Donna Brewer
Oct. 21, 1933 – April 25, 2019
Donna grew up on a dairy farm near LaCygne, Kansas. She learned hard work, dedication and respect from parents, George and Edna Arzberger, who preceded her in death.
She was an active member of the LaCygne First Christian Church, where she shared her beautiful voice in the choir for many years.
She attended LaCygne High School, where she played trombone for the band, was a soloist in the chorus and was a member of the cheer leading team. She graduated from LaCygne High School in 1951.
After graduation, Donna moved to Kansas City, where she began working for Farmers Insurance Group.
In October 1953, Donna married Luther Brewer of Drexel. She continued to work at Farmers Insurance until the birth of her oldest daughter, Diana, in September 1954.
The family moved to LaCygne for two years where Donna was a homemaker.
Shortly after that, Donna and Luther moved to Drexel and they built Brewer’s Conoco Service Station and Brewer’s Drive-In.
Donna managed the drive-in restaurant for nearly 10 years. During this time, her second daughter, Brenda, was born in July 1960.
Donna loved her family. When Diana and Brenda were young, she took them everywhere. This included traveling cross-country with a race car in tow. Donna, along with then-husband, Luther Brewer, participated in sprint car and super modified racing for more than 15 years.
She attended every basketball game that Diana and Brenda played in through junior and high school, with the girls being six years apart, there were a lot of games. When Brenda’s son, Jake, played basketball and tennis, Donna was always in attendance.
She raised her family while running a business and home in Drexel until 1978. Donna then moved to Overland Park, Kansas, where she went back to work for Farmers Insurance Group. In 1991, Donna retired to care for her new grandson, Jake.
During Donna’s time at Farmers, she purchased a home in Garden City where she remained until 2007. At that time, she moved to Harrisonville, where she spent her final years.
Donna loved singing and playing the piano. In Drexel, she became the “go-to” person to ask if someone needed a singer for a wedding or funeral. She joined the Sweet Adeline’s Chorus and performed with them for several years.
Donna had many hobbies. She was an avid gardener. Her delicious tomatoes and garden bounty will be missed by many.
Donna was an excellent cook, her family always looked forward to her meals, especially her pies. She loved sewing, making clothes for her daughters when they were young.
She painted ceramics for many years. Later, she took up quilting, leaving many beautiful works of art for her family. She was a collector, especially, of all things Christmas.
She most looked forward to the Fourth of July, when she could have her children, grandchildren and great-grand-children together.
She touched many lives in her 85 years, and will be remembered for her sweet smile and generous spirit.
Donna is survived by two daughters, Diana (Ed) Colvard, Sherwood, Arkansas, and Brenda (David) Abbott, Harrisonville; grandchildren, Jillian (Jason) Pounders, Cabot, Arkansas, Monica Colvard, North Little Rock, Arkansas, Hillary (Andrew) Box, Cabot, Arkansas, Jake Barnett, Kansas City, Eric Abbott and Brad Abbott both of Garden City; great-grandchildren, Dawson and Stella Pounders and Anabelle Box; a sister, Rosie (Ronald) Hays; two nephews, Doug (Suzie) Hays and Mike (Debbie) Hays; other relatives and friends.
Donna’s Family would like to express their sincere love and appreciation to the Staff at Golden Years for the care and love they provided to Donna and her family.
Mark 5:34: He said to her: “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace, and be freed from your suffering.”
Cremation. A celebration of life gathering was May 4 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville,
The family suggests memorial contributions to Crossroads Hospice.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Donald Max Chulufas
Aug. 21, 1929 – April 27, 2019
Donald Max Chulufas, Harrisonville, was born Aug. 21, 1929, in Ottawa, Kansas, the son of Gus Angelus and Lula Jane (Morris) Chulufas.
He died April 27 at the Butler Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing, Butler, at the age of 89 years, 8 months and 6 days.
Dec. 28, 1974, Donald was married to Barbara Louise Lang in Clinton.
Donald was employed as a truck driver.
He was a proud Navy veteran serving in the Korean War aboard the USS Gyatt and was a time when he learned to play the steel guitar.
Donald always loved to tell the story about when he played with Jimmy Dean. He loved to bowl and was proud of his 300 game ring that he got on the same night as his son-in-law, Michael Greer.
Donald enjoyed painting and restoring cars, especially Chevelle’s, had a pilot’s licensed and was proud of his airplane and loved to grow a vegetable garden.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Eulia, Dorothy, Catherine and Jean; three brothers, Luther “Tex” Singleton, James and Robert.
Donald is survived by his wife, Barb Chulufas, of the home; two sons, Donnie Chulufas, Jr., and wife, Janelle, Adrian, Scott Chulufas and wife, Mary, Amsterdam; four daughters, Kim Chulufas, Harrisonville, Kelly Norwood and husband, Michael, Gravois Mills, Karlene Corkins and husband, Bryan, Leavenworth, Kansas, Theresa Greer and husband, Michael, Adrian; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; a brother, Richard Chu-lufas, Saint Helens, Oregon; other relatives and friends.
Cremation. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Thelma Marie Coble
May 16, 1920 – April 27, 2019
Thelma Marie Coble, 98, Peculiar, died April 27. Thelma graced the lives of her family and friends with her special gifts of cooking, homemaking, positive attitude, guidance and love of her family. Services were May 3 at the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville, with burial in the Freeman Cemetery.
Thelma was born May 16, 1920, the daughter of Ivan and Cora (Kincaid) VanMeter on a farm near Freeman. She lived most of her adult life on the farm with her husband, Kenneth, in Cass County.
The only time she did not live on a farm was during World War II when she worked as “Rosie the Riveter” at the North American Aviation Refurbishing Operation in North Kansas City. She and her husband both worked in the aircraft industry during the war, building and repairing planes to support the war.
She was a member of the Freeman Christian Church.
Thelma enjoyed gardening, cooking, raising livestock and many other farm activities, including driving tractors. Her home south of Peculiar served as the Sunday gathering place for family and friends for many years.
She and Kenneth were married for 45 years and he was the love of her life. Now they both will be blessed again when they are reunited in God’s kingdom of Heaven. All of her family loved her dearly and she will be deeply missed by them and her many friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth on April 11, 1988; her parents; and a brother, John.
Thelma leaves behind her four children, daughter, Sandra Andrews, Harrisonville, son, Kenneth, Jr., and his wife, Linda, Theodosia, son, Steven and his wife, Diane, Freeman, and son, Dennis, Peculiar; and a brother, Franklin VanMeter, Kansas City. Thelma also leaves behind nine grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchil-dren; along with a host of other relatives and friends.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Jourdyn Kahlein Gaddy
July 11, 1942 – April 25, 2019
Jourdyn Kaehlein Gaddy, 76, Belton, died April 25 at Advent Health Shawnee Mission in Merriam, Kansas. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.
Jourdyn was born July 11, 1942, in Indianapolis, Indiana, the daughter of William and Dorothy (Hicks) Keller.
She lived in Indianapolis until moving to Belton in 1995. Jourdyn married William Gaddy Oct. 30, 2002, in Pittsburg, Kansas.
She worked as a numerologist counselor.
Jourdyn was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Bill Keller.
She is survived by her husband, Bill, of the home; two sons, Lynn Davis, Paola, Kansas, and William D. Cowell, Lakeland, Florida; a daughter, Paula Thurman, Overland Park, Kansas; five grandchildren, Brytoney George, Andrew Thurman, Lynnea Davis, Alexa Davis and Audra Welty; and two great-grandchildren, Nathaniel Thurman and Lennon George.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Glen Leroy Gregg
April 28, 2019
Glen Leroy Gregg, 64, Harrisonville, died April 28 at his home.
He is survived by two sons, Mitchell L. Gregg and wife, Sharon, and Preston G. Gregg and wife, Amber J., all of Gunn City; two daughters, Stephenie Miller and Samantha K. Gregg, both of Lee’s Summit; seven grandchildren; a great-grand-daughter; two brothers, Jim Gregg, Latour, and Kenny Gregg, Osceola; three sisters, Gwen Ebeck, Leeton, Darla Doody, Osceola, and Linda Todd, Gunn City; other relatives and friends.
Cremation. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Robert Keith Hatch
March 20, 1956 – April 25, 2019
Robert Keith Hatch, 63, Drexel, died April 25 at his home. Funeral services were May 1 at the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville, with burial in the Glenwild Cemetery, Cleveland.
Robert was born March 20, 1956, in Harrisonville the son of Harold Lee and Marguerite Louise (Gage) Hatch.
He was a 1974 graduate of Cass-Midway High School and attended CMSU in Warrensburg. He was a lifelong resident of Cass County.
Robert worked as a union carpenter for DH Pace and Decarlo Construction before retiring.
He was a member of Carpenter’s District Council of Kansas City Local No. 777.
Robert was a member of Club 111 in Freeman.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by two daughters, Courtney Long (Nick), Drexel, and Megan Rizzo (Jesse), Kansas City; two brothers, Glen Hatch, Harrisonville, and Donald L. Hatch, Drexel; two grandchildren, Logan and John; and his ex-wife and companion, Norma Hatch, Drexel.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville.
Roger Lee Hodges
May 9, 1945 – May 1, 2019
Roger Lee Hodges, Archie, was born May 9, 1945, in Kansas City, the son of Walter William “Pat” and Geneva Mae (Randol) Hodges.
He died May 1 at his home near Archie surrounded by love and family at the age of 73 years, 11 months and 22 days.
May 21, 1965, Roger married to Charlene Rose Wright in Huntsville, Arkansas, while serving in the United States Navy.
Roger was employed as a coal miner for Peabody Coal Company in Montrose until his retirement in 1996. He was a member and past president of the United Mine Workers of America Local 1122.
Roger loved his family and took great pride in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He loved the outdoors, gardening and growing tomatoes. Roger had lived in Creighton and Harrisonville before moving to Archie in 2007.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Cletis.
Roger is survived by his wife, Charlene R. Hodges, of the home; a son, Terry Lee Hodges (Gina), Blue Springs; a daughter, Angie Rogers (Troy), Harrisonville; seven grandchildren; nine great-grand children; two brothers, Ronald Hodges and Steven Hodges, both of Harrisonville; three sisters, Sylva Davis, Archie, Lucretia Hodges, Kaufman, Texas, and Marcy Polzin, Peculiar; other relatives and a host of friends.
Cremation. A celebration of life service will be at 1 p.m. May 19 at Carter Park, Archie.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Lung Association.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
John Marland
Feb. 21, 1960 – April 20, 2019
John Marland, 59, Cleveland, died April 20 at his home. Inurnment to be at a later date in New Bedford, Maine.
John was born Feb. 21, 1960, in New Bedford, the son of James and Jean (Lake) Marland.
John married Sheila Ann Cruz June 20, 1981, in New Bedford.
John had lived in Cleveland for the past 28 years. He was an auto mechanic and had worked for various car dealerships and had worked in the produce department at Price Chopper in Harrisonville. He also raised pigeons.
John was preceded in death by his father and two sisters.
He is survived by his wife, Sheila, of the home; his mother, Jean Marland, New Bedford; a brother, Richard Marland, Florida; and three sisters, Christine Magalhaes, Florida, Jane Maltese, Maine, and Paula Lima, New Bedford.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Maxine Marie Rush
Oct. 20, 1929 – May 2, 2019
Maxine Marie Rush, 89, died peacefully surrounded by her loved ones May 2 at her home in Archie.
Funeral services were May 6 at the First Baptist Church in Archie with burial in the Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian.
Maxine, daughter of Benjamin Maxwell “Red” and Olive Marie (Dawson) Mills, was born Oct. 20, 1929, on a farm southeast of Drexel.
She attended Woodland and McNeil schools before starting her high school career at Drexel High School.
Her family moved to a farm east of Adrian during her freshman year. She graduated from Adrian High School in 1947.
Maxine grew up during the Depression and experienced a challenging environment as a child and youth. Later, when she earned money by working outside of the home, she brought presents home for her siblings. She served as a role model for her younger sisters.
She married Ralph W. Rush July 10, 1949, at Butler. She worked on the family farm, helping with many chores including milking cows for many years.
Maxine was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Archie. She was active in Eastern Star and held several offices including Worthy Grand Matron. After Ralph’s death in 1995, she continued living on the farm until she moved to senior housing in 2004.
Maxine was very family oriented and did many things for her family. She made all the grandchildren quilts and great-grandchildren baby afghans. She cared for the sick and aged in her family.
Her grandson, David Rush, lived with her for a year while he was in high school. Maxine was always a caring and giving person.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ralph Rush; a daughter, Bonnie Vansandt; her sister, Lillis Ann Mills; and three brothers, Robert, Damon and Dale Mills.
She is survived by a daughter, Billie Limpus and husband, Daryl, Archie; two sons, Ralph Rush and wife, Rhonda, Harrisonville, and Roger Rush, Archie; grandchildren, Wes Vansandt, Dr. Lindsey Vansandt Cavin (Skyler), Sara Mathes (Tim), Rachel Limpus, Kris Rush (Jill), Tina Behl (Jamie), Andrew Rush and David Rush; great-grandchildren, Ali Mathes, Tyler Mathes, Tanner Rush, Sydney Rush, Blakely Behl, Julianna Behl and Declan Rush; two sisters, Beverly Fuller (Sam), Butler, and Barbara Berrier (Bill), Carlsbad, California; son-in-law, Bob Vansandt, Overland Park, Kansas; and sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Ketner (Bill), Warsaw, and Patty Mills Empson, Independence.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Kristine Lynn Smith
April 27, 1967 – April 29, 2019
Kristine Lynn Smith, 52, Harrisonville, died April 29 at Research Medical Center, Kansas City. Memorial services were May 3 at the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Kristine was born April 27, 1967, in Des Moines, Iowa, the daughter of Gary K. and Mary A. (Merts) Black. She grew up in Des Moines and graduated from Des Moines East High School.
She had lived in Bethany before moving to Harrisonville in 2011. Kristine worked as a facility manager for Premium Standard Pork Production Farms in Princeton.
Kristine was preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by two sons, Danny Smith (Sarah), Harrisonville, and Ryan Smith (Megan), Raymore; two stepsons, Cody Smith, Bethany, and London Kimball, Harrisonville; stepdaughter, Jessica Smith, Cameron; and five grandchildren, Kinsley, Braylee, Dexter, Charles and Anthony.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Ray T. Smith
Sept. 15, 1921 – April 28, 2019
Ray T. Smith, 97, Louisburg, Kansas, died April 28 at Del Mar Gardens, Overland Park, Kansas. Cremation. A celebration of life service was May 4 at the Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the H.T. Smith Community Park c/o the City of Drexel.
Ray Thomas Smith was born Sept. 15, 1921, in New Lancaster, Kansas, the son of H.T. and Hattie Knepp Smith. He graduated from Paola High School in 1939. Following graduation, he attended Kansas State University for one and a half years before entering the United States Army during World War II.
Returning from the war, he found California to be home.
Ray traveled North America selling Euclid Construction Equipment in the 1940s and Caterpillar at Shepard Tractor in Los Angeles, California, in the 1950s. While in California, he married and two children were born, Susan and Dennis.
Returning to Drexel in 1964, he joined the family business with H.T. Smith and sister, Mary Guey, until it ceased operation in 1977.
In 1970 he was married to Wilma Harris Purdon, creating a great upbringing for children, Michelle and Greg. Their marriage flourished for 49 wonderful years. After the family business closed, Ray worked for Deems Farm Machinery in Butler and Nevada until he retired in 1984.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Dennis Smith; a grandson, Jeff Craig; and sister, Muriel Berry.
He is survived by his wife, Wilma Smith, son Greg Purdon and wife, Missy, and granddaughters, Sarah and Sophia Purdon, all of Louisburg, Kansas; a daughter, Susan Craig and husband, Frank, granddaughter, Jennifer Rutt and husband, Ryan, and great-granddaughter, Carlei Rutt, all of Hawaii; and a sister, Mary Guey and husband, Sody, of Belton.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel Chapel.
Patricia “Patti” Kristin
Winningham
Oct. 28, 1967 – April 29, 2019
Patricia “Patti” Kristin Winningham, Harrisonville, was born Oct. 28, 1967, in Lawton, Oklahoma, the daughter of William and Marilee (Fitzwater) Herring.
She died April 29 at the Kansas City Hospice House surrounded by love and family at the age of 51 years, 6 months and 1 day.
Nov. 2, 1985, Patti was married to Randall “Randy” Allan Winningham in Grand-view.
Patti was employed as a crew leader at the McDonald’s in Harrisonville and Warsaw.
She enjoyed babysitting and was a second mom to many children, especially her children’s friends. Patti was a member of the Crossroads Assembly Church, Harrisonville.
She enjoyed doing cross-stitch and made one for everyone for special occasions. Patti was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother and enjoyed every moment with her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her father.
Patti is survived by her husband, Randy Winningham of the home; three daughters, Sarah Mayse and husband, Josh, Harrisonville, Heidi Winningham, Lee’s Summit, and Molly Winningham, Harrisonville; eight grandchildren, Egypt, Mahala, Korra, Aliyah, Alayna, Octavia, Jewelia and Jackson; her mother and stepfather, Marilee and Howard Downing, Yuma, Arizona; two brothers, Bill Herring, Freeman, and Don Herring, Santa Rosa, California; a sister, Beth Schultheis, Ocala, Florida; other relatives and friends.
Cremation. A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. May 11 at the Crossroads Assembly of God near Harrisonville.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.