Area Obituaries

  Kaleb Lynn Keaton, age 19 years and 11 months, son of Freddie Lynn and Renee Keaton, was born October 25, 2002 in Houston, Mo. He passed away September 25, 2022, in Salem, Mo. Kaleb is preceded in death by his Grandma Wilma Johnson, Papa Freddie E. Keaton, Great-Grandma Vivian Goforth, Great-Grandma Genevieve Johnson, Great-Grandpa…

Myrtle Lucille (Wichmann) Riley, of Licking, Mo., was born October 11, 1926, in St. Louis, Mo., to Emil and Fannie (Chambers) Wichmann. She left this earth to join her husband of 50 years in heaven on September 15, 2022, with her daughters at her side. Myrtle was baptized at a young age and attended school…

Christopher Kenneth Dieman was born December 12, 1975, at General Fort Leonard Wood Army Hospital, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., the son of Charles and Deborah (Therkelsen) Dieman, and departed this life Sunday, September 4, 2022, at his childhood home, Plato, Mo. He professed his faith in Christ as his Savior and was baptized at the…

Charles W. “Chuck” Ayers, age 74, of Licking, Mo., was born July 30, 1948, in Albuquerque, N. Mex., to Arthur Lee and Bertha (McDaniel) Ayers. He passed away September 10, 2022, in Licking, Mo. with his wife by his side. Chuck’s childhood years were spent between Albuquerque and Drasco, Ark. Charles later moved to Licking,…

Reverend Dr. Paul D. Branstetter, age 86, of California, Mo., passed away Monday, September 5, 2022, at Valley Park West Retirement Center. Paul was born on December 26, 1935, in Mansfield, Mo., the son of Charles and Marie (Marah) Branstetter. Paul married his college sweetheart, Marcia Moyer, on July 11, 1960, and they have two…

Bobbie Jean (Brinkley) Tripp was born on August 10, 1933, to Warren and Mary (Kirk) Brinkley in Kimble, Mo. She went home on September 4, 2022, surrounded by her family in Licking, Mo. On May 29, 1952, in Mountain Home, Ark., she was married to her true love, Otis Walter Tripp, and to this union…

Edward Franklin Atkisson, son of Herbert Bazel Atkisson and Helen Louise (Perkins) Atkisson was born on October 21, 1938, in Texas County. He passed away on August 26, 2022, at Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston, Mo. He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Angela; granddaughter, Alisha; brothers, Gene, Bill, Ronald and Harry;…

  Sonya Sue (Welch) Johnson was born October 10, 1940, in Licking, Mo., to Leland and Elta (Caton) Welch. After graduating from Licking High School in May 1958, she married Robert Johnson on October 18, 1958. Bob and Sonya were blessed with three children, Roger Johnson, Melody (Mark) Espinoza and Clinton (Li Yen) Johnson. Bob…

Russell Ambus Sisco II, age 48, son of Marvin and Nancy Sisco, was born on February 15, 1974, in Columbia, Mo. He passed away on August 24, 2022, in Columbia, Mo., at University Hospital. Russ is preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Nancy Sisco; and birth father, Russell A. Sisco I. He is…

Francis “Frank” Arthur Mace passed away August 11 at his home in Edgar Springs, Mo. He was born March 24, 1943, to Marvin and Alma (Melton) Mace of Edgar Springs. Frank was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marie (Penrod) Mace; step-daughter, Sharon Mace and partner John Watson; sister and brother-in-law, Zelma and…