Kansas City Funeral Directors

01/03/2026

Rafael Naarai Canan

Rafael Naarai Cannan, 6 month old son of Jose and Sandra, became an angel December 30, 2025 after a very long hard fight. In his short life he had 3 open heart surgeries, liver and kidney failure, he fought so hard for so long. He always had a beautifulsmile that lit up his eyes and loved his snuggles withhis Mami and Papi.

The family is taking up donations to help with funeral and medical expenses. Below are the QR codes to make donations. Every little bit helps and is greatly appreciated. Services are being planned and will be announced as soon as possible. Please keep Rafael and his family in your prayers.

12/31/2025

Tracy Lynn (Horton) Carter

Tracy Lynn (Horton) Carter, Age 57 of Kansas City, Missouri passed away on December 13, 2025. She was born on August 13, 1968 in Kennett, Missouri to Deborah Kay (Leavey) Moore and Larry Horton.

On March 25, 1988, Tracy married the love of her life, Randall K. Carter I, in Kansas City, Kansas. Together, they spent many years working side by side in the restaurant industry, managing multiple kitchens and building both their family and their future through hard work and dedication.

In April 2002, Tracy and Randy answered God’s call “just as they were,” stepping out in faith to follow His lead. That same year, in September 2002, they founded JAYA (Just As You Are) Worship Center, where their hearts for ministry and service flourished.

For the past six years, Tracy ministered at Victorious Life Fellowship, where she was known for her servant’s heart and her willingness to help in any capacity needed. She faithfully occupied her cherished single chair in the back of the sanctuary, a place where she found great joy watching her grand babies worship. It was, without question, her favorite place to be.

Outside of ministry, Tracy was a die-hard Patriots fan with a deep love for all things football. She was a founding member of the Carter Fantasy Football League (CFFL), established in September 1995, and was on track to claim the championship belt for the 2025 season—marking her best season to date.

Her competitive spirit extended also beyond football; she spent countless hours with friends and family at the pool hall, where she played passionately and won numerous rounds in several tournaments.

Tracy was lovingly known by many names—Trac, Trace, Sissy, Moma, Mammy, and Mammers—each one representing a role she embraced fully and with deep devotion. Family meant everything to her, and she lived her life pouring love into those she held dear.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Deborah Kay Moore and Russell Moore, and by her beloved husband, Randall K. Carter I.

Tracy is survived by her children: Christopher K. Carter I (Jessica), Robert E. Carter, Randall K. Carter II (Marlo), and Tammy Maxwell (Roger II); her grandchildren: Roger Maxwell III, Gracee Maxwell, Randall K. Carter III, Zia Carter, Ramah Carter, Avery Carter, and Christopher K. Carter II; and her sister, Krystal Cox (Scotty).

Above all, Tracy wanted everyone that she met to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Tracy’s legacy of faith, service, and unconditional love will continue to live on through her family, her church, and all whose lives she touched.

Visitation will be from 3:00~4:00 PM on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at Kansas City Funeral Directors, 4880 Shawnee Drive, Kansas City, Kansas 66106. Service will follow until 5:00 PM. Burial will take place at 11:00 AM, on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at Leavenworth National Cemetery in Leavenworth, Kansas

12/30/2025

Joan Margaret Lipari-Luken

Joan Margaret Lipari-Luken, born on November 2, 1956 in Kansas CIty, MO, passed away on December 22, 2025, in Overland Park, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Pat Luken; her parents, Sam Lipari and Merle Lipari; her brother, Anthony Lipari; her sister Sandy Keilberg; her brother-in-law Chuck Keilberg; and her brother-in-law Tim Littleton.

Joan was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend whose life centered around her family. She leaves behind her two loving daughters, Barbra Persinger (Yancey) and Alecia Sutton.

Joan was a proud and cherished grandmother to seven grandchildren: Michael Abella, Jessica Abella, Omarion Norman, Alyvia Norman, Brooklynn Anderson-Moseley, JaiVion Anderson-Moseley, and Kamren Anderson-Moseley. Her grandchildren were the light of her life and brought her endless joy.

Joan is survived by her sisters: Vickie Slinkard (Bub); Gene Littleton; Pauline Slinkard (Rodger); her sister-in-law Kathleen Lipari; Annette David(John); and Jenifer Foley. She is also lovingly remembered by her 41 nieces and nephews, along with many extended family members and friends.

Joan will be remembered for her loving heart, her strength, and her unwavering devotion to family. Joan was passionate about giving back to her community. She and Pat could often be found enjoying the open road on their motorcycle while raising awareness and funds for local charities. Her love of music, elephants and Betty Boop are a few things that could bring a smile to her face or bless the world with her unique laugh. Joan was a dedicated employee of Russell Stover Chocolates for 18 years.

A celebration of life will be held on April 12, 2026.

Family & Friends to pay respect at 10:00AM at Roseland Cemetery, 3790 Nebraska Road, Moran, Kansas 66755

Family & Friends to gather from 11:00AM to 3:00PM at Bronson Community Center, 505 Clay Street, Bronson, Kansas 66716

12/29/2025

Kong Wang Yang

Kong Wang Yang, 59, of Kansas City, Kansas passed away unexpectedly in a car accident on December 12, 2025 in Lenexa, Kansas. Funeral services have been planned for January 10-12, 2026 and will take place at Faith Deliverance in Kansas City, Kansas.

Donations may be made to help with the unexpected funeral expenses to:
All donations can be sent to sons via Paypal
Luke Yang yang-luke@hotmail.com
Steve Yang yangsteve11@yahoo.com
Every little bit helps during this very difficult time and is truly appreciated.

12/29/2025

VIRGIE BREWER

Virgie Brewer 89, passed away at her home on December 17, 2025. She is preceded in death by her husband and son. Survivors include her son & wife and daughter & spouse, 4 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Memorial will be held at Ottawa Community Church, 824 W 17th Street on January 3rd, 2026, at 4:00 pm.

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! We lit a candle for everyone our families have lost this year when we went to mass. May their memories bring smiles to you all today.

12/24/2025

12/17/2025

Kong Wang Yang

Kong Wang Yang, 59, of Kansas City, Kansas passed away unexpectedly in a car accident on December 12, 2025 in Lenexa, Kansas. Funeral services are being planned for January 10-12, 2026 and will take place at Faith Deliverance in Kansas City, Kansas. Once times and services have been confirmed they will be announced. Please keep the family in your prayers as Kong has young children still at home. Donations may be made to help with the unexpected funeral expenses to:

All donations can be sent to sons via Paypal
Luke Yang yang-luke@hotmail.com
Steve Yang yangsteve11@yahoo.com

Every little bit helps during this very difficult time and is truly appreciated.

12/17/2025

Tracy Lynn (Horton) Carter

Tracy Lynn (Horton) Carter, 57, of Kansas City, Missouri passed away unexpectedly on December 13, 2025. Services are being planned and will be announced once everything has been finalized. Donations may be made directly to her son, Christopher Carter via his PayPal account. Every tiny bit helps and is truly appreciated.

12/11/2025

ESTHER VIVEROS
Esther was born on July 9, 1928 in Quiroga, Michoacan (Mexico). She was the third of five children of Jose and Esther Medina. Her mother passed away when she was six years old and her father boarded the five children at a local nun's convent. Her father remarried and with her stepmother had six more children. The entire family lived in a large eighteen room house along with her father's sister, Maria who helped take care of the children. After high school, she graduated from a business school and had a rewarding career as an executive secretary for the postmaster in Morelia, Michoacan.
She met the love of her life, Octavio Viveros while she was working at the post office, and after two years of dating, they were married in 1955. Her husband, Octavio always wanted to return to live in the Kansas City area where he had grown up. While Esther very much liked and grew to be thankful for moving to the United States, it was difficult for her without any extended family support and having to learn a new language and new customs. She became a proud citizen of the United States on February 27, 1973.

Esther and Octavio moved to Roeland Park, Kansas in 1963 where they raised their eight children with many friends nearby. They lived within walking distance of St. Agnes Parish and Bishop Miege High School, which is where the family spent much of their time. Esther was a devout Catholic and was involved in the Guadalupe group, the Catholic Cursillos and St. Agnes parish. She enjoyed knitting baby hats and booties for her grandchildren and for St. Agnes auctions. She also enjoyed traveling to visit family that lived in other parts of the United States and Mexico. She especially enjoyed memorable trips to Niagara Falls and to Spain.

Esther most enjoyed hosting family get-togethers at their home and spending time making memories with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved holidays together and visits with family and friends and all the celebrations that come with a large family. She enjoyed playing games and watching the kids playing together and jumping on their trampoline. She also enjoyed teaching her kids and grandkids how to knit, crochet and sew. For many years, she treasured Saturday breakfasts with close friends.

The year 2017 brought about a big change in her life. After 53 years in Roeland Park, Esther and her husband, Octavio moved to Welstone at Mission Crossing in Mission, KS, an independent living community. There they made many more new friends and were involved in new activities. She lost her husband of 69 years in July 2024. In March of 2025, there was another big change in Esther's life as she moved to Villa St. Francis, a Catholic long term care community in Olathe, KS.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Octavio; her parents, Jose and Esther Medina; and by nine of her siblings: Jose, Conchita, Tere, Jorge, Miguel, Rafael, Guadalupe, Eugenio, and Gabriel. She was also preceded by her son, Octavio Viveros, Jr. and her daughter-in-law Pamela Growe. She is survived by her sister, Mary and seven children: Esther Viveros, Mary Soots (Richard Crooks), Sylvia (Kurt) Gruenbacher, Theresa (John) Whiteside, Martin Viveros, Rose (Tom) Rheinberger, Christine (Willie Halliburton) Viveros as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family members who will miss her dearly.

Funeral Mass, Monday, December 15, 2025, 10 am at St Agnes Church, 5250 Mission Road, Roeland Park, KS with visitation at 9 am and rosary at 8:45 am.
Burial at Resurrection Cemetery, Prince of Peace Mausoleum, Lenexa, KS.

Donations may be made to:
Monastery of Perpetual Adoration
145 N. Cotton St.
El Paso, TX 79901-1752

12/07/2025

PATRICIA M. KLOPOVICH
Patrcia M. Klopovich, 74 of Overland Park, Kansas passed away December 03, 2025. Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, December 09, 2025, at Church of The Holy Cross, 8311 W 93rd Street, Overland Park, KS with Mass at 11am and a visitation at 10am with rosary at 10:30am. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

12/05/2025

Toby Patrick Maestas

Toby Patrick Maestas was born May 10, 1960, and passed away November 29 , 2025. Toby worked most of his life in the life inyhe roofing industry, and later spent many years working for American Dish. He experienced major heart surgery in 2008, but knew

God was not ready for him yet, and he kept on going.

Having grown up in western Nebraska , Tobyhad been an avid hunter. Each year he planted a small garden, taking pride in what grew there. Although he was life-long Huskers fan, his heart was truly belonged to the Chiefs. Toby collected skulls, loving how bad-ass they look. He always had a colorful joke ready. Whie he did enjoy looking for new recipes, he made the world’s best chicken and dumplings, and at holidays always treated the family to a yummy cherry dessert passed down from him from his dad. The recipe for this dessert remains a mystery.

Toby was preceded in death by his father Jose Tovias Maestas, mother, Jessie Gallegos, brother, Vincent Maestas. He leaves behind his wife Sherry Ann Jaime Maestas, 2 children, Alyssa Janine Jaime (Andrew) and Mark Alan Green. His grandchildren Brianna Lopez(Bradley), Vincent Lopez, Cassidy Green and 4 bonus grandchildren. Sisters Deb Taylor(Jerry ,d.) Yvonne Zwibel (Terry), Renee

Dinkleman (Donnie), and brothers Ed’Cheesey’ Maestas (Elizabeth) and Mark Maestas (Lori).

Services Wednesday, December 10, 2025 , 10 AM to 12 PM, Kansas City Funeral Directors, 4880 Shawnee Drive, KC,KS.