Obituaries

Leo “Wayne” Downer

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Leo “Wayne” Downer, 89, of Rayville, MO passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on Aug. 15, 2022. He was born on Feb. 4, 1933 in Appleton City, MO to Inez (Murphy) and George Downer.  

Wayne drove an ammunitions truck during the Korean War, receiving an honorable discharge from the Army. He continued driving 18 wheels for a living until he was into his 80s. His hobbies were raising cattle, bailing hay with his stepson, David, and spending time with his family.  

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Linda Jean Artman (née Pruitt)

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Linda Jean Artman (née Pruitt), 65 of Orrick, died Aug. 13, 2022. Linda was born Sept. 7, 1956, to parents August and Norma Jean (née Howard) Pruitt in Neosho, MO. She was united in marriage with Robert (Bob) Artman June 3, 1979; he preceded her in death in Mar. 2016. 

Linda is survived by two daughters, Jennifer Artman (Ryan Van Pelt) and Cassie Collier (Jeff Collier) and two granddaughters, Rory and Clara. Other survivors include sister Joyce (Mike) Robbins; niece Kristen (Chris) Cates; and various cousins. 

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Bruce Levan Thurman

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Bruce Levan Thurman, 73, of Kansas City, Missouri, formerly of Richmond, passed away Friday, Aug. 12, 2022, at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City. 
 
Funeral services will be Tuesday, Aug.23, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Richmond United Methodist Church in Richmond, with Pastor Cathy Myers officiating. Burial will be in Sunny Slope Cemetery.  Visitation will be Tuesday from 10 until the time of services at the church.  Memorials are suggested to Richmond United Methodist Church or St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in care of Weiker Funeral Home in Slater. 

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Norma Lou (Gryder) Dugan-Clemmons

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Norma Lou (Gryder) Dugan-Clemmons, 90 years, 1 month, 23 days of Orrick, MO, passed away peacefully on Aug. 14, 2022, at her home in Orrick. 

She was born in Orrick, MO on June 22, 1932 to Herman and Pauline (Cheshier) Gryder. She was a lifelong Orrick resident and had received her education in the Orrick Public Schools. Norma graduated from Orrick High School in 1950 and was the class valedictorian. 

Norma had worked as a bookkeeper for Sandstrom’s garage in Orrick and later as a production worker for AVSCO Plastics in Excelsior Springs. 

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Ronald Marvin “Red” Halterman

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Ronald Marvin “Red” Halterman, died Friday, Aug. 12, 2022. He was 83 years old. 

He was born on Jan. 26, 1939, to John and Jessie Mae (McComas) Halterman of Hardin, MO. 

After Ronnie graduated from the Hardin School, he joined the United States Army in March of 1958.  He served in Korea, returning to Fort Sill, OK, to be discharged in Mar. of 1960. 

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Bruce Myron Hurshman

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Bruce Myron Hurshman, 63, of Henrietta, MO, passed away at his sisters, Denise and Steve Hopkins, residence on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, after a long road of battling cancer.  

He was born on Mar. 21, 1959, in Ray County, the son of Kenneth and Rosela Hurshman. He married Sherrie Lynn Knutter of Orrick, MO.  

Bruce enjoyed fishing, boat rides, loved going to races at I70 Speedway. He also liked gardening, flowers, and his Bad Boy Lawn Mower, and all his friends. He enjoyed his family. 

James M. Shirky

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James M. Shirky of Roanoke, VA, died July 24, 2022. He was born Feb. 20, 1933, to Henry Clay Shirky and Noreen Leyda Shirky in Norborne, MO. He graduated from Richmond (MO) High School, the University of Missouri, and UCLA. He taught Humanities at Stephens College for 36 years. 

He married Martha Hill of Richmond, MO on Sept. 21, 1957. He is survived by his wife; children, Clay (Almaz Zelleke) and Anne Travers (Andrew); and four grandchildren.  

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Shirley Ann Kinnard

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Shirley Ann Kinnard, 85, of Richmond, died on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022, at Liberty Hospital. 

Shirley was born on Sept. 26, 1936, in Kirksville, the daughter of Clyde Vernon and Opal Loraine (Aggans) Allen.  She was united in marriage to George Lee Kinnard of Kansas City on Sept. 30, 1955; he preceded her in death on Aug. 29, 2009.