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Obituaries

Craig Dennis Blackey, 75, of De Soto died Aug. 26, 2026. Mr. Blackey graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1969, then proudly served in the U.S. Army as an SP4 radio operator while stationed in Germany, narrowly missing deportation to Vietn…

Joan Lee (Scott) Dennis, 86, of New Haven, formerly of High Ridge, died Aug. 29, 2026. Mrs. Dennis loved being a mother and devoting herself to her family. Strong in her faith, she was a member of Holy Family Church in Port Hudson. She was kn…

Thomas Kenneth Mohr, 80, of Hillsboro died Aug. 29, 2026, in Crystal City. Mr. Mohr worked as a plumber's laborer for Feit Plumbing and was a proud member of Laborers' International Union Local 110. He was known as a loving family member and …

Lawrence Dean Govero, 56, of Park Hills died Aug. 20, 2026, in St. Louis. Mr. Govero worked as a carpenter for McManus Construction. He was known as a hardworking and knowledgeable man who could build just about anything. In his free time, he…

James Richard Buxton, 80, of Catawissa died Aug. 27, 2026, in Fenton. Mr. Buxton was a farmer and beekeeper. He served in the Army National Guard and was a member of the Franklin and Jefferson County Beekeepers Association. Born June 8, 1946,…

Jeffrey Thomas “Jeff” Raines, 59, of Denton, Texas, died Aug. 25, 2026. Mr. Raines was a graduate of Crystal City High School and the University of Missouri. He was a Christian and senior director of business planning for billing at Charter/S…

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Brenda Kay Carter, 81, of Olympian Village died Aug. 29, 2026, at Evelyn’s Hospice House, Creve Coeur. Mrs. Carter was a homemaker who loved spending time with her family. She was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church. Born July 22, 1945, in St…

Darrell Giffin, 70, of Valley Park died May 5, 2026. Mr. Giffin loved spending time with his family. He will be remembered for the many jokes he shared and his friendly and outgoing nature. He was born on Feb. 26, 1956.  

Glenna Sue "Susie" Bruns, 86, of Festus died Aug. 27, 2026, at her home. Ms. Bruns loved being around people and was known for having “never meeting a stranger.” She enjoyed playing cards, bingo and board games and had a passion for sewing, m…

Scott Dale Betzer, 57, of Arnold died July 21, 2026. Born March 11, 1969, Mr. Betzer was the son of the late Sue (Ruesse) and Dale A. Betzer.

Deborah Faye “Debbie” (Maddox) Smith, 67, of Festus died Aug. 24, 2026, at Mercy Hospice House in St. Louis. Ms. Smith was a graduate of De Soto High School. She worked at Jefferson Memorial Hospital for 40 years as a lab tech phlebotomist. S…

James Eli Smith, 93, of Hillsboro died Aug. 29, 2026, at his home. Mr. Smith served in the U.S. Army. He retired from the U.S. Defense Mapping Agency in St. Louis and was a member of Second Baptist Church in Festus. Born Jan. 21, 1933, in Bea…

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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.

Kenneth Ray Williams, 70, of Festus died Aug. 26, 2026, at Mercy Hospital South in St. Louis County. Mr. Williams was a retired over-the-road truck driver and spent more than 20 years on the road. He loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed …

Donald Walter Achter, 88, of Pevely died Aug. 27, 2026, at Mercy Hospital South in St. Louis County. Mr. Achter was a retired easement negotiator for the Missouri Department of Transportation and Accountant. He was a longtime member of Zion L…

Dennis Edward Wren, 69, of Fenton died Aug. 22, 2026. Mr. Wren was a Christian and served in the U.S. Army. Born July 23, 1957, he was the son of the late Glenda (Hutchinson) Wren and James Wren.

Deborah Jean (Boyer) Collins, 68, of High Ridge died Aug. 17, 2026, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Mrs. Collins loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She loved birthdays, holidays, family events and specia…

David T. Houser, 92, of Hillsboro died Aug. 24, 2026. Mr. Houser married his wife in 1963. He was a missionary in Papua New Guinea from 1963 to 1973, pastored Lutheran Churches in Hardwick and Troske, Minn., from 1973 to 1977 and moved to Hil…

Linda Sue McCulley, 78, of Eureka died Aug. 21, 2026. Mrs. McCulley had a talent for making ordinary moments unforgettable. She enjoyed Sunday dinners, holiday traditions and lazy afternoons spent talking with her family and friends. She was …

Jeramiah James “Crazy J” Snyder, 40, of De Soto died Aug. 25, 2026. Born April 30, 1986, in Festus, Mr. Snyder was the son of Russell (Heather) Snyder of Waukee, Iowa, and Melissa (Don) Politte of De Soto.

Renee Rachelle Abel, 68, of Willow Park, Texas, died Aug. 12, 2026. Mrs. Abel loved spending time with family and friends and especially loved her trips to the beach. Her home was considered a welcoming place for family, friends and those in …

Frederick Nicholas Steinmetz, 95, of Hillsboro died Aug. 19, 2026. Mr. Steinmetz was a 1949 Jennings High School graduate and was an active member of the Jennings High School Alumni Reunion Group for 77 years. He served in the Army on the Hon…

Robert Alan “Bob” Estes Sr., 73, of Hillsboro died Aug. 21, 2026, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Mr. Estes retired from the U.S. Army after a distinguished career as a Cobra pilot. He earned the rank of CW4 (Chief Warrant Officer 4) …

Diane Frances (Weigand) Crump, 73, of Hillsboro died Aug. 23, 2026. Ms. Crump enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, especially an evening of Bingo or a trip to the Boat, where she enjoyed trying her luck at the casino. Most of all, she loved …

Barbara L. Heffron, 72, of De Soto died Aug. 24, 2026. Ms. Heffron worked as a CNA at Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Crystal City. Born Oct. 30, 1953, in Bonne Terre, she was the daughter of the late Marvin Keith and Betty Jean (Baisch) Heffron.