Area Obituaries

Tena Vanessa Backues, daughter of Ralph and Karen (Holt) Backues, went home to be with our Lord on October 3, 2022. Tena was born December 31, 1986, in Columbia, Mo. She lived in Licking, Mo., her entire life, graduating from Licking High School in 2005. After high school, Tena worked at a few of the…

Richard Eugene Strom, age 55, passed away September 30, 2022, in Licking, Mo. Richard was born November 13, 1966, in Houston, Mo., to Russell and Lois Strom. Richard is preceded in death by his parents; one son, Shane Parmer; niece, Amanda Strom; and one grandson, Gunner Parmer. He is survived by his wife, Jean Strom;…

Patricia Ann Davis, age 70, of Licking, passed away September 28, 2022, at Houston House. Patricia was born on March 16, 1952, in Houston, Mo., the daughter of John William Davis and Kathleen Cecelia (O’Malley) Davis. Patricia taught at Plato and Houston Schools. After her retirement from teaching in public schools, she taught high school…

  Kaleb Lynn Keaton, age 19 years and 11 months, son of Freddie Lynn and Renee Keaton, was born October 25, 2002 in Houston, Mo. He passed away September 25, 2022, in Salem, Mo. Kaleb is preceded in death by his Grandma Wilma Johnson, Papa Freddie E. Keaton, Great-Grandma Vivian Goforth, Great-Grandma Genevieve Johnson, Great-Grandpa…

Myrtle Lucille (Wichmann) Riley, of Licking, Mo., was born October 11, 1926, in St. Louis, Mo., to Emil and Fannie (Chambers) Wichmann. She left this earth to join her husband of 50 years in heaven on September 15, 2022, with her daughters at her side. Myrtle was baptized at a young age and attended school…

Christopher Kenneth Dieman was born December 12, 1975, at General Fort Leonard Wood Army Hospital, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., the son of Charles and Deborah (Therkelsen) Dieman, and departed this life Sunday, September 4, 2022, at his childhood home, Plato, Mo. He professed his faith in Christ as his Savior and was baptized at the…

Charles W. “Chuck” Ayers, age 74, of Licking, Mo., was born July 30, 1948, in Albuquerque, N. Mex., to Arthur Lee and Bertha (McDaniel) Ayers. He passed away September 10, 2022, in Licking, Mo. with his wife by his side. Chuck’s childhood years were spent between Albuquerque and Drasco, Ark. Charles later moved to Licking,…

Reverend Dr. Paul D. Branstetter, age 86, of California, Mo., passed away Monday, September 5, 2022, at Valley Park West Retirement Center. Paul was born on December 26, 1935, in Mansfield, Mo., the son of Charles and Marie (Marah) Branstetter. Paul married his college sweetheart, Marcia Moyer, on July 11, 1960, and they have two…

Bobbie Jean (Brinkley) Tripp was born on August 10, 1933, to Warren and Mary (Kirk) Brinkley in Kimble, Mo. She went home on September 4, 2022, surrounded by her family in Licking, Mo. On May 29, 1952, in Mountain Home, Ark., she was married to her true love, Otis Walter Tripp, and to this union…

Edward Franklin Atkisson, son of Herbert Bazel Atkisson and Helen Louise (Perkins) Atkisson was born on October 21, 1938, in Texas County. He passed away on August 26, 2022, at Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston, Mo. He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Angela; granddaughter, Alisha; brothers, Gene, Bill, Ronald and Harry;…