Obituaries
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...
Christopher Daniel Laitner
Jan 9, 2026
Christopher “Dan” Daniel Laitner, peacefully departed this world on January 9, 2026, at the age of 78, surrounded by love. Dan was born on March 13, 1947, to William “Bill” and Louise (Heins) Laitner in Carrollton, Missouri.
A proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Dan enlisted in early 1967 serving in Japan and Korea working with the F4 Phantom II....
Marilyn Hollis Coe
Jan 9, 2026
Marilyn Hollis Coe (Moore), a beloved matriarch and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2026, in Independence, Missouri, surrounded by love. Born on February 16, 1934, in Ludlow, Missouri, Marilyn epitomized the essence of family devotion and selfless service throughout her life.
Marilyn had many adventures in life. She embraced each day with a spirit of warmth and a...
Carol Lee Smith
Jan 8, 2026
Carol Lee (Duncan) Smith, born October 19, 1938, passed away January 8, 2026. She was 87 years of age.
Carol graduated from Fort Osage High School in 1956. On September 7, 1958, she married Edwin O. Smith. Carol is a member of the Buckner Restoration Branch.
She was preceded in death by her parents, E.C. and Vera (Chiles) Duncan, and her granddaughters,...
Wilma Esther Kleuver
Jan 8, 2026
Wilma Esther (Hamilton) Kleuver
April 7, 1932 - January 8, 2026
Garland, KS - Kansas City, MO
93 years old
Wilma was born in Garland, KS. She attended primary classes in a one room schoolhouse. After graduation, she lived in Fort Scott, KS; Santa Monica, CA; Garland TX; Independence MO; Kansas City, MO.
Career and Achievements
She worked for Sears, Roebuck & Co and enjoyed an...
Marilyn Ruth Umsted
Jan 8, 2026
Marilyn Ruth Umsted passed away peacefully on January 8, 2026 at Cedarhurst Senior Living of Blue Springs.
Marilyn was born to parents Nels and Ruth Schill on January 12, 1933 in Callender, IA. She graduated in 1950 from Harcourt High School in Iowa where she was top of her class and a standout basketball player.
She married Roger Umsted in 1951. They...
Ricardo Vasquez Sr.
Jan 7, 2026
Ricardo Vasquez Sr., age 73 years, passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at home in Pleasant Valley, Missouri.
Ricardo will be known for his love of music. He created a band called "Mixed Emotions," and was the lead singer.
Ricardo is survived by his former wife, Mary Vasquez; son, Ricard Vasquez Jr.; grandson, Troy Vasquez; brother, Phillip Vasquez; sister, Salvida Livers...
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