March 16, 2013

I. Katherine Bocell
1921-2013

I. Katherine Bocell, 91, St. Joseph, Missouri died Thursday, March 14, 2013 at a local healthcare facility.
She was born August 21, 1921 to Emmanuel N. and Julia Ann (Shepard) Kallaras in Warrensburg, Missouri.
Katherine married her high school sweetheart, James Russell Bocell, Sr. on February 14, 1942. They have celebrated 71 wonderful years together since James first set his sights on her in math class.
Mrs. Bocell, a homemaker and businesswoman, grew up in Kansas City, Kansas and graduated from Wyandotte High School. Later, she attended both Kansas City Kansas Community College and Kansas State University.
Prior to moving to St. Joseph in 1967, Mrs. Bocell was very active in the children’s schools and activities, serving in the PTA as President and in the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America. Katherine also owned and operated The Bo Peep Nursery School & Kindergarten in KCK for 15 years.
Mrs. Bocell was an active member of the First Baptist Church in St. Joseph, singing in the church choir and teaching Sunday School, and she delighted in mentoring women in the Country Club Village Bible Study where she resided. She was involved in the community arts and a member of the St. Joseph Country Club and St. Joseph Benton Club.
Education and mentorship within her family and the community was dear to her heart, and her spiritual and positive guidance has left an indelible mark on all those who were around her.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Betty Lu Kallaras.
Survivors: husband, James R. Bocell; daughters, Julianne Knittle (George), Olathe, Kansas and Suzanne Bradley (David), St. Joseph, Missouri; son, Dr. James R. Bocell, Jr. (Jeanette), Houston, Texas; ten grandchildren, Scott and Christopher Knittle, James R. Bocell III (Kimberly), Marshall L. Bocell, Benjamin C. Bocell (Heather), Kelley Bocell, Fraser Bocell, Katherine E. Bowlin (David), Stephane S. Bradley, and David Rall Bradley III; two great-grandchildren, James R. Bocell IV and Sara C. Bocell; sisters, Anna Pauline McGraw and Connie Sue Shotwell; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Services: 11:00 A.M. Monday, First Baptist Church. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Sunday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Flowers are appreciated. Charitable contributions are the donor’s choice. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.