Billy D. Cox
Jan. 21, 1948 – Sept. 6, 2019
Billy David Cox, 71, died Sept. 6 at Meadow View Nursing Home in Harrisonville.
Bill was born Jan. 21, 1948, in Leon, Iowa, the son of James and Maxine (Bigley) Cox.
Bill married Connie Groves and a daughter, Stacy (Cox) Kendrick, joined the family. Later he married Patty Mullins and had a daughter Jessica (Cox) Parsons. In 1977, he married the love of his life, Dianna (Pipes) Nickell, and they were happily married for 28 years until Di-anna’s death in 2004. Joining Bill’s extended family were Dianna’s children, Genia (Nickell) Boyle and Robert Nickell.
Bill attended Ruskin High School Kansas City, and graduated with the class of 1965.
For many years he was owner and operator of Cox Wallcovering in Kansas City. He and Dianna also owned and operated together the Red Barn Nursery in Belton and the Lincoln Antique Mall in Lincoln. They ran a food truck that sold amazing smoked brisket and apple sausages, both made from their own secret recipe and homemade ice cream.
Bill later began making and selling tubs of “Bill’s Homemade Ice Cream” to various businesses. Bill and Dianna loved fishing and traveling together. Bill was an avid fisherman and took every possible opportunity to fish for trout and crappie.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife Dianna; his parents, Jim and Maxine; and two brothers, Butch Cox and Bob Cox.
Bill is survived by his children, Stacy Kendrick and husband, Junior, Garden City, Jessica Parsons, Osage Beach,
Genia Boyle, Harrisonville, Robert Nickell and wife, Marilyn, Drexel; nine grandchildren, Whitney Weber and husband, Zach, Brianna Mason and husband, Shay-den, Ryan Cook, Ashley Cook, Eric Boyle, Taylor Nickell, Ethan Nickell, Sebastian Tucker, Harlie Fair; four great-grandchildren, Levi, Cooper, Henry and Brynlee; a brother Jack Cox and wife. Cindy; mother-in-law Frances Pipes; brothers-in-law, Marvin Pipes and wife, Anita, Donald Pipes and wife, Beverly, David Pipes and wife, Patti, Steve Pipes and wife, Penny, as well as many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life gathering was Sept. 21 at his daughter’s house in Garden City.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Serenity Hospice or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Iona F. Jenkins
Dec. 27, 1939 – Sept. 14, 2019
Iona Faye (Ice) Jenkins, 79, Garden City, was born Dec. 27, 1939, in Houston, the daughter of Harlin and Sylvia “Irene” (Smith) Ice. Iona died Sept. 14 sur-rounded by her family in her home.
She was married to Jerrold “Jerry” Jenkins April 14, 1962. They were married for 56 years until his death in February 2018.
Iona graduated from Houston High School in 1957. She graduated from Southwest Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Education degree. She moved to Garden City in 1961 and taught home economics for a couple of years at Garden City High School.
Iona worked tirelessly side by side with Jerry raising a family and as a partner in their farm, Winsome Losesome Acres. She loved being outside on the farm and working in the yard and garden.
She enjoyed antiques and refinishing furniture with meticulous care and detail for many people. Her home was filled with love and many handcrafted items and pieces of furniture from the family.
She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her family and friends were the most important to her and the many visits to her house meant so much.
Iona was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry; her parents; and a brother; Paul Ice.
She is survived by a son, Brian and wife Dee, Greenville, South Carolina; a daughter, Jana and husband Jake, Creighton; a son, Timothy and wife Diane of Greensboro, North Carolina; grandsons, Chase, Tyler and Preston Linder; great-grandson, Arlo; and other family; wonderful neighbors; and many friends.
Funeral services were Sept. 18 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Garden City, with burial in the Garden City Cemetery, Garden City.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Serenity Care Hospice.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Garden City.
John M. Simons
March 24, 1943 – Sept. 10, 2019
John Michael “Mike” Simons, 76, Greenfield, died Sept. 10 at the Kansas City Hospice House.
Cremation, memorial services were Sept. 14 at Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler. Memorial contributions may be made to Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care.
Mike was born March 24, 1943, in In-dependence, the son of John Henry and Teresa Agnus Curtin Simons. Mike grew up in the Butler area and graduated from
Butler High School in 1961. Following graduation, he attended college in Warrensburg for a short time.
In 1963 Mike began a long career working for General Motors. In 1965 he was drafted by the United States Army where he honorably served for two years. After his dis-charge, Mike returned to General Motors where he would work until retirement in 1993.
Mike loved life and enjoyed so many hobbies. He loved to travel, hunt, fish and loved to play pool with his buddies. He met the love of his life, Gayle Gray, while playing pool. They were married Sept. 8, 1983.
Together they traveled throughout the United States and spent several winters in Texas. After Gayle’s death in 2004, Mike moved to Greenfield where he spent the last 15 years.
Mike loved coming home for holidays and spending time with his kids and grandchildren.
He always had a joke or riddle to share, often ending with his infectious laugh. In the end, Mike was looking forward to going home to be with the Lord, but also to be reunited with his love, Gayle. He will be sorely missed by family and many friends.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Gayle Sue Gray Simons; and by his sister Kathleen Simons.
He is survived by his two children, Andy Copeland, Archie, and daughter-in-law Cindy Copeland, Harrisonville; daughter Pam Cox and husband, Doug, Butler; brother, Pat Simons, Butler; grandchildren, Preston, Paige, Abi, Amber, Tiffany and Ashley; 12 great-grandchildren; nephew, John Simons; and nieces, Sherri Tucker and Marci Beckley and husband Dan; along with many, many friends.
Arrangements were under the direction of Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler.
