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.

Chester “Chet” William Towles, 95 of Odessa, Missouri passed away on Monday, December 15, 2025, at the Warrensburg Veter...
12/16/2025

Chester “Chet” William Towles, 95 of Odessa, Missouri passed away on Monday, December 15, 2025, at the Warrensburg Veterans Home in Warrensburg, MO surrounded by his loving family.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 19, 2025, at Calvary Baptist Church, 7995 Outer Rd., Odessa, MO, 64076. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church. Interment with military honors will be in the New Liberty Cemetery in Magnolia, MO (rural Johnson County, MO). In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Calvary Baptist Church. Memories of Chester and condolences for his family may be left at www.LedfordFamilyFH.com or on our page. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home, 306 S. 2nd St., Odessa, MO, 64076, 816-633-5524.

Chet was born on October 30, 1930, in Holden, MO to Chester Clarence and Louise Elizabeth (Thies) Towles. He graduated in 1948 from Emanuel High School in Kansas City, MO. Chet was a veteran of the United States Army and earned the Army Occupation Medal while in Japan. On October 13, 1956, Chet was united in marriage to Venita Jean (Tucker) Towles in Kansas City, MO. She preceded him in death on September 12, 2010. Chet retired in 1980 from Armco Steel formerly Sheffield Steel after 30 and a half years as a machinist. After retirement he and Venita owned and operated Jaycee Ceramics. Chet was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Odessa, MO, V.F.W. Post 5675, a 70-year member of the American Legion Post 131, AMVETS Post 100, Steel Workers Union 13, and volunteered for Camp Valor. In addition to spending time with family and friends, Chet enjoyed gardening, fishing and visiting with friends.

Chet is survived by a sister, Patsy Jean Graham of Sun Lakes, AZ; a brother, James Allen Towles of Sierra Vista, AZ; two step-grandchildren, Anthony Stratton and Sabrina (Stratton) Rail; a special companion, Joy Tye of Odessa, MO; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

In addition to his wife Venita Towles, father, Chester Towles and mother, Louise Estey; Chet was preceded in death by a step-son, Richard Stratton; and a sister Virgina Louise Clark.

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Joseph “Joe” John Berislavich, 67, of Bates City, Missouri passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at his residence ...
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Joseph “Joe” John Berislavich, 67, of Bates City, Missouri passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at his residence surrounded by family.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home, 306 S. 2nd St., Odessa, MO, 64076, 816-633-5524. A funeral service will immediately follow. Interment will be in the Cobb Cemetery. Memories of Joe and condolences for his family may be left at www.LedfordFamilyFH.com or on our page.

Joe was born on February 19, 1958, in Independence, Missouri to Mike T. and Mary E. (Pott) Berislavich. In 1976, Joe graduated from Raytown High School. Joe was united in marriage to Georgeann (Walker) Berislavich on February 14, 1987, in Independence, MO. Joe was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church in Oak Grove, MO. He retired from working at J.E. Dunn as a carpenter. He was an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan. Joe also had a passion for the great outdoors, spending many days at the lake or river, soaking up the sun and enjoying life.
He was particularly fond of his dogs and always expressed his deep affection for his family

Joe is survived by his three children, Josh (Ashley) Buchan of Warrensburg, MO, Zak (Courtney) Berislavich of Harrisonville, MO, and Jessie (Zac) Anthony of Odessa, MO; 12 grandchildren, Isabella, Abigail, Salvatore, Brayden, Cora, Nash, Noah, Khali, Aiden, Aubree, Avalee, and Adrian, and Baby Anthony on the way; four sisters, Susan (Wes) Hercules of Kansas City, MO, Betsy (Jim) Stoll of Bates City, MO, Patty (Jim) Clark of Independence, MO, Mary Jane (Mark) Rockley of Independence, MO; three brothers, Tom (Sherri) Berislavich of Kansas City, MO, Jim (Karen) Berislavich of Smithville, MO, and Matt Berislavich of Independence, MO, and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents and loving wife, Joe was preceded in death by a grandson, Hayden Buchan.

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During the holiday season, grief can make you feel isolated and alone. Giving back and volunteering can be a welcome break to the ups and downs of grief and give you something positive to look forward to amidst the holiday happenings. Check out this article for ideas on how to get involved, give back, and balance your grief with joy this Christmas!

Giving back during the holiday season can be a meaningful and productive way to honor a loved one's memory. Learn more here!

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This holiday season may be especially difficult for you if you’ve lost a loved one. The emotions are at the surface, and you’re not sure what to do. Try taking time to remember – the times you spent together, the laughs you shared, and the beauty of the love between you. Light a candle of remembrance, shed the tears as they come, and find a way to honor their memory as you embrace this season of grief. If you would like to learn more about grief support and services this holiday season, visit us at https://www.ledfordfamilyfh.com/

Happy Birthday Glenn! 29 never looked so good!!! ❤️
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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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