Obituaries
Forrest Gene Harrison
Jun 4, 2025
Forrest Gene Harrison
October 5, 1938 – June 4, 2025
Lifelong resident of Independence, Missouri
With heartfelt sadness, we announce the passing of Forrest Gene Harrison, who left this world peacefully on June 4, 2025, at the age of 86. Born October 5, 1938, in Tuscumbia, Missouri, Forrest lived a full and vibrant life rooted in hard work, devotion to family, and strength....
Thomas Eugene Kuzila, Sr.
Jun 3, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Thomas “Tom” Eugene Kuzila, Sr. on June 3, 2025, in Independence, Missouri. Born on December 21, 1936, in Kansas City, Kansas, Tom graced this world for nearly 89 years, leaving behind a legacy of love and kindness that will endure in the hearts of all who knew him.
A proud...
Theresa Calovich
Jun 2, 2025
Theresa Calovich, 91 of Independence, MO passed away Monday, June 2, 2025 at Centerpoint Medical Center. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 6, 2025 at St. Mark Catholic Church, 3736 S. Lees Summit Rd., Independence, MO 64055 with burial to follow in Mound Grove Cemetery. A rosary will be recited at 9:00 a.m., Friday followed by...
Belva Jean Klubek
Jun 1, 2025
Belva Jean Klubek, 76 of Grain Valley, MO passed away Sunday, June 1, 2025 at her residence. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at the Speaks Suburban Chapel with burial to follow in Floral Hills Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 9:00 a.m., until service time Tuesday at the chapel. Belva was born...
Willard Eugene Ruggles
May 31, 2025
Willard Eugene Ruggles passed away unexpectedly on May 31, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born on December 11, 1960, in Peoria, Illinois to Roger Ellison and Donna Mae (Hughes) Ruggles.
For over 22 years, Willard worked as a maintenance repair worker at Space Center, now known as Link Industries. He was known for his strong work ethic and his...
Bonnie Jean Evilsizer
May 28, 2025
Bonnie Jean Evilsizer, 77 of Buckner, MO passed away on May 28, 2025. A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, June 7th at 1pm to 2pm with services following at 2pm at Speaks Buckner Chapel, 300 Adams, Buckner, MO 64016.
Bonnie was born February 6, 1948 in Napoleon, MO to Alden and Wathena (Ireland) Smith. Bonnie completed the 11th grade...
Ronald Ernest Meinheit
May 27, 2025
While looking over the cards dealt to him for a game he had played many times before, Ronald (Ron) Ernest Meinheit would usually claim he didn’t remember how to play.
His son, Andrew Meinheit, said, “Dad would look really closely at his cards, exclaim about how he couldn’t possibly win this, then the next round he would complete the phase, by...
Jeremy Chad Wynne
May 25, 2025
Jeremy Chad Wynne, of Lee’s Summit, MO, adored son and loyal KC sports fan, passed away far too soon on May 25, 2025, after a short illness. He was 39.
Jeremy was born on November 30, 1985, in Kansas City, MO to Steve and Terri (Williams) Wynne.
As a child, Jeremy lived on his bicycle, became a fish when in water and...
Lorine Ella Ida Ballew
May 25, 2025
Lorine E. Ballew passed away peacefully on May 25, 2025. Lorine was born on October 28, 1933 in Concordia, Missouri to Robert and Laura Hillebrenner (Laura Wolters).
She graduated from Sweet Springs High School in Sweet Springs, MO with the class of 1952. She married Howard E. Ballew on June 13, 1950, and together had son, Ricky, son, David, and daughter,...
Samantha Jay Littles
May 24, 2025
Samantha Jay Littles, born on December 2, 1982, in Kansas, left this world tragically and much too soon on May 24, 2025, in Blue Springs. Samantha, affectionately known for her outgoing personality and vibrant spirit, touched the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her. She was a beloved daughter, mother, sister, and friend, whose life was marked...
Wilma L. Tosatto
May 24, 2025
Wilma Lucille Tosatto, a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend, peacefully departed this world on May 24, 2025, in Independence, Missouri, at the age of 101. Born on June 21, 1923, in Plad, Missouri, Wilma embraced life with an open heart, leaving a legacy of love and kindness that will forever resonate within the hearts of those who knew...
Patricia Joan Sims
May 23, 2025
Patricia Joan Sims, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on May 23, 2025, in Independence, Missouri. Born on May 15, 1952, Patricia grew up in the heart of Missouri, where she blossomed into a fun and loving person whose warmth and spirit touched everyone around her.
Patricia dedicated much of her life to her career as an administrative professional,...
James Edward Taylor
May 23, 2025
James Edward "Jim" Taylor, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away on May 23, 2025, in Kansas City, Kansas, at the age of 71. He was born on September 27, 1953, in Victoria, Texas, to David and Irene Taylor.
Jim dedicated over 30 years of his life as a millwright at Owens Corning Fiberglass, a role that...
Mildred Ann Huntoon
May 21, 2025
Mildred A. Huntoon, age 93 years, passed away on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. Mildred was born on May 3, 1932 in Kansas City, Missouri to Emil and Martha (Wolkey) Pfeiffer. She graduated from Central High School in the Class of 1949.
Mildred married Charles J. Huntoon on September 3, 1949. Mildred was a loving wife, mother, and...
Reatha Nixon Johnson
May 21, 2025
Reatha Nixon Johnson, 97, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2025.
Reatha was born in 1928 to Francis and Elizabeth Nixon. She was born and raised in Hays and Ogallah, Kansas. She moved to Independence, Missouri, where she married Russell Johnson, her beloved husband. They made their home in Independence, Missouri. Reatha was a proud mother and...
James Edward Evans
May 19, 2025
James Edward Evans, 86, of Independence, Missouri, passed away on Monday, May 19, 2025, at Cross Creek Memory Care in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
Jim was born in Wolcott, Kansas to Link and Pebble (née Palmer) Evans and raised in Independence, Missouri where he lived his entire life until this last year. He had many fond childhood memories of growing up in...
Alexander "Alex" Franco
May 17, 2025
Alexander Franco, 57, of Independence, MO passed away May 17, 2025. Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 27 from 6:00 to 8:00 with Rosary being said at 5:30 at Speaks Funeral Home, 18020 East 39th Street S. Independence, MO. Funeral will be on Wednesday, May 28 at Noon at Nativity of Mary Catholic Church 10021 E. 36th Terrace S Independence,...
Gary N. Baker
May 17, 2025
It is with great sadness that the family of Gary Baker report his sudden passing on May 17, 2025. Gary Baker was born August 23, 1946, in Butler, Missouri. As a toddler he moved to Columbia, Missouri, where he grew up with his parents and older brother and younger sister. He often commented on what a good life and upbringing...
Edward Clark
May 16, 2025
Edward "Ed" Clark, a man of many talents and an indelible mark on the hearts of those who knew him, passed away on May 16, 2025, in Jackson County, Missouri, at the age of 78. Born on April 24, 1947, in Kansas City, Ed was a spirit as vibrant as the city itself, possessing a unique blend of charisma and...
Clinton Dean Hunt
May 16, 2025
Clinton Dean Hunt, 53 of Independence, MO passed away Friday, May 16, 2025 at St. Luke’s Hospital on the Plaza. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 22, 2025 at the Speaks Suburban Chapel with burial to follow at Six-Mile Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 1:00 p.m., until service time Thursday at the chapel. Clinton...
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