Obituaries
Mary Margaret Ford
Mar 31, 2026
Mary Margaret Ford, née Cowherd, passed away on March 31, 2026 at the age of 94. Born March 15, 1932, in Sedalia, Missouri, Mary lived a long, full life marked by strong opinions, deep loyalty, and a spirit that never quite learned how to sit quietly in the corner.
Mary was a dedicated educator for more than 30 years, spending most...
Jennifer Lynn "Jen" Duerr
Mar 30, 2026
Jennifer Lynn Duerr, affectionately known to family and friends as Jen, passed away on March 30, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri. Born on May 29, 1976, in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Jen’s life was a tapestry of warmth, generosity, and unwavering devotion to those she loved.
A proud graduate of McClane High School, Jen’s passion for numbers and detail led her to...
Sandra Louise Atherton
Mar 29, 2026
Sandra Louise Atherton, born on April 20, 1941, in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised in Sedalia, Missouri, passed away on March 29, 2026, in Blue Springs, Missouri at the age of 84. She was a beloved mother, daughter, grandmother, sister and friend.
Sandra dedicated the early years of her life to raising her eight children. As her children grew older, Sandra...
John Ryland Wulfekammer
Mar 28, 2026
John Ryland Wulfekammer, 88, of Plano, TX, formerly of Pittsburg, KS and Joplin, MO, passed away on March 28, 2026 in Plano, TX. He was born April 25, 1937, in Napoleon, MO, the son of Lee and Mary Wulfekammer. On August 27, 1961, he was united in marriage to Sharon Ann (Bergschneider) Wulfekammer in Buckner, MO. She preceded him in...
John Henry Kolsem
Mar 28, 2026
John Henry Kolsem, age 79, of Independence, Missouri, passed peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior on March 28, 2026.
Born on November 3, 1946, in Paris Arkansas. John lived a life grounded in faith, love, and service to others. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend whose life reflected kindness, strength, and quiet devotion.
John proudly served...
Henry Stewart Bressman
Mar 27, 2026
With deep respect and heartfelt sorrow, we announce the passing of Henry Stewart Bressman, a devoted family man, respected community member, and veteran, who left us on Friday, March 27, 2026, in Pleasant Hill, Missouri, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on September 13, 1929, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Henry Claude Bressman and Flora Elizabeth (Stodgell) Bressman, Henry's...
Ruth Marion Dix
Mar 27, 2026
Ruth Marion Dix, née Cleveland, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2026, surrounded by love. Born on August 24, 1925, in Dedham, Massachusetts, Ruth lived a life defined by warmth, kindness, and an infectious sense of humor that endeared her to all who knew her.
A woman of impeccable style, Ruth was always beautifully put together, with a keen eye for...
Dr. William J "Bill" Hayden Jr.
Mar 23, 2026
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Dr. William J. Hayden Jr. from this life. He will be greatly missed. Bill was born April 3, 1947, in Marshall, MO. His parents, Dr. William J. Hayden and Maxine D. Hayden, were life-long residents of Marshall. His father, William, was a well-known and respected veterinarian who served the local...
Robert Earl Bandlow
Mar 22, 2026
Robert Earl Bandlow, age 70, of Bates City, Missouri, passed away peacefully at home on March 22, 2026.
Robert was born on May 20, 1955, in Independence, Missouri, to Earl and Marjorie Bandlow. In his youth, he was a proud Eagle Scout and graduated from Truman High School, where he was a member of the swim team. In the early 1970s,...
Christopher Max Kettlewell
Mar 21, 2026
Christopher Max Kettlewell, 69, of Independence, Missouri, passed away on March 21, 2026 due to complications related to his Parkinson's disease.
He was born in Independence, MO to Max Kettlewell and Marilyn (Wismer) Kettlewell, both from Canada, on May 27, 1956.
Chris attended high school at William Chrisman, where he ran track, high hurdles, and played trombone in the band. During these...
Chris Jeffery Weir
Mar 19, 2026
Chris Jeffery Weir, 68, of Independence, Missouri passed away quietly at the KU Medical Center on Thursday March 9, 2026.
Chris was born on November 25, 1957, in Kansas City, Missouri. He attended Fleet Ridge Elementary School and graduated from Raytown High School with the Class of 1976. Following graduation he attended Longview Community College then went to work for A.T.&...
Val Lynn Thomason
Mar 19, 2026
Val Lynn Thomason, preceded in death by, her mother and father Myron Thomason and Janice Hyde Thomason. Arrived on Earth in San Salvador, El Salvador on April 5, 1957.
Val attended grade school in Thailand, Lamoni, Iowa, and Grand Forks, North Dakota. She graduated high school in Ridgewood, New Jersey and obtained her Bachelors degree in Home Economics from Arizona State...
Patricia Ann Fitzgerald
Mar 19, 2026
Patricia Ann Fitzgerald passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on March 19, 2026, in Independence, Missouri. Born on January 24, 1937, in Hutchinson, Kansas, Patricia’s vibrant spirit and fearless nature left an indelible mark on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
Patricia was known for being very outgoing and full of energy, a woman who never knew a...
Mary "Pamela" Price
Mar 18, 2026
Loving mother, faithful wife, and servant of Jesus Christ, Mary Pamela (Kirksey) Price of Independence, Missouri, passed on to her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, March 18, at age ninety-nine, after living a life of devotion and service to the Lord.
Pamela was born on October 17, 1926, in Fisher, Arkansas, to Jesse LeRoy and Ethel May (Sanders) Kirksey.
As an infant, she...
Frederick Glenn Gibbs Sr.
Mar 18, 2026
Frederick Glenn Gibbs was born on June 20, 1943 to Hazel and Merle Gibbs and passed away Wednesday evening, 3/18/26. Fred was a lifelong resident within the Greater Kansas City, MO area.
Fred is preceded in death by his Parents, two sisters and two brothers. Fred was the youngest of five.
Fred leaves behind his wife Irene of 61 years of marriage,...
Virgil T. “Ted” Box
Mar 17, 2026
Virgil Theodore “Ted” Box, 92 of Independence, MO passed away Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at his residence.
Services will be at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at the Speaks Suburban Chapel; visitation from 9:00 a.m., until service time, with interment at Mound Grove Cemetery.
Ted was born December 20, 1933 in Wheatland, MO to John and Ruby (Kain) Box and has...
Daniel Lee Brown
Mar 17, 2026
Daniel Lee Brown, passed away unexpectedly on March 17, 2026, in Blue Springs, Missouri. He was 26 years old. Daniel was born to Howard Brown III and Mandy Duea on March 1, 2000 in Independence, Missouri. He was a vibrant and joyful soul whose presence brightened the lives of those around him.
Daniel graduated from Blue Springs High School, then devoted...
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