Obituary: Betty Jolene Simpson

Betty Simpson

Betty Jolene Simpson, 77, of Independence, Missouri, died Feb. 15, 2021.

She was born on July 13, 1943, in Kansas City, Missouri. She attended Ward High School and was a stay-at-home mother, after spending several years as an operator at Providence Hospital.

Betty married Franklin D. Simpson – together, they enjoyed 11 years together. Betty was the most caring and giving mother; she sacrificed her life for her daughter, Kim. Next in her heart, was her Westie, Muffin; Betty didn’t go anywhere she couldn’t take her precious dog. Her house and yard were always spotless. She loved flowers, bingo, going to the boats, game nights with the McMullen and Paris families, with whom she was life-long friends. Betty was always stylish, a great friend, and incredibly generous. She loved doing things for, and buying for, others, specifically from QVC, being a “Nana” to her grandchildren, nieces and nephews, family get-togethers, gardening, and was a gifted seamstress, making elaborate costumes for her grandchildren at every opportunity. Betty was so meticulous in tending to her yard that she spent her days perpetually picking up every stick and leaf in the yard.

Betty is survived by her daughter and light of her life, Kim (Larry) Griffin; her three grandchildren Ryan, Paige, and Elijah Griffin; very dear, life-long friend, Meryl Christ; and her dog, Muffin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Genevieve (Shafer) Bondank; husband; stepchildren; and three sisters.

A service will be held on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Speaks Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, Missouri, 64055. She will be buried at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Kansas City, Kansas.


Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Chapel)

Obituary: Daniel Dewayne Williams Sr.

Daniel Dewayne Williams Sr. (left)

Daniel Dewayne Williams Sr. of Kansas City, Kansas, died Nov. 8, 2020, at Advent Health Shawnee Mission. He was 63 years old.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at Olivet Baptist Church, 4901 Mission Road, Westwood, Kansas.

Williams was born Sept. 3, 1957, in Kansas City, Kansas. Williams graduated from Schlagle High School and worked at Advanced Auto. He enjoyed collecting records, CDs, baseball cards and movies. Williams loved to joke, and was always there to help in any way when the children needed help.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Debbie Williams, and his stepfather, Freddie Ottens.

He is survived by his mother, Darla Ottens; siblings, Kenny Ottens, Deby Carothers, Cathy Ottens, Freddie (Mac) Ottens; children, Kelly (Michael) Patrzykont, Daniel (Shaunna) Williams Jr., Katie (Rodney) Wittkopp, Jay (Jenny) Czechan, Christina (Ryan) Davis, and Cindy (Memo) Avalos; grandchildren, Kelsey, Katrina, Kristen, Dylan, Milli, Gabby, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Lynx, Paislee, Emery, Olivia, Marissa, Austin (Bre), Byron, Kaylee, Keira, and Zach; great-grandchildren; Acelynn and Urijah; along with many nieces and nephews and other family and friends.

Obituary: Harold Davis

Harold Davis

Harold Davis, 94, of Basehor, Kansas, died Oct. 8, 2020. He was born Feb. 26, 1926, in Ojito, New Mexico. He was the fourth child and first son in a family of 14 children to Fred and Sarah Alma Davis.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Oct. 16, 2020, at Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens in Shawnee, Kansas.

Harold attended the little Ojito grade school in New Mexico and then attended boarding school for high school in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he worked his way through school doing maintenance work until graduation. Following high school, he attended Kansas Wesleyan in McPherson, Kansas, where he graduated with an Associate’s degree. There he met and married Wanda Cutsinger on Sept. 5, 1948. They were married 66 years before her death in 2015. Harold was a long-distance truck driver for Navajo Trucking and Yellow Freight Co. for 40 years. He retired in 1992 and was able to enjoy 28 years of retirement.

In 1960, Harold and Wanda bought land in Red River, New Mexico, where they built a cabin themselves. Harold and Wanda enjoyed this cabin for many years and now it has become a highlight for the whole family.

Harold has been a lifetime member of the Church of the Nazarene.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Thelma Anson; Clara Young; Violet Hyatt, Anna Archuleta; Ruth Gawith and Earlene Handke; and one brother, H.F. “Freeman” Davis.

Harold is survived by his daughter, Gaylene, and her husband Jack Oberndorfer; grandchildren, Kelly and husband Kerry Ensminger; Stacy and husband Jason Langford; Justin and wife Sarah Oberndorfer; nine great-grandchildren, Madison, Megan, Grace, Molly, Jackson, Sophie, Adalynn, Naomi and Joy; two brothers, Oliver Davis and wife Danella; Donald Davis and wife Sharon; sisters, Lois Richards, Irene Ozanich, Gladys Yancey, Bonnie Stute and husband Daryl; sister-in-law, Virginia Davis; brother-in-law, Keith Gawith and many other relatives and friends.

The family suggests donations to Joy Meadows Foster Care Community. Checks may be made payable to Joy Meadows Inc., P.O. Box 182, Basehor, Kansas 66007.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.amosfamily.com. (Arrangements, Amos Family Funeral Home 10901 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas 66203; 913-631-5566)