Obituaries
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...
Marvin Maynard Case
Feb 22, 2026
Marvin Maynard Case left this life on February 22, 2026. He was born in Cameron, MO to Maynard & Bertha Case, on February 17, 1930. He walked this earth for 96 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Robert, and his beloved wife, Edith, of nearly 73 years. Marvin is survived by his sister Mary, 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,...
Ronald Lee Clubine
Feb 21, 2026
Ronald Lee Clubine, 88, of Richmond, Missouri, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2026. He was born on February 28, 1937, in northeastern Missouri.
In 1957, Ronald married his wife, Barbara June Brooks. Together they raised their three boys on their family farm in Sibley, Missouri, where they lived most of their lives. The farm was more than just home —...
Rita Ann Lindsey
Feb 19, 2026
Rita Ann (Thurman) Lindsey, age 94, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2026. Born on January 17, 1932, in Independence, Missouri, she was the youngest of nine children to Earl and Martha Thurman. Raised on a farm near the Independence town square, Rita's early years were filled with the values of hard work and family that would define her life.A...
James H. Harter
Feb 19, 2026
James (Jim) Hubert Harter, born on November 21, 1942, in Independence, Missouri, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2026, leaving behind a legacy rooted in hard work, humor, love, and the simple joys of a life well lived.
Jim grew up on the family farm, a backdrop that shaped his character for the rest of his life. The values he learned...
Roger William Sullivan
Feb 18, 2026
Roger William Sullivan was born in Buffalo New York, on June 1, 1933, to parents William and Jean Sullivan. Roger had three younger siblings, Jim, Betty Jean, and Joni. Roger was a veteran in the US Army and served during the Korean War. On June 30, 1956, he married Barbara Anne Bopst. Roger and Barbara had two daughters, Tammy Sullivan,...
Olive Thomasina Campbell
Feb 18, 2026
Olive Thomasina (“Tommye”) Ring Campbell, 94, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, editor, romance novelist, and community activist, died February 18, 2026, at the Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri.
Mrs. Campbell was born June 2, 1931, in Winston-Salem, NC, to the late Thomas Hilary and Olive Johnson Ring. Sisters Elizabeth (Betty) Morris, Ida Vaughn Ring, and Nancy Pierson predeceased her.
After graduating with...
Helen Lorene Akers
Feb 18, 2026
Helen Lorene (Helmick), Akers, 97, of Independence, MO, passed away February 18, 2026, in Sedalia, MO.
An only child, Helen was born May 31, 1928, in Turney, MO. Over the course of her life she came to be the dedicated homemaker whose devotion and attention to family and friends made her loved and cherished by all of those around her.
In her...
Charles Henry Harmon III
Feb 18, 2026
Charles H. Harmon III suffered a heart attack and passed away on February 18, 2026, at the age of 63. His passing leaves a profound void in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
Born on October 30, 1962, Charlie lived a life marked by generosity, loyalty, and a deep devotion to his friends and family. He was the...
Yong Ae Herndon
Feb 18, 2026
Yong Ae Herndon, age 86, passed away on February 18th, 2026 in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, surrounded by friends and loved ones.
Yong Ae was born in Seoul, South Korea on October 10th, 1939, and made the decision to immigrate to the United States in the late 1960s. Though the life of an immigrant wasn’t easy, she faced the challenges ahead of...
Romana Maria Warner
Feb 17, 2026
Romana Maria Warner, age 88 years, of Independence, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM with a funeral service to follow at 10:00 AM at Speaks Suburban Chapel, located at 18020 E 39th St S, Independence, Missouri, 64055. A graveside service will...
Jeffrey Bruce "Jeff" Burns
Feb 17, 2026
Jeffrey Bruce Burns passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on February 17, 2026 at Saint Luke’s Hospice House, after a lengthy battle with congestive heart failure. He was born on May 6, 1958 to Daniel Bernard and Joan Elizabeth (Elkins) Burns in Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated from Raymore-Peculiar High School in 1977. He went to work for Kansas...
Deborah "Deb" Ann Klumpp
Feb 16, 2026
Deborah Ann Klumpp, lovingly known as "Deb," passed away on February 16, 2026, in Lee's Summit, Missouri, at the age of 69. Born on September 9, 1956, in Storm Lake, Iowa, Deb was a bright light whose selfless nature and kind spirit touched the lives of everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
Her adventurous soul was evident in the...
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