Obituaries

Ella Elizabeth Schoning, 96, of Hallsville, passed away Saturday, December 21, 2024, at her home.

Areta Mayes, age 83 a lifelong resident of Centralia, Missouri passed on December 20, 2024. She was born on Mother’s Day, May 11, 1941, in Audrain County, the daughter of Lester and Julia England. She graduated from Centralia High School in 1958 and William Woods College, Fulton, MO in 1960. On December 26, 1960, she was married to Jerry Mayes in the First Christian Church by Rev. Bill Herod. They were married 62 plus years, and he preceded her in death on October 7, 2023; parents Charles (Lester) England, Mother Julia (Surber) England; brother Delbert England; Father-in-law F. Brent Mayes and his wife Edith (Leach) Mayes. Survivors include: son Jeff B. Mayes & husband David Warshany, Kansas City MO; daughter Julee G. Baugh & husband Scott, Calhoun City, MS; brother Randall L. England (Tori) Centralia, MO; sister-in-law Cheryl (Bill) Tuggle, Centralia MO. Nieces: Kayla (Scott) Maid, Harrisonville MO; Macey (Jason) Watermann, Centralia, MO; Markie (Wil) Lampkin, Union, MO; Andre’ (Phil) Foley) Hemet, CA; Niece Katy (Rich) Petty, Centralia, MO.

Mary Lou Shelnutt, 102, Sturgeon, Missouri passed away Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at the Lodge in Fayette, MO. She was born November 17, 1922, in Harrisburg, MO the daughter of the late Charles and Ethel (Evans) Porter. On July 12, 1941, she was united in marriage to Henry "Hobart" Shelnutt who preceded her in death on October 3, 1970. She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by one daughter Betty McKenzie and her husband Larry of Clark, MO; five grandchildren Janet White, Grant Shelnutt and Sarah, Shelly Hadel and Joe, Julie Cummings and Tim and John McKenzie and Megan; several great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to her parents and husband, one son Gerald "Jerry" Shelnutt, three brothers, four sisters and a daughter in law preceded her in death.

Richard W. Swindell, 70, Hallsville, MO passed away Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at South Hampton Place in Columbia, MO. He was born July 24, 1954, the son of the late Robert Swindell and Ilene (Kramer) Swindell. On February 14, 1978, he was united in marriage to Janet (Counts) Swindell. In addition to his wife Janet of 46 years, he will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by one son Ryan Swindell of Ft. Worth, TX; one daughter Kristen Townsend of Columbia, MO; his mother Ilene Swindell of Mexico, MO; a sister Rhonda Stockdall and her husband George of Centralia, MO; six grandchildren Darius, Ty, Michael, Parker, Cooper and Lizzie; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and many dear friends.

Wanda Jean Hendren Cook, 92 of Centralia passed away Monday December 9, 2024, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia.

Kate Brown, 70, formerly of Centralia, died on December 2, 2024, at her home in Boonville after a long battle with Parkinson's disease dementia. She was born in Kansas City, Missouri on January 29, 1954, and was a graduate of St. Teresa's Academy and the University of Missouri- Columbia. Kate was a Spanish teacher at Mexico and Harrisburg schools. She retired in 2012 after a 19year teaching career. She loved her students and kept in touch with many after their graduation. She was the wife of Dr. Glenn Brown, formerly a superintendent at Centralia schools.

June Current, 90 of Sturgeon passed away, Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, December 6, 2024, at the Sturgeon Christian Church with burial to follow in the Mt. Horeb Cemetery in Sturgeon. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of the service on Friday at the church.

Herbert Leon Griggs, 102 of Columbia died Sunday, November 24, 2024, at the Neighborhoods by Tiger Place in Columbia. Funeral Services were held 11:30 AM Monday December 2, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbia with burial to follow in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Centralia. Visitation will be held from 10:30 AM until the time of the service on Monday at the church. Herbert was born on December 28, 1921, in Columbia, the son of James Neal Griggs. and Myrtle Ann (Calvert) Griggs.