William R. Capehart
Feb. 4, 1931 – Sept. 19, 2020
William Robert “Bill” Capehart, 89, Raymore, was born Feb. 4, 1931, in LaCygne, Kansas, the son of George F. and Bertha Capehart. He died Sept. 19 at the Kansas City Hospice House.
Bill was born and raised on a farm near LaCygne and attended school there where he met his sweetheart, Marilyn Rose. They were married June 4, 1950, and moved to Fort Hood, Texas.
Bill served in the Army while Marilyn took care of the home. Their first daughter, Marcie, was born while he was stationed there.
After the Army years, the family moved to St. Louis where he made a living working as a carpenter and built many homes in the St. Louis area.
He also developed a passion for building and flying radio controlled airplanes.
He belonged to an RC club, the “Signal Chasers,” and made many lifelong friends who shared his enjoyment.
He and Marilyn welcomed their second daughter, Mindy, while in St. Louis.
It wasn’t long before the family made their way back to Kansas. Bill bought the farm where he was raised and began his second career as a farmer. It was hard work and long days, but he always made time for the flying he so loved.
He got his private pilot’s license and bought an old Taylorcraft airplane. He enjoyed going up to look at his farm, the fields and cattle. Daughter Mindy almost always went along, learning how to fly with Daddy.
In later years he would occasionally fly up to Independence to pick up grandson, Corey, to spend a few days at the farm.
Bill also enjoyed RV trips with Marilyn. They traveled to Montana, Florida and Texas to visit family and they liked the Grand Lake area in Oklahoma.
Bill and Marilyn were long-time members of the Drexel Christian Church and had many friends there.
Bill was a kind and gentle man who was blessed with many friends over the years. “To a job well done daddy! The final flight was a bit long and bumpy, but you handled it with such determination and bravery. As you make your final ascent to heaven, enjoy the scenery. When you are at the desired altitude, throttle back, nose down and keep even amounts of horizon under your wings. When you reach heaven, touchdown softly, you have been cleared for landing. We love you, Marcie and Mindy.”
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Marilyn; a grandson, Corey Richardson; his brothers, George, Jr., Curtis, Warren, Duane and Larry; and a sister, Doris Jean Bowman.
He is survived by two daughters, Marcie and Larry Calvin, Pleasant Hill, and Mindy Capehart, Overland Park, Kansas; five grandchildren, Luke and Jen Calvin, Ashleigh and Nathan Goddard, Kyle and Jessica Richardson, Johnny Hix and Abby Hix; six great-grandchildren, Grey and Reese Calvin, Cal and Chloe Goddard and Nash and Cohen Richardson; other relatives and friends.
Full military honors were Sept. 26 at the Stanley-Dickey Funeral Home, Pleasant Hill, conducted by the United States Army and the VFW Post No. 3118 Honor Guard.
Graveside services were Sept. 26 at the Star Valley Cemetery, LaCygne. The Rev. Rick Friesen officiated. Casket bearers were Larry Calvin, Luke Calvin, Cal Goddard, Nathan Goddard, John Hix, Johnny Hix and Kyle Richardson.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Kansas City Hospice House and may be sent in care of the funeral home.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Stanley-Dickey Funeral Home, Pleasant Hill.
Martha E. Combs
July 8, 1951 – Sept. 16, 2020
Martha Ellen “Elly” Combs, 69, Harrisonville, formerly of Pleasant Hill and Rockaway Beach, was born, July 8, 1951, in Pleasant Hill, the daughter of James W. and Betty (Gustin) Land. She died Sept. 16 at the Kansas City Hospice House.
Elly was a 1969 Pleasant Hill High school graduate.
April 19, 1968, she married William “Bill” Fleener and they later divorced.
She then married David Combs, they later divorced.
Elly was first employed as a secretary for the Blue Ridge Bank and Trust Co., Kansas City. After moving to Rockaway Beach, she worked as a secretary for Attorney Mike Lyons and later as a case worker for the Missouri Department of Family Services.
She enjoyed listening and playing music, especially the piano. She also loved fishing and swimming in the creeks near her home and watching the Kansas City Chiefs. She most loved spending time with her family.
Elly was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, James Douglass Land; and her daughter, Billie Jean Fleener.
She is survived by two sons, David Jared Combs, Ravenwood, and Darren Gene Combs, Clinton; her son-in-law, Brian Edwards, Pleasant Hill; four grandchildren, Damien Grant and Kaylee Rantz, both of Branson, and Brittany McManus and James McManus, both of Kansas City; two great-grandchildren, Kennedy McManus and Bentleigh Skibicki; other relatives and friends.
A celebration of Elly’s life was Sept. 26 at the Stanley-Dickey Funeral Home. The Rev. D. Kent Deubner officiated. Inurnment will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery at a later date.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Stanley-Dickey Funeral Home, Pleasant Hill.
Penny K. Cutler
July 18, 1962 – Sept. 23, 2020
Penny Kay Cutler, 58, Harrisonville, died Sept. 23 at her home. No services are scheduled at this time.
Penny was born July 18, 1962, in Harrisonville, the daughter of Raymond and Mary (Adkins) Parker.
She was a 1980 graduate of Harrisonville High School. Penny married Bryson Cutler Jan. 28, 2000.
Penny had worked at National Envelope Company as a machine operator for 20 years and for ATK for approximately 15 years as a quality inspector.
She was a member of the First Christian Church in Harrisonville. Her hobbies included watching movies, all sports, especially the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals, and her dogs, Snowball and Princess.
Penny was preceded in death by her father, Raymond Parker.
She is survived by her husband, Bryson Cutler, of the home; her mother, Mary Parker; three brothers, Steve Parker and Sharon, Rick Parker and Marianne, and Randall Parker and Debra; a sister, Linda Richards and Wayne; eight nieces and nephews; and 16 great-nieces and nephews.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Robert A. Kalwei
Feb. 24, 1941 – Sept. 19, 2020
Robert “Bob” Anthony Kalwei, 79, Harrisonville, died Sept. 19 at his home. Bob was born Feb. 24, 1941, in Appleton City, the son of Joe and Agnes (Fessler) Kalwei.
He was a 1959 graduate of Montrose High School.
He lived in Kansas City before moving to Harrisonville where he had lived for the past 30 years.
Bob married Sue Jan. 28, 1989, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He worked at Clasen-Morris Chevrolet as an auto mechanic. He later owned and operated Southern Safety in Kansas City for 25 years before retiring in 2003.
Bob was a member of the First Christian Church in Harrisonville and had served as an elder and also sang in the choir. He later attended HIS Church in Pleasant Hill.
Bob enjoyed cars, building engines and drag racing. He also was an avid gardener and enjoyed playing the guitar and pool.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Joann Jurgensmeyer and Willard and Patty Sanders and Jim.
He is survived by his wife, Sue, of the home; a son, Tony Kalwei and Wendy, Blue Springs; three daughters, Angela Cromes and Steve, Piqua, Ohio, Kristi Adair and Mike, Harrisonville, and Kerry Uptergrove and Brant, Tipton; a brother, Dick Kalwei and Rebecca, Odessa; a sister, Mary Lou Swigart and Steve, Alamont; a brother-in-law, Jim Kipper and Tasha, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and two sisters-in-law, Katie Elliott and Brian, Harrisonville, and Ann Krull, Overland Park, Kansas. Bob was blessed with many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Private family services were Sept. 23 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Harrisonville Ministerial Alliance.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Christopher M. Kerns
Dec. 30, 1972 – Sept. 9, 2020
Christopher Mark “Chris” Kerns was born Dec. 30, 1972, in Jackson County, and died Sept. 9 at his home in Pleasant Hill at the age of 47 years, 9 months and 10 days.
He was the son of Darrell F. and Jane A. (Davison) Kerns.
Chris was born into a military family and lived many places throughout his younger years. The Kerns family eventually moved to Pleasant Hill where Chris attended school and graduated from Pleasant Hill High School in 1991.
After graduation, Chris attended DeVry University where he studied computers and computer repair. After DeVry, he took a position with Optima Computers in Leawood, Kansas, where he dealt with technical issues. Chris lived to work and did everything he could to support his family.
May 4, 2018, Chris was married to Heidi Sue Schnorf at the gazebo in downtown Pleasant Hill. After their marriage, they made their home in Pleasant Hill.
Chris was an avid Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs fan. He loved watching their games with family and friends.
Chris’ life revolved around his family. He was a loving husband, father, son and brother and a true friend to many.
Chris was preceded in death by his father, Darrell F. Kerns.
He is survived by his wife, Heidi Kerns, of the home; his mother, Jane A. Kerns, Belton; three sons, Mark Kerns, Harrisonville, Jakobe Kerns, Blue Springs and Jesse Diemert, Seattle, Washington; a daughter, Mercedes Schnorf of the home; two brothers, Daniel Kerns, Belton, and Brian Kerns, Pleasant Hill; nephews, other relatives and many friends.
A celebration of life service was Sept. 26 at the Wallace Funeral Home in Pleasant Hill, with Pastor Dennis Gulley officiating. Immediately following the celebration of life service, the family hosted a gathering at the Pleasant Hill City Park.
The family suggests contributions to: gofundme.com (search for Chris Kerns), to help with final expenses.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Wallace Funeral Home, Pleasant Hill.
Jean Marie Kiefer
Feb. 12, 1927 – Sept. 21, 2020
Jean Marie Smith Kiefer was born Feb. 12, 1927, in Powhattan, Brown County, Kansas and died Sept. 21 at home in Harrisonville. She was 93 years, 7 months and 9 days young.
Much of Jean Marie’s childhood was spent in Powhattan where she played basketball and her baritone horn. She sang alto in the Methodist church choir and in any group
available. Her church activities included Sunday School and youth groups with their summer camps.
She was very active in the “Modern Sunflower” 4-H club from ages 10 to 18 and was a leader in the Creighton club when her children were members.
Her mother urged her to join the Eastern Star at age 18 and she received her 75-year pin in April 2020, but was only active by paying her annual dues and continued that duty. She felt her church participation with choirs, Sunday School teaching and the United Methodist Women was adequate with her other obligations.
Being nearly six feet tall, Jean Marie played basketball, as well as in the band, and graduated from Powhattan High School in 1945 after attending all 12 years in the same building only one and a half blocks from her home. Much of this was traveled on her bicycle with her faithful dog “Pluto” acting as guardian of both.
She attended both Kansas State and Pittsburg State before graduating from Bethany Hospital School of Nursing, Kansas City, Kansas, in 1950 where she worked as the assistant to the Nursing Arts instructor before becoming supervisor of pediatrics.
She decided on her own pediatrics and married John D. Kiefer, Jr., in 1953 and to that union was born six beautiful children. John D. preceded her in death in October 2019.
Also preceding her were Jeffrey Ray, her oldest son and his wife, Mary Lucynde “Cindy,” her parents, William Earl and Beatrice Marie Fletcher Smith and an infant sister, Miriam Ione Smith.
Surviving are Jeff and Cindy’s two sons, Michael Jeffrey and wife, Jessica, and children, Justice and Madelyne Rae, and Richard and son, Sean Michael, all of Buford, Georgia; Jan Margaret, husband, Mark Cohick, and son, Karel Hansen Cohick, of Kansas City; Joey Marigale and husband. Russell Ray Adams, and children, Margaret “Maggie” Marie and Kiefer Ray Adams, Harrisonville; James Michael and wife, Janice, Lexington, with her two sons, Will Fox and wife, Mary Kathryn, and daughters, Ava Katelyn (the first great-grandchild), Isabella, Stella, Elle and Charlotte, and Russell Fox and his children, Spencer Wayne, Evan Blane, Dexter William and partner, Megan Fiora, and her children, Arianna, Marshall and Izzabella; and Jim’s children, Keith Shane Coker, Andrea Michelle Kiefer and Amy Leigh Kiefer and children, Natalie Rebecca, Madison Annaleigh and Wyatt; Jill Marillyn Kiefer of the home, Harrisonville; and Johna D. and husband Greg Rettman, Lee’s Summit, Greg’s daughter, Catrina and husband, Ben Troja, Lawrence, Kansas, and children, Townes Wilson and Loretta Simone, and Johna and Greg’s children, Zach and wife, Tiffany, of Lee’s Summit, Hannah Thornton and husband, Colby, Kansas City, Madeline Rose Rettman and Jack Rettman, Lee’s Summit.
Jean Marie loved to sing, to write, especially rhymes about people, places, things and animals. Her mission was to call and sing Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to friends, family and members of her church family.
She especially enjoyed talking to her friend God. She will be remembered by some as a caring nurse and one who thought littering was disrespectful, to put it mildly.
She chose Dickey Funeral Home in 1969 after resuming her nursing career at Cass County Hospital following a 13year sabbatical during which she was busy raising her children.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Jean Marie Kiefer Flagpole Memorial Fund.
Funeral services were Sept. 25 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Julius W. Henley
Dec. 3, 1917 – Aug. 28, 2020
Graveside memorial services for Julius W. Henley will be at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 1 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler.
Julius W. Henley, 102, died Aug. 28 after a wonderful long life. He was born Dec. 3, 1917, the son of Rolla Isaac and Mary Isabelle Henley in Bates County.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; infant daughter, Marjorie Ann Hensley; two brothers, Buford and Ernest Henley; and two sisters, Pauline Cooper and Stella Newlon.
Julius is survived by a son, Robert J. Henley and wife, Coleen, Ft. Myers, Florida; two grandsons, Jay and wife, Lauren, and Jeremy and wife, Norma; and five great-grandchildren, Olivia, Kiersten, Layla, Mia and Crosby.
A card or phone call to the family would go a long way in remembering their loved one. If you don’t have family addresses, feel free to mail cards to the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, 1301 N. Orange St., Butler, MO 64730 and they will be sent to the family.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler.
Jerry Hines
July 26, 1946 – Sept. 20, 2020
Jerry Allen Hines, 74, Foster, died Sept. 20 at his home in Foster. He was born July 26, 1946, the son of Francis Eugene and Frances Edna Briscoe Hines in Foster.
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant triplets; a brother, David Hines; and a sister, Claudine.
Jerry is survived by his brother, Wayne Hines, Butler; a sister, Lena Lowe and husband, Bob, Prescott, Kansas; significant other, Linda Wadel, Rich Hill; Linda’s son, Kelly Wadel and fiancee, Katherine; nephews, nieces and other relatives.
A card or phone call to the family would go a long way in remembering their loved one. If you don’t have family addresses, feel free to mail cards to Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, 1301 N. Orange St., Butler, MO 64730 and they will be given to the family.
Funeral services for Jerry Hines were Sept. 24 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler.
Burial was in Salem Cemetery, Foster.
Contributions are suggested to the Salem Cemetery, Foster.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler.
Alice Jestis
Jan. 26, 1938 – Sept. 25, 2020
Graveside memorial services for Alice Jestis will be at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at Bethel Cemetery, Ballard. There is no visitation.
Contributions are suggested to the family.
Alice May Jestis, 82, Butler, died Sept. 25 at her home. She was born Jan. 26, 1938, the daughter of James and Dorothy Goodin Stevens in Butler.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, James, Jr.; infant twins; and a
granddaughter, Megan Miller.
Alice is survived by three sons, Arthur Wieand, Los Angeles, California, Steven Wieand, Kansas City, and Robert Jestis, Butler; three daughters, Cara Keller, Butler, Loretta Hainey and husband, Stacey, Springfield, and Deanna Baumgarden, Butler; a brother, Melvin Stevens, Pomme de Terre; four sisters, Virginia Flint and husband, Robert, and Coleta Stevens, all of Butler, Jo Thomas, Adrian, and Mary Terry of Edwards; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler.
Jerald R. McElwain
Nov. 3, 1940 – Sept. 18, 2020
Jerald “Jerry” Ray McElwain, 79. Butler, died Sept. 18 at Bates County Memorial Hospital, Butler.
He was born Nov. 3, 1940, the son of Aubrey Lewis and Mary Ladon Martin McElwain in Butler.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Joe Allen McElwain.
Jerry is survived by three daughters, Kathy Manser and husband, Kevin, Sibley, Kelly Jones and husband, Gary, and Kristy Franklin and husband, David, all of Butler; a sister, Janis Brown and husband, Dave, Sugarland, Texas; a stepson, Andy DeMar, Raytown; two stepdaughters, Michele Seward, Piper, Kansas, and Jenny Butler, Appleton City; seven grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson;six step-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; nephews, nieces and cousins.
Funeral services for Jerry McElwain were Sept. 26 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler.
Contributions are suggested to Friendship Full Gospel Church in Butler.
Funeral Arrangements were under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Home, Butler.
Gerald L. Roberds-Lowe
Dec. 27, 1931 – Sept. 23, 2020
Gerald L. “Gerrie” Roberds-Lowe, Adrian, formerly of Freeman and Harrisonville, was born Dec. 27, 1931, in Gardner, Kansas, the daughter of Floyd and Marie (Hill) Ford. She died Sept. 23 at Adrian Manor, Adrian, at the age of 87 years, 8 months and 27 days.
In 1954, Gerrie married Charles J. Roberds and they divorced in 1983.
Gerrie was employed as a supervisor for Hallmark Cards, Kansas City, and also owned and operated Roberds Wire and Rope Company for many years in Freeman.
Gerrie was a member of the Freeman Presbyterian Church, Freeman. She had lived in Kansas City, Freeman and Harrisonville, before moving to Adrian.
Gerrie was the mother of two daughters, Gerrilyn Paulette Rafferty who was born April 13, 1958, and Leslie Diane Roberds who was born Feb. 20, 1960.
Besides her parents, Gerrie was preceded in death by her daughter, Leslie.
She is survived by her daughter, Gerrilyn, grandchildren and great-grandchildren other relatives and a host of friends who dearly loved her.
Graveside services were Sept. 26 at the Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
