America lost another of its greatest generation on January 4, 2015, when James Sopher passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 9th at Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, MO; burial in Blue Springs Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 8th at…

Wilma Louise Drigalla, 94, of Independence, Missouri, passed away Sunday, January 4, 2015.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 10th at the First United Methodist Church of Blue Springs; burial in Blue Springs Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church.  Contributions may be made to Crossroads Hospice. Wilma…

Cody A. Burton, 25, of Independence, MO, passed away on Saturday, January 3, 2015. Cody was born on June 26, 1989, in Kansas City, MO to Charlie Burton and Janell Neal. He was a 2008 graduate of Fort Osage High School and worked for Coreslab Structures. In addition to his mother and father, survivors include his brother Tyler Burton of…

Rita Ann (Clark) Draeger, 72, of Independence, MO, passed away Saturday, January 3, 2015 at her home surrounded by her family. Rita was born November 12, 1942 in Wellington, MO to Samuel L. Clark and Nelcena Mar Brock. She lived most of her life in the Lafayette and Jackson County areas. She attended school in Lexington, MO. Rita liked to…

Bonnie Corine Loveland, 71, of Independence, Missouri, passed away Friday, January 2, 2015.  The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 7th at Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO.  Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 8th in Adams Cemetery, Grain Valley, MO.  Contributions may be made to Gentiva Hospice, 4911 S Arrowhead,…

Carlos Ray Gadd, 60, passed away January 1, 2015. Visitation will be 1:00-2:00 p.m. Tuesday January 6, 2015 at Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO. Funeral Service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial at Odessa Cemetery. Carlos was born May 3, 1954 in Hampton, VA to Earsie & Norma (Hobbs) Gadd. Carlos married Deborah Negrete on…

Peggy Jo Key, 62, of Oak Grove, Missouri, passed away Sunday, December 28, 2014.  Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 3, 2015 at Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, MO.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until service time at the funeral home. Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO   816-690-4441

Betty Lou Garner, 72 of Oak Grove, MO passed away December 27, 2014. Visitation will be 10-11 a.m. Friday, January 2, 2015 at Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO. Funeral service will follow at 11a.m. at the funeral home. Burial in Oak Grove Cemetery. Betty was born September 2, 1942 in Lee’s Summit, MO to Thurman M. & Susan E.…

Delbert Ray Robbins, 72, of Oak Grove, MO passed away December 26, 2014. Visitation will be 12-1 p.m. Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO. Funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial in Oak Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers Memorial Contributions may be made in Delbert’s name to the Wounded…

Marian J (Hidy) Cawley 81 of Grain Valley, Mo passed away December 26, 2014.  Marian was born March 19, 1933 to Gorden E and Stella M Hidy of Stewartsville, MO.  She graduated from Stewartsville High School in 1951.  She earned an Associates degree in Music from Drake University, a Bachelors degree from Graceland College and a Master's Degree from the…