Area Obituaries

Jane B. McKinney, age 88, daughter of Dave and Mabel (Kirkman) Mitchell, was born June 22, 1938, in Long Beach, Calif. She passed away October 17, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. Jane is preceded in death by her daughter, Gina McKinney, her sister, Sue Steward, her brother, Terry Mitchell and her parents,…

Betty Ann (Skaggs) Bates was born on March 5, 1941, in Cherryvale, Kan., the fourth out of five children to Bert and Lucille (Carson) Skaggs. She passed away peacefully on October 19, 2026, surrounded by her loving family and finally was reunited with the love of her life, Jack. As a baby the family moved…

William “Bill” Cook William (Bill) Eugene Cook, 80, of Licking, Missouri, passed away at Phelps Health in Rolla on October 18, 2026. Bill was born on November 26, 1945, in Kinder Post, Missouri, to Herbert and Gladys (Ellis) Cook. Bill married Wilma Williams on January 1, 1966, and together they raised two sons, Tony and…

Phyllis Louise Jordan, age 78, was born on June 26, 1948, to Don and Margaret Louise (York) Davis. She went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 10, 2026. On February 12, 1966, Phyllis married the love of her life, John Lee Jordan. They spent many weekends at the river camping and fishing…

Mary Helen Bobo, age 86, daughter of James Curtis Smith and Eva Mae (Westmoreland) Smith, was born February 20, 1940, in Holly Springs, Mississippi. Helen left this life and joined the Lord September 30, at 11:47 p.m., with her husband, Jim, by her side. Helen was preceded in death by her first husband, Ralph Montgomery;…

Debbie Sue Mathes, 71, of Bucyrus passed away October 1, 2026. Debbie was born on August 24, 1955, in Springfield, IL, to Arthur Wayne Lepart Jr. and Mary Evelyn (Boyer) Lepart. Debbie is survived by her daughter, Billie-Jo Edwards; grandson whom she was raising, Logan Mathes; sisters, Kim Ranz and Tammy Meeker; brother, Dean Mackeben;…

Larry Keith Van Deusen, 83, passed away on September 23, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of memories and a family who loved him dearly. Larry was born on January 30, 1943, in St. Louis, Missouri, to George William Van Deusen and Thelma Bailie. He grew up in Texas County and spent most of his life…

Gerald Leon Koogler, 85, of Licking, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on March 23, 1941, in Shannon County, Missouri, to Marvin and Goldia Koogler. On May 6, 1961, Gerald married his high school sweetheart, Jeannette Emory, and together they built a life centered…

Gary O. Settlemire, 84, of Licking passed away September 17, 2026. Gary was born in Wasco, Calif., on November 28, 1941. Gary married Betty Sutton on September 4, 1966; they were married for 36 years before Betty passed away. Together they had two children, Debbie and Eric. Gary married Shirley (Elledge) Sullins on September 5,…

Dianna May North was born on October 26, 1957, in Waynesville, Mo., to William (Buddy) Sullins and Shirley (Elledge) Sullins. Dianna passed away at home on September 19, 2026. Dianna is preceded in death by her grandparents, Jim and Bessie Sullins and Milford Elledge, along with several aunts and uncles. Also preceding her in death…