Search Archived Marriage Records
MABEL S. REED
Mabel S. Reed, 85, Blue Springs, formerly of Independence, died Monday, Nov. 10, 1997, at St. Mary`s Manor in Blue Springs.
Mrs. Reed was born Nov. 15, 1911, in Levasy, and had lived in Independence most of her life. She moved to Blue Springs three years ago. She was a receiving clerk for Klines Department Store in Kansas City for 11 years. She was a member of St. Luke`s United Church of Christ. Her husband, William Carl Reed, died in 1992.
Her survivors include two sons, Kenneth M. Reed, Enterprise, Ala., and Gerald D. Reed, Independence; two daughters, Ellen L. Chrisman and Sharon F. Franciskato, and two sisters, Frances Niemueller and Gladys Bellisine, all of Independence; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Services will be 10 a.m. Friday at the church. Burial will be in Buckner cemetery. Friends may call from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at D.W. Newcomer`s Sons Noland Road Chapel. The family suggests contributions to the Evangelical Children`s Home, Kansas City Campus, 5102 Noland Road, Kansas City, Mo. 64133.
JOSEPH W. "BILL" SCHWENK JR.
Joseph William "Bill" Schwenk Jr., 81, Lee`s Summit, died Monday, Nov. 10, 1997, at his home.
Mr. Schwenk was born Sept.12, 1916. In 1935, he joined the company founded by his father in 1920, Schwenk Sheet Metal Works, became a partner with his father in 1952, and continued working with his father until his death in 1959. He was owner, president and chairman of the board of Schwenk Inc. from 1960 until he retired in 1982. He is also a former member of Sheet Metal Worker`s Local 2. He was involved in the formation and growth of the Kansas City area Sheet Metal Contractor`s Association and was elected to carry out the duties in every office of the organization. In 1968, he was elected president of the National Sheet Metal Contractor`s Association and also served as a member of its board of directors from 1965 to 1970. In addition, he was chairman of the National Joint Apprentice and Training Committee. In 1984, he was named Contractor of the Year for the national sheet metal industry, and was a member of SMACNA College of Fellows.
He was a member of Hillcrest Country Club, treasurer of the LESGO Investment Club, a life member of the American Society of Heating and Refrigeration Engineers, past president of the Blue Valley Association, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Independence Masonic Lodge 76 and the Scottish Rite. He was a member of the Ararat Temple, Royal Order of Jesters Court 54, past president of the Greeter Unit, and a member of the Quetza-Costal. He was an elder, Sunday school teacher and chairman of the building committee of Calvary Presbyterian Church.
His survivors include his wife of 61 years, Naomi Catherine Schwenk of the home; two sons, Gary L. Schwenk, Kansas City, and J.W. Schwenk III, Independence; five grandchildren, Michael McGovern, Michele Schwenk, Richard Schwenk, Anne Schwenk and Katherine Runels; and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at the Mount Moriah & Freeman Chapel, Kansas City. Burial will be in the family mausoleum, Faith Maus Mount Moriah cemetery, Kansas City. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the chapel. The family suggests contributions to the Shriners` Hospital for Children, Shriners` Hospital for Children-Burn Center or the Heart of America Hospice.
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.
Robert Spalding Farnham
Robert Spalding Farnham, 90, of Independence, died Friday, Feb. 6, 1998.
He was born May 4, 1907, in Waterloo, Iowa. He first moved to Independence with his family in 1958, returning again in 1971.
He was married
June 8, 1927, to Myrtle Gail Burnett.
Mr. Spalding was baptized into the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1927. He was called into the priesthood as a deacon in 1932, and called to be a priest in 1936. In 1937, he was ordained a High Priest and Counselor to the Stake President, a position he held until 1944. He was also pastor of the First Church Congregation, St. Joseph.
While serving as a priest, Mr. Farnham continued to operate a successful service station, Bob`s Standard Oil, in St. Joseph.
He became the chaplain of the Independence Sanitarium and Hospital in 1958. He was the founder of the Volunteer Chaplain Service, which continues today.
In 1965, he was called to the St. Louis District of the church to prepare it to become a Stake. He was called to be a Patriarch in 1970, and returned to Independence in 1971. He retired in 1972. He was preceded in death by a son and a daughter.
He is survived by his wife, M. Gail Farnham, of the home; one son, Milo M. Farnham of Independence; one daughter, Roxana G. DeSelms of Independence; a sister, Helen Valentine, Walpole, Mass.; nine grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
Services will be 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Speaks Suburban Chapel. Friends may call from noon until the service begins. Burial will be in Memorial Park cemetery, St. Joseph. Contributions may be made to the Center Place Restoration School.
JOHN W. "JACK" BUTCHER
John W. "Jack" Butcher, 83, Independence, died Monday, Jan. 19, 1998, at Columbia Independence Regional Health Center.
Mr. Butcher was born May 23, 1914, in Independence and was a lifelong Independence resident. He was a machine operator for Armco Steel for 33 years, retiring in 1973. He was a member of Northern Boulevard United Methodist Church, a Navy veteran of World War II, and a member of American Legion Post 21.
His survivors include his wife, Margaret G. Butcher of the home; two brothers, Earl E. Butcher, Independence, and Harold C. Butcher, El Monte, Calif.; three sisters, Maxine Struska, Missouri City, Texas, and Marjorie Ann Carlock and Shirley J. Marsh, both of Independence; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be 10 a.m. Friday at the George C. Carson & Sons Independence Chapel.Burial will be in Mount Washington cemetery. Friends may call from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the chapel. The family suggests contributions to the memorial fund at the church.
LILLILAN M. KONRAD
Lillian Maurine Konrad, 88, Gladstone, Mo., died Sunday, Jan. 18, 1998, at North Kansas City Hospital.
Mrs. Konrad was born Aug. 4, 1909, in Creighton, Mo. She was a graduate of Northeast High School and attended Maple Woods Community College. She was a charter member of Northminster Presbyterian Church, having served as an elder, clerk and deacon. She was also a member of the Joy Group and various women`s ministries. She was active in community affairs, was a member of the Republican Women`s Club and delivered for Meals on Wheels. She and her husband were instrumental in founding the Heart of America Dachshund Club and was the first woman to be appointed to the Clay County Election Board as a commissioner. She was employed by the election board for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Konrad.
Her survivors include three sisters, Jeannette Thompson, Independence, Willa Dee Bonville, Kansas City, and Mary Meyer, Liberty, Mo.; three nieces; three nephews; eight great-nieces and nephews; and four great-great-nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the church, 1441 N.E. Englewood Road, Kansas City; cremation. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the American Diabetic Association, the building fund at the church or your favorite charity. Arrangements are under the direction of D.W. Newcomer`s Sons White Chapel, Gladstone.
GEORGE A. SPRENGER
George A. Sprenger, 93, Liberty, Mo., formerly of Independence, died Monday, Jan. 19, 1998, at Liberty Hospital.
Mr. Sprenger was born Sept. 15, 1904, in Linn, Mo., and had lived in Independence most of his life. He was a retired steward for the Kansas City Terminal Railway, and a member of St. Ann`s Catholic Church, Independence. He was preceded in death by his wife, Anna J. Sprenger in 1994, and a daughter, Mary Ann Sprenger.
His survivors include three sons, Don Sprenger, Sunrise Beach, Mo., George Sprenger, Blue Springs, and William Sprenger, Liberty; 13 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
Mass will be 10 a.m. Thursday at the church. Graveside services will be 3 p.m. Thursday at St. George cemetery, Linn. Friends may call from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the George C. Carson & Sons Independence Chapel, where the rosary will be said at 7 p.m.The family suggests contributions to the church.
ADELIA TIERNEY
Adelia Tierney, 88, Kansas City, died Saturday, Jan. 17, 1998, at The University Towers Medical Pavilion.
Mrs. Tierney was born Jan. 3, 1910, in Lone Jack. She worked for the Bernice Jackson Reporting Agency before she retired, and was a member of St. Thomas More Church, Kansas City.
Her survivors include her husband of 61 years, Thomas W. Tierney Sr. of the home; one son, Thomas W. Tierney Jr., Kansas City; three granddaughters, Tammy Tierney Allison, Kathleen Luther and Michelle Tierney; and two great-grandchildren.
Mass will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Burial will be in Mount Olivet cemetery, Raytown. Friends may call from 6:30 to 8:30 tonight at the McGilley Midtown Chapel, Kansas City, where the rosary will be said at 7 p.m.
DONALD R. FITZGERALD
Donald Roy Fitzgerald, 66, Douglas, Wyo., formerly of Independence, died Sunday, Dec. 28, 1997, at the Michael Manor Nursing Home, Douglas.
Mr. Fitzgerald was born March 23, 1931, in Independence, and lived in Levasy before moving to Douglas in 1997. He was a carpenter and an Army veteran. He played the guitar, and enjoyed music and hunting.
His survivors include one son, Rick Fieldcamp, Douglas; four daughters, Beverly "Bossi" Herrick, Douglas, Ruth Ann Franz, Acton, Calif., and Tamara Arguello and Dawn Armstrong, both of Silver City, N.M.; one sister, Jean Winburn, Independence; 10 grandchildren; two nieces; and two nephews.
Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at the Brown Funeral Home, Buckner. Inurement will be in Buckner Hill cemetery.
