obituaries

May 7, 2025

Marsha Merritt , 72, of Centralia passed away Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia. She was born on July 23, 1952, in Centralia, the daughter of Warren and Jessie (Orrill) Peoples. She married Bob Redman, and they later divorced. She married Phil Rogers, and they divorced. She married John David Merritt on June...

May 2, 2025

Bobby Leo Splechter , 92, of Sandoval passed away peacefully Friday, May 2, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on January 24, 1933, in Houston, Missouri, the son of Joseph Albert and Verda Mae (Green) Splechter. He married the love of his life, Verta Lee Skeen on May 9, 1952, in Salem and she...

May 1, 2025

Larice Diane Stalls , 64, of Centralia passed away peacefully Thursday, May 1, 2025, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon with her son by her side. She was born on August 12, 1960, in Centralia, the daughter of Girland and Edna Earle (Hicks) Stalls.

Survivors that will remember Larice's amazing fighting spirit include her...

Apr 30, 2025

Loren 'Wayne' Pepple , 96, passed away on April 30th, 2025, at Gordon Manor, Redwood City, CA.

Wayne was preceded in death by his brothers, Clarence and Robert, an infant sister, half-brother Clarence, and his parents, Ivan and Elsie (Overbey) Pepple. He is survived by his wife of 76 years, Margaret (Harville) and their children, Merriam Hanley...

Apr 23, 2025

Mary Louise Smith , 90, of Centralia passed away peacefully Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Mt. Vernon Countryside Manor.  She was born on October 31, 1934, the daughter of Clarence and Gladys (Jones) Weaver in Rusk County, Texas. She married Dwight Smith, one daughter was born of this union and they later divorced.

Survivors that will remember...

Apr 19, 2025

Phyllis Ann Guthrie , 89, of Centralia passed away Saturday, April 19, 2025, at St. Louis University Hospital. She was born on February 18, 1936, the daughter of George and Mildred Mae (Cole) Chambers in Centralia.

Survivors include her twin sons, Brian (Lisa) Guthrie of Centralia and Brent (Janice) Guthrie of Carlyle; grandchildren, Garett (Amanda) Guthrie, Macie...

Apr 18, 2025

Jennifer Ray Bailey 51, of Muncie, IN formerly, of Centralia, IL passed away Friday, April 18th at her home. She was born June 8th, 1973 in Centralia, IL the daughter of Cathy Darlene (Rhynes) Brundridge and Bob Bailey. She is survived by lifelong partner Dave Marling of Muncie, IN; loving children Lacy Taylor and husband Justin of Salem, Tanisha...

Apr 14, 2025

Vernon Leroy Lee , 82, of Vernon passed away peacefully at his daughter's home in Iuka surrounded by his loving family, Monday, April 14, 2025. He was born on November 10, 1942, the son of William and Leona (Campbell) Lee. He married Patsy Payne on January 18, 1964, in Marion County and she survives.

Along with his...

Apr 13, 2025

LaVerne Irene Backs , 97, of Centralia passed away Sunday, April 13, 2025, at Centralia Manor. She was born on November 28, 1927, the daughter of William and Louise (Daum) Knollman in Centralia. She married Marvin Backs on May 17, 1947, and he preceded her in death on November 13, 1983.

Survivors include her children, Karilyn (Johnathan)...

Apr 10, 2025

JoAnna Sue Busscher, 66, of Iuka passed away Thursday, April 10, 2025, at St. Louis University Hospital. She was born on December 17, 1958, the daughter of Carl and Betty (Lacy) Young in Salem. She married John W. Busscher on April 15, 1989, in Clark County, Nevada and he survives in Iuka.

Along with her devoted husband,...

Apr 9, 2025

Rosemary Alexander , 84, of Patoka passed away Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia. She was born on February 12, 1941, the daughter of Leslie and Marybelle (Singer) Walker in Patoka. She married Larry Alexander on September 24, 1959, at the Christian Church in Patoka, and he survives her in Patoka.

...

Apr 9, 2025

Florence J. Marlow , 96, of Centralia passed away peacefully Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at Centralia Manor. She was born on August 19, 1928, the daughter of Raymond and Naomi (Dugan) Heap in Centralia. She married Norman G. Marlow on December 21, 1946, and he preceded her in death on December 15, 2005.

Survivors include her beloved...

Apr 1, 2025

Delmar Lee Unsell Jr. , 57, of Centralia passed away Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at his home. He was born on September 24, 1967, the son of Delmar Sr. and Shirley (Hayes) Unsell in Centralia.

Survivors include his siblings, Johnny Unsell, Becky (Unsell) Wilson, and Liz (Unsell) Wimberly; nieces and nephews, Cody Wilson, Allee Wilson, Kaylee Wilson,...

Mar 31, 2025

Victoria Marie "Vic" Steele , 70, of Odin passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, friends and much love Monday, March 31, 2025. She was born on July 4, 1954, in Centralia, and her birthdate truly suited her "firecracker" personality. Vic was the daughter of her beloved parents, Virgil and Barbara (Tillman) Steele.

Survivors that will remember how...

Mar 29, 2025

Charles Fletcher Jr. , 75, of Centralia passed away, surrounded by his family, Saturday, March 29, 2025, at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia. He was born on June 1, 1949, the oldest son of ten siblings, to Charles Sr. and Louise (Richerson) Fletcher in St. Louis. He married the love of his life, Deborah Baker on December...

Mar 17, 2025

Mae Speiser , 98, of Boulder passed away Monday, March 17, 2025, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon. She was born on January 10, 1927, the daughter of Jess Sr. and Ruby (Yardley) Quick in Boulder. She married Ralph V. Speiser on May 16, 1945, and he preceded her in death on September 23, 1995.

Mar 13, 2025

Marilyn Kay Sanders , 75, of Centralia passed away Thursday, March 13, 2025. She was born on April 21, 1949, the daughter of James and Thelma (Gwaltney) Phillips in Breese. On March 30, 1968, she married her high school sweetheart, Robert Eugene Sanders and he preceded her in death on March 21, 2023.

She was a loving...

Mar 10, 2025

SHATTUC –

Elbert Edwin Brink , 87, of Shattuc, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, March 10th surrounded by his family.  Elbert was born on October 14, 1937, in Ferrin, Illinois, the son of Edwin and Louise (Michael) Brink.  He married Lois Kroeger at Trinity Lutheran Church, Hoyleton, IL on August 22, 1964.  They celebrated...

Mar 9, 2025

Terry "Jerry" G. Hixenbaugh , 73, of Centralia passed away Sunday, March 9, 2025, with his family by his side. He was born March 23. 1951, the son of Raymond and Alma Opal (Friend) Hixenbaugh. He married Donna Harmon, they later divorced. He then married Elizabeth Simpson, and she preceded him in death on October 26, 2018.

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Mar 6, 2025

Nora Kay Bunn, passed away on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at the age of 7 with her loving family surrounding her. Nora was born on September 26, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri to Brent and Jani Torrence Bunn.

She is survived by her beloved parents Brent and Jani Torrence Bunn; brother Jack Bunn; sister Reese Bunn; grandparents...