All Obituaries

Our dear mother and grandmother, Janice D. (Jan) Baird, passed away peacefully at home on November 20, 2022, at the age of 86.  She was the daughter of Edward L. and Dolores M. Sampson, who preceded her in death, as did her older brother, Richard E. Sampson of West Milford, New Jersey.  Those left to cherish her memory include daughters Bonni Baird (Bob Kochuk) of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Becki Baird (Pye Magiera) of Columbia, Missouri; granddaughter Jessica Baird (Brian...

Daniel Thomas Wilkie, 59, a resident of Columbia, passed away on Sunday, January 29, 2023, at University Hospital.  Daniel was born on May 2, 1963, in Moses Lake, Washington, the son of James Wilkie and Peggy Slaughter Wilkie. On May 5, 1998, in Columbia, he married Gaye Walcott and together they celebrated over 24 years of marriage. Daniel worked at Town and Country Lanes as the assistant manager where he was known the heart of Town and Country Lanes. He was a gentle man with a kind...

John Wesley Jenkins IV, usually referred to as “JW” or “Jay”, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on Monday afternoon, January 16, 2023 at his home.  He was 97 years old. JW was born December 29, 1925 in Kansas City, Missouri to father Paul Wesley Jenkins and mother Lucille McPherson Jenkins.  Jay began his education at Border Star Elementary School and attended high school at Pembroke Country Day...

Ronald Dean Pickett, 75, went home to his Lord on January 21, 2023.  Ron was born on August 10, 1947, in Davenport, Iowa to the late Woodrow and Clara (Summers) Pickett. On December 18, 1965, he married Janice Garrett in Columbia.  Ron was a member of CenterPoint Church and member of CenterPoint Men.  He was the ultimate servant – helping and serving anyone with a need.  He was employed as an auto body man for most of his career working in several mid-Missouri body...

Kenneth Edward Rupp Jr., 67, a resident of Columbia, passed away on January 21, 2023 at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital. Kenneth was born on December 4, 1955, in Bryan, Ohio, the son of Kenneth Edward Rupp Sr. and Mary Ellen March Rupp. Kenneth was a member of The Way International and was very involved in his church. Kenneth served his country proudly in the United States Navy. He had a love for computers and enjoyed working on them; he also had a love of cars and enjoyed...

On Thursday, January 19, 2023, Galen DeWitt Harper, a beloved husband, father, stepfather, and grandfather passed away.  He was seventy-five.  Born to Ollien Harper and Lois Harper ‘nee Crenshaw in Cairo, Illinois on January 2, 1948. Galen graduated from Charleston High School in Charleston, MO in 1965 and studied at Southeast Missouri State University. He was previously married to Claudia Anna Caldwell in 1967.   He currently is survived by his wife and best...

Eugene “Gene” Ray Morris, 92, went home to his Lord on January 18, 2023.  Gene was born on August 26, 1930, in Boone County, Nebraska to the late Lewis and Zeta (Dunagan) Morris. On June 7, 1952, he married Dorothy Alfred in Columbia. Family will gather at Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel on Monday, January 23, 2023 from 1:00 – 2:00 P.M. with a graveside service with Military Honors following at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested Coyote Hills, St....

Nancy Jane Manring Holman passed away Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at the age of 62, surrounded by family and friends.  Nancy was the fifth of eight children, born to Gordon and Pat Manring in Albany, Missouri, February 15, 1960. She grew up on a farm east of town. She enjoyed playing the clarinet in the band, cheerleading and dipping cones at the Dairy Wheel. She graduated from Albany High School in 1978.  Nancy attended the University of Missouri and was a member of Alpha Phi...

Kenneth Wayne Deakins, 78, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2023, at his home surrounded by his loving family.  Kenneth was born in 1944, in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, to the late John and Phyllis (Sailor) Deakins.  He attended Oklahoma University and graduated from Truman State with a degree in Criminal Justice.  After serving in the Army during Vietnam, he served his community as a police officer with the Columbia Police Department and retired after a long career...

Kimberly Marie James 1963 – 2023   Kimberly Marie James, 59, of New Franklin passed away on January 12, 2023. Kim was born in Boonville on July 25, 1963, the daughter of James Lee and Betty Lou Nieman Eckerle.  Kim was a 1981 graduate of New Franklin High School.  She married John James on October 11, 1986.  She was a member of SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Boonville, the New Franklin Lions Club and the Saddle Club. Kim loved caring for her horses, going...