Obituaries

Jean Juanita Wilhelmsen, nearly 97, of Gladstone, Mo., passed away on Sunday, May 29, 2022. A memorial visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7 with a service following at 2 p.m., both at Carson-Speaks Chapel, 1501 W Lexington Ave., Independence, MO 64052. Private interment at Mound Grove Cemetery in Independence. Jean was born June 15, 1925, in Independence to Earl and Nancy (Dotson) Davis. She graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1943 and in 1948, married Eugene “Gene” P. Wilhelmsen, having recently returned from serving in WWII. She excelled in her role as homemaker and mother. Jean enjoyed involvement in Elks Lodge #2376 in Gladstone, VFW Post #5605, the American Legion, and the Moose Lodge alongside of Gene. She was also a member of any Garden Club within the community she lived. In her free time, Jean enjoyed traveling to the beaches of Oregon, taking cruises, crafting, reading, thrifting and winning rounds of Skip-Bo against her family. She was also passionate about her time volunteering at Our Lady of Mercy Thrift Store in Liberty.

Donald Wesley Gramlich, 82, a resident of Blue Springs, Mo., passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at his home with his loving family by his side. He was born February 2, 1940 to Leonard and Charlotte (Ellewanger) Gramlich in East St. Louis, Ill.

Charlotte I. Phillips was born on February 21, 1953, and passed away on Monday, May 23, 2022, after a valiant 15 month battle with cancer. She fought this disease with great determination, yet at the end refused medical intervention and made her transition on her own terms. Her exit was peaceful, completing a life well lived. Charlotte was born in Kansas City, Kan. to Roy E. Hess and Tinnie M. Whitten. She lived all of her life in the Kansas City area and made her home at Lake Tapawingo, Mo. Charlotte served on the Country Club Board for seven years, and was Vice-President for three of those years. She was also a member of the Lake Tapawingo Women’s Club. Both assignments allowed her to help on various projects around the Lake. Charlotte enjoyed the water and boating with friends for 30 plus years during which she developed relationships and life-long friendships. Her career led her down the path in agriculture working in this field 40 plus years with International Harvester, New Holland, CASE IH, Kubota, and Jones Twine. She held several appointments as a Business Development Manager taking competitive products to the dealer organization. Charlotte assisted in the development of dealer wholesale programs, based on company vendor cost that included sales and marketing plans. She loved gardening at home and on the Phillips Family Farm, planting flowers and making everything “shine”. Charlotte was a strong, spunky lady with a determined personality. She was a master at organizing everything in her life and making sure those around her were organized as well. Charlotte maintained a strong work ethic and was not very tolerant of anything except the best from herself and everyone around her. She had a great heart and devoted a lot of her time and energy to helping others. Charlotte did not have children of her own, but aggressively adopted the children and grandchildren that came into her life.

Margaret Elizabeth Turley, of Independence, Missouri, passed away on May 18. 2022 at the age of 90. She was born July 1, 1931 to W i l l i a m H a r r i s o n Heiselman and Clara Futscher Heiselman in Holton, Kansas. She had two sisters, Gladys Loraine Brubaker and Marjorie Evelyn Dooling. She attended Lower Banner Country School for eight years.

William “Bill” Hughes Benson of Oak Grove passed away on Friday, May 20, 2022, at the age of 72. Bill died peacefully at home with his beloved wife Janet and their children by his side.