Obituaries
Bill and Sally Smith
Bill and Sally Smith, both 99, recently passed away in Mountain Grove, Sally on Dec. 21 and Bill on Dec. 28. Both lived in northeast Ohio, until moving to Mountain Grove, in June of 2025 to be with their daughter, MaryBeth Kaps, and their son, Michael Smith, who both reside in Mountain Grove. The...
Henry DeWitt Cooke
Henry DeWitt Cooke, 87, passed away peacefully on Dec. 23, 2025, at the family farm, surrounded by his family. Henry was born on Feb. 5, 1938. Henry lived a life marked by resilience, faith and strong conviction. At just 9 years old, Henry survived a tragic childhood accident that resulted in the...
Billy Joe Howell
Billy Joe Howell was born July 3, 1935 in Orla, to William Lawrence and Ada Ethel (Simmons) Howell. He departed his life Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025 in Lebanon, under the wonderful and loving care of Lebanon North Nursing and Rehab. Bill attended Sunny Slope School and graduated from Lebanon High School...
Eric Arnold Johnson Jr.
Eric Arnold Johnson Jr., son of the late Eric Arnold Johnson and Beverly Louise Shaw, was born April 7, 1952, in Pawtucket, R.I. He passed away on Dec. 17, 2025, at Ozarks Healthcare in West Plains, at the age of 73. Eric grew up in Rhode Island and received his teaching certificate. He taught high...
Fred “Sonny” Morris, Jr.
Fred “Sonny” Morris, Jr. was born Oct.3, 1937, in Mountain Home, Ark., to Fred A. and Mary Ann (Dyer) Morris Sr. He passed away Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Mountain Grove, at the age of 88 years, 2 months and 15 days. Sonny was once the owner of Morris Motor Company in Mountain Grove. His father...
Ronald Ray Emery,
Ronald Ray Emery, son of Arvel and Lois Cearley Emery, was born on May 22, 1948, in Vanzant, and departed his earthly home on Nov. 14, 2025, after a long-fought battle with cancer. He was 77 years, 5 months and 13 days old. Ronnie attended school until 8th grade at Vanzant and then graduated from...
Robin Lynn (Hall) McNeil
Robin Lynn (Hall) McNeil, daughter of Loretta (Caudle) Hall and the late Alva “Jack” Hall, was born Dec. 10, 1960, in Davenport, Iowa, and received her eternal reward on Dec. 13, 2025. She was 65 years and 3 days old. The family moved to Macomb, where Robin grew up on the family farm. She attended...
Gary Frederick Douglas
Gary Frederick Douglas, of Seymour, was born June 9, 1948, to Theodore and Mildred Goss Douglas. He passed away Dec. 4, 2025, at Glendale Gardens Nursing Home, Springfield. He was 77 years, 5 months and 25 days old. He attended Mansfield School, graduating with the Class of 1967. Following...
Harold “Dean” Moore
Harold “Dean” Moore, son of the late Hugh and Thelma (Cullum) Moore, was born April 28, 1936, at Hartville, and departed this life peacefully at his home near Mansfield, at 89 years of age. When Dean was about 5 years old, his family moved from Hartville to California, where he grew up. After...
Dorothy Belle Cantrell
Dorothy Belle Cantrell was born March 17, 1925, in Aiken, Texas, to Edward Truston Willard and Daisy Florence Zimmerman, and departed this life on Dec. 9, 2025. She was 100 years, 8 months and 22 days old. Dorothy attended Gravel Point and Fowler Schools, later completing her education at Mountain...