Obituaries

By NewsPress Now HOPKINS, Mo. – Roger L. Florea, 78, of Hopkins, Missouri, passed away on Dec. 17, 2024, at home in Hopkins. His 78 years of life were dedicated to service and family. Roger was born in 1946 to Orlin and Margaret (King) Florea, of Hopkins. After starting his elementary school education in a

By NewsPress Now Angela Renee Bottorff, 52, passed away Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in St. Joseph. She was born July 14, 1972, in St. Joseph, daughter of the late Mary and Richard Hummer. She attended Central High School and graduated from South Park Christian Academy. She worked as a home health caregiver and as an

By NewsPress Now Late Notices Angela R. Bottorff Angela R. Bottorff, 52, St. Joseph, died Dec. 15, 2024. Visitation 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday Funeral services and public live stream 10 a.m. Dec. 20, at Rupp Funeral Home. Cameron J. Cornelius Cameron Jeffrey Cornelius, 32, St. Joseph, died Dec. 15, 2024. Celebration of Life at

By NewsPress Now Debra Shade, 61, of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at her home. She was born May 30, 1963, in St. Joseph. She worked as a cook at several St. Joseph restaurants. Debra was preceded in death by her husband, Randall Lee Shade; father, Herbert Holt; mother, Barbara Ellis. She

By NewsPress Now LEWISVILLE, Texas – Thomas Peter Buczek, of Lewisville, Texas, was born in St. Joseph on Nov. 28, 1943, and passed on Nov. 30, 2024. He was 81 years old. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Pearl (Mathis); his brother, Frank; and Gloria, his wife of 46 years. A

By NewsPress Now Joyce Elaine Gastineau, 82, St. Joseph, formerly of Hamilton, Missouri, passed away on Dec. 14, 2024, in St. Joseph. Elaine previously also lived in Gallatin, Missouri, and she grew up in Breckenridge, Missouri, where she graduated from high school. Elaine was born on July 15, 1942, in Ray County, Missouri, to William

By NewsPress Now Rex Jones, 69, lost his fight with esophageal cancer and passed away on Dec. 15, 2024. He was born on Oct. 7, 1955, to William O. and Betty J. Jones. He graduated from Central High School in 1974 where he had done wrestling and weightlifting. After that he attended Hobart Institute. He

By NewsPress Now HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Clara Evalyn (Trump) Hirter, 79, passed away on Dec. 9, 2024, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She was born on Nov. 26, 1945, in Worth, Missouri, to Raymond and Mary Frances (Dannar) Trump. Clara was raised in St. Joseph where she graduated from Lafayette High School, got married and

By NewsPress Now Jason Poe, 46, St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. He was born, in St. Joseph, on May 8, 1978, to Steve and Debbie Poe. Jason was a 1997 graduate of Lafayette High School, he was known for his enduring work ethic and the joy he found in partnering with his

By NewsPress Now Troy D. Head, 66, St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. He was born Feb. 28, 1958, Colorado Springs, Colorado, to John and Rosemary (Horn) Head. Troy married Betty Lynn Wangelin on Oct. 8, 1983. She survives of the home. He was a plumber for the St. Joseph School District for

By NewsPress Now Joseph Clayton Fisher, 60, St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. He was born Dec. 16, 1963 in Kansas City, Kansas, to Robert and Betty (Church) Fisher. Joseph was a graduate of Benton High School. He had been a volunteer fire chief in Cosby, Missouri, and had worked at Stone Container,

By NewsPress Now Verba Marie Massey, 98, of St. Joseph, died on Dec. 14, 2024, at Country Squire Retirement Residence. Verba was born on June 29, 1926, in Leona, Kansas to Robert and Ona (Bond) Richter. She graduated from Leona High School. She was married to Floyd Wilson Massey on April 12, 1944, in Frankfurt,

By NewsPress Now Marion D. Burton ALBANY, Mo. – Marion Dale Burton, 75, of Albany, Missouri, passed away Dec. 10, 2024. Memorial Service: 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 20, at the Roberson-Polley Chapel, Albany. Inurnment with Military Rites in the Grandview Cemetery, Albany. The family will receive friends 5 to 7 p.m. at the chapel. Memorial

By NewsPress Now Shawn Michael McBride, 44, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at the Liberty Hospital. He was born May 21, 1980, in St. Joseph. Shawn graduated from Central High School, enjoyed working at Mosaic Life Care as a greeter, and was an avid St. Louis Rams fan. He enjoyed sitting

By NewsPress Now Mary Fulcomer, 82, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. She was born March 8, 1942, daughter of Dorothy and James Johnson. Survivors include children, James Walker, Diane Walker, Joyce Walker, and Chester Walker. Ms. Fulcomer has been cremated under the care of Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolences and obituary

By NewsPress Now DEKALB, Mo. – Douglas “Doug” Mehrer, 61, of DeKalb, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, in a Kansas City health care center. He was born Aug. 23, 1963, in Omaha, Nebraska. He graduated from East High School, in Iowa, and worked at Burlington Northern as a Conductor for over 25 years.

By NewsPress Now Jennifer Lynn Lamar, 65, passed away Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at her home in St. Joseph. She was born April 22, 1959, in St. Joseph, daughter of the late Patricia and Robert Lamar. She graduated from Benton High School, class of ’77, and Missouri Western State University with a degree in Manufacturing

By NewsPress Now Late Notices Ila Borkowski Ila “Joanie” Borkowski, 66, of St. Joseph, Died Dec. 15, 2024. Ms. Borkowski has been cremated under the care of Rupp Funeral Home. Memorial Service 2 p.m. Thursday at Rupp Funeral Home, visitation 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday. www.ruppfuneral.com Elizabeth A. Burton EASTON, Mo. – Elizabeth Ann Burton,

By NewsPress Now Beatrice Darlene Aiken, 93, St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. She was born on March 6, 1931, to Hurles Edward and Eva Jean (Weese) Mackley. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Walter Whitmer Aiken, whom she married on March 8, 1955; and her brothers Bud, Marvin,

By NewsPress Now FAUCETT, Mo. – James “Jim Bob” Robert Cordonnier, 76, Faucett, Missouri, passed away Dec. 13, 2024, at home. He lived in Faucett since 1973 moving from St. Joseph. He was born on Aug. 16, 1948, to James Robert and Norma Lavone Cordonnier. Jim Bob graduated from Benton High School. He was a

By NewsPress Now Lloyd Wayne Jewett, 82, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. He was born to Guy and Josephine Jewett on May 11, 1942, in Craig, Missouri. He graduated from Craig High School in 1960. Wayne was a car enthusiast and worked as a service and detail manager, among other jobs.

By NewsPress Now Jay Alan Gould, 67, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at his home. He was born July 1, 1957, in St. Joseph, son of Margie and Roy Gould. He graduated from Lafayette High School, class of 1975 and attended Platt Business College. Jay was a longtime cook at Perkins

By NewsPress Now Richard Reece Rullman, widely known as “Pa”, 78, St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. He was born in St. Josephon Nov. 30, 1946, to Francis (Reece) and Richard D. Rullman. Richard worked at Montgomery Ward’s for 33 years and many years as a capable and respected Service Advisor for Ford.

By NewsPress Now Joyce Ann Graves, 75, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, at her home. She was born Oct. 3, 1949, in Saginaw, Michigan, daughter of Lorraine and Roy Touchtone. She spent much of her early years living in California. In 1991, she married Richard Graves, in Troy, Kansas. She was

By NewsPress Now Late Notices James R. Cordonnier Jr. FAUCETT, Mo. -James Robert Cordonnier Jr., 76, of Faucett, Missouri, died Dec. 13, 2024. Arrangements are pending at the Rupp Funeral Home. Mary Fulcomer Mary Fulcomer, 82, St. Joseph, died Dec. 10, 2024. Arrangements are pending at the Rupp Funeral Home. Lloyd Jewett Lloyd “Wayne” Jewett,

By NewsPress Now Jay Alan Gould, 67, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at his home. He was born July 1, 1957, in St. Joseph, son of Margie and Roy Gould. He graduated from Lafayette High School, class of 1975 and attended Platt Business College. Jay was a longtime cook at Perkins

By NewsPress Now Patty Richey passed away on Dec. 11, 2024, after putting up a very brave battle with brain cancer for over a year, with her son, daughter-in-law and grandson by her side. Their unwavering love the last years was amazing, making many trips to Mayo Clinic and KU. Patty was the daughter of

By NewsPress Now Late Notices Rebecca A. Butrick HIAWATHA, Kan. – Rebecca A “Becky” Butrick, 89, of Hiawatha, Kansas, died Dec. 11, 2024. www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com Todd Clements Todd Clements, 57, St. Joseph, died Dec. 7 2024. Natural Farewell under the direction of Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. www.meierhoffer.com. Jesse P. Merriett Jesse P. Merriett, 63, St.

By NewsPress Now Velma “Sis” Lykins, 97, St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. She was born in St. Joseph, on March 30, 2024, to Rose (Mitchell) and Joseph T. Miller. Velma’s life was defined by the love she bore for her family and her zest for life. Affectionately known to all as “Sis,”

By NewsPress Now COLUMBIA, Mo. – Albert Terrell Jennings, 78, known as “Terry”, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. A Celebration of Terry’s Life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, at Bible Baptist Church, Columbia with a visitation from 10 a.m. until time for