Patricia A. Brown – 10/21/1935 – 2/13/2025

Born to Dick and Flo Butler in Independence, MO. She graduated from Blue Springs high school. She married RJ (Robert) Brown and raised four children in Blue Springs, MO.  She obtained her LPN and practiced nursing in the surrounding area.

She and RJ enjoyed the lake, square dancing and camping with many friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband RJ and her son Jeff (Richard).  She leaves behind three daughters, Sheila Etting, Shelly Brown-Schussler and Sharolyn DeShaw.  She also will be missed by seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She leaves a surviving sister Ruth Butler.

Obituary submitted by family

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

Tamar E. Shire, 64, passed away on February 11, 2025 at her home in Holden, Missouri.  A Celebration of Life will be held from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 21^st at Royer Funeral Home in Oak Grove, MO.

Tamar was born on December 19, 1960, in Wyandotte County, Kansas, the daughter of Ralph R. and Dorhla (Vansandt) Ellington.  She was a hard worker and loved life.  Tamar enjoyed going on vacation, socializing with friends, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Tamar is survived by her husband, Stephen Shire, of the home; three children: Steven Aranda of Palm Springs, CA, Amber Visnich of Grain Valley, MO, and Brett Visnich (Isabel) of Independence; six grandchildren: Stinson, Aidee, Payton, Randi, Jade, and Charles; her mother, Dorhla Krenning; and four siblings: Rush, Kelly, Jonny, and Sharon.  She was preceded in death by her father.

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

Ronald L. “Guido” Smith, 57, of Grain Valley, Missouri passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025. Visitation will be 5:00 pm. Thursday, February 20, 2025 at Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, Missouri. Memorial service to follow at 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Contributions can be made to the family to help defray funeral expenses.

Ronnie was born January 22, 1968 in Kansas City, Missouri. The son of Randall R. Smith and Rita J. (Landis) Smith. He was a 1985 graduate of Grain Valley High School. Ronnie joined the military and proudly served his country in the United States Army. A few of the many things he loved was riding his Harley, hunting and fishing and his dog Cash. He loved his family and he will be always remembered and greatly missed.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Rita Landis; grandparents: Hampton and Lilliam Smith and Ivy and Johnny Landis.

Ronnie is survived by his daughter, Shelby Smith of Phoenix AZ; son, Riley Smith of Grain Valley MO; father and stepmother, Randy and Cathy Smith of Oak Grove, MO; 2 brothers: Eric Cross of Lone Jack, MO. and Randy Smith of Oak Grove, MO; and his dog Cash.

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

Ronda Rae Duckworth, 66, passed away on February 3rd, peacefully in her sleep, at home in Kingsville, MO. 

Ronda was born on February 25, 1958, to Ronald and Sheila Mills in Topeka, KS. Growing up in an Air Force family, she lived in many places around the world, including South Carolina and Spain. She spent most of her youth, and cherished her time most, in Japan, where she competed in the school gymnastics program, was a cheerleader, was homecoming royalty, and made lifelong friends. In high school, she moved with her family to Lee’s Summit, MO, where she graduated in 1976. 

Growing up, Ronda was the family clown and instigator, especially loving to torment her younger sister, Edie. She and her three sisters had a close bond and that continued throughout their lives. After high school, she lived almost 30 years in her home on Falk Drive, where she spent many days visiting with her neighbors, especially the Oberhelman family. While she held various jobs, including working in medical records for Lee’s Summit Hospital, Ronda dedicated most of her time to raising and supporting her three children, Mandy, Meranda, and Jake. 

In 2007, she met Bill and fell quickly in love. They married that fall and spent the following 16+ years in Lone Jack and Kingsville. They shared a loving life together, and she was always supported and well cared for. 

Ronda loved watching her kids and grandkids participate in all of their activities and sports. A lifelong Kansas City Royals and Chiefs fan, later in life she especially enjoyed watching her “adopted” son, Patrick Mahomes. She could tell the best stories and never hesitated to tell the truth. A phenomenal cook, Ronda loved hosting and making large dinners for her family. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and recently became a great-grandma for the first time. Her joy was in her family, and she will be greatly missed.

Ronda is preceded in death by her parents, Ronald and Sheila Mills, and her sister, Edie West. She is survived by her loving husband, William Duckworth, her three children, Mandy Kelley (Ryan), Meranda Johnston, and Jake Johnston, her two granddaughters, Victoria Kelley-Chiarelli (Evan), and Averie Teetor, her great-granddaughter, Eleanor Chiarelli, her two sisters, Sharon Paulson (Donald), and Karen Sims, and many nieces and nephews. 

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 15 at Cross Creek Baptist Church. Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 am. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Samaritan’s Purse International Relief (https://www.samaritanspurse.org/) to honor Ronda’s memory. 

Obituary submitted by the family.

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

Carol Bittle, 74, of Independence, Missouri passed away suddenly at her home on February 2, 2025.  Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home, Independence, Missouri. Burial following in New Salem Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until service time at the funeral home.

Carol was born on August 30, 1950 in Kansas City, Missouri to Richard and Lois (Kinion) Green.  She graduated from William Chrisman High School and resided in Independence, Missouri her whole life.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Richard Green.

Carol leaves behind her daughter, Julie (Doug) Rudd; grandson, Kyle Rudd; 2 sisters: Linda Beltz and Pam Smith; and 1 brother, Terry Ballmer.

Obituary submitted by the family.

Arrangements: Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home ~ Independence, MO (816) 796-8600

Sharon Kay Brill, 78, of Grain Valley, Missouri passed away on Saturday, February 1, 2025. Visitation will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 10, 2025 at Faith Community Church, 102 SW 9th St, Oak Grove, Missouri. Funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m.

Sharon was born November 30, 1946 in Kansas City, Missouri to Everett Flagg and Lena (Shumate) Flagg. At that time, her sister Bev had the measles so Lena was not able to bring Sharon home. The first week or two of Sharon’s life were spent with her mom at her grandparents’ home.

She grew up in Independence, Missouri and graduated from William Chrisman High School. Fishing with her dad, going on trips with her parents to Minnesota, enjoying the American Royal with friends, and taking her brother to the American Royal Parade every year were some of the things she enjoyed growing up. Her mother shared her love of sewing, quilting, and cooking with Sharon. They enjoyed going to quilt and craft shows together, even after her boys were grown.

Sharon’s dream job was to be an airline stewardess for TWA. She walked to the bus stop and rode it back and forth to classes downtown for a few months before deciding she no longer wished to pursue that career. She worked a variety of jobs over the years before ending at Sprint, where she remained until she retired in 2015.

Her sister’s husband, Jim Hardie, introduced Sharon to a co-worker from Lake City Army Ammunition Plant. Bev and Jim set up a blind date between Joseph Brill and Sharon then joined them for a double date at a nice restaurant on the Plaza.  It was love at first sight for Joe and Sharon. They were married about a year or so later, on July 10, 1971. They had three boys: Patrick, Matthew, and Joseph who were raised in Lone Jack, Missouri.

After the loss of her husband in 1990, Sharon devoted her life to raising her sons. She was an avid reader and loved romance, mystery, and science fiction novels. Sharon enjoyed sewing, crafting, quilting, cooking, collecting chickens, and playing board games with her grandkids. She loved teaching her granddaughters their way around the kitchen, talking about history and her family, and how to play Monopoly the “correct” way. Holidays were especially important to her and she loved hosting family dinners. She adored her grandchildren and was involved in their lives as much as possible. When her oldest granddaughter’s marching band performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, she even joined the family for a week in New York to sightsee and watch the parade live!

Sharon was very quiet and reserved, but loved deeply. Spending time with her grandkids was the highlight of her days. Her Chihuahuas, Roxy and Teddy were her pride and joy, as well as her constant companions.

She will be greatly missed and remain forever in our hearts.

Many thanks to Fresenius Dialysis and her amazing St Luke’s Home Health team for their care and support to the end. She appreciated her family who cared for her and respected her wishes by making it possible for her to remain in her home.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Everett and Lena Flagg; and husband, Joseph Brill Jr.

Sharon is survived by sons: Patrick (Bridget) Brill, Matthew Brill, Joseph Brill; Grandchildren: Logan, Brooke and Paige Brill; sister, Beverly Janes; brother, Dennis K. (Julianne) Flagg; several nieces and nephews; and her 2 Chihuahuas: Roxy and Teddy.

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

Patricia Ann (Pendleton) Kemple, age 93, passed away at Silverado Memory Care in Lee’s Summit, MO with many of her family present on February 1, 2025.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., Thursday February 6, 2025 with services at 11:00 a.m., in Royer’s Funeral Home at 100 Royer Ln, Grain Valley, MO 64029. Gravesite military services will be conducted at Blue Springs Cemetery, 2800 SW Walnut St., Blue Springs, MO 64015 where Patricia will be buried next to her late husband, William E. Kemple.

Patricia (Pat) was born in Kansas City Missouri to late parents, Hildred V. (Brown) Pendleton and Fredrick A. Pendleton. Pat had one sibling, late Donald F. Pendleton. Pat graduated from Northeast High School. Pat began her travels going to California to stay with her aunt and uncle, later travelling and performing with a play production company in Nebraska, Colorado and Montana. Pat joined the US Navy Reserves with a close friend and later worked at the Las Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico before starting her family.

Pat was a bookkeeper and a licensed insurance agent by profession, partner in an insurance brokerage and a construction company. Pat was a former Secretary of American Business Women’s Association, a member of National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, Harry S. Truman Insurance Underwriters, Beta Sigma Phi, American Legion Post 499 and Grace Baptist Church in Oak Grove Missouri.

Pat and her late husband, Howard M. Willis, had four children, James D. Willis (Sandra) of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Stanley M. Willis (Christine) of Englewood, Florida, William G. Willis (Diane) of Larkspur, Colorado and Catherine E. Nugent (Dan) of Leawood, Kansas. Grandchildren Shawn Willis, Shane Willis, Amanda Willis, Courtney Willis, Casey Willis, Carolyn Williams, Casey Cook, Ashley Willis, Joe Willis, Nicholas Nugent, Steven Nugent and Kelly Nugent.

Pat, with her late husband, George I. Engle, merged their families, including raising his late children Patricia M. (Engle) Creson and Rene J. (Engle) Dahl. Grandchildren Matthew Clary, Andrea Creson, Amber Creson.

Pat married her late husband, William E. Kemple, and enjoyed splitting their time between their Blue Springs, Missouri and Mesa, Arizona homes, and traveling with Bill’s surviving sons William Kemple Jr. (Joanna) and Roger Kemple (Kellie).

Pat was most proud of her family, spending time with her six children, thirteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Obituary submitted by family.

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

Kenneth James “Jim” Dringenberg of Independence, Missouri passed away on February 1, 2025.  Services will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home in Independence, Missouri. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until service time at the funeral home. Burial will be the following morning at 11:00 a.m. at New Salem Cemetery, Independence, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society.

Jim was born on December 24, 1951 in Alma, Michigan to Kenneth and Lillian (Huntoon) Dringenberg. He married Dawn Lee Winans on June 22, 1985. Jim was very proud of his four children, twelve grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. He was also proud of his military service and his more than 25 years as a dock builder at Elf Machine Works. He was an avid reader and loved collecting and watching all types of movies. Jim was a quiet man but had a unique sense of humor and sarcasm. With a sharp mind and a quick wit, Jim had an unparalleled ability to light up any room with his humor and insight. A lover of both knowledge and laughter, Jim possessed a rare combination of wit and wisdom that left a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to know him. He dedicated his life to caring for his loving wife Dawn. Jim was selfless and always put the needs of others before his own needs.

Jim grew up in a family of 8 children. There were 3 boys and 5 girls. With such a large family it was hard to afford vacations, but they sometimes took ferry rides to Mackinac Island with mom, dad and grandparents. During the winter months, they loved to skate and sled down the Ithaca hill. Jim and his childhood friend, Rick Kirby, remained close and shared many happy adventures throughout their lives.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Lillian Dringenberg, brothers Richard Dringenberg and Guy Dringenberg, sister Dinah Williams, and his loving wife of 39 years, Dawn Dringenberg who passed away on April 3, 2023.

Jim is survived by children: Tiffany Jarnagin & husband Ken of Independence, MO, Tommye Willey of Independence, MO, Craig Ardner, II of Blue Springs, MO, Josie Ardner of Blue Springs, MO; 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, sisters Terry and Tom Vernon of Ithaca, MI, Patricia and Scott Hunt of Riverdale, MI, Dena and Jim Bovee of Florida, and Connie and Roy Reinsmith of Mason, MI.

Obituary submitted by the family.

Arrangements: Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home ~ Independence, MO (816) 796-8600

Deborah Elaine “Debbi” (Dougherty) Chance, 73, received her wings on February 1, 2025. Her family surrounded her at Cedarhurst Memory Care in Springfield, Missouri.

Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 8, 2025 at Royer Funeral home, Grain Valley, Missouri. Funeral service to follow at 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial in Valley Memorial Gardens, Grain Valley, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Shep’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary, 17012 E. Truman Road, Independence, Missouri 64056.

Debbi was born on June 20, 1951, in Rochelle, Illinois, to Robert “Bob” Dougherty and Almeda “Lorene” (Rippee) Dougherty.

When Debbi was young, the family moved from Rochelle to Foil, Missouri, to care for Debbi’s maternal grandmother. They eventually settled in Ava, Missouri, where Debbi attended high school. It was in Ava that Debbi met Larry Chance, and the two were united in marriage on May 28, 1968, at the First General Baptist Church.

After their marriage, Debbi and Larry moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where she worked for Montgomery Ward at the Blue Ridge Mall. Debbi then moved to Independence, Missouri, where she attended cosmetology school in 1982 and acquired her salon in 1984. She worked there until she retired and sold her business in 2001. She then moved back to Ava to help care for her aging parents.

Two children were born of marriage, and Debbi was a deeply devoted mother and a wonderful Nonnie to her grandchildren. She enjoyed attending her sons’ sporting events and school functions and working for the Truman High School Booster Club.

She was a dedicated Christian and a member of Cross Point Church in Ava, Missouri. Her favorite verse was Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” She loved to cheer for her beloved Kansas City Royals and Chiefs.

Debbi was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather Lowell Maloney, granddaughter Hannah Chance, and sister Cindy Fitzgerald.

She is survived by her husband, Larry Chance; two sons, Darin Chance, and wife, Elizabeth, of Grain Valley; son, Dusty Chance, and April Mazeikis of Independence; grandchildren, Randy Mazeikis, Rylee Chance, and Kyra Chance-Martin; her siblings, Carolyn Davis (Donnie), Connie Givans, Jarrett Dougherty (Kara), nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends.

Obituary submitted by family.

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

Reva Lois Cooper Votaw, age 86, of Oak Grove, Missouri, died quietly, surrounded by family, on the afternoon of February 1, 2025, at ANEW Healthcare in Odessa, MO.

Born December 20, 1938, in Grove, Oklahoma, Reva was the youngest of four children of Leo Alfred Cooper (1897-1954) and Madeline Pansy Cooper (1900-1969).  She was registered as member of the Cherokee Nation and grew up in Little Kansas, OK.

After marriage in 1957, Reva was a resident of Kansas City MO, Independence MO, Raytown MO, and then a 45-year resident of Oak Grove MO, until the 2017 Oak Grove tornado took her home. She was a member of the Oak Grove United Methodist Church where she served as the Youth Choir director and a Director of Mother’s Day Out. She was employed at the Oak Grove High School cafeteria and as a dental hygienist.

Reva was preceded in death by her father Leo Cooper, her mother Madeline Cooper, her husband Milford “Bob” Marion Votaw (1917-1998), sister Jaunita Larmon of Jay OK, brother Doyle “Lefty” Cooper of Kermit TX, and sister Dorothy Hollenback of Springfield CO.

Reva is survived by her son Robert Votaw of Oak Grove MO, son Kevin Votaw of Lees Summit MO, daughter Cheryl Hertel of Rochester MN, and daughter Lyric Boyle of Odessa MO; 12 grandchildren; 1 great-granddaughter; sons-in-law Don Hertel and Mike Boyle; and daughters-in-law Leslie Votaw and Valerie Votaw.

Funeral services will be held at Royer Funeral Home on Friday, February 7^th , with visitation from 1:00 – 2:30pm and funeral service at 2:30pm, followed by the graveside service in Oak Grove Cemetery.

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