Obituaries

INDEPENDENCE - Carolyn Sue Green, 75, of Independence, Missouri, passed away peacefully on January 2nd, 2022. Carolyn was born to Helen Jeanette (Burgess) and Bernard Leroy Jones on September 21st, 1946, in Sugar Creek, MO.

Richard Ray Rathmann, 69, passed away Monday, December 27, 2021, at The Groves Senior Living Community in Independence, Missouri. He was born on May 22, 1952 to Herman Walter and Mabel Ielene (Epperly) Rathmann in Independence, Missouri where He spent most of his life. He was known to his family and friends as ‘Rick’ but went by ‘Richard’ in later years.

LIBERTY - Roberta A. Coker, affectionally known as Poo, passed away on January 3, 2022. Roberta was born on April 6, 1941 in Kansas City, Missouri to Robert Austin and Mary Jane Stevenson Austin. At a young age and given her love of Winnie the Pooh, she acquired the nickname “Poo” and was known throughout her life as Poo. She was a 1959 graduate of Raytown High School, where she was a proud member of the cheerleading squad. She attended CMSU, eventually earning a master’s in arts and Communication Studies from UMKC. Poo was a Director of Community Relations for the Independence School District for 29 years, before retiring in 2008. Poo was a PEO Golden Girl and member of PEO Chapter IK, Independence, a past President and sustaining member of the Independence Junior Service League, and a member and first female President of the Independence Rotary Club. She was a Board member and past chair of both the Truman Heartland Foundation and the Independence Chamber of Commerce, Past Chair of the Independence Tourism Commission, and Save the Truman Depot. She was a member of many community boards, including Friends of Powell Gardens, Horizon Academy, Raytown Historical Society, Community Services League, Hope House, and served on the advisory committee for the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City. Poo was a docent at the Truman Library and wrote a weekly column for The Independence Examiner“Poo’s Corner”. She was in the first class of Raytown graduates to be inducted into the Raytown Alumni Hall of Fame. Poo was the first recipient of the Independence Citizen of the Year from the Truman Heartland Foundation in 1996. She was a recipient of Lifetime Achievement Award and Woman of Distinction from the Independence Examiner. Poo dedicated her life to being a cheerleader for her community. She was preceded in death by her parents USAF Colonel Robert Austin and Mary Jane Grey. Poo is survived by daughter Shellie (Page) Kemna, son in law Don Kemna, of Kansas City, and granddaughter Page Kemna, of Denver. Son Jerry Page and granddaughter Amanda Page of Independence. Former husbands Jerry Page and Ross Coker; Sister, JoDee Austin; Stepmother, Pauline Austin; Sister, Donna Crawford; brother, Dale Austin. A public celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date in Spring of 2022, with private family inurnment. The family would like to thank Missouri Hospice and Palliative Care for their compassionate care and kindness for Poo. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Truman Heartland Community Foundation Legacy Fund.

BUCKNER - Willa Katherine (Adkins) Anderson, 75, Buckner, Missouri, passed away December 25, 2021, at her home, after a short battle with cancer. She was born, October 1, 1946, in Kansas City, MIssouri, to Woodrow Wilson Adkins and Emily Frances (O’Neill) Adkins. Willa was the oldest of eight children. She graduated from Fort Osage High School in 1964. Willa married the love of her life, Keith M. Anderson, on August 3rd, 1973. They were married for 41 years. She was a homemaker who enjoyed gardening. The vegetables and beautiful flowers she and her husband grew were fantastic. They shared all of this with many people. She also enjoyed doing embroidery and counted cross-stitch. Willa did beautiful work and gave some of it as gifts. She loved reading the Kansas City Star and started each day with the news. Her main love was her family and taking care of them. She is survived by: daughter, Angela Buckner, son Murry Keeran and her step-daughter, Sandy Christensen; sisters & brothers-in-law, Emma & Steve Brendel, Sara & William Miller, Mishelle & Steve Newman; brother and sister-in-law, Thomas & Linda Becker; three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Willa is proceeded in death by: parents; husband, Keith; siblings, Steven Becker, Richard Brown, and Betty Jane Burks. She will be mourned and greatly missed by her family and friends. A visitation and funeral service was held on Thursday, December 30th, 2021, at the First Christian Church of Buckner. Burial in Buckner Hill Cemetery, Buckner, Missouri.

INDEPENDENCE, MO - Dennis Levi Overbay, 88, of Independence, Missouri passed away on January 2, 2022. Dennis was born March 13, 1933 at home, in the Northeast Kansas City, Missouri to Dennis Patrick and Beulah Mae Overbay (Bookout). He attended James Elementary and Northeast Senior High School, graduating in 1951. It was there he met his future wife of 69 years, Shirley May Phillips. They were married at Bethany Baptist Church December 6th 1952. Shortly after their marriage he was drafted into the Army in 1953 and served for 3 years in Korea, Japan and Guam. After coming home, Dennis studied and graduated from Rockhurst College, while still working evenings at Sears Roebuck. During this time, Dennis and Shirley were blessed with four children; Michael Dennis, Jill Ann, Phillip Eugene, and Karen Sue. Dennis retired after 41 year of service to Sears.

INDEPENDENCE - Ruby McNeely, of Independence, Missouri, 100 years of age, passed away Thursday, December 30, 2021. Ruby was born June 1, 1921 in Odessa, Missouri to Theodore & Stella Love. She grew up in Odessa and graduated from Odessa High School class of 1939. She worked in the business office at Independence Regional Health Center for 19 years until she retired. Ruby is survived by 1 sister, Frances Shurmatine, of Wellington, MO; 8 grandchildren, Dana Ellis, Lana Heideman, Cherie Wilson, Michael O’Dell, James Brackenbury; 12 great grandchildren; and her dear family, Mike, Michael Renea and Kacee Mitchell. She is preceded in death by her husband, William McNeely; daughter, Jana Brackenbury; son, David O’Dell; dear niece and adopted daughter, Lois Mitchell; sisters, Ethel Westerburg, Norine Simmerman, Louise Barker; a grandson and granddaughter. A visitation will be held between the hours of 9-10 am, Friday, January 7, 2022 with a funeral service to follow at 10 am, both to take place at Carson Speaks Chapel, 1501 W. Lexington Ave., Independence, MO 64052. Ruby will be laid to rest at Oak Ridge Memory Gardens, Independence, Missouri.

INDEPENDENCE - Doris Marie Edmonds, age 89 of Independence, MO, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2021. Services will be held Wednesday, January 5th at St.

INDEPENDENCE - Theresa “Tutu” Chapin Theresa Chapin, 85, of Independence, Missouri passed peacefully from this life on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 in her son’s home, surrounded by her family. She was born Theresa H.