Area Obituaries

Sharon Louise Schlapia was born on April 21, 1943, in Basin, Wyoming, to Albert Schlapia and Elizabeth Katherine Matisheck Schlapia. Due to divorce, Sharon grew up with two families. Her father, Albert married Delois Brock and together they had Sharon’s siblings: Janis Mizelle (and her son, Brian Mizelle), Phylis Swearingen, Florence Wilson, and Dan Schlapia. Her mother, Katherine married Muriel Lindquist and had Sharon’s siblings: Idris Kay Brooke, Charles Dennis Lindquist, and Deborah Sue Lindquist. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews from both families. Sharon was predeceased by her mother and father and their spouses as well…

Louise Mason Hunter, 85, of Bowling Green, Missouri, departed her loving family at her daughter’s home on May 6, 2026. Louise was born May 5, 1941, in Kirksville, Missouri to Luey and Rosy (Heincy) Walker, Louise was a graduate of Knox City High School and Truman State University. She was united in marriage to Don Hunter October 28, 2006, who survives of the home. Immediate survivors include her daughter, Lesa Smith and husband, Bradley; grandsons, Nathan Smith and Joshua (Katie) Smith; great-grandchildren, Solomon and Maria Smith, all of Center, Missouri; brother, Larry (Marilyn) Walker of Knox City, Missouri; along with…

Amanda Jo Fagan, age 41, passed away unexpectedly on March 27, 2026 in Osage Beach, Missouri. She was born April 30, 1984 in St. Joseph, Mo. She is the daughter of Gary and Janet (Clouser) Fagan. She was welcomed home by her big brother Jason. Amanda began her education at Maysville R-1 and graduated from Knox County in May of 2002. She continued her education at Missouri Valley College, Marshall, MO and graduated in May 2006 with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Recreation Administration. She graduated from Western Governors University in March 2022 with her Masters of Science in…

Robert Franklin “Bob” Lewis, age 92, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2026, in Queen City, Missouri. He was born on April 25, 1933, in Edina, Missouri. Bob was the youngest of twelve children born to Clifford and Mary (Tully) Lewis and was the last surviving sibling. Growing up in Edina, he worked alongside his brothers and sisters on the family dairy farm, learning the value of hard work at an early age. He attended Edina Public Schools and graduated from Edina High School with the Class of 1951. He went on to serve his country honorably in the United…

Charles Duane “Chuck” Howerton, age 85, of Hurdland, Missouri, passed away Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Illinois. Born March 24, 1941, in Kansas City, Missouri, Charles was the son of Thomas and Helen Faye Eisenhower Howerton. He came to Hurdland when he was five years old and was adopted by Thomas Howerton. Charles was united in marriage to Jackie Clary on October 15, 1979, in Hurdland, Missouri. Chuck lived most of his life in the Hurdland community where he was engaged in farming on the family farm. He enjoyed tractors, tools, hunting, watching westerns and…

Rutledge, Missouri 1925 – 2026 Marjorie Marie Ward, 100, of Rutledge, Missouri, passed away Thursday morning, April 2, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones. The daughter of Cecil Paul and Ethel Ambrose Starkey. She was born December 21, 1925, in Hudson, Illinois. She attended school in Hudson, Illinois, where she graduated. After graduation she worked at Steak ‘n’ Shake and at an Ice House. On February 10, 1946, Marjorie married Lloyd Ward in Bloomington, Illinois, and to this union two children were born, Connie and Robert. In 1952, Marjorie, Lloyd and Lloyd’s brother, Orville along with his wife Donna, moved…

Timothy Hal (Tim) Shahan, age 77, passed away Tuesday, March 31,2026, in the LaBelle Manor. He was born February 5, 1949, in Hurdland, Missouri, the son of Robert Estes and Mildred Hallic (Lockett) Shahan. He attended Hurdland Elementary School and graduated from Knox County High School in 1967. He operated a Sawmill and farmed with his father. He enjoyed doing machine work at his shop, he could repair his tractors and farm machinery. He owned and enjoyed riding Indian motorcycles. Tim is survived by two sisters, Mary Jane Brue and Alice Grondin. One brother Bill Shahan. He was preceded in…

Julie Ann Hamann, 57, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. Julie was born February 13, 1969, in Quincy, Illinois, the daughter of Robert Lee “Bob” and Mary Patricia “Susie” Early Cahalan. Julie attended St. Joseph Catholic School (1-8) and Knox County High School, where she was the Valedictorian of the Class of 1987. Upon graduation, she attended the University of Missouri – Columbia on a Missouri Bright Flight Scholarship where she obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration (Finance) in 1991 and a Master’s of…

Larry E. Easterday, 85, of O’Fallon, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 surrounded by family. He was born on February 6, 1941 in Coalville, Utah, the youngest of five brothers, to Ruby and Everett Easterday. Soon after, the Easterdays moved to Northeast Missouri and began farming. Larry attended the local schools in Milan, MO and graduated from Milan High School in 1959. After high school, Larry attended Northeast Missouri State College in Kirksville, MO, now Truman State University. He graduated with a degree in Secondary Education major in Social Studies and History with a minor in Industrial Arts.…