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Royer Funeral Home, 101 S. E. 15th Street, Oak Grove, MO (2026)

03/12/2026

Raymond Lee Bartlett, 80, passed away on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at his home in Oak Grove, Missouri. Services will be held on Friday, March 20th at Royer Funeral Home in Oak Grove, with visitation from 4:00 – 5:30pm, followed by a celebration of Raymond’s life at 5:30pm.

Ray was born on November 30, 1945, the son of Kenneth and Mamie Bartlett. His journey began in Richmond, MO, where he started school, then moving to Independence, MO, he attended Mt. Washington Elementary and Van Horn High School, graduating in 1964. On December 5, 1964, he married Debbie Cordill. Ray worked at the GM Leeds Plant from 1965 to 1994. After retiring, he worked at Hoy Supply and Jakes Industrial, building sheet metal. Ray enjoyed attending sports games, from Little League, school games in Oak Grove, and then on to college games and events. He also enjoyed cars and raising cattle. He was a member of First Baptist Church Sunday School.

Ray is survived by his devoted wife, Debbie; 4 loved children: Jenni Baxter, Pamela S. Copeland, Timothy R. Bartlett, and James M. “Pee Wee” Bartlett; 13 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother.

Arrangements by Royer Funeral Home in Oak Grove, Missouri

03/12/2026

Jack David Duren, 60, passed away on Sunday March 8, 2026, at his home in Odessa, MO.

Jack was born on July 14, 1965, in Chicago, IL, the son of Willie B. and Shirley Ann (Lane) Duren. His early years were spent with his parents and siblings as the youngest of five children. The family relocated to Florence, AL in 1974 where Jack later attended Bradshaw High School. In 1981 when Jack was only 16, he lost his dad to Polycystic Kidney Disease. This is a genetic disease that Jack would later be diagnosed with.

He visited family in Missouri where he met his wife, Vickie D. Manuel. They married on May 26, 1989, and soon thereafter, Jack fully relocated to Odessa, MO where he would live out the remainder of his life.

He had a passion for woodworking. He was a skilled woodworker for over 35 years and worked at Jakobe Furniture, Alco, and Regency while also owning his own business, Rebelwork. While most of his career he specialized in cabinetry, his most recent years at Jakobe were spent building furniture for Las Vegas casinos along with building the bar for JJ’s Restaurant on the Plaza. Early in his career, at the age of 20, he lost the ends of two fingers in a dado saw accident at work. He was very proud of those fingers and would show them off any chance he could. He finally retired at the end of 2018 when his health became priority.

Jack had southern roots through and through and looked forward to visiting Alabama and eating homemade fudge and peanut brittle made by his mom. He was a die-hard fan of Bama football (Roll Tide Roll) and of basketball, watching it and playing it at the house. He loved attending Reunions at Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee and visiting family. Other passions of Jack included taking his boat out to fish and working in the yard. He also enjoyed playing poker and made several custom poker tables himself.

He was a loving husband, father, pawpaw, son, brother and more. He will deeply missed and will be remembered for his stubbornness, compassion for his family and his love for talking and cracking jokes, even in the most serious situations.

Jack is survived by his wife of 36 years, Vickie Duren, of the home; two children: Laci Bebout (Chad) of Grain Valley, MO, and Dustin Manuel of Odessa, MO; two grandchildren: Kali Manuel and Maddox Bebout; four siblings: Yowlanda Creasy (Lonnie), Patsy Hale (Joe), Sandi Doty (Gary), and Billy Duren (Suki); and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services will be held on Monday, March 16th at Royer Funeral Home in Oak Grove, MO, with visitation at 4:30 p.m. followed by the funeral at 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in care of the funeral home to defray expenses.

Arrangements by Royer Funeral Home in Oak Grove, Missouri

03/12/2026

Bettie A. Holeman, 93, of Grain Valley, Missouri, passed away Monday, March 9, 2026. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Fairview Cemetery in Vinita, Oklahoma. A memorial service will follow later at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 26th, 2026, at Good Shepherd Christian Church, 111 SW Woods Chapel Rd, Blue Springs, Missouri, 64015. All friends and family are welcome.

Bettie was born on July 2, 1932, in Holton, Kansas, to Henry William and Lillie Marie Lutz (Cornelssen). She graduated from Holton High School and later attended Clark’s Business College in Topeka, Kansas. Throughout her career, Bettie worked for Kansas Blue Cross–Blue Shield, Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, and later spent many years with Northwestern Savings and Loom & Roosevelt Bank in St. Louis, Missouri. On August 22, 1964, Bettie was united in marriage to Lloyd O. Holeman. He preceded her in death on August 26, 2003. The couple shared many happy years of retirement at Table Rock Lake in Shell K**b, Missouri, a place they greatly enjoyed. Bettie was a lifelong member of the Christian Church and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. In her later years, she generously gave her time volunteering at St. Mary’s Hospital in Blue Springs, Missouri, where she enjoyed helping others and serving her community.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Elva H. Thompson.

Bettie is survived by her niece, Ruth Thompson of Kansas City, Missouri, along with several cousins and many friends who will remember her with love and fond memories.

Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home Grain Valley, MO 64029 816-847-4441

03/11/2026

Curt Lee Puckett, 67, of Independence, Missouri, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2026. After 12 years apart, he has finally reunited with the love of his life, Cynthia Joan (Wine) Puckett, to whom he was married for 36 years until her passing in 2014.

Born in Missoula, Montana, on July 19, 1958, Curt’s journey took him through Riverside, California, until the untimely death of his mother, Bonnie Hallmark. He then moved to Brookfield, Missouri, to live with his grandmother, Gladys Cheek(deceased) and brother, Steven Puckett (deceased). It was in Brookfield where he met Cynthia, and together they moved to Independence, building a life in the same home where Curt would remain until the end of his days.

A man of quiet dedication, Curt retired from Ford Motor Company after 30 years of service. He was a man of precise standards; he kept his lawn immaculate. When he wasn't perfecting his curb appeal, he was one of the biggest Chiefs and Royals fans in the state. He found his greatest joy spending time with his daughters and grandsons. Curt was a man of many talents who found joy in restoring old hot rods and expressing his artistic side. He was incredibly gifted, leaving behind beautiful personal artwork, including a stunningly realistic sketch of his wife and his ’65 Ford. His skills were also widely sought after in the community; to name just a few of his projects, he was hired to paint "Ford Motor Co." on the new body shop at the Ford plant, and he hand-painted "Brandy Electric" on some of their work trucks.

Curt is survived by his two daughters, Brandy Zuniga (son-in-law, Vante Zuniga) and Cassandra Puckett (son-in-law, Kenny Yost); his cherished grandsons, Tristan Puckett, Murphy Yost, and Raymond Yost; his siblings, Shelly Laughlin, Sammy Hallmark, and his sister and brothers-in-laws, nieces, nephews, and a large circle of friends he considered family.

The family will host a celebration of life at Curt’s home in Independence on Saturday, March 14th @ 3pm-6pm.

The family will bury his urn next to his wife in Parklawn cemetery in Brookfield Missouri.

Arr: Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO 816-660-4441

03/11/2026

Funeral service is one of the most meaningful callings we know. It’s not just about planning services. It’s about walking beside families in their hardest moments, helping them honor the people they love, and making sure their stories are remembered.

Being trusted during such a tender time in someone’s life is something we never take for granted. We are grateful to be part of a profession built on compassion, service, and love for the communities we serve.

Today, on National Funeral Director and Mortician Recognition Day, we would especially like to recognize the dedicated team here at Royer Funeral Home. Your professionalism, kindness, and commitment to the families we serve does not go unnoticed. The care you give each day truly makes a difference in the lives of those walking through grief.

From all of us at Royer, thank you to funeral service professionals everywhere for the quiet, meaningful work you do every day.

03/11/2026

We still have seats available for What to Know to Get Your Ducks in a Row

Join us for a thoughtful evening where we’ll walk through important questions, provide helpful guidance, and help you create peace of mind for yourself and your family.

Make sure to RSVP to reserve your seat!

03/10/2026

Brenda Kay Davis, 60, of Blue Springs, Missouri passed away Thursday, February 12, 2026, at St. Luke’s East Hospital. A memorial gathering will be held Saturday, March 28, 2026, at The American Legion, 16701 E. U.S. Highway 40, Independence, Missouri. Friends and family are invited to visit from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM as they gather to celebrate Brenda’s life and share memories. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to St. Jude’s Research Hospital, Hope House, or the H&R Block Cancer Center.

She was born August 13, 1965, in Fredonia, Kansas to Sandra K. Beck and Randall Lee Smith, and raised in Riverside, California. Brenda earned an Associate Degree from Longview College, 2016-2020 and built a career in human resources and senior recruiting, working with companies including Strategic Staffing, Vanguard Packaging and H&R Block. She was known for her warmth, her ability to connect with people, and her natural talent for bringing others together. On March 2, 2002, Brenda married the love of her life, Aaron Davis. They shared 23 wonderful years of marriage filled with travel, laughter, and a home that was always open to family and friends. Brenda loved traveling, swimming, snorkeling, boating, dancing, and shopping, but what she cherished most was time spent with the people she loved. She hosted countless gatherings and celebrations on the secluded deck of her home, where friends and family were welcomed with good food, warmth, and laughter. She loved nature and the outdoors, and some of her happiest moments were spent around a bonfire with great company and stories shared long into the evening. A thoughtful planner, Brenda approached her trips and adventures with enthusiasm and care, thoroughly researching every detail to make each experience special and memorable for her traveling companions. Brenda also faced life’s challenges with remarkable courage and resilience. After battling and beating cancer, she became quite the example of strength, grace, acceptance, and gratitude to those around her.

Her kind heart, adventurous spirit, and love for people will live on in the many lives she touched.

Brenda was preceded in death by her father, Randall Lee Smith, and her stepfather Roger Anderson Beck.

She is survived by her loving husband, Aaron Davis; her mother, Sandra Beck; her brothers, Mark & Matt Beck; her nephews, Jacob and Elijah; and many extended family members and dear friends. Brenda will be remembered for her warmth, her courage, and the way she made people feel welcome wherever she was. Her spirit lives on in the stories shared, the laughter remembered, and the many lives she touched along the way.

Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home Grain Valley, MO 64029 816-847-4441

03/10/2026

Brian “Bucky” Keith Wilson, 62, of Odessa, Missouri, passed away on March 8, 2026. He was born on June 22, 1963, to Paul and Rosalie Wilson.

Bucky spent most of his life in Odessa and attended Odessa schools. He worked for many years as a foreman for Asplundh, where he was known for his strong work ethic and dedication. Outside of work, Bucky was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing, camping, and spending time in nature.

He was a proud member of the VFW Men’s Auxiliary, where he enjoyed the camaraderie and friendships he built there. Bucky also loved good music, cold beer, and spending time laughing and singing with family and friends. Known for his big personality and sense of humor, he had a way of putting a smile on people’s faces and was never afraid to be himself.

On top of everything else, Bucky was known to be quite the charmer and enjoyed the company of friends and family. His stories, laughter, and unforgettable presence will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Bucky married his loving wife, Lisa (Morgan) Wilson, in 1998.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Rosalie Wilson, and his brother, Larry Wilson.

He is survived by his wife, Lisa Wilson of Odessa; his daughters, Heather (Jessie) and Haley (Donovan); his stepdaughters, Kally (Matt) and Lacy (Zakk); his sisters, Patty Corbett, Jay Smith, and Cindy Gum; his grandchildren, Misty, Devon Keith (Makena), Kamryn, Piper, Haiden, Keaton, Covey, Quinton, Bryce, Tony, Blake, Rylan, Kodah, Evan, Jersie, and Avery; and his great-grandchildren, Journee, Emmett Keith, Wyatt, and Wynnlee.

Bucky’s memory will live on through the many stories, laughter, and good times shared with those who loved him.

A celebration of life will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 21st at the VFW in Odessa, MO.

Obituary submitted by the family.
Arrangements by Royer Funeral Home in Oak Grove, Missouri

03/09/2026

Marian “Carolyn” (Leonard) Martin, 64 of Moberly, MO, passed away on March 1, 2026, at 3:03 p.m. with her husband and family by her side. Carolyn was born in Bethesda, MD on May 30, 1961. She spent most of her educational years in El Dorado Springs, MO, but graduated from Harrisonville (MO) High School in 1979.

In Carolyn’s early years she was known to her family as “Sissy”. She was a loving, kind soul, with a smile that was the envy of many. Carolyn taught those that knew her patience and understanding. She was full of surprises and could make any event, even a simple family dinner, memorable for years. Carolyn was a well spring of humor and was always game for an adventure. Anyone that knew her describes her as feisty, friendly, and fun-loving. She was a loved daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend. Carolyn touched a multitude of lives in a variety of ways throughout her life, and she will be missed by those that knew her.

Carolyn’s mother, Anna Mae (Nester) Leonard, and her father, Daniel Columbia Kendall, preceded her in death. She is survived by her stepfather Jerl Junior Leonard. She is also survived by her son Ben Doane, her husband David Martin, her siblings Gillis Leonard, Daniel Leonard, Lana McIntosh and husband Roger McIntosh, Edna DeFreece and husband Chris DeFreece, Jeri Mills and husband Link Mills, and 5 nieces and 3 nephews.

May Carolyn share grace with her parents, as well as a cup of coffee and a cigarette with her mother.

Obituary submitted by the family.
Arrangements by Royer Funeral Home in Oak Grove, MO.

03/04/2026

It’s not about the fear, it’s the care you show—and that’s how to get your ducks in a row!

Come join us for What to Know to Get Your Ducks in a Row

Let’s plan for the ones we love. Together.

RSVP by calling 816-690-4441 or email ashley@royerfuneralhome.com

03/03/2026

Sandra Etta Rowe was born in Coos Bay, Oregan to George and Wilberta Rowe on July 21st, 1941. Sandra’s family moved to California, and she grew up along the central coast. Sandra was a member of Atascadero High School Class of 1959, where she was involved in the Chorus & Pep Club.

Sandra moved to Ogallala, Nebraska in 1973 where she raised her three girls and worked for TRW until moving to Blue Springs, Missouri in 1990. Sandra worked for White Industries and Corporate Center until she retired. Sandra’s greatest joy in life was her family; she was a wonderful grandmother & great grandmother. She never missed an opportunity to spend time with her family. She loved puzzles, reading and games. Her happy place was on the floor playing with her grandkids.

Sandra had recently moved to California. She passed away on February 13th, 2026. Sandra was preceded in death by her parents George & Wilberta Rowe, her sisters, Judy, Linda & Margo and son in law, Dennis Zampa. Sandra is survived by her brother Eddie (Leanne) Rowe, daughters Pamela Zampa (Michael), Laura (Michael) Epping, Sheryl (Eric) Walter, ten grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren.

Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home Grain Valley, MO 64029 816-847-4441

03/03/2026

Carol Leona (Birdwell) Dudley, 81, of Independence, Missouri, passed away on March 1, 2026, at Cedarhurst Senior Living of Blue Springs, where she had lived the last few years.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 5, at New Salem Funeral Home, Independence. Burial in New Salem Cemetery. Friends may call 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. prior to the service.

Carol was born September 4, 1944, to Iverson and Mildred Birdwell in Independence, where she lived her entire life until moving to Cedarhurst. She spent her career with the Independence School District as a secretary and administrative assistant.

Despite always living in Independence, Carol enjoyed traveling very much. In her retirement, she could often be found on the road with an organized bus trip with friends and other seniors. She even traveled to Africa when her son and his family were missionaries there, visiting Togo, Benin, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana.

Carol also enjoyed genealogy and researching family history. Her travels often took her to places connected to her family history.

She was first married to Warren Darnell, with whom she had a son. She was later married to William S. Dudley, who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her son, Tony Darnell.

She is survived by grandson Logan Darnell, granddaughter Elizabeth Darnell, and daughter-in-law Marlene Darnell, all of Independence.

Memorial contributions may be made to Plaza Heights Christian Academy in Blue Springs.

Obituary submitted by the family.
Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home ~ Independence, MO (816) 796-8600

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