Daniel Brown
Nov. 9, 1950 – June 5, 2019
Daniel “Dan” Grant Brown, Smithville, was born Nov. 9, 1950, in Kansas City, Kansas, the son of Alfred O’Connell and Mary Ellen (King) Brown.
He died June 5 at his home surrounded by love and family at the age of 68 years, 6 months and 27 days.
Feb. 14, 1995, Dan was married to Tracey Diane Doss in Temple, Texas.
Dan was an Army veteran.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Alfred “Butch” Brown, Jr.
Dan is survived by his wife, Tracey Brown, of the home; a son, Daniel Brown, Jr., state of Alabama; two brothers, Jim Brown, Harrisonville, and Mike Brown, Smithville; a sister, Pat Ysassi, Harrisonville; other relatives and friends.
Cremation. A military service and inurnment will be held at a later date at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Helen Joan Hammond
May 16, 1933 – June 4, 2019
Helen Joan Hammond, Harrisonville, was born May 16, 1933, near Warrensburg, the daughter of Jim and Mary (Cunningham) Brookshier.
She died June 4 at the Golden Years Care Services, Harrisonville, surrounded by love and family at the age of 86 years and 19 days.
Oct. 27, 1956, Joan was married to Thomas Edwin Hammond in Centerview.
Joan was a homemaker. She was an active member of the Harrisonville United Methodist Church where she started the 3-year-old Sunday school class and was picked to be the senior high youth leader in the 1970s.
Joan was active in Harrisonville Arts and Crafts clubs and helped with the clubs annual Christmas store. She enjoyed making dolls, stuffed toys and animals. Joan sold dolls to Silver Dollar City for several years and her living room floor would be covered in dolls when she was getting them ready to pack for delivery or attend craft shows.
Tom and Joan regularly attended auctions, sold vintage and collectibles in various flea markets in the area and enjoyed going to the West Line Opry.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Cindy Meyer, Feb. 5, 2016; and two cousins, Bob and Clyde Brookshier.
Joan is survived by her husband, Tom Hammond, of the home; a son, Doug Hammond, Harrison, Arkansas; a daughter, Susan Uchtman, Harrisonville; a daughter-in-law, Sandy Hammond, Branson; a son-in-law, James Meyer, Conway, Arkansas; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; cousins Betty Owings, Shirley Gross and Laverne Parsons; other relatives and many friends.
Cremation. A celebration of life service was June 12 at the United Methodist Church, Harrisonville.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the United Methodist Church Youth Program.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
John W. Rook
Aug. 20, 1948 – June 1, 2019
John W. Rook was born Aug. 20, 1948, in Butler the son of Leslie Eugene and Goldie Ann (Sloan) Rook.
He died June 1 at Village House Hospice in Lee’s Summit, at the age of 70 years, 9 months and 12 days.
John’s younger years were spent on a farm in Peculiar. In 1959, the Rook family moved to Pleasant Hill to make their home. John attended school in Pleasant Hill and graduated from Pleasant Hill High School in 1966.
After graduation, John attended CMSU where he majored in art. After college, he traveled the country before settling into his career as an accomplished ink technician. John retired from Polytainers, Inc., in 2014 after 20 years of service.
John enjoyed spending time with his longtime companion, Kay. They loved to go on day trips, try new restaurants, find good coffee, take pictures and just spend time together.
He also cherished spending time with his grandson, Mason, especially their annual trips to Planet Comicon.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Goldie Rook.
John is survived by his daughter, Anna Good, Lee’s Summit; his longtime companion, Kay Crayton, Kansas City; a stepson, Rick Luce, Kansas City, Kansas; a stepdaughter, Melissa Hausback and husband, Ryan, Lansing, Kansas; two sisters, Jean Ann Young, Pleasant Hill, and Carol S. Jones, Greenwood; a grandson, Mason Good; four stepgrandchildren; three stepgreat-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.
As John wished, cremation has been accorded. The family of John W. Rook will host a celebration of life at a later date.
Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Wallace Funeral Home, Pleasant Hill.
Lance Utech
June 27, 1980 – June 4, 2019
Lance Utech, 38, Amsterdam, died June 4. Lance William Utech was born June 27, 1980, in Kansas City, the son of Garland and Dianna DeForest Utech.
He grew up in the Belton area, attending school there until the 10th grade. After moving to the Amsterdam area, he graduated from Miami High School in 1998. He then attended Fort Scott Community College.
Lance had a passion for the rodeo, especially bull riding and saddle broncs. He competed in the high school rodeo and MoKAN Rodeo, often times in the state finals and going to the national level twice.
Lance enjoyed fishing, good music, working on his truck, trail rides and pheasant hunts with his dad.
He was very family oriented and loved to spend time with his daughters camping and riding.
Lance was preceded in death by his grandparents.
He is survived by his parents, Garland and Dianna Utech, Amsterdam; daughters, Alexandria Utech and Paige Utech, both of Amsterdam; his brother, Scott Utech, Steelville; a sister, Amy Utech, Freeman; along with aunts, uncles, nephews, extended family members and a host of friends. Lance will be forever missed and loved.
Funeral services were June 8 at the Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel Chapel. Cremation was accorded. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Utech College Fund.
