The Rev. Tom L. Willis Jr.
1933-1999
WALLACE, Mo. -- The Rev. Tom Lee Willis Jr., 65, Wallace, formerly of St. Joseph, died Saturday, April 17, 1999, at a St. Joseph hospital.
The Rev. Willis was pastor of the Wallace Christian Church. He previously had served at Community Christian Church, St. Joseph; Sugar Creek Christian Church, Rushville, Mo.; Island City Christian Church, Stanberry, Mo.; Orchard Christian Church, King City, Mo.; San Antone (Mo.) Christian Church and Mound City (Mo.) New Testament Christian. He also was employed at the former Ayers Auto Supply and served in the Army during the Korean War.
Born June 1, 1933, in St. Joseph, he was a graduate of Central High School, St. Joseph.
The Rev. Willis was a member of the Show-me Christian Youth Home Board, Lamont, Mo.; Flaming Spirit Christian Academy Board, Oregon, Mo.; and Faucett (Mo.) Senior Center Board.
On Nov. 2, 1952, he married Carol Howard in St. Joseph. She survives of the home.
The Rev. Willis was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas L. Sr. and Maryan.
Additional survivors: a son, Tim, Kansas City; and a sister, Cheryl Ebling, Union Star, Mo.
Service: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Wallace Christian Church, Wallace. Burial: Memorial Park Cemetery, St. Joseph. Visitation: after 11 a.m. today, Rupp Funeral Home, St. Joseph, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday. Memorial contributions may be sent to Show-me Youth Home, Lamont, or the Flaming Spirit Christian Academy, Oregon.
Anna M. Wilson
1919-1999
ELWOOD, Kan. -- Anna M. (Honeycutt) Wilson, 79, Elwood, died Saturday, April 17, 1999, at her home.
Mrs. Wilson, a homemaker, had lived most of her life in St. Joseph until moving to Elwood in 1989.
Born Oct. 12, 1919, in Dearborn, Mo., she was a member of the Baptist faith.
She married Irvin F. Wilson Sr. on Jan. 10, 1936. He died in 1990.
Mrs. Wilson also was preceded in death by her parents, Moses and Carrie B. Honeycutt; three brothers, Melvin, Ray and Bud Honeycutt; a sister, Dorothy Cordoba; and five grandchildren.
Surviving: five sons, Irvin E., Big Lake, Mo., Herbert, Elwood, Henry J., and John F. and William R., both of St. Joseph; three daughters, Beverly A. Bascue and Mary B. Harness, both of St. Joseph, and Alice L. Langston, Elwood; 22 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
There is no scheduled visitation or service. The body has been cremated. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Gala J. Adams
1936-1999
LAWSON, Mo. -- Gala Joan (Love) Morrison Adams, 62, Lawson, formerly of Gallatin, Mo., died Monday, April 19, 1999, at a North Kansas City, Mo., hospital.
Mrs. Adams was a nurse technician in the emergency room and home health care units at the Spelman-St. Luke's Memorial Hospital in Smithville, Mo., until retiring in 1998. She also was assigned to the emergency medical technician unit of the Clay County, Mo., ambulance unit.
Born in Gallatin on Oct. 23, 1936, she was reared in Gallatin and graduated from the Gallatin high school. Mrs. Adams also lived in Kansas City, Kan., and Edgerton, Mo. She attended the United Methodist Church.
On June 12, 1956, she married Alva L. Morrison in Warsaw, Mo. He died in 1976. Then on Nov. 8, 1984, she married William C. Adams in Lawson. He survives of the home.
Mrs. Adams also was preceded in death by her parents, Manford and Josephine Love; three brothers, Carl, Jack and Billy Love; and two sisters, Donna Love and Patsy Brady.
Additional survivors: a daughter, Melinda Seufert, St. Joseph; two sons, Allen Morrison, Excelsior Springs, Mo., and Rex Morrison, Lawson; three brothers, Galen Love, Cameron, Mo., Roy Love, San Bernardino, Calif., and James Love, Chillicothe, Mo.; and two grandchildren.
Service: 10 a.m. Thursday, Bram Funeral Home, Gallatin. Burial: McCrary Cemetery, Gallatin. Visitation: after 3 p.m. today at the funeral home, where the family will receive friends from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday. Memorials may be made to the McCrary Cemetery Association.
Ordo F. Berges
1912-1999
ATCHISON, Kan. -- Ordo Frank Berges, 87, Atchison, died Monday, April 19, 1999, at a health-care center in Atchison after a lengthy illness of Parkinson's disease.
Mr. Berges was a civil engineer for the Corps of Engineers in the Kansas City district for more than 25 years until semi-retiring in 1964. He then worked for the State Corps of Engineers, Massman Construction Co. of Kansas City and Ashback Construction Co. in St. Paul, Minn.
In the Atchison area, he served as the control officer for the Cut and Cover Project and Rural Water Districts No. 5 and 6. Later he worked for the United States Postal Service surveying for new post offices. During his early years, he farmed with his father, Henry, for several years.
Born southwest of Onaga, Kan., on March 22, 1912, he graduated from the Onaga high school and attended Kansas State University at Manhattan to study civil engineering.
During World War II, Mr. Berges served in the engineer battalion.
In 1958, he moved from Kansas City to a farm north of Lancaster, Kan., and to Atchison in 1992.
Mr. Berges was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church and Fleming-Jackson-Seever American Legion Post No. 6, both of Atchison; National Association of Federal Retired Employees; Farmers Co-op Association and Atchison County Farm Bureau. He had served on the church council and board of the Rural Water District No. 5.
On June 27, 1943, he married Minnie Matthias in Washington, D.C. She survives of the home.
Mr. Berges was preceded in death by his parents, Henry W. and Pauline; a brother, William; and three sisters, Lydia Drongberger, Edna Berges and Alma Knipp.
Additional survivors: a brother, Glenn, Great Bend, Kan.; and three sisters, Myrtle Valberg, Onaga, Mable Southard, Topeka, Kan., and Alice Fieden, Alma, Kan.
Service: 11 a.m. Thursday, St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Atchison. Burial: Mount Vernon Cemetery, Atchison. Visitation: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home, Atchison, and 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Parkinson Association or St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Atchison.
Thomas F. Curtin
1922-1999
Thomas F. Curtin, 77, St. Joseph, died Monday, April 19, 1999, at a St. Joseph hospital.
Mr. Curtin was a meat cutter for Armour and Co. for 39 years until retiring in 1983. He served in the Army World War II.
Born in St. Joseph on Jan. 23, 1922, he was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1668.
On Feb. 24, 1961, he married Vera Fansher. She survives of the home.
Mr. Curtin was preceded in death by his parents, John Sr. and Mary; a brother, John Jr.; and three sisters, Mary Easterling, and twins, Rosemary and Hannah Curtin.
Surviving: a son, Thomas M., St. Joseph; a stepson, Daniel J. Johnson, St. Joseph; a brother, James, St. Joseph; and two grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial: 1:30 p.m. Thursday, St. Patrick's Catholic Church, St. Joseph. Burial: Memorial Park Cemetery, St. Joseph. Rosary: 7:30 tonight at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel, St. Joseph, where the family will receive friends from 8 to 9 tonight. Memorials may be made to St. Patrick's Catholic Church, St. Joseph.
Helen Foley
1918-1999
LAKEWOOD, Colo. -- Helen (Gordon) Foley, 80, Lakewood, formerly of St. Joseph, died Friday, April 16, 1999, at a health-care center in Lakewood.
Mrs. Foley was a bookkeeper for a travel agency.
Born in St. Joseph on Oct. 27, 1918, she attended Copeland Baptist Church in St. Joseph.
On June 18, 1946, she married Joseph J. Foley in Kansas City. He is deceased.
Mrs. Foley also was preceded in death by her parents, Claude C. and Roberta M. Gordon.
Surviving: a niece, Karen Edwards, Quincy, Calif.; a great-niece, Kristen Edwards, Reno, Nev.; and a great-nephew, Cole Edwards, Quincy.
Graveside service and burial: 1 p.m. Thursday, Ebenezer Cemetery, St. Joseph. Arrangements: Meierhoffer Family Funeral Care, St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
John A. Fries
1916-1999
John A. Fries, 82, St. Joseph, died Tuesday, April 20, 1999, at his home.
Mr. Fries was employed in the maintenance department for the Des Moines, Iowa, school district until retiring. He served in the Army during World War II.
Born in Hillside, N.J., on Aug, 13, 1916, he was a member of the New Home Baptist Church, Pony Express American Legion Post No. 359 and Disabled American Veterans.
On Dec. 24, 1943, he married Florence Fickle in St. Joseph. She survives of the home.
Mr. Fries was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Veronica; and a brother, Edward.
Additional survivors: a brother, Louis, New Jersey; and two sisters, Betty Shuha, New Jersey, and Mary Steinberg, Lake Worth, Fla.
Service: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Rupp Funeral Home, St. Joseph. Burial: St. John's Cemetery, Amazonia, Mo. Family visitation: 7 to 8 tonight at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Hands of Hope Hospice, St. Joseph.
Worthie H. Harr
1923-1999
Worthie H. Harr, 75, St. Joseph, died Monday, April 19, 1999, at a St. Joseph hospital.
Mr. Harr was employed by the Wire Rope Corporation of America for 35 years until retiring in 1985. During World War II, he served in the Army.
Born in Brenner, Kan., on May 8, 1923, he lived in Troy, Kan., before moving to St. Joseph 51 years ago.
Mr. Harr was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, Sunday school director and teacher, youth director, treasurer and on numerous committees. He also was a member of the United Steelworkers Union.
On April 28, 1946, he married Betty M. Powell in Reno, Nev. She survives of the home.
Mr. Harr was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse J. and Mildred S.; two brothers, Jesse and Edward; and three sisters, Maxine Connelly, Carolyn Patterson and Sandra Harr.
Additional survivors: two daughters, Sharon K. Bradford and Karen M. Smith, both of St. Joseph; a son, Randy H., St. Joseph; a brother, Troy R., St. Joseph; a sister, Vera Janda, Martinez, Calif.; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Service: 1:30 p.m. today, Calvary Baptist Church, St. Joseph. Burial: Memorial Park Cemetery, St. Joseph. Family visitation: one hour before the service at the church. Arrangements: Meierhoffer Family Funeral Care, St. Joseph.
Bernice M. Hartley
1902-1999
MERCER, Mo. -- Bernice Mary (Duncan) Hartley, 96, Mercer, died Monday, April 19, 1999, at the Trenton, Mo., hospital.
Mrs. Hartley was employed by the Mercer post office for several years after high school. She and her husband, Forrest, also farmed most of their married lives west of Mercer, and operated livestock auctions in Leon, Iowa, and Trenton.
Born in Centerville, Iowa, on Aug. 2, 1902, she was reared in Mercer County, Mo., and was a graduate of the Mercer high school. She was a member of the Mercer United Methodist Church.
On March 3, 1928, she married Forrest D. Hartley in Princeton, Mo. They lived most of their married lives west of Mercer, but also lived in Leon and Trenton. He died in 1987.
Mrs. Hartley also was preceded in death by her parents, James F. and Eliza E. Duncan; a brother, Howard Duncan and a grandchild.
Surviving: a son, Charles L., Mercer; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.
Service: 1 p.m. Thursday, Greenlee-Middleton Funeral Chapel, Princeton. Burial: Early Cemetery, Mercer. Visitation: after 8 a.m. today at the funeral chapel. There is no scheduled family visitation.
Robert W. Beaufort
1925-1999
Robert W. Beaufort, 73, St. Joseph, died Tuesday, April 20, 1999, at his home.
Mr. Beaufort was a locomotive engineer for the Burlington-Northern Railroad for 39 years until retiring in 1984. During World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps and received a Purple Heart.
Born in St. Joseph on Dec. 14, 1925, he was a lifelong resident of St. Joseph. He was a graduate of Christian Brothers High School.
Mr. Beaufort was a member of the Wyatt Park Baptist Church, Christian Brothers High School Alumni, St. Joseph Stamp Club and Burlington-Northern Railroad Retirees. He was a former member of the Pony Express American Legion Post No. 359.
On Sept. 24, 1951, he married Fairy O. Emory. She died in 1997.
Mr. Beaufort also was preceded in death by his parents, Henry J. and Elizabeth; and a brother, Harry Beauford.
Surviving: a son, Galen P., Kansas City; a daughter, Becky A. Allen, St. Joseph; a sister, Dorothy Kelly, Atlanta; two grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; and three stepgreat-grandchildren.
Service: 1 p.m. Friday, Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel, St. Joseph. Burial: Memorial Park Cemetery, St. Joseph, with military rites by members of the Pony Express American legion Post No. 359, St. Joseph. Visitation: after 9 a.m. today at the chapel, where the family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or American Lung Association.
Ivan H. Bieck
1915-1999
FALLS CITY, Neb. -- Ivan H. Bieck, 83, Falls City, died Wednesday, April 21, 1999, at the Falls City hospital.
Mr. Bieck was a maintenance manager for Ketter Manor in Falls City for the past 15 years. He served on the Falls City Police Department from 1951 until retiring in 1979, and held the position of chief.
In his early years, he worked at a theater in Hastings, Neb., and was a projectionist for the Oil City Theater and Rivoli Theater, both of Falls City. Later he worked for Triangle Electric of Falls City.
Born near Harvard, Neb., on July 27, 1915, Mr. Bieck was a graduate of the high school there. He served in the Army from 1942 to 1945, and participated in the Battle of the Bulge.
Mr. Bieck was a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, American Legion Post and Veterans of Wars Post, all of Falls City, and Nebraska Police Officers Association.
On Oct. 6, 1946, he married Helen R. Fritz of Falls City. She survives of the home.
Mr. Bieck was preceded in death by his parents, Edmund G. and Clara M.; and two brothers, Kenneth and Wayne.
Additional survivors: a daughter, Chris Ridnour, Council Bluffs, Iowa; two brothers, Dale, Trumbull, Neb., and Frank, Harvard; and a sister, Lizzetta Dieken, Concord, Calif.
Service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Falls City. Burial: Steele Cemetery, Falls City, with military rites by members of the Falls City Ceremonial Honor Guard. Family visitation: 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Clark Funeral Home, Falls City. Memorials may be made to the family.
Howard Boydston
1923-1999
GLADSTONE, Mo. -- Howard Boydston, 76, Gladstone, formerly of Dearborn, Mo., died Saturday, April 17, 1999, at a health-care center in Gladstone.
Mr. Boydston was employed by the General Motors Fairfax Plant in Kansas City for 21 years until retiring. He worked for John Deere in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and the Kenworth Truck Co. of Kansas City. He also farmed with his three sons near Dearborn from 1960 to 1971.
Born on the family farm near Dearborn on Jan. 26, 1923, he graduated from the Edgerton, Mo., high school.
Mr. Boydston was a member of the United Methodist Churches, Edgerton and Dearborn; Masonic Lodge, Edgerton; and Moila Shrine Temple, St. Joseph.
On June 26, 1943, he married Allene Dunlap. They made their home on a farm in Buchanan County near Dearborn, and in 1947, they moved to Cedar Falls. In 1950, the couple returned to Dearborn and moved to Gladstone in 1998. She survives of the home.
Mr. Boydston was preceded in death by his parents, Norton P. and M. Anna; three brothers, M.C., Irvin and Owen; and a sister, Anna E. Palmer.
Additional survivors: three sons, Marion, Dearborn, Benjamin, Kansas City, and Earl, Smithville, Mo.; two brothers, Stanley, Agency, Mo., and Leonard, New Braunfels, Texas; three sisters, Adella Foxworthy and Martha Surls, both of Kansas City, and Mildred Lober, Dearborn; three grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and six step great-grandchildren.
Service: 1 p.m. Saturday, Mount Zion Baptist Church, Edgerton. Burial: Dearborn Cemetery. Family visitation: 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Edgerton.
