Area Obituaries

Gene Strate, 87, of Holden, Missouri, passed away peacefully at his daughter’s home on Monday, June 12, 2023. Gene was born in rural Holden on April 7, 1936, to Mont and Mary (Davis) Strate. He graduated from Holden High School in 1954. Gene lived his entire life in Holden, except for a short time in…

Eric Scott Preston, 51 of Kingsville, Missouri passed away Sunday, May 28, 2023 in Kansas City. Eric was born July 16, 1971 in Harrisonville, Missouri the son of David and Lavonne (Holland) Preston. He graduated from Holden High School, Class of 89 and served as Senior Class President. He also played varsity football. Eric was…

Sylvia Bernice (Hutchings) VanGilder 88, of Garden City, Missouri passed away peacefully on Wednesday June 7, 2023, at St. Luke’s East Hospital in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. She was born April 2, 1935, to Cecil and Harriet (Chiddix) Hutchings in Latour, Missouri. Sylvia was the youngest of 13 children born to the couple. She attended the…

Ruby Lucille Rissel Skidmore, 103, left this earth to spend eternity with her Lord and Saviour on June 6, 2023 after a one week illness. She was born September 8, 1919 in the Garland community of Henry County, MO to George Washington and Lorena Beatrice (Malone) Rissel. Her early childhood provided her with fond memories…

Robert (Bob) Gene Wolfe, 85, of Holden, passed away on Friday, June 2, 2023, at his daughter’s home, surrounded by his loving family. Bob was born in Hiawatha, Kansas on August 29, 1937, to Clifford and Rhea (Moon) Wolfe. Bob was united in marriage to the love of his life, Shirley Mae Price, on June…

Joe Allen Sechrest 78, of Kingsville, Missouri passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday May 25, 2023. Joe was born December 16, 1944 to Jennings and Marie (Riddle) Sechrest in Kingsville. He graduated from Kingsville High School and soon after was drafted into the United States Army. He served as an MP during the…

Cleora was born June 29, 1934 at home in Centerview, Missouri the daughter of Cleo L. and Rose E. (Hill) Shaw. She graduated from College High in Warrensburg, Class of 52. She was united in marriage to Earl Dean Fox on August 2, 1952 in Arkansas. Cleora had worked at Unifem in Warrensburg and the…

Verda “Jeanett” Smith, 83, of Holden, Missouri passed away Friday May 26, 2023, at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, Missouri. Jeanett was born in Warrensburg, Missouri on May 18, 1940, to Lawrence W. Smith and Julia Eva (Shackelford). She was one of ten children born to the couple. The family lived in Warrensburg until 1941…

Martin Allen Wright, 64 of Holden, Missouri passed away Friday, May 19, 2023 at Lee’s Summit Medical Center. Martin was born August 1, 1958 in Mexico, Missouri, the first child of Kester and Connie (Hobbs) Wright. He and his parents moved to Holden in the spring of 1962, calling Holden his home since that time.…

Claude Allen Bradbury, 84, formerly of Holden, Missouri passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday May 19, 2023, at his home in Pleasant Hill, Missouri. He was born the only child of Claude Thomas Bradbury and Peggy Louise (Clapper) Bradbury in Holden, Missouri on August 1, 1938. He attended and graduated from Holden High…