Richard Hutchings age 94, born in Grain Valley, MO on April 20, 1929, passed away at Hidden Springs of McKinney on November 17, 2023.  He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 70 years, MaryAnn.  He leaves behind his sister, Mary Skaggs, son Gary Hutchings (Cyndi) and daughter Christy Powers (Gordon).  Known as Grandpa and Gigi-pa, he also leaves behind his grandchildren, Crystal Hulkewicz (Steve), Jeff Hutchings (Sarah), Jason Hutchings (Paige), Nick Powers (Cassidy), and Max Powers and six great grandchildren, Isaac, Josey, Angie, Hannah, Morgan, and Addelynn.

Richard, also known as Dick, Rich, or Hutch, depending on who happened to be calling or what part of the country he was in, lived a wonderfully long life.  He had so many experiences and stories to tell.   After marrying MaryAnn in 1950, he was called to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.   He grew up on a farm in Grain Valley, Missouri and spent his entire working career in Agri Business.  He and MaryAnn lived in Florida for several years where he started new plants for Woodbury Chemical in the Miami and Orlando areas.  They left Florida and returned to St Joseph Missouri shortly after which Farmland Industries bought the business.  He stayed on with Farmland running the acquired business for a few years, then transitioned back to Kansas City to run the Ag Chemical business for Farmland. In the 80’s they moved to Minnesota where he finished his career as an executive at Universal Cooperatives.

He retired in 1990 and he and MaryAnn moved back to Blue Springs for several years and then to Texas, where they lived until their final days.  Richard made friends wherever he went and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.  Bridge and golf were his two favorite hobbies.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by both parents, William Earl and Edith Madeline Hutchings, eight of nine siblings and his daughter, Jana Sue.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Hidden Springs Assisted Living and Trinity Hospice for their loving care of our father in his final days.

Richard will be laid to rest in Blue Springs, MO at the Blue Springs Cemetery.  The family will hold a funeral service at First United Methodist Church in Blue Springs, 301 S.W. Woods Chapel Rd, Blue Springs, MO on Tuesday November 28^th. Visitation at 10:30 am, service at 11:30 am followed by a grave-side service.  Further information can be found at Meyers Funeral Chapel (www.meyersfuneralchapel.com/blue-springs-chapel) in Blue Springs, MO or at Turrrentine Jackson Morrow (www.turrentinejacksonmorrow.com) in McKinney, TX. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Meyers Funeral Chapel in Blue Springs.

Funeral services for Barbara Lee, 76, will be held Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at First Baptist Church of Blue Springs, 4500 Little Blue Parkway, Independence, MO.  Her family will receive family and friends from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.  Funeral service will begin at 4:00 p.m.  A private family graveside service will take place at a later time.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Meyers Funeral Chapel in Blue Springs.  Memories of Barbara and words of comfort for her family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com

Barbara Marie Kilgore Lee was raised in Arcadia, Louisiana as the only child of Thomas and Marie Kilgore. She was a gifted child, excelling in academics and music. She graduated high school when she was 16 years old and attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana as a piano music major.

She graduated from Southern with honors and received a scholarship to study piano performance at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. After completing the challenging master’s program, she was offered her first teaching job as a piano instructor at the former Arkansas A & M University in Pine Bluff (now known as the University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff). Not knowing anyone in Arkansas, she took the leap of faith and started her career.

During her first semester, she met a junior football player who was a music major. He had heard of the new piano instructor, and as a vocalist, he had always wanted someone to play the piano for him. They met in the fall of 1969 and were married by February 1970. Thus began a life of music together–Barbara played the piano and her husband W.N. “Bud” Lee sang.

Barbara and Bud dedicated their lives to music ministry, traveling to churches throughout the country for over 30 years. Their three children also traveled with them as Barbara homeschooled all three children on the road, long before homeschooling was a widely acceptable form of education.

Barbara was often very sick as a child. The doctors did not understand allergies or food sensitivities, and she would stay sick for weeks at time. That prompted her love for reading, as she would entertain herself with books while home from school. As an adult, Barbara became determined to learn more about health and living a healthy life. During their time at churches with their music ministry, Barbara would also teach “Healthy Living” seminars to church members who were interested in learning what the Bible said about healthy living.

Barbara is survived by her faithful husband Bud of 53 years and three children: Melodye (Ken) Moore, Stephanie (Tony) Steele, and David “DJ” Lee. She also had four grandchildren: Roman Steele, Titus Steele, Anna Steele, and Jude Steele. She is preceded in death by her parents Thomas and Marie Kilgore.

Memorial service for Kevin Smith will be held Saturday, November 18, 2023 at Meyers Funeral Chapel in Blue Springs.  His family will receive family and friends from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.  Celebration of Kevin’s life will begin at 3:00 p.m.Memories of Kevin and words of comfort for his family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com

Kevin Wayne Smith, 66, a resident of Blue Springs, MO passed away peacefully Monday, November 13, 2023 at his home.  He was born September 27, 1957 to Floyd and Elsie (Wilmot) Smith in Kansas City, MO.

Kevin was a 1975 graduate of Ruskin High School in Kansas City, MO.  He pursued his Associates Degree from University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) graduating with a degree in Computer Science.  On December 13, 2008 Kevin was united in marriage to Laurie Smith in Independence, MO.  Kevin worked as a Database Administrator for the State of Kansas.  He enjoyed fishing, shooting guns, gardening, playing video games, especially League of Legends and was a Platinum player.  Kevin also liked to dance, go to the casino, and travel with Laurie.  Above all, Kevin cherished spending time with his beloved family and friends.

Survived by his loving wife, Laurie Smith of Blue Springs, MO; children, Shannon Oberlin and husband Brian of Fargo, ND, Allison Smith and Carl Mahaffe of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, Daniel Spyers and wife Anna of Bates City, MO, Mike Spyers of Blue Springs, MO; parents, Floyd and Elsie Smith of Harrisonville, MO; grandchildren, D.J. Spyers, William Spyers; brother, Kenny Smith of Peculiar, MO; mother-in-law, Carrol White of Blue Springs, MO; brother-in-law, Roy Hesterberg of Blue Springs, MO. Kevin is preceded in death by his father-in-law, Jerry White.

Memorial service for Janice Caton will be held Saturday, November 25, 2023, at Meyers Funeral Chapel.  Her family will receive family and friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Memorial service will begin at 2:00 p.m.  Her family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Salvation Army Donate to The Salvation Army (salvationarmyusa.org) Memories of Janice and words of comfort for her family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com

Janice Lynn Caton, 77, a resident of Blue Springs, MO passed away peacefully Monday, November 13, 2023 at Saint Luke’s East Hospital in Lee’s Summit, MO.  She was born November 5, 1946, to Earl and Margie (Louden) Paul in Kansas City, MO.

Janice was a 1964 graduate of Raytown High School.  She was united in marriage to Donald Caton on March 11, 1967 in Raytown, MO.  Janice worked as a secretary for the Kansas City Star, Union Pacific Railroad and then later for a law firm.  She then went on to devote her time to caring for her grandchildren, Maddie and William.  They would go to the library for story time and to read books together.  Also, she thought of other fun, bonding things for them to do together.  She held dear this time with them and was very proud of the fact they became so close to each other.   She was also gifted at crocheting and ceramics.  She made Christmas stockings for the Paul and Caton families as well as ceramic Christmas trees, angels and other beautiful gifts that are still enjoyed throughout the year.  Janice truly cherished spending time with her family and friends.  

Survived by her loving husband, Donald Caton of Blue Springs, MO; children, John Caton and his wife Amy of Blue Springs, MO, Robert Caton of Grain Valley, MO; grandchildren, Madeline Caton, William Caton; brother, David Paul and wife Cathy of Blue Springs, MO.  Janice is preceded in death by her parents.

Carol Sue (Frerking) Koenig was born July 27, 1940, in Pleasant Hill, Missouri to Edgar and Nora (Wolters) Frerking.  She was baptized into the Christian faith on August 28, 1940, in the home.  On April 11, 1954, Carol confirmed her faith in the Triune God at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Emma, Missouri.  Her confirmation verse was Luke 10:42.

Carol graduated from Holy Cross Lutheran School in Emma, Missouri, and Concordia High School in Concordia, Missouri.  After attending St. Paul’s College in Concordia for one year, she was married to Clifford Koenig of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on July 30, 1960.  The Lord blessed them with four children, Caryn, Craig, Cristen, and Corey.

Carol moved with Cliff to Bronx, New York where she served as Church Secretary, wife, and mother of two little ones, Caryn and Craig, from 1960 to 1964.  When she and Cliff moved to Sedalia, Missouri in 1964 Cristen and Corey were born.

In 1971 she and her family moved to St. Louis, Missouri, and then to Clintonville, Wisconsin in 1973.  There she worked as a teacher’s aide, Pastor’s wife, and mother of four.

When the family moved to Joplin, Missouri in 1978, the children were all in school, so Carol took a full-time position as a teacher’s aide at Parkwood High School.  In 1990 she and her family moved to Raytown, Missouri where Carol served her Lord as Church Secretary at Hickman Mills Community Christian Church.

Carol especially enjoyed traveling with Cliff, playing cards with friends, reading, attending her grandchildren’s activities, and serving the Lord in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.

In addition to her husband, Cliff, Carol is survived by a daughter, Caryn Barbee, and husband Brian of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; son Craig Koenig, and wife Jill of Pleasant Hill, Missouri; daughter, Cristen Fiffik and husband Michael of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; son Corey Koenig and wife Lisa of Blue Springs, Missouri; and brother Robert Frerking and wife, Valerie of Concordia, Missouri, sister Deb Kueck and husband Bob of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, brother Randy Frerking and wife Brenda of Emma, Missouri.

Equally precious to Carol were her grandchildren Collin, Jordan, Kayslee, Brittany, Claire, Kyle, Jackson, Ally, Ethan, Grace, and Anna, and her great-grandchildren, Aria, Carter, Elliott, Rowan, Ace, and Skylar.

Carol is now celebrating the victory of eternal life won for her by her savior, Jesus.  “God is good all the time . . . all the time God is good.”

Her family will receive family and friends from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, November 16, 2023, at Meyers Funeral Chapel in Blue Springs.  Funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 17, 2023 at Timothy Lutheran Church, 425 N.W. RD Mize Rd, Blue Springs, MO.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Timothy Lutheran Church LWML or One Good Meal Meal Delivery | Onegoodmeal2 | Lee’s Summit  Burial will follow at the Holy Cross Lutheran Cemetery in Emma, MO.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Meyers Funeral Chapel in Blue Springs.  Memories of Carol and words of comfort for her family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com