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SETH W. NELSON
Seth Woodrow Nelson, 80, Avon, S.D., formerly of Independence, died Friday, Aug. 29, 1997.
Mr. Nelson was born Oct. 3, 1916, near Avon, lived in Avon during his youth, moving to Independence in 1945. He returned to Avon after his retirement. He worked for Barnhart Brothers Construction for a time, and later owned and operated Woody`s Basement Co. Inc. for a number of years. After serving in the CCC Camp, he enlisted in the Army in 1941 and served in the European Theater during World War II, participating in the Battle of the Bulge and crossed the Rhine in a Glider. He was awarded the Glider Badge, three bronze stars and the Bronze Service Arrowhead. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lee Bagley in 1970, and a son, Seth Woodrow Nelson II in 1945.
His survivors include a daughter, Kathy Doreen Neal, Baldwin Park, Calif.; a son, Lane Kevin Nelson, Kansas City; a brother, Lowell Nelson, Tyndall, S.D.; two sisters, Marcene Hakl and Vera Uherka, both of Avon; and a granddaughter, Niccole Villarreal.
Memorial services were Sept. 3 at the First Presbyterian Church in Avon. Burial was in the church cemetery.
ELIZABETH R. NORRIS
Elizabeth Rose Spencer Norris, 87, Brookfield, Mo., died Friday, Sept. 12, 1997, at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall, Mo.
Mrs. Norris was born Aug. 26, 1910, in Marceline, Mo., and lived in the Triplett and Mendon Missouri areas before moving to Brookfield. She was a member of the Brookfield Assembly of God Church. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Charles William Spencer in 1971, and her second husband, Lester Norris in 1990.
Her survivors include two sons, Ralph Spencer, Overton, Nev., and J.W. Spencer, Mendon; three daughters, Betty Lou Daniel, Independence, Norma Lee Lightfoot, Kansas City, and Bonnie Wattenbarger, Blue Springs; three stepsons, Hysel Norris, Independence, Glyn Norris, Brunswick, Mo., and Bennie Norris, Marble Hill, Mo.; two stepdaughters, Helen Domann and Wilma Chandler, both of Independence; two brothers, Arthur Gates, Independence, and Leonard Gates, Raytown; three sisters, Othella Heishman, Liberty, Mo., Gertrude Owen, Raytown, and Virginia Dowell, Sugar Creek; 17 grandchildren; nine step grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; several step great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Services were today at the Gibson Funeral Home, Mendon. Burial was in McCullough cemetery, Triplett. The family suggests contributions to the cemetery.
TRESSIE A. SMITH
Tressie A. Smith, 82, Independence, died Saturday, Sept. 13, 1997, at her home.
Mrs. Smith was born Dec. 6, 1914, in Carnegie, Okla. She had been a seamstress for the Sears, Roebuck & Co. Drapery Department before she retired. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Smith.
Her survivors include three daughters, Wanda Niccum, Lake Alfred, Fla., Carla Jones, Plattsburg, Mo., and Hazel Shelton, El Dorado, Ill.; 21 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Park Lawn Chapel, Kansas City. Burial will be in Memorial Park cemetery, Kansas City. Friends may call from 6:30 to 8 tonight at the chapel.
LESLIE O. TRANER
Leslie O. Traner, 82, Independence, died Sunday, Sept. 14, 1997.
Mr. Traner was born Sept. 2, 1915, in Kansas City, and had lived in this area most of his life. He was a 55-year member of Pipefitters Union Local 533 and served on the examining and executive boards of the union. He was also a pilot and flight instructor of light aircraft.
His survivors include his wife of 61 years, Elma E. Traner of the home; two daughters, Sandra Baggett, Kansas City, and Joy Scott, Grain Valley; a sister, Georgia Smith, Independence; eight grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Friends may call from 7 to 8:30 tonight at D.W. Newcomer`s Sons Floral Hills Chapel, Kansas City. Private graveside services and burial will be in Forest Hill cemetery, Kansas City.
CHARLES B. WALKER
Charles Benjamin Walker, 55, Independence, died Sunday, Sept. 14, 1997, at the Medical Center of Independence.
Mr. Walker was born April 2, 1942, in Independence, and was a lifelong Independence resident. He was a postal clerk for the U.S. Postal Service, Truman Station, for 36 years, retiring in 1997. He was a Mason and a member of the Scottish Rite, Ararat Shrine and the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
His survivors include his wife, Sharon R. Walker of the home; a son, Jeff Walker, and a brother, William C. Walker, both of Independence; a sister, Georgia Kump, Lebanon, Mo.;aunts, uncles and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Speaks Suburban Chapel. Burial will be in Mound Grove cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 9 tonight at the chapel. The family suggests contributions to the Ararat Shrine Children`s Transportation Fund.
MARY E. CAPP
Mary Elizabeth Capp, 68, Independence, died Monday, Aug. 25, 1997, at Research Medical Center.
Mrs. Capp was born in Beverly, Mo., and had lived in Kansas City, Kan., before moving to Independence in 1970. She was a member of Sherwood Bible Church, Kansas City, where she had been a Sunday school teacher for 27 years. She had been very active with Camp Del-Haven in Lone Jack for many years.
Her survivors include her husband of 40 years, Richard D. Capp of the home; two sons, Jonathan T. Capp, Kansas City, and David P. Capp, Independence; two daughters, Rebecca E. Anderson, Beulah, N.D., and Priscilla A. Taylor, Siloam Springs, Ark.; a brother, Theodore L. Olvis Jr., Kansas City; and nine grandchildren.
Services will be 10 a.m. Friday at the church. Burial will be in Memorial Park cemetery, Kansas City. Friends may call from 7 to 8:30 tonight at the Speaks Midtown Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Camp Del-Haven.
TRACY W. GOODPASTER
Tracy W. Goodpaster, 37, Independence, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1997, at Columbia Independence Regional Health Center.
Mr. Goodpaster was born Dec. 12, 1959, in Kansas City and was a lifelong area resident. He was a self-employed painter, and had previously worked at Consumer Design and Builders Square. He received many bowling awards and was a member of the St. Luke`s Church Bowling League. He was also a member of the Assembly of God Church.
His survivors include his wife, Joyce Goodpaster, a daughter, Nikki, and a son, Brad, all of the home; his mother, Shirley Goodpaster, Independence; two brothers, David Goodpaster, Belton, Mo., and Kyle Goodpaster, Independence; four sisters, Nancy Loving, Independence, Debbie Kleiner, Topeka, Melody McKeever, Overland Park, Kan., and Cheril Pontius, Blue Springs; and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the Speaks Suburban Chapel. Burial will be in Woodlawn cemetery. Friends may call from7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at the chapel.
JAMES "BRIAN" JOHNSTON
James "Brian" Johnston, 24, Independence, died Wednesday, Aug. 27, 1997, at Truman Medical Center.
Mr. Johnston was born Feb. 1, 1973, in Kansas City. He was a graduate of Blue Springs High School, and was a National Championship Debater for the University of Missouri-Kansas City before becoming assistant coach at UMKC. He spoke both of continuing his career as a debate coach and also of becoming a stand-up comedian.
His survivors include his mother, Ruth Johnston, and a brother, John Johnston, both of Independence; his father, John Johnston, Canyon City, Ore.; an aunt, Janet Graham, Enfield, Conn.; an uncle, Bob Anderson, Chesterton, Md.; and many nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Woodlawn cemetery. Friends may call from 7 to 8:30 tonight at the Speaks Suburban Chapel. The family suggests contributions to the American Leukemia Society.
LLOYD H. MARRIOTT
Lloyd H. Marriott, 82, Raytown, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1997, at Hidden Lake Care Center.
Mr. Marriott was born Oct. 17, 1914, in Stover, Mo., and lived in Slate, Mo., before moving to this area in 1938. He worked for Puritan-Bennett for 34 years, retiring in 1979. He worked in Junior Achievement while a purchasing agent with Pureweld Industries (a subsidiary of Puritan-Bennett). He was an Army staff sergeant during World War II, and a 50-year member of the A.F.&.A.M. Masonic Lodge 220 in Kansas City. He was also a member of the Ararat Shrine, Order of Eastern Star Eastgate Chapel 367 and American Legion Post 21, and a former elder at New Hope Christian Church. His wife, Gladys Armstrong Marriott, had been elected to the Missouri House of Representatives for 11 terms.
His survivors include his wife of 56 years, Gladys, of the home; two daughters, Margie Fitterling and Nancy Nauser; and three grandchildren, Karen Fitterling, David Fitterling and Christopher Nauser.
Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the Sheil Colonial Funeral Home, Raytown. Burial will be in Floral Hills cemetery, Kansas City. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
LOIS M. PHILLIPS
Lois Marie Phillips, 94, Independence, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1997, at Columbia Independence Regional Health Center.
Mrs. Phillips was born Aug. 4, 1903, in Goodland, Kan., and had lived in Independence for 51 years. She was a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the Jackson County Extension Club. Her husband, Seth A. Phillips, died in 1988.
Her survivors include a son, Robert Phillips, Bonner Springs, Kan.; three daughters, Shirley Tripp, Lamoni, Iowa, Evelyn DeVorss, Sunrise Beach, Mo., and Carol Lawson, Camdenton, Mo.; two sisters, Ethel Thomas, Eugene, Ore., and Elizabeth Jenkins, Burlington, Iowa; 15 grandchildren; and many great-children and great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at the Speaks Suburban Chapel. Burial will be in Blue Springs cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at the chapel. The family suggests contributions to the Wolfner Library for the Blind, in care of the chapel.
DONNA M. WATTS
Donna M. Watts, of Independence, died Monday, Aug. 25, 1997, at The Groves.
Mrs. Watts was born April 16, 1929, in Englevale, Kan., and had lived in Independence for 47 years.She was a 1946 graduate of Girard (Kan.) High School and attended Pittsburg State Teachers College and Kansas State University. She returned to college after many years and received a bachelor`s degree in childhood education in 1986 from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She was a lifelong member of Northern Boulevard United Methodist Church. When her children were young, she was a room mother for the PTA, Girl Scout leader, Boy Scout den mother, Van Horn Booster Club, Neighborhood Watch mother and the parents club for Job`s Daughters. Her survivors include her husband, L. Dariel Watts of the home; her children, Cheryl Bowers, Bonner Springs, Kan., Diana Watts-Solleveld, Oegstgeest, The Netherlands, Debra McCormick, Esquire, Oklahoma City, James Watts, Esquire, Overland Park, Kan., Dr. Larry Watts, Lee`s Summit, and Lori Hirons, Roeland Park, Kan.; grandchildren, Patricia Solleveld, Meghan McCormick, Evan McCormick, Colin McCormick, Lauren McCormick, Ryan McCormick, Whitney Watts, Abigail Watts, William Watts, Andrew Watts, Tyler Watts, Chandler Watts and Madison Watts; and step grandchildren, Corine Solleveld, Arthur Solleveld, Michelle Hirons and Leslie Craig.
Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at the Speaks Midtown Chapel. Burial will be in Johnson County Memorial Gardens, Overland Park, Kan. Friends may call from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at the chapel. The family asks those who wish may send flowers.
C. DAMARIS COOLEY
C. Damaris Cooley, 93, Independence, died Tuesday, Aug. 12, 1997, at Park Lane Care Center in Raytown.
Mrs. Cooley was born April 6, 1904, in Humansville, Mo., and had lived in Independence most of her life. She was a homemaker and a member of the Assembly of God Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis G. Cooley in 1991, and a daughter, Margaret Joan in 1934.
Her survivors include four sons, William Richard Cooley, Sugar Creek, Paul Eugene Cooley Sr., Independence, Edward Leroy Cooley, Concord, Calif., and Lawrence David Cooley Jr., Kansas City; a daughter, Ethel Ruth Silvestri, Reno, Nev.; a brother, Elmar Scott, Humansville; a sister, Bernice Howell, Kansas City; 17 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be 1 p.m. Friday at the George C. Carson & Sons Independence Chapel. Burial will be in Floral Hills cemetery, Kansas City. Friends may call from 6 to 7 tonight at the chapel.
SYLVESTER PLUZYNSKI
Sylvester Pluzynski, 84, Independence, died Monday, Aug. 11, 1997, at The Groves.
Mr. Pluzynski was born in 1913 in Chicago, Ill., and lived in various sections of the south side for 24 years, in Morton Grove, Ill., and in Bull Shoals, Ark., for 12 years, before moving to Independence. In 1958, he became an insurance agent and purchased a small general insurance agency, retiring in 1979. In his youth, he hopped box cars throughout the western United States, always looking for work. He finished high school and completed several college courses. He was a paster at the LeClaire Courts RLDS congregation in Chicago for two years, and served as priest and elder at the Brainerd Branch in Chicago for several years. He was active in the Bull Shoals Rotary and was a frequent speaker at the Mountain Home (Ark.) RLDS Church.
His survivors include his wife, Helen Eileen Huenink Pluzynski of Independence; a son, Edward Pluzynski, Westport, Conn.; a daughter, Jacque Billings, Durango, Colo.; three grandsons, Scott Pluzynski, Shannon Bond and Dakota Bond; two nieces; and many grand-nieces and nephews.
Services will be at 4 today at the Church of Jesus Christ Waldo Avenue Restoration Branch, 819 W.Waldo Ave. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Sorrenson Room.
DONNA L. AUCOIN
Donna L. Aucoin, 70, Oak Grove, died Wednesday, June 25, 1997, at St. Mary`s Hospital of Blue Springs.
Mrs. Aucoin was born Dec. 3, 1926, in Leonardville, Kan. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph L. Aucoin in 1971.
Her survivors include six children, Janice Horsley, Chesterfield, Mo., Jean Aucoin-Millett and Jacque Cochran, both of Raytown, Judy Van Lanker, Independence, James Aucoin, Evergreen, Ala., and JoAnne Copeland, Kansas City; one brother, Curtis McMaster, Whiting, N.J.; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at D.W. Newcomer`s Sons Floral Hills Chapel, Kansas City. Burial will be in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, Kansas City. Friends may call from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at the chapel. The family suggests contributions to the home health agency of your choice.
ELIZABETH L. FREED
Elizabeth L. Freed, 67, Bates City, died Wednesday, June 25, 1997, at Columbia Independence Regional Health Center.
Mrs. Freed was born July 14, 1929, in Kansas City, Kan., and had lived in this area most of her life.
Her survivors include her husband, Jack Freed of the home; seven sons, Jack Freed, Pensacola, Fla., Jim Freed, Jasper, Mo., David Davis, Kansas City, John Freed, Oak Grove, Robert Freed and Dean Freed, both of Bates City, and Dennis Freed, Liberty, Mo.; four daughters, Linda Jones, Kansas City, Brenda Villines, Yukon, Okla., Deborah Freed, Warsaw, Mo., and Jackie Bradley, Oak Grove; one uncle; 29 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at the Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove. Burial will be in Swan Lake Memorial Gardens, Grain Valley. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the chapel.
LOIS K. PERKINS
Lois K. Perkins, 78, Independence, died Wednesday, June 25, 1997, at her home.
Mrs. Perkins was born March 9, 1919, in Spickard, Mo. She was manager for Landmark Towers Retirement Home in Liberty, Mo., for eight years, and was a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church of Independence. Her husband, Carlton L. Perkins, died in 1978.
Her survivors include three daughters, Helen Cross and Mary Dowdall, both of Independence, and Nancy Smith, Parkville, Mo.; two sisters, Hazel Moss and Helen Spickard, both of Trenton, Mo.; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at D.W. Newcomer`s Sons Floral Hills Chapel, Kansas City. Burial will be in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, Kansas City. Friends may call from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at the chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Childrens Mercy Hospital.
