MU Professor dedicated her life advocating for Community Colleges as Distinctive Institutions Barbara K. Townsend, MU Professor of Higher Education, was one of the top and most respected scholars in the country on community colleges. Dr. Townsend was born January 28, 1944, in Philadelphia, PA to Vivian Edna and Robert Townsend. She graduated from Watertown…

Clark Coleman, 76, Independence, Mo., passed away June 11, 2009 at his home. There are no services planned. He is survived by his wife Helene of the home.

C. Louise Nauser, Oklahoma City, OK passed away June 11, 2009 in Kansas City, MO from natural causes. Mrs. Nauser was born January 1, 1918 in Kansas City, MO. She retired from Sooner Pipe and Supply in Tulsa, OK.  For more than 20 years Mrs. Nauser was the chief switchboard operator for Rothscholds Dept. Stores…

Gary Leo Nichols, fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, 67, of Auxvasse passed away June 10, 2009. He made a gift of his body to Saint Louis University. A memorial mass will held on June 27, 2009 at 11:00 am in St. Joseph Catholic Church in Martinsburg, MO with Father Greg Oligschlager officiating.…

Elvira Bouche Mendoza, 88, Kansas City, Missouri, passed away June 10, 2009 at the Kansas City Hospice. Cremation with burial in California at a later date. 

Joseph Duane Hart, 72, of Versailles passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2009. A private service will be held for close family and friends on Saturday, June 13, 2009 at the residence of Gary & Judy Porter. Joe was born August 7, 1936 in Versailles to the late Macy and Joseph Hart. He graduated from Versailles…

Opal Allen, 92, Raytown, Mo., passed away June 8, 2009. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Howard Allen. Opal was born February 6, 1917, to James and Myrtle McPherson, in Drexel, Mo. Burial will be on June 12, 2009, at Sharon Cemetery, Drexel, Mo.

John Dean Collins, 59, Lawrence, KS passed away June 7, 2009 at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, KS. John was born January 23, 1950 to Ned Collins and Eileen (Cornett) Whirlow in Hazard, KY. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Military burial will be June 16, 2009 at 12:30 PM…

George Edward Hand, 70, Leavenworth, KS passed away June 7, 2009 at the Medical Lodge of Leavenworth. He was born August 28, 1938 in Kansas City, KS to Luther and Helen (Wilson) Hand. George served in the US Navy from 1955 to 1959. Following his career in the Navy, George was an engineer for the railroad.…

Daviann Gilbert, 62, born Aug. 4, 1946, passed away June 6, 2009. Survivors include husband Frank; children, Sherry Raner, Henry John Dieckman, Josh Gilbert & DJ Gilbert; grandchildren Justin Raner & Raddyn Edwards; brother, Tom McDougle. A celebration of Daviann’s life will be June 13, 2009 at the home.

Betty J. Slaughter, 74, Clearview City, KS, passed away June 5, 2009 at the Kansas City Hospice House. Memorial services will be at Lake Village, AR.

Elizabeth Josephine Usnick, 83, Independence, MO passed away June 3, 2009 at The Groves Retirement Community in Independence. She was born November 28, 1925 to William and Ruth Frazell in Painton, MO. Cremation. Services will be held at a later date.

Tony Tipton, 72, Olathe, KS passed away Wednesday, June 3rd at his home. He was born June 26, 1936 at the family home near Newkirk, Oklahoma to Melvin and Marie (Nadeau) Tipton.   Tony grew up in Arkansas City, Ks and graduated from Arkansas City High School. He married Mary Jean McKee in 1955. For…

Michael Clifford Ritsema, 55, San Francisco, CA passed away June 2, 2009. He was born October 22, 1953 to Clifford F. and Ethem M. Ritsema in Kansas City, MO. Cremation. Services will be held at a later date.

Sally Swanson, 63, of Overland Park, KS passed away May 31, 2009 in Baldwin City, KS. Cremation. Services will be held at a later date.

Betty E. Page, 85, of Olathe, KS, passed away May 29, 2009 at her home after a battle with cancer. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 1, 2009 at Liberty Christian Life Center, 572 E. Park St., Olathe, KS. Mrs. Page was born June 9, 1923 in Byers, OK. During Betty’s…

Joshua Lee Sadler, 22, Kansas City, MO passed away May 26, 2008. He was born November 17, 1986 in Kansas City, MO. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Cremation. Services are to be held at a later date.

Jane Collette Lund, dedicated daughter, devoted mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully at the age of 53, at 10:30 p.m. on May 25, 2009, at St. Joseph Hospital after suffering an aneurysm three weeks earlier. Her daughter, Audra K’Neen Vroman, and sister Ama Hai, were present to witness her last breath on this earth. Jane…

Elizabeth Sue “Libby” Barnes Elizabeth S. Barnes “Libby” (Cass) Barnes, 53, born in Kansas City, MO, January 8, 1956, passed away at her home on May 25, 2009. Birth parents were George “Morgie” and Claire “Janie” Humbird. Libby was adopted and raised by her uncle & aunt Dewey and Edith Cass. Preceding her in death…

LaVerne Faye Smith Sturman was born in Camden, MO on March 24, 1930 to Maurice and Mary Smith. She grew up in Missouri with 3 sisters, and graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1947. In 1950 she married Melvin Sturman and together raised 7 children. She retired from the Department of Agriculture in 1990.…