Obituaries

Local Obituaries

Kenneth Charles Vogel

Kenneth Charles Vogel

Jun 21, 2026

Kenneth Charles "Kenny" Vogel

Kenneth Charles "Kenny" Vogel, 55, of Independence, Missouri, passed away on Sunday, June 21, 2026, in the city where he was born and spent his life. Born on May 20, 1971, in Independence, Kenny's passing comes far too soon and leaves a void in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Kenny worked for many years...

Dale George Richardson

Dale George Richardson

Jun 21, 2026

Dale George Richardson, 66, of Independence, Missouri, passed away much too soon on June 21, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.

Born on December 7, 1959, in Fullerton, California, son to George and Jacqueline Richardson. Dale lived a life marked by hard work, devotion to family, and a passion for the simple joys that brought people together. He proudly...

Don E. Waddell

Don E. Waddell

Jun 20, 2026

Don Eugene Waddell, 95, passed away on June 20, 2026, in Clinton, Missouri. He was born on January 5, 1931, in Independence, Missouri.

Don attended William Chrisman High School, where he met the love of his life, Dorothy. The two were married on New Year's Eve in 1950 and shared nearly 60 wonderful years together before Dorothy's passing. Don dedicated more...

William Lewis Murphy

William Lewis Murphy

Jun 20, 2026

William Lewis “Bill” Murphy of Independence, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the age of 87 years. He was born on November, 4, 1938, in Bonne Terre, Missouri, to Floyd and Hazel (Dickemann) Murphy.

Bill found comfort in the peace and solace of the great outdoors. He enjoyed pheasant hunting and spending time at Tablerock lake fishing. He...

Kelley Lorraine Mead

Kelley Lorraine Mead

Jun 18, 2026

Kelley Lorraine Mead, age 64, of Buckner, Missouri, passed away on June 18th, 2026 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Kelley was born on December 13th, 1961 in Independence, Missouri to Lonzo Neil Simmons and Billie Simmons. She lived a life defined by love, compassion, and dedication to her family and friends. Her kindness, strength, and caring spirit touched the lives...

Obid Arlen Kilgore

Obid Arlen Kilgore

Jun 18, 2026

Obid Arlen Kilgore, 89, passed away on June 18, 2026.

Obid was born on January 18, 1937, in Parthenon, Arkansas, the son of Ray and Eula Kilgore. He graduated from Jasper High School, Jasper, AR, in 1954, and studied for one year at Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, MO. 

Obid married Chari Thurman on October 6, 1956, and to this union were born...

Carol A. O'Shaughnessy

Carol A. O'Shaughnessy

Jun 18, 2026

Carol A. O'Shaughnessy, born on December 25, 1950, in Mendon, Missouri, passed away peacefully on June 18, 2026, in Polo, Missouri. She graced this world with her presence for 75 remarkable years.

Carol earned an Associate's degree in criminology from MCC and devoted much of her professional life to serving as security personnel for Crown Center. Her career reflected her commitment...

Mason Patrick Jelsma

Mason Patrick Jelsma

Jun 17, 2026

Mason Patrick Jelsma, 8, of Blue Springs, passed away on June 17, 2026. He was born on July 11, 2017 in Blue Springs, Missouri to Patty Beemer and Shane Jelsma.

Though his time with us was brief, Mason brought so much joy and happiness to our family. He was known for his infectious smile, and indomitable spirit. Mason enjoyed fishing, basketball,...

Braedon Caldwell Nichols

Braedon Caldwell Nichols

Jun 17, 2026

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Braedon Caldwell Nichols on June 17, 2026, at the age of 20.

Born on April 16, 2006, Braedon brought joy, compassion, and energy to the lives of everyone who knew him. He graduated from Park Hill High School in 2024, where he excelled both academically and athletically. A passionate athlete,...

Stephen Raymond "Uncle Go Go" Kunkel

Stephen Raymond "Uncle Go Go" Kunkel

Jun 15, 2026

Stephen Raymond "Uncle Go Go" Kunkel, a man whose presence illuminated every room he entered with warmth, humor, and an unmistakable zest for life, passed away on June 15, 2026, in Independence, Missouri. Born on February 26, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois, Stephen lived a life deeply enriched by his unwavering dedication to family, his country, and the simple joys that...

Matthew Cole Swope

Matthew Cole Swope

Jun 14, 2026

Matthew Cole Swope, 39, of Independence, Missouri passed away on June 14, 2026, in a tragic plane crash near Butler, Missouri.

Born on September 5, 1986, he was the youngest son of Jerry and Dorcie Swope. Matthew graduated from Truman High School in 2005, received an associate’s degree in Gunsmithing from the Colorado School of Trades in 2009, and completed Centriq’s...

Michael F. Duffin

Michael F. Duffin

Jun 13, 2026

Michael F. Duffin, affectionately known as Mike, passed away peacefully on June 13, 2026, in Independence, Missouri. Born on April 18, 1938, in Clinton, Missouri, Mike lived a life marked by creativity, warmth, and a deep love of family and friends.

Mike attended Clinton High School. There he met the love of his life, Mary. They were married for 67 years....

Michael David LeFever

Michael David LeFever

Jun 10, 2026

Michael David LeFever, affectionately known as Mike, passed away on June 10, 2026, in Independence, Missouri, just three days shy of his 67th birthday. Born on June 13, 1959, in Kansas City, Missouri, Mike was a man whose life was defined by creativity, a sharp intellect, and a profound generosity of spirit.

Mike attended Newark High School in Newark, California, laying...

Kathy Jo Sullivan-Trader

Kathy Jo Sullivan-Trader

Jun 8, 2026

Kathy Jo Sullivan-Trader, beloved wife, mother, Mimi, and sister, passed away on June 8, 2026, in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. She was born on April 26, 1954, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Dennis and Jane (Davidson) Sullivan.

Kathy grew up in Independence and carried with her a lifelong love of family, music, dancing, reading, movies, good food, and a beautifully decorated home....

Susan Gail West

Susan Gail West

Jun 5, 2026

Susan Gail West, 70, of Independence, MO went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on June 5, 2026. Susan was born December 30, 1955 to James Holsworth and Elizabeth Highfill.

Susan graduated from William Chrisman in 1974. She began working as a teenager babysitting neighbors’ children, working at Resthaven, Independence Sanitarium & Hospital, the Neurological Clinic, Ryval,...

Marilyn Jane Timmons

Marilyn Jane Timmons

Jun 5, 2026

Marilyn Timmons was born December 20, 1943 in Kansas City, MO. She was the youngest of 11 children born to James and Dora Mae Medley. On June 5, 2026, she peacefully transitioned to Heaven from the comfort of family.

Marilyn grew up in Northeast Kansas City, and graduated from Central High School in 1962. Throughout her life she would often share...

Robert Lewis "Bob" Hunter

Robert Lewis "Bob" Hunter

Jun 4, 2026

Robert (Bob) Lewis Hunter. I was born in 1948. Son to Peggy and John, brother to Donna, Kathy, and Patty. I had a great childhood; boy scouts, baseball, and bikes.

I went to Van Horn High School, Class of '66. I volunteered for the draft in 1969. I flew helicopters in Vietnam; I did okay. I was killed in Vietnam and...

William Henry "Bill" Davison III

William Henry "Bill" Davison III

Jun 4, 2026

Bill passed away peacefully at his home in Independence, Missouri, on June 4, 2026, at the age of 83.

Bill was born on January 5, 1943, in Kansas City, Missouri, and spent his entire life in the Kansas City and Independence communities he loved. He graduated from East High School in 1961 and went on to serve his country in the...

Wilsie "Leon" Hubbard

Wilsie "Leon" Hubbard

Jun 3, 2026

Born on March 21, 1941, to Bertha and Wilsie Hubbard, Wilsie Leon Hubbard lived a full and fruitful 85 years, always keeping his priorities simple - faith, family, service to others, hard work, and plenty of fun and play.

Leon lived in El Dorado Springs, Missouri, until the family moved to Kansas City in 1956. He went to Westport High School...

Jason Daniel Busick

Jason Daniel Busick

Jun 2, 2026

Jason Daniel Busick, a man of quiet strength and unwavering love, passed away much too soon on June 2, 2026, in Blue Springs, Missouri. Born on February 19, 1986, in Kansas City, Missouri, Jason lived a life marked by simplicity, kindness, and deep devotion to those he held dear.

A graduate of Blue Springs High School, Jason embraced life with a...

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