James R. Damon
Oct. 11, 1941 – Oct. 28, 2020
James “Jim” Robert Damon was born Oct. 11, 1941, in Bethany, the son of Robert Clifton Damon and Katherine Elizabeth Damon. He died Oct. 28 at the age of 79.
Jim graduated from Ridgeway High School in 1959 and joined the United States Navy where he would serve until August 1961, including service on the USS Saint Paul.
Upon returning from military duty, Jim worked at various jobs throughout the Kansas City area, including Western Electric and sales throughout the southeastern United States. It was on one of those trips that he watched a Billy Graham crusade in a hotel room and would give his life to Jesus, later responding to a call to the ministry.
Jim was ordained at the Evangelistic Center Church in downtown Kansas City and later answered a call to pastor Berean Baptist Church (now Friendship Full Gospel) in Butler. He met his future wife, Martha Sue Damon, after the move to Butler and continued bi-vocational ministry for several years.
Along with Sue, Jim helped raise two step-children, David Edward Watts and Debra Sue (Worth) Reynolds. To this union a son was born, James Neal Damon.
Jim would live in the Bates County region for the remainder of his life, working for years at Levy’s Mercantile on the Butler square, Scott’s Furniture Store in Butler and KMAM/KMOE radio station in Butler, helping to spark an interest in his son’s future broadcasting career.
He briefly refereed basketball games and was a substitute teacher in the area, but may be best known for umpiring baseball and softball games for nearly 40 years throughout the western side of the state of Missouri.
He was especially proud when he umpired with a former MLB umpire and was told he was as good or better as any of the professional umpires. Upon retirement, he briefly worked at Food Fair in Rich Hill and later relocated from the family farm southwest of Butler to Rockville.
Jim was passionate about sports and caring for the needs of family including tending to his paraplegic wife for the entirety of their 46-year marriage. He was also passionate about the Lord, still serving in his local church and community leading up to his death.
He was also very proud of his military service, as well as honoring others that had served, including his stepson, two grandchildren and a nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by wife, Sue, of the home; sisters, Deanna and Farrell Whitaker, LaRita and Richard Wonsetler, Marietta and Steve Hitchcock; and brother, Myron; stepson, David Watts and significant other, Jayne Sisk; stepdaughter Debra Sue Reynolds and husband, Mike; son, James Neal Damon and wife, Amanda; grandchildren David, Jr., Jesse, Erica, Dakota, Colton, Faith, Sophia and Joshua; seven great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.
Funeral services were Nov. 11 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler.
Interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler.
In lieu of flowers contributions are suggested to the family.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler.
Bettie G. Harbur
Feb. 15, 1943 – Nov. 6 2020
Bettie Harbur, 77, Adrian, died Nov. 6 at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler.
Bettie Gail Harbur was born Feb. 15, 1943, in Kansas City, the daughter of Howard and Juanita Dade Bridges.
She worked for many years as a CNA at the state hospital and later as a teacher.
Bettie loved animals and provided a safe home to many throughout the years. She was a published author and very much enjoyed movies and a variety of music.
Bettie loved her family and friends and enjoyed spending time with them. She had a special bond with her niece and nephew, Alicia and Matthew.
Bettie was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Lonnie Bridges; and by her long-time companion James Stubbart.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, Bobbie Bridges, St. Louis; and by several cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Graveside services were Nov. 11 at the Crescent Hill Cemetery in Adrian.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler.
Donna K. Hutton
July 14, 1958 – Nov. 13, 2020
Donna Kay Hutton, 62, Butler, died Nov. 13 at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler. She was born July 14, 1958, the daughter of Glenn William and Carol Sue Ayres Hutton in Monroe, Louisiana.
She was preceded in death by her father, Glenn Hutton; and grandparents, Harvey and Hazel Ayres.
Donna is survived by two daughters, Ashli Cox, Adrian and Kristy Smith, Arkansas; a son, J.R. Westmoreland; her mother, Carol Hutton, Raymore; two sisters, Diana Hutton, Gardner, Kansas, and Tisha Foley and husband, Chris, Belton; five grandchildren, Dylan, Kimberly, Amica, Leilyia and Evrett; and two great-grandchildren.
Donna’s wishes were to be cremated. Memorial services will be announced at a later date.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler.
David A. Thornley
Jan. 7, 1935 – Nov. 6, 2020
David Andrew Thornley, 85, died Nov. 6 at the Lincoln Community Care Center in Lincoln.
David was born Jan. 7, 1935, in Calico Rock, Arkansas, the son of Rosa Gertrude Flannery and Charles William Thornley. He was one of six children that created a life full of friendships.
David proudly joined the military after finishing school. He married the love of his life, Nelma Jean Cantrell, Nov. 20, 1959. They moved to Wenatchee, Washington, where David worked at an apple orchard and the railroad.
Later, David was called back to the Army Reserves and they relocated to Killeen, Texas. David and Nelma eventually settled down in Missouri. David worked as a farmhand for L.M. Butcher prior to his successful career at Henry County Mutual. David could also be found in surrounding communities painting houses as a side job, often with his brother, Hugo.
David had a passion for fishing, hunting and growing a garden to be jealous of. David and Nelma hosted many fish fries throughout the years that kept the extended family connected, a guaranteed day of laughter and overindulging.
He planned an annual trip to deer camp with hunting, storytelling, jokes and memories to cherish forever.
David was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Rosa Thornley; three brothers, Virgil, Jr. and Hugo; and two sisters, Jane and Leona.
David is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Nelma; a son, Mitchell and Paula Thornley, Clinton; three daughters, Leah and Len Leake, Aiken, South Carolina, Teresa and Brian Plumlee, Urich, and Sue and Mike Determan, Clinton; 13 grandchildren, Tara and Ryan Dettmer, Centerview, Tiffany and Drew Kuntemeier, St. Peters, Nathan and Katy Campbell, San Antonio, Texas, Derek and Taryn Thornley, Chilhowee, Chelsea Thornley and Traver Clifford, St. Charles, Lana Swopes, Holden, Lindsey and Kyle Peterson, Pleasant Hill, Tyler Propst, Maryville, Jessica Determan and Derrick Stoneking, Leeton, Madeline Determan and Owen Determan, Clinton, Quintinand Heather Plumlee, South Bend, Indiana, Lauren Plumlee and Shawn Deegan, Shawnee, Kansas; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Nov. 12 at Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton. A graveside service was held at the Carpenter Cemetery, Chilhowee, immediately following the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Henry County Memory Fund, P.O. Box 741, Clinton, MO 64735, or the Carpenter Cemetery Fund.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton.
LaVerna I. Baker
July 9, 1934 – Nov. 6, 2020
LaVerna Irene Baker, 86, Archie, died Nov. 6 at McDonald County Living Center in Anderson. LaVerna was born the daughter of Leonard and Lillian (Blackwell) Smotherman in Mountain View July 9, 1934, during the heart of the Great Depression.
LaVerna graduated from high school in Mountain View. She met Lyle Baker in 1956 in Kansas City through a mutual friend and after many roller skating and bowling dates, they were married Jan. 18, 1958.
LaVerna and Lyle spent a lifetime in Archie as pillars and advocates for their community. They were members of the Archie First Baptist Church.
LaVerna enjoyed a long career in banking at Archie State Bank and as an accomplished seamstress, collaborated with Lyle for many of his school play productions.
She was an avid puzzle genius and enjoyed playing piano and singing in the church choir. Her snickerdoodles that she made for friends and family were unrivaled.
LaVerna and Lyle spent 56 wonderful years together, filled with travels and experiences.
LaVerna was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lyle, May 13, 2014; a brother, Austin; and a sister, Erma.
She is survived by three children, Kevin Baker, Harrisonville, Jay Baker, Anderson, and Laurie Beth Lynn, Overland Park, Kansas; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and three of her siblings, Larry Smotherman, Mountain View, Dixie Smotherman, Strafford, and Donna Parmley, Anderson.
Funeral services were Nov. 12 at the First Baptist Church in Archie with burial in the Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, Archie.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Walter R. Campbell
Sept. 19, 1933 – Nov. 11, 2020
Walter Ray Campbell, 87, Garden City, died on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11. Ray was born Sept. 19, 1933, the son of Leonard and Hester Campbell in Hazzard, Kentucky.
Ray was a United States Air Force veteran retiring in Ray worked as a civil servant with the General Services Administration until 1988, when he retired.
Ray was an avid bowler with his wife, Peggy, and would travel the United States for bowling tournaments.
Ray was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Adrian and held different positions including The Guardian of Job’s Daughters, as well as Grand Lecturer and Worshipful Master.
Ray was a member of Garden City American Legion Post 498 and held several positions including secretary and adjutant.
Ray was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Alice M. “Peggy” Campbell; his parents, Leonard and Hester Campbell; and his sister, Ruby Barham.
Ray is survived by his daughter, Rhonda Rae Cella, and Paul Joseph, Adrian; his brother, James Paul Campbell and his twin brother, Wallace Grey Campbell, both of Shell Knob, and Whitlaw Jessie Campbell, Cincinnati, Ohio; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Ray will be greatly missed by his friends and family.
Cremation. A celebration of life service will be at 11 a.m., Nov. 28 at the Dayton Community Church, Dayton, with military honors to follow. Inurnment will be at the Dayton Cemetery following the military honors.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Shriner’s Hospital.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Melba A. Cox
March 23, 1940 – Nov. 5, 2020
Melba A. Cox, 80, Harrisonville, died Nov. 5 at Cass Regional Medical Center in Harrisonville. Melba was born March 23, 1940, in Mansfield, Arkansas, the daughter of William Duane and Edna Marie (Johnson) Ellis.
The family moved to California when Melba was young. She was a graduate of Coachella Valley High School in Thermal, California, and worked for the phone company in California until her daughters were born.
The Cox family moved to Harrisonville in 1977 and Melba went to work for United Telephone, later working for Sprint as an analyst until her retirement in 2005.
After her retirement, she worked as the floral delivery driver for Garden Gate Floral in Harrisonville for many years.
Throughout the years, “MeMaw” was happiest babysitting her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and attending their school programs, sporting events and family gatherings.
Melba was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Bill Ellis, Leo Ellis and Neil Ellis.
She is survived by two daughters, Connie Gibb and husband, Jerry, Harrisonville, and Becky Cox, Lee’s Summit; two grandsons, Michael Schuster and wife, Trista, and Jeffrey Schuster and wife, Amanda; and five great-grandchildren, Kenedy, Reagan, Madi, Abbi and Brody.
Graveside services were Nov. 11 at Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Gerald W. Johnson
Nov. 29, 1942 – Nov. 10, 2020
Gerald “Jerry” Wayne Johnson, 77, Peculiar, died Nov 10 at St. Luke’s East Hospital in Lee’s Summit. Jerry was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the son of Jeff and Shirley Johnson.
Due to his father’s military status, Jerry moved several times. His most memorable times were with his family in Alaska. Jerry’s family moved to Grandview his junior year of high school, where Jerry excelled at sports. Jerry played football and shot put
during his two years at Grandview High School.
Following high school, Jerry attended college at Central Missouri State College where he continued to play football. It was there he met his future wife, Judy Kay Moore. Jerry graduated from college with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business.
Directly after graduation, he was drafted into the Army and was discharged two years later. While serving in the Army, Jerry married Judy Moore May 30, 1968, and they took up residence in Grandview.
Following his discharge, Jerry was employed by Pittman Manufacturing Company in Grandview as an industrial engineer, then later he took a position with Marley Cooling Tower Company in Mission, Kansas.
In 1974, Jerry became father to twin girls, Shelley and Sherri. In 1977, he and his family moved to Peculiar where Jerry lived until Jerry’s Alzheimer’s progressed. In 2018, Jerry was moved to John Knox Village Care Center.
Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Jeff; and his mother, Shirley (Steiner).
Survivors include his wife, Judy; daughters, Shelley and Adam Bunton and Sherri and Peter Milakovich; grandchildren: Brennan, Emily and Emma; his sisters: JoAnn and Jerry Parrott, Judy Porche and Jennifer Johnson and Doug Orvedahl.
Funeral services were Nov. 18 at the First Church of Peculiar. Interment followed in Peculiar Cemetery. Memorial donations are suggested to Harvesters in Jerry’s name.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Elsie N. Kelly
July 22, 1924 – Nov. 8, 2020
Elsie N. Kelly, 96, formerly of Harrisonville, died Nov. 8 at a health care facility in St. Joseph.
Elsie was born July 22, 1924, the daughter of Earl and Lucia Moore in Garden City.
She married Charles W. Kelly May 26, 1945, during his service in the 8th Air Force.
He preceded her in death in January 1999. She was also preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Edna (Moore) Rudisaile; and a granddaughter, Jenny Kelly.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Harrisonville. Elsie learned to play the violin in high school and played with the Garden City Orchestra before outdoor movies in the summertime. While in college, she played violin in a string quartet.
Elsie attended Southwest Baptist College in Bolivar, during the war years, later earning her Bachelor’s Degree from Central Missouri State University. She was an elementary school teacher for 43 years, serving in the Latour, Garden City, East Lynne and Lee’s Summit school districts where she was beloved by many, and she, in turn, loved her many students.
Following her retirement in 1987, she traveled extensively including visits to the British Isles, Eastern Europe, Russia, Australia and China bringing back many paintings and local craft works to enhance her home.
Survivors include her children, Nancy (Kelly) Leimkuhler and Lyle, St. Joseph, James F. Kelly and Heli, Long Lane, Sabra (Kelly) Rhodes, Coweta, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Tim Leimkuhler, Ben Leimkuhler, Amanda (Leimkuhler) Palmer and Jon, Erin (Kelly) Neely and Rick, Kent Kelly and Tiffany, Cassie (Morrow) Homburg and Nathan and Sarah Morrow; great-grandchildren, Abigail Palmer, Emma Palmer, Kendal Neely, Evelyn Neely, Caylin Kelly, Oliver Kelly; sisters, Lucia (Moore) Orr, Garden City, and Mary Ann (Moore) Bracegirdle, Jasper, Georgia; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services were Nov. 11 at the Dickey Funeral Home, with interment at Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville.
Flowers are appreciated, but for those wishing to make a monetary remembrance, the family requests they be made to Living Community of St. Joseph, 1202 Heartland Road, St. Joseph, MO 64506, to whom the family wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude for the loving care Mother received the last 12 years.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Betty A. Pinaire
Jan. 20, 1944 – Nov. 10, 2020
Betty Ann Pinaire, 76, Garden City, died Nov. 10 at her home surrounded by family.
A graveside service was held Nov. 13 in the Austin Cemetery, Austin.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Rex L. Rector
Dec. 28, 1950 – Nov. 5, 2020
Rex Lee Rector, 69, Harrisonville, was born Dec. 28, 1950, in Butler. He was the third of four children, and only son, of William L. and Wanda L. Rector.
After battling cancer for three years and a recent heart attack, Rex experienced a stroke Nov. 4 and died Nov. 5.
Rex attended Oak Park High School in Kansas City where he excelled in sports, especially baseball, basketball and football. After high school he entered Central Missouri State College in Warrensburg.
As a freshman there, he received a visit by two students from the Navigators who challenged him to make Jesus Christ the center of his life. Rex was raised in a Christian home, but it was not until his involvement with the Navigators that the Lord planted a zeal for sharing his faith, which became the direction for the rest of his life.
Following college graduation, Rex served on staff with the Navigators in Manhattan, Kansas, at Kansas State University. It was there he met the love of his life, Deborah Luann Hunt. They married in May 1977.
Together they began a life of full-time ministry, first at CMSU, where their daughter, Heather Elise, was born and then at Mankato State University at Mankato, Minnesota, where their son, Caleb Lewis, was born.
To the students involved in the Navigator ministry with them, Rex and Debbie made a commitment to remain as lifetime mentors. Several couples made the decision to move to Missouri and settled in Harrisonville, planting a church together there. He fulfilled his promise to those students, shepherding them and their children for the rest of his life.
Rex worked as a bi-vocational pastor and home builder, setting up a cabinet shop in his home. Rex and Debbie were interested in mission work worldwide and spent three months in Ireland early in their marriage and again in 2012, in Zimbabwe.
In 2000, he ran for state representative, serving for six years in the Missouri House of Representatives. For the last 10 years, he was an avid bicyclist and enjoyed being a part of The Bicycle Shack and Gusto’s Coffee biking clubs.
Preceding Rex in death were his father, Louie Rector; and his nephew, Kurt Meek.
Survivors include his wife, Debbie; his two children, Heather and husband, Ed, Hett and Caleb and wife, Rebekah, Rector, all of Harrisonville; and 12 grandchildren, E.J., Justus, Elise, Abigail, Sarah, Isabelle, Dean and Judson Hett, and Titus, Anaiah, Luke and Allison Rector; his mother, Wanda Rector; and three sisters, LaWanna Moss and Jerry, Jean Stark and Tom, and Deborah Meek and Russ.
Rex treasured relationships with cousins, extended family members and many friends.
A memorial service of celebration was Nov. 13 at Cedar Ridge E-Free Church in Harrisonville. Interment was in the Appleton City Cemetery, Appleton City.
Memorial gifts may be designated for Life to Life Africa or the Shiloh Center of Harrisonville and can be sent through the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Bill Shelton
Feb. 2, 1927 – Nov. 6, 2020
Bill Shelton, 93, previously of Harrisonville, died Nov. 6 at Autumn Terrace Health and Rehab in Raytown. Bill was born Feb. 2, 1927, in Liberal, the son of Charles and Marie
(Riley) Shelton.
He grew up learning how to be a hard worker, as evidenced by selling his mother’s homemade doughnuts at school during the depression.
He joined the Merchant Marine while he was a junior in high school.
Upon return, he joined the Carpenter’s Union as a millwright, which began his long career in construction. He married DeeEtta Hall and they had four children, Sandy, Linda Sue, Bill C. and Bob C.
He formed his own construction company in 1952, shortly after the Kansas City flood, which was located at 59th and Prospect, where he had 30 employees doing basement repair, masonry and stonework, as well as owning one of the first and largest private snow removal businesses.
June 1, 1956, he married Lorelei Davis, which brought Terry and Lorna to the family. In 1961, the family moved to Peculiar where all six children graduated and he began his cattle operation, raising Angus and Charolais for many years.
While in Peculiar, he built the original Peculiar Senior Citizen Complex in partnership with Ed Shug. It was very important to him to achieve this goal for the community. He also built the Peculiar Lions Club building and was a member for many years.
After retiring, he and Lee moved to Harrisonville. Bill was a parish member and served on the vestry numerous times at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Bill was active in the Cass County Historical Society and was instrumental in moving the Sharp-Hopper log cabin from north of Harrisonville to its present location next to the Cass County Information Center.
He enjoyed volunteering at the Cass County Rescue Mission. He was also a member of Cass Masonic Lodge No. 147, Harrisonville, and Ararat Shrine, Kansas City.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Lorelei “Lee”; daughter, Lorna; and sister, Dorthea Nickel.
He is survived by his children, Sandy and Bill Rupert, Sarasota, Florida, Linda Fricke, Lone Jack, Bill and Nancy Shelton, Harrisonville, Terry and Lisa Shelton, San Francisco, California, and Bob and Sharon Shelton, Cheyenne, Wyoming; grandchildren, Jackie, Noah, Camille, Isac, Bradley, Baylee, Kyle, Mathew, Naomi, and Georgia Lee; great-grandchildren, Ella Shelton, Isabelle Shelton, Alexa Shelton, Corwin Shelton, Maxwell Bilyk and Samuel Bilyk; and nephew, Joe Nickel.
There will be a private memorial at a later date. Memorial donations are suggested to Cass County Rescue Mission, 304 E Wall, Harrisonville, MO 64701.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Hazel L. Wise
Jan. 5, 1923 – Nov. 5, 2020
Hazel Lucille Fritter Wise, 97, Louisburg, Kansas, died Nov. 5 at Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, Kansas. Hazel was born Jan. 5, 1923, on the family farm, south of West Line, the daughter of Ralph Emerson and Cora Fern Greene.
Hazel was the oldest of the four siblings including sisters Velma Mae Cook and Kathryn Frances “Kay” Smith and is survived by her younger brother, Jackie Lee Greene, De Soto.
Growing up in West Line, she often rode her horse or drove the buggy with her sisters to the one-room Dodger Point School where she won all of the spelling bees.
She moved to Drexel to help out in her Aunt Lena and Uncle Eli’s hotel. She made beds and baked chocolate pies all while attending high school and graduating as salutatorian in 1941.
April 8, 1942, she secretly married her high school sweetheart, the valedictorian Bob Turner. She knew Bob had Hodgkins Lymphoma, which there was no cure for at the time. Loving life in a little house they rented, she lost Bob only a year after they married.
After Bob’s death, Hazel took the train to Kansas City and lived in an apartment with Bob Turner’s sister, Laura Lois (surviving). She worked for Eastman Kodak, Rolland’s photo studio and eventually as a diamond grinder at Pratt Whitney, which she did not enjoy.
Living in Kansas City, Hazel met Cliff Fritter, who had hitchhiked to Kansas City from Washington, D.C. Cliff lived in a men’s boarding house across the street.
They eloped six weeks later, July 14, 1945, and moved back to the family farm where Cliff learned to be a farmer.
To this union, they added four children, Lance Wayne, Lona Dawn, Sana Sue and Tammie Ann. Hazel was a “Jill of all trades,” helping to run the dairy farm.
Hazel is survived by her three daughters and two son-in-laws, Lona and JD Fraser, Sana and Todd Antisdel and Tammie Drake and two step-daughters, Sharon Wise and Vickie Alderson.
Hazel spent her later years, which there were many, sewing, fishing, canning, painting and delighting in her grandchildren, Sonya and Rick Eshelman, Tracy Johnson and Chuck White, Dana and Seth Holloman, Kia and Andy Bondurant, Jastin and Jamie Antisdel, Sari and Micala Antisdel, Micah and Christina Drake and Tressie and Jonathan Gilmore.
Grandma Hazel loved all of her 24 great-grandchildren, Jayden and Brock Findley, Gabby and Coltin Johnson, Gavin, Saylor and Piper Holloman, Kessa, Sephine, Chilton, and Beale Bondurant, Adali, Ames and Emry Antisdel, Alaire, Arden and Jett Antisdel, Devin, Hailee, Addison, Aiden Drake, Tierney and Juniper Gilmore; and two great-greats: Brylon and Jaselynn McNeece.
After the death of her second husband, Clifton Fritter, in 1985, Hazel worked as a hostess in the Blair House where she met Harvey Wise. They eloped the day before their wedding date July 2, 1988, which caused quite a bit of consternation.
When Pastor Barth Smith announced them as husband and wife to the West Line congregation that Sunday morning, Hazel’s mother stood up and said “I’ll get even with you.”
She loved living on the farm with Harvey, raising her chickens, watching the calving and welcomed a whole new group of children: Jim and Sharon Wise and David and Vickie Alderson; grandchildren, Becky Welch, David Welch, Robert Welch, Cindy Kesterson, Loretta and Mike Folsom, Michelle and Max Menefee, Melissa and David Dubowsky, Amy Kesterson and Stephanie and Denis Unrein; 20 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren.
In Hazel’s own words, “We had many good times gardening, fishing, raising chickens, ducks, pigeons, goats, calves and horses. Oh yes, lot of dogs and cats too. I’ve loved it all.”
She went on to leave this message for her family, “Somehow I’ve never grown tired of life as some old people do. I would love to live long enough to see all of my babies grow up into young men and women, but there comes an end. I love you all. Grandma Hazel.”
Funeral services were Nov. 7 at West Line Christian Church, West Line. Burial followed services in Glenwild Cemetery, Cleveland.
Memorial contributions may be made to West Line Christian Church.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel.
Stephen F. Young
Jan. 2, 1941 – Nov. 9, 2020
Stephen F. Young, 79, Blue Springs, died Nov. 9. Steve was born in Kansas City, Jan. 2, 1941.
He graduated from Blue Springs High School. He attended the University of Missouri at Rolla Before entering the United States Air Force where he served his country in California and Iceland.
He was a career United States Federal Government employee and retired in December 1994 from the General Services Administration as a payroll technician.
After retirement, he worked 11 years as a computer lab assistant for the Blue River Community College.
A graveside service will be held in the Blue Springs Cemetery at a later date.
Steve wished to be cremated with one third of his ashes buried next to his parents, Wilbur Lewis Young and Marian Esther Young, at the Blue Springs Cemetery. He wished the other two thirds to be spread at the top of Sunshine Peak, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, his favorite ski mountain and over Hanauma Bay Oahu, Hawaii.
Steve loved adventure and travel. He snow skied many times in Colorado as well as once in Nagano, Japan, Alyeska, Alaska, Badgastein, Austria and in Idaho, New Mexico, California and Nevada.
He traveled to Europe eight times and the Caribbean seven times. In 2008, he took his trip of a lifetime to New Zealand and Australia. In New Zealand he did the AJ Hackett SkySwing and the Shotover Jet Boat in Queenstown. All together, he visited 24 foreign countries, as well as all but four states. He loved to swim, snow ski and bicycle ride.
Steve was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church Blue Springs.
Although he never married, he put in many hours volunteering to help others. He was one of the founders of the Independents Singles Ministry at his church. He did the monthly newsletter for many years.
He served as the Kansas City Ski Club secretary for three years and several years as the club photo committee chairman.
He rode the Bike MS Ride five times and put in many volunteer hours with the MS Society. He rode the Tour de Cure Bike Ride four times for diabetics. Travel photography and gardening were two of Steve’s favorite hobbies.
Survivors include Steve’s brother, Roderick and his wife, Mary, Peculiar; sister, Jeanne Pauly, Ellsworth, Maine; three nieces, Erin, Sarah, Michele, and nephew, Rod, Jr., and their families.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Robert Pauly.
Donations may be given in Steve’s name to the Parkinson Foundation of the Heartland, 8900 State Line Rd. No. 320, Leawood, KS 66206.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore.