Tracy F. Campbell
April 17, 1969 – Aug. 1, 2021
Tracy Faye Campbell, 52, Moberly, formerly of Harrisonville, was born April 17, 1969, the daughter of Larry Campbell and Janice (McAlister) Campbell in Trenton. Tracy died Aug. 1 in Moberly at the Moberly Regional Hospital, surrounded by her family.
Tracy graduated from Harrisonville High School in 1988. She was named Student of the Year on her graduation night. During her residence at Crown Care Facility in Harrisonville, she was named resident of the month twice.
Tracy was active in the Special Olympics, winning several medals for bowling.
Tracy enjoyed watching NASCAR racing, the Kansas City Royals and her great-nephew’s baseball team.
She considered herself her brother’s No. 1 fan during the years he competed as a saddle bronc rider. She was a dedicated fan of Reba McEntire and Jeff Gordon.
She enjoyed crafting bead art and blessed many people throughout her life with gifts of her bead art.
Tracy was an admirably positive person, despite the many complications life presented her. Her positive spirit and beaming smile that radiated happiness, will be remembered by all that knew her.
Tracy was preceded in death by her mother, Janice McAlister; grandparents George McAlister, Robert Campbell and Irene Campbell.
Tracy is survived by her father Larry and Joyce Campbell; brother, Travis and Julia Towns Campbell; nieces, Taysha and Timmy Zike, Jessica and Joshua Dillick Marso, Claire and Justin Roberts, and Callie Campbell; great nephews and nieces Joshua, Ethan, Camden, Easton, Jason, Westin, Lanna, Emmelynn and Elliott; grandmother, Letty McAlister, formerly of Harrisonville; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Cremation. A celebration of life service will be at 2 p.m. Aug. 14 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m., Aug. 14 at the funeral home.
Tracy’s final resting place will be at the Beals-Clark Ranch, Colcord, Oklahoma, beside her mother, Janice, and grandfather, George.
In lieu of flowers, are suggested to the class called Forever Class (Special Needs) at the First Baptist Church of Peculiar where Tracy was baptized in 2013.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Nancy J. Durgan
March 16, 1947 – Aug. 2, 2021
Nancy Jean Durgan, 74, Harrisonville, died Aug. 2. Private family services were Aug. 5. Nancy was born in northeast Kansas City, March 16, 1947, the daughter of Elwin and Florence (Campbell) McKenzie.
She grew up with her younger brother, “Junior” Elwin M. McKenzie, Jr., in northeast Kansas City. Residing in Independence most of her life, she later settled in Harrisonville.
During her 74 years she was wife to Stephen S. Durgan, Sr.; mother to Julie A Ganyo and Diana L. Anderson; mother-in -law to John Ganyo and Jay Anderson; and grandmother to April R. Sieler, Jeremy M. Sieler and Jacob C. Anderson.
Nancy was a retired medical transcriptionist that you would find sitting outside reading a good mystery book, a cold iced tea beside her, enjoying the nice weather. She loved to cook and could spend hours working in her garden or antique shopping.
Nancy was strong and brave throughout trials in her life, yet found the most peace being with her family. She is forever with us and loved as she is reunited with her parents and being celebrated by her family and friends.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Sandra K. Elledge
Feb. 22, 1946 – July 27, 2021
Sandra Kathleen Elledge, Peculiar, was born Feb. 22, 1946, the daughter of John McGreger and Naomah Viola (Owen) Campbell. She died July 27 at her home at the age of 75 years, 5 months and 5 days.
Dec. 15, 1985, Sandra married Thomas “Tom” Burton Elledge in Harrisonville.
Sandra had many jobs from bartender to factory worker to hair stylist and cared deeply for people.
Her faith was strong in the Lord. Sandra was a caring woman and brought many children into the home and always welcomed them with open arms. She was a talented painter and artist.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Tom Elledge, on Nov. 3, 2005; three brothers, Allen, Larry and Ronnie Campbell; and her sister, Janice South.
Sandra is survived by her children, Tammy Stockhorst and her partner, Cindy Stock, and Darren Pulliam all of Peculiar, Joe Elledge, Dallas, Texas, Lisa Roe, Windsor, and Sandy Cleveland, East Lynne; two grandsons, Tyler Stockhorst and Jesse Elledge; a granddaughter, Samantha Stock; and great-granddaughter, Aria Stock; other relatives and many friends.
Cremation. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Corrine N. Gardner
March 29, 1978 – Aug. 5, 2021
Corrine Nell Gardner, 43, Creighton, died Aug. 5 at Belton Regional Medical Center, Belton. Corrine was born March 29, 1978, in Kansas City, the daughter of Michael Bryan Hon and Vicki Boley.
She married David Gardner March 8, 1996.
Gardner, Urich, and Tayler Gardner, Garden City; her mother, Vicki Boley, Warsaw; her father, Mike Hon, Harrisonville; her paternal grandfather, Gene Hon, Harrisonville; three brothers, Jeff Fortin, Kansas City, Kevin Fortin, Lee’s Summit, and Thomas Parry, Warsaw; a sister, Crystal Morris, Warsaw; and a grandchild on the way.
A memorial gathering was Aug. 10 at the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Megan L. Lara
Dec. 10, 1976 – July 29, 2021
Megan Louise Lara, 44, Pleasant Hill, was born Dec. 10, 1976, in Santa Ana, California. She died July 29 at her home in Pleasant Hill.
Megan was a 1995 graduate of Century High School in Santa Ana; she went on to earn her associates degree at Santa Ana Community College.
July 4, 2004, she married Jeffrey David Lara in Santa Ana and to this union two daughters, Emma and Isabella, were born. He preceded her in death Aug. 18, 2011.
Megan was employed as a special education aide for the Orange Unified School District, Orange, California, and later for the Pleasant Hill Middle School.
She enjoyed reading, painting, creating jewelry, collecting butterfly items, trips to the family cabin and traveling. She was an avid Anaheim Angels fan, as well as the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs.
Her favorite foods were her mom’s hot wings, vegetarian burritos and Tapatio hot sauce. She carried a bottle of Tapatio with her everywhere she went. She especially loved spending time with her girls and her dog, Elsa.
Besides her husband, Megan was preceded in death by her stepfathers, William A. Flint and Gordon W. Warnock.
She is survived by her two daughters, Emma Frances Lara and Isabella Grace Lara, of the home; her mother, Barbara Warnock, of the home; her father and stepmother, Don and Candy Jackson, Bloomingdale, Michigan; a sister, Ana Malisa Jackson, Peculiar; her niece, Ava Malisa Jackson-Barnhouse, Peculiar; her boyfriend, Robbie Isaman, Pleasant Hill; other relatives and friends.
Graveside services were Aug. 4 at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. The reverends, James Stanfield-Myers and James Warnock officiated.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Emma’s and Isabella’s education fund.
Make checks payable to Barbara Warnock and mail to the funeral home, 203 N. Armstrong, Pleasant Hill, MO 64080.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Stanley-Dickey Funeral Home, Pleasant Hill.
G. Evelyn Matter
Jan. 3, 1939 – July 30, 2021
Grace Evelyn Matter, Cleveland, formerly of Harrisonville, was born Jan. 3, 1939, in Adrian, the daughter of Max Thomas and Grace Pauline (Pulliam) Gibb. She died July 30 at St. Joseph Medical Center, Kansas City, at the age of 82 years, 6 months and 27 days.
Evelyn was employed as an office manager for Rolox Windows, Grandview. Earlier she had been a clerk at Bi-Rite Grocery in Harrisonville.
Evelyn loved fishing, gardening, hummingbirds and children. She enjoyed cooking and baking, attending family reunions and hosting Christmas get togethers.
Besides her parents; she was preceded in death by her daughter, Julia Grissom, on Dec. 28, 2020; two brothers, Max and Danny Gibb; and a sister, RoseAnna Scarborough.
Evelyn is survived by her lifetime companion, Dee Hewitt of the home; a son, Rick Matter and wife, Carmen, Archie; a daughter, Lorraine Lackey and husband, David, Osceola; a step-son, Chad Hewitt and his companion, Traci Fuller, Cleveland; 12 grandchildren, Jason, Paul, Melanie, Crystal, April, Carrie, Ricky, Josh, Max, Nicholas, Brielee and Bradley; 17 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson and two on the way; other relatives and friends.
Cremation. A celebration of life service was Aug. 8 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
The family suggests memorial contributions to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Elizabeth J. Murphy
Jan. 18, 1920 – July 23, 2021
Elizabeth Jean “Betty” Standish Murphy died July 23 at Kansas City Hospice House at the age of 101 years, 6 months, 5 days.
Betty was born and lived most of her life in Rosedale, Kansas, (now Kansas City, Kansas) until relocating to Harrisonville where she had resided at Crown Care Center since 2014.
Daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, great- and great-great-grandmother, (yes, five generations), friend and co-worker, were just a few of the hats she wore in her lifetime.
Employment consisted of numerous office positions, among them Jules Borel & Co. and most notably Studio DuVall’s in the Ward Parkway Shopping Center, owned and operated by her first-born daughter, Sharon Welsh, who died in 1989.
The youngest of nine children born to Arthur and Effie (Craine) Standish, deceased 1929 and 1969, she survived them all. She was married to Delbert J. Murphy, deceased 1981, and together they raised four children, Sharon Welsh, Patricia Jurgeson married to John, Cleveland, Deborah Murphy, Belton, and Michael Murphy married to Debra, Trophy Club, Texas; five grandchildren with two bonus grands; 10 great-grandchildren with four bonus greats; and two great-great-grandchildren with another to be born in October; all because two people loved each other.
Betty lived through world wars, some right there at home, the Great Depression, men on the moon, Polio to COVID-19 and so much more.
Her love of gardening and boating created the most fabulous flower gardens with driftwood and rocks from Stockton Lake; bowling at Roe Lanes was highly competitive and a family tradition; caramel rolls and cream puffs were her specialty that rivaled any bakery; so many talents, from stained glass to creative handmade gifts for all occasions which blessed family, friends and her other residents.
She was a classy, sassy lady with a bit of glitz and bling to her attire; hugs and blowing kisses defined her come and go.
She was a member of Rosedale Congregational Church, she created children’s story time, which was known to include a live lamb and baby chick to illustrate the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus; Florence Nightingale nursing qualities without the degree served us all so well; documented Standish descendant to Myles Standish, thanks to our historian, Deborah Murphy, an English military officer among the pilgrims on the ship Mayflower who played a leading role in Plymouth colony’s foundation in 1620.
Some quotes that describe the essence of our beloved include: “She lived with a mind and in a body that could not keep up with her spirit,” “To live in the hearts and memory of those left behind is to not die.”
Betty J. Murphy, motto and mantra, “this too shall pass!” How else would she survive 101 plus years.
At this time, due to the widespread increase of COVID cases and for the safety of everyone, the family has decided to postpone the services for Betty Murphy originally scheduled for Aug. 21. Updated service times will be posted when that information is available.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Robert B. Prettyman
Oct. 9, 1946 – Aug. 3, 2021
Robert Brown Prettyman, 74, Harrisonville, was born Oct. 9, 1946, the son of Tom Brown “TB” Prettyman and Clara Belle (Bybee) Prettyman. He died Aug. 3 at his home outside of Harrisonville.
Robert graduated from Harrisonville High School in 1964. After high school, he joined the U.S. Navy. He was a Machinist Mate
on the USS Ranger. He was a Vietnam Veteran.
After the Navy, he attended Central Missouri State College now known as University of Central Missouri. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture Business in 1972. He then worked on the family farm.
He also worked for Cass County in the assessor’s office and then as zoning director until he retired in 1999. After his retirement, he raised cattle on the farm. He also drove the athletic bus, “Big Blue,” for Harrisonville High School until his health stopped him in December 2019.
He truly loved driving the kids around to all their games and believed in the statement, “Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.”
Even after his health prevented him from attending the high school games, he continued to watch all the games he could on 4 Tees.
He was a member of the Harrisonville Honor Guard, a service he was truly proud of. Robert never met a stranger and had a smile and a story for everyone.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Samuel Arthur Prettyman; and a niece, Lori Wimsatt McGee.
He is survived by a companion, Judie Sliffe, Butler; a sister, Carol Prettyman, Harrisonville; a daughter, Kathy Lambertz, Harrisonville; two granddaughters, Ashley Gallardo and Armando, of Charleston, South Carolina, and Erin Lambertz, Liberty; a great-grandson, Greyson, Charleston; a niece, Teresa Bilderback, Harrisonville; three nephews, Samuel Prettyman, Jr., and Lisa, Buffalo, Tom Hipple, Harrisonville, and Loren Wimsatt, Harrisonville; 10 great-nieces and nephews; a great-great-nephew; a great-great-niece; several cousins and many, many friends.
Funeral services were Aug. 10 at the United Methodist Church, Harrisonville.
Burial was in the Brown Cemetery, Harrisonville, with military honors.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Harrisonville Booster Club or Harrisonville VFW Post 4409.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Jack L. Shears
Sept. 5, 1942 – July 30, 2021
Jack Lyle Shears, 78, Harrisonville, died July 30 at Golden Years Care Center in Harrisonville. No services are scheduled at this time.
Jack was born Sept. 5, 1942, in Parsons, Kansas, the son of Herschel and Goldie (Coleman) Shears.
He grew up in Parsons and was raised by his grandmother, Gertrude Shears. Jack was a retired Navy veteran and had joined the United States Navy in 1961.
He was on the ground floor of the Navy computer age and served as an electronic system tech on submarines from the Naval Submarine Base in New London, Connecticut.
He and his wife, Franni, lived all around the world while in the Navy and after his retirement they continued to travel until settling back in Parsons.
He moved to Harrisonville in 2019. He was a member of the VFW and the American Legion in Parsons.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Franni, in 2002; and his sister, Ginger Phillips, in 2021.
He is survived by a sister, Lola Baer and husband, Steven, Parsons; a niece, Sheena Humphrey, Harrisonville; a great-nephew, Cody Colin, Harrisonville; and many other relatives and friends.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Richard C. Thornburg
Dec. 15, 1970 – July 27, 2021
Richard “Rick” Carry Thornburg, Creighton, was born Dec. 15, 1970, in Harrisonville, the son of Richard Elmer and Mary Carol (Koch) Thornburg. He died July 27 at his home near Creighton at the age of 50 years, 7 months and 12 days.
Rick was a lifelong resident of Cass County. He was a graduate of Sherwood High School and continued his education at Am Tech Institute, Wichita, Kanas.
On Nov. 16, 1996, Rick married Jawane Joan Louiselle of Harrisonville. To this union two daughters were born, Loren Carry and Rebecca Suzan Thornburg, his pride and joy. He did everything because of them.
Rick was currently employed by AGI in Lenexa, Kansas, and on the side he was an amazing wood worker. He built beautiful furniture for his friends and family.
Rick attended the First Baptist Church in Creighton and was a Christian man who loved his family as much as life itself. He will be missed by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Rick is survived by his two daughters, Loren Carry Thornburg and her fiance Jeremy and Rebecca Suzan Thornburg, all of Clinton; a sister, Kim Nicas and husband, BJ, Warrensburg; nieces and a nephew, Mallory, Derek and Molly; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were Aug. 2 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, with burial in the Byler Cemetery near Creighton.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Byler Cemetery Association.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
Charles Russell “Russ” Minich
Dec. 29, 1938 – Aug. 1, 2021
Charles Russell “Russ” Minich, 82, Strafford, formerly of Amoret, died Aug. 1.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran. He retired after 30 years from Southwestern Bell Telephone as a line supervisor. He moved to Amoret where he operated a cow-calf operation.
Russ was a well-known county music singer in the Kansas City area and for several years performed at the Rich Hill Opry before being a founding member of The Cass County Opry. He later went to work as a disc jockey at KMAM and KOME radio in Butler.
He later moved to Springfield and began driving for a local bus company. He drove for over 20 years, mostly for Fisk Transportation. In addition to driving at Missouri State University, he was an often-requested driver for several area sports teams. He also was a limousine driver for several Branson personalities.
A devout Christian, he most recently was part of the church family at the Grandview Baptist Church in Strafford.
He was proceeded in death by his parents and a sister, Carole Reeves.
He is survived by his wife Patsy, of the home; three children: Pam Eickhoff (Mark), Middleton, Idaho, Trisha Beck (Travis), Overland Park, and Gary Minich, Colorado Springs, Colorado; two brothers David Minich (Kathy), Lenexa, Kansas, and Dennis Minich (Leslie), Harrisonville. He is also survived by four grandchildren and one great-grandson.
A graveside service was held Aug. 5 at Robberson Prairie Cemetery in Greene County.
Norma L. Ridley
Feb. 10, 1940 – Aug. 2, 2021
Norma Lee Ridley, 81, Amoret, died Aug. 2 at her daughter’s home in Butler. She was born Feb. 10, 1940, the daughter of Elmer Arthur and Tressie Charlotte Ford Hoover in Butler.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard Dean Ridley; two brothers, Donald Lee Hoover and Terry Steven Hoover; and four sisters, Helen Louise Lough, Betty Collins, Mary Ann Knox and Bonnie Hoover.
Norma is survived by a daughter, Pamela Cannon and husband, Mark, Butler; a sister, Pauline Ridley, Amoret; and numerous nephews, nieces and friends.
Funeral services were Aug. 7 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler. Interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler.
Contributions are suggested to the Virginia United Methodist Church.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel, Butler.
