Obituaries
Helen "Alyce" Lohr
Mar 4, 2026
Helen “Alyce” Lohr, 92, of Lees Summit, Missouri passed away March 4, 2026 following a lengthy illness. Alyce was born November 28, 1933, the second of seven children, born to Lee & Helen Lucas in Taylor County (SW) Iowa. Her family purchased a farm in Wayne County (SC) Iowa in 1946 where she went to school and graduated as valedictorian...
Wanda Jean Bressman
Mar 4, 2026
Wanda Jean Bressman, 95, Independence, died at her home.
Born November 5, 1930, in Napoleon, she was the daughter of Burley and Thelma Bates Shipman.
On September 25, 1948, she married Floyd Clyde Bressman.
Wanda is survived by: daughters, Gloria Maupin (Doug) and Patricia Kritzer and daughter-in-law, Debi Bressman, and son, Gary (Sandra); ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death...
Brandon Kent Lauer
Mar 2, 2026
Brandon Kent Lauer passed away unexpectedly on March 2, 2026, at the age of 31. Born on January 23, 1995, in Blue Springs, Missouri, Brandon left a lasting impression on the lives he touched through his kind-hearted nature and infectious smile.
Brandon's culinary journey flourished as he worked as a chef at Jack Stack Barbecue for the past decade. His passion...
Juanita Wells
Mar 2, 2026
Juanita Elizabeth Wells was born on August 4th, 1929, in Topeka, Kansas. A couple of months later, the great depression would hit. Times being extremely hard, Juanita was placed in an orphanage. At an early age, Juanita was adopted by William and Maude Murphy of Kansas City, Missouri.
She graduated from East High School in 1948. It was at East High...
Nancy Elizabeth Fleming
Mar 1, 2026
Nancy Elizabeth Fleming, 74, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with congestive heart failure.
Nancy was born on November 9, 1952, to Clemens Eugene Recker and Etta Merle Recker. She grew up in Missouri and graduated from Lee’s Summit High School in 1971. After high school, Nancy attended nursing school at Jackson County Hospital, graduating in 1976 and going on...
Wayne L. Burmahl
Mar 1, 2026
Wayne Lester Burmahl of Independence, Missouri, passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2026 at the age of 97 joining his beloved wife in the presence of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Wayne was born on February 6, 1929 in Maquoketa, Iowa, to Henry Burmahl, Jr. and Mabel Lieneman Burmahl and he was raised there by his mother. In 1943...
Christine Anne Cromley
Mar 1, 2026
Christine Anne Cromley, 77 of Lee’s Summit, MO passed Sunday, March 1, 2026 at Lee’s Summit Medical Center. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at the St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 700 NE Chipman Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO 64063. Burial will follow at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville. The...
Mary Elizabeth Harris
Mar 1, 2026
Mary Elizabeth Harris (Cochran)
December 26, 1960 – March 1, 2026
Mary Elizabeth (Cochran) Harris, 65, of Independence, Missouri, passed away Sunday, March 1, 2026, at her home.
Liz was born December 26, 1960, in Kansas City, Missouri to Sherrill Ann (Beil) Cochran and Thomas Dean Cochran. She grew up in Independence, Missouri and graduated from Truman High School in 1979. She went...
Erma "Louise" Mershon
Feb 28, 2026
Erma “Louise” Mershon, 95, of Buckner, Missouri, passed away peacefully on February 28, 2026 surrounded by family.
Born on April 3, 1930, Louise was the fifth of Harry and Thelmae Hamilton’s six children. Louise had many fond memories of her years at Halls Memorial High School, playing basketball, serving on the yearbook staff, participating in student government, and dating Jerry Mershon. Louise and Jerry were...
Frances Ellene Stoecklein
Feb 27, 2026
Frances Ellene Stoecklein passed away peacefully on February 27, 2026. Fran was born on September 22, 1935, in Independence, Missouri to George and Mary (Boutte) Van Maele.
She attended St. Mary’s High School in the class of 1953 and graduated from CMSU in 1956 with a BS in Education.
Frances married Melvin Stoecklein on June 20,1959, and to this union were born...
Albert "Virgil" Rudd Jr.
Feb 26, 2026
Albert “Virgil” Rudd, known to family and friends as Virgil or Al, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2026.
Albert was born on April 23, 1931, in Independence, MO, to Albert V. Rudd Sr. and Silva Jane Bressie Rudd. He attended and graduated from William Chrisman High School with the Class of 1949. After graduation he enlisted in the United States...
Norma Jean Lorance
Feb 26, 2026
Norma Jean Lorance (Ginn), 91, of Lenexa, Kansas, passed away on February 26, 2026. Norma was born on January 13, 1935, to Charley and Velma (Helm) Ginn in Independence, Missouri.
After graduating from William Chrisman High School, Norma dedicated most of her professional life to BKPG & Tax, where she found not only employment but a sense of purpose. Norma was...
Michael Dewayne "Mike" Vickrey
Feb 25, 2026
Michael Dewayne "Mike" Vickrey, born on January 11, 1969, in Kansas City, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly on February 25, 2026, in Durant, Oklahoma. Mike was known for his hard work, kindness, and ability to bring joy to those around him.
Throughout his life, Mike dedicated himself to his career, primarily as a heavy machine operator, and most recently, he embraced the...
James Eza Hill
Feb 24, 2026
James Eza Hill, 66, was born on September 21, 1959 in Independence, Missouri. He passed away on February 24, 2026. Throughout his life, ‘Jay’ as he preferred being called, was a kind and loving brother. Jay loved life. Jay loved people.
Jay completed his GED and joined the Navy in 1977. Serving as a CB, in one of the Navy’s specialized...
Joseph Edward Halastik
Feb 24, 2026
Joseph Edward Halastik, 71, born in 1954 and raised in Sugar Creek, passed away on February 24, 2026, after a long illness. He owned and operated Halastik Trucking before retiring in his 40's. After retirement, he fulfilled a lifelong dream by purchasing his farm in Ridgeway, Missouri, where he became a cattle rancher.
Joe later returned to Sugar Creek, where he...
Kenneth "Kenny" A. Heermann
Feb 23, 2026
Kenneth Allen Heermann, of Independence, Missouri, passed away peacefully on February 23rd, 2026. He was born on October 6th, 1948 to Wilfred and Betty (Wehking) Heermann in Higginsville, Missouri. He was a Vietnam veteran and a member of the U.S. Navy as a yeoman on the USS Vernon County (LST-1161.) Following his service in the U.S. Navy, he began his...
Mary Ellen Swift
Feb 22, 2026
Mary Ellen Swift passed away on February 22, 2026, in Independence, Missouri at the young age of 45. Born on July 22, 1980, in Kansas City, Missouri, Mary grew up Lathrop, where she graduated from Lathrop High School.
Her journey took her from the Midwest to the Virgin Islands, where on a whim, she embarked on a new adventure with friends,...
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