Mary Cary
June 19, 1930 – March 22, 2019
Mary Louise (Covell) Cary was born June 19, 1930, in Shawnee, Kansas, the daughter of Evelyn Edna Staudemyer and Orvis Jesse Covell. She was their fourth daughter, with older siblings Orvis J Covell, Jr., Evelyn Van Kemseke, Jean Tiner and younger siblings, Virginia Francis Meier and George Willilam “Bud” Covell.
Mary attended college at Missouri State Teachers College in Warrensburg, receiving her degree in 1953, which was also the year she married Eular H. “Brick” Cary on April 22.
The two began their life together in Garden City where their daughter, Denise Renee, was born in 1954. Their second child, Cary Harwood “Bud” Cary, was born in 1958 while they lived in Harrisonville. They moved to Grandview in 1958. Their third child, Brian Steele Cary, was born in 1961.
In 1959, Mary led her family to St. Matthew Presbyterian Church, where they continue to worship. She was active in church activities, including the directorship of the Christian Education Department for many years. She was often seen with a paintbrush in her hand, helping to keep the church walls looking fresh and new.
Mary was a diligent homemaker. She resumed work outside the house as a substitute teacher and librarian after all three children were in school.
Mary and Brick enjoyed retirement, traveling to Canada and Mexico. They purchased a trailer in Mission, Texas, and spent winters in the warmth for 24 years.
In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by all of her siblings and a granddaughter, Ashley Brooke Cary.
She is survived by her husband, Brick; her children, Denise (Ronald), Bud (Elaine) and Brian; her grandchildren, Natalie (Frank) Vayo, Elizabeth (Walt) Craft, Kendal Durham and Alyson (Nate) Thompson; her great-grandchildren, Luke, James and Eliza Jane Craft; and many treasured nieces and nephews on both the Covell and Cary side of the family.
Funeral services were March 26 at St. Matthew Presbyterian Church, Grandview.
A graveside service was March 26 at City Cemetery, Higginsville.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Children’s Mercy Hospital.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Kathryn Sue Crawford
June 29, 1951 – March 26, 2019
Kathryn Sue Crawford, Harrisonville, was born June 29, 1951, in Clinton, the daughter of George Jewell and Betty Jo (Skaggs) Wehmeyer. She died March 26 at St. Luke’s East, Lee’s Summit, surrounded by love and family at the age of 67 years, 8 months and 26 days.
Dec. 2, 1971, Kathryn was married to Alexander John Crawford in Creighton.
Kathryn was a homemaker and was also employed as a preschool teacher for the Harrisonville Christian School. Later, she was employed as a dietitian for Foxwood Springs, Raymore.
She was a member of Harrisonville Community Church and was involved in the children’s ministry. Kathryn had been attending the International House of Prayer with her son, Alex. She enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, sewing and crocheting.
Kathryn grew up in the Creighton and Urich communities. She was a 1969 graduate of Sherwood High School and was the 1968 homecoming queen.
Besides her parents, Kathryn was preceded in death by a brother, Delbert.
Kathryn is survived by her husband, Alex J. Crawford, of the home; her son, Alex G. Crawford, Harrisonville; five grandchildren, Finnegan, Sydnea, Myles, Evelyn and Jayne; other relatives and a host of friends.
Cremation. A celebration of life service was March 29 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Harrisonville Christian School.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Bobbie Eugene Drehle
Aug. 31, 1929 – March 26, 2019
Bobbie Eugene Drehle, 89, Harrisonville, died March 26 at his home. Funeral services were March 29 at the First Baptist Church, Harrisonville. Burial was in Oakland Cemetery, Harrisonville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Crossroads Hospice, Independence.
Bob was born Aug. 31, 1929, on a farm west of Harrisonville, the son of William Eugene and Lucille Beatrice (Rich-ardson) Drehle.
He attended school at Belle Plain rural school in Cass County.
Bob married Betty K. Gorsage May 21, 1951, in Berryville, Arkansas.
Bob served in the United States Army from January 1951 to December 1952. He worked for Ford Motor Co. for 38 years before retiring in 1991 and was a member of the UAW No. 249. After retirement, he worked for John Foster and enjoyed woodworking and spending time with his family.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Harrisonville, for more than 50 years. Bob served as usher, deacon, Training Union Director, Director of the Children’s Sunday School Department, Church Council and he sang in the choir.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; and three sisters.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Betty Drehle, of the home; two daughters, Nancy Hrdy (Jim), El Reno, Oklahoma, and Mary Kurth (Ken), Kansas City; three grandchildren, Carie Felton (Joe) and Beau Henson (Erica Fleenor), all of El Reno, Oklahoma, and Cassie Lee (Kortney), Kansas City; eight great-grandchildren, Taylor, Brianna and Josie Felton, Kaitlyn, Braydin and Dasyn Henson and Korden and Carter Lee; a sister, Peggy Edmondson, Harrisonville; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Bradford “Brad” Lyle Meredith
March 15, 1954 – March 23, 2019
Brad Meredith died peacefully at his home March 23.
Brad was born March 15, 1954, the son of Patricia and Lyle Meredith, in Hays, Kansas. He was the oldest of four sons.
Brad graduated from Dodge City Senior High School in 1972. He received his Bachelors of Music Education Degree in 1984, his Masters of Education in Instructional Technology Degree in 2006 and his PhD of Education Philosophy Degree in 2009. Brad also attended Phillips Theological Seminary, where he received his Masters of Divinity in 1977, and Oklahoma City University, receiving his Masters of Music Voice Performance in 1999.
Brad began teaching in Ashland, Kansas. His passionate love of music led him to a career in public education which took him from Kansas to Oklahoma to Florida to Missouri. Most of his career was spent at Osceola High School, Seminole, Florida, where he was instrumental in building successful band and choral programs, including marching band, musical productions, show choir, concerts and student participation in district and state competition.
He served as an Adjunct Music Instructor at St. Petersburg College, directing musical theater productions and private voice instruction.
He finished his career at Midway R-1, Cleveland, as vocal music teacher. Under his guidance, the vocal music program flourished. Brad saw the need for musical theater as a necessary component of the music program. Audiences have been delighted by his productions of “Wizard of Oz,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Grease,” “High School Musical” and “Brigadoon.” The Christmas concerts, spring concerts and the high school chorus’s acapella performance of the national anthem at ballgames were loved by parents and grandparents. Brad has been a judge for both Kansas and Missouri district and state music competitions.
As an ordained minister, Brad served at Chapel by the Sea Community Church, Clearwater Beach, Florida; Crystal Beach Community Church, Crystal Beach; and most recently at Cleveland Christian Church, Cleveland. Brad’s love for Jesus, family and music filled his heart. He released his sacred CD titled “The Journey Begins” in 2006.
It was once said that the measure of a man is not how much he loves, but how much he is loved. This is evidenced by the number of students pausing to reflect on not only his teaching skills, but his ability to inspire and challenge themselves to reach into their hearts and experience the joy of music. No matter the level of expertise or desire, all who entered his classroom were met with expectations, challenges and a genuine concern for their success as musicians and as people.
Brad was preceded in death by his father, Lyle Meredith, in 2015.
He is survived by his wife, Debbie Jones-Meredith, Olathe, Kansas; his mother, Patricia Meredith, Dodge City, Kansas; sons Mitch Meredith and Monte Meredith, Gulfport, Florida; and step-daughters Shelly Rice, Overland Park, Kansas, and Sheila Tasset, Leawood, Kansas. In addition, he is survived by his brothers, Michael, Douglas and Jason Meredith, Dodge City, Kansas; his grandchildren, Colby Smith, Gulfport, Florida, Landon Tasset, Malibu, California, Mason Tasset, Columbia, Daniella Tasset, Leawood, and Brooklyn Rice, Overland Park; a niece, Audra Burchfield, (and husband Josh), Amarillo, Texas; a nephew, Logan Meredith, Amarillo; and a great-niece, Aleia Birchfield and a great-nephew, Vincent Birchfield, both of Amarillo, Texas.
A celebration of Brad’s love for life was held March 30 at Midway R-1 School, with Ilona Buzick presiding. Cremation.
The family suggests memorials to Cleveland Christian Church, P.O. Box 144, Cleveland, MO 64734, or the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation online at tribute.themmrf.org/BradMeredith.
