Obituaries from February 2020

Mildred Ruth Smith, 92, formerly of Vernon and Cedar counties, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020, in Valley Falls, Kan. Mildred was born Oct. 5, 1927, in Sweet Springs, Mo., to James and Margie (Hartman) Kuntz. On May 11, 1946, she married Eldon Lee Smith in El Dorado Springs, Mo., and to this union two sons were born...

Kenneth (Kenny) Ray Patterson Sr., 57, died on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, at Nevada Regional Medical Center, in Nevada, from a massive heart attack. Kenny was born Oct. 4, 1962, in Independence, Mo. to Fredrick & Lucille (Villars) Hunsaker. Memorial services will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 11, in the Ferry Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. until service time...

Helen Marie “Kuhl” Hensley, 88, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Monday, Feb. 10, 2020, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. Helen was born March 30, 1931, in Brunswick, Mo., to Joseph R. “JR” and Laura Mae (Evilsizer) Davis. She was united in marriage to Norman R. Kuhl Sr. on Jan. 28, 1946, in Glenwood, Iowa, and to this union her five children were born. On Sept. 11, 1982, she married Clyde “Dude” Hensley and he preceded her in death in March of 1984...

Robert Dean "Bob" King, Hume, Mo., passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, at his home. He was born on Aug. 23, 1934, in Winfield, Kan., the son of Ira E. and Mary M. Zelhart King. He graduated from Walker High School in the Class of 1952. Bob worked most of his career as a manager in the propane industry. He was married to Martha Brownell on July 26, 1981. She preceded him in death on Sept. 3, 2004. He later married Shirley Arbogast Brooks on Dec. 3, 2005...

Roger Dale McDaniel, 73, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Feb. 15, 2020, at Truman Healthcare and Rehab, in Lamar. Roger was born July 10, 1946, in Orchard, Neb., to Arthur E. McDaniel and Beulah U. (Milne) McDaniel, Wilson. Roger graduated from Carson-Macedonia High School in Iowa. ...

Merilee Kay Padgett, 68, of Joplin, Mo., died Feb. 14, 2020, at Freeman Hospital after a short battle with cancer. Merilee was born Oct. 30, 1951, to Merle and Betty Matney. She was married in 1970 to Michael Alan Padgett. Merilee is preceded in death by her husband, Michael and her father, Merle. ...

Dorothy D. Matheney, 87, Milo, Mo., died on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, at Moore-Few Care Center, in Nevada. Dot was born March 22, 1932, in Nevada, Mo., to Harry M. and Laura B. (Young) Jenkins. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 19, at Moore Cemetery, in Nevada, with Pastor Roger Beach officiating. Friends may call now and until the hour of service at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada...

Marvin Ray Smith, 75, of Liberal, Mo., passed away on Feb. 17, 2020, after an extended illness. He was born on a farm near Verdella, Mo., on July 18, 1944, to William F. Smith and Mabel E. (West) Smith. He graduated from Liberal High School and married Betty J. Sisseck on Nov. 27, 1965. They lived in Nevada, Mo., for three years and then moved to the family farm of his birth where he lived the remainder of his life...

Rosemary June Null, 89, passed away after a brief illness on Feb. 23, 2020, in Raymore, Mo. Rosemary was born June 28, 1930, in Vernon County, Mo., to parents Henry Benjamin and Ada Anna Mowry Clark. She attended school in Vernon County and was married to Orval Edward Null on Feb. 11, 1947, in Fort Scott, Kan. She retired from Western Missouri Mental Health Center, Kansas City, Mo., after 20+ years of service...

Loretta Louise (Bemboom) Penner, of Lamar, Mo., passed away on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, at her home. Loretta was born June 1, 1944, to John and Antionette (Distler) Bemboom. She was born and raised in Jefferson City, Mo. She started and raised a family of five in various parts of Missouri until finally settling in Lamar, Mo., and has been a resident for the past 40 plus years. ...

Ruth Evelyn Merchant, 91, of Nevada, passed away on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, at the Moore-Few Care Center, in Nevada, following a brief illness. Ruth was born on June 16, 1928, in Nevada, to Frank and Dollie (Rapp) Howell. She was married to Lavern Merchant on March 12, 1955, in Nevada, and he preceded her in death in 2002...