Christopher John Haas, 60, passed away Saturday, January 28, 2017 in Whitford, PA. He is
survived by his wife, Barbara Haas; sons Andrew Haas (Ariel) of Ardmore, PA and David Haas
of Portsmouth, NH; and by two brothers Robert Haas of Overland Park, KS and Steven Haas
of Centennial, CO.
Chris was born February 20, 1956 to William and Helen Haas of Leawood, KS. From an early
age, he loved ancient history. As an 8 year-old-boy, he composed his very first “book” on the
Roman Empire. He spent cherished times with his father, an avid world traveler, in Europe,
Africa, and Asia.
Chris graduated with a B.A. in history from the University of Kansas in 1978. Here, he met and
married his wife Barbara in 1979. He attained an M.A. in church history from Wheaton College
in 1981, an M.A. in 1983 and a Ph. D. in 1988 in ancient history from the University of
Michigan. Chris served as associate professor of ancient history/classics at Villanova
University. For him, teaching was a vocation, and he took joy in his life’s work.
In 1997 he published his book, Alexandria in Late Antiquity. His study of late antiquity and
early Christianity led him and Barbara to explore the origins of their Christian faith. In 1999, he
and his family converted to Orthodox Christianity, joining the community of St. Philip Orthodox
Church in Souderton, PA. In 2002, Chris travelled to the Republic of Georgia, where he fell in
love with its people, culture and Christian history. Georgia became an integral part of his
professional study and personal life.
Chris was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the American Historical Society, and served for many
years on the Stewardship Committee at St. Philip. Chris was an avid fan of the history of the
silver screen, especially of early films and their stars. In his spare time, he also enjoyed hiking
and taking his two granddogs for “walkies.” Those who love Chris will always remember his
smile, wit, humor, and groan-worthy puns. He was a generous man with a kind and thoughtful
heart.
Michael "Pat" Hadley, 60, Plumas Lake, Ca, passed away after a long battle with cancer on
Saturday, December 3, 2016. Pat was born October 15,1956 in Kansas City, MO. Pat spent
most of his working career in the automotive business, both in Kansas and California. Pat is
preceded in death by his father Michael Hadley. He is survived by his wife June, son Patrick
Gene; son Eric (Alicia), two grandchildren (Noah, Mercy), Ocala Florida; as well as his mother
Nataline Hadley (Sun City Az). Pat is also survived by four brothers: Steve (Cindy), Peoria AZ;
Nick (Kathy), Merriam KS; Richard, Sun City; Don (Mary Jon), Nashville, Tn; and nephews and
nieces. Blessing of ashes and interment is planned for Saturday March 18 at Calvary
Cemetery, Citrus Heights California
On Sunday, November 17th, Tom Hansen won his fight with cancer. Since this is an obituary,
that may sound odd. But it's true. He won because cancer has no one crying for it. No one
laughing at its stories. No one who cares enough to drop off lasagna. To help do laundry. Or to
plan a celebration honoring its life. If cancer had caller ID, no one would answer. Why? Cancer
tried to extinguish Tom's light, yet it did just the opposite, it made it even brighter. Take that cancer. Tom won because he not only showed us how to live, he made us feel alive. And
brought us together. Because of Tom, people are inspired to care more. About their health. The
healthcare system. And most importantly, about each other. Because Tom was all about
people. His favorite people in the world were Patty, Jenna and Julia. His loving wife and
daughters. He doted on them. Inspired them. Made them laugh. Most of all he loved them with
all his heart- his huge compassionate heart. Tom's love extended to the rest of his family; his
brother Chris and wife Susan; brother-in-law Bob and wife Lanie; sister-in-law Kathy and
husband Gary. Also, to his nieces and nephews: Courtney, Lauren, Brian, Brett, Katie, Kevin,
Scott and David, and all their children. Tom also created an incredible extended family of co-
workers, clients, neighbors and friends that spans from Kansas City, Chicago, Dallas and
beyond. Please know that he loved you all so. Tom was also a proud graduate of the University
of Kansas. (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!)
It is with great sadness that the family of Sharon Lyn Tafreshi announces her passing on
December 6, 2023, at Olathe Medical Center. Sharon was 67.
Sharon was born to Robert (Bob) and Helen Hays on April 15, 1956, in Rahway, New
Jersey. She spent her early childhood years on the shores of New Jersey before
moving to Overland Park, Kansas, in 1960. She graduated from Shawnee Mission
South High School in 1974.
Sharon and Hamid Tafreshi were united in marriage in August 1980, in Prairie Village,
Kansas. Sharon was blessed with three amazing children: Azita, born March 1983;
David, born September 1986; and Paresa, born February, 1988.
Sharon graduated from St. Mary's University in 1994 with a degree in elementary
education. She later received her master's degree in special education. Sharon spent
her career teaching in the Belton School District in Belton, Missouri, retiring from her
position as a special education teacher in 2018. Sharon was a gifted educator and
passionate about helping her students and fellow teachers. She was loved by her
students and her impact on their lives will be remembered by all who passed through
her classroom.
Sharon's greatest legacy was her family. She loved spending time with her family,
especially her five grandchildren. She spent her final years delighting in watching them
grow. She took every opportunity possible to spend time with them, whether that was
picking them up early from school for a fun outing, attending recitals, or having them all
over for play dates. Sharon also enjoyed being outside and maintaining her yard, and
she loved her dog, Dexter. They could often be found together running errands, Dexter
always by her side in the passenger seat of the car.
Sharon is best known for her selflessness and extraordinary generosity. Sharon was
always offering a helping hand to those in need. Her acts of kindness will live on forever
in the hearts of those who meant the most to her.
Sharon is survived by her three children, Azita (Dan) Roberson, of Overland Park, David
(Courtney) Tafreshi of Overland Park, and Paresa (Dana) Tafreshi of Olathe; her
husband, Hamid Tafreshi, of Overland Park; her mother, Helen Hays, of Lenexa; her
sister, Susan (Raymond) Hays, Ainsley, Australia; and her five grandchildren: Fallon,
Hays, and Eleanor Tafreshi, Olivia Tafreshi, and Finn Roberson. She is preceded in
death by her father, Robert (Bob) Hays.
Services for Sharon will be held on Saturday, December 16th, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the
Longhouse in the Overland Park Arboretum in Overland Park, Kansas. In lieu of flowers,
donations can be made to the Great Plains SPCA or the Deanna Rose Farmstead.
Howard Kurt Heidenreich, 58, KCMO. Died 11/1/14. Survived by daughter and son-in-law, Cecilia and Andy Stretch, Eagleville, MO, granddaughters, Kimberly, Emily and Lilly. A sister, Vivian Monckton, Alton, ILL.
Published by Kansas City Star on Nov. 5, 2014.
Paula graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Kansas in 1978 and
wrote fantasy, with publications in several Marion Zimmer Bradley anthologies as well
as “Renaissance Festival Tales” from Hadley Rille Books. She described her interests
on her Facebook page: "I write heroic fantasy; make glass beads; work as a day job for a large government organization near my home; am an active science fiction fan; am an amateur naturalist specializing in vertebrates, mostly birds and mammals; and am pretty expert with
dealing with my 1912 house in Hyde Park, Kansas City, MO."
Paula died after a brief illness on December 28, 2022. Her insights, her quick wit and
her scathing sense of humor are deeply missed by all. Rest in Peace, Paula.
Doug Hermanson
Barbara J. Holland, Overland Park, Kansas passed away on May 21, 2016. She was born on
August 14, 1956 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to James and Lois Holland. Barbara graduated
from KSU and Webster University. She is survived by brothers Jim Holland (Pam), Jerry
Holland (Cheryl), and sister, Marcia Lygbarger (Stan) and many nieces and nephews. Her
passions included decorating, cooking, gardening, dancing, music, garage sales, trips to the
lake, helping others, and spending time with family and friends. She taught elementary school
for over 30 years.
Kevin Hoppe, a well-known advertising salesman who has been involved in the produce
industry for more than 30 years, passed away at home early Feb. 6 surrounded by his family
following a 10-month battle with colon cancer. Kevin was born March 22, 1956 in Seattle
Washington. He was the son of the late Frederick John Hoppe and the late Janice Lee
(Andriesen) Hoppe. A 1978 graduate of the University of Kansas with a degree in journalism,
Hoppe began his produce industry career with The Packer, eventually rising to the position of
head of sales in Southern California and Arizona. Kevin HoppeHe also held the position of ad
director for Supermarket News and led the online advertising effort for Buyproduce.com. Mr.
Hoppe joined The Produce News in 2003 as Western sales manager, where he tapped into his
longtime experience and contacts to help build the West Coast business for the publication. He
worked through the end of 2013 until he took a medical leave to attend to his health. “Today,
with the passing of Kevin Hoppe, the produce industry has lost a true friend and champion,”
said John Groh, editor and publisher of The Produce News. “He loved his job, and many of his
clients became his close personal friends, which was indicative of his positive outlook and
friendly attitude. We will miss him dearly at The Produce News, and our thoughts and prayers
are with his three children Mollie Parker, Grace Hoppe and Alex Hoppe, one grandchild Castor
Parker, his longtime companion and friend Mary Ellen Hoppe, his siblings Valerie Petersen,
Steve Hoppe, Elizabeth Donaldson, Charlotte Pardo and Brad Hoppe and the rest of his family
during this difficult time.” Services will be held Saturday, Feb. 8 at 5 p.m. at the Rancho
Community Church in Temecula, CA. Those wishing to honor the memory of Mr. Hoppe are
encouraged to make a donation to the American Cancer Society.
Jennifer Lynne (Howse) Mateer, age 47, Olathe, KS, passed away October 12, 2003, at
home after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer. A celebration of life service
will be held at the Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church, 9300 Nall, Overland Park, KS at 2
p.m. Friday, October 17, 2003. An open house will be at the home from 4-6 p.m. In lieu of
flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jennifer Mateer Trust Fund, First
National Bank of Olathe, PO Box 1500, Olathe, KS 66061-1500 or to the home at 17600
S. Renner Road, Olathe, KS 66062. Jenny lived in England with her family from 1961 to
1964. She graduated from Shawnee Mission South High School in 1974. She attended
KU where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She was a flight attendant for
Braniff Airlines. Jenny and Rick were married in 1993 and she worked from that time in
their sign business. She was a devoted mother of three. Jenny is survived by her
husband, Rick; three children, Megan (Stoller), Lindsey and Daniel; her parents, Jack and
Pauline Howse; sister, Karen Lonard and husband, Jerry; brother, Steve Howse; a large
extended family and many wonderful friends.
Kathryn (Kathy) Anne Smith, 67, passed away September 28 th , 2023 after an intense battle
with cancer surrounded by her loved ones at the Kansas City Hospice House. She was born
on March 9 th , 1956 in Kansas City, Missouri and was the third of four children of James and
Patricia (Johnson) Hurley.
Kathy was a graduate of the Shawnee Mission South Class of 1974. She attended mass at
Cure of Ars Catholic Church, which was also where she married her husband of 27 years,
James Edwin Smith. Kathy had a long career in accounting which included Asphalt Sales and
local law firms. She was a very dedicated employee focusing on ensuring things were always
accomplished correctly and making sure everyone was taken care of. Kathy was also self-
employed for years running an in-home daycare, while also raising her daughter.
She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend. Kathy would always put
others before herself and had a listening ear. In her younger years, she enjoyed playing
volleyball and softball and was also a member of a local bowling team. Kathy always enjoyed
spending time with family and friends and was an avid traveler, heading to Florida most of the
time. While at the beach she spent her time soaking up the sun, enjoying the calming waves
and spending time with her best friend.
Kathy is preceded in death by her parents James and Patricia Hurley, sister Joy, mother-in-law
Ruth, and Father-in-law Carl. She is survived by her husband James, daughter Carla, sister
Maureen Hurley Holman, (Dan), brother James Hurley, III (Susan), and many cousins, nieces,
great- nieces and nephews.
The rosary will be prayed at 3:45pm with the visitation from 4-6pm Friday, October 6 th at the
Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia, Lenexa, KS. The funeral mass will be held at 9:30am
Saturday, October 7 th at Cure of Ars Catholic Church, 9405 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS. In lieu of
flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Kansas City Hospice House
Rodger Allen Johnson (62), passed away at his home in Seattle, Washington on July 5, 2018, after long battle with Emphysema. Rodger was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on January 4, 1956, to Robert and Lois Johnson. The family moved to Overland Park, Kansas in 1970 where he attended Shawnee Mission South High School. Rodger joined the Navy in 1976 and while stationed in Seattle, Washington he met his wife, Dana. They were married 42 years. Rodger is survived by his wife Dana, sons, Matthew (Serena) and Casey, granddaughter Emma and grandson Colton of Seattle, Washington, brothers Robert Johnson, Jr. (Kathy) of Overland Park, Kansas, Ron Johns (Cathe) of St. Petersburg, Florida, Joe Johnson (Julie) of Atlanta Georgia and sister Becky Schnizle (Gregg) of Richmond, Virginia.
Memorial Services for Raymond Patrick Kenny, 67, Overland Park, will be held at 10 am, Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
He died January 4, 2024.
Survivors include his wife Tiffiany, children; Kristen (John), Patrick (Lauren), Amanda (Bill) and Casey; grandchildren Declan, Rowan, Ian, Aidan, Regan, Louise, Arthur, Clementine; siblings, Kathleen (Kevin), Nancy (Bill), Tim (Martina), Sharon (Drew), Jayne (Mike) and Robert; sister-in-law, Carolyn; many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Kevin.
Phillip Kushner, 58 passed away February 7, 2015. Graveside services will be at 10:00am Monday, February 9, 2015 at Kehilath Israel Blue Ridge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Harvesters.
Phillip was born and raised in the greater Kansas City area. He attended and graduated from Shawnee Mission Schools. He received a BS in Geology from the University of Texas at San Antonio and his MS and PhD in Geomathematics from Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA.
Phillip lived the majority of his life in Austin, TX and Palo Alto, CA. He enjoyed blues music and country western music. Phillip will be greatly missed.
Phillip was preceded in death by his sister, Robin Kushner Brown; maternal grandparents, Meyer and Molly Gilgus; paternal grandparents, Maurice and Lillian Kushner. Survivors include his daughter, Autumn Kushner of Portland, OR; son, Meyer Kushner, Overland Park, KS; his mother, Dr. Deanie Vogel and husband Arnold of San Antonio, TX; his father, Stanley J. Kushner and wife Maggi of Overland Park, KS; aunts, Cinde Gilgus of Kansas City, MO, Sheila Ginsberg of Overland Park, KS and uncle and aunt Zolie and Doris Gilgus of Overland Park, KS
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