Lorita “Lori” Ann (Staehle) Melte, 62, passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO; surrounded by her loved ones. Lori was born on October 22, 1963, in Mexico, MO; to her parents Henry and Lois (Goff) Staehle. Lori graduated from Marceline High School in Marceline, MO; with the Class of 1982. Lori was a loving mother and grandmother. Her kids and grandkids were her whole world. She loved her job of 30+ years at the Marceline Housing Authority in Marceline, MO. She loved working with her boss and lifetime friend Patrick Dorrell. Lori also had many, many friends, and coworkers. Lori is survived by her kids, Kelsi & Mario Espinoza, Cindy LaVier, JC Smith, Danielle Brewer, and Sheanea Rowles; her grandkids, Christian, Aubrey, Natalia, Lola, Joseph, Kira, Zander, Jayden, Ayla, Kylie, Benson, Naeson, and Olivia; her brother, Mike Staehle; her long-term partner of 30 years, Alan McCracken; along with six step kids, Kegan McCracken, Ashley Swan, Chris McCracken, Junior McCracken, Nickie McCracken, and Stephanie Sharp; and several step grandkids, nieces, nephews, and relatives. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Henry and Lois Staehle, two brothers, Joey and Alan Staehle, one sister, Anita Battle, one son, Kevin LaVier, one daughter, Kayla (Melte) Smith, and one granddaughter, Savannah Jo Smith. Funeral services to celebrate Lori’s life will be held at the Rhodes Funeral Home in Brookfield, MO; at 11:00 am. Thursday, April 30, 2026. Then per Lori’s wishes she will be cremated. Visitation will be held at the Rhodes Funeral Home in Brookfield, MO; Wednesday, April 29, 2026, from 5:00 pm. until 7:00 pm. with family receiving friends at this time. Arrangement are entrusted to the care and direction of Rhodes Funeral Home, Brookfield, MO. Memorial donations are to Lori’s grandkids make payable to Kelsi Espinoza and can be left at or mailed to Rhodes Funeral Home, 216 Linn Street, Brookfield, MO. 64628. Online condolences can be made at www.rhodesfh.com
Funeral services to celebrate Lori’s life will be held at the Rhodes Funeral Home in Brookfield, MO; at 11:00 am. Thursday, April 30, 2026. Then per Lori’s wishes she will be cremated. Visitation will be held at the Rhodes Funeral Home in Brookfield, MO; Wednesday, April 29, 2026, from 5:00 pm. until 7:00 pm. with family receiving friends at this time. Arrangement are entrusted to the care and direction of Rhodes Funeral Home, Brookfield, MO. Memorial donations are to Lori’s grandkids make payable to Kelsi Espinoza and can be left at or mailed to Rhodes Funeral Home, 216 Linn Street, Brookfield, MO. 64628. Online condolences can be made at www.rhodesfh.com
Source: KMZU, The Farm
