Mullinax Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc.

Van Ross

Arrangements for Van Ross are Cremation, with no public services scheduled at this time. Messages and memories may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com. Arrangements under the direction of the Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler, Missouri (660) 679-0009.

Vandyle “Van” Ross, 95 of LaCygne, Kansas passed away May 19, 2013 at his home.

Van was born July 17, 1917 in Beloit, Kansas, son of Charles Raymond and Elsie (Tweed) Ross.

Van was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, as well as brothers and sisters. He is survived by daughter Debbie Ross, son David Ross and daughter Shannon Ross, all of LaCygne, Kansas.

Frank Hile IV

Funeral services for Frank Lee Hile IV will be 2:00 PM Thursday, May 16, 2013 at Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel Chapel, Drexel, Missouri (816) 657-4400. Visitation Wednesday evening, 4-6 PM at the funeral home. Burial to follow services in Sharon Cemetery, Drexel, Missouri. Messages and memories for the family may be left at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Frank Lee Hile, IV, 43 of Drexel, passed away May 13, 2013 at his home near Drexel.

Frank was born January 17, 1970 in Uniondale, New York, son of Frank and Linda D. (McFerson) Hile, III.

Frank was employed as a night fleet manager at Trans Am Trucking. He was an avid sports fan, and had enjoyed playing football.

Frank was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank L. Hile, Jr., and Rose A. Hile, and Herman C. and Marie McFerson. He is survived by his girlfriend, Robyn Gasperment; his parents, Frank L. Hile III and Linda D. Hile; his sister, Tammy R. Hile; two nephews, Anthony G. Lee and Christopher R. Hile; his uncle John H. Hile and his aunt Lynn M. Hile; his aunt Debbie Embry and uncle Ronnie Embry; his aunt Edwina Hamblin and uncle Robert Hamblin; his uncle Herman A. McFerson; and uncle Larry McFerson; his former wife, Valerie Sirna, as well as Valerie’s daughter and son, Hannah and Austin.

Kathryn “Jean” Bedwell

Graveside memorial services for Kathryn “Jean” Bedwell will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler, Missouri, with Greg Mullinax officiating. There is no visitation. Services under the direction of the Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler, Missouri (660) 679-0009. Contributions to any charity of donor’s choice. Messages and memories may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Kathryn Jean Bedwell, 76 of Butler, Missouri passed away May 10, 2013 at her home.

She was born January 22, 1937 in Kansas City, Missouri, daughter of Frank and Margaret (Green) Berry. She was married to William Leon “Baldy” Bedwell and to this union, two daughters and two sons were born. While Baldy was in the Navy, Jean went on to get her LPN degree. She really liked working as a nurse. When she retired, they bought horses and had fun riding them with the grandkids.

Jean leaves behind her beloved cat, “Taz,” whom she has had forever.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband; one sister, Joyce Faye Miller; and one grandson, Andrew Tyler Adams.

She is survived by her daughters, Debbie Adams and husband Larry, and Jenny Thornton and husband Mike; sons Dick Bedwell and wife Gay, and Kelly Bedwell and wife Sandy; grandchildren Neal and Jared Adams, Michael, Jessica and Les Thornton, April, Bryan, and Jessie Bedwell, Charlie Laber, D.J., Danny and Doug Bedwell; Nick and Jina Alkire; great-grandchildren Shelbie Thornton, Monty and Jerron Thornton, Tyler Phelan, Layla Thornton, Bryce and Elizabeth Bedwell, and Damion and Alayna Alkire.

She also leaves behind a sister, Ann Herring, and brother, Jim Berry and wife Norma; nieces Debbie Herring, Frankie Lord and husband Jerry, Missy Holman and husband Robert and Jana Boney; and nephew Bryan Jennings and wife Maribeth and family; as well as brother-in-law Bill Miller and wife Kate; and “adopted son” Junior Bennet and wife DiAnn, and their children Tyler and Daniel; great-nieces B.J. Miller, Katie Holman and Jessie Holman; and great-nephews William Miller and Jace Boney.

Jean will be missed by her best friends, Colleen Strange and family, and Glenda Guthrie. The family wishes to say a special thank-you to Grace Hospice of Kansas City, Mo., and their “angels” Debbie, Sheila, and Heidi, as well as to Dr. Sam Brewster.

Valla Nadine Cumpton

Cremation. Memorial services for Valla Cumpton are pending at this time. Further information will be posted at a later date. Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel, Missouri (816) 657-4400. Messages of condolence may be left at http://www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Valla Cumpton, age 64, of Drexel, Missouri passed away May 7, 2013 at her home. She was preceded in death by her parents Margaret McClung and Delbert Cumpton, and a sister Marilyn Michael. Valla is surivived by:  son Brian Cumpton, daughter Peggy Burris; sister Carolyn Stephens; 5 grandchildren.

Donald Albert Shannon

Funeral Services for Donald Albert Shannon will be 10:30 AM Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at the Mullinax Funeral Home in Drexel, Missouri (816)657-4400 with Pastor Kathy Symes officiating. Visitation will be held 6:00-8:00 PM Monday, May 6, 2013 at the Drexel chapel. Burial to follow services at Miami County Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Miami County Cemetery. Messages of condolence may be left at http://www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com. 

Donald Shannon, age 77, of Humansville, Missouri passed May 3, 2013 at his home.

Donald was born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas. He was one of eleven children born to Stanley and Zora Shannon. He was a veteran of the United States Army.  Donald was preceded in death by his parents; son: Donald Allen Shannon; five brothers: Clarence, Paul, Stanley Jr., Richard, and Austin Shannon; five sisters: Mary Glatz, Aletha Schembs, Betty Hauk, Carol Shannon, and Dorothy Harvey.

Donald is survived by his wife of 54 years, Anna “Mickey” Shannon; son: Stanley Shannon; daughters: Anna Goens, Deborah (Dave) Hall; grandchildren: Alan (Lindsay) Goens, Kelli Goens, 2^nd Lt. Joseph ( Andrea) Shannon, Sheena Shannon, Karla (Levi) Snyder, and Brandon Shannon.

Tonia Dee Miller

Funeral services for Tonia Dee Miller will be 2:00 PM Thursday, May 2, 2013 at the Bittiker Funeral Home, 1201 N. 65 Hwy., Carrollton, Missouri. Visitation will be prior to services, 12:30 to 1:45 PM also at Bittiker Funeral Home. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Carrollton, Missouri.  Services under the direction of Bittiker Funeral Home, Carrollton, Missouri. This information provided courtesy of Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler.

Tonia Dee (Wilson) Miller, age 60, of Carrollton, MO passed away unexpectedly Sunday, April 29, 2013 at Carroll County Memorial Hospital.

Tonia was born September 20, 1952 to Harry DeVoe and Jo Ann ( Underwood) Wilson in Nevada MO. On January 20, 1973, Tonia married James M. Miller in Butler, MO. To this union two children were born, James and Jennifer.

Tonia graduated from Butler High School in 1970. Following high school, Tonia attended three years at UCM. She was a homemaker and a substitute teacher. Tonia was a member of the United Methodist Church of Carrollton, MO, a former member of the Just Friends Club of Norborne, MO and a cub scout and girl scout leader.

Tonia is survived by her parents, Harry DeVoe “H De” and Jo Ann Wilson of Butler, Missouri; husband Jim of the home; one son, James Michael Miller, Jr. and wife, Kathy, of Abilene, Kansas; one daughter, Jennifer D. Hays and husband, Stephen, of Pleasant Hill, MO; five grandchildren, Jerry Lee Michael Hays, Brittany D. Hays, Lucas Jackson Hays, Katie Elizabeth Miller and James Henry Miller;  two sisters, Teresa Wilson of Butler, MO, Tamara Deardorff and husband, Rich of Daphne, Alabama; two sister’s-in-law, Gerry Germann and husband, Kenny of Carrollton, MO, Debbie Heins of Carrollton, MO; father-in-law, Gerald L. Heins, Sr. of Carrollton, MO and several nieces.

Tonia was preceded in death by her grandparents, Violet Raines, Earl and Zella Wilson; mother-in-law, Ivah C. Heins; two brothers-in-law, J.P. Miller and Gerald Lee Heins, Jr.

The family suggests contributions to be made to family’s choice in memory of Tonia. They may be left at or mailed to Bittiker Funeral Home P.O. Box 223 Carrollton, MO 64633.

Condolences may be sent to the family via Bittiker Funeral  Homes, LLC website at http://www.bittikerfuneralhomes.com and clicking on the obituaries link.

Mary Ann Henderson

Memorial services for Mary Ann Henderson will be 11 AM Thursday, May 16, 2013 at Mullinax Funeral Home in Butler, Missouri (660) 679-0009 with Chaplain Mary Beth Minges officiating. At Mary Ann’s request, a reception for family and friends will follow services in the Carriage House at Mullinax Funeral Home. There is no visitation. Contributions are suggested to Drexel Meals on Wheels or American Cancer Society. Messages and memories may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Mary Ann (Elliott) Henderson, 78, formerly of Butler and Drexel, Missouri passed away April 22, 2013 at Golden Years Care Center in Harrisonville, Missouri.

Mary Ann was born July 30, 1934 on an old homestead in Miami County, Kansas built by immigrants from Ireland and Scotland who came to a better land to live. These family members are all buried in Miami Church Cemetery. She was the daughter of Harold F. and Ellis L. (Akien) Elliott. She had one brother, Harold E. “Bud” Elliott, whom she always described as her “friend and foe.” Her sister Frances “Fran” came along much later in Mary Ann’s life.

At birth, Mary Ann had bright red hair, to show she had brought the Irish to life. And as many will remember with a smile, she had the temper to go with it!  The family moved to Drexel when Mary Ann was very young, and she graduated from Drexel High School in 1952; she always had many memories of fun times in Drexel. She attended her 50^th class reunion in 2002 and was reunited with many of her friends.

Mary Ann traveled many places and had three children: Harold R. “Hal” Henderson was born in Phoenix, Arizona and became a Navy nurse who loved his work. Hal died in August of 1997 at the age of 40. Daughter Rebecca Ann was born in Kansas City, Missouri; and later, Elliott Ray Henderson was born in California. Mary Ann was proud to have traveled so many places throughout her life.

She returned to Drexel in 1996 and later moved to Adrian and Butler, Missouri before living briefly in Harrisonville. Mary Ann loved the small towns and their ways.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Harold “Hal” Henderson, as well as a brother, Harold “Bud” Elliott. She is survived by a daughter, Rebecca Ann Martin, son Elliott Ray Henderson, and one sister, Frances Fritts. She also leaves behind a dear former daughter-in-law, Leah Henderson of Grandview, Missouri; several grandchildren including Brandon Henderson; as well as great-grandchildren.