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.

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LeRoy Deward VanCleave, 83, of Mayview, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at Oak Pointe of Kearney in K...
07/24/2026

LeRoy Deward VanCleave, 83, of Mayview, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at Oak Pointe of Kearney in Kearney, Missouri.
A graveside service with Military Honors will be held at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Higginsville, Missouri. Memorials are suggested to V.F.W. Post 5675 in Odessa, Missouri. Memories of LeRoy and condolences for his family may be left at www.LedfordFamilyFH.com or on the funeral home’s page. Arrangements have been entrusted to Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home, 306 S. 2nd St., Odessa, MO 64076, 816-633-5524.
LeRoy was born on November 2, 1942, in Winnebago, Nebraska, to Deward Orville and Elizabeth Rosetta (Hankins) VanCleave. He graduated from high school in Waterbury, Nebraska. On June 21, 2002, LeRoy was united in marriage to Doris Westmoreland. She preceded him in death on August 7, 2022.
LeRoy proudly served his country in the United States Army and was a Vietnam veteran. Following his service, he worked as a mechanic and later retired from Speedco Truck L**e & Tires in Oak Grove, Missouri. He was a member of Odessa V.F.W. Post 5675 and the American Legion.
LeRoy cherished time spent with his family and friends. He especially enjoyed fishing and the simple pleasures of life.
He is survived by his son, J.R. VanCleave of California; two grandchildren; three sisters, Joyce Norris of Mesa, Arizona, Lelah Bacca of Lancaster, California, and Betty (Charles) White of Haysville, Kansas; one brother, Edward (Toni) VanCleave of North Sioux City, South Dakota; a brothers-in-law, Norman (Karla) Westmoreland of Kearney, Missouri and Donald (Valerie) Westmoreland of Sunrise Beach, Missouri, as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
In addition to his parents and wife, LeRoy was preceded in death by a sister in infancy, Elizabeth Ann VanCleave; and two brothers, Arthur VanCleave and Milton VanCleave.

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Just as the seasons change throughout the year, your grief journey will change and transform.At the beginning, you may f...
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Just as the seasons change throughout the year, your grief journey will change and transform.
At the beginning, you may feel everything intensely. As time passes and you take time to remember and honor your loved one, that intensity will decrease.
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To learn about local grief resources, please call us at (816) 633-5524. We’re here to help!

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Ronald Gene Cowick, 67, of Lexington, Missouri passed away Sunday, July 12, 2026, at Centerpoint Medical Center. A grave...
07/14/2026

Ronald Gene Cowick, 67, of Lexington, Missouri passed away Sunday, July 12, 2026, at Centerpoint Medical Center.
A graveside service will take place at 2:00p.m., Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at Odessa Cemetery in Odessa, MO. Memorial are suggested to the family in care of Marla Rukavina. 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.
Ronald was born on October 10, 1958, in Carrolton, Missouri to Robert G. Cowick and Patricia (Hobbs) Trainer. He graduated in 1976 from Lexington High School. Ronald retired from Walmart as a stock employee. On August 16, 1997, Ronald was united in marriage to Shirley Jean (Dunn) Cowick, a partnership that brought him immense joy. Sadly, Shirley preceded him in death on March 8, 2021, leaving a void in his heart. He was a member of Assembly of God in Lexington. A man of simple pleasures, Ronald found joy in tinkering around in his yard, fishing, and watching his favorite sports teams, especially the Kansas City Chiefs.
Ronald is survived by his mother, Patricia Trainer of Higginsville, MO; three stepchildren, Donna Williams, Allen McKinney, and Chester Millikin; six step grandchildren, Amanda, Tim, Ashley, Sarah, Brandon, and Rachelle; eleven step great-grandchildren; one sister, Marla (John) Rukavina; one brother, Randy (Fiancée, Danielle); one stepsister, Rhonda (Roger) Richie; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Along with his wife, and father, Ronald was preceded in death by two step grandchildren, Chris and Jacob; one brother, Robert Steven Cowick, and one stepbrother, Dale Trainer.

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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