Celebrations have a way of brightening up life and carrying us along through the mundaneness of our everyday routines until the next happy occasion comes along.

Wedding celebrations can be especially festive, with the families and loved ones of the bride and groom gathering to show their congratulations and give best wishes to the couple.

WARRENSBURG, Mo.--Martin E. "Sonny" Brandt, 83, of Warrensburg, died Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at his residence.

His funeral will be 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 12, 2010, at Williams Funeral Chapel in Warrensburg, with interment to follow in Warrensburg Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

KNOB NOSTER, Mo.--Robert J. Bawden, 88, of Knob Noster, Mo., died Friday, Feb. 5, 2010, at the Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton, Wash.

Arrangements are pending at Williams Funeral Chapel in Warrensburg.

WARRENSBURG, Mo.--Frederic W. Homan, 77, of Warrensburg , died Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010, at Harmony Gardens Assisted Living in Warrensburg.

WARRENSBURG, Mo.--The funeral for Harlan W. Mifflin, 76, of Warrensburg, will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 9, at the Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home, with the Rev. David Mifflin officiating.

WARRENSBURG, Mo.--The funeral for William J. "Dub" Livengood, 89, of Warrensburg, will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home in Warrensburg, with the Rev. Jerry Basye officiating.