Area Obituaries

Lura Lena Kathern Hollon, 87, of Milan, Missouri passed away Thursday, April 30, 2026 at Wright Memorial Hospital in Trenton, Missouri. Kathern was born April 7, 1939 in Reger, Missouri to Raymond Joseph and Lula Mary (Fanning) Smith. She married Bobby Dean Hollon on July 30, 1955, he preceded her in death on October 10, 1989. She later married Donald Creason on May 19, 1998, he preceded her in death in February of 2026. Kathern was also preceded by: Her parents; a granddaughter, Robbe Mae Brinkley; two grandsons, Tyson and Tyler Dearing; and several brothers and sisters. Kathern is survived…

Ralph Orin Porter, age 87 of Rancho Palos Verdes, California, died in his sleep on Monday, March 20, 2026 due to complications related to Alzheimer’s. Born in Green City, Missouri on December 15, 1938, Ralph grew up on the family farm alongside his sister Ann and parents Chloie Iona [Stickler] and Orin Beatty Porter. He was very proud of being one of the last group of students to attend the Pleasantville one-room schoolhouse. He later graduated from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Truman State) where he earned his Masters degree. He began his science teaching career in Keokuk, Iowa.…

Linda Joan Hostetter, 78, of Gladstone, Missouri, passed away on Friday, April 24, 2026, peacefully at her home in Gladstone Missouri. Linda was born on April 30, 1947, in Trenton Missouri, to Dale and Mildred (High) Smith of Harris, Missouri. On April 2, 1966, she married Larry Dean Hostetter of Harris and to this union two daughters were born. She is survived by her two daughters; Tracy Sloan and Wendy (Mac) Williams all of Gladstone, five grandchildren; Travis (Sami) Hostetter, Mikayla Williams, Gabrielle Williams, Tyree Hostetter and Mason Sloan, two great grandchildren; Isabela and Travis Hostetter Jr; brothers Randy (Debbie)…

Anita Marie (Atchison) Armstrong, 76, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Saturday, March 14, 2026 at her home. She was born March 16, 1949 in Benson, Minnesota, Anita was the daughter of the late Charles Leo and Dorothy Lorraine (Wilson) Atchison. She was also preceded in death by one daughter, Joely Bachman; one grandson, Gage Bachman; one brother, Lee Atchison; four sisters, LaVina Sellman, Judith Halbe, Bonnie Burns, and Sheree Atchison; as well as one daughter-in-law, Gail Armstrong. On May 30, 1981 in Benson, MN, Anita was united in marriage to Milton Armstrong. Anita is survived by her husband Milton of…

Joely Denise (Wrobleski) Bachman, 54, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at Boone Hospital in Columbia Missouri. Joely was born December 10, 1971 in Benson, Minnesota to Dennis Wrobleski and Anita (Atchison) Armstrong. She was united in marriage on September 4, 1993 to Donnie Bachman who survives. Joely was preceded in death one son Gage Bachmann, and father Dennis Wrobleski. She is survived by her mother and step-father Anita and Milton Armstrong of Kirksville, MO, son Chase Bachman, and one daughter Shaye Bachman both of Kirksville MO. She is also survived by two step-brothers and one step-sister-in-law,…

Rena Jeanette (Hope) Armstrong, age 92, of Smithville, Missouri, passed on Sunday, April 27, 2025. Jeanette was born on July 3, 1932, to James Herbert and Hazel Irene (Downing) Hope in Green City, MO. She grew up in Green City and graduated from Green City High School in 1950. On July 20, 1952, she was united in marriage to James Ercel Armstrong in Green City. After their marriage they lived in Kansas City and in 1960, they moved to rural Smithville where they farmed and made their home. Jim passed away on June 6, 2012. Jeanette was a longtime member…

Charlotte McClaren, age 88, of Milan, Missouri, passed away on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at the Sullivan County Memorial Hospital surrounded by her family. Charlotte was born on December 23, 1937, at home in Milan, Missouri to Ola Glenn Hudnall and Allie Mae Pierson. She was the third of five children. On September 6, 1952, she married Alfred Monroe White and to this union three children were born. Rick, Vicki and Vonda (deceased) White. On April 21, 1962, she married Lyle McClaren who preceded her in death. Charlotte worked at Con Agra Foods in Milan and retired after forty years.…

James Edward “Jim Ed” Dunlap, age 79, of Milan, Missouri passed away Sunday, March 1st, 2026 at Sullivan County Memorial Hospital. Jim Ed was born May 5th, 1946, to Charlie Thomas and Mary Mildred (Murdock) Dunlap. On May 16th, 1965, he married Linda Arlene Bundridge. She survives him, along with their three children Carson Wade, Lori Carol, Jason Max , and their families as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Charles Thomas Dunlap, a sister, Mildred Louise Klein, and a number of brothers and sisters-in-law. Jim Ed spent his whole life within…

Donald Ralph Creason, 93, of Milan, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, February 10. 2026 at Liberty Hospital in Liberty, Missouri. Donald was born July 31, 1932 in Browning, Missouri to Ralph and Marie (Brehm) Creason. Donald grew up in Browning, graduating from Linn County R-1 school in 1952. After graduation, he joined the United States Army, serving in Germany during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954. Donald then married Roselee (Romesburg) Creason on June 30, 1956, and to this union three children were born. Rosalee preceded Donald in death in 1994. He was also preceded by: his parents and siblings,…

Howard Douglas King, 82, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away Sunday, February 15, 2026, in Pleasant Valley, Missouri. Doug was born March 27, 1943, in Milan, Missouri, to Leo and Ruth (McClanahan) King. They preceded him in death. He married Vickie Marlay on November 29th, 1969, and she preceded him in death in 2013. Survivors include: his two sons, Stephen King and wife Leanne, Greg King and wife Jennifer; grandchildren, Tyler King, Tawni King, Preslie King, Piper King and Tyler Tice; a sister, Susie Gardner; a very special friend, Marva Cox. Doug grew up in Milan, graduating from Milan C-II,…