Obituaries | February 2008

Mary Alice Ringbauer | d. February 29, 2008

Mary Alice Ringbauer, 70, Parkville, MO passed away February 29, 2008. Mrs. Ringbauer will lie in state after 12:00 noon Monday, March 3, 2008 at the Meyers Funeral Chapel Northland where the family will receive friends from 4-7:00 p.m. followed by the recitation of the Rosary at 7:00p.m. Memorials are suggested to the American Lung Association . Condolences to the family may be left online at www. meyersfuneralchapel.com.

Mary was born August 20, 1937 in Chicago, Ill to the parents of Patrick J. and Mary (lydon) Cleary. They preceded her in death. She attended Catholic Schools in Chicago.

Mary worked as a secretary for Trans World Airlines for sixteen years. She later worked as a part time librarian for the Park Hill School District before retiring in 1999. She was a member of the Beleek Collectors Society, enjoyed staying in touch with her old school friends, was a big fan of the Chicago Cubs and an avid bargain hunter.

She married Joseph Ringbauer in October of 1970 in Chicago. He survives of the home. She is also survived by a son, Joseph Ringbauer and his special friend, Sara Rohrs. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by a brother, Patrick J. Cleary.

Leah Tompson | d. February 27th, 2008

Leah Tompson, 71 of Lake Waukomis, Missouri passed away after a courageous second battle with cancer on February 27th, 2008. Heaven is about to become cleaner and a lot more organized.

She joins her husband Richard Tompson, who passed away in 2000, and twin sons Steven and Stuart who died shortly after birth in 1961.

Born in Beloit, Kansas in 1936 to John Pulaski Boesche and Eunice Walton Kiefner Boesche, Leah is survived by her son Scott Tompson and his wife Stephanie of Mesa, Arizona; son Jeff Tompson and his wife Caroline of Silverdale, Washington; twin son Jay Tompson and his wife Ginger of Flower Mound, Texas, twin daughter Jill Holmes and her husband Dan of Manhattan, Kansas; grandchildren and step-grandchildren Kelly, Jennifer, Jeremy, Brianna, Sarah, Adam, Rachel, Hannah, Luke, Shaylen, Shanell, Colton, and Taylor.

Preceded in death by her brother Frank Boesche and his wife Mary Ann, she will be dearly missed by her sister Dorothy Tolman of Tonganoxie, Kansas; brother Jack Boesche and his wife Marilyn of Holiday Island, Arkansas; brothers-in law Charles Tolman and his wife LaDawn of Odessa, Missouri; Robert Tompson of Dove Creek, Colorado, beloved nieces and nephews, many close friends, and countless others who were fortunate enough to have crossed paths with her. She will be especially missed by her special friend Cletus Hart, who shared a brief but fulfilling chapter late in her life.

Leah graduated from Shawnee Mission High School in 1954 and lived for many years in Dayton, Ohio, where she was a member of the “Big Four” with her good friends Virginia, Mary, and Pat. The Tompson family moved to Lake Waukomis, Missouri, in 1971, where Leah served as City Clerk for 9 years, before going to work full-time for Delaval Agricultural Systems, where she retired after 19 years of service. She was a charter member of the Lake Loons, adding her unique blend of mischief and merriment to all their impromptu gatherings.

Leah lived life to the fullest, always available to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed her, also serving as a long-term volunteer for Meals on Wheels and as a KCI Airport Ambassador after her retirement.

Always the consummate hostess, Leah made the best barbequed brisket and cheesecake in the world. She loved spending time with her family and friends, pontoon boating at Lake Waukomis, golf, a cold beer in a short glass, an extremely clean house and a slightly dirty joke. She hated dogs barking all night.

The entire Tompson family would like to thank Eddie Remen of Vitas Hospice for her personal care, perpetual good cheer and commitment to Leah’s comfort as she succumbed to cancer. She made a difficult situation a lot easier for everyone to bear.

A memorial service and remembrance of her life will be held on March 8th at 2:00 PM at the Lake Waukomis Community Center; everyone is encouraged to bring their own special memory of Leah to share; tissues will be provided.

In lieu of flowers, Leah requested donations in her name to the American Cancer Society. Those who knew her will understand the practicality of that request.

Virginia Mae Albo | d. February 20, 2008

Virginia Mae Albo, 79, Kansas City, MO passed away February 20, 2008. Memorial service 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at the Meyers Funeral Chapel Northland, Parkville, MO. Family visitation 6-8:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Leavenworth High School Basketball Team or the American Cancer Society. Condolences to the family may be left online at www.meyersfuneralchapel.com.

Virginia was born June 10, 1928 in Flint, Michigan the daughter of Roy and Hazel (Hilty) Krumlauf. They preceded her in death. She graduated from the Central High School in Flint. She married Robert Albo in Pueblo, Colorado in 1959. He preceded her in death.

She spent the majority of her working years as a secretary for three different Federal Judges. They were John W. Oliver, Missouri Federal Court House, Arthur J. Stanley, Kansas District Court and John H. Lungstrum, Kansas District Court. Judge Lungstrum will have the honor to officiate the memorial service on Tuesday.

She was an avid sports fan, enjoyed remodeling her home, and was a proud card carrying democrat.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Krumlauf. Survivors include 2 sons, Robert Albo and wife Shari, Lansing, KS and Michael Albo and wife Patricia, Chicago, Ill; 2 daughters, Carol Vogel and husband Tim, Parkville, MO and Christie Houghton and husband Gary, Kansas City, MO; 1 sister, Dorothy Jean Rossie, Flint, MI and 6 grandchildren, Michael, David, Gabriel, Christian, Mathias and Lena.

William (Bill) Henry Bill Corwell Jr. | d. February 20, 2008

Bill Cornwell, 63, of Riverside, Mo., passed away on February 20, 2008. Mr. Cornwell will lie in state after 9 a.m. Friday at the Meyers Funeral Chapel Northland, where the funeral service will be at 6 p.m. Family visitation one hour prior to the services. Private family interment at Leavenworth National Cemetery.

Bill was born March 24, 1944, in Morgan Field, Ky., to William Henry Cornwell, Sr. and Dorothy (Utley) Cornwell. He was blessed to be one of 15 siblings. He graduated from Castle High School in Evansville, Ind., and was a Lutheran by faith. He was a Veteran of the United Sates Air Force. He married Melanie Rollins on May 9, 1980, in Santa Anna, Calif. She survives. Additional survivors include a son, Fredrick Niemeier, and a daughter, Amy Niemeier, both of Evansville, Ind.; two grandchildren and several brothers and sisters.

LaVear Nadean Downing | d. February 4, 2008

LaVear Nadean Downing, 90, Parkville, MO, passed away peacefully Monday, February 4, 2008 at The Court of Overland Park, where she had lived the past two years. Visitation will be on Friday, February 8, 2008 from 6-8 p.m. at the Meyers Funeral Chapel Northland, 401 Main St., Parkville, MO. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 9 at Parkhill Baptist Church, 7609 NW Hwy. 9 Burial at East Slope Cemetery, Riverside, MO.

LaVear was born August 11, 1917 in Salem, MO, to Oscar and Ethel (Bunker) Lay. She was a Cafeteria Manager for the R-5 School District, retiring in 1979 after 29 years of service. She was a charter member of Parkhill Baptist Church, the Evangeline Sunday School Class and Women's Missionary Union.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, James L. Downing in 2004, her parents, sisters Edna and Lavern and brothers Gilbert and Siebert.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law James R. and Helen Downing of Roeland Park, KS. Grandchildren Jay (Joyce Downing, Alpine, TX; Jon (Rebecca) Downing, Olathe, KS and Anne (Michael) Kemp, Shawnee, KS; five great-grandchildren Emma, Anna and Jacob Downing and Addision and Mason Kemp; brother-in-law Oliver Downing of Parkville, MO, and many loving nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association Heartland Chapter, 3846 W. 75th St., Prairie Village, KS 66208.

Elizabeth Lillian (Schoen) McFarland | d. February 4, 2008

Elizabeth Lillian (Schoen) McFarland passed away the evening of Monday, February 4, 2008, following a long battle with Crohn's and liver disease.

She leaves behind Ed, her loving husband of 44 years; daughter, Kerrie Riley of Parkville, her two children, Clay and Kori; son, Joe and Kelley McFarland of Trimble, their two sons, Justin and Jake; son, Michael and Rhea McFarland of Kansas City, their son Ethan James; and son, Dan McFarland of Kansas City. Liz grew up in La Crosse, Wis., the youngest of 14 children.

While her family remained in Wisconsin and the surrounding areas, Liz struck out to Kansas City, where she met and married Ed in February 1964. They raised their children in the Parkville area. Despite her health battles, Liz managed to be a wife to the husband whom she loved and cherished, and a mother to her children, upon whom she bestowed great love and sense of family. Her accomplishments as a mother will continue to shine upon the next generation who she taught us to raise. Her grandchildren were the light of her life, and each of them were loved and blessed with her presence in their own unique, special way. We love you and miss you, but you will forever live in our hearts and memories.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the family are appreciated. Services will be held at Meyers Funeral Home in Parkville on Thursday, Feb. 7. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. with services following at 7 p.m.