Area Obituaries

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…

Donna Spurgin was born on May 10, 1948, in Duke, Missouri. She was the daughter of the late Eldo Wilson and Carol (Miles) Wilson. She passed away on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, in her home surrounded by family members in Flat, Missouri, at the age of 77 years. In addition to her parents, she is…

James David Staley, 86, of Houston passed away on October 28, 2025. Jim was born on August 1, 1939, in St. Louis, Mo. When Jim was almost seven years old, his mother passed away. He moved to Licking with his mother’s sister, Josephine Johnston Jones, and her husband, Elba Jones. Elba and Josephine were already…

Margaret Elaine (Jorgensen) Heithold was called home to our Lord on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, surrounded by her children, family and friends in Licking Residential Care, Licking, at the age of eighty-nine years. She was born on June 18, 1936, in Ainsworth, Nebraska, to the Reverend Jens Christian and Emma (Pedersen) Jorgensen.   Margaret married Donavon…