obituaries

May 25, 2026

Alfred “Dwayne Pyrtle, of Leslie, passed away at his home on Monday, May 25, 2026, at the age of 65. He was born to the union of Marion and Barbara (Landers) Pyrtle, in St. Louis, on January 17, 1961.

Dwayne, as he was known to family and friends, worked in the construction of log homes in his more than forty-year career....

May 22, 2026

Charlotte D. Glover, of Union, passed away in the presence of her family on Friday, May 22, 2026, at the age of 82. She was born in St. Louis on February 27, 1944, the daughter of Charles and Ethel (Dearing) German.

She loved country and rock and roll music, with Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn being among her favorites. Charlotte enjoyed...

May 21, 2026

Bernard Unnerstall, of St. Clair, passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the age of 63. He was born to the union of Earl and Elsie (Sohn) Unnerstall, in Washington, on April 24, 1963.

He was a self-employed tree trimmer, working in Franklin and surrounding counties. His love for the outdoors led him to his profession and to his hobbies of...

May 15, 2026

Mary Jean Cole of Washington, MO passed away surrounded by the family she loved so dearly on May 15, 2026. Mary lived a beautiful life, centered around the people who meant the most to her.

Mary was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and the most cherished “MiMi” you could ever hope to have. Her greatest joy in life came from...

May 14, 2026

Franklin Edward Busse of Labadie, Missouri peacefully passed away at 75 years of age on May 14, 2026 at Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur. He was in Hospital Hospice Care surrounded by the love of his family. He had strong faith and belief and trust in God.

Franklin was born on May 6, 1951 in St. Louis, Missouri to John Edward...

May 14, 2026

Jeffery Brian Leach of Washington, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at the age of 78, after bravely battling lymphoma. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to the late Jefferson and Lorraine (Bryan) Leach and was lovingly raised by his mother and devoted stepfather, Walter “Lucky” Luchsinger in Union, Missouri.

On June 30, 2001, Jeff was united...

May 13, 2026

Wayne Jerome Hull, of Villa Ridge (formerly of Oneida, New York), passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the age of 85. He was born in Oneida, New York on May 18, 1940, to Harold and Lillian (Storey) Hull. 

Wayne married Miss Fay Irene Arnott on January 27, 1962. They had three children and were blessed by 52 years of...

May 13, 2026

John David “Dave” Ladyman, of Union, passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the age of 56, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on April 7, 1970, in Sullivan, MO., to Larry and Sharon (Trosper) Ladyman.

Dave married his wife Laura in June of 2011. They had many wonderful years together. Dave was a huge Kansas City Chief’s...

May 11, 2026

Christina Marie (Young) Jackson peacefully passed away on Monday, May 11, 2026, at the age of 56.

She was born on January 22, 1970, in Carthage, Missouri, to Robert and Diane (Kinslow) Young. Christi was the oldest of four children and carried that role with strength, love, and devotion throughout her life.

Christi followed her passion by attending culinary school, becoming a...

May 10, 2026

Saundra “Sandy” J. (Hoovler) Nash, 76 of Villa Ridge passed away on Sunday May 10, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Washington. Sandy was born on November 7, 1949, in Erie, Pennsylvania to Jacob and Betsy (White) Hoovler.

Sandy was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Before retiring she worked at Rawling in Washington for many years. When she was physically able,...

May 10, 2026

Mark A. Smith, 62, passed away Sunday, May 10, 2026, at Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan.

He was born May 7, 1964, in Poplar Bluff, MO to Mr. Billy and Carmelita (Baker) Smith. On May 13, 1989, he married Miss Linda M. Cleary in Clayton, MO. From this union they were blessed with two children.

Mark owned and operated Smith Fence Company...

May 5, 2026

Janey Marie (Smith) Knutson, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at the age of 56 in Washington, MO.

She was born on June 3, 1969, to Mr. and Mrs. Leon and Mary (Hance) Smith in St. Louis, MO.

Janey worked for many years as a manager at McDonald’s in Union. She enjoyed working with others and getting to know her customers....

May 2, 2026

Cletus “Clete” Joseph Lutz Jr., 66, of St. Clair, MO passed away on Saturday May 2, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on March 2, 1960, in Jefferson City, MO to the late Cletus and Bessie (Sundermeyer) Lutz Sr.

On June 6, 1981, he was married to Miss Norma J. Ritchey, this union was blessed with three amazing daughters.

Clete...

Apr 19, 2026

Joan Marian Ferro (née Dunham, formerly Grimm), the first born daughter of Frank and Eunice (née Carrico) Dunham, was born on November 30, 1931, in St. Louis, Missouri, and passed away on April 19, 2026, at the age of 94.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roy Ferro; former husband, Gene Grimm; son, David Grimm; daughter, Susan...

Apr 18, 2026

Kimberly Sue Pursley, 60, of St. Clair, passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2026. She was born to Tim Williams and wife Charlotte (Panhorst), in Washington, on December 13, 1965.

Kim as she was known to family and friends, is survived by her son, Cody Lewis of St. Clair; husband, Mike Pursley of Washington: beloved stepfather, Carl...

Apr 17, 2026

George Daniel Mahler June 11, 1952-April 17, 2026

George Daniel Mahler of Pacific passed away peacefully on Friday, April 17, 2026, at the age of 73, surrounded by many family members and many close friends. He was born on June 11,1952, in Mexico, Missouri to Mr. George Walter and Mary Louise (Devine) Mahler.

At the...

Apr 16, 2026

Gerald R. Schmelz, 81, of Union, Missouri, passed away on April 16, 2026.

He was born on February 27, 1945, to the union of Robert and Ruth (Williams) Schmelz.

Jerry was employed at Ford Motor Company and retired there after many years of employment.

He was a caregiver to his deceased wife, Julia...

Apr 14, 2026

Rev. Michael John Garn, of High Ridge, MO passed away suddenly on April 14, 2026, at the age of 65.  He was born on November 6, 1960, to Ivan and Phyllis (Keesecker) Garn in Oregon, Ohio.

While attending Midwestern Baptist College, he married Miss Kelly Jean Shaw on June 18,1988, he then graduated in 1990.  This union...

Apr 12, 2026

Nancie Jean Gildehaus, of St. Clair, passed away on April 12, 2026, at the age of 72. She was born in St. Louis on October 17, 1953, to Bill and Rose Dulworth (née Creely).

Nancie earned her associate's degree and worked as a computer analyst, but her favorite role was bartending at the VFW in St. Clair,...

Apr 10, 2026

Jesse Lee Williams, of Afton, passed away on Friday, April 10, 2026, at the age of 47. He was born in Washington, on October 24, 1978, son of Lloyd Williams and Lea Ann (Eads) Williams.

He attended Union High School and joined the United States Air Force shortly after graduating. Jesse proudly served his country during Operation...