Dorothy L. Armstrong
Dec. 13, 1936 – June 23, 2019
Dorothy Lee Armstrong, 82, Freeman, died June 23 at the Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City. Dorothy was born Dec. 13, 1936, in Bynum, Texas, the daughter of Charlie and Bennie Gertrude (Ward) Payne.
She was a graduate of Bolivar High School.
Dorothy married Billy Joe Armstrong March 20, 1954, in Kansas City, Kansas.
They had lived in Harrisonville for 39 years. Dorothy had worked as a contracting specialist for the GSA at the Federal Building Services for 27 years before retiring in 1999.
She had been an active member of the Faith Baptist Church in Harrisonville.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Michael Joe Armstrong; and three brothers, Clarence, Charles and Billy Payne; and a sister, Nell Smith.
She is survived by her husband, Billy Joe, of the home; a daughter, Linda Allison (Gary), Garden City; three granddaughters, Amanda Willis (Aaron), Ashley Bollinger (Bo), and Courtney Southard (Ryan), all of Harrisonville; and six great-grandchildren, John, Alex, Maverick, Charleigh, Lazarus, and Evander; and a sister, Jo Ann Finley (Dave), Mission, Kansas.
Funeral services were June 28 at the Faith Baptist Church, Harrisonville. Burial was in Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Baptist Church.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Patricia A. Biggs-Biles
Oct. 25, 1945 – June 20, 2019
Patricia Ann “Patty” Biggs-Biles, 73, Harrisonville, died June 20 at Meadow View of Harrisonville Health and Rehabilitation.
Patty was born Oct. 25, 1945, in Nelson. She grew up in the Sedalia area where she was a member of the East Sedalia Baptist Church and worked at the Levi Strauss Factory.
She also lived in Clinton and Keytesville before moving to Harrisonville in 2005.
Patty was preceded in death by her parents, Lyle T. and Opal Geraldine (Holt) Biggs; a sister-in-law, Frances Biggs; and a nephew, Lyle Banner.
She is survived by a brother, Lyle DeWayne Biggs, Keytesville; a sister and brother-in-law, Wanda and Onlee Banner, Harrisonville; four nieces; nine great-nieces and nephews; and 18 great-great-nieces and nephews.
Patty was a devoted Christian, loving sister and proud aunt. She had a genuine heart of gold and loved her family and friends very much. You never walked out of the room without her telling you she loved you – usually multiple times.
She was “old school” and never went out without her makeup done properly and she believed in respecting your elders. She could jitterbug until the floor shook, never missing a beat, a twirl, a spin or a catch.
Aunt Patty loved her nieces and nephews and took great pride in being an aunt. She was always up for a game of Yahtzee or marbles and her one request at family holiday dinners was to have noodles. Getting together with her many friends at Meadow View for bingo or Bible studies brought her great joy.
A memorial service was June 27 at Meadow View of Harrisonville Health and Rehabilitation. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. July 13 at Memorial Park Cemetery, Sedalia.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Mary C. Bruce
Feb. 26, 1925 – June 23, 2019
Mary Clara Bruce, Harrisonville, was born Feb. 26, 1925, in Secretary, Maryland, the daughter of John Milford and Ida Mary (Rahalski) Vane.
She died June 23 at Crown Care Center, Harrisonville, at the age of 94 years, 3 months and 25 days.
Nov. 1, 1958, Clara married John Emery Bruce in Drexel. They moved to Harrisonville in 1985.
Clara was employed as a secretary in the finance department for a telephone company. She was baptized as of one of Jehovah’s Witnesses Dec. 12, 1964, and was an active member of the Harrisonville Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Clara enjoyed cooking, crocheting, spending time in the ministry and loved all her cats.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Bruce, Sept. 3, 1988.
Clara is survived by her witness family and friends.
Graveside services were June 29 at the Freeman Cemetery, Freeman.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Linda K. Fisher
Dec. 29, 1949 – June 16, 2019
Linda Kay Fisher, Harrisonville, was born Dec. 29, 1949, in Stover, the daughter of Harvey and Verna Mae (Wasson) Richardson.
She died June 16 at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, at the age of 69 years, 5 months and 18 days.
Nov. 9, 1968, Linda married Carl Floyd Fisher in Waynesville.
Linda was employed as an assembler at Petersons in Grandview.
She loved her family very much and enjoyed being a loving wife and companion, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant son; two brothers, Wayne and Ray Richardson; and a sister, Betty Lefever.
Linda is survived by her husband, Carl F. Fisher; a daughter, Julie Porter and husband, Louis, Lee’s Summit; two grandchildren, Zachery Porter and wife, Nisa, and Kelsey Porter; a great-granddaughter, Ember Porter; a brother, Loren Richardson, Independence; six sisters, Judy Abbott, Stover, Loretta Thompson, Afton, Iowa, Gale Dean Hummel, Grain Valley, Barbara Hagston, Lincoln, Patty Nerad, Cole Camp, Kenda Robertson, Orlando, Florida; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were June 22 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Garden City, with burial in the Garden City Cemetery.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral home, Garden, City.
Patricia Hoit
Sept. 24, 1941 – June 22, 2019
Patricia “Patsy” Francine Evans Calvin Hoit, Lee’s Summit, was born Sept. 24, 1941, the daughter of Raymond and Joyce (Boyles) Evans.
She died June 22 at the Season’s Care Center, Kansas City, at the age of 77 years, 8 months and 27 days.
In June 1964, Patsy married Kenneth “Kenny” Leon Calvin in Urich. Later she was married to Howell Harrison Hoit in April 2001 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Patsy was a bookkeeper for St. Mary’s Hospital, Blue Springs, and later for several doctor offices. She loved children and would volunteer in the nursery at the churches she attended.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Kenny Calvin, Jan. 18, 1997; and a sister, Teresa Bennett.
She is survived by a son, Dean Calvin and wife, Christy, Lee’s Summit; a granddaughter, Cassidy Calvin; two sisters, Donna Jones and husband, David, and Barb Jones and husband, Bob; other relatives and many friends.
Cremation. A celebration of life service was July 1 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Mitchell W. Laughlin
Dec. 8, 1962 – June 20, 2019
Mitchell Wayne Laughlin, 56, Springfield, died June 20 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City.
Mitch was born Dec. 8, 1962, in Butler, the son of Dennis L. and Beverly Ann (Reed) Laughlin. He grew up in Archie and had lived in Adrian before moving to the Springfield area 25 years ago.
Mitch worked as a residential plumber. He knew his Bible and he believed in Jesus Christ as Our Lord and Savior and loved spreading the word of God.
He loved his family, his children, his grandchildren and his close friends. He enjoyed music and played the drums in the high school band. He especially loved playing his guitar and hanging out with friends.
Mitch was preceded in death by his father, Dennis Laughlin; his wife, Robin Laughlin; an infant daughter, Amanda Nicole Laughlin; and stepfather, Charles “Bud” Cornelius.
He is survived by his mother, Beverly Cornelius, Butler; two daughters, Sherry Laughlin, St. Joseph, and Jessie Laughlin, Springfield; a son, Ryan Plunkett, Springfield; a brother, Dennis Laughlin (Linda), Harrisonville; a sister, Drenda Enos, Butler; four grandchildren, Devien Laughlin, Jaeslyn Skeen, Caiden Skeen and Isaiah Shelton; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends.
Cremation. A memorial service was held June 27 at the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Charles D. Luther
May 21, 1929 – June 15, 2019
Charles Delmar Luther, Kansas City, was born May 21, 1929, in Austin, the son of Charles Baine and Josie Agnes (Cantrell) Luther.
He died June 15 at Benton House of Blue Springs, Blue Springs, surrounded by love and family at the age of 90 years and 25 days.
He was married to Norma Leone Morris May 16, 1970, in Branson.
Charles was employed as an assembler for General Motors at the Fairfax Plant, Kansas City, Kansas, until his retirement in 1980. He was a member of the United Auto Workers Union Local 31, Kansas City, Kansas, and the Lake Lotawana Sports Club.
Charles grew up in Garden City, before moving to Kansas City.
Besides his parents, Charles was preceded in death by his wife, Norma.
Charles is survived by his son and daughter-in-law; his grandchildren; great-grandchildren; his sister; other relatives and a host of friends.
Graveside service were June 20 at the Garden City Cemetery, Garden City.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Preferred Hospice.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Garden City.
Kay V. Mills
March 25, 1933 – June 19, 2019
Kay Vern Mills, 86, a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and brother died June 19.
Kay was inspired by the importance of community, his spiritual beliefs, a strong sense of humor and a dedication to family and friends. He will be remembered as one whom always reached out to others with a helping hand and an engaging conversation.
Kay was born in Spencer, Iowa, March 25, 1933, the son of Ross and Pearl Mills. Growing up on a farm in northeast Iowa, he was a hard worker with a passionate connection to nature and farm life.
Following graduation from Greenville High School in 1951, he continued his education at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa with degrees in psychology and sociology. He went on to receive a Master of Divinity from the Dubuque Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. Following graduation from seminary, Kay became an ordained Presbyterian minister and served several congregations in Iowa, Oklahoma and Missouri.
He enjoyed the ministry with his wife, Thelma, as they consistently celebrated and selflessly gave to the communities they served. Kay clearly knew his purpose and demonstrated this with enthusiasm.
June 30, 1954, he married his beloved, Thelma. They had four children: daughter LaDonna Mills Marsh (deceased), infant daughter Faith Mills (deceased), son Lyndon Mills (known as Nunpa) and daughter, Lanette Mills Taylor.
Kay was a proud father and a devoted husband and lived to support his family. Kay and Thelma were married for 62 years prior to her death in 2015. He was a dedicated caregiver to Thelma in the last three years of her life in her experience of Alzheimer’s.
Kay loved the outdoors and spent countless hours working in his garden. Throughout his life, he was known to plant trees in all the places they had lived. He also enjoyed woodworking and carving as he built most of the furniture in their home.
He harvested, stored and prepared lumber for his projects. His passion for nature, gardening and woodworking inspired his talent to create beautiful landscapes, furniture, and carvings.
He is survived by his son, Nunpa, daughter Lanette Taylor, son in love, Bryan Taylor; and grandchildren, Kristin Marsh Song, Shannon Marsh, Austin Marsh, Lauren Taylor Carr, Renee Taylor and Caleb Taylor; and great-grandchildren, Keira and Rembrandt Song.
The celebration of life memorial service for Kay was held at the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Raymore July 27.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to his son’s non-profit organization, AntFarm. Kay and Thelma were strong supporters of the youth work done by their son and this organization. Donations may be sent to Dickey Funeral Home, PO Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.
Albert L. Peek
April 21, 1931 – June 26, 2019
Albert Lee Peek was the oldest child born to Albert Levi and Naomi Mae Peek Winchell April 21, 1931, in Peculiar. He died June 26 at his home in rural Amoret.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marjorie Mable Peek; a son Ronald DeWayne Peek; a daughter, Francis Eilene Peek; a grandson, Roger Wayne Peek; a sister, Betty Hannah; and a brother Otie Peek,
Albert is survived by his wife, Darlene, of the home; four sons, Roger Lee Peek and wife, Brenda, Peculiar, Eddie Gene Peek and wife, Monica, Butler, Wilbur Alan Armstrong and wife, Roselynn, La Cygne, Kansas, and Harold Dean Armstrong, Thornby, Alabama; four daughters, Judy Kay Wilson and Betsy Sue Dunkin both of Harrisonville, Katherine Juanita Waldmer and husband, Mike, Springfield, and Darla Lee Armstrong, Neosho; seven brothers and sisters, Richard Peek, Peculiar, Sam Peek and wife, Connie, Adrian, Everett Peek and wife, Sharon, Hookstown, Pennsylvania, Billy Peek, Harrisonville, Virginia Bailey, Cleveland, Dorothy Burch, Peculiar, and Katherine Savill, Garden City; 16 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren and one on the way; 13 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nephews, nieces and friends.
Funeral services for were July 1 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler. Burial was in Wills Cemetery, Peculiar.
Contributions may be made to the Amoret Christian Church.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler.
Karen R. Rogers
June 19, 2019
Karen Rexene Rogers, 71, Peculiar, died June 19 at John Knox Village Hospice, Lee’s Summit.
Karen is survived by her husband, Charles H. Rogers, of the home; a son, Charles Kevin Rogers and his wife, Shawna, Pleasant Hill; two daughters, Melissa Linn and her husband, Lance, and Melinda Bolling and her husband, Mike, all of Peculiar; a sister, Donna Maxey, Shawnee, Kansas; six grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.
Cremation with a celebration of life service to be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the John Knox Village Hospice and may be sent to the Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, MO 64701.
Anna M. Taylor
Nov. 25, 1922 – June 22, 2019
Anna Mary Taylor, 96, Butler, died June 22 at Butler Center in Butler. She was born Nov. 25, 1922, the daughter of William Harvey and Julia Anna Jenne Petty in Butler.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 60 years, Wilbur; a son, Richard Taylor; great-granddaughter, Hannah Saulsbury; granddaughter, Debbie Trunniger; five brothers, Elmer Karl Petty, Everett LeRoy Petty, Gerald Howard Petty, William James Petty and John Edward Petty; and two sisters, Sophia Irene Petty Adams and infant sister, Bertha Louise.
Ann is survived by her son, Tom Taylor and wife, Judy; three daughters, Julie McGuire and husband, Bill, Belton, Sandee Hubbard and husband, Denny, Butler, and Vickie Taylor, Overland Park, Kansas; daughter-in-law, Annette Taylor, Harrisonville; 15 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were June 26 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler.
Contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House or the Bates County Fair.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Schowengerdt Chapel, Butler.