his loving...
Zaylen Anthony Striplin-Hooks
Dec 10, 2025
Life’s Reflections
Zaylen Anthony Striplin Hooks passed away after two months of life. Though brief, Zaylen's time on this earth was filled with love and meaning, leaving an everlasting imprint on the hearts of family and loved ones.
Born to Dajae Striplin and ADarrius Hooks, Zaylen was deeply Cherished from the moment of birth. His presence, though short, brought profound joy, love,...
Mae Carol Stathas
Dec 10, 2025
Mae Carol Stathas, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2025, in Shawnee, Kansas, surrounded by love. Born on July 22, 1937, in St. Joseph, Missouri, Mae grew up to embody a spirit of kindness and warmth that she shared with everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
Throughout her life, Mae demonstrated an...
Edward L. Mueller, Jr.
Dec 9, 2025
Edward L. "Ed" Mueller, Jr., age 70 years, of Independence, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. Services for Ed will be private.
Georgia Mae Milam
Dec 9, 2025
Georgia Mae Milam, 91, of Independence, MO passed away peacefully at home on December 9th, 2025. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Kenneth M. Milam, and son Brian K. Milam. She is survived by her son Richard Milam, his wife Sherri, siblings, Dot Chadwick, Jean Hinken, and Bill Lawson, her long-time companion John Hupman, and her treasured...
Jessie May Borland
Dec 8, 2025
Jessie May Borland passed away peacefully on December 8, 2025 at home. Jessie was born May 26,1939 to Arthur and Dorothea Stewart.
She attended Central High School in Kansas City Missouri and graduated in 1957.
She married Jimmie Lane Borland Sr on August 30, 1958, and to this union were born 2 children Jimmie Jr in 1966 and Jan in 1967.
Jessie was...
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