Area Obituaries

February 13, 1945 – February 10, 2026 A wonderful blessing, and an early Valentine’s Day gift, was brought into the world on February 13, 1945, to Gerald Eugene Clark and Helen Naomi (Rice) Clark. Their youngest child, Barbara Jean, was welcomed with love by her older siblings, Robert and Geraldene. She grew up in the small town of Green City, Missouri, in a home filled with laughter, warmth, and an abundance of love. Barbara attended Green City R-1 High School, home of the Gophers, where she was a bright and spirited student. She was a majorette and participated in basketball,…

Larry Dean Cook Sr., age 89 of White Hall, Ill. passed away Thursday, January 15, 2026 at White Hall Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was born April 26, 1936 in White Hall, the son of Floyd and Imogene Sitton Cook. He married Nell Vanderford and later divorced. He later married Carol Westnedge February 16, 2002 in Jacksonville and she survives. He is also survived by his children, Larry Dean (Anne) Cook Jr. of Milan, MO, Jeanna (William) Dinan of Birmingham, AL, Debby (Lynn) Ash of Roodhouse, Duane (Patty) Westnedge of White Hall, Kevin Westnedge of Carrollton, Darin Westnedge of Carrollton,…

Gary Edwin Hanman passed away on December 5, 2025. He was born on January 30, 1934, in Enterprise, Missouri to Doris Lillian (Crist ) Hanman and John Edwin (Ted) Hanman. He was born in a blizzard, the doctor could not get there and no birth certificate was issued. Delivered by his grandmother, this challenging start seemed to predict his passion for life and determination. He was the second of four children. Mary Jo was a year older, Patricia and Barbara three and five years younger. Barbara and her family still reside on the six generation family farm. Gary grew up…

Barbara Edna Jacobs, 91 years old, of Green City, Missouri, passed away Thursday, December 18, 2025, at Sullivan County Memorial Hospital in Milan. Barbara was born November 9, 1934, near Sticklerville, Missouri to Lester Long and Maurine (Pipes) Downen. On December 8, 1951, she married Dwight Jacobs in Laclede, Missouri, he preceded her in death in 2010. She was also preceded by a grandson, Will Jacobs; her brother, Jerry Long; half-brothers, Phil Long, Randy Long, Sam Long, and Delbert Downen; half-sisters, Leila Walsh, and Carol Hartz; stepfather, Raymon Downen; stepmother, Evelyn (Reger) Long; step sister, Dixie Maurer. Barbara was survived…

Reta Dianne Smiley, 44, of Galt, Missouri, passed away Monday, December 15, 2025 at University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia, Missouri. Reta was born August 12, 1981, in Trenton, Missouri to Jimmie Leon and Margie Dianne (Hudson) Thomas. On April 29, 2000, she married Brian Smiley, he survives of the home. Reta is also survived by: her mother Margie Thomas of Harris on the family farm; her children, Dustin Johnson and spouse Clinton of Chesapeake, Virginia, Colton Smiley and significant other Sheyenne Downing of Gallatin, Missouri, and Tracen Smiley and significant other Mariah Baugher of Galt; Grandchildren, Chaylynn Tucker and…

Jeffrey Don Watkins, 53, of Greentop, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, December 11, 2025. Born June 5, 1972 in Kirksville, Missouri, Jeff was the son of Paul Eugene and Sandra Lea (Hollon) Henley. On July 7, 2012 in Greentop, Missouri, Jeff was united in marriage to Tosha O’Haver. Jeff is survived by wife, Tosha of the home; his parents, Paul and Sandra Henley of Milan, MO; four sons, Blake (Jordan) Watkins, Brody Watkins, Kaden Watkins, and Nathan Shively; two daughters, Abbi Shively and Breanna (Traven) Miller; one brother, Shane (Cindi) Watkins; his grandmother, Phyllis Hollon who he was very close…

Barbara (Bowman) Neighbors, 95, passed away peacefully in her home Sunday, December 7th, 2025. Barbara was born February 9th, 1930 to Carl and Julia (Worley) Bowman, who preceded her in death. She was the fourth born of seven children, growing up near Lemons, Missouri. Barbara enjoyed telling about playing paper dolls with her sisters and her ornery brother Fred coming along and blowing on the paper dolls, scattering them. When met with protests he would innocently reply “a fellers got to breath.” She attended the Chappell school in elementary and then later Lemons Highschool. After high school she attended North…

Emma Louise (Cunningham) Lalik 89, a resident of Richmond, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at North Care Hospice House in North Kansas City. Emma was born on August 11, 1936, the daughter of Harvey and Havaleen Florence (Bailey) Cunningham. On March 3, 1957, Emma was united in marriage to E. Thomas Lalik; he preceded her in death in 1986. She is survived by: two sons, Michael Thomas Lalik and Earl T. Lalik; daughter, Lola Florence Lalik Towne; four grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive. Emma was preceded in death by her parents,…

Matthew Harold Howard, 43, of Milan, Missouri, passed away on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at St. Lukes on the Plaza in Kansas City. Matt was born on March 4, 1982, in Marshalltown, Iowa to Harold Howard and Jo Ann (Clark) Rodman. Matt spent his early childhood in Marshalltown before moving to Missouri and living in Adair and Sullivan County for most of his life. In 2017 he married Beth Howard and she survives of the home. Also surviving are two sons; Blake Howard (Lydia) of Kirksville, Missouri and Lucas Howard (Cassidy) of Springfield, Missouri, two step daughters; Rachel Wood (Mitch)…

Beverly Ann (Grice) Fields, of Galt, Missouri, passed away Thursday, November 20, 2025, at Sunnyview Nursing Home in Trenton, where she had been a resident for the past three and a half months. She was 9 days shy of her 83rd birthday. Beverly was born November 29, 1942, at her grandmother Becky’s home south of Milan, Missouri, the daughter of Mildred Edna (Gramling) Hughes and Adlaie Nelson Grice. She attended schools in Iowa, Chillicothe, and Milan, Missouri, but did not earn her GED until in her 40s – an accomplishment she was most proud of. Beverly was a hard worker…