Betty Calhoon

(From Midland Cremation Society)

BETTY F. CALHOON, Carl Junction, MO, born 3/20/1933 passed away 4/7/2026, when Jesus reached down from heaven to carry her home. She was 93 years old and had always wanted to die in her sleep, so she did. 

She was the fourth of six children, born in Harrisonville MO. She grew up on the family farm, south of Harrisonville, and attended the one room school called Elm Branch, near the home. She attended and graduated from Archie High School in 1951. 

After high school Betty moved to Kansas City with friends Nadine and Marie, living in an apartment together. That was short-lived when Nadine decided to get married, so Betty moved back to Harrisonville. 

In 1952 she met and married Charles Keeney, moving back to KC. Later, with 4 young children, she moved again to rural Harrisonville in 1958. She decided to accept the Lord and was baptized by Bill Groff at Archie Christian Church. She got a job at Bendix in KC and carpooled with several friends. A mutual friend introduced her to Charles W. Calhoon. They married in 1961 and raised their blended family of 6 children (plus 2 more later on) in Independence & Kansas City MO. They were active members of Eastside Christian Church in Kansas City, later attending Northland Christian Church. 

After her children had grown, she worked seasonally at Honey Baked Hams. After Chuck (Dad) passed in 1994, she began working at Worlds of Fun as a seamstress making show clothes (1995-2006). 

In 2009 she married Lee O'Connell whom she met as both were drivers for the Kansas City Auto Auction. He passed in 2010. She moved to Grain Valley in 2016 to live with a daughter and son-in-law. She attended Revive Church in Independence with them. 

In 2018 she moved to Carl Junction to be near her other children and attended Fir Road Christian Church. She had many interests and hobbies. She was an exemplary seamstress and made clothing for all her children and many of her grandchildren. She loved cooking and baking, trying new recipes all the time. She made many character birthday cakes for her grandkids, and wedding cakes for several of us as well as others. She also made some of our wedding gowns and/or bridesmaid dresses. She did flower arranging, ceramics, and even oil painting, many landscapes and even some animals. She also painted several murals for church nurseries. We all enjoyed the benefits. She will be missed by many friends and family. 

Parents, now deceased: George August Unnewehr and Mabel Theo Ephland Unnewehr. Deceased siblings include Virginia Reeder, Georgia Foote, Margaret Hedrick, and John Unnewehr. One deceased son, Cary Calhoon and a son-in-law, John Lukey. 

Surviving is one brother, Fred Unnewehr of Holt Summit MO, Also surviving children: Cathy Calhoon Wesner (Rick), Deborah Keeney Barringer (Jeff), Karla Keeney Lukey (John, deceased), Douglas Keeney, Teresa Keeney Salmon, Kim Calhoon Smith (Brian), and Todd Calhoon (Tracy).
She was very proud of her 20 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren. 

Grandchildren by age: Ryan (Ashley) Wesner, Kylie (Aaron)Scully, Isaac (Karen) Barringer, Sarah (Doug) Yokley, Bethany (Josh) Huskey, Rachel Wesner, Cody (Micci) Calhoon, Candace (Jamie) Davis, Joshua (Kassie) Salmon, David (Samantha) Park, Tyler (Jordyn) Salmon, Dylan (Melody) Park, Peyton (Natalie) Givens, Jordan (Krista) Park, Haley Park, Ashton Calhoon, Cierra (Koda Suskey) Calhoon, Jeffrey Calhoon, Landon Calhoon, Charly Grund (James). 

She is also survived by many extended family members and dear friends. 

We will miss her. 

Her greatest wish was for all her friends and family to know Jesus because she wants to see them in heaven. 

Memorial Services will be Saturday, May 16, 2026.
Visitation will be 1:00, Memorial service at 2:00 PM.
Northland Christian Church
6120 NE 48th Street
Kansas City, MO 64119

Arrangements are made with Midland Cremation Society in Joplin, Missouri.