Virginia L. Ruddy
1915-1999
LIVONIA, N.Y. -- Virginia L. (Meyers) Ruddy, 83, Livonia, formerly of St. Joseph, died Sunday, April 11, 1999, at a health-care center in Livonia.
Mrs. Ruddy was a secretary and bookkeeper for the Ruddy Radio and T.V. Repair in St. Joseph. She and her husband, William, founded the Co-Ca-Mos Dance Club.
She worked for a doctor, in the payroll department of Armour and Co., and as a secretary at Graham Grain, Anchor Serum, Lawhon Construction Co. and St. Joseph Mental Health, all of St. Joseph. Mrs. Ruddy also was a civil service test administrator for the United States Government.
Born in St. Joseph on July 1, 1915, she lived most of her life in St. Joseph until moving to Geneseo, N.Y., in 1984.
Mrs. Ruddy was a graduate of the Convent of the Sacred Heart and Platt Business College, both of St. Joseph. She was a member of the Altar Society and Parent-Teachers Association, and was active in Girl Scouts and March of Dimes.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William E. Ruddy Jr., in 1984; and her parents, Harry and Anna Meyers.
Surviving: a daughter, Lanna L. Ruddy, Geneseo; and a son, William E. III, Brunigsweiler, Germany.
Private family service: at a later date. Burial: Mount Olivet Cemetery, St. Joseph. There will be no visitation. Arrangements: Rector Hicks Funeral Home Inc., Geneseo.
Mayme Thorne
1905-1999
CHILLICOTHE, Mo. --Mayme (McCoy) Thorne, 93, Chillicothe, formerly of Chula, Mo., died on Monday, April 12, 1999, at a Chillicothe health-care center.
Mrs. Thorne was a former homemaker and also worked as a cook for the Chula School for over 20 years. She also worked for the Lindley Funeral Home at Chula for 10 years.
Born Oct. 2, 1905, she lived most of her life in Chula and was a resident of a health-care center in Chillicothe for five years. She was a graduate of the Chula High School and a member of the Chula Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Thorne was preceded in death by her husband, Joe S., in 1973; her parents, Oliver B. and Laura L. McCoy; and two sisters and a brother.
Surviving: a son, George, Chula; a daughter, Betty Hillenbrand, Chillicothe; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Service: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe. Burial: Plainview Cemetery, Chula. Visitation: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. There is no scheduled family visitation. Memorials may be made to the Chula Park Fund in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, MO 64601.
Beulah Laugesen
1911-1999
Beulah (Johnson) Laugesen, 88, St. Joseph died Wednesday, April 14, 1999, at a St. Joseph health-care center.
Mrs. Laugesen was a teacher with the Kansas City School District for more than 30 years until retiring in 1976. She taught first through fourth grades, and then the developmentally disabled.
Born in Lowry City, Mo., on Feb. 16, 1911, she lived most of her life in Kansas City. She was a resident of St. Joseph since 1993.
Mrs. Laugesen was a graduate of the Westport High School, Kansas City; and Teacher's College of Kansas City. She earned a master's degree in education focusing on developmentally disabled education.
She was a member of the Hyde Park Christian Church and Roanoke Presbyterian Church, both Kansas City; and Overland Park, Kan., Christian Church, where she taught Sunday school and Bible school. Mrs. Laugesen also was a member the Westport chapter No. 345, Order of the Eastern Star; and Retired Teacher's Association, both of Kansas City; and Retired Teacher's Association of Missouri.
She was a musician and taught piano lessons.
On Sept. 7, 1939, she married Louis J. Laugesen Jr. They were divorced in 1966.
Mrs. Laugesen was preceded in death by her parents, Clell A. and Harriet E. Johnson.
Surviving: a son, Louis J. III, Merriam, Kan.; two daughters, Corinda C. Stallbaumer, St. Joseph, and Marcia S. Sweet, Bonner Springs, Kan.; and six grandchildren.
Service: 10 a.m. Saturday, Mount Moriah Mausoleum chapel, Kansas City. Burial: Mount Moriah Cemetery, Kansas City. Family visitation: 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at Meierhoffer Family Funeral Care, St. Joseph.
Pearle B. Meier
1924-1999
Pearle B. (Drake) Meier, 75, St. Joseph, formerly of Troy, Kan., died Tuesday, April 13, 1999, at a St. Joseph health-care center.
Mrs. Meier was a furniture upholsterer in Troy.
Born in Tarkio, Mo., on Jan. 2, 1924, she lived most of her life in Troy. She was a graduate of the Oregon, Mo., high school and attended the Tarkio Business College for two years.
She was of the Lutheran faith and a member of the auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 5531, of which she was a past president, Wathena.
On Oct. 20, 1942, she married Eugene Meier in St. Joseph. He died in 1988.
Mrs. Meier also was preceded in death by a son, Edwin; her parents, Floyd R. Drake and Lillian Drake Morris; her stepfather, C.M. Morris; two brothers, Dick Drake and Louis Morris; and a sister, Esther Culp.
Surviving: two sons, John, Troy, and Michael, Edwardsville, Kan.; two daughters, Linda Wilkerson and Teresa Lopez, both of St. Joseph; four brothers, Floyd Drake, Troy, Jim Drake, Wathena, Kan., George Drake, Hemple, Mo., and Frank Morris, Holton, Kan.; a sister, Lois Herpich, Troy; eight grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and five step great-grandchildren.
Service: 11 a.m. Friday, Harman-Rohde Funeral Home, Troy. Burial: Mount Olive Cemetery, Troy. Family visitation: 7 to 8:30 tonight at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 5531, Wathena.
Wilbur Mulvania
1930-1999
RAVANNA, Mo. -- Wilbur Mulvania, 68, Ravanna, died Tuesday, April 13, 1999, at his home.
For 30 years, Mr. Mulvania was an electrician for the John Deere Co. in East Moline, Ill. During the Korean War, he served in the Army.
Born in Mercer, Mo., on April 18, 1930, he moved from Silvis, Ill., to Ravanna in 1969. He attended school in Mercer.
Mr. Mulvania was a member of the East Moline Masonic Lodge, A.F.&A.M.;, of which he was a 32nd degree Mason; Moline Valley Scottish Rite and Mercer American Legion.
On March 25, 1951, he married Mary Thomas in Mercer. She survives of the home.
Mr. Mulvania was preceded in death by an infant son, Richard; his parents, Roy and Clara; two brothers, Clarence and Robert; and a sister, Evelyn Davis.
Additional survivors: a daughter, Judy Clem, Kearney, Mo.; a son, William, Ravanna; two brothers, Johnnie and Laurel, both of Ravanna; a sister, Grace Purcell, Ravanna; and three grandchildren.
Service: 1 p.m. today, Greenlee-Middleton Funeral Chapel, Princeton, Mo. Burial: Fairley Cemetery, north of Princeton. Visitation: after 8 a.m. today at the funeral chapel. Memorials may be made to the Wright Memorial Hospice or Fairley Cemetery in care of the funeral chapel, P.O. Box 316, Princeton, MO 64673.
Preston Murphy
1932-1999
EDGERTON, Mo. -- Preston Murphy, 66, Edgerton, died Wednesday, April 14, 1999, at his residence.
Mr. Murphy worked for the Kenworth Truck Manufacturing Co. in Kansas City, Mo., for over 20 years. He also was employed by Nashua Trailers in Kansas City. During the Korean War, he served in the Navy.
Born in Liberty, Mo., on June 4, 1932, he was reared and attended school in Smithville, Mo. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Smithville.
On Feb. 23, 1951, he married Lois Phelps in Smithville. They lived in Kansas City until moving to the Smithville and Trimble, Mo., areas. In 1984, the couple moved to Edgerton. She survives of the home.
Mr. Murphy was preceded in death by a daughter, Charlene Hon; his parents, Tom T. and Ruth; and two brothers, Earl and Vernon.
Additional survivors: two sons, Vernon, Mission, Kan., and Marty, Kansas City, Mo.; a grandchild; and three great-grandchildren.
Service: 2 p.m. Friday, Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Edgerton. Burial: Ridgely, Mo., Cemetery. Family visitation: 7 to 9 tonight at the funeral home.
Bess G. White
1895-1999
BETHANY, Mo. -- Bess G. (Bogue) White, 103, Bethany, died Wednesday, April 14, 1999, at a health-care center in Bethany.
Mrs. White was one of the founders of the White Auto Supply in Bethany. Later she was an antique dealer.
Born in Harrison County, Mo., near Hatfield, Mo., on Aug. 28, 1895, she was a former resident of Rogers, Ark.
A former homemaker, she attended the Hatfield high school and was a member of the First Christian Church in Bethany.
On Dec. 7, 1913, she married Leroy E. White. He died in 1964.
Mrs. White also was preceded in death by an infant son, Richard B.; and her parents, Sanford and Mary Bogue.
Surviving: two sons, Maurice, Bethany, and Jerry, Tulsa, Okla.; four daughters, Lela W. Tisdale, Rogers, Aileen Williams, Salem, Ore., Bonnie Vanderlinden, Sun Lakes, Ariz., and Mary L. Selby, Duarte, Calif.; 28 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Service: 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany. Burial: Cedar Hill Cemetery, Blythedale, Mo. Visitation: after noon Friday at the funeral home. There is no scheduled family visitation. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church, Bethany, or Harrison County chapter of the American Red Cross in care of the funeral home.
Lawrence E. Riggs Jr.
1929-1999
Lawrence E. Riggs Jr., 69, St. Joseph, died Friday, April 16, 1999, at a St. Joseph hospital.
Mr. Riggs was employed as a mechanic with Riggs Auto Service, St. Joseph, and then as a dump truck operator for Herzog, St. Joseph, before retiring in 1987. He also served in the Army.
Born Nov. 11, 1929, in Fairport, Mo., he lived in St. Joseph most of his life. He also lived in Maysville, Mo., and DeKalb County, Mo.
Mr. Riggs had attended Eastside Baptist Church, St. Joseph.
On Feb. 14, 1956, he married Iola Farrington in Troy, Kan. She survives of the home.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence E. Sr. and Enise L.; and a brother, Donald E.
Additional survivors: two sons, Steve Riggs, St. Joseph, and Leroy Guthrie, Kansas City; two daughters, Vickie Farley, Stewartsville, Mo., and Sandra Estes, St. Joseph; a sister, Carol Foreman, Stewartsville; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Service: Noon Monday, Meierhoffer Family Funeral Care, St. Joseph Burial: Memorial Park Cemetery, St. Joseph. The family will receive friends form 6 to 8 tonight at the funeral home. Memorial gifts may be sent to the American Cancer Society.
Robert N. Schneider
1919-1999
CHILLICOTHE, Mo. -- Robert Nelson Schneider, 79, rural Chillicothe, died Friday, April 16, 1999, at a Chillicothe hospital.
Mr. Schneider, a retired businessman in Chillicothe, served in the Army during World War II.
He was born Aug. 23, 1919, in Chula, Mo.
Mr. Schneider was a member of St. Columban's Catholic Church and Vern R. Glick American Legion, Post No. 25, both of Chillicothe.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert L. and Grace; two sisters, Teresa Johnson and Mary Kelly; and a brother, Maurice.
Surviving: two brothers, Gene, Chillicothe, and Charles, Sedalia, Mo.
Mass of Christian Burial: 10 a.m. Monday, St. Columban's Catholic Church, Chillicothe. Burial: St. Columban's Cemetery, Chillicothe. Visitation: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Monday, Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe. A rosary will be recited at 7 tonight at the funeral home, where a family visitation will follow. Memorial contributions may be sent to St. Columban's Church Building Fund, in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, MO 64601.
Harold A. Sherrer
1929-1999
Harold A. "Scooter" Sherrer, 70, St. Joseph, died Saturday, April 17, 1999, at his home.
Mr. Sherrer worked as a truck driver for ABF Freightline, retiring in 1989.
Born March 25, 1929, in Lebanon, Mo., he was a graduate of Lebanon High School. He lived most of his life in Kansas City, until moving to St. Joseph in 1988.
Mr. Sherrer was a member of Teamster Union No. 41, Kansas City, for 37 years.
On Dec. 5, 1988, he married Janis R. Feiden in St. Joseph, Mo. She survives of the home.
Mr. Sherrer was preceded in death by his father, George; his mother, Grace; an adopted son, Steve; and a stepdaughter, Rhonda Harmon.
Additional survivors: two sons, Dennis and Tommy, both of Kansas City; two stepsons, Danny Barker, Overland Park, Kan., and Bret Barker, St. Joseph; two daughters, Renee Jack, Parkville, Mo., and Vickie Robinson, Springfield, Mo.; a brother, Eldon, Lebanon; two grandchildren; several stepgrandchildren; and a stepgreat-grandchild.
There is no scheduled visitation. The body has been cremated. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be sent to Kendallwood Hospice, 811 N. Woodbine St., St. Joseph, MO 64506. Arrangements: Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel, St. Joseph.
Linda Shultz
1938-1999
DUNWOODY, Ga. -- Linda (Johnson) Shultz, 60, Dunwoody, formerly of Gower, Mo., died Thursday, April 14, 1999, at an Atlanta hospital.
Ms. Shultz was employed as a high school teacher for a number of years.
Born Oct. 25, 1938, in Memphis, Tenn., she was a graduate of Gower High School. She later was a graduate of University of Missouri-Columbia.
Ms. Shultz was a member of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, Marietta, Ga.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lucille and Fred Johnson.
Surviving: two sons, Michael and Stephen, both of Wanague, N.J.; two daughters, Suzanne Amabile, Charlotte, N.C., and Julie Whitlock, Atlanta; a sister, Jeannie Eisenberg, Seattle; and three grandchildren.
Memorial service: 10 a.m. Monday, Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, Marietta. Arrangements: Sandy Springs Chapel, Atlanta.
Melvin L. Thomas Sr.
1921-1999
Melvin Leon Thomas Sr., 78, St. Joseph, died Saturday, April 17, 1999, at his home.
Mr. Thomas was employed by Mead Products, formerly Westab, for 17 years, retiring in 1983. He also served in the Army during World War II.
Born Jan. 13, 1921, in Worland, Mo., he lived in Pleasanton, Kan., before moving to St. Joseph in 1958.
Mr. Thomas, a Christian, was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 6760, St. Joseph.
On Sept. 19, 1946, he married Dorothy Stambaugh in Mound City, Kan. She survives of the home.
Mr. Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Maude; and a daughter, Johanna.
Additional survivors: six sons, Melvin Jr., Terry and Carl, all of St. Joseph, and Edwin, Robert and Charles, all of Wathena, Kan.; two brothers, Roy and Jim, both of Powell, Wyo.; two sisters, Annabell Smith, Elko, Nev., and Cleo Yetter, Thermopolis, Wyo.; 17 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren.
Service: 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Rupp Funeral Home, St. Joseph. Burial: Ashland Cemetery, St. Joseph. Visitation: 6 to 8 tonight and Monday at the funeral home.
