Gladys P. Gibson
Sept. 4, 1944 – May 14, 2021
Gladys Pearl Gibson, 76, Butler, formerly Harrisonville, died May 14 at her home with her family by her side. Pearl was born Sept. 4, 1944, in Kansas City, the daughter of Harry and Leona Belle (Dobbs) Schafer.
She met the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Dale Gibson, Sr., and they were married Sept. 6, 1963. They had three children, Robert, Jr., Penny and Wendy. Together, Robert and Pearl lived in Harrisonville for approximately 25 years, moved to Belton and eventually she moved to Butler after Robert’s death.
Pearl spent her career working as a CNA, spending 25 years at Beautiful Savior in Belton and then moving to the Behavioral Health Unit at Cass Regional Medical Center where she worked for about 10 years.
Pearl was involved with the ladies auxiliary at St. Sabina Catholic Church, Eastern Star at the Belton Lodge and was a volunteer clown with the Knights of Columbus.
She had a love for shopping, both online and in person, but her true love was spending time with her family. She leaves behind a legacy of love, commitment to her family and compassion for those who knew her.
Pearl was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bob Gibson, Sr.; her son, Robert “Rob” Gibson, Jr.; her brothers, Sonny Schafer and Bobby Schafer; and her sisters, Genevieve Carrier and Lola Schafer.
She is survived by her daughters: Penny (Joe) Porter, Raymore, MO, and Wendy (David) Roberts, Butler; her nine grandchildren, Pamela McCubbin, Tyler Williams, Jessica Roberts, Brittney Gibson, Holly D’Alfonso, Nicholas Porter, Skilyn Roberts, Reggie Roberts and Serenity Roberts; and six great-grandchildren, Emily, Quinton, Elijah, Kaitlyn, Theodore and Chloe.
A funeral service was May 17 at the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Anna B. Griner
May 4, 1928 – May 11, 2021
Anna Belle (Ferguson) Griner was born May 4, 1928, near Adrian, the youngest of eight children to Alfred Albert and Gertrude Mae (Cox) Ferguson. She died May 11 at the age of 93 years and seven days, in the presence of her children and their spouses.
In April 1951, Ann married William Gilkeson “Bill” Griner in Bentonville, Arkansas. The couple moved to Belton in 1957.
Ann grew up on her family’s farm near Adrian. Her early education was in a one-room school and she graduated from Adrian High School.
Throughout her life she had a love for poetry, humor, family and her church.
Her primary career was as a loving mother and homemaker.
She also worked various jobs outside the home, most recently as a cashier and hostess at the Richards-Gebaur Officers’ Club and Snead’s BBQ. She will be remembered for her kind gentle spirit.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; an infant son, Kenneth; a son-in law, Gary Martin; and her seven brothers and sisters.
Ann is survived by two sons, William E. Griner and wife, Mary, Belton, and Richard W. Griner and wife, Sondra, Lake Jackson, Texas; a daughter, Kathy Martin, Kansas City, Kansas; and three grandchildren, Kenneth Martin, Lindsay Welch and Kyle Griner.
Funeral services were May 17 at the Belton Christian Church, Belton, with burial in the Crescent Hill Cemetery near Adrian.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Belton Christian Church Memorial Fund.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
David M. Zellmer
Oct. 19, 1975 – May 7, 2021
David Matthew “Matt” Zellmer, 45, Butler, died May 7 at his home in Butler. He was born Oct. 19, 1975, the son of David Ira and Elaine Nelson Zellmer in Butler.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents.
Matt is survived by his parents, David and Elaine Zellmer, Amsterdam; two children, daughter, Lindsey Zellmer and son, David Zellmer both of Quincy, Illinois; a brother, Joel Brewster, North Carolina; and a sister, April Reno and husband, Kyle, Fairgrove.
Funeral services were May 16 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel,Butler.
Interment was in Mulberry Cemetery, Amoret.
Contributions to an education fund for Matt’s children are suggested.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler.
Charles Trent Wilson
Sept. 14, 1957 – May 13, 2021
Charles Trent Wilson, 63, died May 13 surrounded by his family. Trent was born Sept. 14, 1957, to Charles and Norma Jean Wilson of Butler, where he was raised in the Catholic faith.
He was a lifelong Butler resident and took great pride in being a fourth generation farmer and rancher.
In 1981, Trent married the love of his life, Karla Jenkins, and they were blessed with three children, Jared, Lindsey and Candice.
He taught his children his work ethic and was incredibly proud of their achievements. While farming was his passion, Trent enjoyed Sunday afternoons grilling with his family and watching Chiefs football, riding dirt bikes and motorcycles, playing with the family pets and later in life, traveling with his wife.
Trent was preceded in death by his parents; his wife’s parents; brother, Edward Newport; sister-in-law, Barbara Jenkins; and nephew, Alex Jenkins.
He is survived by his wife, Karla; his son, Jared, Butler; daughter, Lindsey, and husband, Ryan McKoon, Paola, Kansas; daughter, Candice, and husband, Jake Hess, Manhattan, Kansas; sister, Trish Herman, and brother-in-law, Wilbur, Butler; sister, Carolyn Ralston, and brother-in-law, Rick, Sibley; numerous siblings-in-law and many nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were May 19 at the Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Adrian Frontier Village.
The family wishes to thank the loving women of Heartland Hospice and Medicalodge of Butler for their care.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler.
Doris M. Bauerle
March 17, 1935 – May 8, 2021
Doris Marie Bauerle, Cleveland, was born March 17, 1935, in Warrensburg, the daughter of Ernest True and Bertha Pearl (French) Hutson. She died May 8 at Crown Care Center, Harrisonville, at the age of 86 years, 1 month and 21 days.
July 1, 1955, Doris married Marvin William Bauerle in Warrensburg. Doris was a homemaker.
She also was a waitress, worked in the lunch room at the Drexel High School and at the vet clinic in Drexel.
She was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Harrisonville, and the Lyle Homemakers Club, Lyle.
Doris enjoyed square dancing and calling the square dance, playing dominoes and cards with family and friends. She loved country music and attending the country music shows with family.
Doris grew up in Warrensburg and after her marriage to Marvin, they moved to a farm near Cleveland, then to Drexel for 30 years and then back to the farm in 1994.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Bauerle, May 28, 2012; a brother, E.T. Hutson; two sisters, Margie Sichting and Evelyn McDonald.
Doris is survived by a son, Mark Bauerle and wife Donna, Cleveland; two daughters, Diann Mazurek and husband John, Pittsburg, Kansas, and Debbie Newill and husband Terry, Independence; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
A funeral mass was May 13 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Harrisonville, with burial in St. John’s Cemetery, Dover.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Knights of Columbus.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Lois M. Eberle
April 11, 1929 – May 12, 2021
Lois M. Eberle, 92, Freeman, died May 12 at her home in Freeman.
According to her own writings: Lois was the daughter of a gentle father and a loving mother. She was the wife of an honest, considerate husband and the mother of five beautiful, talented children who were the joy of her being.
Lois was born at Cyclone April 11, 1929. She moved to Pineville at the age of 5 years and lived there until her marriage to Don Eberle on her 18th birthday in Columbus, Kansas. This happy union lasted for more than 67 years. The last several years of her life were spent on a farm near Freeman.
Lois was a devoted wife, an excellent mother (as proclaimed by her children) and a dedicated teacher. She was a very private person in both religion and politics. She was a devout Christian and a fervent conservative, but believed that a person should lead by example, not by rhetoric.
She was an eternal optimist that believed she had the best of what life had to offer. She accepted Christ at the age of 13 and chose to live by His teachings.
She received her teaching degree from UMKC and attended Webster and Lincoln University for her graduate studies.
Lois lived all over the United States and in Bangkok, Thailand, before moving to Freeman in 1970.
Lois taught third grade at Cass-Midway Schools for 16 years before retiring in 1990.
She was a member of the Freeman Baptist Church.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents, E.C. “Jake” and Jessie (Cook) Milleson; her husband, Don; two daughters, Donna Emery and Debra Werkmeister; a sister, Murriel Clemons; brothers, Warren Milleson, Jake Milleson and Virgil Milleson.
She is survived by two sons, Dan Eberle and Douglas Eberle and Laura, all of Freeman; a daughter, Deena Rancier and Jon, Las Vegas, Nevada; 13 grandchildren, Alyssa, Laurin, Jennifer, Zoe, Caitlyn, Jackson, Hannah, Madison, Adia, Gage, McCoy, Kylee and Gavin; and six great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were May 18 at the Freeman Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Salvation Army.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Billy D. Laffoon
Jan. 3, 1938 – May 22, 2020
Billy Dean Laffoon, 82, Belton, died May 22, 2020. Bill was born Jan. 3, 1938, the first child of Forrest Dean and Gladys Nadine (Davenport) Laffoon.
He was raised in Cleveland and east of Cleveland. He attended grade school in Cleveland and was a 1955 graduate of Peculiar High School, Peculiar.
Bill married Mary McKinley of Belton and they were blessed with one child, Brenda Lee.
Bill was a millwright and worked at Allied Signal (formerly Bendix Corp.) in Kansas City for 31 and one -half years, retiring in 1994 as a facilities planner.
Following retirement, Bill and Mary built the Jaudon Antique Mall, southwest of Belton, which they operated for seven years.
Bill enjoyed his association and work with Grand River Masonic Lodge No. 276, Freeman, the Cass County Shrine Club and the Ararat Shine Temple.
He was Worshipful Master of the Cleveland Lodge in 1975 and president of Cass County Shrine Club in 1981, enjoying holding office in both organizations for many years.
He was also a member of the Cass County Wildcats, a Honda motorcycle group, that performed in local parades. He served on public Water District No. 2 water board for 17 years.
Bill enjoyed working in his shop, entertaining friends and family, fishing, boating, skiing, dancing, gardening, attending auctions and playing pitch, but his most loved sport was golf.
Bill and Mary hosted the Laffoon family reunion most years from 1980 to 2003.
He enjoyed trips to Texas to visit his daughter and family, to his lake home, golf outings and playing pitch with his buddies at the Harrisonville Community Center.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Betty Jean Bourque.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; daughter, Brenda Brainard and Paul; grandson, Christopher Brainard; brother, Donald Laffoon and Judy; six nieces; five nephews; and a host of friends.
Masonic services will be at 2 p.m. May 22 with visitation from 1 to 2 p.m., at the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Contributions are suggested in Billy’s memory to The Shriner’s Hospital for Children, the American Cancer Society or St. Croix Hospice, 1626 E. Elm, Harrisonville, MO 64701.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Shirley J. Smith
May 3, 1939 – May 9, 2021
Shirley Jean Smith, 82, Harrisonville, died May 9 at her home. Shirley was born May 3, 1939, in Santa Maria, California, the daughter of Herbert and Voda (Ivy) McBride.
She had lived in Kansas City before moving to Harrisonville in 1958.
Shirley was a devoted homemaker, raising her family and taking care of family details. After the family got older, she worked at the Harrisonville High School cafeteria and at the Sears catalog store.
She was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters; two brothers; and her loving companion, Sonny Redmond.
Shirley is survived by a son, David and Katie Smith, Harrisonville; a daughter, Pam and Sam Helweg, Spring, Texas; four grandchildren, C.J. and Kristen Helweg, Casey and Brianna Helweg, Ashley Sparks and Jessica Grosz; and five great-grandchildren, Leigha Helweg, Addison Helweg, Wesley Helweg, AnnaLeese Helweg and Hannah Wheat.
Graveside services were May 13 at the Bower Cemetery Pavilion, Eufaula, Oklahoma.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Rickey A. Stubbs
Aug. 25, 1955 – May 9, 2021
Rick Stubbs, Cleveland, died May 9. Rick was born Aug. 25, 1955, in West Plains.
When Rick was just 2 years old, his parents, Bill and Ola Stubbs, made the decision to move to Kansas City so they could provide for their family of seven children the best opportunities.
While keeping their homestead in West Plains, Rick was able travel back and forth between Kansas City and West Plains.
He spent many of his younger years exploring the hills of West Plains, making many fond memories that he held close and dearly to his heart.
Although he made his life in Kansas City, West Plains is where his roots were, so much so, that he would drive his family down there most every weekend ensuring he instilled the balance of city and down-home life in his kids.
Rick was a man of great strength, a man with a strong creative mind, a man that had a giving soul and a big loving heart.
He was a man that could make the smartest person question themselves and grin inside doing so.
He was an artist and architect, a builder and a mentor. He loved his horses and all types of livestock, as well as going to rodeos.
He was a jack of all trades and a master of them all too. Above all these things, Rick was one of the best fathers anyone could ever ask for and loved his grandchildren more than anything.
The year 2021 marked the 50th year since Rick met the love of his life, Nita Sparks. They joined their hearts and hands in marriage June 10, 1978. With his loving wife by his side, Rick crafted a home in Cleveland to raise their daughter, Crystal, and son, Jacob.
Rick was a great craftsman and even better construction manager. He could dream up some of the most amazing designs and make them come to life. Some of the best designs were drawn on the back of a napkin or an envelope. If you could think of it, he could design and build it.
Even though Rick might have been in the construction business and you would think jeans and boots were a staple, he did it in style, so much he was honored with a Distinguished Gentleman Award for the gentleman who looks as though he stepped out of the “Gentleman’s Quarterly Magazine” 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Unfortunately, Rick was diagnosed in 2009 with MS. This horrible disease robbed his family of him way too soon.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Ola Stubbs; his brothers, Walt and Billy; his sisters, Ruby and Mary; and son-in-law, Robert Cram.
Rick is survived by his wife, Nita; his daughter and son-in-law, Crystal and Jason Grote; his son, Jacob Stubbs; his grandchildren, Grace Keeney, Mackenzie Grote and Maverick Grote; his brother and sister-in-law, Garry and Cyndi Stubbs; and sister and brother in-law, Peggy and Frank Taylor.
Rick will be more than missed, but at least we all know he has a perfect heavenly body and can now go build the most elaborate mansion in heaven if he wants to. Maybe he will buck some bulls or cruise in a ‘70 Chevelle. All we really know is that it was quite a party Rick. Well done. We will miss you.
Cremation. A gathering to share favorite memories, stories, to laugh and remember a wonderful man who is greatly missed was held May 13 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Inurnment will take place Memorial Day weekend at the Stubbs Cemetery in West Plains.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
MarkElla Glads (Garrett) Thompson
Aug. 28, 1924 – May 15, 2021
MarkElla Glads (Garrett) Thompson, 96, Pleasant Hill, died May 15 at Kansas City Hospice House, Kansas City. She was born Aug. 28, 1924, near Cureall in Howell County, the daughter of Stillman Harrison Garrett and Reva (Riley) Garrett.
She attended grade school in rural Howell County and attended West Plains High School.
During World War II, she left West Plains and moved to Kansas City where she worked at several jobs until she went to work as a waitress at Thompson’s Lunch at 31st and Troost. It was there she met the owner’s brother, William Lee “Bill” Thompson, and they were married Feb. 13, 1948.
Soon after their marriage, they moved to the farm near Pleasant Hill and she became the typical Cass County farm wife with gardening, canning and cooking meals for hired hands. She and Bill were involved in Balanced Farming and other agriculture-related organizations in Cass County. She was also involved as a member of Cass County Extension.
She was involved in PTA at Raymore and later at Pleasant Hill and was a 4-H mother. Bill was a beef project leader and her daughter, Linda, was a member of the Raymore 4-H Club. The family’s love of the 4-H organization lasted a lifetime.
She was an accomplished seamstress, loved to hunt morel mushrooms and had a unique eye for antiques, amassing an
impressive collection of antique furniture and other fine pieces.
After their retirement, she and Bill operated booths at various antique malls in the area including Greenwood, Peculiar and at Keeper’s Antique Mall in Harrisonville.
She was a member of the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, who died Oct. 31, 2005; her brothers, Ira William and Billy Gene; her sisters, Justeen, Faye, Zella, Vinita and Helen Jane; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
She is survived by her daughters, Linda Thompson, Harrisonville, and Julia Mitchell; her grandchildren Michelle (Shortridge) Young, Harrisonville, Adrianne Leanne (Shortridge) Cammisano, Raymore, and Morgan Lee Sanders, Harrisonville, William Hawkins and Levi Mitchell, both of Pleasant Hill, Lucas Spies, Eli Mitchell, Springfield, and Bretta Mitchell, Harrisonville; her great-grandchildren, William Lee Fordyce, Excelsior Springs, Dustin Dean Young, Katelyn Michelle Young, Colton Abel Sanders and Alexandria Ray Martin, all of Harrisonville; Bryson Lee Sanders and Bailey June Sanders, both of Garden City, Chloe Mitchell and Bradley David Hawkins, Pleasant Hill, and Cayden Mitchell, Lee’s Summit; a great-great-grandson, Brooks Reid Young, Harrisonville; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Funeral services were May 19 at the Stanley-Dickey Funeral Home, Pleasant Hill, with Pastor Clifton officiating. Burial was in the Raymore Cemetery, Raymore.
Contributions are suggested to the Missouri 4-H Foundation and may be left at the funeral home or mailed to: Missouri 4-H Foundation, 109 Whitten Hall, Columbia, MO 65211.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Stanley-Dickey Funeral Home, Pleasant Hill.