Myrtle L. Burchett
1913-1999
TRENTON, Mo. -- Myrtle L. (Kirby) Burchett, 85, Trenton, died Friday, Feb. 12, 1999, at a Trenton health-care center.
Born Sept. 12, 1913, in Linn County, Mo., Mrs. Burchett was a member of the Mount Zion Christian Church and the Honey Creek Chapel Christian Church.
On Aug. 8, 1931, in Galt, Mo., she married Eugene M. Burchett. After their marriage, they lived on a farm south of Humphreys, Mo., until moving to Trenton in 1975. Her husband, Eugene, died in 1993.
Mrs. Burchett also was preceded in death by a son, Leamon; her parents, Leonard and Lula Kirby; four sisters; and a great-grandchild.
Surviving: a daughter, Lula L. Worboys, Raytown, Mo.; three sons, Bill, Highlands Ranch, Colo., Bob, Trenton, and Gary, St. Joseph; two brothers, Floyd Kirby, Meadville, Mo., and Keith Kirby, Boulder, Colo.; a sister, Lois Blackman, Milan, Mo.; 17 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Service: 1 p.m. Monday, Resthaven Mortuary, Trenton. Burial: Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Trenton. Memorial contributions may be sent to Honey Creek Chapel Christian Church, in care of the mortuary, P.O. Box 587, Trenton, MO 64683.
Bessie E. Gerean
1922-1999
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. -- Bessie Eileen (Kunkel) Gerean, 76, Glenwood Springs, formerly of Mound City and Independence, Mo., died Tuesday, Feb. 9, 1999, at a Glenwood Springs health-care center.
Mrs. Gerean was employed as a beautician before working at Pratt & Whitney Defense Plant, Kansas City.
Mrs. Gerean was a member of Rockwood Baptist Church, Independence, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie No. 3717, Sugar Creek, Mo. She also served as Ladies Auxiliary Madam President during 1991.
Born Sept. 16, 1922, in Bismark, N.D., she was a graduate of Mound City High School. Mrs. Gerean also attended Julian's Beauty School, Kansas City.
She married Ernest Buckles in Mound City. He died in 1957. She later married John Gerean in Independence. He died in 1982.
She also was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Dorothy Kunkel; and a step- mother, Ida Kunkel.
Surviving: a son, Ronald Buckles, Denver; a daughter, Debbie Ladean, Glenwood Springs; three sisters, June Kleber, Albuquerque, N.M., and Iris Sitherwood, and Dorothy Heck, both of Mound City; two brothers, Clyde Kunkel, Springfield, Va., and Robert Kunkel, Omaha, Neb.; and four grandchildren.
Graveside memorial service: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Benton Cemetery, Mound City. The body has been cremated. A separate memorial service is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Speaks Midtown Chapel, Independence. Family visitation: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Pettijohn & Crawford Funeral Home, Mound City.
Robert J. Gibbs
1923-1999
HIAWATHA, Kan. -- Robert J. "Bud" Gibbs, 75, Hiawatha, died Saturday, Feb. 13, 1999, at a Hiawatha hospital.
Born Nov. 3, 1923, near Hiawatha, Mr. Gibbs was a longtime member of Elks Lodge No. 963, Falls City, Neb.
On June 6, 1945, he married Laura Miner in Troy, Kan. Together they farmed northeast of Hiawatha for 53 years. She survives.
Mr. Gibbs was preceded in death by his parents, Delbert and Grace.
Surviving: three sons, Robert, Falls City, Tom, Topeka, Kan., and Paul, rural Hiawatha; a daughter, Barbara Clark, Falls City; four brothers, Joe, Plattsburg, Mo., Delbert Jr., Hiawatha, Harry, Nebraska City, Neb., and Jerry, Oregon City, Ore.; four sisters, Lillian Myers, Hiawatha, Naomi Flett, Delphos, Kan., Mary Burnett, Holton, Kan., and Rebecca Spaight, El Dorado, Kan.; seven grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
Service: 2 p.m. Wednesday, Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, Hiawatha. Burial: Corneilson Cemetery, east of Reserve, Kan. Friends may call after 10 a.m. Monday, where the family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Robert Gibbs Memorial Fund, in care of the funeral home, 519 N. First St., Hiawatha, KS 66434.
Marjorie A. Gibson
1924-1999
LAKE WINNEBAGO, Mo. --Marjorie Ann (Kramer) Gibson, 74, Lake Winnebago, formerly of St. Joseph, died Thursday, Feb. 11, 1999, at a Kansas City hospital.
Mrs. Gibson was the owner of Adventure Travel in Lee's Summit, Mo., which she opened in 1984. Her career in the travel industry spanned 52 years, starting in 1947. During that time she worked for Braniff Airlines, O'Keefe Travel, Lufthansa German Airlines, and Sabena Belgium Airlines.
Born Sept. 24, 1924, in St. Joseph, Mrs. Gibson was a graduate of Central High School, St. Joseph. She also attended Missouri Western State College.
Mrs. Gibson was a member of the Lee's Summit Chamber of Commerce and the Raytown (Mo.) Christian Church.
On May 29, 1949, she married Harvey Gibson. He survives of the home.
Mrs. Gibson was preceded in death by her brother, Walter Kramer.
Additional survivors: two daughters, Valerie Hartman, Overland Park, Kan., and Janice Rudnick, San Diego; a son, Harvey Jr., Tempe, Ariz.; three brothers, Karl Kramer, Akron, Ohio, and David and Roger Kramer, Venice, Fla.; three sisters, Virginia McCort, Overland Park, Joyce Marcum, Columbia, Mo., and Carol Dickens, St. Joseph; and five grandchildren.
Service: 1 p.m. Monday, Raytown Christian Church. Burial: Lee's Summit Historical Cemetery. Family visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. today, Langsford Funeral Home, Lee's Summit. Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society or a charity of the donor's choice.
Essie E. Harris
1919-1999
FOREST CITY, Mo. -- Essie E. (Burrier) Harris, 79, Forest City, died Friday, Feb. 12, 1999, at her home.
Mrs. Harris, a homemaker, was a member of Forest City Christian Church.
Born Feb. 18, 1919, in Forest City, she attended Kimsey Rural School and was a graduate of Forest City High School. She was a lifelong resident of Holt County, Mo.
On Jan. 12, 1935, she married Richard Harris. He survives of the home.
Mrs. Harris was preceded in death by an infant son; her parents, George and Nora Burrier; and a sister, Naomi Slusher.
Additional survivors: a son, French Harris, Forest City; four daughters, Mary Terhune, Mound City, Mo., Rosie Meyer, Bolivar, Mo., Leah Kurtz, Forest City, and Diane Sylvie, St. Joseph; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Service: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Forest City Christian Church. Burial: Maple Grove Cemetery, Oregon, Mo. Visitation: after 3 p.m. today, Chamberlain Funeral Home, Oregon, where the family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday. Memorial contributions may be sent to Hands of Hope Hospice or the American Heart Association.
Roberta A. Heath
1923-1999
Roberta A. "Bobbie" (Hurst) Heath, 75, St. Joseph, died Friday, February 12, 1999, at her home.
Mrs. Heath and her husband were co-owners of Shamrock Motel for 10 years. She then was employed with Quaker Oats Co. for 23 years before retiring.
Born April 25, 1923, in Sutton, Neb., she resided in St. Joseph since 1955.
She was a member of Ashland United Methodist Church and the Quaker Social Club, both of St. Joseph.
On December 3, 1945, she married Harlan Hugh Heath. He died in 1990.
She also was preceded in death by her parents, William F. and Anna K. Hurst; and two brothers, Clarence and Raymond Hurst.
Surviving: two daughters, Dr. Barbara Evans, Tulsa, Okla., and Sharon Smith, Glendale, Ariz.; two sisters, Fern Troudt, Grand Island, Neb., and Dorothy Sundling, Oakdale, Calif.; two brothers, Don Hurst, Ozawakie, Kan., and Cleo F. Hurst, Sutton, Neb.; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Service: 9 a.m. Tuesday, Meierhoffer Family Funeral Care, St. Joseph. Burial: 3 p.m. Tuesday, Geneva Cemetery, Geneva, Neb. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, at the funeral home.
Edwin G. Hogan
1914-1999
RIDGEWAY, Mo. -- Edwin G. Hogan, 84, Ridgeway, died Friday, Feb. 12, 1999, at a Bethany, Mo. hospital.
Born April 27, 1914, in Harrison County, Mo., Mr. Hogan was a retired carpenter and teacher.
He was a member of Kirkley Chapel United Methodist Church, Ridgeway, and the Missouri State Teachers' Association.
On Oct. 16, 1935, he married Nina B. Comer. She survives of the home.
Mr. Hogan was preceded in death by his parents, Charles E. and Naomi M.; two sisters, Maun Hallock and Murle Polley; and two brothers, Jack and Rodney.
Additional survivors: a daughter, Janice Forman, Blythedale, Mo.; a son, Jim, Harrisonville, Mo.; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Service: 2 p.m. today, Kirkley Chapel United Methodist Church, Ridgeway. Burial: Kirkley Chapel Cemetery, Ridgeway. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Alzheimer's Foundation, in care of Lily Rucker, Bethany, Mo., or to Kirkley Chapel Cemetery Board, Ridgeway. Arrangements: Roberson-Polley Chapel, Albany.
James N. Johnson
1918-1999
James N. "J.J." Johnson, 80, St. Joseph, died Saturday, Feb. 13, 1999, at a St. Joseph hospital.
Mr. Johnson was employed as a truck driver for Meadow Gold and Industrial City Lines, retiring in 1982 after 28 years of service. He also served in the Army during World War II.
Mr. Johnson was a member of the Second Presbyterian Church, Saxton Lodge No. 508, A.F. & A.M., and the Moila Shrine Temple, all of St. Joseph.
Born June 5, 1918, in Newark, N.J., he was a graduate of Maryville (Mo.) High School. Mr. Johnson was a St. Joseph resident for the past 48 years, moving here from Maryville.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Viola; and his parents, Claude N. and Catherine.
Surviving: a son, Michael N., Shawnee, Kan.; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A private memorial service and inurnment will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery, St. Joseph, under the auspices of Saxton Lodge No. 508, A.F. & A.M. The body has been cremated. No family visitation is scheduled. Arrangements: Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel, St. Joseph.
Hazel A. Lainhart
1904-1999
Hazel A. (Harmon) Lainhart, 94, St. Joseph, died Saturday, Feb. 13, 1999, at a St. Joseph health-care center.
Born on Oct. 30, 1904, in Denver, Mo., Mrs. Lainhart attended school in Albany, Mo., moving to St. Joseph in the early 1950s.
Mrs. Lainhart, a homemaker, was a member of the Dorsey Christian Church in Albany.
Mrs. Lainhart was preceded in death by her husband, R. Chester Lainhart in 1980; her parents, Willard and Sarah E. Harmon; three brothers, Hobert, Loren, and Mack Harmon; and two sisters, Beatrice Harmon and Lela Hass.
Surviving: two daughters, Iris Adams, St. Joseph and Lora Lee Graham, Lebanon, Mo.; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a stepgreat-grandchild; 17 great-great-grandchildren; and a stepgreat-great-grandchild.
Graveside service and burial: 11:30 a.m. Monday, Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation: after noon today at Heaton-Bowman-Smith and Sidenfaden Chapel. Memorials may be made to Hands of Hope Hospice or Dorsey Christian Church, Albany, Mo.
George L. Lightfoot
1907-1999
George L. Lightfoot, 91, St. Joseph, died Friday, Feb. 12, 1999, at a St. Joseph hospital.
Mr. Lightfoot and his wife, Helen M., had owned and operated the Lightfoot Inn, St. Joseph, before moving to Birmingham, Ala. In Birmingham, he worked as a sales manager for Interstate Bakeries Corp., where he developed the Zinger for Dolly Madison.
Mr. Lightfoot was a member of Unity Church of Practical Christianity; King Hill Lodge No. 376, A.F. & A.M.; Scottish Rite Masons; High 12 Club; and the Moila Shrine Temple, all of St. Joseph.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen M., in 1997; his parents, George L and Elizabeth M.; and two brothers, Harold P. and Kenneth C.
Surviving: a nephew, John Egli, St. Joseph; and a niece, Lynett Cullem, Omaha, Neb.
Service: 1 p.m. Monday, Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel, St. Joseph. Burial: Memorial Park Cemetery, St. Joseph. Family visitation: 7 to 8 tonight at the Chapel.
Lawrence L. Moore
1917-1999
LINEVILLE, Iowa -- Lawrence Lee Moore, 81, Lineville, formerly of Mercer County, Mo., died Saturday, Feb. 13, 1999, at a Corydon, Iowa, hospital.
Mr. Moore farmed with his father until 1942, when he joined the Army, serving during World War II. He then worked as a truck driver for 16 years, before being employed by the Lineville Oil Co. for 21 years until his retirement.
Born March 29, 1917, in Mercer County, he was a member of the American Legion in Lineville. He also attended the Lineville Assembly of God Church and the Lineville Christian Church.
On April 9, 1943, he married Phyllis E. Gatliff. She died in 1997.
Mr. Moore also was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Gary; and a brother Stanley.
Surviving: a son, Dennis, Liberty, Mo.; two brothers, Stacey, Lineville, and Doyle, Vinton, Iowa; and three grandchildren.
Service: 1 p.m. Monday, Greenlee-Middleton Funeral Chapel, Lineville. Burial: Evergreen Cemetery, Lineville. Visitation: after 8 a.m. today at the funeral home.
W. Roger Reece
1938-1999
TOPEKA, Kan. -- W. Roger Reece, 60, Topeka, formerly of St. Joseph, died Thursday, Feb. 11, 1999, at his residence.
Mr. Reece was employed with Dugdale Packing Co., St. Joseph, before working for Swisher Cigar Co. until his retirement.
Born June 11, 1938, in St. Joseph, he was a graduate of Central High School, St. Joseph.
Surviving: two sons, Scott, Kent, Wash., and Mike, Topeka; a daughter, Christine, Topeka; his mother, Ruba L., Topeka; two brothers, Bob, Topeka, and David, Littleton, Colo.; a sister, Marilyn Davis, Oklahoma City; and two grandchildren.
Memorial service: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Penwell-Gabel Mid-town Chapel, Topeka. The body will be cremated. Memorial contributions may be sent to Alcoholics Anonymous of Topeka, in care of 2100 club, 2100 S.W. Central Park Ave., Topeka, KS 66611-1230.
Anita J. Schuler
1928-1999
Anita June (Oppenlander) Schuler, 70, St. Joseph, died Friday, Feb. 12, 1999, at a St. Joseph health-care center.
Mrs. Schuler had been a clerical worker for Big Smith and later for Mo.-Kan. Regional Council, both in St. Joseph.
Born on June 19, 1928, she was a graduate of New Point (Mo.) High School and attended Platt Business School in St. Joseph. Mrs. Schuler moved to St. Joseph in 1962, from Wathena, Kan.
Mrs. Schuler was a member of the Wathena United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Orville, in 1981; and her parents, Harold and Pearl Oppenlander.
Surviving: a daughter, De Schuler, St. Joseph; a brother, John H. Oppenlander, Oregon, Mo.; two sisters, Betty Tobin, St. Joseph, and Shirley Lyman, Springfield, Ore.
Memorial service: 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Heaton-Bowman-Smith and Sidenfaden Chapel. The body has been cremated. Inurnment: Memorial Park Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Memorials may be made to United Cerebral Palsy.
