Obituaries

Steven R. Bell
Aug. 27, 1967 – Feb. 3, 2021

Steven “Steve” Richard Bell, 53, Harrisonville, died Feb. 3 at his home. Services will be held at a later date.

Steve was born Aug. 27, 1967, in Harrisonville, the son of Richard Lee and Barbara Jean (Downey) Bell.

He was a 1985 graduate of Raymore-Peculiar High School. He moved to Harrisonville in 1990.

Steve was an EMT with MAST before working for the Kansas City Fire Department. He truly loved his job and spoke so fondly of the people that he worked with.

Our family appreciates the love and kindness we have been shown by his EMT and fire department family.

Steve was a member of the IAFF Local 42 in Kansas City. He was an Eagle Scout and a member of the Tribe of MicO-Say.

Nothing made him happier than being at the lake and going to the races with his daughter. He loved fishing, kayaking and just sitting and enjoying the lake life. He enjoyed his yard and the critters that liked to visit.

He loved talking about Star Wars and Godzilla movies with his nephews. He loved his family, friends and life with his whole heart. His joy and humor touched everyone he met. He was the best dad, son, brother and uncle you could ever hope to have.

One last thing I know he would want to say to everyone is, Go Chiefs.

Steve was preceded in death by his father, Richard Bell; his grandparents, Omer and Vera Bell and Floyd and Mae Downey; and his favorite dog, Tasha.

He is survived by his beloved daughter, Brooke Bell, Harrisonville; his mother, Barbara Bell, Peculiar; his sister, Amy Brown and Mike, Raymore; two nephews, Matthew and Nicholas Brown; and his crazy cat, Decker.

The family requests no flowers. It is requested that any memorial donations be sent to the Harrisonville Animal Shelter.

Steve’s love of all animals was known to anyone that knew him. He rescued and nursed countless animals back to life. In his honor we would love to keep his love of animals alive.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.

Edna J. Cunningham
Oct. 12, 1938 – Jan. 28, 2021

Edna J. Cunningham, 82, Harrisonville, died Jan. 28 at Lake Regional Health System in Osage Beach. Edna was born Oct. 12, 1938, in Koshkonong, the oldest daughter of Henry and Clara Jean (Butler) Thompson.

She had lived in the Kansas City area until moving to Harrisonville in 1960.

Edna enjoyed spending time with her family and playing cards and games. She loved to garden, fish and listen to music, especially old country music.

Edna was preceded in death by her parents; a brother; and two sisters.

She is survived by three sons, Danny Cunningham and Jan, Freeman, Tom Cunningham and Keri Bell, Peculiar, and Phillip Cunningham and Trish Strouse, Macks Creek; a daughter, Amie Cunningham, Leawood, Kansas; three brothers, Jimmy Thompson and Pamela, Warsaw, Johnny Thompson, Lebanon, and Romie Thompson and Lisa, Archie; four sisters, Jo Ann Huskey and Jim, Pomme de Terre, Lois Gray and Jerry, Harrisonville, Kay Eisel and Bob, Harrisonville, and Valerie Risner, Clinton; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Graveside services were Feb. 2 at Orient Cemetery in Harrisonville. Memorial donations may be made to the Harrisonville Animal Shelter, or the American Heart Association.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.

Donald R. Hoover
Dec. 3, 1936 – Jan. 30, 2021

Donald Ray Hoover was born Dec. 3, 1936, in Pleasant Hill, and died Jan. 30 at Meadow View at Harrisonville Health and Rehabilitation Center in Harrisonville, at the age of 84 years, 1 month and 27 days. He was the son of Heber A. and Blanche Fern (Smith) Hoover.

Donald spent his younger years in the Pleasant Hill and Strasburg area, graduating from Pleasant Hill High School in 1954.

After graduation, he moved to Raymore.

July 7, 1955, Donald married Frances A. Oldham. After their marriage they lived in Harrisonville until 1958 when they moved to Peculiar to make their home. Donald and Frances were later divorced.

Donald worked as an over-the-road truck driver for Bill Parrott Trucking Company for many years. He was a member of the Community of Christ Church, Pleasant Hill.

In his spare time, Donald liked to tinker with small engines and cars.

Donald was preceded in death by a daughter, Cindy Ann Lane, Feb. 13, 1994; his parents, Heber and Blanche Hoover; and two brothers, David Wayne Hoover and Harry Hoover.

He is survived by two sons, Robin Ray Hoover and wife Diana, Lee’s Summit and Ronald Dean Hoover and wife Tracy, Peculiar; a daughter, Donita Sue Hoenshell and husband Terry, Peculiar; a brother, Joseph Calvin Hoover and wife, Sandy; a sister, Linda Faye Hoover-Maskus, and husband Richard; six grand-children; six great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

Cremation has been accorded. No services are scheduled at this time.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Wallace Funeral Home, Pleasant Hill.

Joseph D. Laboi
Jan. 28, 2021

Joseph Don Laboi, 65, Harrisonville, died Jan. 28 at Meadow View of Harrisonville.

Services will be held at a later time.

Inurnment was in Buckner Hill Cemetery.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.

Vera L. Lickey
Aug. 30, 1929 – Jan. 28, 2021

Vera Lea Hambelton Lickey, St. Louis, was born Aug. 30, 1929, in Gainesville, the daughter of Albert and Winnie (Cochran) Hambelton.

She died Jan. 28 at the Missouri Baptist Medical Center, St. Louis, at the age of 91 years, 4 months and 29 days.

In her early years, Vera was employed as a secretary for the recorder’s office in Ozark County and a waitress for Skeeter’s Cafe. Later she was a supervisor for Brown Shoe Company.

Vera was a former member of the Church of Christ, Gainesville, and the Rebecca Lodge, West Plains. She loved quilting, sewing, painting and most of all being with her family.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Lickey; a son, Robert “Bobby” McGinnis; a daughter, Kathryn Estes; a granddaughter, Candice McGinnis; and a brother, Warden Hinsley.

She is survived by two daughters, Carol Looney and husband, Jim, Harrisonville, and DeEdra Lickey, St. Louis; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; a son-in-law, John Estes, St. Louis; other relatives and many friends.

Cremation. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. The family suggests memorial contributions to Lily Ridge Baptist Church, Gainesville.

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.

Carolyn A. Stephens
March 18, 1944 – Jan. 31, 2021

Carolyn Anne Stephens, Harrisonville, was born March 18, 1944, in Kansas City, the daughter of Delbert Ivan and Margaret Edna (Huff) Cumpton.

She died Jan. 31 at Golden Years Care Services, Harrisonville, at the age of 76 years, 10 months and 13 days.

June 11, 1974, Carolyn married Albert Stephens in Miami, Oklahoma.

Carolyn was a dog breeder of Yorkies and Pekingese.

She was a member of the Drexel Christian Church where she was a board member and the VBS director for many years.

Carolyn enjoyed leading Bible studies at the church, her home and at the nursing home. She was an avid Chiefs fan.

Carolyn had lived in Drexel before moving to Golden Years in 2015.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Stephens, May 3, 2012; two sisters, Marilyn Michael and Valla Cumpton.

Carolyn is survived by two daughters, Julie Osburn and husband, Mike, Neodesha, Kansas, and Chrystal Jones and husband, Brett, Harrisonville; three grandchildren, Brandi, Jordan and Jackson; two great-grandchildren, Brynlea and Breckin; other relatives and many friends.

Cremation. A celebration of life service will be held later in the spring or summer at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.

Susan Prentice
March 29, 1935 – Jan. 28, 2021

Susan Prentice, 85, Archie, died Jan. 28 in Archie. Susan was born March 29, 1935, in Jay, Oklahoma, the daughter of Walter and Clara Vesta Vaughn.

She was one of four children, her sister, Joan, and two brothers, John and Don Vaughn. Susan retired from the United States
Marine Corps where she worked as a civilian computer operator.

She enjoyed hot coffee, word searches and her dolls, but she especially loved her family.

She was a lifelong member of the Grandview United Methodist Church and when she wasn’t spending time with her own family, she was helping other families by volunteering her time at Debbie’s Place.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents and siblings.

She is survived by her children, Laura Mitchell and husband, Mike Mitchell, and Mike Prentice; grandchildren, Christina Callen, Jesse Mitchell and wife, Morgan Mitchell, and Greg Prentice; great-grandchildren, Audra, Jaden, Tron, Ashlee, Kaidence, Deklin and Aurora; and great-great-grandchild, Rory.

“So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.” – John 16:22

Funeral services were Feb. 3 at the Atkinson Funeral Home, Adrian, with burial in Belton Cemetery, Belton. Memorial contributions are suggested to the funeral home.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Adrian.

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