Gary L. Christopher of Independence, Mo. passed away on the 2nd of January 2026. He was born on June 9th, 1959, in Trenton, NJ. He learned to play guitar at the age of nine (9). He joined the Air Force at the age of seventeen (17). He was honorably discharged at the age of twenty-two (22). After completing his military…

Justin Griffitt, age 35, passed away peacefully on 01/02/2026 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Blue Springs, Missouri. Justin was welcomed into the world on July 17, 1990, by Michelle Griffitt and Sunny Griffitt in the city of Independence, Mo. He was a loyal resident and graduate of Grain Valley (Class of 2008). Justin was very outgoing, sociable, and shared his…

Kolten James Aldridge, 17, of Oak Grove, Missouri, passed away on Thursday, January 1, 2026. A Celebration of Life will be held from 3:00 - 5:30pm on Sunday, January 11th at Grain Valley Community Center, 713 Main Street, Grain Valley, MO. Kolten was born on September 15, 2008, in Liberty, Missouri, the son of Lauro V. Valdez and Robin J.…

Sheila Gay Gardner, 72, of Independence, Missouri, departed this life on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. Her loving spirit touched many, but per the family’s request, a private gathering to honor her life will be planned by the family at a later date. Born on May 13, 1953, in Independence, Missouri, Sheila was the daughter of William “Frank” Miles and Peggy…

On Wednesday December 31st, 2025, Charles W. Goodman, 84, of Grain Valley, MO. transitioned from this world to a much better place. We are confident he was greeted and received by his parents and siblings gone before him as well as his son Bradley. From a very young age Charles was always on the go! When he wasn’t working, he…

Nancy Ann Terrell, 88, of Independence, MO passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. Nancy was born in Chicago, IL on April 18, 1937. Nancy once was a runway model for Sax Fifth Avenue in New York. She spent most of her career as a legal secretary and paralegal. Survived by her sister, Sue Schallenberg, her children, Robin and…

Mary Ruth Mendoza (Brumfield), of Blue Springs, MO, passed away December 30, 2025, at the age of 75, surrounded by family. Mary was born July 20, 1950, in Kansas City, MO. Mary enjoyed reading, playing cards, listening to the "oldies'', Mexican food, helping others, but most of all spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She graduated high school…

William “Bill” Bell, 85, of Oak Grove, Missouri, passed away on December 29, 2025.  Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 2, 2026, at Harrisonville Church of the Nazarene, 2305 E. South Street in Harrisonville, MO 64701, with visitation from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. and funeral at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will be in Cowgill Cemetery in Cowgill, MO.  Bill…

Wanda Pearl Hays, 88, passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at her home in Independence, MO.  A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026, from 1:00 - 3:00pm at the Odessa Community Center in Dyer Park, 601 W. Main, Odessa, MO 64076. Wanda was born February 20, 1937, in Wakenda, Missouri, the daughter of Adrain…

Dolores Ann McCaffery, 90, of Grain Valley, Missouri, passed away Sunday, December 28, 2025. There will be no services, in accordance with Dolores’s wishes. She was born July 8, 1935, in Mason City, Iowa, to August and Florence Groh (White). Dolores was united in marriage to Gene McCaffery on January 6, 1958, at St. James Lutheran Church in Mason City,…