Kansas City Funeral Directors

04/24/2026

Linda Ann Ott
April 4, 1961 – April 20, 2026

Linda Ann Ott, of Shawnee, Kansas, passed away peacefully on April 20, 2026, surrounded by family.

Born Linda Ann Garcia on April 4, 1961, to Joseph and Estelle Garcia in Topeka, Kansas, Linda was defined by her kind, generous heart and a fierce devotion to those she held dear. A talented cook and baker, she found joy in the simple comforts of home, whether she was sewing or preparing a meal for a house full of people, but her true passion was always her role as a mother and “Mimi” to her grandchildren.

Linda’s journey as a mother began in Topeka with Angelo Alonzo, with whom she shared the joy of raising three children: Michael, Bryan, and Joanna. A woman of many talents, she put herself through cosmetology school and successfully opened a beauty shop in her home. In 1994, they moved to Kansas City to pursue new opportunities. As life transitioned into a new chapter, Linda found a deep and lasting partnership in Kevin Ott. Meeting in 2004, the two shared an immediate and undeniable connection. They married in the fall of 2006, beginning a beautiful 20-year journey defined by unwavering support and love.

During their years together, Linda faced significant health challenges, including a brain tumor and Leukemia. She met every hurdle with a tenacity that inspired everyone around her. With the selfless gift of a stem cell donation from her sister, Connie, Linda became a 15-year Leukemia survivor—a testament to her will to live for the family she cherished.

Linda’s legacy lives on through her husband, Kevin Ott; her children, Michael, Bryan, and Joanna; and her beloved grandchildren, Penelope, Pierce, Isabella, Jacob, Jonah, and Savanna. She is also survived by her seven siblings: Tina, Tom, Nancy, Bob, Jim, John, and Connie.

Services will be held at Cross Points Church, 6824 Lackman Rd, Shawnee, Kansas, on April 28th: Visitation begins at 10:00 am and the Funeral Service will follow at 11:00 am. Linda will be laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa.

04/24/2026

Donald John Gebauer

Donald John Gebauer, 84, passed away April 2nd, 2026 at home in Overland Park, KS. Don was born September 13, 1941 in Akron, Colorado to Carl and Gerri (Krier) Gebauer. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a degree in Economics, Don served 4 years in the US Navy before joining Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from which he retired in 2000. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Bobbie Gebauer, his son Greg (LeAndra) Gebauer of Bonner Springs, his daughter Katie (Chris) Running of Olathe, grandchildren K Lee, Zachary, Jade, and Angel. He will be inurned at Leavenworth National Cemetery on April 27th, 2026. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Emma Jordon Kidz Fighting Cancer Foundation, whose mission is to raise awareness for childhood cancer and to provide funding for childhood cancer research. To make a donation, please visit www.kidzfightingcancer.org or mail a check to: Emma Jordon Kidz Fighting Cancer Foundation, c/o 9603 Oakington Dr, Fairfax Station, VA 22039, or your local American Legion Auxiliary.

04/21/2026

DAVID VERNON BALES
David Vernon Bales, 75, passed away on April 17, 2026, at KU Hospital after a twelve-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. He was born on November 15, 1950, in Kansas City, Kansas to Buel and Gladys Bales.

David served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from 1970 to 1971. He married his former spouse, Donna Cole, on June 03, 1972, and they had two children, David and Angie. On September 23, 2011, he married Kathy Price, gaining three stepsons-Wes, Ben, and Alex. David retired from Shawnee Mission School District in 2011.

David is survived by his wife, Kathy; stepsons Wes (Karina), Ben (Alicia), and Alex (Seydy); grandchildren Wes Jr., Lucy, Genny, Aiden, and Brynlee; former wife spouse Donna (David); son David (Gina); daughter Angie; grandchildren Nicole, Destery, AJ (Jazlynn), Alyssah, Alyvia, Andru, Ariez, and Aydrien; great granddaughter Rose; and former daughters-in-laws Loree and Alison. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Nancie.

A graveside service will be held on May 08, 2026, at the Glenwood Cemetery in Basehor, Kansas at 11 am. A Celebration of Life will follow from 1-4 pm at his home in Leavenworth.

04/21/2026

WALTER WILLIAM "BILL" CLARK, JR
Walter William “Bill” Clark Jr. of Olathe, KS passed away on April 17th, 2026 at Homestead Estates with his loving wife at his side. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, he learned these roles from his parents. He was born to Walter and Mildred on October 3rd, 1941 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Bill graduated from Bishop Miege High School in 1959. After high school he joined the Navy for 4 years and then attended Rockhurst University. Bill spent much of his early life caddying at various golf courses, where he and his brother learned to love the game. He kept in touch with several classmates with regular get-togethers. One of his former classmates observed Bill’s sole hole-in-one.

In 1970, he married Marie Murray, and together they had two sons.

For a brief period, Bill worked at Phillips Petroleum and later began working with his dad and brother in water treatment, eventually starting his own business.

During the early 2000’s, he became the right-hand man for Msgr. William Blacet at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Kansas City, Missouri serving as an usher and assisting with other duties. He attended daily mass for several years while working in the Kansas City area. He was one of the members of St. Paul’s prayer group who helped start the Adoration Chapel. For many years, Bill and his best friend volunteered at Kansas State Penitentiary in Lansing, Kansas.

Besides his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his brothers, Joseph and Richard, and his son Bill.

Left to mourn are his wife of 55 years, Marie; his son Tom (Jen); daughter-in-law Chelsey; grandsons Ethan and Wesley; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 am at St. Paul Catholic Church, 21650 W 115th Terr., Olathe, Kansas with a visitation from 9:30 am to 10:10 am followed by a rosary at 10:10 am and eulogy at 10:25 am. Burial will be at Gate Heaven Cemetery, 12600 Parallel, Kansas City, Kansas at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Paul's Building Fund. www.spcatholic.org

04/17/2026

Patrick David Harris

Patrick David Harris was born to Richard and Teresa Harris on March 22, 1965, the youngest of nine children and the first to join them in heaven.

Patrick was baptized on April 11, 1965 at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church and exactly 61 years later he went to be with our Lord on April 11, 2026.

At just 14 months old, Pat’s loving mother died, leaving a devastated family. His father married Mary Lou Lowrey when Pat was 4 years old and he gained a brother and sister, because 7 brothers and 2 sisters wasn’t enough.

Pat started school at All Saints Catholic School and graduated from Wyandotte High School, class of 1985. He lived in KCK his entire life, except for his time in the Navy.

After graduation Pat joined the US Navy and proudly served on the U.S.S. Kittyhawk, as a Boiler Technician II. After he was honorably discharged Pat worked as a Boiler Technician, retiring from the Board of Public Utilities, and was employed at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in K.C. MO at the time of his death.

Pat lived a full life. He was the proud father of two beautiful daughters, Grace Ann Harris and Hanna Lucille Harris, whom he loved deeply.

Being with family, especially at the Lake, fishing, swimming, sitting around a fire and telling stories were Pat’s favorite times.

He loved music of all kinds, but The Rolling Stones was by far his favorite, and he loved to dance. At the age of 3 he could do a very impressive Tom Jones!

The last two months of Patrick’s life were tough. Cancer is a devastating diagnosis and unfortunately Pat’s disease was very advanced. He tried to fight through it with surgery and treatment, but he knew that things were not in his favor. On April 9, 2026 Pat received his Last Sacraments of the Church and died peacefully April 11, with family at his side.

“If you want to be strong, you’ve got to be tough” was Pat’s advice. He was very tough.

So, after 60 years, our tough Patrick joins his dear Mother in heaven. He loved hearing stories of her as he grew up and through out his life. The thought of their reunion is priceless!

Also to welcome him into heaven is his father Richard Harris, his step-mother Mary Lou Harris, brother James Lowrey, brother-in-law Tom Serrano and his devoted grandparents Emma and Evert Lattin.

To cherish his memory are his daughters, Grace and Hanna, his sisters Kathy Serrano, Judy Hill (Lance) and Mary Ann Heany(Chris) and his brothers, Mark Harris (Margie), Michael Harris (Elaine), Roy Harris (Beverly), Eddie Harris (Deanna), John Harris, Paul Harris and 18 nieces and nephews and best friends Pat Mike Cahill and Dave and Terri Bennet.

Funeral Services will be Monday May 4 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Shawnee, KS,. Visitation 9:30-10:20. Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30.

Private graveside services at the Leavenworth National Cemetery later.

04/17/2026

Darla Truong

Darla Truong, 51, of Eureka, California passed away in San Francisco, California on Sunday, April 12th surrounded by her family.

Services are being planned for May 16th & May 18th. Services will take place at Olathe Christian Church with burial at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Kansas City, Kansas. Once times have been finalized they will be announced and a full obituary will follow.

04/17/2026

Phyllis Gail Hon

Phyllis Gail Hon, 71 of Kansas City, KS passed peacefully at home on April 14, 2026.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 5:00~7:00 PM on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at Kansas City Funeral Directors, 4880 Shawnee Drive, Kansas City, Kansas 66106.

Phyllis was born and raised in Kansas. She was a caregiver. Then she was a stay at home NaNa for her grandkids and other kids in the neighborhood. Phyllis was married to her soulmate Ray of 44 years.

She was preceded in death her husband Ray and son Ray Jr., Father Roy, Mother Notra and sister Patricia. She is survived by her two daughters; Paula (William) and Laura. Grandchildren Matthew, Aynssa, Desirea (Justin), Micah, Aliyah(Daniel), Mia, Precious, Jadakiss, and D’ana. Great grandchildren Mason, Liam, Mila, Sa’Koiya and Saylor. Brother Leroy (Allyn). Nieces and Nephews.

She will truly be missed.

04/10/2026

Help us find his family if at all possible.

We need the community’s help to identify this man. His remains have been in the care of the Johnson County, Kansas, Medical Examiner's Office for three years. By posting this information again, we are hoping someone recognizes him so we can return him to his loved ones and he can be put to rest.

He was found deceased in April 2023 near U.S. Highway 69 under the 103rd Street overpass. He's about 5'7" with a thin build. A composite sketch and a photo of the tattoo on the back of his left shoulder are provided.

Before his death, he told the Overland Park Police Department that his name was Alberto Gomez. The police and the Medical Examiner have not been able to confirm if this information is accurate.

If you have any information about him, or know where his family may be located and/or how to get in touch with them, call 913-826-3511 or email meoinvestigators@jocogov.org. Please like and share this post to help us identify him.

Johnson County, KS Government Johnson County, KS Sheriff's Office

04/09/2026

Paul Potash

Paul Potash, 89, currently of Olathe, KS, passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at home surrounded by his wife, Vera, and sister, Judy. Paul was born in Paterson, NJ, son of Max and Ruth Potash. He knew at a very early age that he wanted to be in the performing arts. He fulfilled his childhood dream by performing in the folk music group Art & Paul and then in the New Christy Minstrels in the 60’s, and was in a few TV shows and movies. His talents led him to writing songs that were about the heart and the soul. Paul’s true passion was the realization of union with Jesus Christ. A dedicated student of scripture, he humbly longed to lead the people into worship and wanted his music to be a ministry. Paul dedicated himself to writing music that would stir the hearts of listeners to seek a deeper spiritual relationship. Paul loved teaching music to children and awakened their creativity and love of music.

Paul was married for almost 40 years to Vera, the love of his life. Their marriage radiated love and light through the years, holding hands while walking their journey together. He was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. Paul delighted in being a grandfather to his two grandsons. He and Vera found great joy in spending quality time with Paul’s daughter, Karen and his grandsons. They relished being childlike and playing with the boys. He was known for his warm spirit and kindness. He cherished his time with his family and friends.

Paul is survived by his wife, Vera Potash; his sisters: Judy Potash Gordon and Abby Potash; his daughter, Karen Giberti; and his grandsons: Barrett Gauthier and Hunter Gauthier.

A graveside service will take place at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at Pleasant View Cemetery in Shawnee, Kansas.

04/08/2026

Rhonda Lee (Johnson) Yoder

Rhonda Lee (Johnson) Yoder (May 18, 1958) of Blue Springs, Mo., passed away on Monday March 30, 2026 just shy of her 68th birthday. Rhonda was born to Lawrence E. Johnson and Dorothy May (Paul) Johnson (both deceased), in West Palm Beach, Florida. She lived most of her life in the Kansas City area, and worked in customer service in various settings and had a penchant for succinct problem solving. She loved babies, frogs, the Beach Boys and cooking.

Along with her parents, Rhonda was preceded in death by her brother Jamie E. Johnson and her son Travis Lee Yoder. She is survived by her Husband Mark E. Yoder, two grandsons, Nathan and Shane Yoder and 2 great granddaughters; Hazel and Noell (her pride and joy), siblings, Glenn E. Johnson, Mark E. (Beth) Johnson, Tresa M. (Chris) (Johnson) Lee, Nita and Tina Johnson, Sandra (Johnson) Spooner, as well as a gaggle of nieces and nephews and cousins.

Celebration of Life will be held on April 18, 2026, from 11:30 am to 4 pm at Bristol Hill United Methodist Church, 4826 County Line Rd, Kansas City, KS 66106.

04/08/2026

Dalvir Singh

Dalvir Singh, 49, of Kansas City, Missouri passed away unexpectedly on March 18, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. Private family services have been held before Dalvir travels back to his family in Mehandpur, Punjab, India.

04/06/2026

Dr. Erin Joy Keith-Chancy, Dr. KC or Professor KC

Dr. Erin Joy Keith-Chancy, Dr. KC or Professor KC to her students, died on March 25th, 2026, surrounded by her family, and loved ones. Erin was born in Manhattan, Kansas (the Little
Apple) on May 28th, 1974, to Marlene and Cecil Keith. The family moved to Overland Park, KS soon after. She attended Notre Dame de Sion High School, Kansas City, MO, from which she
graduated with honors in 1992. She continued to higher education at Loyola University of Chicago, JCCC and the University of Kansas, School of Nursing where she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1997.

Erin approached her career with compassion, curiosity, and an unflinching resolve to ease suffering, build community, and foster collaboration. She fell in love with neonatal intensive care
nursing, which held a special place in heart till the end of her 29-year career. Erin’s career in nursing started at Overland Park Regional in their Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

As a young nurse with an adventurous heart, Erin moved to Florida in 1999 and worked at both Tampa General Hospital NICU and All Children’s Hospital Pediatric Emergency Room,
where she met a young Emergency Room Tech/Paramedic named Christopher Chancy.

Erin and Chris embarked on whirlwind romance which led to birth of their son, Beau Christopher in July 2002. Erin picked out the suit for Beau, who was the cutest toddler usher in
their Halloween themed wedding on October, 25th 2003.

In 2005, Erin and her young family returned to the KC area. Erin started at Children’s Mercy Hospital where she also returned to her first nursing love in the NICU. During this time, Erin
was awarded the Agnes Caselman Memorial Award for the March of Dimes Neonatal Nurse of the Year in 2017. Additionally, she was passionate about bereavement care and chaired the Infant
Loss Committee in the CMH NICU. Erin’s unflinching work helped countless families cope with the unfathomable loss of their babies.

Erin & Chris welcomed two more children to their family, Evaline “Evie” Joy Chancy in July 2008, and Vivianne “Vi” Chancy in November 2011. Erin loved being a mother. Her passion
for her children intensified her lifelong love of learning. She homeschooled her three children with an unfiltered zeal for many years. She also continued her own education at this same time.

She received her Master Degree in Nursing Education from the University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth KS in 2018. And then went on to obtain her Doctorate in Nursing Education from
UMKC in 2024.

Erin was passionate about and dedicated to sharing her love of nursing with the next generation of nurses. She was a Professor at the University of Kansas School of Nursing, her
alma mater, from 2017 onward until she passed. She loved getting to know her students and helping them find their way on their journey to make this world a better place. Her students
nominated her to receive the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators in 2023 and 2024.

Erin lived a life of compassion, community, and love. The world feels darker with her passing, but thankfully, it is lit by the fires of the torches of the lives she has touched.

Erin was preceded in death by her parents Marlene & Cecil Keith. Erin is survived by her husband and partner of 25 years, Christopher Chancy (Lawrence, KS), her children Jacob Huber
(Davenport, IA), Beau Chancy (Lawrence, KS), Evaline “Evie” Chancy (Lawrence, KS), and Vivianne Chancy (Lawrence, KS), her brothers, Christopher Keith (Albuquerque, NM), and Tom
Chancy (Tampa,FL), her sisters, Jane Allin (Leawood, KS), Sarah Bertolino (Prairie Village, KS), Sarah Buchmann (Brooklyn, New York), Shelly Chancy (Tampa, FL), Kara Hettinger (Mission, KS), Katherine Lallo (Fort Myers, FL), and Tisha Welch (Spring Hill, KS).

Erin’s celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 11th at 1:00pm CST, at Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vermont St. Lawrence, KS 66044.

For those unable to make it person, you may watch the funeral remotely here:

https://www.youtube.com/live/QDizo9xQMD4

In lieu of flowers, the family request that you send donations to the Kubi for Hope.

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick...

https://www.facebook.com/KubiForHope/

Erin’s family and loved ones would like to acknowledge the outpouring of love and support from her friends and coworkers at Children’s Mercy NICU, the KU School of Nursing, the
Lawrence Trans Alliance, KU Enrollment Management Teams, Plymouth Congregational Church, as well as the staff of the KUMC Oncology units and Olathe Hospice House. Thank
you!