Latest news with #St.JosephNews-Press
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Furtado, Wallace F. 1941-2025 St. Joseph, Mo.
Wallace F. Furtado, 83, St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, June 29, 2025. He was born July 27, 1941, in Carver, Massachusetts, to Noy and Carolyn (Gomes) Furtado. He grew up in Massachusetts, and after graduating from high school he proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. He retired as a Chief Master Sergeant. On May 10, 1975, Wallace married Dona Denise Young. They recently celebrated their 50th anniversary. Wallace loved sports. He played baseball in his younger years, then coached men's basketball while in the military, and later coached high school girls basketball in Massachusetts. Wallace and Dona moved to St. Joseph in 2005 to be closer to family. They attended Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. He was an outgoing man with very high standards, but more importantly, a loving husband, father and grandfather. He loved spending time with his family. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Brenda Jones. Survivors include his wife, Dona; son, Michael (Kelly); grandchildren, Jalen, Maya, and Case Furtado; nieces; nephews; other extended family and friends. Farewell Services 10 a.m. Friday, July 11, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Inurnment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends one hour prior to the service. Online guest book and obituary at As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dunn, Carole A. 1968-2025 St. Joseph, Mo.
Carole Ann Dunn, 56, St. Joseph, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at her home. Carole was born Dec. 10, 1968, in Carthage, Missouri, the daughter of James A. and Ruth Ann Dunn. She lived the majority of her life in St Joseph. Carole was a graduate of Central High School (1987) and received her bachelor's degree from Missouri Western State University. She was a member of St. James Catholic Church. She worked for AFL-CIO Community Services for the past several years. She began her professional career with the St. Joseph News-Press as an advertising designer, working her way up to head the Marketing Department, among several other positions, during the 31 years she was with the News-Press. Carole had many passions, with the biggest being spending time with her daughter and family. She was an avid photographer, with a love for all things weather-related. She loved any holiday or reason to celebrate; Fourth of July was her favorite, wearing red, white, and blue for most of the summer in anticipation and celebration of her special holiday. She was an animal lover, and had many fur-children over the years, including several neighborhood cats she cared for deeply. She was always ready for her Friday evening shopping expeditions with friends, some Poke'mon Go!, and of course, spending time at her daughter and son-in-law's bar, Club Geek. She was preceded in death by her father. She is survived by her mother; daughter, Bridgette (Curtis) Ballinger and granddaughter, Lydia Ballinger, of St Joseph; sister, Connie (Sam) Curry, of Carthage; several nieces, great-nieces and nephews; close friends, Donna (Ryan) Henman, St Joseph. The Family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. A celebration of life is planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, the Family suggests memorial gifts to the St Joseph Animal Shelter or AFL-CIO Community Services. Online guest book and obituary at As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hopper, Steven A. 1959-2025 St. Joseph, Mo.
Steven Allen Hopper, a cherished soul whose gentleness and kindness knew no bounds, passed away on May 26, 2025, at the age of 65. He was born on Dec. 16, 1959, to the late Herschel Allen and Marion Josephine (Benrud) Hopper, in St. Joseph. His dedication to the people of Choices reflected his unwavering resolve to make a difference. Steven was not just a member but a pillar within the community, leaving a void that will be deeply felt by many friends and a loving family. Steven's love for holidays was renowned, his infectious enthusiasm turning every festive occasion into a treasured memory. He loved the Wizard of Oz, watching the movie daily. Steven's gentle nature earned him the affectionate moniker of a 'gentle giant' -a testament to the tender yet profound impact he had on those around him. Among his most memorable characteristics was Steven's humble self-appraisal, encapsulated in his personal saying, 'I'm a good man.' Survivors include his nephews, Dale (Melissa) and Corey Wright; and brother, Tommy Hopper. Farewell Services and Public Livestream 10 a.m. Friday, June 13, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Ashland Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.
American Military News
16-05-2025
- General
- American Military News
From the front lines to 100: A WWII veteran's journey
On his 20th birthday, Lawrence Ralston knew that his small beginnings as a son of a farmer were no comparison to the war he faced. Fighting in the 20th Infantry during World War II in Germany, Ralston said that his mind was already made up on not returning back home. So, he would fight with everything in him to make his service count. I had been drafted and then (went) on to basic training in Texas,' Ralston said. 'We knew that we were going to Germany because everything pointed to there. I prepared myself to not be coming back.' Ralston recalls his first combat mission taking place on his 20th birthday in 1944, but more than that he remembers the many men that lost their lives, men who he says shouldn't have. 'I remember at first we were being attacked in battle, they pulled back and then they started again,' Ralston said. 'The rest of the battle was basically over, so much of our work involved trying to clear towns.' With less than 70,000 Americans remaining of the 16. 4 million who served in World War II, the opportunity for veterans of this time to share their stories are few and far between. Making the choice to give up his life, Ralston recalls what being in the military meant for him. 'Well, it's a terrific honor for me to be in the service,' Ralston said. 'If I were younger, I would still attempt to do the same thing because America was a wonderful country.' After the war, Ralston returned to his farming roots and went on to sell sewing machines, a career that spanned nearly 70 years. Today, he enjoys life at an independent living facility in St. Joseph. 'I don't know how to put this into words but I just appreciate we did,' Ralston said. 'We were in a lot of trouble there and we still may be now, but I believe the good Lord will stop it. ___ © 2025 the St. Joseph News-Press Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
GOP congressman claims ‘God has a plan' for fired federal workers at yet another hostile town hall
Another Republican congressman has provoked fury from fired federal workers by telling them that "God has a plan" for their lives. At a town hall meeting in Missouri Monday, GOP representative Mark Alford drew angry shouts of opposition from a dozens-strong crowd as he tried to defend Donald Trump sweeping government cutbacks. It was the latest in a series of riotous town halls in red districts across the U.S. where voters expressed their frustration about Trump's policies, as well as the influence of Elon Musk. Those reports — encompassing Alaska, Georgia, Idaho, Texas, Oklahoma, Oregon, Wisconsin, and beyond — were a sign of gathering anger at Trump's radical seizure of power and near-demolition of entire government departments. "Just because you have a government job, doesn't mean it's a lifetime appointment like a Supreme Court," Alford scolded his constituents on the outskirts of Kansas City, according to the local St. Joseph News-Press. "So I would encourage anyone who finds themselves in this situation to realize that we are going to get this economy turning again. There are jobs available. God has a plan and purpose for your life." The last remark reportedly triggered an incandescent response, with one person screaming: "We don't want your god!" and another shouting: "Our god is Christian!" As the heckling mounted, Alford said: "Government employees are going to be let go and that's just the reality. I feel bad that people have been let go, I understand that." Asked about whether he would support cuts or changes to Medicaid, he said he believed there were "some things that can be reformed,' provoking even more shouts, including: "Do it through Congress, not Elon!" At one point, the congressman reportedly attempted to quiet things down by saying: "Can I have your attention, please? Class? Class?" One person yelled back: "You work for us!" According to the Office of Personnel Management, about 75,000 federal employees had accepted a buyout offer as of February 12, on top of an estimated 20,000 layoffs across multiple departments. In Georgia last Thursday, Republican representative Rich McCormick got a hostile reception from voters who asked him what he was doing to "reign in the megalomaniac in the White House.' In Idaho on Saturday, a Republican meeting descended into chaos when a protestor was pulled from her seat, wrestled to the ground and dragged out of a packed auditorium by three unidentified private security guards. Many of the hostile comments and questions came from Democrats and independents, though not all. The numbers have suggested a level of motivation among blue voters reminiscent of the early stages of the Tea Party movement against Barack Obama in 2009. "I wake up every single day just wondering if I have a job tomorrow," one woman who works for the Social Security Administration in Kansas City told the News-Press. "This is hurting, and I think he was kind of dismissive."
