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DOROTHY L. SMITH
Dorothy L. Smith, 88, Independence, died Monday, Nov. 10, 1997, at the Rosewood Care Center.
Mrs. Smith was born Feb. 7, 1909, in Haileyville, Okla., and had lived in Independence most of her life. She worked for the Jackson County Election Commission for more than 15 years before she retired. She was a member of the Enoch Hills RLDS congregation.
Her survivors include a son, Wendell L. Smith, Independence; four grandchildren, Kathy Swearngin, Bill Burkhart, Randall Wheeler and Jimmy Smith; and nine great-grandchildren.
Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at the Speaks Midtown Chapel. Burial will be in Mound Grove cemetery. Friends may call from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday at the chapel.
JANETTE M. WILLOUGHBY
Janette M. Willoughby, 89, Overland Park, Kan., formerly of Independence, died Sunday, Nov. 9, 1997, at Lee`s Summit Hospital.
Mrs. Willoughby was born May 2, 1908, in Bay City, Mich., and had lived in Independence most of her life. She was a licensed practical nurse for several area hospitals, retiring in 1973. She was a member of Rockwood Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles O. Willoughby in 1967, two sons and two daughters.
Her survivors include four daughters, Carol Trumbore, Overland Park, Lula Fleming, Port Huron, Mich., Pat VanValkenburg, Sterling Heights, Mich., and Grace Crisman, Independence; 27 grandchildren; 54 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Speaks Midtown Chapel. Cremation will follow the service. Friends may call from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the chapel.
MICHELLE C. BLAKELY
Michelle Colleen Blakely, 44, Lawson, Mo., died Thursday, Oct. 16, 1997, at Liberty (Mo.) Hospital.
Mrs. Blakely was born Aug. 11, 1953, in Memphis, Tenn. She owned and operated Jane`s Cardinal Drive-In in Lawson. She was a Sunday school teacher at the Lawson Baptist Church. She attended both Lawson Baptist and the Old Union Christian Union churches in Lawson.
Her survivors include her husband, Frank Blakely of the home; one son, Franklin Blakely, Lawson; one daughter, Christy Long, Excelsior Springs, Mo.; her parents, Judy and Bobby Parton, Lawson; one brother, Lawrence E. Cady Jr., Kansas City; her maternal grandmother, Mona Thompson, Independence; three stepbrothers, two stepsisters; and two grandchildren, Nikolas Blakely and Brooke Long.
Funeral services were Sunday at Jarman Funeral Home, Lawson. Burial was in the Old Union cemetery, east of Lawson.
BESSIE M. CANTERBURY
Bessie Marie Canterbury, 83, Independence, died Saturday, Oct. 18, 1997, at St. Mary`s Manor in Blue Springs.
Mrs. Canterbury was born Aug. 31, 1914, in Oakland, Mo. As a child, she played piano while her father played the fiddle for box dinners and church socials. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Hubert R. Canterbury, and two infant children, June and Shirley.
Her survivors include two daughters, Jean Steinman and Thelma Anderson, both of Blue Springs;two sons, H.R. "Bud" Canterbury, Independence, and Robert E. "Bob" Canterbury, Fort Dodge, Iowa; a brother, Robert E. Cartmill, Independence; 10 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Buckner Hills cemetery. Friends may call until 8:30 tonight at Reppert-Brown Funeral Home, Buckner. The family suggests contributions to the Alzheimer`s Unit at St. Mary`s Manor.
VIOLA M. CONWELL
Viola Maybelle Conwell, 90, Independence, died Saturday, Oct. 18, 1997, at Columbia Independence Regional Health Center.
Mrs. Conwell was born Aug. 2, 1907, in Muldrow, Okla. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Blue Springs. She was a mother and a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer B. Conwell, Dec. 2, 1995, and one son, Lloyd B. Conwell.
Her survivors include one son, James Conwell, Oklahoma City, Okla.; five daughters, Virginia Lung, Helen Stallbories, Patricia Brock and Ruby Dryer, all of Independence, and Kay Mahan, Seattle; 29 grandchildren, 63 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Webb-Freer Funeral Home, Blue Springs. Burial will be in Blue Springs cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 8 tonight at the funeral home. The family suggests contributions to the Christian Church of Blue Springs.
DAVID H. HARRIS
David Haskel Harris, 81, Thousand Oaks, Calif., formerly of Independence, died Thursday, Oct. 16, 1997, at the Simi Valley (Calif.) Care and Rehabilitation Center.
Mr. Harris was born July 28, 1916, in Independence and lived most of his life in California, returning to Independence in 1978. He returned to California in 1993. He worked in quality control for several aero space industries in California for 25 years before his retirement. He was an elder in the Blue Ridge RLDS congregation.
His survivors include his wife, F. Ruth Harris of the home; two sons, Glen Allen Harris, Thousand Oaks, and Jon David Harris, Frasier, Mich.; two daughters, Alice Elizabeth Ballew, Northridge, Calif., and Edith Kathleen Holmes, Newbury Park, Calif.; a sister, Juanita Belle Hall, Independence; and eight grandchildren.
Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Speaks Midtown Chapel. Entombment will be in Mound Grove cemetery. Friends may call from 7 to 8:30 tonight at the chapel.
KARL M. HERMAN
Karl M. Herman, 93, Independence, died Saturday, Oct. 18, 1997, at Columbia Independence Regional Health Center.
Mr. Herman was born Jan 28, 1904, in Grand Island, Neb. His business career spanned many years in the service industries, as a founder of U-Smile Stadium Inn and later with his brothers and family in the Crackerneck Country Club on the original Herman farm in Independence. He was active in many political, civic and industry trade associations.
His survivors include his wife of 71 years, Betty Herman of the home; a son, Gene Herman, Lee`s Summit; a daughter, Joan Brettell, Tyler, Texas;a sister, Mabel Dankenbring, Independence; five grandchildren, Rod Fenson, Janet Herman Franklin, Theresa Brownfield Kreuzkamp, Mary Brownfield Edwards andAnn Brownfield Meara; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Services were today at theD.W. Newcomer`s Sons Floral Hills Chapel, Kansas City. Burial was in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to your favorite charity.
DOROTHY L. "DOTTIE" JONES
Dorothy Louise "Dottie" Jecker Jones of Gladstone, Mo., formerly of Independence, died Saturday, Oct. 18, 1997, at the Woodbine Nursing Home, Gladstone.
Mrs. Jones was born Jan. 2, 1916, in Rosedale, Kan., and lived in Independence before moving to Gladstone. She worked at the Forum Cafeteria, General Box and National Bellas Hess. She was a homemaker.
Her survivors include her husband of 50 years, Ralph Jones of the home; a sister, Gertrude Kimball, Arizona; a sister-in-law, Lenora Jecker, Independence; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at the George C. Carson & Sons Independence Chapel. Burial will be in Mount Washington cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 7:30 tonight at the chapel. The family suggests contributions to the Kansas City Northland Hospice, or your favorite charity.
BERNARD P. MCGRAIL
Bernard Peter McGrail, 73, Independence, died Saturday, Oct. 18, 1997, at the Baptist Medical Center.
Mr.McGrail was born June 26, 1924, in Kansas City, and grew up in Brookfield, Mo., before returning to this area in 1943. He was a watchmaker for Montgomery Ward for more than 37 years. He was a member of St. Mark`s Catholic Church.
Hissurvivors include his wife, Mary Lee of the home; two sons, Peter McGrail, Richland, Wash., and Anthony McGrail, Independence; one daughter, Margaret Moss, Blue Springs; and seven grandchildren, Shawn Moss, Ryan Moss, Chris Moss, Brandon McGrail, Jeremy McGrail, Brad Booms and Jennifer Booms.
Funeral mass will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the church, 3736 Lee`s Summit Road. Burial will be inMount Olivet cemetery, Raytown. Friends may call from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Speaks Suburban Chapel.
HELEN L. RADER
Helen Louise Rader, 80, Independence, died Friday, Oct. 17, 1997, at her home.
Mrs. Rader was born Sept. 17, 1917, in Henrietta, Mo., and had lived most of her life in Independence. She was a member of the Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Dale Rader in 1979, and two children, Ronald D. Rader in 1989, and Bonnie L. Hearne, in 1991.
Her survivors include one son, Donald D. Rader, Grant City, Mo.; two daughters, Donna J. Chaussard and Judy A. Chaussard, both of Independence; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Speaks Suburban Chapel. Burial will be in Blue Springs cemetery. Friends may call from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, at the chapel.
GLADYS L. REYNOLDS
Gladys Louise Condit Reynolds, 98, Independence, died Sunday, Oct. 19, 1997, at Rosewood Care Center.
Mrs. Reynolds was born Feb. 3, 1899, in Omaha, Neb., and had lived in Independence most of her life. She was a member of the Groves RLDS congregation. She was preceded in death by her husband, John E. Reynolds in 1962, and one son, Bruce Reynolds. Her survivors include a son, Dwain W. Reynolds of the home, nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Mound Grove cemetery. Friends may call from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Speaks Midtown Chapel. The family suggests contributions to the Ronald McDonald House.
ROBERT L. SANDFORD
Robert L. Sandford, 68, Independence, died Saturday, Oct. 18, 1997, at the Medical Center of Independence.
Mr. Sandford was born July 18, 1929, in Galena, Kan., and had lived in Independence most of his life. He worked for Armco Steel for 32 years until he retired in 1982. He was an Army veteran and attended the First Christian Church.
His survivors include his wife, Marjorie A. Sandford of the home; one son, ickey P. Sandford, Harrisonville, Mo.; three brothers, Charles W. Sandford, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., Robert L. Dean, Joplin, Mo., and Jack H. Dean, Spring City, Pa.; a sister, Lola G. Anderson, Long Beach, Calif.; and two grandchildren, Kari Ann Sandford and Joseph Paul Sandford.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Speaks Suburban Chapel. Burial will be in Mound Grove cemetery. Friends may call from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, at the chapel.
WALTER T. "BUTCH" VILLERS
WalterT. "Butch" Villers, 54, Independence, died Saturday, Oct. 18, 1997, at Columbia Independence Regional Health Center.
Mr. Villers was born Feb. 27, 1943, in Lexington, Mo., and had lived in Independence most of his life. He worked for Independence Stove and Manufacturing Co. for 33 years, and later was a salesman for Raytown Jeep Eagle. He was a member of Bass Anglers Sportsman Society and the North American Fishing Club. He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War, and a member of Veterans of Foreign War Post 1738.
His survivors include his wife, Mary Ann Villers of the home; one daughter, Theresa Ann Jones, Leavenworth; two sisters, Betty Jean Arnold, Butler, Mo., and Lucille Hunsaker, Rich Hill, Mo.; and four brothers, Donald Villers, Lee`s Summit, Edgar Villers, Liberty, Mo., Edward Villers, Warsaw, Mo., H.M. Villers Jr., Arkansas City, Kan.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the George C. Carson and Sons Independence Chapel. Burial will be in Salem cemetery. Friends may call from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the chapel.
CORA G. BICKEL
Cora Grace Bickel, 103, Raytown, died Monday, Oct. 6, 1997, at St. Luke`s Hospital.
Mrs. Bickel was born April 15, 1894, in Richardson County, Neb., and had lived in the Kansas City and Raytown areas since 1952. She was a college graduate and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Raytown. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, C.D. Bickel.
Her survivors include a daughter, Lois Adcock, Kansas City; a grandson, David Adcock, Hutchinson, Kan.; and three great-granddaughters.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church, 5413 Blue Ridge Cut-off. Burial will be in Steele cemetery, Fall City, Neb. Friends may call from 4 to 6 tonight at Charter Funerals/Blue Ridge Chapel, Kansas City. The family suggests contributions to the church.
RICHARD D. BRADEN
Richard D. Braden, 57, Kent, Wash., formerly of Independence, died Sunday, Oct. 5, 1997, at his home on Pipe Lake in Kent.
Mr. Braden was born March 17, 1940, in Independence. He was a graduate of William Chrisman High School and the University of Kansas. He was an Eagle Scout and a member of the Northwest Sound barbershop chorus.
His survivors include his wife, Patricia L. Braden of Kent; two daughters, Annette O`Neal, Valencia, Calif., and Melanie Corey, Federal Way, Wash.; his parents, Charles and Virginia Braden, Bogard, Mo.; and a brother, John Braden, Lake Tapawingo.
Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Bleitz Funeral Home, Seattle, Wash. In lieu of flowers, Mr. Braden requested donations be made in his name to the National Eagle Scout Association, 1325 Walnut Hill Lane, Irving, Texas 75015.
MARY I. BUNDSCHU
Mary I. Maness Bundschu, 74, Fort Myers, Fla., formerly of Independence, died Monday, Oct. 6, 1997.
Mrs. Bundschu was born and raised in Independence, moving to Fort Myers in 1958. She organized and operated a large dance studio that was famous throughout the Independence and Kansas City area for its excellence of instruction and performing ability. Her associations include the Sable Palm Garden Club and the San Carlos/Estero Interfaith Caregivers.
Her survivors include two children, Chris Bundschu and Mary Ellen Bundschu Burnup, both of Fort Myers; a sister, Anna Lois Keller, Lee`s Summit; two grandchildren, Skyler "Skye" Bundschu Burnup and Russell J. "RJ" Burnup; two nephews; and one niece.
Memorial services will be 9 a.m. Thursday at Unity Church of Christianity, Fort Meyers, with family receiving friends following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Sabal Palm Garden Club, community service projects, in care of Deanne Smith, 1224 Burtwood Drive, Fort Myers, Fla. 33901, or San Carlos/Estero Interfaith Caregivers, P.O. Box 1417, Estero, Fla. 32928.
