Obituaries

Jewel Mae Smith

Jewel Mae Smith

Jul 14, 2025

Jewel Mae Smith, 70, of El Dorado Springs, MO, passed away on July 14, 2025, at University Hospital in Columbia, MO. Jewel was born on November 18, 1954, to Lloyd and Annabell Smith.

Jewel graduated from Fort Osage High School in 1973 and was united in marriage to Roger K. Smith. From this union, a daughter and son were born: Andrea...

Judith Gayle Varalli

Judith Gayle Varalli

Jul 13, 2025

Judith Gayle Barwise was born in Independence, Missouri on March 29th, 1947 to her parents Kennett Barwise and Evelyn Barwise in Independence, Missouri. She had two brothers - Bradford who currently lives in Tennessee and Jon died in 2002.

Judith attended East High School in Kansas City Missouri and graduated in 1965. She then attended Graceland College in Iowa and graduated...

Mary Katherine Wheaton

Mary Katherine Wheaton

Jul 12, 2025

Mary Katherine Wheaton was born on December 13, 1944, in Kansas City, Missouri. She passed away on July 12, 2025, in Lee's Summit, Missouri, surrounded by the memories of a life richly lived and the hearts she touched. Her spirit was undeniably vibrant; she was so full of love and life that those fortunate enough to know her were enveloped...

Alberta C. Dinsmore

Alberta C. Dinsmore

Jul 12, 2025

Alberta C. Dinsmore passed away on July 12 at the age of 85. She was born on November 8, 1939, the first of twin girls, to Robert and Velma (Hawkins) Cowsert. After the divorce of her parents, Robert married Helen Berrier who became “Mom” to Alberta.

Alberta attended several elementary schools, Junior High School in Urich, MO then 2 years at...

David Wesley Bailey

David Wesley Bailey

Jul 9, 2025

David Wesley Bailey, 78 of Independence, MO passed away Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at Centerpoint Medical Center. Cremation is planned with a memorial service to be held starting with visitation at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025 at the Speaks Suburban Chapel (18020 39th St., Independence, Mo). Art Endsley, Pastor will begin the memorial service at 11:30. The family...

Anna Mae Young

Anna Mae Young

Jul 9, 2025

Anna (Ann) Mae Young a long-time resident of Independence, MO passed away July 9, 2025. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 14, 2025 at the Messiah Lutheran Church with burial to follow in Woodlawn Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time Monday at the church. Ann requested donations to Messiah Lutheran Church...

Chadd Conyers

Chadd Conyers

Jul 7, 2025

Chadd Conyers

July 27, 1938-July 7, 2025

Matthew 22:35-39: One of them, an expert in the law, tested Jesus with this question, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second...

James Richard Pastena, Sr.

James Richard Pastena, Sr.

Jul 7, 2025

James Richard Pastena, Sr., affectionately known as Jim, passed away on July 7, 2025, in Lee's Summit, Missouri, at the age of 83.

Born on August 5, 1941, in East Orange, New Jersey. A hard worker and devoted provider, Jim spent an impressive 42 years with Honeywell before his well-deserved retirement. His steadfast commitment to excellence defined his professional life, earning...

Bobby Dean Upton

Bobby Dean Upton

Jul 6, 2025

Bobby Dean Upton, 93, passed away at Centerpoint Hospital in Independence, Missouri, on Sunday, July 6, 2025. His mind stayed sharp to the very end, and he worked hard to keep his body strong, continuing his exercises and trips to the gym while caring for Mom until she passed in 2022. In the last few years, his body gradually slowed...

Lois Iona Lewis

Lois Iona Lewis

Jul 6, 2025

Lois Iona Lewis 101, a resident of Plattsburg, MO since 2005, passed away Sunday, July 6, 2025 at Oak Ridge of Plattsburg where she has been a resident since 2021. Services will be 11:00 am Friday, July 11, 2025 at the Carson-Speaks Chapel with burial to follow in Mt. Washington Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 10:00 a.m., until...

Phyllis Marie Hanes

Phyllis Marie Hanes

Jul 5, 2025

Phyllis Marie (Duncan) Hanes passed away peacefully on July 5, 2025. Phyllis was born on March 4, 1936 to James Patrick Duncan, Sr. and Christine Marie (Pecenka) Duncan. Phyllis was the youngest of 5 siblings. She attended Kansas City Public Schools and graduated from Central High School where she played field hockey and was a member of the Olympian Society....

Alice "Elaine" High

Alice "Elaine" High

Jul 5, 2025

Alice "Elaine" High, passed away on July 5, 2025, at the age of 89 in Blue Springs, Missouri. Born on January 9, 1936, in El Dorado Springs, Missouri, Elaine was a devoted homemaker whose life was filled with love for her family, and whose hobbies included gardening, avid reading, and passionately cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs.

Elaine's pride and joy...

James Robert Signer

James Robert Signer

Jul 4, 2025

James Robert Signer passed away peacefully on July 4, 2025. Jim was born on September 13, 1933 in Ironton, Missouri to John and Virginia (Sens) Signer.

He graduated from Ironton High School in the class of 1951 continuing on to graduate from University of Missouri with a BS in Statistics in 1955.

He married his college sweetheart Margot and to this union...

Sherry Lynn Hutchison

Sherry Lynn Hutchison

Jul 4, 2025

Sherry Lynn Hutchison, born on February 15, 1950, in Boicourt, Kansas, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2025, in Independence, Missouri. She was 75 years old.

Sherry dedicated over 12 years of her professional life to Blue Cross Blue Shield, where she served as a microfilm operator. She was respected for her work ethic and friendly demeanor. After Blue Cross Blue...

Mary Ann Blasko

Mary Ann Blasko

Jul 3, 2025

Mary Ann Blasko passed away peacefully on July 3, 2025. Mary Ann was born on February 9, 1953, in Cleveland, Ohio to Joseph and Rita (Nemecek) Blasko. 

She graduated from Nazareth Academy and went on to The University of Akron where she performed as a pianist and received a Bachelors Degree in music. She went to Cleveland State University for post-doctoral...

Martha Kathryn Tuhy

Martha Kathryn Tuhy

Jul 2, 2025

Martha Kathryn "Kathy" Tuhy, 72, of Independence, Missouri, passed away on July 2, 2025. Born on August 19, 1952, in Independence, Kathy spent her life as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, cherishing her family above all else.

Kathy was known for her warmth, kindness, and unwavering dedication to those she loved. She built a beautiful life centered on family,...

David Russell Overfelt

David Russell Overfelt

Jun 29, 2025

David Russell Overfelt, 62 of Warsaw, MO passed away Sunday, June 29, 2025 at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 3, 2025 at the Speaks Suburban Chapel with burial to follow in Oak Ridge Memory Gardens. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday evening, July 2, 2025...

Jane Marie Richards

Jane Marie Richards

Jun 29, 2025

Jane Marie Richards, born Jane Marie Crosby on July 2, 1943, in Lansing, Kansas, to Hugh and Pansy Crosby, passed on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at the age of 81. Jane is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Thomas Parker Richards, who passed earlier this year. Jane and Tom have three surviving children, Paul, Ann, and Aaron...

Jeffery "Jeff" Eugene Stevenson

Jeffery "Jeff" Eugene Stevenson

Jun 27, 2025

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Jeffery “Jeff” Eugene Stevenson, from Independence, Missouri who left us on Friday June 27th, 2025 at the age of 64 after his battle with ALS.

Jeff was born on September 2nd, 1960 to Ethel Louise Brown Stevenson and Joseph Everett Stevenson Sr. He was a devoted husband,...

Donna Nelle Kish

Donna Nelle Kish

Jun 27, 2025

Donna Nelle Kish, a beloved mother and cherished community member, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2025, in Lee's Summit, Missouri, surrounded by love, she was on October 10, 1936, In Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Donna was raised in Independence, Missouri where her life journey began in a vibrant community where she would later leave a meaningful mark.

After graduating from William...