Obituaries
Allen Simon Evans
Jan 17, 2026
Allen Simon Evans, age 89, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2026, in Overland Park, Kansas.
Born in Lead Hill, Arkansas, Allen spent most of his life in Independence, Missouri, where he built a life centered on family, faith, and hard work. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Donna Ruth Evans. Married for 68 years, Allen and Donna...
Ellen "Jake" Welch
Jan 15, 2026
SHE WAS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH. A SMART, FEISTY LADY WITH A RAZOR SHARP WIT. IF YOU MET HER YOU WOULD BE HARD PRESSED TO FORGET HER. JIMMY AND CHRISTINE (PACENKA) DUNCAN HAD A SHOE REPAIR JUST PAST THE ARMCO BRIDGE. SHE, HER BROTHER AND 3 SISTERS LIVED UPSTAIRS IN THE BACK OF THAT SHOP WHERE SHE WAS...
Rick Eugene Fullerton
Jan 14, 2026
Rick Eugene Fullerton, a beloved husband, father, and friend, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2026, at the age of 98, in Warrensburg, Missouri. Rick was born to Leonard and Ruth (Cooper) Fullerton on June 11, 1927, in Sedalia, Missouri.
After graduating from Smith Cotton High School, Rick entered the United States Army Air Corp and served his country for 2...
Billie Lea Fullerton
Jan 14, 2026
Billie Lea Fullerton, a beloved matriarch, passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, in Blue Springs, Missouri. Born on June 21, 1930, in Reed Springs, Missouri, Billie lived a life filled with love and laughter.
Billie graduated from Reed Springs High School. Over the years, she held a few jobs in the community. Most notable, For over 25 years, Billie served...
Jeannette R. Foster
Jan 13, 2026
Jeannette R. (Monteil) Foster, age 92, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2026.
Jeannette was born on October 20, 1933, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Edgar J. Monteil and Rose Mary Heimburger. She was the youngest of twelve siblings (all deceased). Jeannette worked in the banking field, where she met her husband Eugene "Gene" P. Foster (deceased). She retired from Commerce...
Richard Walter Dietz Jr.
Jan 13, 2026
Richard Walter DIETZ, Jr., was born on March 9, 1946 in Santa Fe, New Mexico in an Indian Hospital and died on January 13, 2026 in Independence, MO. Richard graduated from Benson High school, Omaha NE in 1964. He proudly served in the 172nd Transportation unit from the Omaha area in Vietnam. Richard was an avid pool shooter for many...
Norma Jean Lombardo
Jan 13, 2026
Norma Jean Miller Lombardo age 77, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on September 11, 1948 in Charleston, West Virgina to Ruby Mae Holley Miller and Earl Edwin Miller. She graduated Charleston High School in 1966. After high school she joined the Air Force where she served 2 years...
Russell Gene Still
Jan 13, 2026
Russell Gene Still, age 81 of Independence, Missouri passed away on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, peacefully at home surrounded by family. He was born on September 17,1944 to Russell and Doris (Leopold) Still, in Marceline, Missouri.
Gene graduated from Marceline High School in 1962. On November 25, 1967, he was united in marriage to Virginia (Thelen) Still in Marceline, Missouri. Gene...
Mary Madeline Huffman
Jan 12, 2026
Mary M. (Grayer) Huffman, 102, of Independence Missouri, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 12, 2026, at Blue Hills Rest Home.
Services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Speaks Suburban Chapel. Burial will be in Oak Ridge Memory Gardens. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Chapel.
Mary was born February...
Jerry Paul Rice
Jan 12, 2026
Jerry Paul Rice was called home on Monday, January 12, 2026. He was 91 years old. Jerry was born to Charlene and T.P. Rice on December 3, 1934, in Jefferson City, MO.
Jerry was a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, teacher, pastor, and dear friend. He married the love of his life, Winnie Kilpatrick, on June 22, 1962, and they spent...
Bertha Irene Jett
Jan 12, 2026
Bertha Irene Jett, a beloved matriarch, passed away on January 12, 2026, in Independence, Missouri, surrounded by love. Born on September 19, 1943, in Stover, Missouri, Bertha lived a life filled with warmth, kindness, and devotion to her family.
Bertha dedicated much of her life to her work as a housekeeper for The Groves. Her strong work ethic was matched only...
Patricia Ann Betteridge
Jan 12, 2026
Patricia Ann Kaiser Pummill Betteridge, 94, passed away on January 12th, 2026, at her home in Independence, Missouri.
Pat was born in California, Missouri on August 8th, 1931, to Golder and Esther Bernice (Neiderwimmer) Kaiser.
Pat was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Kansas City, Missouri.
Pat graduated from California High School in 1949, where she was active in music...
Larry Dale Burroughs
Jan 12, 2026
Larry Dale Burroughs passed away on January 12, 2026. Larry was born on August 24, 1965, in Independence, Missouri, to Larry W. and Sharon Burroughs.
He graduated from Truman High School in the class of 1983 and went on to college at Central Missouri State University, now known as the University of Central Missouri. He served his country in the United...
Robert "Bobby" Cummings
Jan 11, 2026
Robert "Bobby" Cummings, a beloved figure known for his vibrant personality, passed away on January 11, 2026, in Independence, Missouri. He was born on October 3, 1958, in Buchanan County, Missouri. Bobby’s spirit was as bright and lively as the music he cherished, and he will be remembered for both his feisty demeanor and his surprisingly sweet side.
Bobby was a...
Alice Mae Valdez
Jan 11, 2026
Alice Mae Valdez, born Maria Alicia Maestas on March 1, 1943 in Alcalde, New Mexico, peacefully passed away surrounded by family on the morning of January 11, 2026.
She was preceded in death by her parents Amarante and Agueda Maestas, siblings Nicomedas (Nick) Maestas, Juvencio (Hoover) Maestas, Jose Nelson Maestas, Flora Vialpando, Bob Maestas, Richard (Dickie) Maestas.
She is survived by her...
Katherine Louise "Kathy" Swayne
Jan 11, 2026
Katherine Louise Swayne, affectionately known as Kathy, embarked on her final journey on January 11, 2026, at the age of 68 in Lee's Summit, Missouri. Born on September 22, 1957, in Trenton, Missouri, to Charles Franklin Shockey and Veda Mae (Wood) Shockey, Kathy filled the world with laughter and light, establishing an enduring legacy of love and joy.
She navigated her...
Elizabeth Guadalupe "Betty" Orozco
Jan 10, 2026
Elizabeth Guadalupe "Betty" Orozco, age 43 years, of Raytown, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Betty was born on December 26, 1983, in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon, Mexico to Angel Manuel De Luna Villanueva and Patricia Hernandez Gonzalez. After moving to Missouri, she married Alberto Luis "Albert" Orozco and shared two beautiful sons together: Alberto Stefano...
Shirley Ann Bertsch
Jan 10, 2026
Shirley Ann Bertsch, born on August 20, 1943, in Parkston, South Dakota, grew up on her family’s farm. She attended a country school in Garfield Township before graduating from Parkston High School in 1961. After high school, she pursued an associate degree in business at Nettleton Business College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Shirley’s career began at Northwest National Bank, where...
Jeffery Reeves Vaughan
Jan 9, 2026
Jeffery Reeves Vaughan passed away peacefully on January 9, 2026, in his hometown of Independence, Missouri. Born on October 31, 1960, Jeff graced this world with his presence for 65 remarkable years.
A graduate of William Chrisman High School, Jeff furthered his education by taking courses at Northwest in Maryville. He dedicated his career to working as a pipefitter for Local...
Marion Francis Martin
Jan 9, 2026
Marion Francis Martin, 94 of Independence, MO passed away Friday morning, January 9, 2026 at the Villages of Jackson Creek. Cremation is planned with private graveside inurnment to be held at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, MO with full military honors.
Marion was born September 8, 1931 in Denver Colorado to William C. and Doris (Galbaugh) Martin and spent...
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