Obituaries

Barbara Lynn Hiles

INDEPENDENCE - Barbara Lynn Hiles, born to Olien and Jennie Peters on November 24, 1936, took Our Heavenly Father’s hand on January 29, 2022. Barbara grew up in Independence and graduated from William Chrisman High School, Class of 1954. She married her husband, Sylvester (“Jack”) Hiles in June of 1955. She worked at the Central Missouri State University Residence Center until deciding to pursue a teaching degree at CMSU. After she went to work as a teacher, she continued her education and achieved a master’s degree, also at CMSU. She touched the lives of countless students across eastern Jackson county as a reading teacher and tutor for many of the years of her decades-long career as an educator. She served as a leader of the Missouri State Council of the International Reading Association and was well respected by many for her passion for helping people learn how to read. In addition to her role as educator, she freely gave her time and resources to the Impact Ministry at First Baptist Church of Blue Springs. Barbara, a beloved wife and mother, was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, and her first-born son, Kenneth. She is survived by her devoted granddaughter, Rachel Kathleen Hiles, and one son. She passed away peacefully in her home. Barbara’s visitation will be held at 10:00am, with a service to follow at 11:00am at First Baptist Church of Blue Springs, located at 4500 Little Blue Pkwy, Independence, MO. Burial will follow in Mound Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send Memorial Gifts to the Impact Ministry at First Baptist Church of Blue Springs, mailing address: 4500 Little Blue Pkwy, Independence, MO 64057; website: fbcbluesprings. org. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600)

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Robert “Brian” Seydlitz

BLUE SPRINGS - Robert “Brian” Seydlitz, 77, a Blue Springs, MO resident passed away peacefully Thursday, January 27, 2022 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, MO. He was born February 18, 1944 to Thure and Greta (Lundberg) Seydlitz in Chicago, IL.

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Nancy Lea Kann

ORANGE COUNTY, CA - Nancy Kann, 86, was born on October 2, 1935 in Independence, Missouri to John and Helen Julian. Nancy passed away December 31, 2021 at her home in Orange County, CA. She spent her childhood on the family farm where she learned to cook/bake from her mother and developed a love of baseball from her father. She was the middle child of three girls and developed a strong bond with her sisters that lasted her whole life. She graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in education and a lifetime Teaching Credential. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. It was at college that Nancy met her husband Raymond and began a 58 year marriage that took them to Kansas, Ohio, Illinois, and they finally settled in California. She went on to earn her Master’s in Education. Nancy was a lifelong educator, and had the patience and passion for working with special needs children that led her to be a Special Education teacher. She was also a writer for Macmillan Publishers creating adaptations in textbooks for special needs students. She was the mother of three children and raised them in Whittier, California. Throughout her life, she carried on her mother’s baking traditions and was known in the family for her fabulous pies. She was always stylishly dressed, polite, observant, and the epitome of elegance. During retirement Nancy and Raymond enjoyed spending time with family, traveling, and remodeling/decorating their home. She was an avid reader (especially Jane Austen books), great writer, enjoyed Hallmark movies, tending to her flowers, and long telephone conversations with her sisters. Nancy is predeceased by her husband Raymond and sister Mary Jane, and is survived by her children, Steven, Jennifer, and Stephanie. She is also survived by her three grandchildren, Jenalea, Cody, and Connor, and sister Susie. Nancy was greatly loved and will be immensely missed by her family. Please send any donations on her behalf to her favorite charity, The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute, www. reaganfoundation.org.

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Joyce Margaret Logue

Joyce Margaret Logue, 95, of Jackson, Missouri, formerly of Independence, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born June 6, 1926, in Arlington, Minnesota, to Walter and Grace Beehner Bucholz.

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Randel Smith

INDEPENDENCE - Randel Smith 63, of Independence, Mo passed away at home on January 23, 2022. Born on December 1st, 1958 to Joseph D. and Mildred B. Smith (Pogonowski). He is preceded in death by his parents, Brother Clayton W. Smith, Son Clayton (CJ) Smith. He is survived by his Wife Kathy, Daughter Kimberly, Partner Lucas Andrus, Stepson Jake Dulin, Granddaughter Kinsley Andrus. Sister Carole and Melvin Frye, and Brother Paul Smith, both of Garden City KS. He enjoyed his BBQ trailer ROADKILL BBQ. He operated at fair events and businesses. He enjoyed his garden, fishing. He loved his kids more than anything. His granddaughter was his world. He was and always will be so proud of them.

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Diane Ellen (Stark) Brockman

INDEPENDENCE - On January 24th, 2022, Diane Brockman passed peacefully from this life while closely surrounded by her family. Diane Ellen (Stark) Brockman was born on January 23rd, 1948, in Sparta, WI to Herbert & Ellen (Schafer) Stark. She married Isaac B Brockman Jr on November 12th, 1966. Bick and Diane had two daughters, Michelle (Jeff) Oldham, and Aimee Brockman. Diane worked for the City of Independence, both in the City Managers office and Tourism until her retirement. She was very involved in her church, the Church of Christ, Temple Lot, attending regularly and enjoyed being involved in all areas of her service for the Lord. Diane was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Ellen Stark, a granddaughter Kelsey Luv Oldham, and her nephew Todd Stark. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Isaac Brockman, her daughter Aimee Brockman, Michelle Oldham, son in law Jeff Oldham, grandchildren Trenton (Avery) Oldham, and Braden Oldham. Her brothers Dennis (Sheila) Stark, and Dwight (Maureen) Stark, sister-in-law Cheryl (Dave) Taylor. Diane was also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and many other friends and family. The family is appreciative of your love and support through this time, thank you for your thoughts and prayers. In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that you donate to the Church of Christ, Temple Lot, or to St. Luke’s Hospice House. A visitation and service will take place, Saturday January 29, 2022 at Church of Christ - Temple Lot, 200 S. River Blvd., Independence, MO 64050; family will greet guest between 10-11 am, service to follow at 11 am.

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