Obituaries

Local Obituaries

Clarence Milbert Stoll Jr.

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...

Cynthia June Thomas

Cynthia June Thomas

Dec 20, 2025

Cynthia June Thomas, lovingly known as Cindy, passed away on December 20, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Cindy was born on May 16, 1960, in Independence, Missouri, to Delbert Bennett and June (West) Bennett. She graduated from Truman High School with the Class of 1978.

Following graduation, Cindy began a dedicated career with the United States Postal Service, where she worked for...

Norma Ann Dexter

Norma Ann Dexter

Dec 18, 2025

Norma A. Dexter, 90 of Blue Springs, Missouri passed away December 18 surrounded by her family at Benton House of Blue Springs. Norma was Born June 12, 1935, at a farm in Raytown to Norman Cranmer and Marie Davidson Cranmer.

Norma lost her father at the age of 9 and lived with her mother on her grandfather's Walnut Grove Dairy Farm....

Florence Esta Evans

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

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

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...

Norma Dean Hanthorn

Norma Dean Hanthorn

Dec 15, 2025

Norma Dean Hanthorn, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister, passed away on December 15, 2025, in Independence, Missouri, surrounded by love. Born on September 7, 1945, in Kansas City, Missouri, Norma touched the lives of many during her time on this earth.

A woman of nurturing spirit, Norma was known for her sweet demeanor and her love of cooking, always ensuring...

Brian Francis Middleton

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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...

Carol Ann Zelk

Carol Ann Zelk

Dec 7, 2025

Carol Ann (Miller) Zelk, 2/5/35 - Independence, MO, 12/7/25 - Independence, MO. Worked as an executive assistant for the Council of Twelve at the Community of Christ Church for 17 years in Independence, MO. Served as an officer in the Young Matrons, Independence Hospital Auxiliary, Community Service League, American Red Cross Eastern Jackson County Board, Board of Directors of her...

Judy Kay Franks

Judy Kay Franks

Dec 6, 2025

Judy Kay (Carlton) Franks, 81, of Buckner, MO passed away on December 6, 2025, at the Blue Springs Wellness Center. A visitation will be held from 10-11am on Friday, December 12th at the First Baptist Church of Buckner. Her funeral service will begin at 11am with burial to follow at Buckner Hill Cemetery. 

Judy was born on September 16, 1944, in...

Richard Lee Bennett

Richard Lee Bennett

Dec 6, 2025

Richard Lee Bennett passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on December 6, 2025. He was born in Trenton MO on Aug 22, 1937, to Russell Bennett and Florence Campbell Bennett. Although the family moved to Kansas City when Richard was young, he always considered Trenton his home.

Richard graduated from Blue Springs High School in 1954 and immediately enlisted...

Kathie Anne Jordan

Kathie Anne Jordan

Dec 5, 2025

Kathie was born to Alice (1919–1966) and Charles (1917–1985) on March 13, 1946, in New York City. She grew up in the city with her sister Joanne and her close friend Linda (1946–2025). She spent summers in Connecticut working as a camp counselor. Kathie attended the High School of Art and Design, but before graduating, her father was reassigned in...

Donna Rae Skouse

Donna Rae Skouse

Dec 4, 2025

Our beloved wife, mom, and grandma passed away peacefully at home on December 4, 2025, surrounded by her family. Donna was a naturally loving and gracious woman who devoted her life to caring for others. From her family to her patients, her friends to her church community—and even perfect strangers—if someone needed nurturing, Donna was there.

Donna was born on June...

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