Virgie R. Casey, 75, of Excelsior Springs, Mo., passed away Oct. 5, 2015, at Liberty Hospital.

She was born March 30, 1940, to Berle Austin and Velma Corrine (Colby) Rice in Monte Vista, Colo.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her grandson, Matthew Callister; her brother, Jack Rice; and her sister, Charlotte Arndt.

She is survived by her daughter, Charlotte and Rev. Mark Callister of Excelsior Springs, Mo.; grandchildren, Jeffrey Callister, Nathan Callister and Bethany Callister; and her brother, Fred “Budd” Rice and his wife, Carolyn.

A Celebration of Life will be planned in the near future. Arrangements are through Cashatt Family Funeral Home, 816-587-8200. Fond memories and words of comfort may be shared at www.CashattFamilyFunerals.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Excelsior Springs Church of the Nazarene, 1308 Tracy Ave., Excelsior Springs, MO 64024.

February 29, 1928 – October 5, 2015

Rhetta Faye (Wiegand) Martin was born Feb. 29, 1928, in Excelsior Springs, Mo., to Carl Wiegand and Genevieve Jones Wiegand. Rhetta was married to Russell Martin, the son of Thomas Russell Martin and Ermine Elizabeth Foster, on Jan. 6, 1945, in Kansas City, Kan. To this union three sons were born: Russell Ray Martin, Norman Lee Martin and Richard Wayne Martin.

Rhetta is preceded in death by her parents; her  husband, Russell Martin, who passed away on Feb. 9, 2005; and brothers, Carl Franklin Wiegand and Phillip Leslie Wiegand.

She is survived by her loving children, Russell Ray Martin and his wife, Ethel Lucinda (Merchant) Martin, Norman Lee Martin and his wife, Sherry Yvonne (Kilgore) Martin, and Richard Wayne Martin and his wife, Konny Jo (Kirkpatrick) Martin; grandchildren, Jill Susanne (Martin) Cox and her husband, Joseph Cox, Russell Scott Martin, Amy Lynn Martin and Carrie Ann Martin; great-grandchildren, Austin Michael Cox, Morgan Elizabeth Cox, Regan Yvonne Mills, Jameson Lee Mills and Christian Williams; her siblings, Benjamin and his wife, Carol Jean (Allender) Wiegand, Alvin Leroy Wiegand, Donald Merlin and his wife, Virginia Branson Wiegand, Elden Lloyd and his wife, Patricia Emily (Lowry) Wiegand, Ella Mae and her husband, Paul William Plowman, and Walter Harmond and his wife, Carolyn Kay (Burriss) Wiegand; and several nieces, nephews, other close family and friends.

A visitation with family will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9, with service at noon, both at Chandler Baptist Church, 11401 NE 33 Hwy, Liberty, Mo. Rhetta will be cremated, with interment next to her beloved husband, Russell Martin, at Polley Cemetery in Wood Heights, Mo. Fond memories and words of comfort may be shared at: www.CashattFamilyFunerals.com. Arrangements are through Cashatt Family Funeral Home, 816-587-8200.

John Walker “J.W.” Branson, 76, Lawson, Mo., died Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, at Liberty Hospital.

Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, at Rayville Christian Union Church. Arrangements are through Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, 816-630-3131.

Glenna Mae Wollard, 95, Excelsior Springs, Mo., went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Oct. 7, 2015.

Glenna was born Oct. 13, 1919, to Jess and Bertha Hawkins in Ray County, Mo. She was married to Ward Reed Wollard in 1936.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two brothers, Donald and Floyd Hawkins; and a son, Jack Wollard.

She is survived by a son, Ward Wollard; daughter, Judy Orava; sister, Norma Gonzales; five granddaughters; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

A special thank you to Vitas Hospice and Excelsior Nursing and Rehab.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, with funeral service immediately following at Bross & Spidle Funeral Home. Burial at Hillcrest Cemetery, Excelsior Springs, Mo. Arrangements are through Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, 816-630-3131.

Jeannine Jacqueline Bryan, 86, died Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015.

Visitation was held from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, at First Baptist Dhurch in Holt, followed by funeral services at 2 p.m., also at the church. Arrangements are through Hidden Valley Funeral Home in Kearney.

Norman Edward Pugh, 76, Independence, Mo. (formerly of Richmond, Mo.), died Thrusday, Oct. 8, at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond. Visitation will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. Friday, also at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Richmond Memory Gardens, with military honors by the Ray County Veterans.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Daniel G. Kirkpatrick, 71, of Lawson, Mo., passed away on Oct. 9, 2015.

He was born on June 27, 1944, in Clayton, Ind., to Louanna and Richard Kirkpatrick.

Dan is survived by his daughter, Heather Beernink (Kevin) Kirkpatrick, with grandsons Lewyn and Riley; son, Tim (Julie) Kirkpatrick, with grandchildren Jillian, Karadan and Jonathan; stepdaughter, Jerylann (Jones) Murphy; grandsons, Dustin (Sara) Noblet, with great-grandchildren Nate, Jadyn and Spencer; grandson, Chris Murphy (Chastity), with great-grandchildren Caleb, Bryson, Blake, and Bailey.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Kirkpatrick.  He was a loving father, grandfather and friend to all.

Dan was a passionate man who enjoyed aviation. He graduated from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., with his bachelor of industrial supervision and associate degree in aviation maintenance technology. He moved to Missouri to work for TWA in the late 1960s. He later became the director of engineering at TWA. Dan was also the airport owner/manager at the Excelsior Springs and Lexington airports for many years, and has recently been involved in its revival. At the time of his death, he was the Excelsior Spring airport manager. He was the owner of Missouri Aviation for many years. In his retirement, he has continued to enjoy flying and traveling.

The family will receive friends this week at ES First, at a time yet to be determined.  Please contact either ES First, or Bross & Spidle Funeral Home for times.  Dan will be laid to rest at the Lathrop Cemetery.

Linda Marriott Howard, 85, of Dallas, Texas, passed away at Prestonwood Court Assisted Living in Plano, Texas, on Oct. 9, 2015.

Linda was born Dec. 5, 1929, to Elbert and Isa (Huff) Marriott in Stover, Mo., and was the seventh child in a family of eight. After her father passed away in 1943, her brother Dan bought a farm and moved the family to Excelsior Springs, Mo. Linda graduated from Excelsior Springs High School in 1947 and attended Beauty School thereafter. She was a beautician and barber for nearly 50 years in the Dallas area, where she had lived since 1949. She enjoyed tennis, golf, oil painting and traveling. Linda had journeyed to many parts of the world but recently was looking forward to her greatest journey, Heaven.

Linda was raised in a Christian home and always loved her Lord Jesus Christ. She was loved by her family, many nieces and nephews and her church family of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas.

Linda is survived by her sister, Ruth (Vernon) King.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Howard; her parents, Elbert and Isa Marriott; her brothers, Dan (Eula), Harold (Martha), Estol (Maxine) and Floyd (Mary) Marriott; and sisters, Veta (Frank) Huffman and Clara (Cecil) Everhart.

Linda’s funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at Prestonwood Baptist Church, with her pastor, the Rev. Jack Graham, officiating. Linda will be laid to rest at Hillcrest Cemetery in Excelsior Springs.

Virginia Marie Roberts, 83, a former lifelong resident of Excelsior Springs, Mo., died Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, in Lee’s Summit, Mo.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 24, at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. Donations are suggested to the family. Arrangements are through Cashatt Family Funeral Home, 816-587-8200.

Karyn Sue Lawson, 61 years of age, resident of Plattsburg, Mo., was born Nov. 1, 1954, and passed away Oct. 16, 2015, at Liberty Hospital in hospice care after fighting a heroic battle with lung cancer.

Karyn is survived by her adoring husband, Marvin A. Lawson; and her siblings, Micheal Thompson, Skeeter Thompson, Kathy Topi, Kristine Forbes and Jimmy Thompson and their spouses.

Karyn was the proud mother of three children, Shane Rickart, Stacie Brayfield and John “Bear” Rickart Jr.; and stepmother to Tracey Nichols and Mark Lawson and doting grandmother to all of her grandchildren.

Karyn was proud to be a licensed heavy equipment operator for American Asphalt and Grading Company out of Las Vegas, Nevada, where she was certified and ran several pieces of equipment such as: 9520 John Deere and disk, 623 Water pull, 966 rubber tire loader and 777 rock truck and a water truck.

Karyn was very passionate about her grandchildren and spent every second she had available spoiling them and supporting them at all of their various school activities, where she was always a class favorite at the school parties and field trips and you could always find her cheering on the grandkids from the bleachers in the various sports they all participated in such as: cheer, soccer, football, baseball and wrestling.

Karyn showed us what strength and courage looked like as she battled round after round with cancer and never gave up, and her strong belief in God and love for her family kept her going.

Gone but not forgotten……R.I.P Mom.

Memorial Service was held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 19, at Hidden Valley Funeral Home, Kearney, Mo.

Memorial contributions may be made to Marvin Lawson. Arrangements are through Hidden Valley Funeral Home, 925 E. State Hwy. 92, Kearney, MO 64060, 816-903-8888.

L.G. McMahon, 79, of Orrick, Mo., went to be with Jesus on Oct. 17, 2015, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cameron, Mo., after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

He was a member of Local 10 of the Ironworkers of America and had worked as a superintendent for Continental Steel and Conveyor in Kansas City. He served his country in the U.S. Army and was a loving husband and father.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Judith McMahon; two daughters; a son and daughter-in-law; two brothers; three sisters-in-law; three grandsons; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends and family are invited to attend a Celebration of Life for L. G. at his home on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 2 to 5 p.m. Arrangements are through Gowing Funeral Home, Orrick, Mo., 816-770-3331.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association in his memory.

Nola Elizabeth Elmore, 56, Kansas City, Mo., passed away at home on Oct. 17, 2015.

Nola was born Feb. 11, 1959, in North Kansas City, Mo., to Stanley and Dolores Macken. She married Marc Elmore on Aug. 16, 1980, and they enjoyed 35 years of marriage together. A woman of many talents, she enjoyed gardening, camping and canoeing, cooking and hosting large gatherings. In addition, she loved to introduce young children to the joys of reading books.

Nola is preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Doug; and an infant sister, Josephine.

She is survived by her husband, Marc; sons, Jamison (Caitlin) and Josiah; daughter, Alyssa (Brandon); and two grandchildren, Kellan and Haven. Also surviving are brothers, Michael (Kathryn), David (Sue), Bob (Miya), Mark and Joe (Amy) Macken; sisters, Marsha (Joe) Whiston, Mary Ann (Tim) Hayes and Patty (Mike) Coan; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. We will miss her dearly, but look forward to the day when we are rejoined in heaven.

Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 900 NE Shady Lane, Gladstone, Mo. The family will receive guests from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at McGilley Antioch Chapel, 3325 NE Vivion Road, Kansas City, Mo. The family suggests wearing something purple in her honor.

Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.mcgilleyantiochchapel.com, as arrangements are under the direction of McGilley Antioch Chapel, 3325 NE Vivion, 816-453-7700.

Leonard M. Russell, 83, died Oct. 16, 2015, at his home in Lawson, Mo.

Leonard “Tennessee” was born Dec. 28, 1931, in Loudon, Tenn. He joined the United States Air Force Nov. 6, 1951, serving in Japan and Korea, and was honorably discharged Oct. 25, 1955. He retired from General Motors Leeds plant after 32 years of service.

On Nov. 11, 1955, Tennessee married Patsy St. John in Lawson, Mo., and they would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary next month.

Leonard is survived by his loving wife, Pat; son, Carl Leonard (Karen) Russell; daughters, Kathy (Mike) Minnaert and Ruth Ann (Toxie) Evans; nine grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death are his mother, Mae Russell; father, Carter Massey; son-in-law, Mickey Evans; and father and mother-in-law, Carl (Buster) and Louise St. John; as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Services will be held Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Lawson Assembly of God Church, Lawson, Mo. Visitation will start at 10 a.m., with funeral immediately following at 11 a.m. Burial at Elmira Cemetery. Arrangements are through Hidden Valley Funeral Home, 412 N. Raum St., Lawson, MO 64062, 816-580-3000.

Jay J. Braden, 82, Lawson, Mo., passed away Oct. 19, 2015.  

Jay was born Oct. 11, 1933, to Ellis Edmond and Gladys Leonherdt in Topeka, Kan. He was a U.S. Marine veteran and served in the Korean War. After his military service Jay managed retail grocery stores. He enjoyed a variety of sports from tennis to baseball or whatever his grandkids were playing at the time. He loved watching them.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sons, Armond and Russell.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia; daughter, Noel; sons, Ed, Kenny, Dale, Brayden, Charlie, Ted and Bill; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Burial will take place at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at South Point Cemetery, Orrick, Mo., to be followed will be a celebration of his life at his daughter Noel’s house. Address to be provided at the service or by phone. Arrangements are through Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, 816-630-3131.

Betty Lieu Dillen Todd, 83, of Excelsior Springs, Mo., died Oct. 20, 2015, at Excelsior Springs Nursing and Rehab.

Betty was born May 23, 1932, to Garth and Mary Dillen and grew up in rural Excelsior Springs. Betty graduated from Excelsior Springs High School and then went to nursing school at St. Luke’s Hospital. After graduating she worked for doctors in Richmond and Excelsior Springs, Mo., and Excelsior and Liberty hospitals.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, J. Roger Todd; daughter, Cynthia Todd; and half-brother, Fred Stockwell.

She is survived by her son, Rick Todd; granddaughter, Erica Todd; and great-grandson, Abram.

Visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, followed by funeral service at 2 p.m., both at First United Methodist Church of Excelsior Springs, 1650 Rainbow Blvd., Excelsior Springs, Mo. Burial following at Union Baptist Cemetery, Orrick, Mo. Arrangements are through Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, 816-630-3131.

Cecil D. Gaines, 76, passed away Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015.

He was born Cecil Dewayne Gaines on Feb. 27, 1939, in North Kansas City, Mo., the son of Walter Roscoe Gaines and Helen O’Dell Gaines. Cecil graduated from the University of Missouri, where he was president of his fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon. He was a top salesman for L.D. Brinkman Floor Covering Co. for over 35 years and active in his own real estate interests.

Photography was a passion of Cal’s – he loved taking pictures of his family and friends and Fort Worth Christian sporting events. He was a proud fan of the Missouri Tigers and the Dallas Cowboys. Cecil was a loved member of The Hills Church.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Mary Gaines; son, Chris Gaines and wife, Jennifer; daughter, Liz Mitchell and husband, Nelson; grandchildren, Jessica Gaines, Jamie Whitmire and husband, Evan, Jake Mitchell, Miles Mitchell and Luke Mitchell; sister, Carol Callaway and husband, Bob; sister, Dianna Smith and husband, John; numerous other relatives; and many friends.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at The Hills Church, 6300 N.E. Loop 820, North Richland Hills, Texas. Private interment took place at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park in Colleyville, Texas. Visitation was held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home in Colleyville, Texas.

Timothy “Tim” Edward Hedrick, 59, of Warsaw, Mo. (resided in Excelsior Springs, Mo.) passed away surrounded by his family on Oct. 20, 2015.

Tim was born Oct. 15, 1956, in Warsaw, Mo., to Ed and Dorothy (Davis) Hedrick. He graduated from Warsaw High School in 1974. He was the co-owner of In and Out Auto Repair in Excelsior Springs, Mo.

Tim was a loving man who especially loved his grandchildren. He was well-known for his sarcastically funny and witty personality. He had a great sense of humor and making jokes was one of his best qualities. He was extremely hardworking and generous and often put others before himself. He would always do anything he could for others. He might not have admitted it, but he was also a wonderful cook. He enjoyed mechanics, fishing, and watching football and NASCAR. Some of Tim’s fondest memories during his life included his time at the Ray County Karters go-kart track and fishing in Canada with his father.

Tim is survived by daughter, Megan (Hedrick) Zeller; daughter, Rachael (Hedrick) Kreie; son, Dylan Hedrick; parents, Ed and Dorothy Hedrick; brother, Doug Hedrick; granddaughters, Caylie, Paizley and Lenox; and grandsons, Phoenix and Tysen. He was ushered into heaven by one grandson, Kaysen. Tim was a loving son, father, grandfather, uncle and friend to all.

Friends and family will gather for a celebration of life at noon on Sunday, Nov. 1, at the home of his parents in Warsaw, Mo. Those who wish to donate to a memorial fund or offer emotional support to the family can do so at www.youcaring.com/tim-hedrick-457303.

Mary F. Hutson, 82, Excelsior Springs, Mo., died Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015, at Northcare Hospice House.

A memorial visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, with service following at The Church Of Christ, 505 Elms Blvd., Excelsior Springs, Mo. Arrangements are through Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, 816-630-3131.

David “Jack” Rounds, 84, of Excelsior Springs, Mo. (formerly of Kansas City, Mo.), died Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015.

Jack was born Oct. 12, 1931, in Kansas City, Mo., to Clarence A. Rounds and Hazel Lois Worth Rounds. He was a ‘Jack of All Trades’ doing everything from small and large engine repair, fencing and almost anything else asked of him. Jack was fondly known as ‘Grandpa Rounds’ to most of the families in his neighborhood. A symbol of stability to their family, Jack and the former Betty Lou White were married nearly 60 years.

Jack was preceded in death by one daughter, Betty Jacklyn; one son, Marcus; his parents; two brothers; and four sisters.

Jack is survived by his wife, Betty Rounds, resident of Lawson Manor and Rehab, Lawson, Mo.; a son, David Rounds and wife, Sonja, of Independence, Mo.; four daughters, Mary (Sis) Chaney, of the home, Dawn Rounds, Dee Rounds Peterson and Loretta Wilson and her husband, Jimmy, all of Excelsior Springs, Mo.; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; two brothers; one sister; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at the McGilley Midtown Chapel, 20 W. Linwood Blvd, Kansas City, Mo., with visitation at the chapel from 9 to 10:30 am. Burial service will be at Forest Hills Cemetery, 6901 Troost Ave., Kansas City, Mo. Fond memories and condolences may be shared at www.mcgilleymidtownchapel.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to go towards the remaining cost.

Thaiton Parker, 16, St. Joseph, Mo., died Monday, Oct. 26, 2015.

Cremation. Services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are through Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, 816-630-3131.