John Scott Benjamin, Sr.
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- Published: 09 April 2021
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Staff Sergeant John Scott. Benjamin, SR., (Scottie), 76, passed away at home with his family at his side Sunday April 4, 2021. The Celebration of Life will be Saturday April 10, 2021 at Gateway Church in Blue Springs, Missouri.
Scottie was born in Hartford, Connecticut to John and Bettina (Young) Benjamin. He served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve with great pride for 30 years. Scottie loved traveling almost as much as he loved his family. He knew everything about every state and country, which he loved sharing with his family and friends. Scottie was an animal lover of any kind what ever stray that would show up at his door he and his wife Shirley would name it, feed it and nurse it back to health. His favorite of all was cats. Scottie also enjoyed traveling and visiting as many of them as possible. He really enjoyed the beaches in Florida and his time spent there with his family and friends.
Scottie is survived by his wife Shirley (Decker) Benjamin, Raymond (Canyon) Murray, Tammy Proffitt, Larry Little, Capt. John S. Benjamin, JR, (Scottie) deceased, Jeffrey Benjamin, Douglas Benjamin (Kristal) Benjamin, his brother Christopher Benjamin (Cheryl) and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He will be buried at Ft. Leavenworth National Cemetery along with his son Scottie. The family would like to thank everyone who helped caring for him. He will be greatly missed by all but he is at peace in heaven now.
Hazel-Ruth Tink
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- Published: 03 April 2021
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HAZEL-RUTH (COULTER) TINK
Hazel-Ruth (Coulter) Tink, went home to Jesus on March 31, 2021 at age 85 at home and surrounded by family. She was greeted in Heaven by the love of her life, Gordon after 29 years without him.
Hazel-Ruth was born in Calgary to William and Lois (Cameron) Coulter on March 6, 1936. She and her husband, Gordon, married on June 23, 1962. They had two children: Paulette Brown and Laurette McKedy. She and Gordon pastored for the Church of the Nazarene in Moline, IL; Medicine Hat, Alberta; Montreal, Quebec; Rochester, MN; and Mankato, MN. She was Gordon’s life-long secretary, a consummate Pastor’s Wife, a stay-at-home mother, and then worked in banking in Mankato, MN and Olathe, KS.
Our sweet momma was a dedicated parent and grandparent and needed nothing more than her family surrounding her. She was the Hostess with the Mostest and knit baby blankets and dishcloths for everyone she knew. You could stop by her home anytime and know that the coffee was on and there was a listening ear. We will always remember her tacos and Sunday roast. For the last years of her life, she was able to live with her daughter, Laurette and then with her granddaughter, Elizabeth which made her beyond happy.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Gordon, her parents, William and Lois, her in-laws, Albert and Eunice Tink, her brother, Bill Coulter and her granddaughter, Emilee Dawn.
She was the loving and supportive Queen of her family and is survived by her daughters and their husbands, Paulette (Eric) Brown and Laurette (Darin “Mac”) McKedy; her grandchildren, Laurin (Justin) Shea, Trevon Waddle, Connor Brooks, Riley (Kaitlyn) Waddle, Elizabeth (Brady) Miller, Jaiden Waddle (fiancé Dalton Woods), and Kyleigh Brown; her great-grandchildren, Violette, Gordon Riley and Bennett Dale; her siblings, Carol, Donald, Riley and Cheryl and their families; her sister-in-law, Bunny and family; her step-granddaughters, Whitney and Brenna and their husbands; and a step-great-grandson, Owen; and so many friends and adopted family.
Hazel-Ruth will be buried next to her husband in Mankato, Minnesota in the coming weeks. At her request, no funeral service will be held. Memorials can be sent to your local church, donated to PayPal @dcpauley to help with unexpected expenses, or you can spoil your pastor’s wife in Hazel’s memory. Please go to www.mykeeper.com/profile/hazeltink/ to share pictures and stories.
Carol Ann Pellerito
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- Published: 02 April 2021
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Carol Ann Pellerito, 83, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2021 in Overland Park, KS. She was the daughter of Bertha and William “Bert” Greer.
Carol was born in 1937 in Gallup, New Mexico and spent most of her early life there. After graduating from Highland High School in 1954, she enrolled at the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ and majored in PE. One of her fondest memories was joining Alpha Chi Omega sorority. In fact, it was at a Greek bowling tournament, with her sorority teaming up with the Delta Chi fraternity, that she met the love of her life, Vince Pellerito. The two were so smitten, they were married in Albuquerque in 1956 and remained happily married until her death this year – 65 years!
Carol immediately loved her role as a homemaker, living in Tucson a few years and then moving to Scottsdale, AZ. It was there that they put down roots and remained for 59 years until they moved to Overland Park, KS two years ago to be closer to family.
Carol and Vince welcomed 3 children into their lives, Vince “Mike”, Connie, and Larry. Family was always important to Carol, but as the kids came along, she found her calling. She was a perpetual member of the PTO as her three kids rotated in and out of different schools. She never missed a baseball game (Mike), softball game or twirling contest (Connie), or football game or theater production (Larry). She volunteered as a Senior Mom to host and provide a dinner for Larry’s entire football team (40+). She volunteered multiple years to be the host house where Connie’s classes’ Homecoming Floats were built. When Larry mentioned one year there were a few ASU Sigma Chi Brothers who couldn’t get home for Thanksgiving, Carol said, “Invite them over! We have plenty of food in the freezer!” She was unfazed when 15 hungry college guys showed up at the door!
Carol was an avid bowler. She also enjoyed sewing and needlepoint, creating many twirling costumes for Connie and outfits and afghans to give away to friends and family. She also enjoyed crafts - there are many treasured Christmas ornaments among us still hanging on trees each year. Carol enjoyed traveling, especially to Flagstaff, AZ and to Florida for Vince’s annual real estate conventions where she always got a kick out of that wild and rambunctious group. Arguably, her greatest joy was when she spent time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, William “Bill” Greer, and her granddaughter, Jennifer Pellerito. Carol is survived by her husband, Vince Pellerito, and children, Vince Pellerito (Pat), Connie Dunleavy (Jim), and Larry Pellerito (Linda). She is also survived by her 5 grandchildren, Kate Winkler (Zach), Krista Newman (Matt), Alyssa Rutherford (Shane), Allison Pellerito, and Debby Tyler, along with 3 great-grandchildren. She will be missed immensely by all. Carol believed in Guardian Angels and knew one was always watching over her. How fitting that she is now a Guardian Angel herself, watching over us.
A family gravesite committal will be held at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, Lenexa, KS.
Sandra Mae Miller
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- Published: 15 March 2021
- Hits: 148

Sandra Mae Miller, 69 of Kansas City, Ks passed away peacefully on March 7, 2021.
She is survived by her daughter Kelly Wilson, and two grandchildren; Katelyn Wilson and Brett Wilson.
Private Services.
Melody L. Abarca
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- Published: 10 March 2021
- Hits: 154
11/17/1962~03/01/2021
Melody L. Abarca, 58 of Shawnee, Kansas passed peacefully to Heaven on March 01, 2021. Melody is survived by son Joseph Ray Gochenour Jr and his wife Michelle Gochenour; grandchildren Desiree Gochenour, Jordyn Gochenour, Amaiya Gochenour and Joseph Ray Gochenour III; mother and stepfather Connie and Roger Franke and sister and brother-in-law Roberta and Steve Telles.
She graduated from J.C. Harmon High School in 1981.
Kenneth F. Harris, Jr.
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- Published: 03 March 2021
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Kenneth F Harris, Jr., age 74, Merriam, Kansas, died of natural causes March 1, 2021 at St. Luke’s Hospice House. His funeral service will be Friday, March 5, 2021 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Shawnee, Kansas. There will be a rosary at 9:30, visitation at 10:00, and Mass at 11:00. Inurnment will be following at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, Kansas.
Good Shepherd Shawnee will have the memorial available on livestream through Facebook and YouTube.
Ken was a banker all his life, and once he retired he volunteered numerous hours at SCORE to help entrepreneurs get their dreams off the ground. Ken also gave his time to Good Shepherd Catholic Church, National Kidney Foundation, Shalom House, and Jaycees throughout his life. However, those who knew him well understand family was everything to him; he was always there to help out family and friends. His sense of humor, level headedness, calmness, and grace under pressure were an inspiration for many.
He was preceded in death by his parents Ken and Mary Harris, and his sister, Bev Abell-Curry. Survivors include his wife, Annette Harris, his daughter Lisa (Shawn) Baus, son Jeff Harris, and four grandsons Christian Levons, Gareth Baus, Bridger Baus, and Drake Baus. He is also survived by his sisters Sally (Don) Steck, Judy Gresco, and Barbara (Robert) Tinsley, and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions can be made to Good Shepherd Catholic Church, or Families Anonymous (www.familiesanonymous.org).
Gary Cleo Vansel
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- Published: 24 February 2021
- Hits: 231

Gary Cleo Vansel, 66, of Kansas City, Kansas passed away at home on January 28th, 2021.
Gary was born in Sedalia, Missouri on December 12th, 1954 to Nellie Hammond and Cleo Vansel.
He enlisted in the Marines in 1972 where he rose to the rank of Sergeant before getting out in 1976.
He married Linda Lindsay on December 31st, 1975.
He worked for KCP&L from 1988 until he retired in 2014.
He is proceeded in death by his Mother and Father; Step-Father, Justin “Smitty” Smith; Father-in-law, Robert Lindsay and Mother-in-law, Joy Lindsay.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Linda Vansel; Son, Thomas Vansel; Daughter, Lindsay (Matt) Taylor, Grandchildren, Arielle Vansel-Rosales, Leah Taylor, Landen Taylor and Emrie Taylor; Sisters, Mary Kellner, Barbara (Chuck) Palanza, Patricia Baldwin and Vickie LaMartina; Brothers; Larry Vansel and Marvin Baldwin and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held at Maple Hill Cemetery and determined at a later date.
Fredrick D. Villaverde
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- Published: 26 February 2021
- Hits: 170

Fredrick D. Villaverde, 39, passed away in Missouri on Monday, February 8, 2021. He was born on May 21, 1981 in California. He is survived by his mother, Rebecca Villaverde, father, Edwardo Villaverde, brothers: Edward (Kimberly) and Manuel Villaverde. Fred & his ex-wife, Lori had four Godchildren: Gabriel, Jacqueline, DJ, and Serenity. Fred will be deeply missed by all his friends and family.
Please contact Lori Rickheim via Facebook for memorial information.
Raquel Lopez Hernandez
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- Published: 18 February 2021
- Hits: 249
