Davie B. Anderson
July 20, 1929 – Aug. 30, 2020
Davie B. Anderson, Harrisonville, was born July 20, 1929, in Tiptonville, Tennessee, the daughter of David Burdine and Mary Olivia Burnett. She died Aug. 30 at Crown Care Center, Harrisonville. Throughout her life and until the end, she shared her love and time with her family and many friends.
Davie married Jimmie Lee Anderson, her King Arthur and Sir Lancelot all rolled up as one, on July 19, 1951, in Tiptonville. They were blessed with their first daughter, LeeAnn Anderson, Dec. 25, 1957, and with their second daughter, Lynne Olivia Anderson, on Sept. 18, 1959. Her daughters and their families were always the source of her greatest pride and joy.
Davie met her future husband while both were attending college in Columbia, she at Stephens College and he at the University of Missouri. Upon their graduations and marriage, they moved to Norfolk, Virginia, where Jim began his military service at the naval base there.
In 1953, they returned to the Kansas City area where Davie was a fourth-grade teacher and art teacher while Jim attended the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Dentistry.
They moved to Harrisonville in 1957 when Jim began practicing dentistry at his father’s practice. Davie became a full-time mother and homemaker that year with a house often filled with the children in the neighborhood.
She was a dedicated Girl Scout leader during the late 1960s and early 1970s and used her artistic ability and fun-loving nature to teach and inspire her scouts. In 1964, she was chosen to represent her state as Mrs. Missouri while her family and hometown looked on with pride.
Davie found much joy as a PEO sister in her local chapter, Chapter GR, and as a decades-long member of the Delvers Federated Club. She also worked tirelessly in supporting Jim’s dental practice and held many positions in the Missouri Dental Wives Auxiliary for almost 30 years.
She practiced her faith since 1957 at the Harrisonville United Methodist Church and could often be heard thanking her Lord for the many blessings He had bestowed on her.
As much as Davie enjoyed all the aforementioned endeavors, she found her primary happiness sharing her love, time and gifts with her four grandchildren. They spent many a day and night with their “TuTu” and never seemed to get enough. She could have written an instruction manual on how to be the best grandparent ever.
Davie was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, July 8, 1981; her parents; and her older sister, Dr. Tannye Rawls.
She is survived by her children, LeeAnn McKee, David (deceased), Harrisonville, and Lynne McLain and Richard, Butler; four grandchildren, Daniel McKee, Harrisonville, Tara McKee, Raymore, Lynnsey Shade, Mrs. Randy, Overland Park, Kansas, and Richard ‘Lee’ McLain and his wife, Emily, Butler.
She will also be greatly missed by three beautiful great-granddaughters, Izabella Rose Shade, 5, Scarlett James Shade, 2, and Magnolia Ann McLain,1; a sister, Marian Ford; and three nephews and their families, all of Gadsen and Birmingham, Alabama.
All of us who have loved her and been loved by her, pray her light shines through us in order to bless others as she blessed us. We love you TuTu and will never be the same without you.
Funeral services were Sept. 2 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, with burial in the Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
John E. Beckerdite
Dec. 2, 1930 – Sept. 1, 2020
John Edward Beckerdite, Raymore, was born Dec. 2, 1930, the son of John Quincy and Naomi Beckerdite, in Main City. He died Sept. 1 surrounded by family members.
July 5, 1952, John married his sweetheart, Mary Alice Welborn, at the First Baptist Church of Harrisonville. They shared a love of music and the Lord. John sang in the choir, a men’s quartet and led the singing in many revival services while Mary Alice accompanied on the piano.
John served in the U.S. Air Force and was based at McConnell Air Force Base during their early marriage. After leaving the Air Force, he and his father farmed 500 acres of
land.
After farming for years, John and his wife took a step of faith and started a new business, Mary-Ed Eggs, beginning with 3,000 laying hens and expanding to 21,000 hens. They processed and delivered eggs for more than 20 years alongside their four children.
After retiring, they moved to western Colorado for 11 and one-half years, before returning to Missouri in 2000 to be near their children.
John is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Alice Beckerdite; and their four children, Ron Beckerdite and wife, Marvina, Rhonda Bennett and husband, Cliff, Brenda Ellis and husband, Michael and Don Beckerdite and wife, Joeva; 11 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Cremation. A memorial graveside with military honors will be held at the Freeman Cemetery, Freeman, at a later date.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Teresa Cook
Oct. 11, 1951 – Aug. 21, 2020
Teresa Scavuzzo Cook, Belton, was born Oct. 11, 1951, in Harrisonville the daughter of Cosmo and Rosemary Scavuzzo. She died Aug. 21 at her home in Belton at the age of 68.
Teresa grew up in Harrisonville and graduated from Harrisonville High School where she was a cheerleader and played volleyball. Growing up she spent much of her time at the lake with her family swimming and skiing and spending time with her friends.
June 13, 1989, Teresa married Phillip E. Cook and they resided in Peculiar most of their married life until his death.
During her working years, she worked for Midwest Mechanical Contractors as an accountant.
Teresa loved to bake. She enjoyed reading, cuddling with her dogs, talking on the phone and spending time at the lake. She especially looked forward to girls week every year.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and an older sister, Dena Finnell.
Teresa is survived by three daughters, Bethany K. Woolery, Belton; Tiffany R. Goss and husband, Steve, Harrisonville; and Cortney J. Mayhew and husband, Brent, Bella Vista, Arkansas; six grandchildren, Kaitlin, Jacob, Lucas, Cooper, Ryan and Ella; a great-granddaughter Copeland; two sisters, Karla Hageman, Smithville, and Angela Travalent, Peculiar; other relatives and friends.
Cremation. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Betty Currie
April 1, 1922 – Aug. 30, 2020
Betty (Clara B.) Currie, 98, Holden, died Aug. 30 at her home. She was born April 1, 1922, in Independence, the daughter of William Elmer Barr, Sr., and Elizabeth Ann Hiatt.
Betty graduated from Kingsville High School in the class of 1940. She was a member of the Holden Community since 1936.
Betty was employed as a receptionist for a law firm in downtown Kansas City the year before she married her husband, Oren James Currie. Oren and Betty were married Nov. 12, 1941, in Harrisonville, and together they shared a life as dairy farmers.
Betty was a homemaker. She baked many pies for the funerals of church family and friends. She was a member of the RYO (Rural Youth Organization), as well as a member of the Union Chapel Extension Club. Betty enjoyed volunteering at the thrift store in Holden.
Following the death of her husband, Oren, in August 1999, she spent many years volunteering at the Holden Manor Care Center. Betty was a member of the First Baptist Church of Holden.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William E. and Elizabeth A. Barr; her husband, Oren J. Currie; a brother, William Elmer Barr, Jr.; a sister, Mary Frances Barr; and her granddaughter, Rachael Daneene Houx.
Betty is survived by three daughters, Glenda Ann Chiles and husband, Ronald, Kansas City, Janet Sue Houx and husband, Guy, Holden, and Sharron Lea Pierson and husband, Lennard, Dallas, Texas; two nephews, Wayne Lee Currie and wife, Thea, Woodbridge, Virginia, and Jerry Allen Barr, Peculiar; nine grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Sept. 5 at the First Baptist Church in Holden with Elder Ron Chiles Officiating. Interment was in the Holden Cemetery, Holden.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Holden First Baptist Church.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Campbell-Cast Funeral Home, Holden.
James JeuDevine
Aug. 27, 2020
James “Jim” Joseph JeuDevine, 88, Garden City, died Aug. 27 at his home.
Cremation. Inurnment will be held at the Southern Nevada Veterans Cemetery, Boulder City, Nevada, at a later date.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Garden City.
Martha L. Hastings
Feb. 22, 1938 – Aug. 23, 2020
Martha Lucille Hastings, East Lynne, was born Feb. 22, 1938, in Springfield the daughter of Wallace Richard and Mary Margaret (Hopper) Peery. She died Aug. 23 at Cass Regional Medical Center, Harrisonville, at the age of 82 years, 6 months and 1 day.
Martha was employed as a CNA for the Visiting Nurses Association, Harrisonville, until her retirement in 1983. She enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and going to the boats.
Martha and her husband, Gayles, had moved to Harrisonville in 1967.
Besides her parents, Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Gayles; her daughter, Rebecca Hastings; and her stepfather, Cecil Dyke.
Martha is survived by two sons, Steve Hastings, Harrisonville, Willie Hastings and Bo, East Lynne; three daughters, Wendy Surber, Osceola, Kathy Minshall and Jim, East Lynne, and Lori Spencer and Mike, Grandview; two grandchildren that they raised as their own, Alicia Faulkner and Rick, Vista, and Ronnie Hastings, Branson; 17 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; her brother, Butch Peery and Jackie, Ozark; her nephew, Ricky Peery and Ali, Branson; other relatives and a host of friends.
Cremation. A memorial graveside service to lay G.W., Martha and Becky at their final resting place will be at 11 a.m. Sept. 19 at the Spring Branch Cemetery, Avery.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Donald L. Laffoon
Dec. 16, 1940 – Aug. 28, 2020
Donald Lee “Duck” Laffoon, 79, Peculiar, died at his home Aug. 28. He was born Dec. 16, 1940, the son of Forrest Dean Laffoon and Gladys Nadine (Davenport) Laffoon.
He was raised in Cleveland and graduated in 1959 from Peculiar High School. He served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1968, stationed in Germany and achieved the rank of sergeant.
Upon his return, he was employed at Western Electric/AT&T until his retirement. He was a member of the VFW and enjoyed playing pool, going to the casinos and spending time with his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Bill Laffoon; and a sister, Betty Bourque.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Judy Laffoon; four sons, Donald Laffoon, Ronald Laffoon and Phyllis, Tony Jungman and Sherri, and Todd Laffoon; a daughter, Tera (Laffoon) Brewer and Michael; 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Cremation. A memorial graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Sept. 12 with military honors at the Gunn City Cemetery, Gunn City.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
DeLynne M. Wright
July 21, 1944 – Aug. 27, 2020
DeLynne Marie Wright, 76, Harrisonville, died Aug. 27 at St. Luke’s South in Overland Park, Kansas. No services are scheduled.
DeLynne was born July 21, 1944, in Carroll, Iowa, the daughter of Albert and Helen (Stilwell) Morris.
She had lived in Harrisonville for 28 years. DeLynne worked for the state of Kansas as a social worker before retiring.
DeLynne is survived by a son, David Wright, Scandia, Kansas; a daughter, Lisa Wright, Goldsboro, North Carolina; a brother, Larry Vust, Florida; three grandchildren, Jessica, Justina and Misty; and nieces and nephews, Tracy, Randy, Sonny, Heather and Misty.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Alvin Briscoe
Nov. 3, 1949, 1926 – April 27, 2020
A celebration of life for Alvin Briscoe will be at 5 p.m. Sept. 12 in the Rich Hill Round Park at Fifth and Park streets in Rich Hill.
There is no visitation. Those attending are asked to bring a lawn chair and umbrella.
Contributions may be given to the Rich Hill Lions Club.
Alvin J. Briscoe, 70, Rich Hill, died April 27 in Rich Hill. He was born Nov. 3, 1949, the son of John Earl and Jane Alice Davission Briscoe in Butler.
Alvin, one of four children, grew up in New Home Township in Rich Hill and graduated from Rich Hill High School in 1967. He furthered his education at DeVry Institute and learned the electronic trade.
Alvin farmed mostly, but he also had several other careers including owning and operating Carquest Auto, M&M Motor Supply, Rich Hill Internet, Rich Hill B&B, Red Star Service Station and AgCo Heating and Cooling.
He married Vianne Haley and together they raised two daughters. Alvin grew up in the Methodist Church.
Alvin was like a turtle – hard on the outside, but a softy inside. He would give the shirt off his back to help someone. He enjoyed traveling, reading anything technical and eating out at different places.
Alvin was a mentor to many young people and always willing to help. He served as a Rich Hill councilman, mayor of Rich Hill and was a member of the Rich Hill Lions Club for more than 50 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant brother, Russell.
Alvin is survived by his wife, Vianne Briscoe, Rich Hill; two daughters, Tiffany Ann Taylor and partner Amanda Rackley and Kristen Marie Taylor, all of Butler; a brother, Leo Briscoe and wife, Rosemary, Raymore; a sister, Lois Fugitt and husband, Rick, Rich Hill; and a grandson, Lane Benedick.
Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler.
Dwight Hedger
Dec. 6, 1949 – May 11, 2020
Dwight Lee Hedger, 70, Pensacola, Florida, formerly of Butler, died May 11 at West Florida Hospital, Pensacola.
He was born Dec. 6, 1949, the son of Frank Reuben and Hannah Louella Sims Hedger in Butler.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Frank and Jerry; and a sister, Connie Schaffer.
Dwight is survived by his son, Junior Munsterman and wife, Rena, Odessa; a brother, Jack Hedger and wife, Pam, Butler; an aunt, Betty Robey, Butler; his girlfriend, Nancy Hughes, Pensacola; and seven grandchildren.
A celebration of life for Dwight Hedger will be at 11 a.m. Sept. 10 at the Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. There is no visitation. Those attending are asked to maintain social distancing and preferably wear a mask, refrain from hugging or hand shaking.
Dwight’s wishes were to be cremated.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Home, Butler.
Donald R. Johnston
Nov. 22, 1938 – Sept. 2, 2020
Donald “Don” Ray Johnston, 81, Amsterdam, died Sept. 2 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City.
He was born Nov. 22, 1938, the son of Robert Newton and Ruth Shirley Robertson Johnston in Deerfield.
Don is survived by his life -long partner, Janet Chambers, Amsterdam; two sisters, Wanda Johnston, Lake Port, California, and Edna Tivis, Warrensburg.
Don’s wishes were to be cremated. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date in Hillsdale, Kansas.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler.