Martha Pearl Kabel, 92, of Buckner, Missouri passed away on Sunday, November 17, 2024. Visitation will be at 10:00 am Thursday, November 21, 2024 at Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, Missouri.  Service to follow at 11:00 am at the funeral home. Burial in Buckner Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Ronald McDonald House of Kansas City.

Martha was born October 30, 1932 in Sibley, Missouri. The daughter of Henry Barker and Mary Lue (Keeran) Barker Campbell. She served as Vice President of the Buckner Bank for many years. Martha was a member of the AARP chapter of Levasy. She was instrumental in getting the water district 16 established in the area. Martha was a member of the Methodist Church in Buckner, Missouri.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Roy A. Kabel in 2011; brother, Henry; sister, Rachel and sister, Mary Ellen.

Martha is survived by many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home Grain Valley, MO 64075 816-847-4441

Helen Wilper, 73, of Oak Grove, MO passed away November 16, 2024.

Visitation will be 12-1:30 pm Saturday, November 23, 2024 at Royer Funeral Home in Oak Grove, MO.  Service to follow at 1:30 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of KCK Animal Services 3301 Park Dr, Kansas City, KS 66102

Helen was born November 14, 1951 in Kansas City, MO to Frank and Adela (Tuzka) Polachowski.  She graduated from East High School in 1969, where she met the love of her life.  Helen loved going to the gambling boats, lottery tickets, and going to Las Vegas.  She was an avid Chiefs fan and sometimes honorary general manager.  Helen was an animal lover and was the caretaker of all the animals around her house.

Helen is survived by her husband Mike Wilper; sons: Scott Wilper and wife Amy, Keny Wilper and Boozer (dog son), Jeff Wilper and wife Shea; sister, Christine (Doug) Roberts; nephew, Brian Roberts; brother-in-law, Kenneth (Chandra) Wilper; grandchildren: Ashley, Adella, Abigail, Allison, Johnny and Bodie Wilper; great grandchildren: Alexzander and Andrew; and a fourth dog son, Charlie.

Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home Oak Grove, MO 64075 816-690-4441

Peter John Samson, 100, of Kansas City, MO passed away November 14, 2024 at his home, surrounded by his family.

Visitation will be 10:00-11:00 am Monday, December 2, 2024 at First Baptist Church of Oak Grove. Service to follow at 11:00 am at the church. Burial will be at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, Higginsville, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church 400 SE 14^th Str. Oak Grove, MO 64075 or American Legion Post 379.

Peter was born December 30, 1923 in Syracuse, NY to Peter J. & Helen C. (Vanslyke) Samson. He served in the United States Army Air Force as a Fighter Pilot during WWII.  Peter was a Master Carver. He was a member of the Oak Grove American Legion Post 379 and a member of First Baptist Church of Oak Grove. Peter loved telling stories and sharing them with others. Peter was a great husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Peter is survived by his wife Nancy Samson; sons: Pete Samson & wife Ellen, Jim Samson & wife Becky, Mark Samson & wife Marilyn, Matt Samson & Diane Samson; grandchildren: Kaitlyn, Elizabeth, Taylor, Holden, Heather, Chris; great-grandchildren: Heath, Ethan, Jack.

Arrangements:  Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO   816-690-4441

Deborah Dawn Adkins, 69, of Grain Valley, Missouri passed away on Monday, November 4, 2024. Visitation will be 2:00 pm Friday November 8, 2024 at the Community of Christ Church, Grain Valley, Missouri. Funeral service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at the church. Burial in Blue Springs, Cemetery, Blue Springs, Missouri.

Debbie was born on May 21, 1955 in Cortez Colorado. Debbie was predeceased in death by her Husband, Steve Adkins; her parents Henry Ford & Mercedies Baley; sister, Alice Carlson; brothers: Buddy Martin and Bobby Joseph Baley; and Son-n-law, Kenta Lovelace.

Survived by Son, Andy (Wife Amy, children Georgia, Samantha, Abi, Charleigh); Daughter, Felicia Renee’ Lovelace (children Mahki & Elexis Hall, Great Grandson E’Rahsto and Grandson, Trenton); Son, Ethan Adkins (the baby); Sisters: Karen Lavaughn Crosby and Betty Ann Baldwin; and Niece, Nicole Ballard & family plus many more.

Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home Grain Valley, MO 64075 816-847-4441

Armin William Schannuth of Blue Springs, MO, passed away peacefully at home November 3, 2024 at the age of 85. He was a dedicated husband, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend to all. Armin was born April 5, 1939 in Independence, MO, the only child of Armin J. Schannuth and Irene Opfer-Schannuth who died in childbirth. Armin Wm’s maternal grandparents stepped in to help with child-rearing and Armin grew up mostly on their farm in Higginsville, MO. He soon had a devoted step-mother in Beulah Kreeger-Schannuth and two half-siblings, Robert and Bonnie, residing in Independence. Armin Wm. (‘Sonny’, so as not to be confused with his father Armin J.) graduated from Higginsville High School in 1957 where he was president of the Future Farmers of America chapter.

But farming wasn’t for Armin. Despite his lifelong affection for Higginsville, he enlisted in the Navy straight out of high school to seek out his future. His fondest memory of that time was being at sea on the USS Northampton, a fleet command ship at the time. Post-Navy, the GI Bill helped Armin go to college at the University of Missouri – Columbia. While a student, he met Alice Ida Beckfield who worked at State Farm Insurance.

Love blossomed and Armin and Alice were married March 13, 1964 in Columbia, MO. It was Alice’s 21^st birthday.

Moving to Independence, Armin and Alice had two children, Todd and Tina, who eventually gave the couple four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

While working for the Independence Health Department, Armin received a master’s degree in Safety from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg. This led to a second career; working in Safety for Independence Power & Light from which he retired in the early 2000s.

Armin was a diehard railfan and railroad historian. He walked nearly the entire Katy Trail, bit by bit, from Clinton to Machens when it first opened. His affinity for trains and railroading led him to volunteer with preservation of the Chicago & Alton Depots in Independence and Higginsville. It also undoubtedly led to his third career – thirteen years as a Locomotive Engineer at the MFA grain elevator in his beloved Higginsville.

For the last several years, he delighted in having coffee with friends in the Rusty Zipper Club in Higginsville, and with ‘the guys’ at the Main Street Coffee House in Independence.

Armin was baptized April 16, 1939 and confirmed March 29, 1953. Over the years, he attended Salem United Church of Christ, St. Luke’s United Church of Christ, Ascension Lutheran Church, and Messiah Lutheran Church.

Armin is preceded in death by his parents, step mother, and half-brother Robert. He is survived by his wife, Alice; sister Bonnie; his son Todd (wife Linda, daughter Ariel, son-in-law Joe, and their sons Benjamin and Jackson); his daughter Tina Jons (husband Kurt, children Jacob, Zachary and Sophia, plus Jacob’s twin boys Liam and Brantley); along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Interment will be Monday November 25 at 3:00PM at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery – Higginsville. A Celebration of Life will be held from 5:00-7:00PM the same day at Salem United Church of Christ – Higginsville. Check for any updates on the Royer Funeral Home Facebook page and website.

Donations can be made in Armin’s memory for preservation of either Chicago & Alton Railroad Depot  by clicking on the links below or to the Independence depot via check to “Friends of Chicago & Alton Depot” c/o Bruce Lindgren 336 E Bellevista Dr. Independence, MO 64055 or the Higginsville depot via check to “Harvey J Higgins Historical Society” 2113 S. Main St, Higginsville, MO 64037.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/honor-armin-schannuths-legacy
https://www.gofundme.com/f/honor-armin-schannuth-donate-to-museum

Obituary submitted by family

Joan L. Gentry, 80, of Lone Jack, MO. passed away November 2, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Visitation will be November 16, 2024 at Oak Grove Christian Church from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., followed by a short service. 

Joan Lea Gentry was born on January 2, 1944, to Roy & Shirley Furrell in Compton, California.  Joan was a graduate of Westport High School and went on to a local Junior College where she received her associate’s degree.  She married Kenneth Everett Gentry on December 28, 1963.  They had three children, Beth, Bryan, and Diane before building their home in Blue Springs, Missouri in 1971.  Joan worked at Lake City Army Ammunition Plant as an administrative assistant until her retirement.   

Joan loved The Lord and served Him well.  She attended Blue Springs Christian Church, teaching a women’s Sunday School class for over 15 years.  She moved in with her daughter and son-in-law to Lone Jack, Missouri in 2019, and started attending Oak Grove Christian Church, where everyone knew her as, Grandma Joan. Joan was a devoted Christian, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. She was a gentle and kind soul who will be missed by all. 

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Roy & Shirley Furrell, sister Carol Fales, daughter Beth Gentry, grandson Levi Newlon, and fur babies Lucy, Princess, and Baby Girl.

Joan leaves behind her son Bryan Gentry, daughter-in-law Susan Sanders, daughter Diane Green-Newlon, son-in-law Mickey Newlon, son-in-law Brian Hull, grandchildren Jeremii Froehlich, Alec Gentry, Nevin Gentry, Cayden Gentry, Sophia Gentry, Elizabeth Gentry, Joshua Green, Jennah Green, Marissa Green, Haleigh Newlon Barker, Jordan Newlon and Dustin Hull, as well as several great grandchildren.

Obituary submitted by the family

Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO, 816-690-4441

Gerald “Jerry” W. Hatfield, 93, of Oak Grove, MO, passed away November 1, 2024.

A Celebration of Life will be held 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at the Christian Lodge #392 AFAM 1901 S. Broadway, Oak Grove, MO 64075

Jerry was born in Brunswick, MO to Clyde Edward & Ada Lorene (Stroemer) Hatfield on June 29, 1931. He lived his growing up years in Buckner, MO. After graduating from Buckner High School in 1949, he joined the United States Navy maintaining fighter planes at Moffitt Field, CA. Jerry served aboard an aircraft carrier during the Korean War. He met and married his wife Lorraine in 1952. After discharge, he helped launch missiles at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and Florida. As a member of Lompoc Lodge #262 in CA, he became Worshipful Master in 1966, transferring to Christian Lodge #392 in Oak Grove, MO in early 1990’s. Both are members of Oak Grove Chapter #407 Order of Eastern Star.

Jerry is survived by his wife Lorraine of 72 years of marriage; his sister Phyllis Ruth Goldsberry of Blue Springs, MO; daughter Brenda Kingsley; grandson Todd Kingsley; great-grandson Tao Kingsley all of CA.

Jerry lived a full Masonic life and was at peace. God Bless

Obituary submitted by the family.

Dwain Lyle Keck, 80, of Odessa, MO, passed away on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at John Knox Village Care Center in Lee’s Summit, MO.

Visitation will be 10-11am Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO. Funeral to follow at 11am at the funeral home. Burial at Oak Grove Cemetery

Dwain was born December 12, 1943, in Rogers, AR, the son of Benjamin and Oleta (Walden) Keck. He was united in marriage to Judy M. Fizer on March 27, 1965. Dwain enjoyed shooting trap, riding his Harley Davidsons, and traveling with Judy. After his retirement from General Motors, and hers from AT&T, they spent their winters in Arizona for nearly thirty years. 

Dwain is survived by his sister, Linda (Ira) Allen of Grain Valley; Judy’s sister, Becky (Robert) Barker of Pleasant Hill; Judy’s brother, Ray (Sharon) Fizer of Odessa; several nieces and nephews; and a host of extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Judy Keck; brother Gary Keck; and sister Jane Houk. 

Obituary submitted by the family.

Arrangements:  Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO   816-690-4441

Patricia “Pat” Harclerode, 85, of Blue Springs, Missouri, passed away October 28, 2024. She was born on December 1, 1938, in Kansas City, Missouri, to the late Basil and Vivian Laughman. Pat grew up in Kansas City, graduating from Southeast High School. In 1957, she married the love of her life, J.A. (John) Harclerode, and together they built a life filled with love, faith, and hard work.

Pat is survived by her devoted husband, J.A. (John), her brother Lyle Laughman (Sharon), and her three children: Cathy Urfer (Jimmy), Connie Harclerode and Jerry Harclerode (Itati). She was also blessed with four cherished grandchildren, Angela Cutter (Mike), Ronny Dady (Jessica), Kristin Urfer & Casey Dady, seven great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren, all of whom she adored deeply. Her family was her pride and joy, and she took great delight in every moment spent with them.

Pat and J.A. raised their family on a farm near Chilhowee, Missouri, where they farmed, held Friday night auctions, raised cattle and chickens, and cultivated a vast garden. Pat’s legendary homemade pies were a staple at the auctions, where her baking was admired by all.

In addition to being a farmer and homemaker, Pat found joy in many creative pursuits. She was a talented baker, known for the beautiful wedding and birthday cakes she crafted. She crocheted countless baby afghans, made exquisite porcelain dolls, and always shared her gifts with others. Pat was also an adventurer at heart, traveling to wonderful destinations and even taking her grandchildren to Disney World.

Pat was deeply rooted in her Christian faith. She sang harmonies in a gospel band called Gospel Memories, spreading the joy of music wherever she went. Pat was also an active member of her church community, serving as a Youth for Christ counselor and positively impacting the lives of many young people.

After selling their farm in 2000, Pat and J.A. moved to Arizona for a short time then moved to Warrensburg. Later, in 2010, they moved to Blue Springs, where they enjoyed their retirement years. Pat lived a life full of love, creativity, and unwavering faith, leaving behind a legacy of warmth and kindness.

Her memory will forever be cherished by her family, friends, and all who knew her.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in her honor.

Michael Anthony Turpin, 78, of Odessa, MO passed away at A New Healthcare of Odessa, MO.  Mike was born on May 28, 1946 to Rudy and Marie (Sappenfield) Turpin in Kansas City, MO.  Mike married Frances (Fran) Fields on November 5, 1966.

He worked in maintenance at Hallmark Cards and retired after 38 years of service.  His parents and a brother, Archie Turpin, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife and two sons; Jerry (Sara) Turpin of Shawnee, KS and Andy (Sandra) Turpin of Blue Springs, MO; a brother Jim (Patti) Turpin of Overland Park, KS and a sister, Marie (Kenny) Nelson of Grandview; five grandchildren: Hunter, Carsyn, Sawyer, Madison and Cailey.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Obituary submitted by family

Arrangements by Royer Funeral Home; Oak Grove, Missouri