On January 4, 2005, we lost a devoted friend, brother, son, and father. Richard Huffman died peacefully at his home surrounded by loved ones. An informal gathering will be held at the Lee Haven Senior Citizen’s Complex in the Cass Browning Community Center, 111 S. Grand, Lee’s Summit, at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 8, 2005,…

Ruth Jeanette Smith Ruth Smith, 83, Leavenworth, KS, passed away January 3, 2005. Memorial services 2 p.m. Saturday, January 8 at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 2500 10th Ave., Leavenworth, KS.

Fred M. Secrest, II, passed away January 2, 2005 at home. Cremation.

Jack Gibson, 69, Raytown, MO, passed away December 29, 2004, at his home. Memorial service 12-3 p.m. Saturday, January 1 at 5404 Walton Rd., Bates City. He is survived by his wife; three daughters; and one son.

Elcie Jean Custer, 57, found her peace December 29, 2004. Cremation. A Memorial service will be held 4 p.m., Friday, January 7, 2005, at Heartland Cremation & Burial Society, Raytown, MO. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Tessman Animal Shelter, PO…

Vicky (Van Hoozer) Ecklund died December 27, 2004, after a long battle with breast cancer. She was born March 9, 1949, in Trenton, MO, to Verne and Marian (Lowry) Van Hoozer. Vicky attended Trenton High School and graduated with wonderful classmates in 1967. She attended TJC for one year and then went to Northwest Missouri…

Wahloollah M. de la Rosa, 82, Lee’s Summit, MO passed away December 25, 2004 in her home. Burial is December 29, 2004 at Memphis Memorial Gardens in Memphis, TN.

Dr. Richard E. Spence, 70, Independence, MO passed away December 25, 2004 at his home. Memorial Services will be 11:00 am, Wednesday, December 29 at Heartland Cremation & Burial Society, 6113 Blue Ridge Blvd., Raytown, MO. Contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Hospice or the American Heart Association. Dr. Spence was born October 15,…

Louie “Bud” Cobb Bud Cobb, 59, Kansas City, MO, passed away Dec. 25, 2004, at his home. Memorial service 7-9 p.m. Wed., Dec. 29 at VFW Post 3976, 12810 Kentucky Rd., Sugar Creek, MO.

Robert R. Doyle, 63, Liberty, MO, passed away December 23, 2004, at Liberty Hospital. Memorial service will be 7 p.m., December 30, at The Church of Christ, 1401 Glen Hendren Dr., Liberty. Cremation.