Obituaries | July, 2008

George W. Foley | d. July 31, 2008

George W. Foley, 83, lost his battle with cancer on July 31, 2008. George was a man of few words with a wry sense of humor and a quick wit. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Emily Ann (Moore) Foley, 2 brothers, 1 sister, and a son, Steven Dale Foley. He is survived by his wife, Sarah Frances (Mitchell) Foley, 3 daughters, Nancy Foley, Sandra Foley and Beverly Baker, 1 son, George R. Foley, 2 sisters, Emma Lou Eavers and Helen Breedlove, 9 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by his family and the residents and staff of Wexford Place.

Funeral services will be conducted 10:30a.m. Monday, August 4, 2008 at the Meyers Funeral Chapel Northland in Parkville. Burial will follow in the East Slope Cemetery, Riverside, Mo. The family will receive friends from 7-8:30p.m. Sunday at the funeral chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to his favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Larry L. Babcock | d. July 28, 2008

Larry L. Babcock, 66, Kansas City, MO passed away Monday, July 28 2008 at his residence. Larry was born December 30, 1941 in Kansas City to the parents of Lilburn and Lula Greenwood Babcock. They preceded him in death.

He was a member of the first graduating class at Park Hill High School in 1959. He married Leone “Len” Christian on January 12, 1964 at the Park Hill Christian Church. She survives of the home.

Larry worked in the grocery business and later worked for the Colonial Baking Company in Kansas City as a route salesman. He retired in 2000 from Colonial after twenty five years of service. Larry enjoyed refereeing in various football leagues. He refereed Missouri State High School Football games for eighteen years. He enjoyed following the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. He proudly instilled the love of sports in his daughter’s daily lives. They cherished their time with “Daddy”.

He was a member of the Park Hill Christian Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Michael Babcock and a brother in law, Kim Christian. Survivors include his wife Len, 2 daughters; Cathy Gartner, Smyrna, TN and Stephanie Babcock, Antioch, TN, 1 brother, David and wife Debbie Jean Babcock, Grandview, MO, 3 sisters in law; Debbie Irene Babcock, Kansas City, MO, Judy and husband Bill McBride, Raytown, MO and Susan Christian, Lee’s Summit, MO.

The funeral service will be conducted 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 31, 2008 at the Meyers Funeral Chapel Northland in Parkville with the Rev. Roger Kube officiating. Burial will follow in the Walnut Grove Cemetery, Parkville. The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral chapel. Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association.

Denise Bryan Lorbecki | d. July 18, 2008

Mrs. Denise Bryan Lorbecki of Weatherby Lake, MO, passed away Friday, July 18, 2008, at North Kansas City Hospital with her family by her side.

Denise was born June 18, 1954, in Independence, MO to the parents of Dale and Rebecca Hurst Bryan. She was a 1972 graduate of Park Hill High School and received a BS in Biology from Park College in 1977. Denise was employed as a computer programmer for Helzberg Diamonds before spending the last five years as a self-employed photographer. She was a member of the Parkville Presbyterian Church where she was very active in the church, playing the flute and singing in the choir.

She married David Daniel Lorbecki on June 26, 1999, in Weston, MO. Mr. Lorbecki survives of the home. Additional survivors include a son, Christopher Lorbecki, Chicago, IL; four daughters, Anna Heinritz, Ft. Lupton, CO; Sarah Lorbecki, Kansas City, KS; Susan Lorbecki, Honduras, Central America; Linda Lorbecki, Independence, MO; her parents, Dale and Debbie Bryan, Kansas City, MO; and Rebecca and Walter Holyfield, Richmond, MO; three brothers, David Bryan, Providence, RI; Doug Bryan, North Kansas City, MO; Drew Bryan, Grandview, MO; two sisters, Diana Bryan, Richmond, MO; Daphne Bryan, Lawson, MO; and one granddaughter, Claire Renee Heinritz, Ft. Lupton, CO.

Stanley N. Adams | d. July 12, 2008

Stanley N. Adams, 68, Kansas City, MO passed away Saturday, July 12, 2008 at his residence. He was born September 4, 1939 in Ponca City, OK to the parents of Bethal and Pauline Wilson Adams. They preceded him in death. He attended schools in Ponca City.

Stanley was employed for over 30 years with the Belger Cartage Co. in Kansas City as a warehouse supervisor. He retired from there in 2000. He was a veteran of the United States Army having served in Germany.

He married Donna Brown on March 21, 1989 in Kansas City, MO. She survives of the home. Additional survivors include 2 sons, Bill Klapper, Kansas City, MO and Jeff Brown, Montgomery, TX; 2 daughters, Sherry Van Hooser, Weatherby Lake, MO and Teresa Brown, Puyallup, WA; 1 sister, Bonnie Daniels, Ponca City, OK and 9 grandchildren.

Mr. Adams has been cremated under the direction of the Meyers Funeral Chapel Northland. There are no services scheduled at this time. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Northcare Hospice or a charity of the donor’s choice and may be left in care of the funeral home.

Gary R. Gruerman | d. July 11, 2008

Gary R. Gruerman, 61, longtime Parkville, MO resident passed away Friday, July 11, 2008 at his residence. He was born March 26, 1947 in Kansas City, MO and later adopted by his parents, Rudolph and Mary Scholz Gruerman. He was a 1966 graduate of Park Hill High School.

Gary was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps having served in Vietnam. He was a highly decorated soldier with a list of awards and medals that include: Silver Star Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnamese Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal and numerous other medals. He was a Rifle Badge-Sharp shooter and a Pistol Badge-Marksman.

Gary enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing and spending time with family and friends. He was a member of St. Therese Catholic Church, the American Legion Post #318 and VFW Post #7356 both of Parkville.

He married Mary Rouyer on September 17, 2005 in Kansas City. She survives of the home. In addition to Mary, he is survived by 2 sons, Christian Johnson and wife Renee of Oak Grove, MO, Steven Gruerman and wife Susan of San Mateo, CA; 1 daughter, Malissa Skinner and husband Bryan of Liberty, MO; a step-son, David Rouyer and wife Jennifer of Kansas City, MO, 2 grandchildren and 3 step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30a.m. Wednedsay, July 16, 2008 at St. Therese Catholic Church with Father Pat Tobin as Celebrant. Interment will follow in the Leavenworth National Cemetery with Military Honors under the auspices of the United States Marine Corps. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6-7:30 at the Meyers Funeral Chapel Northland where a prayer service will be held at 7:30p.m. Memorial donations are suggested to the VFW and may be left in care of the funeral home.

Earl Walter “Walt” Hackett | d. July 10, 2008

Earl Walter “Walt” Hackett, 83, Kansas City, MO passed away Thursday, July 10, 2008 at the North Kansas City Hospital. Walt was born November 5, 1924 in Sioux City, IA to the parents of Earl J. and Georgia Pearl (Rogers) Hackett. He graduated from the East High School in Sioux City, IA. He was a veteran of the United States Navy having served during World War II.

Walt spent the majority of his working years as a mechanic. He had worked for IPS and Mid American Energy. He married Yvonne Twinn on November 17, 1974 in Miami, OK. Mrs. Hackett survives of the home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters, 1 brother and a step-son, Buck Jauron. In addition to his wife Yvonne, he is survived by 2 sons, Roger E. Hackett, LeMars, IA and Robert W. Hackett, North Sioux City, SD; 2 daughters, Suzanne M. Lacagnauto, North Sioux City, SD and Annette Simpson, Kansas City, MO;6 grandchildren, Jennifer, Joshua, Kayla, Kellen, Alisha, and Jaden; 3 great grandchildren.

Mr. Hackett has been cremated under the direction of the Meyers Funeral Chapel Northland, Parkville, MO. There are no services scheduled at this time.

Delmar W. (Bill) Shannon | d. July 10, 2008

Delmar W. (Bill) Shannon, 98, longtime Platte County resident passed away Thursday, July 10, 2008 at the North Kansas City Hospital. Bill was born August 6, 1909 in Drexel, MO to the parents of William Jefferson and Margaret Shannon. He attended a rural grade school near Drexel. Bill was employed by TWA in Kansas City for 35 years before retiring in 1973.

Bill was a fifty year member of the Swope Park Masonic Lodge # 617 A.F. & A.M. and a member of the Platte Woods United Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers and 3 sisters. Survivors include his wife Veva Salley of the home; 2 sons, John H. Atkins and wife Holley of Platte County, Thomas G. Atkins and wife Elena of Liberty; 1 daughter, Susan L. Johnston and husband Jim of Platte County; 7 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted 10:00a.m. Monday, July 14, 2008 at the Meyers Funeral Chapel, Parkville, MO with Rev. Tim Brooks officiating. Interment will follow in the Rockville Cemetery, Drexel, MO. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.

Brian Craig Dickson | d. July 6, 2008

Brian Craig Dickson, beloved husband and devoted father, went to the arms of Our Lord on July 6, 2008. Brian was born in New Britain, CT, on October 25, 1974, and spent most of his growing-up years in Cato, NY. He graduated from SUNY Brockport in 1997, the same year he met his wife, Annette. Their marriage took place in 1999, after which they resided in Depew, NY for a year, where Brian worked as a computer technician.

In 2000, Annette's residency training brought them to Kansas City, MO. Brian worked for the USDA as a Unix administrator, a position he continued in for two years after his diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2001. Despite ongoing chemotherapy, he and Annette happily became expectant parents, an event dampened by Brian's relapse in 2003. Brian received a stem cell transplant from his brother, Brad, that May.

Seven weeks later, Arwen was born and Brian began the role he relished most: at-home dad. He enabled Annette's busy medical practice, and was an active, hands-on father, finding kindred spirits among KCDADs, a group of at-home dads in Kansas City. Watching Arwen grow up spurred his desire to pursue a teaching career, and he began graduate studies in education at Rockhurst University in 2004. In 2006, he was a most understanding caregiver for Annette as she endured treatment for her own diagnosis of breast cancer. She was recovering when he relapsed again shortly before his 32nd birthday.

A second stem cell transplant at MD Anderson in Houston, TX separated Brian from his beloved girls for several months in 2007. Earlier this year, faced with the news of possible relapse, Brian and Annette renewed their vows at St. Therese Church in celebration of their ninth anniversary. Brian doggedly pursued treatment with the goal to survive for his young family, even in the face of great risk. His favorite quote was from Jimmy Valvano's speech at the Espy Awards, "Never give up, don't ever give up!"

Brian is survived by his wife Annette, daughter Arwen, his parents Alan and Carol, and brother Brad. Visitation will be at St. Therese Catholic Church, 7207 NW Highway 9, Kansas City, MO 64152 from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, 2008. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Therese at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2008 with Fr. Mike Roach as celebrant. Interment will follow in the Walnut Grove Cemetery in Parkville. In lieu of flowers, family request donations to the American Cancer Society and The V Foundation for Cancer Research.

Elizabeth C.Hawley | d. July 3, 2008

Elizabeth C. Hawley, 69, Kansas City, MO passed away Thursday, July 3, 2008 at her home. She was born February 5, 1939 in Shawnee, KS to the parents of Caldwell W. and Leolia M. Reeder. They preceded her in death. She graduated from the former St. Mary's Catholic High School in 1957. She worked as a dental assistant and devoted most of her time as a homemaker.. She was a Catholic by faith.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Warner Reeder. Survivors include 1 son, Paul Robertson of Kansas City, MO; 1 daughter, Sherri Leasure and husband Daniel of Kansas City, MO; 2 sisters, Jane Coover of Overland Park, KS and Sue Beal of Lawrence, KS; one brother, William Reeder; 2 grandchildren, Corey and Sara Leasure, both of Kansas City, MO.

A gathering celebrating Elizabethʼs life will be held from 11:00a.m-3:00p.m. Saturday, July 12, 2008 at the Macken Park shelter #4 in North Kansas City. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Grace Hospice.