Howard Jay Deardorff

Mr. Howard Jay Deardorff, 86, resident of Grandview, Missouri passed away Sunday, June 14, 2009, at the Golden Livingcenter, Independence, Missouri. Mr. Deardorff, son of the late Carl and Myrtle Haughn Deardorff, was born June 27, 1922 in Overland Park, Kansas. He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Percival Jay and Azuba Dougherty Deardorff, Hale, Missouri, and maternal grandparents, Milo Clayton and Nora Moore Haughn, Carrollton, Missouri. On Feb. 2, 1945, he was married to the former Palma Lee Fitzgerald, Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Deardorff graduated from Central High School, Kansas City, June 1941. He was a skating member of the Kansas City Silver Blades and then toured with the Ice Capades. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He studied art at the Kansas City Art Institute and was a member of the Kansas City Art Guild. He specialized in watercolor and pen and ink. His paintings have been shown at galleries and art shows in Kansas City, St. Louis and throughout the Mid-West. Many of his paintings won awards. He also worked as a commercial artist and was a member of the Kansas City Star art staff. He was an avid ball room dancer and enjoyed many dances at the local community centers. Surviving are a daughter, Denise A. White, Exeland, Wisconsin; a son, Dennis M. Deardorff and wife, Jeri Wallace, Chapin, South Carolina; grandchildren, Corbin "Corky" Randall White and wife, Shawna McKnight, Exeland, Wisconsin and Chedra Kalen White, Exeland, Wisconsin, formally from Kansas City, Missouri; and five great-grandchildren, Jessie D. French, Kayla E. French, Dakota J. White, Dustin B. French, Shahala R. White, all of Exeland, Wisconsin. A graveside service for Mr. Deardorff will be held at 11am, Thursday, June 18, 2009 at Longview Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, Friends may call from 10-11am at the Funeral Home, 12700 S. Raytown Road, Kansas City, MO 64149. (816-761-6272) Honorary Pallbearers: Mr. W. Jeffrey Burr, Las Vegas, Nevada, Mr. Bing Schimmelpfenning, Kansas City The family would like to thank Mrs. Bonnie Vandiver for the love and support she has given to our family. We would also like to thank Director, Mr. Andrew Lore and Director of Nursing, Ms. Tonia Haney, both of Golden Livingcenter- Independence for the kindness and care they have shown to our family. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to: Kansas City Art Institute, Scholarship Fund, C/O Pam Sibert, 4415 Warwick Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64111. Family correspondence should be directed to Mr. & Mrs. Dennis M. Deardorff and Ms. Denise A. White, 1217 Ellett Road, Chapin, SC 29036. (Arr. Newcomer's Longview Funeral Home)