Area Obituaries

William David Skyles passed away at home surrounded by his family on January 11, 2025, at the age of 84. He was born June 26, 1940, to Charles and Edna (Stough) Skyles and grew up in Rolla, Mo. David married Barbara Moreland on June 4, 1960. Three children were born to David and Barbara. Barbara…

  Jack Lowell Harris, of Rolla, Mo., passed away Monday, January 6, 2025, at the age of 91. He was born on October 13, 1933, in Edgar Springs, Mo., to the late George A. Harris and Sarah A. (Widener) Harris. On August 6, 1971, he married Barbara Conway Tryon Harris in Rolla, Mo. She preceded…

Jeanne A. Zaborowski-Bortz, age 83, passed away in Rolla, Mo., on January 10, 2025. She was born July 25, 1941, in Chisholm, Minn., to Gildo DeBellis and Rose Badiali. Jeanne is survived by her loving husband, Leo Zaborowski; children, Mary McGuire (Matt), Chris Higley (Mark), and Alex Zaborowski (Lilly); and one sister, Joanne Laverne. She…

    Netha Wanema Neal Kmetz was born on December 25, 1943, to Joseph Ray Neal and Nellie June Neal Lawson. She was preceded in death by her parents; her four children, Rhonda June McCabe, Kenneth Ray Thomas Jr., Terry Wayne Thomas and Keith Dean Thomas; as well as six siblings, Nolan Neal, Nealin Neal,…

Betty Mae (Earp) Koch, 96, died on January 4, 2025, at The Bluffs Skilled Nursing in Columbia, Mo. She had lived with her daughter and son-in-law from November 2022 until December 24, 2024, when she became ill. Betty was born in Storden, Minn., on April 14, 1928, to Oscar Pete and Lillie Mae (Adcock) Earp.…

Kenneth Earl Hood “Spare Tire,” age 62, was born May 19, 1962, in Corning, Arkansas. Kenny was the second eldest son of Darrell E. and Patricia E. (York) Hood. Kenny passed away on December 29, 2024, at Cox Hospital in Springfield, Mo.  Kenny was baptized in the early 1980s by Pastor Lenzie King in Pigeon…

The world is a sadder place with the loss of our son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend Steffan who left this world on November 24, 2024. He will always be remembered for his quiet spirit, kind soul and willingness to help a friend. He had a jovial spirit with a shy smile and worried about…

Debra (Debbie) Jean Benson, age 65, passed away on December 25, 2024, at her home in Licking, Missouri. She was born on September 11, 1959, to Donald and Bonnie (Lewis) Benson. Debbie is preceded in death by her mother, Bonnie and grandparents, Bud and Helen Benson and Dayton and Leota Lewis. She is survived by…

Jill E. Britner,of Raymondville, Missouri, went to be with the Lord on December 21, 2024. She leaves behind her loving husband, Richard Britner; son, Trent Friend; and two brothers, Jim and Rick Bolian. A funeral service for Jill was held on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Evans Funeral Home in Houston, Mo.,…

    Michael Lee McCloud, 53, of Salem, Missouri, departed this life Monday, December 16, 2024, in Salem, Missouri. Michael is survived by his girlfriend: Lori Cottrell; siblings: Glenda Hickman and husband, Michael, of Salem, Robin Salnave and husband, Kevin, of Salem, and Loretta James and husband, Scott, of Licking; as well as several nieces,…