Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home

Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home Ralph O. The History of Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home

The Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home has been part of Lafayette County for approximately 150 years. and Irene O.
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Jones Funeral Home is a full service family owned funeral home located in Odessa, Missouri serving our surrounding areas in Lafayette, Northern Johnson, and Eastern Jackson counties. First known as Chris Wagner & Sons, it began in the Mount Hope Community, located just south of Odessa, in the mid-1800’s. The family owned business offered a variety of services including milling cabinets, furniture

and undertaking. In 1878, the railroad came to Odessa and offered new possibilities for Lafayette County. Later that year, Chris Wagner brought his business, which he still operated with his sons, to Odessa. The small company operated in a building near the new railroad tracks, located at the corner of Mail Street and 2nd. Ben Blincoe and his sons, Clifton and Horace, bought the business from the Wagner family in 1902 and founded Blincoe & Sons. They continued all facets of the company, undertaking, cabinet making and furniture at 101 South Main Street. Shortly there-after, downtown Odessa suffered a large fire and the one-story building burned. However, the Blincoe family re-built, replacing the small building with a large, modern two-story building which became known simply as the “Blincoe Building” to Odessans. Tragedy struck the Blincoe family in 1953 and 1954 when Ben, Horace and Clifton all passed away within months. Jones bought the furniture store and undertaking business from Mrs. Myrtle Blincoe in 1954 and continued operating out of the “Blincoe Building.” On January 2, 1958 they moved the undertaking business and their six small children to the current location of 306 South Second Street. The home already had a rich history, built in 1906 by County Commissioner Judge Tom Gann for his private residence. In 1988, Ralph O. Jones passed away and Mrs. Irene O. Jones sold the business to their son, Larry P. and his wife, Carole. They raised their two small children while remodeling the funeral home in three stages and expanding the parking lots. Stephen Fuller purchased the Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home from Larry P. and Carole J. Jones in August, 2009. Austin Ledford is the Managing Funeral Director and oversees the day to day operations of the funeral home. Austin, his wife Christy and their two children moved to Odessa in October of 2010. Christy is the Managing Pharmacist at the Grain Valley Red Cross Pharmacy. Larry “Harpo” Jones is still an active part-time assistant with the funeral home, assisting with visitations and funerals. Robert Simmons is also a funeral assistant with the funeral home, Robert assist with the funerals, visitations, and many other duties around the funeral home when he is available. The Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home is not just a building. It’s a continuation of a Lafayette County tradition that began approximately 150 years ago. Family owned, family operated and community-centered. We don’t just work here, we live here. This is where our history was and where our future will be.

05/10/2026

In celebration of Mother's Day, we'd love to hear one of your favorite memories about your mom and why!

As a mom, you love your family and want to make sure they're okay after you're gone. That’s why planning ahead for funer...
05/09/2026

As a mom, you love your family and want to make sure they're okay after you're gone.

That’s why planning ahead for funeral wishes is an amazing gift of love. You can ensure that your final tribute is exactly what your family needs to honor your life, personally grieve, and begin a healthy grief journey.

To learn more about how planning ahead benefits both you and your family, give us a call at 816.633.5524 or visit www.ledfordfamilyfh.com.

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Linda Jean Hottel,84, of Odessa, Missouri, a cherished soul whose warmth touched countless lives, passed away on April 2...
04/27/2026

Linda Jean Hottel,84, of Odessa, Missouri, a cherished soul whose warmth touched countless lives, passed away on April 26, 2026, in Odessa, Missouri.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Ralph O Jones Funeral Home 306 S. Second Street Odessa, Mo 64076. Inurnment will be at a later date at Shore Cemetery in Oak Grove, Missouri. Memories and condolences may be left at www.LedfordFamilyFH.com or on the funeral home’s page. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home, 306 S. 2nd St., Odessa, MO, 64076, 816-633-5524.
Born on June 13, 1941, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Richard and Norma (Hershey) Meier. Linda’s life was a testament to kindness, generosity, and an unwavering love for her family and community.

A proud graduate of Oak Grove High School in the class of 1959, Linda dedicated much of her life as the beloved cafeteria lady for the Odessa R7 School District. Her role went far beyond serving meals; she nourished the hearts of children and families around her with a grace and compassion that defined her. Linda’s kindness was boundless—she consistently gave clothes to the nurse for children in need, quietly provided lunch money to kids who needed it, and gifted gloves through Kris’s charity to keep others warm. Her presence was a constant source of comfort and joy.

Linda was more than just a caretaker; she was a steadfast pillar in her community. She took great pride in her work with the cancer coalitions, the Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, Branum Rexall Drugstore in Oak Grove, and her steadfast involvement in childcare efforts that helped so many families. Always at the heart of community events, her love for decorating with flowers brought beauty and life to every gathering she touched.

Family was the center of Linda’s world. She treasured spending time with her loved ones, especially during the holidays, when her loving nature truly shined. A woman with a heart of gold, Linda was welcoming and giving, always ready to extend a helping hand with a smile. Her joy also came through shopping at the clothes closet for the community and her grandchildren, ensuring their needs were met with care and thoughtfulness.

She was preceded in death by her parents Richard and Norma (Hershey) Meier, Sister Gail Cooper, Great Granddaughter Macie Hawkins, Niece Kristine Cooper, Brother-in-laws Jeff Zickler, Danny Hottel and Joe Hottel.

Linda is survived by her devoted husband of 66 years Wilbur Hottel of the home, daughters Kathy (Steve) Nance of Odessa, Missouri, Susan (Greg) Reid of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, son Gary Hottel of Grain Valley, grandchildren Amy (Jerry) Hawkins, Mindy (Andrew) Webster, Karley Nance, Jeff Reid, Jeremy Reid, Taylor Reid, Jonathon (Lindsey) Hottel, Ashley (Trevor) Theismann, Blake (Mikaela) Hottel, 18 great- grandchildren, sister-in-law Janice Zickler, JoAnn Hottel, Brother-in-law Gary Cooper, JW (Marlene) Hottel, Bill (Lana) Hottel. She will be fondly remembered by many other nieces, nephews and friends.

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Are you interested in cremation, but still want to give your family a way to find closure, like with a viewing? Here’s a...
04/23/2026

Are you interested in cremation, but still want to give your family a way to find closure, like with a viewing? Here’s a just for you!

Choosing cremation isn’t an all-or-nothing decision. It simply states the final disposition you prefer. Before being cremated, the body can be present for a viewing or service, giving your family and loved ones a chance to properly mourn.

If this sounds like something you’d like to do, give us a call! We’d love to talk to you about your options. Call 816.633.5524 and check back with us for more !

Address

306 S 2nd Street
Odessa, MO
64076

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18166335524

Website

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