Area Obituaries

Robert Allen Van Kirk, age 60, son of James and Peggy Van Kirk and Nancy (Woodward) Delgado was born November 20, 1965, in Rolla, Mo. He passed away November 30, 2025, at his home in Licking, Missouri. Robert is preceded in death by his parents, James Van Kirk and Nancy (Woodward) Delgado; one brother, David…

John Paul Wade, 49, passed away on November 23, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. John Paul Wade was born on January 27, 1976, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, the son of Paul Eugene Wade and Paulette Elaine Cross. He grew up in Licking, Missouri. After graduating from Licking High School, he went on to pursue…

Donna (Mavis) Crossgrove, age 75, daughter of Eugene and Mary (Spillman) Mavis, was born October 17, 1950, in Kansas City, Mo. She passed away November 15, 2025, at Phelps Health Hospital, Rolla, Mo. Donna is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by sister Stephanie York and husband Don, of Osage Beach, Mo.;…

Gabriel John Harlan, age 16, of Rolla, Missouri, passed away on November 18, 2025, in Rolla, Missouri. Born on September 29, 2009, Gabriel was the beloved son of Rebecca (Merrick) Parker and Alex Harlan, and stepson of Brandon Parker. He was a vibrant young man whose energy, kindness, and unmistakable sense of humor touched everyone…

Jacob Dean Ailer, age 63, passed away November 20, 2025, in Springfield, Missouri, surrounded by family. Jacob was born January 6, 1962, in Ashland, Ohio, to Alpha and Ruthie (Kiser) Ailer. Jacob graduated from Hillsdale High School in 1980 before proudly serving in the U.S. Navy where he was Hospital Corpsman Third Class. He enjoyed…

Erich Jones passed away peacefully in his home in Webster Groves on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, after sadly losing his short battle with cancer. Beloved husband of Susan Jones (nee Frink), loving father of Bradley and Bethany Jones, adoring grandfather of Ryleigh Jones, cherished son of Charlene and the late Larry Jones, dear brother of…

Kathy Jo Thomure was born on December 27, 1961, and departed this life on November 4, 2025, surrounded by her family and friends.  Kathy was a fun-loving, outgoing and compassionate woman whose smile and laughter could light up any room. She found joy in the simple pleasures of life, like tending to her garden, cooking…

Randy Creighton, 76, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, died November 5, 2025, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, after a stroke. He was born August 29, 1949, to Col. Richard Creighton and Myra Sayes Creighton in Riverside, California. He attended the University of Houston, graduating with a B.S. in Chemistry.…

Jillian Jenelle Engelbrecht, of St. James, Missouri, entered into the arms of Jesus on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, with her loving family at her side. She was 18 years of age. Jillian, the daughter of Dustin William and Jami Leanne (Thompson) Engelbrecht, was born May 1, 2007 in Rolla,…

Joyce Ann Pierce, of Rolla, Mo., passed away Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the age of 84. She was born on November 10, 1940, in Rosati, Mo., to the late Bonnie Crider and Victoria (Cuccarollo) Crider. On January 20, 1967, she married Walter D. Pierce in Miami, Okla. He preceded her in death on May…