Robert W. Cook
Oct. 10, 1939 – April 9, 2021
Robert Wesley Cook, 81, Freeman, died April 9 at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, surrounded by his family and pastor. Robert was born Oct. 10, 1939, in Harrisonville, the son of Aubrey B. and Isa Pearl (Bogar) Cook.
He was a lifelong Freeman resident. He was a proud graduate and member of the last class of Freeman High School in 1957.
Robert was a member of the Freeman Presbyterian Church, a 50-year member of Grand River Masonic Lodge No. 276 in Freeman, a long-time MFA Oil delegate and was in the Army Reserves during the Cold War from 1960 to 1965.
Robert was a devoted husband who found the love of his life when he met Linda K. Reiche. They were married Nov. 5, 1983, at the United Methodist Church in Harrisonville.
At the young age of 9, Robert started driving the tractor and helping his dad on the family farm. This led to a lifetime of farming and he was working on the farm with the help of Donnie, Logan, Wyatt and John Mabary until the time of his death.
He worked at the Anaconda Wire and Cable Company in Harrisonville for approximately seven years until the plant closed its doors. He also worked at Harmon Bus Company in Harrisonville.
Robert, along with his wife, Linda, enjoyed traveling to many different places with their good friends Mel and Donna Mathes. A couple of their favorite traveling experiences were going to South Texas for several weeks in the winter and celebrating Mel and Donna’s wedding anniversary by going on a five-day cruise to Cozumel, Mexico.
Robert was adored by his children and grandchildren. He rarely missed an opportunity to attend a family activity and could be spotted at many of the children or grandchildren’s events.
His first-born grandchild called him “Pa Bob” when he was learning to talk and the nickname followed with the other grandchildren down the line.
Robert’s favorite hobby was trout fishing and he spent many hours at Roaring River doing what he loved. He looked forward to meeting with the guys at Harold’s every morning. He also loved getting together with his classmates.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Steryl Cook.
He is survived by his wife, Linda, of the home; two sons, James Cook, Freeman, and Martin and Darlene Baumhoff, Edwards; two daughters, Janice Inman, Harrisonville, and Abbie and Larry Butler, Freeman; 17 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were April 14 at the Presbyterian Church in Freeman, with a Masonic service preceding the funeral service.
Burial was in the Freeman Cemetery, Freeman. Contributions may be made to the Freeman Presbyterian Church.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Doris R. Goddard
Oct. 17, 1928 – April 6, 2021
Doris Ramona Goddard, Harrisonville, was born Oct. 17, 1928, in Kansas City, Kansas, the daughter of Clarence Perry and Hallie Ann (White) DeRossette. She died April 6 at her home surrounded by love and family at the age of 92 years, 5 months and 20 days.
Jan. 31, 1946, Doris married Fredrick Thomas Goddard in Drexel.
Doris was a homemaker. She was a member of the Antioch Southern Baptist Church, Harrisonville, and attended Grace Baptist Church, Harrisonville, with her family. Doris loved to share the gospel, go on mission trips and shop.
She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was very devoted to them.
Besides her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband, Fredrick, Nov. 22, 1994; an infant son, Baby Goddard; a son, Richard Allen Goddard; a daughter, Sharon Sue Goddard; two brothers, Donald and Clarence Perry, Jr.; and two sisters, Bonnie Lawson and Helen Ventura.
Doris is survived by her granddaughter, Angela Bartlett and husband, Paul, Harrisonville; a grandson, Michael Allen Goddard and wife, Dawn, Wyoming; 10 great -grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were April 12 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, with burial in the Glenwild Cemetery near Cleveland.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Lowell D. Kindall
July 19, 1932 – April 12, 2021
Lowell Dain Kindall, 88, Harrisonville, died April 12 at Wilshire at Lakewood Care Center, Lee’s Summit. Lowell was born July 19, 1932, in Fordland, the son of Alvis and Corda (Tella) Kindall.
He grew up in Fordland and was a 1950 graduate of Fordland High School. Lowell worked for Boeing Airlines in Wichita, Kansas,
for a short time after high school and before joining the Army.
He married Frances L. Armstrong July 21, 1953.
After Lowell was discharged from the Army, they made their home in the Kansas City area. They moved to Harrisonville in 2012.
Lowell was a security guard in Kansas City for Bendix/Allied Signal for 33 years before his retirement.
He was a member of the Lee’s Summit Christian Church, Lee’s Summit.
Lowell was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Frances; his parents; and two brothers, Charles Denzel Kindall and Dale Kindall.
He is survived by his daughter, Susan Stoterau, Harrisonville; son Mike Kindall and wife, Jan, Greenwood; a daughter, Janice Carter and husband, Terry, Kansas City; and daughter Pamela Linquist and husband, Mike, Lee’s Summit; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were April 15 at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Pleasant Hill.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Oliver E. Long
July 3, 1928 – April 11, 2021
Oliver Eugene Long, 92, Harrisonville, died April 11 at Crown Care Center, Harrisonville. Oliver was born July 3, 1928, in Foster, the son of Arthur and Jetta (Morehead) Long.
He married Neola LaRee Oskee June 2, 1956, and they lived in Foster until moving to Harrisonville.
Oliver was an Army veteran of the Korean War.
After returning from the war, Oliver went to work for General Motors at the Leeds assembly plant in Kansas City where he worked for 30 years until his retirement.
He was a member of VFW Post 4409, Harrisonville. After retirement, he worked various part-time jobs, including one as a school crossing guard. His hobbies included fishing, hunting and making jerky.
Oliver was preceded in death by his wife, Neola; and a son, Donald Long.
He is survived by a son, Mark Long and wife, Kimberly, Harrisonville; a daughter -in-law, Sharon Long, Harrisonville; five grandchildren, Amanda (Long) and her husband, Brandon Edwards, Jacob Long and his wife, Nicole, Cassandra Long, Levi Long and his wife, Melissa, and Samantha Johnston; and five great-grandchildren, Chole Edwards, Jasper Edwards, Oakley Long, Jayden Johnston and Leylah Johnston.
Memorial graveside services will be at 11 a.m. May 1 at Orient Cemetery in Harrisonville.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Kirby M. Kropf
Dec. 2, 1948 – April 14, 2021
Kirby M. Kropf, 72, Harrisonville, died at his home surrounded by family April 14. Kirby was born Dec. 2, 1948, in Kansas City, the son of Jack Monroe and Marjorie Helen (Mudd) Kropf.
He was a lifelong Harrisonville resident and a 1966 graduate of Harrisonville High School. Kirby married Stephanie Larsen, Feb. 6, 1971, in Harrisonville.
After graduation from high school, Kirby worked for Don Farr Foundations and later became an automobile and small engine mechanic, working at various garages and muffler shops. Of those positions, the one he enjoyed the most was fine-tuning his knowledge of small engines from master-mechanic, Earl Lemmer.
He retired from NCC Muffler & Brakes, Belton, in 2014. Kirby helped his father run the Commercial Street Lounge, formerly the Polka Dot Lounge, in Harrisonville for several years.
During his spare time, Kirby loved spending time in the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing; however, his most cherished moments were spending time with his family.
Kirby was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Kevin Kropf.
He is survived by his wife, Stephanie, of the home; a son, Kyle and Jenn Kropf, Olathe, Kansas; a daughter, Julie Anne Bretz and Rodney Breit, Harrisonville; six grandchildren, Shelbi and Nicholas Tinsley, Harrisonville, Savanna Williams, Columbia, Serenity Getty, Harrisonville, Alex Kropf, Madison Kropf and Isabel Kropf, Olathe; six great-grandchildren, Ezekiel Tinsley and Eleanor Tinsley, Harrisonville; Jayden Williams, Beau Williams, Aurora Williams and Nova Williams, Columbia; two sisters, Kelly and Rick Howard, Urich, and Karen Myers, Harrisonville; along with a host of nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. To honor Kirby’s courageous six-year battle with cancer, donations for cancer research can be sent to the University of Kansas Cancer Center at kucancercenter.org/give.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Garry G. Prather
Jan. 12, 1951 – April 5, 2021
Garry Gail “Cowboy” Prather, Harrisonville, was born Jan. 12, 1951, in Kansas City, the son of Audrey and Wilma Lenore (Wiley) Prather. He died April 5 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Kansas City, at the age of 70 years, 2 months and 24 days.
July 20, 1985, Garry married Sharon Becker in Raytown. They later divorced, but remained best friends throughout the years.
Garry was employed as a forklift driver for General Mills in Kansas City. He loved riding horses and being outdoors.
When Garry was younger, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and trail riding with his horse.
Garry never met a stranger and loved everyone who would lend an ear to his jokes or quick wit. He very seldom got angry or upset. He never spoke bad or poorly of anyone and consistently moved at one pace, slow.
Garry had a lot of surgeries and discomfort throughout his life, but very seldom did he complain. The only way to tell if he didn’t feel good was if his bar stool was cold or empty at Fugley’s.
Garry was preceded in death by his parents.
Garry is survived by a brother, Larry Lee Prather; a sister, Billie Ann Prather; his best friend, Sharon Becker; several nieces and nephews, as well as great nieces and great nephews; other relatives and many friends.
A special thanks to Jim and Kathy Minshall for everything they did to help, honor and assist Garry for many years. A big thanks to Brian Chamberlain, Gary Cantrell, David Engleman and Mark Kirk for their hard work cleaning out Garry’s house.
Thank you all for being a very special part of Garry’s life and celebrating with us.
Cremation. A celebration of life service was April 13 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Sheps Place Senior Dog Sanctuary, Independence.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
C. Rodney McGee
Feb, 26, 1957 – April 75, 2021
Charles Rodney McGee, 64, Martin City, died April 7 at his home. Rodney was born Feb. 26, 1957, in Harrisonville, the son of Robert E. and Evelyn Charlene (Ward) McGee.
Rodney grew up in Harrisonville and was a member of the Harrisonville First Baptist Church.
Rodney was a cook at various restaurants in Kansas City before his retirement and had lived in south Kansas City and the Martin City area for 25 years.
Rodney was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Kathy; and a brother, Robert.
He is survived by two sons, Jeremy McCoy, Liberty, and Joshua McGee, Martin City; two daughters, Angel Tignor, Galveston, Texas, and Tanya McGee, Denver, Colorado; a brother, Rick and April McGee, Harrisonville; two sisters, Karen Wilbur, Oak Grove, and Kelly and Micah Quinn, Harrisonville; and six grandchildren, Justin Arnold, Tyler Arnold, Zachary Arnold, Heaven Tignor, Tori McCoy and Hannah McCoy.
Funeral services were April 12 at the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Burial was in the Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Earnest A. Rea
May 17, 1928 – April 12, 2021
Earnest Allen “Ernie” Rea, Garden City, was born May 17, 1928, in Austin the son of Otis Allen and Ella Sylvia (Urton) Rea. He died April 12 at the Holden Manor Care Center, Holden, at the age of 92 years, 10 months and 26 days.
Sept. 4, 1946, Ernie married Norma Louise Akins of Garden City. They raised two children, Gary Allen Rea and Vickie Lynne (Rea) Mellott. They were happily married for 41 years.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Norma, March 10, 1987; three brothers, Leroy, Joe and Arnold Lee; and a sister, Effie.
He is survived by a son, Gary Allen Rea and Carol, Garden City; a daughter, Vickie Mellott and Richard, Peabody, Kansas; five grandchildren, Scott Rea, Crissy (Rea) Gilvin and Mike, Stephen King and Kattie, Connie Dutton and Bill, and Rick Mellott and Kara; seven great-grandchildren, Mikalah Rea, Grady Gilvin, Symphony King, Jax King and Katy, Anda Entz and Danny, Eric Dutton and Clarissa, and Chance Mellott; four great-great-grandchildren, Benton and Case Entz, Alexa and Thomas Dutton; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and a host of friends.
Ernie grew up on a farm near Garden City. He had many jobs growing up until he went to work for Dusseliers Brothers Ready Mix, Grandview. He was employed there for 30 years until his retirement May 15, 1988.
Ernie never met a stranger, always had a smile on his face and loved to tell stories.
Funeral services were April 15 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Burial was in the Garden City Cemetery, Garden City.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Lawrence E. Waters
March 6, 1953 – April 13, 2021
Lawrence “Larry” Eugene Waters, Peculiar, was born March 6, 1953, in Kansas City, the son of Wavil C. and Leona K. (Weidinger) Waters. He died April 13 at his home at the age of 68 years, 1 month and 7 days.
Larry enjoyed a career as an electrical engineer for Honeywell in Kansas City. He retired after more than 30 years of service.
He enjoyed playing bingo, board games and card games. Larry enjoyed playing the stock market and was a numbers guy.
He loved spending time with his grandchildren, going to their sporting events, spending time at the local library and community center and drinking coffee with his buddies at many local diners.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Francis Waters (infant), and Janet Ann (Waters) Followell, her husband, Sherrill Followell; and a brother, Roy Lee Waters.
Larry is survived by a son, Lawrence J. Waters, Harrisonville; a daughter, Laura Garber and husband, Joel, Hesston, Kansas; two grandchildren, Olivia and Ethan; a niece, Cheryl Followell, Blue Springs; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were April 19 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, with burial in the Clearfork Cemetery near Garden City.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the local public library or Clearfork Cemetery Association are suggested and donations can be left at the funeral home.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Doris D. Harris
March 24, 1928 – April 13, 2021
Doris Edna Harris, 93, LaCygne, Kansas, formerly of Butler, died April 13 at her home in LaCygne. She was born March 24, 1928, the daughter of Henry Matthew and Gertrude Etta Hudson Harden in Kansas City.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a sister, Velma Bennett; two sons, Terry Harris and Timothy Harris; and a stepdaughter, Barbara Wisenhunt.
Doris is survived by three sons, Rick Harris, Louisburg, Kansas, Frank Harris, Parsons, Kansas, and Scott Harris, Amoret; three daughters, Patricia Strain, Louisburg, Kansas, Trudie Muncy and Winnie Autrey, both of Linn Valley, Kansas; a stepdaughter, Glenda Rutherford, Ponca City, Oklahoma; 31 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were April 18 at Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions are suggested to the Salvation Army. Arrangements were under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler.
Betty J. Quick
June 18, 1931 – April 14, 2021
Betty J. Quick, 89, Butler, died April 14 at her home in Butler. She was born June 18, 1931, the daughter of Virgil and Mabel White Blankenship in Pleasant Gap.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George, in 1998; a son, Ivan Quick; and a brother, Bill Blankenship.
Betty is survived by two daughters, Kay Marchesi, Omaha, Nebraska, and Nancy Wilson and husband, Delmer, Rockville; a brother, Bob Blankenship and wife, Sharon, Carthage; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a great-grandchild on the way.
Funeral services were April 18 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler.
Contributions are suggested to Passaic Church or BaCo Transport (Senior Center Taxi).
Arrangements were under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler.
Wanda S. Wagaman
Feb. 22, 1937 – April 15, 2021
Wanda Sue (Bridges) Wagaman, 83, died April 15 at Country Club Care Center, Warrensburg, surrounded by her family. Wanda “Sue” was born Feb. 22, 1937, in Sheldon, the daughter of Alvin Bridges and Ruby (Dade) Bridges.
Sue grew up in Adrian and graduated from Adrian High School in 1955 where she was a basketball standout. That is where she met her first husband, Robert “Bob” Boyd.
Together they moved to Warrensburg and raised their four children, Marilyn and Dennis Scherer, Centerview, Phillip and Mary Boyd, Ashburn, Virginia, Alan and Liz Boyd, Lenexa, Kansas, and Kathy and Ken Keith, Kansas City. All are surviving.
Sue married Hastings Mark Wagaman Jan. 1, 1981, and they lived in Adrian, Harrisonville, Carrollton, Bogard and Warrensburg. Mark preceded Sue in death May 5, 2018.
During her earlier years, Sue worked as a legal secretary and was an excellent typist. Sue was an avid bowler and bowled in numerous leagues and tournaments.
In her later years, she loved going to garage sales and was an avid crafter. She and Mark stayed busy making unique and
original crafted goods, selling them at craft shows all around the area.
More than anything, Sue loved Jesus and her family. Her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy and she would do anything for them.
Besides her children, surviving are 12 grandchildren, Jennifer and husband, Justin Taylor, Rachel and husband Josh Owens, Matthew and wife Katie Scherer, Alex and wife Alyssa Boyd, Austin Boyd, Tara Beckloff, Jacob Beckloff, Carson Ambrose, Joshua and wife Amanda Boyd, Andrew and husband Stephen Boyd, Russell Boyd, and Bobby and wife Laura Boyd; 16 great-grandchildren; a sister, Peggy Herman; and brother, Alvin Dean and Sue Bridges; several cousins; and many friends. She will be missed.
Services were April 22 at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Adrian, with burial in the Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian.
In lieu of flowers and in memory of Sue’s furry friend, “Bubba,” memorial contributions may be made to Warrensburg Animal Rescue and left in care of Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home, 617 N Maguire St., Warrensburg.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home, Warrensburg.