Person Page - 5261

     Velma Grace Bowdre Velma Grace Harding, 94, of Gladstone, Missouri passed away on Sunday, June 11, 2017. She was born on March 6, 1923 in Princeton, MO. She was the 2nd oldest of 8 children born to her loving parents, Mary Elizabeth (Koch) and Charles Edgar Bowdre. Velma grew up in Kansas City, Kansas. One day, while she was washing the dishes, Marion Harding came by her house to pick up her brother for a baseball game. While he was walking through the house, he saw Velma and thought she was the prettiest girl he had ever seen! Instead of going to the baseball game, he picked up a towel and started drying the dishes. He spent the next long six months pleading for a date before Velma’s best friend, Frances, convinced her to go to the theatre with him. Not long after, on the 22nd of July 1940, Velma and Marion were married. Together, Velma and Marion had 5 children whom they raised in Kansas City, Kansas. In the early 90s, Velma and Marion moved to Gladstone, Missouri where they spent 25 happy years. Velma was a charter member of Oak Grove Christian Church in Kansas City when it was founded in 1969, and a deaconess therein. She was always very active in the church and loved doing whatever she could to serve God there. She also loved to cook, spend time with her family, listen to any kind of music and to go bowling- if she could choose between bowling and eating, she would always rather bowl! Velma was preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings, and one son, Crist Harding. She leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband, Marion Harding; 4 children: Pat (Tim) Rhoades, Joyce (Tom) Janssen, Sandy (Roy) Clogston, and Keith Harding. Also, her daughter-in-law, Sheila; 16 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren. She was greatly loved and will be dearly missed. The family would like to especially thank her caregiver, Carol Hartman who took such good care of her when her health started failing, and also Pastor Helen Nelson, for providing spiritual guidance and loving kindness for as long as she knew her.² She was buried at Highland Park Cemetery, Kansas City, Wyandotte Co., Kansas.³ She was born on March 6, 1923 at Princeton, Mercer Co., Missouri.² As of July 22, 1940,her married name was Harding.¹ She married Marion Harding, son of John Milton Harding and Mary Agnes Menkin/Memke, on July 22, 1940.^1,2 Velma Grace Bowdre died on June 11, 2017 at Gladstone, Clay Co., Missouri, at age 94.²

     James Milton Harding was buried at Paradise Cemetery, 980 Elliott Road, Paradise, Butte Co., California.² He was born on October 17, 1933 at Kansas.² He married Eva Louise Pitcock on July 8, 1960 at Tulare Co., California.³ James Milton Harding died on June 25, 2018 at Butte Co., California, at age 84.² He Surrounded by his family James Harding passed away June 25th 2018. James was born October 17, 1933 in Kansas and spent his early years working with his family picking crops. James graduated from college with a degree in mechanical engineering and has taught grades 5-7 but is best known locally as a general contractor who has built many homes and apartments on the ridge. James enjoyed family, skiing, flying and travel. James is survived by his wife, Eva Louise Harding, sons, Jim Harding and Dan Harding, granddaughters Alisha Showalter, Emily Harding and Maya Harding. Services were held Friday at the Paradise District Cemetery. on June 30, 2018.²

     Hal Frank Nixon was buried at Old Mission Cemetery, 3424 E. 21st Street N, Wichita, Sedgwick Co., Kansas.¹ His Social Security Number was 511-22-1893.³ He married Viola Harding, daughter of Art Harding and Elizabeth M./A. "Eiza" Harding.⁴ Hal Frank Nixon was born on September 2, 1927 at Blackwell, Kay Co., Oklahoma.^5,2,3 He died on June 13, 2009 at Wichita, Sedgwick Co., Kansas, at age 81.^1,3 He Nixon, Hal F., 81, passed away June 13th, 2009 at his home. He is survived by daughters; Addie Nixon of Wichita and Elizabeth Thomas of Bonner Springs, KS. Hal leaves 4 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be 2:00 p.m., Friday July 10, 2009 at Old Mission Cemetery. I on July 5, 2009.¹

     Lorene Marie Henry was buried at Highland Park Cemetery, Kansas City, Wyandotte Co., Kansas.¹ She was born on September 10, 1930.¹ As of November, 1950,her married name was Harding.² She married Arthur Gene "Jake" Harding, son of Art Harding and Elizabeth M./A. "Eiza" Harding, in November, 1950.² Lorene Marie Henry and Arthur Gene "Jake" Harding were divorced in 1984.¹ Lorene Marie Henry died on December 31, 1999 at Kansas at age 69.¹

     Petite Jean Marie Harding Petite J. Duncan, 44, of Linn Valley, KS, passed away September 2, 2013 at the Olathe Medical Ctr. Visitation will be 6 to 8 PM Friday at Maple Hill Funeral Home, where the funeral service will be held at 11 AM Saturday. Burial at Maple Hill Cemetery. Survivors include her 2 sons, Jeremy Spurlock of Paola, KS, Andrew Duncan of Gardner, KS, 3 sisters, Joy Harding, Gwen Brown (Carl), Susan Harding, all of Kansas City, KS, a brother Bill Maulding of Kansas City, MO, 4 grandchildren, a life companion Jeff Gardner, ex-husband and dear friend Andy Duncan and several foster children.³ She was buried at Maple Hill Cemetery, 2301 South 34th Street, Kansas City, Wyandotte Co., Kansas.^3,4 Her married name was Duncan.³ She married Andy Duncan.³ Petite Jean Marie Harding and Andy Duncan were divorced.³ Petite Jean Marie Harding was born on December 23, 1968.^2,4 She died on September 2, 2013 at Olathe, Johnson Co., Kansas, at age 44.^3,4