Area Obituaries

Frankie LaVonne Topping was born on May 12, 1954, in Licking, Missouri. She was the daughter of Betty Faye Mitchell and Earl Frank Mansfield. She passed away on June 17, 2025, in Houston, Missouri. Frankie was known for her infectious smile and heartwarming personality. Her faith in humanity was untouched as she always saw the…

Dennis Lee Boyle, age 81, passed away June 15, 2025, at home in Beulah, Missouri, surrounded by family. Dennis was born March 20, 1944, in Aurora, Illinois, to Raymond and Mildred Boyle. Dennis is survived by his loving wife, Gloria Boyle; children, Chrissa McMahan, Pamela (Tom) LaForce, Dennis (Kim) Boyle Jr., and Robin (Thomas) O’Connell;…

  Donald James “Jim” Stephens, a devoted family man, generous friend, and passionate outdoorsman, passed away peacefully on June 2, 2025, at the age of 84. Known for his kind heart, steady presence, and devotion to his family, Jim leaves behind a lasting legacy of love, service and quiet strength. Born on March 6, 1941,…

Gary Ronald Holland, Master Sergeant, U.S. Army (Retired), passed away on June 12, 2025, at the age of 76, at the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James, Missouri. He was born on November 29, 1948, in Waynesville, Missouri, to Otto and Virginia (Pursifull) Holland. He was welcomed into the world by his older brother, Thomas…

Mrs. Emily Ernestine Hood Parker, age 54, passed away from cancer on Saturday morning, June 14, 2025, at her home surrounded by family and friends in Licking. She was born to the late Darrell E. and Patricia E. York Hood. Emily was preceded in death by her husband of eleven years, Drake Parker, on September…

Tammy May (Hopkins) Harris passed away at Phelps Health in Rolla, Mo., surrounded by her family on June 5, 2025.  She was born to Marian (Barber) Hopkins and Dexter Hopkins on April 6, 1959. She is preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents; her father, Dexter Hopkins; her mother- and father-in-law, Bob and…

Alice Pauline (Watson) Taylor was born October 25, 1930, in Hartshorn, Missouri, to William Henry and Gladys (Scurlock) Watson. She passed away June 11, 2025, in Sullivan, Missouri.  Pauline married Warren Robert Taylor on December 26, 1946, and they were married for nearly fifty years before Warren passed away on October 25, 1996. She was…

Bert Silverman, age 84, husband of Diane Silverman, was born April 3, 1941, in Philadelphia, Pa. Bert passed away on June 9, 2025, at his home in Licking, Mo. He moved to Licking from Kingman, Ariz., four years ago and loved it here. He inherited three daughters when he married Diane; Kathy, Laurie and Kristin.…

Geneva M. Black, of Duke, Mo., passed away Monday, June 9, 2025, at the age of 90. Geneva was born in Colorado, on March 5, 1935, to Charlie and Elizabeth (Rath) Rose. She had three sisters, Evelyn, Mildred and Dorothy; and two brothers, Bobby and Gary. Geneva married Donald Eugene Humphrey and to this union…

Shirley D. Parker was born to Leona May and Columbus McLaughlin on Nov 9, 1934, in Bloodland, MO. She departed this earth on Dec 14, 2024, at 90-years-old. The youngest of seven children, Shirley was born during a time of family tragedy, with her two brothers and her dad suffering from typhoid. Her brothers succumbed…