Archives for September 2023

Roger Jester Jr., 38, a resident of Blue Springs, MO passed away unexpectedly Saturday, September 30, 2023.  He was born November 11, 1984 to Roger and Susan (Tompkins) Jester in Kansas City, MO.

Roger was a 2003 graduate of Blue Springs High School.  He received a Master Welding Program Certificate from Crider’s Institute of Welding and was currently employed by the Fike Corporation as a welder.  Roger enjoyed playing disc golf, fishing, and shooting guns.  He cherished spending time with his family and friends.

Survived by his parents, Roger and Susan Jester of Blue Springs, MO; brother, Ryan Jester of Blue Springs, MO; sister, Melinda Bromley and husband of Blue Springs, MO; both grandmothers, several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Roger is preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, John Jester; maternal grandfather, Norman Tompkins.

Roger will be cremated.  A celebration of his life will occur in the near future.  Meyers Funeral Chapel in Blue Springs has been entrusted with arrangements.  Memories of Roger and words of comfort for his family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com

Funeral arrangements for Shirley Ann Ibarra have been set for Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Saint Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in Blue Springs, MO.  Her loved ones will receive family and friends at the church from 9:30-10:30 a.m.  Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m.  Catholic Rite of Committal is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Kansas City, KS, following a luncheon at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Saint Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, Blue Springs, MO and Saint Luke’s Hospice House of Kansas City, MO.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Meyers Funeral Chapel in Blue Springs.  Memories of Shirley and words of comfort for her family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com

Shirley Ann (Shannon) Ibarra, 85, of Blue Springs, MO, passed away on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at Saint Luke’s Hospice House, Kansas City, MO, surrounded by her loving family.  Shirley was born August 19, 1938 to Charles and Martha (Moore) Shannon in Bosworth, MO. Following World War II, her family moved to the Kansas City, KS area, where she primarily lived until her graduation from Argentine High School in 1956.  She married Martin Ibarra in 1956, and to this union, they added five children.  Following the birth of her last child, Shirley entered the workforce full-time, primarily working in hospitals, physician offices and the insurance industry.  She retired from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City in 1999, but continued to work full-time, most recently retiring from Discover Vision in Blue Springs, MO in 2020.  Shirley loved working, traveling, playing at the casinos, attending weekly Mass, and spending cherished time with friends and family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles (Pat) and Martha (Bobbie) Shannon, her brother & sister-in-law, Charles (Joe) and Wanda Shannon and by her granddaughter, Melissa Ibarra Perrin.

Shirley is survived by her five children and their spouses/partners:  Martin Ibarra and Laura Ouderkirk of Independence, MO, Michael Ibarra of Saint Louis Park, MN, Mark and Lisa Ibarra of Lenexa, KS, Michelle and John Martin of Overland Park, KS and Marcia and Charles Bateman of Blue Springs, MO.  She also leaves behind seven grandchildren:  Crissy and C.J. Juarez, Amanda Ibarra, Amy and Steven VanVoorhis, Jordan Budd and fiancé Savana Stewart, Taylor Budd, Noah Martin and Dustin Martin, as well as ten precious great-grandchildren.  She also leaves behind a brother and his wife, Larry and Judy Shannon of Wichita, KS as well as a niece, two nephews and their families.

The family greatly appreciates the care and treatment that Shirley received during her recent struggle with cancer from The University of Kansas Medical & Cancer Centers, as well as the love, kindness and compassion extended by the medical professionals, staff and volunteers at the Saint Luke’s Hospice House.

“Little Shirley” was a loving mother, who was not only was a strict disciplinarian when she had to be with five headstrong children, but also the type of mother who loved deeply and would do anything for her children.  We will miss her playful, silly, sometimes sassy self.  Shirley’s passing has left a hole in our lives that can never be filled.  She will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved her.