Upcoming Services
John Earl Smelcer
(Jul 02, 1963 - Sep 26, 2026)
John Smelcer loved his family and friends and big outdoor adventures. His life was shaped by growing up in Alaska before the pipeline. He invested much time and energy building community.
He held degrees including a PhD in creative writing from Binghampton University, and undergraduate degrees from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks with majors in Anthropology, English, and Secondary Education. He published widely in poetry, fiction and oral history.
John was a lifelong advocate of preserving Alaska Native language and culture. Through roles with Rosebud Magazine including poetry editor, editor-at-large, and CEO/Publisher, he had far-reaching impact in the world of creative writing.
John Smelcer is survived by his wife Amber Johnson, daughters Zara Smelcer and Ayiana Smelcer, and mother Betsy Green.
He was preceded in death by his brother Ernie Smelcer.
John’s remains will be cremated following his wishes.
A memorial gathering of friends is …
Aaron Charles (Charlie Oliver) McClanahan II
(Jan 19, 1947 - Sep 25, 2026)
Charles McClanahan II (Charlie Oliver), 79, of Kirksville, Missouri passed away Friday, September 25, 2026 at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville.
The son of the late Aaron Charles and Lilly May (Collins) McClanahan I, he was born January 19, 1947 in Kirksville, Missouri. In addition to his parents, Charlie was also preceded in death by his sister, Margaret (McClanahan) Quint; his brother, Mike McClanahan; his father-in-law, James M. Day; his mother-in-law, Arvilla E. Day; his brothers-in-law, Vernon Day, and Leon Johnson; as well as his nephews, Randy Johnson, Rick Johnson, John Johnson, and Danny Joe Johnson.
On April 13, 1968 in Kirksville, Missouri, Charlie married Elizabeth Ann Day. They were married fifty-eight years and to this union two sons were born.
Charles is survived by his wife Elizabeth Ann (Day) McClanahan of the Home in Kirksville MO; his sons Aaron Charles McClanahan III and Wife (Jackie …
Hannah Marie (Mason) Kellam
(Apr 24, 1939 - Sep 24, 2026)
Hannah Marie (Mason) Kellam, 87, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Thursday, September 24, 2026 at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville.
Born April 24, 1939 in Kirksville, Missouri, Hannah was the daughter of the late Fred and Lena Pearl (Baker) Mason. She was also preceded in death by her husbands, Clyde Findling and Floyd Kellam; her daughter, Cathi Louder, and ten siblings, Emmet Mason, Arnold Mason, Richard Mason, Alvis Mason, Robert Mason, Cleava Jones, Ester Schroeder, Mary Goalder, Cordilia Still, and Waldo Mason.
Hannah is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Lynn Findling of Kirksville, MO; one daughter, Darla Kay English and fiancé, Roger Fox of Moline, IL; eleven grandchildren, Miranda Lampe, Kayla (Nic) Nielson, Justin English, Jamison Boer, Avery Findling, Noah Findling, Cole Findling, Lucas Findling, Amanda (Zach) Chambers, Debra (Nick) Snyder, and Matthew and Ashley McCarty; thirteen great-grandchildren, Jackson Conger, Gabriel Conger, Aldon Conger, …
Recent Services
Gary Ellsworth Hollon
(Dec 29, 1936 - Sep 20, 2026)
Gary Ellsworth Hollon, 89, formerly of Kirksville, passed away September 20, 2026, at LaBelle Manor Care Center, LaBelle, Missouri.
The son of Paul and Marcella (Hodges) Hollon, he was born December 29, 1936, in Milan, Missouri. On January 4, 1958, in Kirksville, he was united in marriage to Dainie Irene Murphy.
Gary is survived by his wife Dainie, a daughter, Milene Mittelhauser of Sedalia, two grandsons, Davis Mittelhauser and wife Kayla, and Cooper …
John Courtney Lechner
(Oct 13, 1948 - Sep 18, 2026)
John Courtney Lechner, 77, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Friday, September 18, 2026 surrounded by family.
John was born October 13, 1948 in Washington, IA to William Norman ‘Bud’ and Patricia Jean (Flynn) Lechner. Better known as Kurt, he graduated from Washington High School in 1966. He graduated from Northeast Missouri State University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in Business. On July 28, 1973 he was united in marriage to Deborah Kathryn …
Barbara Ann (Payton) Ownbey
(Feb 22, 1948 - Sep 17, 2026)
Barbara Ann (Payton) Ownbey, 78, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Thursday, September 17, 2026 at The Arbors Highland Crest Care in Kirksville.
Born February 22, 1948 in Flint, Michigan, Barbara was the daughter of the late Grover Robin and Thelma Mae (Carson) Payton. She was also preceded in death by her granddaughter, Robin Marie Helm. On April 2, 1966 in Gifford, Missouri, Barbara was united in marriage to James Otis Ownbey who preceded her …
James Marshall "Jim" Robertson
(Jun 14, 1938 - Sep 08, 2026)
James Marshall Robertson, born June 14, 1938, in Farmington, Iowa, passed away on September 8, 2026, in Kirksville, Missouri. Jim was a businessman, devoted family man, and a man with a generous heart who touched the lives of many through his family, work, friendships, and service to his community.
Jim was the son of Gladys and Charles Harvey Robertson. He attended Gem City Business College in Quincy, Illinois, before beginning a long and successful …
Sasha Kay Fountain
(Aug 24, 2010 - Sep 07, 2026)
Sasha Kay Fountain, 16, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly, Monday, September 7, 2026, at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville.
Sasha was born on August 24, 2010, in Kirksville, Missouri.
Sasha is survived by her father and mother, Drew and Brianna (McRoberts) Fountain of Kirksville, MO; one sister, Isabella Dawn Fountain of the home, two brothers, Roman Easton Fountain and Lincoln Aaron Fountain of the home; grandfather, Dale Fountain of Kirksville, MO, …
Mary Elizabeth (Snider) Farwell
(Dec 15, 1947 - Aug 27, 2026)
Mary Elizabeth (Snider) Farwell, 78, of Green Castle, Missouri, passed away Thursday, August 27, 2026 at the University Missouri Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.
Born December 15, 1947 in Cassville, Missouri, Mary was the daughter of the late Chester and Edith "Betty" Snider. On August 9, 1972 in Jenkins, Missouri, Mary was united in marriage to Tommy Rex Farwell who preceded her in death on October 17, 2025. She was also preceded in death by …
Aaron William Chrisman
(Nov 24, 1941 - Aug 14, 2026)
Aaron William Chrisman, 84, of Greentop, Missouri, passed away Friday, August 14, 2026 at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville.
Aaron was born on November 24, 1941 in Kansas City, Kansas, the son of the late Walter and Mona (Stafford) Chrisman. On November 12, 1960 in Livonia, Missouri, Aaron was united in marriage to Jacquetta "Jackie" Blue.
Early in his career Aaron worked at rock quarries in Grinnell and Iowa City, Iowa. Later …