Hidden Valley Funeral Homes of Lawson Obituaries

About Hidden Valley Funeral Homes of Lawson

Located in the heart of Lawson, Missouri, Hidden Valley Funeral Homes has been providing compassionate and professional funeral services to families in the surrounding areas for years. With a commitment to excellence and a dedication to helping families navigate the difficult process of saying goodbye to a loved one, Hidden Valley Funeral Homes has established itself as a trusted and respected member of the community.

A History of Service

Hidden Valley Funeral Homes has a rich history of serving families in Lawson and beyond. Founded on the principles of compassion, respect, and dignity, the funeral home has built a reputation for providing personalized and meaningful funeral services that honor the lives of those who have passed. From traditional funeral ceremonies to cremation services and memorial gatherings, the team at Hidden Valley Funeral Homes is dedicated to helping families create a fitting tribute to their loved ones.

Funeral Obiturary Search

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Recent Funeral Home Obituaries

Shirley L. Nolker - November 18, 1942 - July 29, 2023

Departed: 07/29/2023 (Lawson)

Obituary Preview: Shirley Lee Nolker passed away on July 29, 2023 at Liberty Hospital after suffering a stroke. Services will be held on Saturday, August 5th at Old Union Church in Lawson, MO, with visitation from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., and funeral at 12:00 p.m., followed by burial in Old Union Cemetery.

Shirley was born November 18, 1942, in Vibbard, Missouri, to the late Garnett L.and Polly L. (Wright) Clevenger. She attended Excelsior Springs High School, graduating in May 1960. She started working at Lawson Bank four days after graduating high school, where she worked for 27 years. After leaving Lawson Bank, Shirley worked at the bank on Highway 10, where the funeral home is now. She also worked at Excelsior Springs Hospital before joining the team at Liberty Hospital where she worked in the business office. She retired from Liberty Hospital in 2006.

On November 3, 2007, after dating for nearly 31 years, Shirley finally married the love of her life, Charles “Gene” Nolker, whom she was married for 10 years before he passed away on September 10, 2017.

Shirley was active in the Lawson community, and worked at Lawson City Hall from 2008 to 2018, before joining the team at Hidden Valley Funeral Home of Lawson. She belonged to the Old Union Church and served on the Old Union Cemetery for over 18 years. Shirley joined the Eastern Star in June of 1963 in Lawson and remained a member to the day at the Jewel Chapter #492 of the Eastern Star in Liberty, MO. She has served in many capacities such as Worthy Matron and Secretary. She served as District Deputy Grand Matron in 1974.

Shirley participated in the Lawson Business and Professionals Women’s Club until the late 1970s. She loved to travel, visiting places such as Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Mexico. Her favorite place to visit, however, was Idaho.

Shirley is survived by three stepchildren: Delbert (Brenda) Nolker of Lawson, MO, Kathy Nolker of St. Charles, MO and Susie (Tudor) Stinson-Melville of Chandler, AZ; three grandchildren: Chris (Ashley) Nolker of Liberty, MO, Andy Nolker of Blue Springs, MO, and Jessica Nolker of Omaha, NE; and six great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, Shirley was preceded in death by granddaughter, Nicki Sorrels. Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO and

Hidden Valley Funeral Home of Lawson, Lawson, MO.

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Jerry Lee Haslett, Sr. - April 20, 1947 - March 13, 2023

Departed: 03/13/2023 (Lawson)

Obituary Preview: Jerry Lee Haslett, Sr., 75, of Lawson, Missouri passed away on March 13, 2023 at Northcare Hospice House in North Kansas City, Missouri. Visitation will be held from 4:30-6:30pm on Friday, March 17, 2023 at Hidden Valley Funeral Home of Lawson. Visitation 12PM, Funeral services will be held at 1:00PM, Monday, March 20, 2023 at Barker Funeral Home in Salem, Arkansas with a burial at State Line Cemetery to follow.

Mr. Haslett was born on April 20, 1947 in West Plains, Missouri, but was raised in Moko, Arkansas. Throughout his life he worked and retired from General Motors. He enjoyed working on his farm and especially enjoyed the time he spent with his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Woodrow and Willie Ruth Haslett, brothers Robert Dale Haslett and Billie Dean Haslett, and sister Carolyn Barton.

Survivors include his sons: Brian Haslett, James Haslett (Jami), Jerry Haslett, Jr. (Donna), 12 grandkids: Codey, Jordan, Kerissa, Deanna, Logan, Cole, Riley, Emily, Kaley, Sara, Malia, and Jasmine, and 7 great grandkids.

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Julia Faye Dolt - February 16, 1960 - October 21, 2022

Departed: 10/21/2022 (Lawson)

Obituary Preview: Julia Faye Dolt passed away peacefully on October 21, 2022. A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 27, 2022 from 5-8pm at Lawson United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be on October 28, 2022 at 10am also at Lawson United Methodist Church. Julia was born February 16, 1960 to John and Ina Faye Briant.

Referred to as “The Dancing Queen,” Julie, as she was known to her friends and family, graduated from Lawson High School in 1978 where she was involved in stage band, basketball, track, and numerous other activities. Julie was voted most popular and homecoming queen her senior year of high school by her peers. Following high school graduation, she went to college at William Jewell where she graduated with a Bachelors in Elementary Education in 1984. After college graduation, she began her extraordinary teaching career in which she taught for over 20 years. Her passion was teaching kids and everyone who knew her, knew she was such a wonderful woman to the hundreds of kids she taught and coached, to the parents, and the entire community of Lawson. Julie's teaching career came to a halt when she was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2005. Even after her diagnosis in which doctors gave her very little time to live, Julie did not let that stop her. With the odds against her, she did not once complain, gripe, or feel sorry for herself. She continued to smile everyday and let us all know she would be okay. Even after being diagnosed with brain cancer, Julie’s passion for teaching continued to shine at Southwest Elementary School in Lawson where she would go up and read to the children. Julie's diagnosis shocked the Lawson community, but her slogan for her fight, "Bee Strong," kept the town in high hopes. This fighting slogan originated from her wearing a bumble bee everyday as a teacher. She bravely continued her, "Bee Strong," fight for 17 years after her diagnosis.

There are so many words one can use to describe Julia Dolt such as hilarious, special, unique, tough, goofy, and passionate. There are simply not enough words to describe this amazing woman who has touched so many lives.

She was preceded in death by her parents John and Ina Faye Briant.

Survivors include her husband Toby Dolt, son John Dolt, brother Mike (Lynn) Briant, and sister Judy Briant as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

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David Keith George - November 08, 1956 - October 07, 2022

Departed: 10/07/2022 (Lawson)

Obituary Preview: David "Keith" George, 65, passed away on October 7, 2022. Keith was born in Kansas City, on November 8, 1956 to Robert "Bob" and Sonya (Martin) George. Keith was a 1975 graduate of Oak Park High School in Gladstone, Missouri. Keith married Sherrie (Reed) on June 6, 1976 in Kansas City, Missouri. They made their home in rural Ray County, Missouri near Lawson for nearly 42 years and owned George's Music Service II for 26 years. Keith worked for his father (Bob) in the family business (George's Music Service) for more than 27 years prior to moving the business to his home in 1996. Keith spent nearly 53 years working on stringed musical instruments in the Kansas City area. Keith loved all things music, but especially bluegrass music. Keith was a professional musician in the Kansas City area, and started playing bass for Green Side Up at the age of 13. He loved playing live bluegrass music with the many friends he made along the way. Keith performed on many local country music opry shows in the Kansas City area, including Byron Jones' Trailtown at Benjamin Ranch, the Farris Opry in Richmond, the Northtown Opry in North Kansas City, Dennis Dittemore's Big Creek Opry in Pleasant Hill, and many others. Keith was also an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved the outdoors chasing deer and turkey in Ray County or catching fish where ever he could. He treasured the time he spent outdoors in the field hunting, fishing, and talking to God.

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Ilene Skinner - July 23, 1929 - September 21, 2022

Departed: 09/21/2022 (Lawson)

Obituary Preview: Ilene Skinner, 93, of Lawson, MO. passed away on September 21, 2022. A visitation will be held on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022 from 4:00-5:00pm at Hidden Valley Funeral Home of Lawson. A funeral service will follow at 5:00pm also at Hidden Valley Funeral Home of Lawson.

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Virginia M. Brundage - May 16, 1943 - September 03, 2022

Departed: 09/03/2022 (Lawson)

Obituary Preview: Virginia 'Judy' Brundage Judy M. Brundage, 79, Lawson, Missouri, passed away September 3, 2022 at Lawson Manor and Rehab. A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at 2:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church of Kearney, 1000 E. State Route 92, Kearney, MO 64060. A visitation will held prior to the celebration from 1:00 to 2:00 PM at the church. Dress will be casual and wearing red, Judy's favorite color, is encouraged! There will be a meal immediately following the celebration.

Judy was born May 16, 1943 in Excelsior Springs, Missouri to Russell and Rebecca Moore. She married Harley Brundage on June 1, 1963, in Kearney, Missouri. Judy worked both inside and outside of the home where she raised a family and retired from the State of Missouri in 2008. She is survived by her two sons, Brian Brundage and wife Cheryl of Tacoma, Washington; Paul Brundage and wife Dana of Kearney, Missouri; 4 grandchildren, Jarred Brundage, Tiffany Brundage, Cade Brundage, Conner Brundage; and 5 great-grandchildren, Kaisha, Kason, Brynn, Harlee and Jason. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and her siblings. Visitation 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Saturday, September 24, 2022 First United Methodist Church Of Kearney 1000 E. State Route 92 Kearney, Missouri, United States 64060 Celebration of Life 2:00 pm Saturday, September 24, 2022 First United Methodist Church Of Kearney 1000 E. State Route 92 Kearney, Missouri, United States

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Facilities and Amenities

The funeral home is located at 412 N. Raum St., Lawson, MO, 64062, and offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere that provides comfort and solace to families during their time of need. The facilities are modern and well-maintained, with ample parking and easy accessibility for all. The funeral home also offers a range of amenities, including a spacious chapel, visitation rooms, and a coffee lounge where families can gather and share memories of their loved ones.

Funeral Services

Hidden Valley Funeral Homes offers a wide range of funeral services designed to meet the unique needs and preferences of each family. From traditional funeral ceremonies with burial or entombment to cremation services with memorial gatherings, the team at Hidden Valley Funeral Homes is dedicated to helping families create a personalized and meaningful tribute to their loved ones. The funeral home also offers pre-planning services, allowing individuals to make their own funeral arrangements in advance.

Cremation Services

In addition to traditional funeral services, Hidden Valley Funeral Homes also offers cremation services for those who prefer this option. The funeral home has its own on-site crematory, ensuring that every step of the cremation process is handled with care and dignity. Families can choose from a range of cremation options, including direct cremation, cremation with memorial service, or cremation with burial or entombment.

Pre-Planning Services

Planning ahead for your own funeral may seem daunting, but it can be a thoughtful and responsible decision that brings peace of mind to you and your loved ones. At Hidden Valley Funeral Homes, the team is dedicated to helping individuals pre-plan their own funeral arrangements in advance. By making your own decisions about your funeral service, you can ensure that your wishes are respected and that your loved ones are spared the burden of making difficult decisions during a difficult time.

Community Involvement

Hidden Valley Funeral Homes is deeply committed to the community it serves. The funeral home is actively involved in local organizations and events, and is dedicated to supporting families in need. From hosting grief support groups to participating in community fundraisers, the team at Hidden Valley Funeral Homes is passionate about giving back to the community.

Grief Support

Losing a loved one can be one of the most difficult experiences we face in life. At Hidden Valley Funeral Homes, the team understands the importance of providing ongoing support and guidance to families as they navigate the grieving process. The funeral home offers a range of grief support resources, including counseling services, support groups, and online resources. Additionally, the team is always available to offer a listening ear or words of comfort whenever they are needed.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or would like more information about Hidden Valley Funeral Homes of Lawson, please don't hesitate to contact us. Our team is always here to help, and we look forward to serving you with compassion, respect, and dignity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an obituary?

An obituary is a written notice that announces the death of a person, typically including their name, age, date of birth and death, and other biographical information. It may also include details about their life, achievements, and surviving family members.

Why are obituaries important?

Obituaries serve as a way to share the news of a loved one's passing with friends, family, and community. They provide an opportunity to honor the deceased, celebrate their life, and offer condolences to those who are grieving.

Who writes an obituary?

Typically, the family of the deceased or a close friend writes the obituary. In some cases, a funeral home or mortuary may assist with writing the obituary or provide a template for the family to use.

What information should be included in an obituary?

A typical obituary includes the person's name, age, date of birth and death, place of residence, occupation, education, military service, hobbies, and surviving family members. It may also include information about memorial services, charitable donations, or other relevant details.

How long should an obituary be?

The length of an obituary can vary depending on the publication and personal preference. Generally, it should be concise and to the point, ranging from a few sentences to a short paragraph.

Can I include photos in an obituary?

Yes, many publications allow you to include a photo of the deceased in the obituary. This can be a meaningful way to personalize the notice and help readers remember the person.

How do I submit an obituary to a newspaper or online platform?

The process for submitting an obituary varies depending on the publication or platform. Typically, you can submit it online through their website or contact their obituary department directly for guidance.

How much does it cost to publish an obituary?

The cost of publishing an obituary varies widely depending on the publication, word count, and any additional features such as photos or special layouts. Expect to pay anywhere from $50 to several hundred dollars.

Can I write my own obituary in advance?

Yes, some people choose to write their own obituary in advance as a way to have control over how they are remembered. This can be a therapeutic exercise and can also help reduce the burden on loved ones during a difficult time.

What is the difference between an obituary and a death notice?

A death notice is a brief announcement of someone's passing, usually including only basic information such as name, age, and date of death. An obituary is a more detailed notice that provides additional information about the person's life and legacy.

Can I include humor or anecdotes in an obituary?

Absolutely! Obituaries don't have to be somber and serious. Including humorous stories or anecdotes can help capture the personality and spirit of the deceased and make the notice more engaging and memorable.

How do I handle sensitive or difficult information in an obituary?

If there are sensitive or difficult aspects of the person's life or death that you're unsure how to address in the obituary, consider seeking guidance from a trusted friend, family member, or professional counselor.

Can I include quotes or lyrics in an obituary?

Yes! Quotes, lyrics, or poems that were meaningful to the deceased can add depth and personality to the obituary. Just be sure to obtain any necessary permissions or credits for copyrighted material.

How do I ensure accuracy in an obituary?

Double-check all facts and details before submitting the obituary for publication. Consider having multiple people review it for accuracy and completeness.

What if I need to make corrections to an already-published obituary?

Contact the publication or platform where the obituary was published as soon as possible to request corrections. They may be able to issue a correction or reprint the revised obituary.

Can I publish an obituary online only?

Yes! Many online platforms and social media sites allow you to publish an obituary without printing it in a traditional newspaper. This can be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option.

How long will an online obituary remain available?

The duration that an online obituary remains available varies depending on the platform or website. Some may keep it available indefinitely, while others may remove it after a certain period of time.

Can I create a memorial website or tribute page instead of an obituary?

Yes! Memorial websites and tribute pages offer a flexible and interactive way to celebrate a loved one's life and legacy. You can include photos, stories, videos, and other multimedia elements.

What is the purpose of an obituary beyond announcing someone's passing?

An obituary serves as a way to honor and celebrate the person's life, share their story with others, and provide comfort and support to those who are grieving.

Can I include information about charitable donations or memorials in an obituary?

Absolutely! Including information about charitable donations or memorials can help continue the person's legacy and provide a meaningful way for others to pay tribute.

How do I handle multiple marriages or complex family relationships in an obituary?

Treat all spouses, partners, children, and step-relations with respect and sensitivity. Be honest and clear in your wording, but avoid causing unnecessary confusion or discomfort for readers.

What if I'm not comfortable writing an obituary myself?

DON'T WORRY! You can ask a trusted friend or family member for assistance or seek guidance from a funeral home or professional writer specializing in obituaries.

Can I republish an old obituary for a milestone anniversary or special occasion?

Yes! Republishing an old obituary can be a meaningful way to commemorate a milestone anniversary or special occasion related to the deceased. Check with the original publication for permission first.

Are there any specific guidelines or regulations for writing an obituary?

Certain publications may have specific guidelines or regulations for writing an obituary. Be sure to check with them beforehand to ensure compliance.

How do I balance honesty with tact when writing an obitary?

Honesty is essential when writing an obitary but so is tact. Be truthful about the person's life but avoid sharing sensitive information that might cause harm or discomfort to others.