Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
ANTHONY (TONY) VICTOR GRIMM
Anthony (Tony) Victor Grimm of Shawnee, KS, was born on June 22, 1937 in Kansas City, MO. He met his maker on January 24, 2005 at St. Joseph Medical Center. The wake services will be held at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee on Thursday, January 27 from 6-8 PM. Services on Friday at 1 PM at the chapel with burial at Shawnee Cemetery. The family suggests contributions to the American Heart Association. He graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School in 1955 and was in the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1964. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1964 with a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering. He then worked for Honeywell as an Electrical Engineer for the past 40 years.
Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Elsie M. Grimm of Shawnee, KS; daughter, Cathleen L. Murry and her spouse Chester M. Murry of Overland Park, KS; son James A. Grimm and his spouse Melissa Grimm of Kansas City, KS; daughter Mary E. Hays and spouse Ryan Hays of Kansas City, MO; grandchildren, Roxanna Mainster, James Stuart, Cassandra Murry, Joshua Grimm, and Caleb Grimm. He is also survived by his mother Agnes Grimm, sister Carole Faltermeier, brothers Donald Grimm, Ronald Grimm, and Gary Grimm. He was preceded in death by his father Antone (Tony) Grimm and his brother Warren Grimm.
MARY O. KEPNER
Mary O. Kepner, 90, Lee’s Summit, MO passed away Tuesday, Jan 25, 2005 at John Knox Care Center, Lee’s Summit, MO. Graveside services will be 1:00 PM, Wednesday, Jan 26, 2005 at Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers family suggests contributions to Shawnee United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Kepner is survived by her son, Carroll Kepner, a brother, M.C. Boys, and many grand grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
HELEN MYERS BRIGHT
Helen Myers Bright, 81, of Shawnee, KS, passed away, Tuesday, January 25, 2005 at Alterra Clare Bridge in Leawood. Funeral services will be 1 p.m., Saturday at Hope Lutheran Church with burial in Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m., Friday at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. The family suggests contributions to Hope Lutheran Church and School, 6308 Quivira Rd., Shawnee, KS 66216.
Mrs. Bright was born March 8, 1923 in Richmond, MO to Boyd Alfred and Blanche Lillian Roadcap Myers. She was the Valedictorian of her graduating class at Hardin, MO High School. She was a member of Hope Lutheran Church. She married Charles A. Bright on January 24, 1943 and he survives at the home. Additional survivors include a daughter, Paula Anderson, of Merriam, KS; a son, Ken Bright, Olathe, KS; four grandchildren, Kimberly Marie DeLaughder, Jessica Marie Bright, Elizabeth Dianne Hayden and Nathanael David Anderson and four great grandchildren.
PHILIP W. TRUE
Philip W. True, 84, of Prairie Village, KS, passed away, Thursday, January 27, 2005 at St. Joseph Health Center. Memorial services will be 3 p.m., Monday, January 31, at Prairie Baptist Church, 7416 Roe Avenue, Prairie Village, KS 66208. Visitation will be 3 – 5 p.m., Sunday at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Prairie Baptist Church.
Mr. True was born in Carnegie, OK. He was an Army Veteran of WWII. He was a District Engineer for Southwestern Bell and retired after over 30 years of service. He had been an active member of Prairie Baptist Church since 1956 and also had served six years on the Mission City Council. He was a very creative person and enjoyed writing poetry, telling stories, wood carving, painting and painting portraits. Survivors include his wife, Evelyn M. True, of the home; a daughter, Jean Michelson and her husband, Paul, of Huntington, IN; two sons, Donald True and his wife, Judy, Austin, TX and Bill True and his wife Cheryl, Overland Park, KS; five grandchildren, David Michelson and his wife, Bethany, Oxford, England, Paul-Philip “Paco” Michelson, Huntington, IN, Megan True, Nanging, China, Emily True, Overland Park, KS and Ann True, Austin, TX; two great grandchildren, Simeon and Joel Michelson, Oxford, England and two brothers, John True, Herington, KS and Raymond True, Gladstone, MO. Philip was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. His humor, laughter and love will be missed by everyone.
ROBERT A. KAKERT
Robert A. Kakert, 72, of Lenexa, KS passed away Friday, Jan 28, 2005 at St. Joseph Medical Center. Visitation will be held Sunday, Jan. 30, 2005 at the Amos Chapel of Shawnee from 3-5 PM. A visitation will be held Tue. Feb. 1, 2005 at Runge Funeral Home from 10-12 PM. Graveside services following at Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery, Davenport, IA. Family suggests memorial contribution be given to the American Cancer Society.
Robert was born Oct. 18, 1932 to Clarence and Hilda Kakert in Davenport, IA. He was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. Robert work for AT@T for 33 years as a Project Manager until his retirement in 1986.
Robert is survived by his wife Judy of 44 years of the home; one son, Jay, 2 nephews and 2 nieces. He is preceded in death by one son, Rob, and his sister Marilyn.
RUSSELL E. DEAN
Russell E. Dean, 81, Lenexa, KS, went to be with his Heavenly Father on January 28, 2005 surrounded by his loving family in the home that he shared with his wife of 52 years, Jacqueline Dean. Russ, as he was fondly known by all, who knew and loved him, passed away at home peacefully after a brave and gallant battle with a very long and taxing illness.
Russell was born on August 3, 1923 in St. Louis, Missouri to John M. and Jane (Taylor) Dean. Russ was a U.S. Navy WWII veteran where he proudly served his country on the USS South Dakota and the USS Washington as a Yeoman 2nd Class and Chaplain’s Aid.
Russ moved his family from St. Louis in 1959 to work for Gould Battery and in 1965 fulfilled his dream by owning and operating Midwest Battery. He had the time of his life working side by side with his sons until his retirement in 1983.
Russ was preceded in death by his parents, brother, John Dean and grandson, Christopher Dean.
Russ is survived by his wife, Jacqueline; seven sons, John Dean and wife, Melissa, Merriam, KS; Michael Dean and wife, Mary, Bucyrus, KS; James Dean and wife, Candy, Olathe, KS; Thomas Dean and wife, Michelle, Fairway, KS; Robert Dean and wife, Belinda, Highland, CA; Timothy Dean and wife, Jeannine, Cape Girardeau, MO; Patrick Dean and wife, Kay, Overland Park, KS; thirteen grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Also surviving are sisters, Pat Gastorf, St. Louis; Margaret Huber and husband, Bill, St. Louis and many extended family and friends.
Russ was a loving husband, father, brother and grandfather. He was a man of the highest integrity. He believed in hard work, making an honest dollar and most importantly, taking care of his family. His contributions to his country, fellow man and family are treasures that will be cherished forever.
A celebration of Russ’s life will be held on February 1, 2005, 10:00 am at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Lenexa, KS. Visitation will be held Monday, January 31, 2005 from 6-8 pm at the Amos Family Chapel of Lenexa. The Rosary will be at 7:00.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Catholic Community Hospice of Catholic Charities. The family is extremely grateful to this wonderful and caring organization.
MARIE LOUISE “BUMMA” VAN MEERHAEGHE
Marie Louise “Bumma” VanMeerhaeghe, 84, Overland Park, KS passed away Monday, Jan. 31, 2005 at the Indian Creek Nursing Center, Overland Park, KS. Funeral Mass will be 11:00 AM, Friday, at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church; burial in the Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens. Friends may call from 6-8 PM, Thursday at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee where the Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 PM. Memorial contributions may be to the Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 12800 W. 75th Street, Shawnee, KS 66216.
Mrs. VanMeerhaeghe was born Sept. 10, 1920 in Berchem, West Flander, Belgium. She moved to the Johnson County area with her family in 1956. Marie was a member of the Belgium Club and the Flemish American Club in Chicago and Shawnee. She was preceded in death by her husband, Andre G. VanMeerhaeghe, April 12, 1991. Survivors include her son, Andre R. and his wife, Fran, Van Meerhaeghe, Olathe, KS; five grandchildren, Andre L. (Dana) VanMeerhaeghe, Philip (Betty Jo) VanMeerhaeghe, all of Shawnee, KS, Yvonne (Todd) Wallen, Germany, Monique VanMeerhaeghe, Kansas City, MO and Nichole Handy, Olathe, KS; and ten great grandchildren.
