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Obituaries

Paul Homer Crader, 94, of Fenton died May 25, 2026. Mr. Crader grew up in the Jackson area and earned a bachelor's degree from Southeast Missouri State University. Afterwards, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany for…

Jennifer Botkin, 50, of Barnhart died May 16, 2026, at her home. Mrs. Botkin was a teacher. She enjoyed experiences over worldly things, practicing her faith and spending time with family and friends. She will be remembered for her determinat…

David Paul Westhoff Sr., 79, of De Soto died May 16, 2026. Mr. Westhoff dedicated many years of service to Chrysler, where he worked in the paint department. Following his retirement, he continued serving others through his work with Mahn Fun…

Terry W. Capstick, 78, of Festus, formerly of St. Louis, died May 23, 2026. Mr. Capstick served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and was a member of Amvets Post 42, VFW Post 3777 and Elks Lodge 1721. He was a former Patriot Guard Rider…

Judith Lee (Pursley) McKeen, 79, of Waco, Texas, formerly of Grubville, died Feb. 25, 2026, at Providence Village Nursing Home in Waco, Texas. Born Aug. 4, 1946, in Dittmer, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth and Melba (Wideman) Pursley.

Jennifer Lynn “Jenny” Clark, 53, of De Soto died May 21, 2026, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mrs. Clark was a homemaker. She enjoyed gardening and trading collectables. Born April 27, 1973, in Crystal City, she was the daughter…

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James Richard “Rich” Mason, 84, of Herculaneum died May 21, 2026, at his home. Mr. Mason was a graduate of Leadwood High School. He worked for Chrysler Corp in Fenton and retired as a supervisor from River Cement/Buzzi Unicem of Festus. He an…

Betty Beniece Gotcher, 88, of Eureka, formerly of Montgomery City, died May 18, 2026, at St. Andrew's at Francis Place. Mrs. Gotcher worked for many years as an associate at GenCorp in Berger. She was devoted to her family, faith and the peop…

Ralph John Koenig, 83, of Festus died May 9, 2026, at Missouri Baptist Hospital in Town and Country. Mr. Koenig was a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran and a retired educator, having taught in the Armstrong, Winfield and St. Louis County Special Scho…

J.R. Phelps, 46, of Festus died May 18, 2026, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mr. Phelps loved to go to the dirt track races, ride motorcycles and work on cars. Born Oct. 5, 1979, in St. Louis, he was the son of Judy Medley (Davi…

John Frank Grillo, 100, of Crystal City died May 16, 2026, at de Greeff Hospice House in St. Louis County. Mr. Grillo served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in WWII, supporting D-Day, and was a graduate of Penn State University. He moved his famil…

Cletus George Jennewein Sr., 91, of St. Louis, formerly of Festus, died April 9, 2026, at Crystal Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation in Crystal City. Mr. Jennewein was a member of Sacred Heart Church and the Knights of Columbus. He loved spendin…

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To arrange for the publication of a paid obituary in the Leader, visit www.myleaderpaper.com/site/forms/announcements/obit, call the office at 636-931-7560 or email news@myleaderpaper.com. The charge is $95 to run an obituary in any one of the three weekly papers or the bi-weekly Eureka paper. Cost to add an additional paper the same week is $35 for each. All obituaries are subject to editing for length and to conform to the newspaper’s standard obituary format.

Georgia Lee McDermott, 94, of Imperial died May 13, 2026. Mrs. McDermott worked for many years as a nurse in the Children’s Nursery at Cardinal Glennon. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Imperial. She enjoyed attending social …

The Rev. David Randall “The Cross Guy” Middleton, 76, of Hillsboro died May 14, 2026, at Mercy Hospital South in St. Louis. Mr. Middleton served as lead pastor for several churches before founding his ministry, Nation Without the Cross is Los…

Phyllis Ann Boyer, 85, of De Soto died May 14, 2026, at her home. Mrs. Boyer worked as a teacher for the De Soto School District. She enjoyed tutoring, gardening, helping others and volunteering, especially at Hillcrest Care Center in De Soto…

Dennis James “Denny” Auth, 87, of Hillsboro died May 16, 2026, at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis. Mr. Auth served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1957 to 1963. He retired from Afton Chemical in 2009. He was Catholic.  A jack of all tra…

Ralph “Rusty” Sloan Jr., 77, of De Soto died May 8, 2026, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mr. Sloan retired as a carman welder from the Union Pacific Railroad. He served in the U.S. Army for three and a half years during the Viet…

Edward H. Riiff, 72, of Cedar Hill died May 16, 2026. Mr. Riiff loved helping others and spending time with his family. He enjoyed going on fishing trips and traveling the country with his wife. He was a diehard baseball fan, an enthusiast of…

Jerry “Homer” Brocksmith, 66, of Arnold died May 14, 2026, in Jefferson County. Mr. Brocksmith was a retired union painter and was known for his hard work and the friendships he made. He also was known for his quick wit, unforgettable stories…

Ronald Anton Follmer, 84, of De Soto died May 15, 2026, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mr. Follmer worked with his wife preaching ministries in the churches and communities of Williamsburg, Ky., Richmond, Va., Sioux City, Iowa, …

Deborah Ann Meyer, 74, of Imperial died May 12, 2026. Mrs. Meyer was a member of MENSA International and NAMI. She and her husband attended St. John's Beloved Disciple Catholic Church for 50 years. Throughout the years, she worked as a projec…

OJ Tarwater, 52, of Imperial died May 14, 2026. Mr. Tarwater was known for his wit, bright energy and one-of-a-kind sense of humor. He was considered the ultimate wildcard in any conversation. He loved street racing and muscle cars. When he w…

Laura Lee Ferguson, 61, of Barnhart died May 9, 2026, at her home. Mrs. Ferguson was a member of Gracelife Chapel and Pevely Baptist Church. Born January 10, 1965, in St. Louis, she was the daughter of Fay (Jarvis) Griffith of Festus and the …

Floyd Joseph Bequette, 63, of De Soto died May 10, 2026, at his home. Born Jan. 10, 1963, in St. Louis, he was the son of Judith (Bequette) Fadler and the late Robert “Bob” Fadler. He was preceded in death by his wife, Melissa (Barton) Bequette.